Late at night, Lin En didn’t sleep.
Ever since the Crystal Core was constructed, his mental power had grown stronger by the day, and even the need for sleep had become almost optional.
He sat cross-legged on the hard cot, not meditating to recover, but replaying the battles of the past days.
The brutal scenes of the Ashen Forest replayed in high definition, like a holographic projection, speeding, freezing, and enlarging within his Sea of Consciousness.
The deathly scream of the Demonbreaker Bolt tearing through the air…
The embarrassment of being pressed by a thief at close range…
The destructive shockwave when an Alchemical Explosive self-detonated…
Two hastily constructed Shields being pierced and shredded like paper…
The overwhelming force striking his back, organs twisting as if squeezed by an invisible giant hand…
Wei’er being hurled by the shockwave, jagged rocks below looming like the fangs of hell in that deadly instant…
“Aside from actual combat experience, defense… passive defense is the biggest shortcoming!”
The cold conclusion cut into the core with surgical precision.
Relying on the immense mental strength granted by the Crystal Core and the brain’s instantaneous response could allow for bursts in desperate situations, but could not compensate for the lack of systemic, sustained passive protection.
When faced with ambushes, high-penetration, and complex attacks, his current defensive methods were slow to activate, structurally simple, and had low fault tolerance, leaving fatal weaknesses exposed to the enemy’s fangs.
“There’s a need for armor that exists at all times, requires no conscious activation, and can automatically respond to the first and even ongoing waves of damage!”
Lin En’s eyes snapped open, a sharp light flashing in his deep pupils.
He flipped off the bed, walked to the desk, grabbed a charcoal pen, and began sketching and calculating wildly on a blank sheet of parchment.
The Mental Engine of a scientist roared to full power!
The two Crystal Cores within his Sea of Consciousness spun rapidly, mental power weaving and simulating countless defensive schemes!
“My constructed Crystal Cores can run in multithreaded parallel! A single core with twelve channels is enough to support the real-time operation of complex magic!”
“This world has Bane Runes that are the bane of Magi. What I need is absolutely not a single defensive method. Then…”
In Lin En’s mind appeared the honeycomb structure he had seen under a microscope in his previous life—perfect hexagonal cells, tough outer walls, an enclosed, energy-laden honey layer, and a flexible inner wall protecting the larvae.
The charcoal pen scratched across the page.
An unprecedented defensive system, merging magical principles with physical laws, rapidly took shape.
Honeycomb Bulwark!
The outer Honeycomb Wall: if you zoom in to the microscopic level, you can see countless miniature hexagonal energy units, like the toughest insect carapace, tightly and seamlessly interlocked to form a solid outer barrier.
They emitted a faint, nearly imperceptible energy glow, constantly present but with minimal consumption.
This was the first iron gate of defense—its physical resistance pushed to the limit, capable of withstanding heavy blows.
For non-penetrative energy flows, it could even deflect or reflect them, harmlessly redirecting them elsewhere.
The middle Honey Layer: filling the interior of those rigid hexagonal units was not air, but a viscous, molten gold-like liquid flame energy—drawn from Lin En’s most familiar fire magic.
It usually slumbered like lava, inert and calm, maintaining minimal energy circulation.
Yet this seemingly docile honey was the true reaction core of the entire defense system!
When the outer Honeycomb Wall was forcibly breached by violent force—especially energy with Bane Rune properties that disrupted magical structures—the corresponding section of the Honey Layer would instantly detonate!
This terrifying energy did not diffuse chaotically, but was precisely guided by the Crystal Core, triggering a targeted counter-blast against the invading force!
A high-pressure shockwave instantly destroyed its penetrative power and kinetic energy, and might even melt or shatter it outright!
This was the refined application of reactive armor.
The inner Comb Wall: clinging to Lin En’s skin, a flexible, dense energy mesh like a biological membrane existed silently.
It served as the final line of defense and the stabilizing foundation of the bulwark, constant and low in consumption.
If anything slipped past the outer and middle layers, its exceptional flexibility would absorb the last of the impact, catching the blow like the toughest spiderweb.
