Li Yi spent the entire night meditating, studying every technique he had read and remembered. In his mind, he ran multiple tests and theories on the best ways to condense his base. He truly didn't like any of the methods he had studied that day; he knew they were all far too basic.
Therefore, he decided to create his own, as his mind still harbored the knowledge of his first attempt and the experience his brothers had shared about condensing theirs.
He knew creating a new, superior technique wouldn't be easy, but he had to try. If he failed, his shattered base would eventually disperse, causing severe damage—though he wouldn't die instantly, he would have to heal enough just to try again. Of course, he preferred to succeed on the first attempt, even though he knew that would require all the luck in the heavens.
He based his hypothesis—now almost a theory—on a principle from his old world that seemed extremely useful for grounding his technique: he thought of black holes and how spacetime contracts and collapses due to gravity. Considering the energy that covered this world, an idea began to take shape in his mind.
He knew that beings could cultivate by absorbing the energy between heaven and earth. While it was more effective to use spiritual stones or herbs, it was also common to absorb vast amounts of ambient energy through formations. Thus, he conceived a viable idea: if he created a type of black hole inside his body that only absorbed spiritual energy, he would generate a constant flow that would not only help him form a more-than-perfect base but would also boost his energy capacity to an almost infinite degree.
But, obviously, it was easier said than done.
He began to formulate the method: he would create a small sphere of energy and make it rotate faster and faster until the centrifugal force dispersed the central energy, creating a tiny vacuum at the center. Then, he would form a vortex around the sphere rotating in the opposite direction, mixing unrefined energy with his inner energy to generate a confinement field that would attempt to crush the sphere.
If he managed to control it, the constant rotation of the vacuum would pull in the energy of heaven and earth. Everything would collapse toward the center of the vortex, and he would only need to control the rotation of the sphere, the distance to the center, and the speed of the vortex with pinpoint precision. A single failure would trigger a chaotic explosion that could shred his internal organs.
According to his calculations, the edge of the vortex should be the size of a cell, and the vacuum sphere barely the size of a particle. Thus, a "Black Hole" type base would be born. Although the idea was clear, he still needed to gather a large quantity of spiritual stones and herbs to fuel the process.
With the plan mapped out, Li Yi decided to rest. The next day, he would search for more books, commissions, and supplies for his formation.
...
At dawn, Li Yi rose early to reach the town center just as the shops were opening. However, upon arrival, he noticed more people than expected; a crowd was huddling in a corner of the main plaza. As he drew closer, he understood the reason for the agitation.
It was said that several villages to the northwest had been attacked by beast hordes that massacred the population. Many were thinking of fleeing toward the central cities, but it was nearly impossible: the only way out was under the escort of Warrior Realm cultivators, who would likely leave without taking additional burdens, as the villagers had nothing to offer in exchange. It was also unknown if the attack would arrive soon or if it was a local incident. Lacking solutions, the people resigned themselves to continue working, mired in uncertainty.
The martial arts schools and the Great Families, for their part, would not leave. For them, the hordes were an opportunity to obtain beast corpses, useful for both energy consumption and the sale of valuable materials. The town maintained its routine, but a palpable tension hung in the air, reflected in the fear of some and the greed of others looking to profit from the crisis.
That day, Li Yi barely obtained three or four commissions; no one wanted to spend resources. Upon returning to the cabins, he met with his siblings to discuss the possible invasion. Sister Shen Shinyu spoke first:
"The best thing is to gather supplies as soon as we perceive the arrival of the beasts and concentrate in the town center, which is the most protected area. It's likely the warriors of the Great Families will go out to hunt, but some beasts will slip through. We will have to resist together."
Brother Zang Li added:
"We must collect all the medicinal herbs and supplies possible. If the horde lasts several days, we will need provisions and medicine for wounds. Besides, Brother Xuhan Mo won't be able to help us directly, as he'll be tasked with protecting the outer perimeter. We'll have to fend for ourselves."
Li Yi remained silent. At that moment, he was one of the weakest and had no better ideas to protect the group. However, he wouldn't sit idly by. He would have to venture into more dangerous areas—taking advantage of the fact that the beasts hadn't arrived yet—to find the necessary resources and condense his base once and for all.
Moments after everyone finished planning, they left the cabin. Brother Zang Li approached Li Yi to speak with him calmly.
"Don't worry, Brother Li Yi," he said in a reassuring tone. "If we prepare enough and stay united with the common folk of the town, we can resist until the martial cultivators defeat the beasts. That's how we'll survive."
"Yes, I'm calm, Brother Zang," Li Yi replied. "As long as we manage to hold out long enough, we can later focus on everyone condensing a good base. One day we'll leave this town and won't have to fear sudden beast hordes."
Zang Li nodded, though his gaze turned reflective.
"Yesterday, when I passed the houses of the Great Families and near the schools, I noticed they were preparing with weapons and items, as if they were awaiting a great battle. I thought they were simply going hunting, not that the beasts would attack the town. This is all very sudden."
"Well, Brother Zang, we have to go for more supplies now and make use of the days we have left to gather enough," Li Yi concluded, bidding him farewell with a gesture.
Quickly, he headed to his cabin. He searched through his belongings for the oldest and most worn-out robes he had, put them on so as not to ruin his better clothes, and without wasting a second, left the town toward the uncertainty of the outside world.