The "permanent field" was actually what had been called the "Firmament Beyond" in the old era.
This expanse of open space stood right at the edge of the Ring of the World, serving as an advance outpost for the Ring itself.
Upon entering, the first sight that met Chen Chuan's eyes was an endless drift of architectural debris, both large and small, suspended in the air.
Some fragments remained relatively intact, recognizable as reinforced concrete structures that still had lights shining from within, while most had shattered into smaller chunks.
From his vantage point, these floating remains formed a dense formation resembling an asteroid belt.
The entire space appeared as an expansive void, suffused on all sides by radiant, multicolored haze.
It seemed this place had endured repeated collisions and clashes of formidable forces, leaving numerous areas torn apart. Several massive breaches remained, through which alien light seeped in from outside; once inside, the light pooled along the edges and flowed downward like molten lava.
Yet one could see that these breaches were slowly but steadily mending themselves. There, standing upon floating fragments of ruined buildings, several figures flickering with the fire of spirituality seemed to be on guard.
Xiao Yuanguang said, "This is the front line of conflict. It has been shattered many times before, only to be erected anew. Because the rituals in the rear are quite stable and the power of the Ring of the World still covers this place, we don't need to station an overwhelming force here. Currently, there are two entry and exit points. Each rift is typically defended by two Dongxuan View and four Longevity View martial artists."
As Chen Chuan listened, Kaiyang provided him with information detailing the martial artists stationed here.
In this area alone, of the two Dongxuan View martial artists, one cultivated the Visage of Man and the other the Visage of the Aberrant. Most of the Longevity View martial artists cultivated either the Visage of the Aberrant or the Visage of the Divine.
He nodded slightly. This disposition was very sound. Martial artists of the Visage of Man were the least susceptible to aberrant corruption, and anyone capable of reaching the Dongxuan View was no ordinary fighter, making them ideal as the core backbone. The strange powers of the Visage of the Aberrant could play a decisive role at critical moments, while the Visage of the Divine could disperse and escape at any time, excelling at scouting, covering, fighting rearguard actions, or harassing the enemy.
Xiao Yuanguang continued, "The personnel here are only responsible for defense, not offensive sorties. Our duty as members of the Advisory Group is to cross over to the other side and eliminate the fiends that draw close. Once you pass through here, you enter the true world beyond, and that is where the real danger lies."
He looked toward Chen Chuan. "A considerable portion of the relics we recover and the critical resources we require are obtained out there. Although some scattered remnants can be gathered in the rear, they are scarce, and their grade is generally not very high. I am very gratified that when Advisor Pei suggested sending personnel outside to gather materials earlier, you didn't agree. That is an extremely perilous mission. Often, a single request or order of ours can cost the lives of many comrades. They truly shouldn't be sacrificed in places like that."
Chen Chuan agreed. Yet it also occurred to him that just because he refrained from doing so didn't mean other advisors would follow suit. That would only squander their own strength in vain. Many aspects of this system indeed needed to be changed as soon as possible.
He looked ahead. "Senior Xiao, I would like to take a look around on the other side."
Xiao Yuanguang nodded. "Then I'll accompany you."
Chen Chuan agreed. For his first foray to the other side, having someone as experienced as Xiao Yuanguang by his side was naturally ideal.
As Xiao Yuanguang walked forward, he sent a message through the boundary credential: "Advisor Chen, take note of a number first. We'll need it shortly."
However, he did not explain what purpose it served.
Chen Chuan committed it to memory.
As the two moved swiftly toward the breach, the martial artists guarding the area learned that two advisors were heading into the world beyond. Seeing two beams of light streak outward, they saluted from afar.
They were familiar with Xiao Yuanguang, but none had seen Chen Chuan before. Once the two had passed, the guards couldn't help discussing them among themselves.
"I haven't seen that one before. Is he a reserve advisor nominated this year? I thought this year's nominees hadn't been announced yet."
"Old Shen, your information is out of date."
Another martial artist gestured forward with his chin. "That's Advisor Chen. I heard he bypassed the probationary stage entirely and was directly appointed as a full member by the Advisory Group."
Watching the direction in which the two had departed, he remarked with emotion, "Looks like he officially joined the Advisory Group today."
The martial artist called Old Shen was somewhat surprised. "Leaping straight to full advisor? Is that even possible? Advisor Chen..."
He pondered for a moment, then realization dawned. "Could he be... Commander Chen from the front lines?"
"That's him. Advisor Chen led the front-line campaign and brought down the former imperial household. With merits like that, who else would be made an advisor?"
"So it really is him. I heard rumors that he didn't secure the nomination this time. Seems that was just baseless gossip."