At the same time, it acted as an invisible barrier, blocking residual high temperatures, freezing, corrosion, and other secondary damage from Lin En’s body.
Most importantly, it maintained the overall structural stability of the Honeycomb Bulwark, ensuring that even if a local area suffered heavy damage, the whole defense system would not collapse instantly, buying Lin En critical response time.
Three layers fused seamlessly!
The outer layer sensed, identified, and resisted initial impacts.
Once the defensive threshold was exceeded or breached, the middle layer’s reactive armor launched a directional counterattack, while the inner layer absorbed residual energy, isolated harm, and stabilized the structure.
The entire process completed automatically within milliseconds, requiring no active control from Lin En!
“Perfect! But… it needs a separate Crystal Core to sustain its construction!”
A brilliant gleam shot from Lin En’s eyes.
Such a complex three-layer structure required continuous mental construction, far beyond what his main combat Crystal Core could handle!
A Crystal Core dedicated to defense and energy regulation had to serve as the control center!
The instant this thought surfaced, Lin En’s mind moved, and he turned his inner gaze toward his Sea of Consciousness.
After a period of mental training, life-and-death struggles in the Ashen Forest, explosive exertion, suppressing Wither Fever for his mother, analyzing Holy Light, and especially the ultimate test of will and control when constructing a Crystal Core for Wei’er…
His Sea of Consciousness had been tempered and expanded without him even noticing!
The space that had once been cramped for two Crystal Cores was now much more spacious.
The barriers of his Sea of Consciousness grew tougher and denser.
“The Sea of Consciousness… is now enough to accommodate a third Crystal Core!”
A sense of enlightenment surged within him.
The expansion of the Sea of Consciousness and the concept of the Honeycomb Bulwark fit together perfectly!
No more hesitation!
Lin En immediately returned to the bed, sat cross-legged, and entered the deepest state of meditation.
Within his Sea of Consciousness, the light from the two main Crystal Cores dimmed slightly, making room for a new member.
“Construct! Third Crystal Core! Bulwark Core!”
Will as a hammer, mental power as a tide!
With practiced ease, Lin En gathered his vast spiritual energy, once again forging the Spirit Knife—finer than a strand of hair, yet infused with ultimate will.
He chose the Face-centered Cubic structure again, representing a stable, efficient, multi-channel framework.
But from the very beginning, Lin En optimized it for a wholly different purpose:
Extreme stability, protection, energy transformation, and precision control.
Its function was the opposite of the explosive main combat core—more weighty, with a sense of control.
As he constructed the lattice framework, Lin En directly imprinted the just-designed three-layer Honeycomb Bulwark model, liquid flame phase transformation algorithms, directional shockwave generation pathways, and three-layer coordination logic into the core nodes and energy channels like the most advanced nano-etching technique!
From the moment of its creation, this Crystal Core was born to operate the Honeycomb Bulwark—a true control center!
The construction process was much easier than the first time, but inscribing such complex, specialized algorithms required terrifying precision.
Beads of sweat formed on Lin En’s forehead as his mental power burned at high speed.
Yet the expanded Sea of Consciousness and strengthened mental barriers allowed him to support the process with stability.
He didn’t know how much time passed…
Buzz!
Deep within the Sea of Consciousness, a gentle and weighty amber-gold light ignited!
The glow was not dazzling, yet it radiated the calm of earth and the power of a furnace.
A third, slightly smaller, flawless Face-centered Cubic Crystal Core—its surface covered with intricate defensive Runes—hovered steadily in the Sea of Consciousness, forming a stable triangle with the other two.
“Honeycomb Bulwark… activate!”
A mere flicker of thought.
The amber-gold defensive Crystal Core responded instantly!
A formless wave swept across Lin En’s entire body.
Buzz…
A faint, almost invisible energy field covered his skin.
As the output of mental power from the third Crystal Core shifted, the defense and counterforce of the Honeycomb Bulwark adjusted accordingly.
Peering inward, he saw a honeycomb of dense hexagonal energy grids at the outermost layer, filled with viscous, slowly flowing liquid flame, while the innermost layer was a transparent, flexible membrane clinging to the skin.
