cóng yún xiān chéng nèi ， xiū shì men jiàn zhuàng dùn shí yī piàn huá rán 。
丛云仙城内，修士们见状顿时一片哗然。
In the city of Congyun, cultivators were immediately in an uproar at the sight.
hǎo zài zì cóng shàng cì wàn xiān dǎo bèi wǔ lǎo huì tū xí lüè zǒu zhī hòu ， chóng jiàn de cóng yùn chéng de fáng hù děng jí ， shì yào gāo guò xún cháng zhōu yù xiān chéng de ， zú yǐ gēn zhōng yāng jǐ gè zhōu de shuǐ píng xiāng tí bìng lùn 。 fáng hù dà zhèn biǎo miàn guāng huá liú zhuǎn hòu ， nà dào liè xì zhuǎn shùn jiān xiāo mǐ bú jiàn 。
好在自从上次万仙岛被五老会突袭掠走之后，重建的从运城的防护等级，是要高过寻常州域仙城的，足以跟中央几个州的水平相提并论。防护大阵表面光华流转后，那道裂隙转瞬间消弭不见。
Fortunately, since the last attack by the Five Elders' Alliance on Ten Thousand Immortals Island, the defensive level of Congyun City had been rebuilt to surpass that of Xunchang City. It was now comparable to the defenses of several central states. As soon as the protective array's surface began to shimmer with light, the crack vanished instantly.
zhòng rén lái bù jí sōng kǒu qì ， dì èr kē liú huǒ jiù yòu gēn fáng hù guāng zhào pèng zhuàng zài le yì qǐ 。 zhè cì de jù liè chéng dù hái yào gèng shèn zhī qián ， yún duān chéng chí wēi wēi huàng dòng ， sì hū xià yī miǎo jiù yào cóng tiān kōng zhōng zhuì luò 。
众人来不及松口气，第二颗流火就又跟防护光罩碰撞在了一起。这次的剧烈程度还要更甚之前，云端城池微微晃动，似乎下一秒就要从天空中坠落。
The group didn't have time to breathe a sigh of relief before another bolt of black fire collided with the protective shield. This time, the intensity was even greater than before, causing the Cloud City to shake slightly, as if it might fall from the sky at any moment.
gèng ràng zhòng rén dǎn hán de shì ， zhè kē hēi sè liú huǒ zài bào liè zhī hòu ， què bìng wèi wán quán xiāo shī 。 ér shì liú xià le yī dào hēi jiāo zhuàng de nián chóu xìng wù zhì ， rú dòng 、 fǔ shí zhe fáng hù dà zhèn 。 shèn zhì gé zhe lǎo yuǎn ， dōu néng tīng jiàn zhèn fǎ wài wéi chuán lái de zī zī shēng xiǎng 。
更让众人胆寒的是，这颗黑色流火在爆裂之后，却并未完全消失。而是留下了一道黑胶状的粘稠性物质，蠕动、腐蚀着防护大阵。甚至隔着老远，都能听见阵法外围传来的滋滋声响。
What chilled everyone further was that this black fire did not fully dissipate after exploding; instead, it left behind a sticky black substance that began to corrode and wriggle through the protective array. Even from afar, they could hear sizzling sounds emanating from outside the array.
「 cóng yún chéng de 【 tiān yuán huà shēng zhèn 】 suī qiáng ， què yě jiān chí bù liǎo duō jiǔ 。」 lǐ fán yǐ zhèn fǎ shī de shēn fèn ， hěn kuài jiù zuò chū le pàn duàn 。
「丛云城的【天元化生阵】虽强，却也坚持不了多久。」李凡以阵法师的身份，很快就做出了判断。
"Although the [Heavenly Origin Life-Generating Array] of Congyun City is strong, it won't last long," Li Fan, as an array master, quickly made his assessment.
zhèn fǎ yǔ hēi jiāo nián chóu wù jiāng chí de tóng shí ， yòu yǒu wú shù dào hēi sè liú guāng bù tíng dì cháo zhe cóng yún xiān chéng fēi zá guò lái 。 suī rán cóng tiān zūn xiàng zhōng ， fā chū yī dào dào zǐ máng ， jiāng qí zhōng yī xiē liú huǒ jī luò 。 dàn gèng duō de hái shì wú kě zǔ dǎng de hōng jī zài cóng yún chéng zhī shàng 。
阵法与黑胶粘稠物僵持的同时，又有无数道黑色流光不停地朝着丛云仙城飞砸过来。虽然从天尊象中，发出一道道紫芒，将其中一些流火击落。但更多的还是无可阻挡的轰击在丛云城之上。
While the array was in a stalemate with the black sticky substance, countless black beams continued to bombard Congyun City. Although rays of purple light from the Celestial Vessel emitted and managed to knock down some of the black fire, more of it crashed into the city unimpeded.
