Chapter 406: What Should Come, Finally Came

Under the dim night, in the core area of the Sages' Holy Land.

Heavenly Academy Hall Master Zuo Qiuyang, Asking Dao Sect Deputy Sect Leader Shang Kong, Mountain Sea Pavilion Deputy Sect Leader Huo Jin, and Chen Clan Deputy Patriarch Chen Longxing stood side by side behind Pill Sect Sect Leader Yuan Li, staring at the night sky above.

Only to see the space that had been smoothed out appeared wrinkles again, layer upon layer instantly crushing the already collapsed mountain cliff, so that the entire valley was roaring, and smoke and dust were filling the air.

Before long, the space covered with wrinkles was propped open into two gaps, appearing before everyone's eyes.

Seeing this, several people couldn't help but wrinkle their brows.

Zizai Hall Master Zuo Qiuyang, who followed the sound, Asking Dao Sect Deputy Sect Leader Shang Kong and other big figures looked up, looking at the space that was constantly twisting because of the

"It has split open again. How could this happen?"

"Space is inherently a holistic concept. The reason it is being forced open is that it cannot withstand the internal pressure, so it must be forced open to release that pressure. Repairing it is not about restoring it to its original state, but rather forcibly pulling the split space back together. Therefore, the repair of every crack will cause the surrounding area to enter an unstable period. Smaller fissures are manageable, but these final three massive cracks are truly difficult to time for stability."

It needs to be forced open. Zuo Qiuyang narrowed his eyes upon hearing this: "Can Patriarch Yuan Li determine what the situation inside the Sacred Land is currently?"

"Perhaps it is a collision of destiny, perhaps it is the laws running wild, but the true answer will only be known once the Sacred Land is opened."

"Then can the repair work be completed on schedule?"

"Based on the previous progress, meeting the schedule will be very difficult. Because of the existence of the unstable period, only by extending the time as much as possible is it more likely to ensure that such things do not happen again."

Shang Xingkong could not help but speak up after hearing this: "Does that mean the time must be delayed?"

Yuan Li looked at the two cracks: "Delaying is indeed safer, but there is another problem: the Sacred Land itself is still expanding. I do not know how long it can hold on by itself."

Zuo Qiuyang also raised his eyes to look at Shang Xingkong: "Moreover, the demon race is ambitious and will inevitably attack at this time. The longer we drag it out, the more disadvantageous it is for us. Delaying is not a good method."

"Actually, there is another way," Yuan Li said after pondering. "I can divide all the alchemists within the sect into two teams to repair these two cracks simultaneously. This will not only make up for the lost time but also avoid the mutual interference between these two fissures."

"Patriarch Yuan Li placed this option last, so there must be a 'but', right?"

"Correct. While doing this can greatly shorten the repair time, once the repair fails, it may cause the Sacred Land to suffer even more severe splitting. It is not impossible for the phenomenon of destiny loss to occur again."

"What is the probability of failure?"

"In this world, all successes and failures are always a fifty-fifty split."

Hearing this, the people under the night sky suddenly fell into silence.

Two options: one is to proceed with caution but drag out the time, the other is to seek speed amidst danger but potentially cause more consequences. This instantly plunged them into a dilemma, and for a time, no one spoke.

After all, both methods have a probability of failure. If they truly succeed, it is fine, but once they fail, no one wants to be remembered in history for it.

Just at this moment, a disciple of the Mountain Sea Pavilion flew over the circular valley and knelt on one knee with a 'thud'.

"Vice Abbot, intelligence from the northern border: traces of the demon race have been discovered!"

Huo Jin frowned upon hearing this: "They have come after all. Where are they now?"

The disciple raised his head upon hearing this: "They are using the Hengduan Mountain Range as cover, traveling through the dense forest. The small teams we sent out have all been killed, and we cannot confirm the opponent's whereabouts now."

"Scout again!"

"Yes!"

The disciple gave a low shout, immediately turned around, and flew off into the distance.

At this moment, the power-wielding figures of each sect looked at each other, all revealing solemn expressions.

Sure enough, as the repair work entered its final stages, what was meant to come had come.

Fortunately, they were well-prepared; otherwise, the human Sacred Land might truly have been occupied by the demon race, and the human destiny would inevitably have been seized.

But now there is another problem: the Sages' Sacred Land cannot be moved, which means they will always be in a state of passive defense, while the demon race can flexibly and maneuverably launch surprise attacks. Therefore, the longer the time is dragged out, the more the risk will multiply.

They still need to open the Sacred Land later to use the Sacred Artifact to repair the connection of destiny; they must accelerate the repair process of the Sacred Land.

