In an instant, everyone hastily put away their little schemes, held their breath, and continued cooperating with Yun Yan in controlling the formation.
But this time, compared to before, the pressure had already lessened by who knew how many times.
As the formation operated, the Tai Chi sphere formed from the Earth Qi within began to slowly pour its power outward as it rotated.
Earth Qi spread through the air like ocher clouds and mist, rising and drifting.
Without the pull of the spatial passage between the two realms, the surging Earth Qi no longer continued to drain away, nor could it rush into the heights of the sky.
Amid its undulations, some of the Earth Qi also began to slowly sink, returning to the earth and vanishing from sight.
Only after a full half hour did the Earth Qi gathered within the formation finally disperse completely.
As the Earth Qi dissipated, the formation gradually ceased operating as well.
The next moment, the Body Integration cultivators turned into streaks of light and rushed out.
The instant they emerged, they formed into small groups of two and three.
Some swept their gazes toward Su Shi'er, who was seated cross-legged atop a mountain peak, meditating in seclusion to regulate his breath.
Others cast sidelong glances at Xuan Jue, the Tribulation Crossing cultivator.
Xuan Jue's true form was a Black Tortoise. Though he had never revealed his true condition, participating in the formation and making repeated moves in succession had undoubtedly drained him enormously.
As his power scattered, some of the sharper cultivators had already vaguely guessed the truth of his condition.
"Senior Xuan Jue, our ability to resolve this catastrophe was entirely due to your wholehearted aid. Yun Yan hereby offers thanks on behalf of the countless living beings of Azure Star,