shà shí zhī jiān ， cóng yún xiān chéng zhēn rú fēng yǔ zhōng piāo yáo de shù yè ， jí jí kě wēi 。
霎时之间，丛云仙城真如风雨中飘摇的树叶，岌岌可危。
Suddenly, Congyun City seemed as fragile as leaves in a storm, teetering on the brink of collapse.
jiù zài zhè shí ， hóng xī xiān jūn zhōng yú zhǎn xiàn chū le tā zuò wéi yī zhōu kuí shǒu de jué duàn 。
就在这时，鸿曦仙君终于展现出了他作为一州魁首的决断。
At this moment, Grandmaster Hongxi finally showed his decisiveness as the leader of a state. He transformed into a towering giant and commanded with a cold voice: "Activate the [Life-Generating Great Array] across all of Congyun Sea. Maximize the absorption from surrounding nodes to ensure that Congyun City is in its best condition!"
zhǐ jiàn tā huà zuò yī dǐng tiān lì dì de jù rén ， chū shǒu jiāng wú shù hēi sè liú huǒ lán xià de tóng shí ， lěng shēng mìng lìng dào ：「 kāi qǐ zhěng gè cóng yún hǎi yù de 【 huà shēng dà zhèn 】。 quán lì jí qǔ zhōu biān jié diǎn ， què bǎo cóng yún chéng chǔ yú zuì jiā zhuàng tài ！」
只见他化作一顶天立地的巨人，出手将无数黑色流火拦下的同时，冷声命令道：「开启整个从云海域的【化生大阵】。全力汲取周边节点，确保丛云城处于最佳状态！」
He then cast a hand seal, flying towards the highest point of Congyun City.
shuō zhe ， tā dǎ chū yī dào fǎ yìn ， fēi xiàng cóng yún chéng de zuì gāo chù 。
说着，他打出一道法印，飞向丛云城的最高处。
With these words, there was an immediate silence in Congyun City. Most cultivators didn't understand the meaning behind Grandmaster Hongxi's command, but those who did understood it all too well and their faces turned pale.
cǐ yán yī chū ， cóng yún chéng zhōng dǒu rán ān jìng le piàn kè 。 jué dà duō shù xiū shì shàng bù míng bái hóng xī xiān jūn huà lǐ de yì si ， dàn shǎo bù fèn dǒng de qí zhōng hán yì de ， zài nà shùn jiān quán dōu miàn sè fā bái 。
此言一出，丛云城中陡然安静了片刻。绝大多数修士尚不明白鸿曦仙君话里的意思，但少部分懂得其中含义的，在那瞬间全都面色发白。
Li Fan narrowed his eyes, watching the resolute expression on Grandmaster Hongxi's face, silently praising him: "Good resolve!"
lǐ fán yě shì mī qǐ yǎn ， kàn zhe miàn lù jué jué de hóng xī ， àn zì zàn tàn dào ：「 hǎo pò lì ！」
李凡也是眯起眼，看着面露决绝的鸿曦，暗自赞叹道：「好魄力！」
After years of studying array techniques, Li Fan was very familiar with the general defensive system of Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. Each city had its own protective array. Within a state, centered around the floating sky city, these small arrays formed a large array spanning across the entire state.
kǔ xué zhèn fǎ shù shì ， lǐ fán duì yú wàn xiān méng de dà zhì fáng hù tǐ xì shì shí fēn qīng chǔ de 。 měi gè zhèn shǒu chéng chí ， dū huì jiàn zào fáng hù fǎ zhèn 。 yī zhōu zhī nèi ， yǐ zhōng yāng xuán fú tiān chéng wèi hé xīn ， zhè shàng bǎi gè xiǎo xíng fáng hù fǎ zhèn ， yòu zǔ chéng yí gè héng kuà yī zhōu zhī dì de zhōng xíng fǎ zhèn 。
苦学阵法数世，李凡对于万仙盟的大致防护体系是十分清楚的。每个镇守城池，都会建造防护法阵。一州之内，以中央悬浮天城为核心，这上百个小型防护法阵，又组成一个横跨一州之地的中型法阵。
All of the state's arrays within the alliance territory, when combined, could form an enormous and terrifying array covering nearly half of Xuanhuang Realm.
