Amelia sighed and said, “Since things have already reached this level, let’s stop worrying and focus on what is necessary.”
Shi Lang nodded and said, “Unity, I cannot extract anything from those seniors. This is something you guys should handle.”
Unity rolled her eyes at him and said, “You do not have to think so much. The extraction is not as gory as you feel. Those older people will extract the essence from the parts we need. The process is painless and quick. Also, do you think those guys will die? Stupid, they have enough vitality to last for another century even if they give up some of their essences.”
Shi Lang was surprised and said, “I think the Centurion beasts are different than the rest of the spirit beasts.”
The trio studied the array as they waited for a bit. The design of this entire thing was different than any other array Shi Lang had ever seen. Unity asked, “What do you think is this layout?”
Shi Lang looked at the array layout and said, “This is not an array but a talisman.”
Unity raised her brow and asked, “Hmmm, didn’t Qianhu say it was an array?”
Shi Lang shook his head, redrew the array layout by condensing the spirit energy in the void, and said, “Now, do you think this is an array?”
The two ladies nodded, and the next moment, the dots representing the spirit stones were connected by a spirit energy line. Shi Lang asked, “Does it still look like an array to you all?”
The two ladies were surprised. The line connected formed the word ‘Suppress.’
Shi Lang said, “So, from what I understand, the essence of the centurions will help us all concentrate and catalysize the process of the spirit energy against the demonic energy and aid us in fending off nicely.”
The trio left the library to return to the valley and discuss things with the elder spiritual beasts. Just as they expected, the impact was surprising. None of the people could have hoped for such a thing to be hidden inside the so-called forbidden array map.
Upon discussion, the old leader of the heavenly fortune back turtle said, “This array map is not useless. You did not notice, but this array map is similar to the marks on the back of my clan. These marks bring fortune to the people inside the boundaries. Fortune is positive, and demons cannot stand the positivity of heavens.”
This statement shocked everyone, but they also understood how this would impact their battling prowess and standards. After the discussion, the elders began to extract the essence in isolation. The process took them a few minutes, and the selected juniors of their clans went inside.
The essence was a golden liquid contained in jade containers. The elders were weakened after the extraction and went to rest. The next thing they had to do was to refine the talisman and the array.
Shi Lang was tasked to complete the process because he had the skills of a talisman inscription and an array master. The man did not shirk away from his duty.
…
Inside a room, Shi Lang sat in the middle of a pentagon. The pentagon was made from the five jade containers carrying the essence of the Centurion Spirit Beasts. He was alone in the room. Even Amelia and Unity were not allowed to step inside. Shi Lang took a deep breath and formed a seal with his hands.
The seal channeled the spiritual energy like threads, and the five containers opened simultaneously. Now, the clock started ticking. Shi Lang had to complete the array in thirty minutes because he would run out of spiritual essence any longer than that.
Spirit essence was the most precious thing that a cultivator possessed. If this essence were extracted and exposed to the open world, it would start dissipating. If the amount of spirit essence were lower than he needed, the array would not condense, nor will the talisman.
On the contrary, the incomplete array of this level will be so unstable that it could potentially evaporate Shi Lang along with it. The terran general did not spare time to think about the consequences and manipulated the essence.
The five essences were all of different natures. The process required them to be blended and form a perfect balance. Shi Lang closed his eyes, and using his spirit sense, he controlled the essences to mix slowly. He was cautious and patient. The first trial was made with wisps of spirit essence, none bigger than a hair.
As the wisps neared each other, they froze, and the situation entered a stalemate. Shi Lang frowned because the spiritual essences were carrying an imprint of their masters. The five people had different natures, and this variety was the reason behind this stalemate.
After a calculation, Shi Lang acted aggressively and forced assimilation. It was tough, but once all the wisps merged, they entered a state of equilibrium. Their spiritual traits were neutralized, and Shi Lang began to condense the array map in the void.
…
Outside the hut where Shi Lang was working, the former high council members and Amelia stood, while Unity was nowhere to be seen. Luna Baley asked, “Amelia, do you think we can win this battle?”
Amelia smiled faintly and said, “I have never thought about the result of this battle. Only the fact that I need to do this for the sake of my loved ones, for those who cannot stand up and fight against this threat. That is enough for me.”
Luna Baley smiled faintly and said, “I wonder if I can also have that mentality someday.”
Amelia shook her head and replied, “You have a way of your own, Senior Luna. Do not let anything change that.”
The elders all nodded and began to discuss cultivation. Soon, half an hour passed, and Unity appeared next to them. She said, “Wow, are you all so busy in the tea party that none of you noticed these tribulation clouds overhead?”
The people were shocked and raised their heads. They were all in disbelief when Unity said, “Shi Lang succeeded. Evacuate this area. The talisman will be facing a heavenly tribulation.”
Jianhu asked, “Do you think the talisman could survive this baptism?”
Unity glared at the person and said, “If your crow mouth did not act, it should survive, so you better pipe it down.”
Jianhu shivered at her cold and aloof tone. Soon, the black clouds began to swarm with golden lightning.
…
Shi Lang glanced at the golden pattern hanging in the void inside the hut. He carefully moved the pattern to rest on a piece of parchment. His movements were so slow that it seemed like he had all the time in the world.
After five minutes, the pattern merged with the parchment. Shi Lang sighed and sprawled on the floor. His body was covered with sweat due to intense focus. The terran sighed and moved out of the room, holding the parchment.
He knew the incoming tribulation and prayed for the talisman to endure this ordeal. He could do nothing in this situation. If he were to intervene, there was a chance that the tribulation would worsen, and it would destroy the talisman and Shi Lango.
The black clouds thundered, and the talisman flew away from Shi Lang’s grip. The talisman hung in the void, and the lightning began to rumble. Shi Lang sighed and moved away from the place like the rest of the people.
Unity appeared beside him and asked, “What do you think? Can it last?”
Shi Lang glared at her and said, “Can you not poke the wrong buttons now?”
𝒪𝔳𝑙xt.𝗰𝔬𝓜
Unity let out embarrassing laughter, and the lightning struck the talisman in just a few seconds with a loud bang. The talisman endured and then another streak. The sequence followed nine times.
The people took a deep breath, and things calmed down after the ninth lightning bolt. Shi Lang took a deep breath and said, “Let’s just hope it is fine.”
He extended his hand forward, and the talisman flew down from the void. The parchment directly landed in Shi Lang’s hands. They all inspected the parchment and let out a sigh of relief. They have succeeded in refining a very crucial tool.
…
Shi Lang stood before the military, it had been three days now, and the time had come when they moved ahead to fight the enemy. He said, “This might as well be my last address to you all. I want to say that it has always been an honor to fight alongside you all.”
The people cheered, and Shi Lang said, “What stands ahead is a tribulation. A tribulation will decide the fate of us and the entire galaxy. Do you all have what it takes to face this tribulation and move ahead?”
The entire army cheered and replied, “HOORAH!”
Shi Lang nodded and said, “Then come, let us take this war to the one who thinks he can decide the fate of our kind. We are the people who break the shackles set upon us by the almighty heavens. We are the people who have survived the devastation and utter despair. We made ourselves into a force that can move around the galaxy without being looked down on. So, come, let us snatch back what is ours.”
“Hoorah!!” echoed the war cry.