However, the consequences of the Sages' Sacred Land splitting further and destiny being lost again are also extremely severe.

Just at this moment, a rustling sound of footsteps came from the dense forest.

Ding Yao came from the eastern mountain range and finally stood still on the hillside facing the valley, looking at those big figures of the Xian Sects.

Actually, she had come once before; after seeing the situation of the Sacred Land clearly, she immediately went to the East Mountain. At this moment, she had come with the Inspector's imperial decree.

"Everyone, my Master Inspector said that hesitation cannot solve the problem, and everyone cannot stay here for a long time. The so-called 'at the first drum, the spirit is aroused; at the second, it wanes; at the third, it is exhausted'—the trouble that needs to be solved should be solved quickly. She also said that all consequences can be remedied, but only lost time cannot be recovered, so she chooses the second method: simultaneous repair."

Zuo Qiuyang turned his head to look at the three people around him upon hearing this: "What the Master Inspector said is reasonable. I agree with repairing both cracks simultaneously. I wonder what you all think?"

Huo Jin, Vice Abbot of the Mountain Sea Pavilion, looked at Yuan Li upon hearing this: "If it were Patriarch Yuan Li, which one would you choose?"

"I would also choose the second one. This way, when the two fissures heal, even if the space is unstable, we will have the opportunity to open the Sacred Land directly."

"Will there be no risk?"

"If it is based on both cracks being repairable, taking the opportunity to open the Sacred Land is not a difficult task."

Shang Xingkong turned his eyes upon hearing this, exchanged glances with Huo Jin and Chen Longxing, and then the three nodded gently: "Then let us repair them together."

Under the thick night, following an order from Yuan Li, more than two thousand alchemists were quickly divided into two batches, then sat cross-legged on the ground with their hands facing the sky.

In an instant, several seven-colored alchemical lights soared into the sky, gathered under the night, and instantly condensed into a rushing river of light, surging toward the two huge cracks in the sky, directly filling into that void darkness.

And as the two cracks began to be repaired simultaneously, Dan Xunzi and Dan Yangzi, along with eight elders from the sect, stood on the east and west sides, using alchemical light to confine the sky that had been healed earlier, trying their best to block the unstable fluctuations between the crack repairs.

At the same time, Fang Ruoming, leading thousands of armored guards, was standing on the cliff not far behind those alchemists, silently watching all this.

Because of the gathering of spiritual energy, crosswinds rose one after another around the Sages' Sacred Land, blowing his moon-white robe until it fluttered wildly in all directions, snapping loudly.

"Commandant Cen, what was that explosion just now?"

Bai Rulong, Cao Jingsong, Ban Yangshu, and Wen Zhengxin had finished half a jar of wine when they saw the Commandant of the army patrolling with troops, so he opened his mouth to ask.

Commandant Cen turned his head upon hearing this, looked at Bai Rulong, and then said: "It is nothing serious. There was a problem with the repair of the Sages' Sacred Land. Just now, the Pill Sect Abbot has already discussed with those Vice Abbots and decided to change to a better repair method."

"So that is how it is."

Commandant Cen nodded, then led the armored guards behind him, eyes fixed as he headed toward the southern circular valley.

Seeing this scene, Cao Jingsong raised his head gently: "Is that a Commandant from the Zhenbei Army?"

"Yes."

"They clearly only need to guard the core of the Sacred Land, while the outer perimeter is guarded by us, the people of the Xian Sects and noble families. Why does it feel like they are even more nervous than us? Just in this first half of the night, I have already seen him patrol back and forth three times."

Bai Rulong turned his head to look at that Commandant Cen, his brow furrowing slightly.

If Cao Jingsong hadn't brought this up, he actually wouldn't have noticed; it seems the senior generals of the Zhenbei Army had been far more nervous since they entered the Sacred Land than they were at the northern border.

However, before he could think deeply, he suddenly saw the gravel under his feet jumping in bursts, while at the same time, the movement of spiritual energy seemed to be accelerating toward the northwest.

Long Xiandi was slightly stunned, subconsciously raising his head to look at the three of Cao Jingsong, only to see that the three of them had also raised their heads in unison.

Boom—

In an instant, mysterious light mixed with rolling wind and thunder suddenly exploded from a very far direction outside the mountains.

The momentary brightness was like a lightning bolt, fiercely tearing apart the ink-thick night in the mountains and forests, illuminating every face stationed in the forest. At the same time, a wild aura rushed into the forest, immediately kicking up a sky full of dust and sand dancing wildly.

The next moment, a long and high-pitched horn sound suddenly rang out from the direction where the light came from.

Those in the middle layer of the mountain forest defense stood up involuntarily, their eyes instantly becoming solemn.

The demon race has attacked.