ér wàn xiān méng lǐng dì nèi ， suǒ yǒu zhōu yù de zhè xiē zhōng xíng fǎ zhèn lián hé qǐ lái ， jiù néng gòu chéng yí gè páng dà wú bǐ 、 fù gài jiāng jìn bàn gè xuán huáng jiè de kě bù zhèn fǎ 。
而万仙盟领地内，所有州域的这些中型法阵联合起来，就能构成一个庞大无比、覆盖将近半个玄黄界的可怖阵法。
Layer upon layer, with boundless power!
céng céng dì jìn 、 wēi néng wú qióng ！
层层递进、威能无穷！
The types of defensive arrays used by Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance changed every five hundred years. Previously, he had seen the [Ten Thousand Li River Mountain Array] on a sunken island. Now, they were using the [Heavenly Origin Life-Generating Array].
wàn xiān méng fáng hù zhèn fǎ de zhǒng lèi ， měi wǔ bǎi nián yī huàn 。 zhī qián zài mǒu gè chén mò dǎo yǔ shàng ， jiàn dào guò céng jīng shǐ yòng guò de 【 wàn lǐ shān hé zhèn 】。 ér xiàn zài ， wàn xiān méng shǐ yòng de zé shì 【 tiān yuán huà shēng zhèn 】。
万仙盟防护阵法的种类，每五百年一换。之前在某个沉没岛屿上，见到过曾经使用过的【万里山河阵】。而现在，万仙盟使用的则是【天元化生阵】。
While its defensive capabilities were slightly weaker than those of the Ten Thousand Li River Mountain Array, it had an irreplaceable function.
suī rán fáng hù néng lì ， jiào zhī wàn lǐ shān hé zhèn ruò le xiē ， dàn què yǒu gè wú fǎ dài tì de gōng néng 。
虽然防护能力，较之万里山河阵弱了些，但却有个无法代替的功能。
That was to absorb the essence and vitality from living beings within the array, enhancing the effectiveness of the array!
nà jiù shì xī qǔ zhèn fǎ nèi shēng líng jīng qì ， qiáng huà zhèn fǎ xiào néng ！
那就是吸取阵法内生灵精气，强化阵法效能！
Thus, Grandmaster Hongxi's intention was clear. He wanted to fully activate the Heavenly Origin Life-Generating Array to draw in the life essences from the remaining islands in Congyun Sea, ensuring the safety of the array for Congyun City.
gù ér ， hóng xī xiān jūn de yì si yě jiù shì hěn míng xiǎn le 。
故而，鸿曦仙君的意思也就是很明显了。
Rationally speaking, this choice wasn't problematic. After all, apart from Congyun City, which could barely hold its own, all other islands were destined to be reduced to ashes. Using the lives of those who would soon die to strengthen the array might still give the cultivators in Congyun City a chance at survival.
quán lì yuǎn zhuǎn tiān yuán huà shēng zhèn ， xī qǔ cóng yún hǎi rú jīn shàng hái xìng cún dǎo yǔ shàng de shēng líng jīng qì 。 yǐ wéi chí cóng yún xiān chéng de zhèn fǎ ān quán 。
全力远转天元化生阵，吸取丛云海如今尚还幸存岛屿上的生灵精气。以维持丛云仙城的阵法安全。
But...
lǐ xìng shàng lái jiǎng ， zhè ge xuǎn zé shì méi yǒu wèn tí de 。 bì jìng zài zhè chǎng hào jié miàn qián ， chú le mù qián de cóng yún chéng hái néng miǎn qiǎng dǐ dǎng yī èr ， qí yú dǎo yǔ quán dōu shì qǐng kè jiān huà zuò fēi huī de mìng yùn 。 yòng zhù dìng jí jiāng sǐ wáng de rén men de xìng mìng ， qiáng huà zhèn fǎ ， shuō bù dìng hái néng wèi cóng yún chéng zhōng xiū shì móu qǔ yī xiàn shēng jī 。
理性上来讲，这个选择是没有问题的。毕竟在这场浩劫面前，除了目前的丛云城还能勉强抵挡一二，其余岛屿全都是顷刻间化作飞灰的命运。用注定即将死亡的人们的性命，强化阵法，说不定还能为丛云城中修士谋取一线生机。
Being annihilated by the forces of nature was different from being killed by one's own people.
