Escape Route

Lucas began outlining his strategy.

Firstly, they would eliminate everyone stationed at the escape route, ensuring a safe passage for the citizens. Subsequently, they'd address the remaining threats. Lucas mentioned a contingency plan: if the bandits became alert, an instant, inconspicuous elimination would be implemented to prevent any warning.

With the plan crystallized in his mind, Lucas took the lead in its execution. Meanwhile, Felicity remained in the dark about Lucas's enigmatic reference to "absorbing."

'Lucas must still harbor numerous secrets. Let's continue observing the extent of his talents.' Felicity pondered as she followed Lucas out of the mansion.

Addressing Arthur, Lucas instructed, "Inform the cultivators you've hired that they'll be guarding the citizens' escape. Be cautious of potential spies among the extra guards, and instruct reinforcements without revealing that I'll handle matters. Spies could be on either side."

His instructions continued, "Don't fret if there are spies from both sides. I'll cast a curse—uh, formation—along the entire escape route. If anyone attempts harm with lethal intent, their breath will be immediately taken away."

Arthur remained perturbed by the unfolding events. Uncertain about the extent of Lucas's power, he refrained from expressing surprise, recognizing his inability to gauge Lucas's capabilities.

Inquiring about Lucas's commitment to such lengths, Arthur asked if Lucas was genuinely certain about going to such extremes to aid them.

"Don't worry about it. It's a personal interest of mine, so don't let it trouble you," Lucas reassured before departing the mansion, leading the way to the escape route with Felicity.

Upon reaching the location, they discreetly surveyed the individuals gathered on the forest's edge. This side of the forest, devoid of lurking monsters, had been designated as the safest escape route for the city.

"The citizens will arrive in 10 minutes, so I'll conclude this swiftly," Lucas muttered, while Felicity silently followed his directives.

Lucas activated his eyes' ability to see through, comparable to Felicity's, but constrained by a time limit due to insufficient energy for a 1 km range.

Lucas, realizing Felicity's ability to assist as an extra set of eyes, shrugged and turned to her. "Felicity, how many people are on this side?" he inquired.

"Two thousand," Felicity promptly answered.

"Good enough. The cultivation base?" Lucas sought more details.

"Apprentice to Warrior stage. There are only a few at the Master stage, but they barely reached the first level," Felicity explained.

Lucas nodded, contemplating his array of abilities. With an abundance of skills at his disposal, he chose to seal those that could strain his core, aiming to limit the passive absorption of his absorption body.

Though designed to absorb mana, not spiritual energy, his body inexplicably absorbed the latter during cultivation. The absorption body functioned autonomously, distinct from other abilities requiring manual activation, such as his diverse eye techniques.

Concerned about potential chaos if these abilities inadvertently led to his demise due to an overwhelming influx of spiritual energy, Lucas decided to create a reservoir for his third energy.

Furthermore, he resolved to seal additional abilities, recognizing that the absorption body remained beyond his control. Sealing the others seemed a logical strategy to slow down the absorption process, enabling him to concentrate on cultivation.

The rationale for sealing his core might seem convoluted, but it held paramount importance for his aspiration to coexist with other immortals. Survival without succumbing to an explosive demise became a pressing concern.

"Thank you," Lucas expressed before taking flight.

Activating a spell rendering him invisible, Lucas left Felicity in awe of yet another mystical feat in his repertoire.

"He became invisible," Felicity murmured.

Hovering in the air, Lucas initiated another offensive spell, channeling it with his third energy. He integrated a command that dictated absorption of a portion of energy if the attack collided with individuals emitting the same energy particles.

The feasibility of this endeavor remained uncertain, contingent upon whether he could manage it without fully unsealing his core. Such attempts could only occur if the core was entirely unsealed.

Nevertheless, Lucas remained mindful of the delicate equilibrium among his three energies. If a moment arrived when they attained equality, he contemplated attempting a harmonizing act.

He couldn't afford the risk of allowing his core to spiral out of control by absorbing spiritual energy. Although his core accepted spiritual energy and spawned the third energy, uncertainties lingered, especially considering the phenomenon occurred when his core was partially sealed.

Attempting to unseal his core required a precise moment, one where his three energies reached a harmonious equilibrium, ensuring tranquility.

A few moments later, he completed his spell, conjuring a small ball of light, merely the size of the tip of an index finger.

Felicity, still utilizing her Celestial Senses to survey the area, marveled at the radiant light. However, her awe was short-lived as the light revealed its purpose.

Bandits within the forest gazed at the lights that appeared before them, sensing no immediate danger.

"What's this light?"

"Hey! Who's playing with a treasure?! Can you at least not bother me with this light?!"

"Why is this so beautiful?"

Moments later, after their pondering, the light swiftly traversed through their foreheads.

Unbeknownst to everyone, their imminent demise awaited. Some attempted to dodge or shield themselves from the light, unaware that it effortlessly penetrated any material, sealing their fate.

On Felicity's side, her wide-eyed gaze reflected her astonishment at the outcome of the luminous spheres.

"That's cruel," she muttered, taken aback by the merciless display.

Meanwhile, Lucas hovered above, still in flight.

"Absorbing light balls is a spell that I can fully activate with the help of my other abilities, fueling my absorption body. However, since I didn't unseal those abilities, I can at least use 5% of its capabilities," he explained, exhaling in resignation.

Approaching spiritual energies began to surround him. Although in small increments, their steady influx provided enough solace to overshadow the dismay he felt.

Initiating a meditation stance, Lucas guided the spiritual energies. Initially absorbing half into his core, he then directed it to his third energy pool. Simultaneously, the remaining half coursed straight into his dantian.

He experienced a multitude of breakthroughs, a pace nearly incomparable to the progression in his second cultivation session.

The absorption of energies from the two thousand cultivators propelled him to the 1st level of the Master Spirit Realm in his cultivation base. Simultaneously, his third energy pool ascended to the 2nd level of the Master Spirit Realm.

"This is enough," he muttered after descending to the piles of bandit corpses he effortlessly vanquished in an instant.