For the next period, the entire Skydragon City entered an unusually busy state, making all preparations to face the impending invasion from the Blood and Devil Sects.
Seven or eight thousand Skydragon Dark Guards returned to the valley, training day and night.
Casey and the Azure Dragon team were also busy, spending almost all their time in the Gathering Spirit Array unless Billy had tasks for them.
Stephanie Stuart and Edie Fennimore, besides training, discussed defense strategies with Marquise Thompson and Isaac Herring, simulating various scenarios.
Billy himself, during the day, continued to study Inscription Array Art and worked on the city protection array with the help of Opal and Amber.
At night, he focused on deepening his practice of the Strengthening Bloodline Method.
Time flew by, and half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
During these days, there was no sign of the Blood and Devil Sects, as if they had completely given up on the Forbidden Ruins Space.
But Billy knew this was just a brief calm before the storm.
The quieter the enemy was, the more it indicated they were planning something bigger.
Meanwhile, the four major empires sent their emperors to visit Skydragon City.
They came to express their gratitude, bringing many cultivation resources with them.
They also came to discuss future strategies.
The four empires clearly understood that the Blood and Devil Sects would not stop and would take further actions.
They had no courage to face another large-scale conflict.
So, they pinned their hopes on Skydragon City.
Billy and his mother hosted the representatives from the four empires, discussing plans for an entire day.
Although no best solution was found, Billy managed to reassure them significantly.
Half a month later, there were many changes in Skydragon City.
Firstly, everyone’s cultivation levels had improved.
With the current effectiveness of the Gathering Spirit Array, staying inside for ten days was almost equivalent to six months of training outside.
Coupled with the high-level cultivation resources sent by the four empires, everyone’s cultivation had advanced significantly.
Stephanie Stuart and Opal both broke through to half step into Holy Realm, just one step away from truly entering Holy Realm.
Amber advanced to late stage of ninth-rank Sacred Realm and was expected to reach half step into Holy Realm soon.
Casey and Edie Fennimore both advanced by one and a half levels, entering ninth-rank Sacred Realm.
Azure Dragon, Azure Fang, Ian Blade, and Bob also advanced by one and a half levels.
Felicia, Night Orchid, and Sol Stuart broke through two levels, reaching mid to late stages of Sacred Realm.
As for Billy himself, with the help of Strengthening Bloodline Method, his bloodline power greatly improved.
Additionally, he increasingly felt his absorption speed of spiritual energy from heaven and earth was accelerating.
Now, he could absorb spiritual energy anywhere as effectively as in the Gathering Spirit Array.
Moreover, from a certain perspective, the spiritual essence he absorbed was purer than that in the Gathering Spirit Array, enhancing his cultivation more effectively.
He knew this was due to the Spiritual Line Origin within him.
Although he still couldn’t sense its presence, it was a fact that it resided in his body.
Over these ten days, Billy’s cultivation also advanced by one level without any suspense.
He had now reached half step into Holy Realm!
Besides his cultivation improvement, he also made significant progress in Inscription Array Art.
A batch of new ‘robots’ was produced. Although their combat power wasn’t particularly strong yet, their durability had significantly improved compared to the previous ‘bamboo section man.’
In the following days, he focused entirely on the city protection array, which was of utmost importance.
“Boss, Elder Isaac is looking for you!”
One morning, while Billy was pondering over arrays in the northern manor of the city, Judge led Isaac Herring in.
“Elder Isaac, what’s up?” Billy put down his work and greeted him.
“Mr Billy, have you heard about the primeval forest outside the southern suburbs?” Isaac Herring asked anxiously as he walked in.
“The primeval forest?” Billy paused slightly.
If not for Isaac Herring’s reminder, he would have almost forgotten about that place in Forbidden Ruins Space.
He remembered Nelson Morris once told him that deep within that primeval forest lay one of Forbidden Ruins Space’s four forbidden areas.
He had planned to visit it when he had time but had forgotten due to being busy.
“Yes!” Isaac Herring nodded.
Hearing him mention the primeval forest, Opal and Casey gathered around curiously.
“I know that place!” Billy nodded. “What’s wrong? Did something happen?”
“Elder Cruz went there to gather herbs two days ago and hasn’t returned yet. I’m worried something might have happened,” Isaac Herring responded.
“Hmm?” Billy was slightly taken aback.
He knew Elder Cruz referred to Cruz Barron from Mystic Pill Sect. Although not top-notch in alchemy within Mystic Pill Sect, his medical skills surpassed Isaac Herring’s. He used to manage Mystic Pill Sect’s warehouse.
After Skydragon City’s establishment, Cruz Barron took charge of medicinal supplies and management in the city lord’s mansion with a team of over a hundred people.
“Does Elder Cruz often go to that primeval forest for herbs?” Billy asked further.
“About once or twice a month!” Isaac Herring nodded. “He mentioned there are many natural treasures there and occasionally takes people along for luck.”
“He usually returns on the same day but has been gone for almost three days this time. I’m worried…”
“Did Elder Cruz mention what herbs he was looking for or where exactly he was going?” Azure Dragon asked.
“No!” Isaac Herring shook his head. “He usually doesn’t have specific targets but roams around collecting good herbs for our stock.”
“Did Elder Cruz go alone?” Casey asked.
“No!” Isaac Herring shook his head again. “Due to tight supplies of some high-consumption herbs recently, Elder Cruz took over ten people with him this time.”
“And none have returned?” Casey frowned slightly.
“No!” Isaac Herring shook his head again.
“I’ll go check it out later!” Billy frowned as well but continued asking after a brief thought. “Elder Isaac, have you heard that one of Forbidden Ruins Space’s four forbidden areas is within that primeval forest?”
“I’ve heard rumors!” Isaac Herring nodded but added. “However, it’s just hearsay without confirmation.”