dàn ……
但……
Not everyone could make such a cold-hearted decision, treating their fellow beings' lives as nothing.
bèi tiān dì zhī pò miè shā ， hé bèi wàn xiān méng zì jǐ rén zhū shā ， bì jìng shì liǎng mǎ shì 。
被天地之魄灭杀，和被万仙盟自己人诛杀，毕竟是两码事。
So, when Grandmaster Hongxi's words spread throughout, the strategists in the array hall remained silent and inactive. Grandmaster Hongxi himself seemed to lack the courage to repeat his command, looking grimly at the disintegrating protective shield without issuing another order.
yě bú shì shéi dōu néng zuò chū zhè fān ， shì tóng bāo shēng mìng wèi wú wù de lěng kù shì qíng de 。
也不是谁都能做出这番，视同胞生命为无物的冷酷事情的。
"I'll help you," Li Fan's eyes flashed with determination as he split into a duplicate form and flew up high, shouting: "What are you waiting for? In times of life or death, just execute the orders! All consequences will be borne by Grandmaster Hongxi and me!"
suǒ yǐ ， zài hóng xī xiān jūn de huà yǔ bù duàn chuán biàn zhī hòu ， cè zhèn táng de xiū shì men ， réng rán chén mò yǐ duì 、 méi yǒu dòng zuò 。
所以，在鸿曦仙君的话语不断传遍之后，策阵堂的修士们，仍然沉默以对、没有动作。
Grandmaster Hongxi was surprised to see this from Li Fan.
ér hóng xī běn rén yě sì hū méi yǒu yǒng qì zài chóng fù zhè ge mìng lìng ， miàn sè yīn chén dì kàn zhe jí jiāng zhī lí pò suì de fáng hù guāng zhào ， méi yǒu zài cì xià lìng 。
而鸿曦本人也似乎没有勇气再重复这个命令，面色阴沉地看着即将支离破碎的防护光罩，没有再次下令。
The strategists in the array hall also exchanged glances, gritted their teeth, and finally made a decision.
「 wǒ qiě bāng nǐ yī bǎ 。」
「我且帮你一把。」
Hand seals flew to various nodes of the Heavenly Origin Life-Generating Array, and the protective shield's light suddenly intensified.
lǐ fán yǎn zhōng jīng guāng yī shǎn ， fēn shēn fēi zhì bàn kōng ， tóng yàng gāo shēng hè dào ：「 hái lèng zhe gàn shén me ？ rú jīn shēng sǐ guān tóu ， nǐ men zhǐ guǎn zhí xíng mìng lìng biàn shì ！ yī qiè hòu guǒ ， dōu yóu hóng xī dà rén yǔ wǒ ， yī lì chéng dān ！」
李凡眼中精光一闪，分身飞至半空，同样高声喝道：「还愣着干什么？如今生死关头，你们只管执行命令便是！一切后果，都由鸿曦大人与我，一力承担！」
Time seemed to freeze. In an instant, boundless essence rushed towards the city from all directions. The purple light barrier became solid-like, easily repelling the black fire's impact.
hóng xī yǒu xiē chà yì de kàn le lǐ fán yī yǎn 。
鸿曦有些诧异的看了李凡一眼。
There were no more violent tremors; instead, there was a continuous dull sound.
ér cè zhèn táng de nà xiē xiū shì men ， yě shì hù xiāng kàn le yǎn ， yǎo le yǎo yá ， zuì zhōng bèi pò xià dìng le jué xīn 。
而策阵堂的那些修士们，也是互相看了眼，咬了咬牙，最终被迫下定了决心。
The crisis had been temporarily averted, but the surviving cultivators in Congyun City showed little excitement. As the Heavenly Origin Life-Generating Array gained significant strength, the wails and curses on the holographic screen echoed continuously. There were also horrifying scenes of humans being drained of their essence, turning into skeletons.
yī dào dào fǎ yìn fēi zhì 【 tiān yuán huà shēng zhèn 】 de gè gè jié diǎn ， fáng hù zhào shàng guāng máng dǒu rán dà shèng 。
一道道法印飞至【天元化生阵】的各个节点，防护罩上光芒陡然大盛。
It was like an inferno on earth, chilling to the bone.
