Mu Chen looked forward. In the center of the plaza stood five dark-gold stone pillars, each over ten zhang tall. The stone pillars were covered in mystical patterns, and faint fluctuations of spiritual energy from heaven and earth could be sensed around them.
"Are these Spirit Gathering Stones used to form Spirit Gathering Pillars?"
Mu Chen stepped forward. The Spirit Gathering Pillars in the Level 3 Spirit Gathering Array at the Northern Spirit Academy also had them, but those were bright golden in color, and their purity was probably far superior to the five pillars of their Mu Territory.
"These five Spirit Gathering Pillars are the core of the Spirit Gathering Array. Each pillar costs up to 100,000 spiritual coins to construct." Mu Feng sighed and murmured.
Mu Chen nodded. A Spirit Gathering Array was completely different from an ordinary spiritual array. It had no offensive capabilities, yet it was something many powers desired and represented the strength of that power. The Liu Territory had remained firmly in the position of the number one territory in the Northern Spirit Realm for many years. Aside from its profound foundation, it was also because they possessed a Level 2 Spirit Gathering Array.
To be able to cultivate within that Level 2 Spirit Gathering Array, many strong and capable cultivators sought refuge with the Liu Territory, earning themselves excellent cultivation conditions to pursue further advancement in their abilities.
In general, the Spirit Gathering Array was a common spiritual array, known to many. Most Spiritual Array Masters were familiar with its array diagram, so the value of the diagram itself was not high. However, knowing it was one thing; successfully constructing it was another, something few could achieve. Not to mention the lack of financial resources, even the construction process was extremely complex.
Leaving aside the quantity of precious raw materials, just considering the spiritual seals that formed the core of the Spirit Gathering Array, at least 50 spiritual seals were required. With that many, many Level 2 Spiritual Array Masters could not achieve it alone. And Level 2 Spiritual Array Masters were quite rare in the Northern Spirit Realm; the Mu Territory simply couldn't invite them. So, the only way was to compensate with numbers, uniting four Level 1 Spiritual Array Masters to seek success.
Fortunately, Wen Ling had long been a peak Level 1 Spiritual Array Master, with a very high chance of advancing to Level 2. With him leading, the chances of success were much higher.
"This time, we have five people constructing the Level 2 Spirit Gathering Array. Each person will be responsible for one Spirit Gathering Pearl pillar, and we will follow the array diagram to complete our respective parts, connect them, and then activate the array." Wen Ling looked at the four people in front of him and gently instructed.
"Each person in the group being responsible for a part of the array diagram is also a method, but everyone needs to cooperate very well to avoid any small mistakes, otherwise, there will be regrettable consequences..." Mu Chen hesitated for a moment. He was no longer a novice in spiritual arrays, so he naturally saw the shortcomings in this method. Although what he said was already well known to the others, his status as the young master of the Mu Territory meant no one voiced any criticism.
Wen Ling nodded and sighed, "I know that, but there's no other way. To construct a Level 2 Spirit Gathering Array by oneself, I don't think even the entire Northern Spirit Realm could find a Level 2 Spiritual Array Master with such formidable skill..."
"When the Liu Territory constructed their Level 2 Spirit Gathering Array, they also used this method. Furthermore, I know they failed quite a bit and suffered considerable losses, but I'm not clear on the details." Mu Feng chuckled softly and said, "The raw materials we've prepared are now only enough for one more attempt. If we fail again, we'll have to prepare for a while longer."
"If we fail to construct it this time, I'm afraid the Liu Domain will seize the opportunity to slander and attack us. At that point, our reputation will suffer on all sides, and it will be difficult to avoid disadvantages."
Zhou Ye said helplessly.
Mu Feng waved his hand, not bothering with the matter:
"Just do your best!"
Zhou Ye gave a bitter smile. He knew that Mu Feng was so cheerful because Mu Chen was participating, to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on Mu Chen, and if they failed, he wouldn't feel too guilty. Doing so also greatly reduced the psychological pressure on the others. Perhaps they could truly succeed in creating a Tier 2 Spirit Gathering Array, and then the Mu Domain's reputation would naturally rise.
Mu Chen glanced at Mu Feng, saying nothing. After all, having been a son for many years, his nature was subtle. On the surface, his father acted as if it wasn't a problem, but he understood how much Mu Feng truly valued this matter.
"For this array formation, I will be responsible for twenty spirit seals. For the remaining thirty spirit seals, Chen Ling and the two of you will each handle eight spirit seals, and Mu Chen will be responsible for six spirit seals."
Wen Ling looked at Mu Chen and said, "You absolutely must not underestimate these six spirit seals. Integrating this small portion into the array diagram, I think it will be quite a bit more difficult than that Blazing Flame Array."
Mu Chen nodded. He naturally understood this principle. Moreover, his experience was shallow, so Wen Ling allowing him to be responsible for six spirit seals already showed great regard.
"Now I will reiterate a few key points of the Spirit Gathering Array. You must remember them carefully, to avoid any small oversight that could ruin the overall situation." Wen Ling said sternly.
