The pillar of light was not blinding.
Instead, it had a hazy, cloud-like quality, as if connecting heaven and earth.
And then—
VMMMM!
A deep, far-reaching vibration emanated from the depths of the earth.
The pillars of light shooting from the nine array base points curved and extended through the air. They connected with one another, outlining an immense, three-dimensional network of runes that covered nearly two-fifths of the Cangshan wilderness.
Then, the runic network began to contract and solidify. It ultimately transformed into a translucent curtain of Spiritual Power, completely invisible to the naked eye but crystal clear to one’s Spiritual Sense.
The curtain of light, like a giant inverted bowl, began at the nine base points and rapidly converged inward toward the center, in the direction of the Ancient Goose Forest.
Wherever it passed, the mountains, forests, and plants seemed to pause slightly, and a certain "aura" in the air underwent a subtle change.
The birds and beasts seemed to sense something. They raised their heads, either looking around warily or quietly lying on the ground.
The curtain of light closed extremely fast, shrinking from the outermost edge to the central region in just a few breaths.
The moment the last gap above Ancient Goose Forest was completely sealed and the entire grand Array was fully closed—
WHOOSH~
A great wind, born from nothing, suddenly swept out in all directions with Ancient Goose Forest as its center.
The great wind passed through the treetops, stirring up billowing waves in the forest canopy.
It swept through the valleys, sending the miasma churning.
It brushed across the streams, kicking up splashes of water.
The wind moaned, as if an ancient mountain spirit was breathing, declaring that this land would be different from this day forward.
The great wind lasted for about a quarter of an hour before gradually subsiding.
The mountain forest returned to tranquility.
The evening clouds were still brilliant, and the birds and beasts began to stir once more.
...
Yang Qi took out three Qi Condensing Pills and consumed them.
As the pills entered his stomach, they immediately transformed into three warm, pure streams of Spiritual Qi. They spread rapidly along his meridians, replenishing his nearly depleted Dantian.
Sitting cross-legged beside the Array Plate, he closed his eyes and focused his mind. The Great Derivation Spirit-Controlling Technique slowly activated, guiding the medicinal power’s transformation to restore his Magical Power.
Xiaojiu crouched on a nearby rock, its amber pupils glinting in the twilight as it vigilantly scanned the surrounding forest.
Its ears twitched from time to time, catching any subtle, unusual sounds.
The distant roars of beasts, the nearby chirping of insects, and the rustling of leaves in the wind were all under its surveillance.
A moment later, Yang Qi slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air and opened his eyes.
A glint of Spiritual Light flashed through his eyes and vanished. His Magical Power was about seventy or eighty percent restored.
"Xiaojiu, come here."
"Meow~"
Xiaojiu leaped gracefully, landing in front of Yang Qi.
"Don’t move. Relax."
As Yang Qi spoke, he extended the index finger of his right hand, the tip of which glowed with a faint Spiritual Light.
With a slight shift in his thoughts, he activated the Array Plate of the Cloud Plate Enchanting Array he had just laid at his feet.
The Tai Chi Diagram in the center of the Array Plate spun slightly. A wisp of extremely faint, almost transparent white qi was extracted, coiling around Yang Qi’s fingertip like a living mist.
This wisp of qi shared the same origin as the entire grand Array and contained the core imprint of the Array.
Yang Qi gently tapped his fingertip on Xiaojiu’s forehead.
The white qi seeped into Xiaojiu’s body like quicksilver. It then spread rapidly, merging into its entire being, and finally formed a miniature imprint within it that resonated with the great Array outside.
"There."
Yang Qi withdrew his power and asked with concern, "Xiaojiu, how do you feel?"
Xiaojiu shook its head, lifted a front paw to lick it, and meowed.
’It’s a little warm.’
"The warmth is a normal reaction. The qi is adapting to your body."
Yang Qi explained, "Is it uncomfortable?"
’It’s not uncomfortable, just a little strange.’
Xiaojiu answered truthfully.
"That’s good."
This wisp of qi was equivalent to a "pass" and an "identification code" for entering and exiting the Cloud Plate Enchanting Array.
Originally, Yang Qi had planned to seal these wisps of qi into specially made Jade Pendants, to be worn by the Guardian Beasts or personnel who needed to enter and exit the Array.
But as his Cultivation advanced to the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer, his control over Magical Power became more refined. He discovered he could directly condense and seal this harmless wisp of array qi within a living body. It caused no harm and was far more convenient and discreet than wearing an external object.
"Qi Zai, come here."
Yang Qi used their contract to call for the Beaked Eagle that was circling on guard high in the sky.
Before long, a huge black shadow tore through the air. Qi Zai folded its wings and landed on a large boulder nearby, its golden eyes looking at Yang Qi with confusion.
"Hold still. I’m giving you an imprint too, so you won’t get lost when you enter or leave this forest in the future."
Yang Qi repeated the process. He again activated the Array Plate, drew out a wisp of white qi, condensed it on his fingertip, and tapped it just above Qi Zai’s hard beak.
The qi quickly seeped into the Beaked Eagle’s body, forming the same imprint.
Qi Zai tilted its head and made a rumbling sound in its throat. It seemed to feel the subtle change in its body but didn’t reject it.
"Alright, Qi Zai, you can go home for now. Be careful."
Qi Zai let out a clear cry, beat its wings, and soared into the sky, flying in the direction of the Zoo.
After sending Qi Zai off, Yang Qi sat down cross-legged by the Array Plate again. He mobilized his restored Magical Power and activated the Array Plate once more.
This time, he drew out six wisps of white qi in succession. However, he didn’t use them immediately. Instead, with exquisite control of his Magical Power, he temporarily sealed them within his own Dantian. They floated around the Spiritual Liquid like six tiny white specks of light.
These wisps of qi were for Bai Wan, Hu Zi, Leopard, Liu Fu, as well as Ta Xue and Caiyun.
This would allow them all to freely enter and exit the grand Array’s range without being affected by the Illusion Array.
By the time he finished all this, the sky had completely darkened, and the first stars were beginning to appear.
Yang Qi stood up and put away the Array Plate.
The Array Plate was already active and didn’t need to be left out. It could be carried on his person or hidden near the Array’s core, but Yang Qi chose to take it with him for convenient adjustments and maintenance at any time.