fǎng fú shí jiān dǒu rán xiàn rù le jìng zhǐ ， xià yī kè ， shì yǒu wú qióng jīng qì cóng sì miàn bā fāng bēn yǒng ér lái 。 zǐ sè guāng zhào zài chà nà jiān ， biàn rú wǎn rú shí zhì 。 qīng yì jiù jiāng hēi sè liú huǒ de zhuàng jī gěi dǐ dǎng le xià lái 。
仿佛时间陡然陷入了静止，下一刻，似有无穷精气从四面八方奔涌而来。紫色光罩在刹那间，便如宛如实质。轻易就将黑色流火的撞击给抵挡了下来。
"Although it can provide temporary safety, this is not a long-term solution. Communication with headquarters has been completely cut off; staying here will only mean waiting for death."
bù zài yǒu jù liè de zhèn dòng ， ér shì yī shēng shēng bù tíng de mèn xiǎng 。
不再有剧烈的震动，而是一声声不停的闷响。
Grandmaster Hongxi ignored the terrifying scene and whispered to Li Fan: "I want to go out and meet this Heavenly Essence. I leave everything to you!"
wēi jī zàn shí jiě chú ， dàn cóng yún chéng zhōng de xìng cún xiū shì liǎn shàng ， què shì méi yǒu duō shǎo xīng fèn zhī sè 。 yīn wèi bàn suí zhe 【 tiān yuán huà shēng zhèn 】 dé dào jù fú zēng qiáng de ， shì guāng mù shàng cǐ qǐ bǐ fú de āi háo yǔ zhòu mà zhī shēng 。 hái yǒu yī xī kě jiàn de ， rén lèi zài shùn jiān bèi xī gàn quán bù jīng qì ， huà zuò kū lóu de kě bù chǎng jǐng 。
危机暂时解除，但丛云城中的幸存修士脸上，却是没有多少兴奋之色。因为伴随着【天元化生阵】得到巨幅增强的，是光幕上此起彼伏的哀嚎与咒骂之声。还有依稀可见的，人类在瞬间被吸干全部精气，化作骷髅的可怖场景。
He then gazed far into the distance where black meteorites were falling, stepping forward.
zhēn rú rén jiān liàn yù ， lìng rén dǎn hán xīn jīng 。
真如人间炼狱，令人胆寒心惊。
His figure flashed several times before disappearing from everyone's sight.
「 suī rán néng hù dé yī shí ān quán ， què fēi cháng jiǔ zhī jì 。 hé zǒng bù de lián xì yǐ jīng quán bù zhōng duàn ， liú zài zhè lǐ ， yě zhǐ bù guò shì děng sǐ bà le 。」
「虽然能护得一时安全，却非长久之计。和总部的联系已经全部中断，留在这里，也只不过是等死罢了。」
The departure of Grandmaster Hongxi left the originally calm cultivators once again in a state of unease. Fortunately, the secret envoy was still here, so they could still feel some comfort.
「 wǒ yù chū qù ， huì yī huì zhè wèi tiān dì zhī pò 。 zhè lǐ biàn jiāo gěi nǐ le ！」 hóng xī xiān jūn què shì wú shì le màn tiān de kǒng bù jǐng xiàng ， chuán yīn gěi lǐ fán dào 。
「我欲出去，会一会这位天地之魄。这里便交给你了！」鸿曦仙君却是无视了漫天的恐怖景象，传音给李凡道。
Li Fan remained expressionless, closely watching the center of Congyun Sea and waiting patiently.
suí hòu yuǎn tiào zhe hēi sè yǔn shí zhuì luò de dì diǎn ， yī bù tà chū 。
随后远眺着黑色陨石坠落的地点，一步踏出。
Time passed slowly. After the first wave of black fire was repelled, the apocalyptic crisis seemed to have passed. The waves in Congyun Sea gradually calmed down, except for the sticky black substance that still clung to the protective shield, silently narrating the existence of the disaster.
shēn xíng lián shǎn ， zhuǎn shùn jiān jiù yǐ jīng xiāo shī zài le zhòng rén shì xiàn zhī zhōng 。
身形连闪，转瞬间就已经消失在了众人视线之中。
This unusual calmness had a hint of impending doom.