All three layers, like a living breath, maintained minimal energy flow under the control of the defensive core.
Success!
The Honeycomb Bulwark was complete!
Lin En slowly opened his eyes, exhaling a long breath.
Fatigue was washed away by the thrill of achievement and anticipation for his new power.
Outside the window, the faintest glimmer of dawn crept over the eastern sky.
He stood, moving to the center of the room.
With a thought, the ordinary fruit knife on the table floated before his left arm, pulled by his mental power.
“Honeycomb Bulwark minimum mental output test. Test one: physical penetration.”
Under Lin En’s control, the knife stabbed forcefully at the bare skin of his left forearm.
The instant the tip touched—
Sizzle!
The outer hexagonal grid at the contact point flashed into sharp relief, like a transparent diamond armor offering powerful resistance!
Lin En pushed the knife harder with his mind.
The resistance grew!
“Reached preset physical threshold! Trigger!”
He murmured in his heart.
At the split second before the blade pierced the outer defense—
Pop!
A faint, clear muffled sound.
At the contact point, the viscous liquid flame instantly detonated!
Ding!
The knife shot away, as if struck by an invisible hammer.
Lin En’s left arm felt a clear shock, but the skin remained unscathed—not even a white mark left behind!
The flexible inner membrane gently absorbed and dissolved the remaining force.
“Outer layer resists, middle layer directional counterattack neutralizes main kinetic force, inner layer absorbs the rest… perfect!”
A satisfied glint flashed in Lin En’s eyes.
“Test two: energy impact.”
He raised his right index finger, a small Apprentice Level Fireball forming at the tip.
“Go.”
He flicked.
The tiny Fireball drifted lazily toward his chest.
The moment it touched—
Buzz!
The outer grid flashed, slightly deflecting and weakening the Fireball’s energy.
The remaining fire energy penetrated—
Hiss!
The affected area of liquid flame ignited, reacting violently!
A small field of gold-red counterforce exploded!
The energy of the Fireball was instantly obliterated by this blast zone!
Lin En only felt a gentle warmth at the contact point on his chest, like winter sunlight.
The inner membrane completely blocked any residual heat.
“Energy neutralization is effective, secondary harm isolated… success!”
Lin En longed to test against Bane Rune attacks, but, regrettably, he had nothing of the sort at hand—he could only simulate it theoretically.
“Test three: theoretical simulation—Bane + explosive composite impact.”
He stood in place, rapidly simulating the Ashen Forest scene where he encountered a Demonbreaking Explosive Arrow.
The annihilation energy of the Demonbreaker Bolt smashed through the outer Honeycomb Wall!
The corresponding Honey Layer erupted in violent phase transition, triggering a directed counter-blast!
“Explosive counterattack!”
The shockwave, brimming with ferocious fire energy, obliterated the Demonbreaker Bolt.
The weakened, residual Bane energy crashed into the flexible inner membrane!
The membrane maximized absorption and spread out the force!
The final damage transmitted to Lin En’s body was reduced by more than 90% compared to taking the hit directly!
This bought him crucial time for recovery and counterattack!
“Theory is solid! As for real-world results… I’ll have to rely on Teacher Elvin!”
Intense fighting spirit ignited in Lin En’s eyes.
He quickly donned the Academy’s black, close-fitting uniform, loosened his muscles, and stabilized the three Crystal Cores within his Sea of Consciousness.
The invisible three-layer Honeycomb Bulwark over his body stood by like a loyal guardian, the middle liquid flame flowing quietly under precise control—like a dormant volcano, ready to erupt with earth-shattering force at the slightest provocation!
“The Hive is built. The Wall is strong…”
Lin En murmured, a challenging smile curling his lips.
“Teacher Elvin, let your flames test whether my bulwark is strong enough! Show me the true art of battle!”
He didn’t hesitate.
He pulled open the door.
The cool morning breeze poured in, carrying the scent of grass and wood.
Lin En’s figure blended into the gray light of dawn, his stride unwavering as he marched toward the Furnace Proving Ground.
With every step, the invisible defense on his skin operated silently, ready to meet the coming trial of fire that could melt gold and stone.
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