Dark clouds hung low over Earth Pass Island. Spirit Crane True Person, clad in plain white robes, hovered above the beach on the island's western side like a tattered War Banner.
His gaze pierced layer upon layer of restrictions, fixed intently on the two colossal War Treasure Ships on the sea dozens of li away.
"True Person, those two third-tier War Treasure Ships to the northwest! One belongs to the Three Corpse Demon Sect, and the other to Cold Mountain Temple!"
Protector Zhu Qi hurried over in a panic to report, his voice distinctly trembling:
"Songshan True Person has yet to return from his patrol, and Elder Qing is also in seclusion. Now... what should we do now? Please make the decision."
Spirit Crane True Person could not decide what to do for the moment either. He had already tried contacting Qing Chen several times through Voice Transmission Talismans and the Communication Array, but there had been no response.
Nor did he dare force his way into Qing Chen's seclusion. If Qing Chen had reached a critical juncture and he disturbed him, he might well earn himself a bitter enemy.
He glanced again toward the distant summit of Digu Pass Peak, where Qing Chen was in seclusion. All was silent there.
"Fully activate the Two-Yi Six-Yang Array!" Spirit Crane True Person commanded in a deep, somewhat hoarse voice.
Less than half a quarter-hour after the order went out, Earth Pass Island's defenses were fully activated.
The six underground yang-fire array nodes erupted with crimson light simultaneously. Thick pillars of fire shot skyward, intertwining in midair into an enormous six-pointed star formation.
A spiritual-energy barrier enveloped the whole of Earth Pass Island like an inverted glass bowl.
The once-calm sea churned beneath the spiritual power unleashed by the formation. Countless enormous