This was a challenge to Su Ming's capabilities.

A mere Qi Refining cultivator, how could he accomplish something even a Foundation Establishment cultivator couldn't?

Su Ming didn't panic.

"Because my 'Spiderweb' was never intended to rely entirely on spiritual energy from the very beginning."

He extended his right hand, palm facing upward. An extremely fine strand of water spiritual energy slowly condensed, transforming into a complex three-dimensional structure.

"The one hundred and eight core nodes of the Spiderweb are all built upon a foundation of Star Pattern Steel, buried ten meters underground. The main formation plate is not powered by spirit stones, but rather... activated by essence blood."

When Su Ming mentioned "essence blood," his face paled slightly—a lingering effect of depleted vitality and blood. "When the Beacon Fire mode was activated, what actually happened was the detonation of all the 'Resonance Talismans' in the sub-formation nodes. This resonance doesn't rely on spiritual energy transmission; instead, it conveys physical signals through vibrations in the earth veins. As long as the earth veins remain unbroken, the signals will not cease."

"Star Pattern Steel... physical resonance..."

Xuanheng murmured to himself, then a burst of sharp light erupted in his eyes. "What a brilliant idea—not relying on spiritual energy! In a place devoid of spiritual energy, this is the only path to survival. Junior Brother Mo... truly did not misjudge this person."

He looked at Su Ming, his tone unusually carrying a trace of warmth. "After this battle concludes, you must properly organize the blueprints and insights for your 'Spiderweb.' In the future, they may prove to be of great use."

"The technical hurdle is cleared," Lin Yu reminded. "Next comes the political hurdle."

The blurry figure who had remained silent until now—the one whose body contained vast, surging vitality—finally spoke. His voice was gentle, yet permeated with a profound, compassionate heaviness.

"Fewer than two thousand people ultimately evacuated from Iron Wall Pass. Your Spiderweb covered Bing Battalion and several surrounding defensive zones. How many people did it ultimately save?"

Su Ming fell silent for a moment.

He ran the number through his mind. Behind each digit was a vibrant life, and also a burden he had been forced to abandon on his escape route.

"The Spiderweb guided and assembled a total of two thousand, three hundred and twelve individuals."

Su Ming reported a number precise to the last digit. "Most were comrades from Bing Battalion, Ding Battalion, and adjacent defensive zones. The other survivors included those who fought and retreated relying on their own martial prowess, and those with extremely good luck who happened to be in gaps within the tide of insects."

"Two thousand three hundred people..."

"Well done."

The weight of these three words was heavier than any reward.

Sect Leader Yun Miao gave a slight nod. The oppressive aura enveloping Su Ming finally dissipated for the most part. He paused, then added, "The names of Zhao Tiji, Chen Chuan, and all our fallen comrades have been recorded in the main register of the 'Hall of Heroes.' Sect compensation will be issued to their respective families in the coming days. Do you... have any words you wish to convey on their behalf?"

Su Ming remained silent for a moment, then shook his head. "This disciple... has no words to convey."

"It seems, then, that you have fulfilled your duty in the battle, even exceeding your responsibility to defend the territory. However..."

Yun Miao's tone shifted, becoming profound and inscrutable. "Before Elder Mo entrusted the Formation Heart Seal to you, what exactly was the final decision among the high command within the pass? Why did the self-destruction of the mountain-protecting formation come so decisively, without even leaving more time for evacuation?"

This was an extremely sensitive question. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Out of the tens of thousands of defenders at Iron Wall Pass, only so few survived in the end, largely because the great formation self-destructed too quickly, cutting off the retreat for the majority. If handled poorly, this could be charged as the crime of "slaughtering fellow sect members."

The pavilion instantly fell into dead silence.

Su Ming felt his heart thump violently in his chest.

He knew this was the final protective talisman Elder Mo had left him, and also the hottest potato.

Su Ming took a deep breath, raised his head, and looked directly at the clear light that was the Sect Leader.

"Elder Mo said that the Sect Leader had already issued a secret order."

Su Ming's voice wasn't loud, but each word was clear, landing like a thunderclap. "If the pass was inevitably lost, then destroy the formation foundations, overturn the earth veins, and perish together with the enemy. The secrets of the formation and the underground spiritual veins absolutely must not fall into the hands of the Demon Tribe."

He paused, then squeezed out the latter half of the sentence from between his teeth. "The self-detonation of the Spiritual Hub Hall was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather... part of the plan."

Although there was no sound within the pavilion, Su Ming distinctly felt the surrounding starlight tremble violently for an instant. The landscape painting beneath his feet even distorted momentarily.

Complete silence.

That silence was more terrifying than the previous oppressive aura. It was the collective mourning of five great figures standing at the pinnacle of the Cloud Hidden Sect, facing a brutal truth.

Su Ming tasted bitterness in his mouth. He was just a minor Qi Refining cultivator. Merely glancing at this level of power play made his eyes ache.

After a long while.

The Peak Master of Xing Yu on the right spoke again. His voice held less killing intent, carrying instead a touch of desolation.

"When the Formation Heart was handed over, did you understand its weight? You are merely an outer sect disciple. How dare you accept such a heavy artifact? Did you hesitate?"

Su Ming lowered his head, looking at his own palm.

It seemed the warmth of Elder Mo's withered hand still lingered there, along with that resolute force that had pushed him away.

"This disciple... knew my cultivation was low and weak, and originally did not dare to accept it."

Su Ming's voice was somewhat hoarse, carrying a hint of suppressed tremor. "But Elder Mo said: 'This seal has spirit. Its choice of master is not based on cultivation level, but on compatibility of character. The pass may be broken, but the seal must not be lost.' In that situation, aside from this disciple, Elder Mo had no hope for anyone else's survival."

He raised his head, his eyes slightly red, but he forcefully held back the tears from falling.

"This disciple... had no other choice."

A long sigh.

It came from Xuanheng on the left.

The starlight on this Formation Peak Master gently wavered, as if mourning his deceased old friend, or perhaps acknowledging this newly emerged successor.

"Junior Brother Mo always acted with careful planning, calculating without a single oversight."

Xuanheng's voice echoed within the pavilion, carrying the force of a final verdict. "His selection of Su Ming at the moment of life and death was definitely not accidental. This child's character is tenacious, his actions meticulous, and he understands when to yield and when to advance. In my view, since the Formation Heart Seal has already recognized its master, it is the will of heaven."

"Seconded," the figure suffused with sword energy, who had remained silent until now, succinctly uttered two words.

Sect Leader Yun Miao remained silent for a moment.

The expanse of stars above his head slowly rotated, as if deducing something. Finally, all the starlight converged into a soft beam of light that fell upon Su Ming.

"The inquiry ends here for today."

Yun Miao's voice regained its lofty detachment. "Su Ming, your merits and faults will be judged fairly by the sect. Since the Border Defense True Seal has entered your body, it is both your opportunity and your responsibility. You may leave now. Rest well."

"Yes."

Su Ming felt as if granted a great reprieve.

He performed another deep bow, not even daring to wipe the sweat that had long since densely covered his forehead. He slowly retreated three steps before turning and walking towards that starlight door.

Until his figure completely disappeared beyond the door.

Within Starfall Pavilion, the five figures did not disperse.