"Not necessarily baseless," the other martial artist remarked meaningfully. "The waters in there run very deep."
After emerging from the breach, Chen Chuan found that Xiao Yuanguang had vanished from his side. At the same time, he immediately sensed that the surroundings were entirely different from anything he had previously encountered.
In the past, when he slashed open a rift with the Xuejun Saber, even though he had crossed over to the other side, he had remained under the protection of the Ring of the World, making it difficult for higher-tier powers to seep through.
Now, however, he could clearly tell that the power shielding him was gradually receding.
At the same time, he felt countless fields appearing around him. Some were boundless and vast, others as minute as specks of dust, and most flashed past in an instant, as if moving at tremendous speed relative to one another.
Even without deliberately pursuing them, his spirit quietly memorized these distinct fields.
Just then, he noticed a field attempting to make contact with his own. It was easy to identify as Xiao Yuanguang's, but he did not respond immediately.
Kaiyang issued a prompt: "Advisor Chen, Advisor Xiao is attempting to establish contact with you." At the same time, it provided a keyword—the exact number Xiao Yuanguang had sent him earlier.
Chen Chuan hadn't expected Kaiyang to still offer guidance even here.
This certainly wasn't Kaiyang's primary consciousness, as connection with the rear was already severed; it was undoubtedly a sub-consciousness residing within his boundary credential.
Once he verified the number, he accepted the field. In an instant, Xiao Yuanguang, who had vanished without a trace, reappeared before him.
Xiao Yuanguang wore a look of approval. "Advisor Chen, it was very good of you not to respond immediately. Beyond the Ring of the World, one must maintain vigilance at all times."
He tapped his temple. "Unless companions share a prearranged code or cipher, you cannot trust anyone."
Chen Chuan nodded and asked, "Did you locate me through Kaiyang just now as well, Advisor Xiao?"
Xiao Yuanguang replied, "Kaiyang does offer some assistance in that regard, but only for close-range contact. I was able to find you because I frequent this place and can easily pick out various targets from the chaotic sea of fields. The fields here are extraordinarily dense. You must have felt it just now, right?"
Chen Chuan confirmed that he had. Too many fields had appeared in that single instant, so many that it was impossible to distinguish them all.
Some were exceptionally powerful, instinctively putting him on guard. It was precisely because his primary attention had been drawn there that he hadn't scrutinized the other fields; otherwise, he felt he should have sensed Xiao Yuanguang's presence immediately.
Xiao Yuanguang said, "Everyone who ventures beyond the Ring of the World must go through this adjustment process. Advisor Chen, you must remember that here, fields cannot be allowed to make contact lightly. Once fields blend, it means both sides are drawing close to each other. You must make good use of your spirit so that you can discern things in advance. In this spiritual realm, while mental techniques are important, the purity of one's spirit takes precedence above all else. The purer and stronger the spirit, the clearer one's discernment of opponents.
"Our role as advisors is to identify the fiends drawing near or hiding in the vicinity of the Ring of the World, and find ways to intercept or track them down and slay them. Many newly spawned fiends do not know how to conceal themselves and are easy to locate and destroy. But seasoned adversaries who have clashed with us repeatedly are exceedingly adept at concealment. You must be extraordinarily cautious.
"To give you an example, they frequently employ a fishing tactic. They might send an avatar or dispatch lower-tier fiends to engage us in battle, but their own fields remain tethered to those creatures. If you inadvertently make contact, the moment your fields intertwine, you will instantly be pulled close to them. If they seize you, there will be no returning."
At this point, his tone grew exceptionally grave. "Being devoured is the least of it. Under their manipulation, one can end up becoming an aberrant fiend on the other side."
Chen Chuan committed this silently to memory. This was invaluable experience, undoubtedly bought with the sacrifices of predecessors; without foreknowledge, falling into such traps would be all too easy.
Xiao Yuanguang sighed. "The Ring of the World grants us protection, yet under its constraints, we cannot employ too many varied tactics. Thus, personal capability and strength become paramount here."
With that, he offered another solemn reminder: "Advisor Chen, formidable entities abound here, and higher-tier fiends on the other side keep their eyes fixed on us at all times. You must proceed with caution and never let your guard down."
Chen Chuan nodded. He understood well enough. Once outside the Ring of the World, one risked facing higher-tier powers directly. No matter how strong he currently was, he could not surpass those fiends, making prudence absolutely essential.
Xiao Yuanguang said, "Advisors on watch duty typically operate in pairs so they can look out for each other. However, if you are confident in yourself, you may also act alone; the Advisory Group does not impose either approach. Which method do you lean toward, Advisor Chen?"
Chapter 1479