"Yes," Mu Chen replied with a polite smile. Although the handsome youth still seemed a bit naive, his humility secretly earned the admiration and approval of the three Spirit Array Masters. He held the status of the Young Master of the Mu Domain and possessed astonishing talent, yet he was unexpectedly gentle. If it were anyone else, their nose might have long since been higher than their head.
Mu Feng listened intently as Wen Ling explained the operations for constructing the Spirit Gathering Array, guiding Mu Chen. He smiled happily, waved his hand, and led Zhou Ye and several guards away. All those spirit arrays and such truly gave him a headache just listening to them. He might as well leave that troublesome mess to his son.
Over the next few days, Mu Chen arrived at the square early every morning with Wen Ling and the others to practice the deployment operations and study the Tier 2 Spirit Gathering Array until he was proficient. His attitude was gentle and eager to learn, which greatly pleased the Spirit Array Masters, who shared their experiences in deploying spirit arrays with him. Mu Chen also humbly and attentively learned.
With such effort, a few days later, Mu Chen had largely understood the Tier 2 Spirit Gathering Array. He was also astonished by the complexity of that Spirit Gathering Array. Indeed, the Blazing Flame Array diagram, which he had struggled with for several days and nights, forgetting to eat and sleep, just to figure out, was nothing compared to this Spirit Gathering Array.
When Wen Ling and the others saw that Mu Chen had begun to gain a good understanding of the Tier 2 Spirit Gathering Array, they discussed it for a while and finally decided to officially implement it the next day!
Mu Chen stood on the square, gazing intently at the five towering stone pillars. He took a deep breath, gradually calming his agitated and nervous emotions.
To one side, Mu Feng patted his shoulder and said with a reassuring smile, "It's good to be determined to do your best. Failure is nothing; it just means a slight delay."
Mu Chen smiled without replying, looking at Wen Ling. The old man's expression was only serious. Suddenly, he waved his hand, and his figure moved slightly as he climbed onto a Spirit Gathering Pillar.
Mu Chen and the three people from Chen Lang's group quickly rushed forward as well, each standing on a different Spirit Gathering Pillar.
"Prepare to act."
Wen Ling growled softly, raising his hand. A beam of light burst forth from his palm, and powerful spiritual energy fluctuations surged out.
The other four also acted in unison, four beams of light soaring high. These were all high-grade spirit beast essence souls. To arrange this formation, spirit beast essence souls were an indispensable material, as the formation required the immense energy contained within them as guiding fuel.
"Begin!"
Wen Ling looked up at the light beam hovering above his head and shouted. He waved his sleeve, and twenty spirit seals quickly appeared. His speed in condensing spirit seals far surpassed that of an ordinary first-rank Spirit Array Master.
Chen Lang looked over with admiration. Although they were also first-rank Spirit Array Masters, they were still quite inferior compared to Wen Ling. After all, he was about to advance to become a second-rank Spirit Array Master.
They admired him for a moment, then refocused. Each of them condensed eight spirit seals and carefully controlled them to insert into the spirit beast essence souls hovering above their heads.
"Whoosh."
Mu Chen also acted, six spirit seals condensing on his fingertips. With his current ability, condensing and controlling six spirit seals was indeed easy and skillful.
The six spirit seals disappeared into the spirit beast essence souls. Then, the surrounding air churned. Mu Chen half-closed his eyes, his fingers gently swaying. Around the spirit beast essence souls, streaks of light carefully spread out, intertwining with each other.
The square was silent. All five people focused their minds, carefully arranging the part of the formation diagram for which each was responsible.
Mu Feng stood not far away, his face solemn as he watched the spiritual energy fluctuations in the arena. His eyes were quite anxious. If this attempt unfortunately failed again, it would take at least another half a year to recover. By then, he didn't know how much ridicule they would receive from the Liu Territory.
"Instruct those below, no one is allowed to approach."
Mu Feng waved his hand and said softly.
"Yes."
A guard replied in a low voice, leading a few people to quietly disperse.
The time Mu Feng spent anxiously waiting quickly passed. In a blink of an eye, an hour had gone by, and the spiritual energy fluctuations in the arena became increasingly violent. On the five Spirit Gathering Pillars, a complex formation diagram with colorful spiritual energy flashed dazzlingly.
Another half an hour passed. Wen Ling was the first to open his eyes, his expression tense and serious. He alone bore half the responsibility for constructing this Spirit Gathering Array. If others made mistakes, it might still be salvageable, but if he himself made a mistake, the array would fundamentally fail completely.
Following Wen Ling, the others also opened their eyes one after another, evidently having completed the part of the formation diagram for which they were responsible.
"Connect the arrays!"
Seeing this, Wen Ling shouted with a solemn expression. The next step was the most difficult. If there were errors in the connection, it would lead to the destruction of the components, causing the entire array to fail.
Mu Chen and the others heard this and tensed up, focusing their minds to the extreme. Then, the complex light arrays above their heads shot out rays of light, merging and intertwining.
Outside, Mu Feng and the high-ranking officials of the Mu Territory watched this scene, their hearts also becoming uneasy. They understood that success or failure depended on this step.