Chapter 117 - 116: Activating the Array

Chapter 117: Chapter 116: Activating the Array

Back when Chen Qingyang took the Separation Huo Dragon Pearl originally meant for Lu Qing, this Foundation Establishment Lu Master lost a great deal of face. Today, he naturally had to appear more dignified.

Especially with the obnoxious Liu Pei glowering nearby, he could only force a smile. "Not bad, not bad at all. Chen Qingyang, you’ve done very well!"

He didn’t want to hear Liu Pei speak, so of course, Liu Pei had to chime in. "It truly is not bad. After all, he’s a sword cultivator who has never even been exposed to the Nine Yang Separation Fire Technique, yet he genuinely only took three hours. It’s not like the disciples from the Pill Institute, who are practically trained for this since childhood. This is truly gratifying to see!"

At these words, the disciples below exchanged uncertain glances. Lu Jinzhang ignored him, so Liu Pei pressed on, "Senior Brother Lu, what are your thoughts?"

Lu Jinzhang’s expression finally darkened. "Junior Brother Liu is correct."

Having received this satisfactory reply, Liu Pei finally fell silent.

Lu Jinzhang then said, "In that case, let’s begin the array-building session. Junior Sister Wu, please begin."

The middle-aged Daoist Nun stepped forward again and addressed the disciples. "This array is called Lock Dragon, as many of you should know. The Array Base relies on this Li Yang Earth Fire, drawing upon the power of the Earth Fire to suppress the spirit of the Earth Fire."

"Many years ago, Jade Gold True Monarch detected that the True Dragon Divine Soul had not been extinguished. It was hiding here, seeking to absorb the Power of Li Yang Earth Fire and cultivate a Yin Spirit Body."

"At the time, Jade Gold True Monarch assessed the situation and laid down this Dragon-locking Array. The Array consumes the Power of Li Yang Earth Fire while also suppressing the spirit of this Earth Fire. Through this mutual attrition over a thousand years, the True Dragon Divine Soul should have been utterly annihilated..."

It seemed everyone had misjudged one thing: the True Dragon Divine Soul was still alive and well. If Chen Qingyang hadn’t been exploring with his Conscious Fish, it never would have revealed itself.

"...As Steward Lu just made clear, today we will use the Separation Huo Dragon Pearls for Array Building to repair this array and ensure the balance between the internal and external environments. This array has thirty-six positions for Array Building, and its construction is extremely precise. It requires the thirty-four disciples present to work in concert, using the Nine Yang Separation Fire Technique to stabilize the Array Building... Senior Brother Lu, we can begin the array."

She spoke entirely about the array’s operation, and at such a rapid pace that Chen Qingyang only caught the general idea. Having finished, she turned to Lu Jinzhang for his command.

Lu Jinzhang’s gaze swept over the fifteen Masters in the hall. "Everyone, let us begin!"

Each of these Masters held a Token Magical Artifact, something Chen Qingyang had glimpsed earlier. As they circulated their True Essence, the Magical Artifacts emitted a fiery radiance that shone upon the Dragon-locking Tripod.

Amid a deep RUMBLE, the great hall underwent an ingenious transformation.

Thirty-six high platforms rose up, varying in height and size but arranged in a staggered, orderly pattern. Intricate runes were carved upon each one, and fiery light flowed along these channels, ultimately converging at the Dragon-locking Tripod in the center.

The Dragon-locking Tripod hovered in mid-air as an opening appeared in the roof, drawing in a continuous stream of Qi Mechanism from the outside world. Chen Qingyang sent his Conscious Fish roaming once more and could feel the entire world being connected. This was especially true for the four sky-piercing pillars outside, which had just undergone a dramatic transformation.

’An array laid by a Golden Core True Monarch truly can’t be underestimated. No matter how carefully I observe, I can only glimpse a fraction of its whole.’

"It’s starting again... they’re starting again!" a complaining voice suddenly appeared in his mind. The Conscious Fish had already flown outside the great hall.

"If you don’t believe me, just watch. They’re incredibly vicious to me—it’s no different from being skinned alive. And I have to constantly hide from them so I’m not discovered..."

The True Dragon Divine Soul continued its incessant complaints. Chen Qingyang, however, was puzzled. ’It’s being so bold and telling my Conscious Fish all this... Is it really not afraid I’ll report it?’

What followed was even more audacious. In the void, a thousand-zhang-long incorporeal dragon body materialized, and countless chains appeared out of thin air, binding it.

Wails of agony spilled from its enormous mouth as the True Dragon’s voice echoed in his mind again, "Look at me now... how pitiful I am..."

’Only the Conscious Fish could see this sight. The True Dragon is so powerful in this place that it can project whatever images it wants into my Conscious Fish’s awareness.’

"...How did you get in here? Can you demonstrate for me?"

The conversation inevitably circled back to this. ’How would I know how to get out?’ Chen Qingyang had no desire to listen to the True Dragon Divine Soul any longer and prepared to recall his Conscious Fish.

This time, however, the being sensed his intent to leave and shot a speck of fiery light at him. The Conscious Fish tried to dodge, but there was no escaping it.

The fiery light was like a droplet of water; it merged into the Conscious Fish and vanished. Chen Qingyang observed it for a long while but detected no abnormality. Still, he had a gut feeling that something was wrong. ’Have I been marked by the True Dragon Divine Soul?’

’If I recall the Conscious Fish now, won’t I be exposed as well?’ He had no choice but to leave it parked in a far corner of the hall, not daring to let it get too close to the others.

At Lu Jinzhang’s command, everyone ascended their platforms. Each had just enough space for a single person to sit in meditation. Before them was an object resembling a Bronze Cup, which glowed with a golden light and was perfectly sized to hold a Separation Huo Dragon Pearl.

