Just then, the burly man in purple-red robes in the sky announced loudly once more:
"There is no time to lose. You have only one incense stick's worth of time to prepare. In a quarter of an hour, your Patriarch and I will open the entrance and send you into the secret realm.
"Before setting out, everyone must come forward to collect a warning talisman. If the entrance begins to destabilize and shows signs of closing, we Patriarchs will use these talismans to warn you to hurry back to the entrance.
"These talismans serve another purpose: wherever you are, they will point you toward the entrance.
"So even if you lose your way inside, there is no need to panic. Besides, a large secret realm like the Jialan Secret Realm is easy to open but difficult to close.
"From the first signs of closure until the entrance actually shuts, there should be three to four days. That will give you more than enough time to return.
"Very well. Begin your preparations."
With that, Lie Guang raised a hand. An incense-burner-shaped magical artifact flew from his sleeve, a fresh stick of burning incense already planted in it.
At the sight, the disciples of the four sects scattered to make their preparations.
Some hurriedly checked their magical artifacts and talismans. Others simply closed their eyes and meditated, conserving their strength. Still others released the spirit beasts they had raised and fed them medicinal pills of unknown purpose.
Just then, Li Tianqi came over with the other three.
The blue-skirted beauty looked decidedly unhappy. As soon as she saw Wang Yu, she said:
"Junior Brother Wang, I never imagined the assembly would become a life-and-death trial against the Demonic Path. That makes it all the more necessary for us to stick together. Are