hóng xī xiān jūn de lí qù ， ràng yuán běn píng jìng xià lái de zhòng xiū shì ， zài cì biàn dé huáng huáng bù ān qǐ lái 。 hǎo zài mì shǐ dà rén réng zài ， suǒ yǐ tā men shàng qiě hái néng bǎo chí yì diǎn xīn ān 。
鸿曦仙君的离去，让原本平静下来的众修士，再次变得惶惶不安起来。好在秘使大人仍在，所以他们尚且还能保持一点心安。
Li Fan also sensed something amiss.
lǐ fán zé shì lěng zhe liǎn ， zǐ xì dīng zhe cóng yún hǎi de zhōng yāng ， nài xīn děng dài zhe 。
李凡则是冷着脸，仔细盯着丛云海的中央，耐心等待着。
"Where's the Black Flame?" Sensing Grandmaster Hongxi's rapid return, Li Fan scanned the sky and then looked into the depths of the sea.
shí jiān huǎn huǎn liú shì ， dāng zuì xiān yī bō de hēi sè liú huǒ quán dōu dǐ dǎng zhù zhī hòu ， miè shì de wēi jī sì hū yǐ jīng guò qù 。 cóng yún hǎi làng zhú jiàn píng xī ， wéi yǒu yī jiù nián chóu fù zhuó zài fáng hù guāng zhào shàng de hēi sè jiāo zhì ， zài sù shuō zhe jié nàn céng jīng cún zài de jì xiàng 。
时间缓缓流逝，当最先一波的黑色流火全都抵挡住之后，灭世的危机似乎已经过去。丛云海浪逐渐平息，唯有依旧粘稠附着在防护光罩上的黑色胶质，在诉说着劫难曾经存在的迹象。
Something terrifying was brewing at the bottom.
zhè fǎn cháng de píng jìng ， pǒ yǒu diǎn shān yǔ yù lái fēng mǎn lóu de wèi dào 。
这反常的平静，颇有点山雨欲来风满楼的味道。
Plop!
lǐ fán yě chá jué dào yī sī bù tuǒ 。
李凡也察觉到一丝不妥。
A bubble suddenly surfaced on the water. Then, a dead fish-like corpse floated up, belly-up.
「 hēi yán bù zài nà lǐ ？」 gǎn shòu dào hóng xī xiān jūn kuài sù fǎn huí de qì xī ， lǐ fán de mù guāng sǎo guò tiān qióng ， yòu kàn xiàng le shēn hǎi 。
「黑炎不在那里？」感受到鸿曦仙君快速返回的气息，李凡的目光扫过天穹，又看向了深海。
Suddenly, Congyun Sea seemed to boil over.
zài hǎi dǐ ， sì hū yǒu shén me kǒng bù zāi nàn zhèng zài yùn niàng 。
在海底，似乎有什么恐怖灾难正在酝酿。
Innumerable bubbles rose continuously, accompanied by countless corpses of marine life.
In the city of Congyun, cultivators were immediately in an uproar at the sight.
Fortunately, since the last attack by the Five Elders' Alliance on Ten Thousand Immortals Island, the defensive level of Congyun City had been rebuilt to surpass that of Xunchang City. It was now comparable to the defenses of several central states. As soon as the protective array's surface began to shimmer with light, the crack vanished instantly.
The group didn't have time to breathe a sigh of relief before another bolt of black fire collided with the protective shield. This time, the intensity was even greater than before, causing the Cloud City to shake slightly, as if it might fall from the sky at any moment.
What chilled everyone further was that this black fire did not fully dissipate after exploding; instead, it left behind a sticky black substance that began to corrode and wriggle through the protective array. Even from afar, they could hear sizzling sounds emanating from outside the array.
"Although the [Heavenly Origin Life-Generating Array] of Congyun City is strong, it won't last long," Li Fan, as an array master, quickly made his assessment.
While the array was in a stalemate with the black sticky substance, countless black beams continued to bombard Congyun City. Although rays of purple light from the Celestial Vessel emitted and managed to knock down some of the black fire, more of it crashed into the city unimpeded.
Suddenly, Congyun City seemed as fragile as leaves in a storm, teetering on the brink of collapse.
At this moment, Grandmaster Hongxi finally showed his decisiveness as the leader of a state. He transformed into a towering giant and commanded with a cold voice: "Activate the [Life-Generating Great Array] across all of Congyun Sea. Maximize the absorption from surrounding nodes to ensure that Congyun City is in its best condition!"
He then cast a hand seal, flying towards the highest point of Congyun City.