Chen Qingyang took out his own pearl and placed it inside; the others did the same. When the array officially activated in a moment, all the disciples would have to use the Nine Yang Separation Fire Technique to control their Dragon Pearls, channeling a continuous stream of power into the array.

Once all the disciples were in place, Lu Jinzhang levitated into position above the Dragon-locking Tripod. It was clear he was the one leading the array.

"This Array Building is quite draining. This is also a test. If you cannot last for three hours, we Foundation Establishment Masters will take your place, but your Separation Huo Dragon Pearl will be confiscated. If you surpass the three-hour mark, you may keep the Dragon Pearl permanently."

"Of course, those who place in the top ten will be permitted to enter the next phase: Yinlong."

’What is this Yinlong?’ Kong Yuan hadn’t mentioned it. Just then, Liu Pei rode over on a wisp of Qingfeng, hovering before Chen Qingyang.

Chen Qingyang immediately stood. "This disciple greets Master Liu!"

By referring to himself as a disciple, he was acknowledging what Kong Yuan had told him—that they were essentially of the same faction.

Liu Pei said, "Our faction from Cyan Bamboo Peak, due to a conflict involving an Earth Deity, has long been at odds with the Separation Dragon Pill Institute. I sent Kong Yuan to assist you because I was worried they would make things difficult for you."

Chen Qingyang bowed with his hands clasped. "Thank you for looking out for me, Master Liu."

Liu Pei waved his sleeve. "I’m not telling you this to earn your gratitude. I’m telling you that you’re already caught up in it."

Chen Qingyang replied, "That is of no concern. My own master and you, Master Liu, have both treated me well. It is only right that I contribute to our faction."

"Mm." Liu Pei gave a slight nod. "What I came to tell you is about Yinlong. Although this True Dragon is dead, it still scattered a great deal of Dragon Qi that has combined with the True Dragon Earth Fire. If one can obtain even a little and perform Refinement on it within the body, it is a massive opportunity. That is why only the top ten are chosen."

"You’ve done very well to make it this far at the Seventh Realm of Qi Refining. For now, just focus on enduring for these three hours. As long as you keep the Separation Huo Dragon Pearl, there will be plenty of other opportunities in the future."

The mention of Dragon Qi made Chen Qingyang think of the True Dragon lurking outside. ’I wonder... if I helped that True Dragon cause a little trouble, would it affect Lu Jinzhang?’

Though he thought this, his expression remained neutral. He asked no more questions, simply replying, "Thank you for the guidance, Master. I will do my best."

Receiving his response, Liu Pei retreated. Lu Jinzhang appeared to be activating the array. Once everything was in order, he bellowed, "Everyone, the array activates now! Unite your hearts and minds, for the glory of Tai Xu!"

His expression was solemn and his voice majestic. A golden light materialized around him, lending him a sacred aura. The bearing befitting a member of the Lu Clan and a Foundation Establishment Master was on full display!

The surrounding Qi Mechanism began to flow, and the entire hall was enveloped in a fiery aura. Chen Qingyang could no longer see his surroundings, only the glow emanating from the Separation Huo Dragon Pearl before him.

His Meridians felt as if they were connecting to the platform beneath him, and streams of power were being drawn from his body. He hurriedly circulated the Nine Yang Separation Fire Technique and placed his hands on the Separation Huo Dragon Pearl. Instantly, the flow was like a cleared river channel.

The Dragon Pearl Power passed through his body into the platform, then converged toward the central Dragon-locking Tripod. The Dragon-locking Tripod channeled the energy straight toward the Celestial Vault, which then scattered the power in all directions.

’This really is using people for the Array Building.’

’This method is truly draining. I have to constantly circulate my True Essence. Whether I can actually last for three hours is a genuine concern.’

An unknown amount of time passed. Chen Qingyang, feeling a little tired and bored, began maneuvering his Conscious Fish around again.

He saw that everyone present was performing the same action, making the same choice. ’I wonder what the True Dragon is up to.’ The Conscious Fish flew out of the hall again. ’I’ve been marked anyway, so what does it matter?’

"What in the world are you? You don’t have the aura of a human. How did you come into being? I once saw a mountain that, under the influence of the Sun and Moon, birthed its own consciousness. It was like you, yet also a little different..."

The True Dragon was waiting outside and began speculating on the origin of the Conscious Fish.

Its voice, aside from a hint of curiosity, sounded no different than before. The array didn’t seem to be affecting it much at all. ’I can be certain now,’ ’it was just putting on a pitiful act earlier!’

"You must be wondering what I left on you just now. Think of it as a small gift. If you perform careful Refinement on it, it might come in handy someday!"

Chen Qingyang knew it had left something unsaid: that the "gift" could also be used to track him.

’What should I do? If I don’t let it leave with me, does that mean my Conscious Fish has to stay trapped in here forever?’

’So be it. I’ll be marked. As long as I leave this place, what does it matter if it remembers?’

"Relax, it won’t harm you. You should know, I am one with the Li Yang Earth Fire. My entire being is a treasure. Just spend some time with me, and you’ll see what kind of being I am..."

Trapped for thousands of years, it had finally seen a sliver of opportunity, and so the True Dragon rambled on and on.

Ignoring it, Chen Qingyang recalled the Conscious Fish. A cluster of dark red energy appeared in his Dantian. He immediately employed the Nine Yang Separation Fire Technique and began the Refinement process within his body.

As he did, his energy returned, and his Dantian began to feel full. ’I was right! This dragon uses the Li Yang Earth Fire to make its mark!’