A total of five pavilions—arranged into the shape of a star, make up the entirety of New Moon Village.
Each pavilion has a different colored roof to make it easier to distinguish them from one another.
The greenery pavilion—that has a green colored roof, is used exclusively to cultivate spirit herbs, and is the pavilion that Long Hua is currently in.
The blue pavilion, which is the largest in size—is used for storage and business transactions; its other purpose is to serve as a canteen, whereas the yellow pavilion is used as the village workers' living space.
The red pavilion that Zhen Huai and Bai Wen had just stepped out of—is the former's private living space.
At this time, the two are heading over to the black pavilion, which is used to house the "eyes" of the magic arrays—that allow the village to function.
Positioned in the center of the village is a teleportation magic array that is connected to various places.
"…"
Stepping into the black pavilion, Zhen Huai's attention is immediately drawn to the eye used to control the greenery pavilion's magic arrays.
Raising a frown, Zhen Huai mutters—
"…This is going to be troublesome."
Surrounded by golden runes is a sphere-shaped object. This object is a magic treasure commonly called a Formation Eye.
Almost any kind of treasure can be used to serve as the core or eye of a large magic array, but in the Everlasting Spirit Realm, this is generally the treasure that is preferred—for it is designed exclusively for setting up a long-lasting magic array, while simplifying its controls.
"Ai Lao Zhen, you want to talk about how much your heart is bleeding right now?"
"…"
*Kakaka…* just as Bai Wen had poked fun at Zhen Huai's misfortune, the cracks that are already on the Formation Eye, grow by another inch in length.
Surrounding the Formation Eye on six sides are Zhen Rong and five village workers—who are all dressed in archaic black robes. Each of them is currently pouring their spirit Qi into the eye to stabilize its collapsing structure.
Different from Zhen Rong—who is handling the situation with composure, the five workers have their faces covered in sweat. Clearly, they are about to reach their limits.
Glancing at Bai Wen, Zhen Huai says—
"This loss… You're paying me back for this later."
"I didn't ask you to test him this way."
Narrowing his eyes, Zhen Huai replies—
"But you're the one who introduced him to me. Right now, you're responsible for any damages that he may cause."
"I-"
"Keep your nonsense to yourself, and help Xiao Rong with stabilizing the eye."
"Ai…"
Walking over to the eye with a helpless sigh, Bai Wen gradually raises the speed of his cultivation base's rotation.
"Pour the rest of your spirit Qi in. I'll take over."
As Bai Wen prepares to take over the magic array's controls, Zhen Huai turns his attention to the other workers, who are standing on the sides, and orders—
"Someone head over to the storage pavilion, and grab a replacement eye. Those who remain, stand ready to shield the other Formation Eyes—should this one explode."
"Understood."
Having given these orders, Zhen Huai looks to the back walls of the vicinity—that is showing a projection of the greenery pavilion's situation.
...…
"…"
Pushing himself off the ground, Long Hua straightens his stance.
In the same instance, the fog-shrouded figure lands near one of the herb gardens, and—
"…"
*Boom!* leaving a footprint that is an inch deep behind, the fog-shrouded figure vanishes from sight—only to reappear within an arm's length of Long Hua, while lashing their sword outwards.
Kicking his foot off the ground, Long Hua evades the incoming slash, but the opponent seems to have already expected this, as they press their left-hand outwards—to initiate a palm thrust.
Mirroring the same attack as his opponent, Long Hua also presses his left hand out.
*Boom!* as soon as they make contact, Long Hua loses the feel of his left arm—following this, he finds himself thrown backwards!
*Boom! Boom!* bouncing off the ground twice, Long Hua comes to a rolling stop.
And just as he is about to pick himself off the ground again—
"…"
"…!"
The fog-shrouded figure appears right in front of him with their right foot raised.
Just as the fog-shrouded figure's foot is less than a few inches away from his face, two objects slip pass Long Hua's head to block the attack.
What managed to block off the fog-shrouded figure's foot at the last possible instance was none other than his Relic that takes on the form of twin serpents, however—
"…"
Switching over to his left hand, the fog-shrouded figure grabs the two serpents, and throws Long Hua—who is connected to them, into the air.
"…"
Stand in place, the fog-shrouded figure—who still has his left hand raised, points to the skies above Long Hua.
*…! …! …! …! …!* following the fog-shrouded figure's gesture, the skies distort, as five dark rifts manifest.
Emanating from within the rifts is an air of great strength—that seems to have originated from ancient times.
...…
"This is…? Heaven Manifestation realm divine art?"
Sensing the archaic power that made him feel as if he was but an ant that could be flattened in a single stomp, Bai Wen widens his eye.