With these words, there was an immediate silence in Congyun City. Most cultivators didn't understand the meaning behind Grandmaster Hongxi's command, but those who did understood it all too well and their faces turned pale.
Li Fan narrowed his eyes, watching the resolute expression on Grandmaster Hongxi's face, silently praising him: "Good resolve!"
After years of studying array techniques, Li Fan was very familiar with the general defensive system of Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. Each city had its own protective array. Within a state, centered around the floating sky city, these small arrays formed a large array spanning across the entire state.
All of the state's arrays within the alliance territory, when combined, could form an enormous and terrifying array covering nearly half of Xuanhuang Realm.
Layer upon layer, with boundless power!
The types of defensive arrays used by Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance changed every five hundred years. Previously, he had seen the [Ten Thousand Li River Mountain Array] on a sunken island. Now, they were using the [Heavenly Origin Life-Generating Array].
While its defensive capabilities were slightly weaker than those of the Ten Thousand Li River Mountain Array, it had an irreplaceable function.
That was to absorb the essence and vitality from living beings within the array, enhancing the effectiveness of the array!
Thus, Grandmaster Hongxi's intention was clear. He wanted to fully activate the Heavenly Origin Life-Generating Array to draw in the life essences from the remaining islands in Congyun Sea, ensuring the safety of the array for Congyun City.
Rationally speaking, this choice wasn't problematic. After all, apart from Congyun City, which could barely hold its own, all other islands were destined to be reduced to ashes. Using the lives of those who would soon die to strengthen the array might still give the cultivators in Congyun City a chance at survival.
But...
Being annihilated by the forces of nature was different from being killed by one's own people.
Not everyone could make such a cold-hearted decision, treating their fellow beings' lives as nothing.
So, when Grandmaster Hongxi's words spread throughout, the strategists in the array hall remained silent and inactive. Grandmaster Hongxi himself seemed to lack the courage to repeat his command, looking grimly at the disintegrating protective shield without issuing another order.
"I'll help you," Li Fan's eyes flashed with determination as he split into a duplicate form and flew up high, shouting: "What are you waiting for? In times of life or death, just execute the orders! All consequences will be borne by Grandmaster Hongxi and me!"
Grandmaster Hongxi was surprised to see this from Li Fan.
The strategists in the array hall also exchanged glances, gritted their teeth, and finally made a decision.
Hand seals flew to various nodes of the Heavenly Origin Life-Generating Array, and the protective shield's light suddenly intensified.
Time seemed to freeze. In an instant, boundless essence rushed towards the city from all directions. The purple light barrier became solid-like, easily repelling the black fire's impact.
There were no more violent tremors; instead, there was a continuous dull sound.
The crisis had been temporarily averted, but the surviving cultivators in Congyun City showed little excitement. As the Heavenly Origin Life-Generating Array gained significant strength, the wails and curses on the holographic screen echoed continuously. There were also horrifying scenes of humans being drained of their essence, turning into skeletons.
It was like an inferno on earth, chilling to the bone.
"Although it can provide temporary safety, this is not a long-term solution. Communication with headquarters has been completely cut off; staying here will only mean waiting for death."
Grandmaster Hongxi ignored the terrifying scene and whispered to Li Fan: "I want to go out and meet this Heavenly Essence. I leave everything to you!"
He then gazed far into the distance where black meteorites were falling, stepping forward.
His figure flashed several times before disappearing from everyone's sight.
The departure of Grandmaster Hongxi left the originally calm cultivators once again in a state of unease. Fortunately, the secret envoy was still here, so they could still feel some comfort.
Li Fan remained expressionless, closely watching the center of Congyun Sea and waiting patiently.
Time passed slowly. After the first wave of black fire was repelled, the apocalyptic crisis seemed to have passed. The waves in Congyun Sea gradually calmed down, except for the sticky black substance that still clung to the protective shield, silently narrating the existence of the disaster.
This unusual calmness had a hint of impending doom.
Li Fan also sensed something amiss.
"Where's the Black Flame?" Sensing Grandmaster Hongxi's rapid return, Li Fan scanned the sky and then looked into the depths of the sea.
Something terrifying was brewing at the bottom.
Plop!
A bubble suddenly surfaced on the water. Then, a dead fish-like corpse floated up, belly-up.
Suddenly, Congyun Sea seemed to boil over.
Innumerable bubbles rose continuously, accompanied by countless corpses of marine life.