Chapter 429 Materials are complete! The third condition! Ancient bloodline resonance!!

Hearing Jiang Yun's words,

Everyone present snapped back from the shock just now.

Elder Mo was the first to nod.

A hint of approval flashed in those old eyes that had seen the world's many changes.

"Little friend Dong Xuan is right. The list of Materials has been drawn up, and the problem has been identified. The most urgent task is indeed to collect the Materials as quickly as possible and start the repair. Although I am old, I will certainly put forth my full effort for this major matter of repairing the soul crystal."

Great Master Master Fu Shan also stroked his beard with a solemn expression.

"Indeed, the Soul-Suppressing Pillars of the Eight Desolations Spirit Sealing Array have been damaged for a long time. Every day it's delayed, the Foundation of the Formation is worn down further. The sooner it's repaired, the sooner we can rest easy. I will go prepare the tools and auxiliary Materials needed to repair the grand array now."

Liu Qingyun's face was also full of anticipation and excitement, but as the head of the Liu Family, he had more things to consider than the two masters.

His brow furrowed slightly.

His expression shifted from excitement to deep thought.

"The Materials Grand Tutor Dongxuan just mentioned..."

He paused, his tone becoming a bit more solemn.

"Spirit Sealing Jade, Eclipsing Moon Rank Soul Suppression Stones, Soul Ink, and the different quality classifications of Soul Ink... Although I am not proficient in Formations and runes, I can tell just by the names that none of these Materials are ordinary. Spirit Sealing Jade is the finest among space attribute spiritual jades, and Spirit Sealing Jade is even harder to come by. Although Soul Suppression Stones are of a slightly lower grade, Eclipsing Moon Rank Soul Suppression Stones are also rare treasures. As for Soul Ink... that is the dedicated medium for drawing Ancient Soul Runes, and most of its recipes have long been lost. Every drop of Soul Ink existing today is worth a fortune."

He looked up, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

"Any one of these Materials, if taken outside, would be enough to make countless forces fight tooth and nail for it. Collecting them all in a short time might not be an easy task."

He turned to look at Elder Liu Lan beside him.

"Elder Liu Lan, go to the treasury to verify. See if the treasury has the Materials Grand Tutor Dongxuan just mentioned. Spirit Sealing Jade, Soul Suppression Stones, and the three qualities of Soul Ink—check them all carefully, leaving nothing out. Whether we have them or not, how much we have, and whether the quality meets the standards—check everything clearly and return quickly."

Elder Liu Lan immediately cupped her hands with a solemn expression.

"As you command."

Having said that, she turned and walked quickly toward the main gate of the Spirit Sealing Hall.

Her water-blue long dress trailed an elegant arc on the floor. The stone door opened and then closed, and her figure disappeared outside once more.

Inside the hall, everyone began to discuss.

"Spirit Sealing Jade... I've lived for so many years and haven't seen many pieces in total. That stuff can only be nurtured in the depths of Secret Realms where the Laws of space are extremely active. Once it appears, it is quickly snatched up by major forces and simply doesn't circulate in the market."

"Soul Suppression Stones aren't easy to get either. Eclipsing Moon Rank Soul Suppression Stones need to naturally condense over hundreds or even thousands of years in the depths of ancient battlefields with dense Yin Qi. I heard that an Eclipsing Moon Rank Soul Suppression Stone appeared at a provincial city auction last time and was eventually bought at a sky-high price by an unknown Formation Master."

"The hardest part is still the Soul Ink. That's the dedicated material used by Ancient Rune Masters to draw Ancient Soul Runes, and the recipes have long been lost. The Soul Ink existing now are all ancient items left over from thousands or even tens of thousands of years ago. Every drop used is one less in existence, and the price is as high as the heavens."

An old Formation Master with graying hair sighed and shook his head.

"To be honest, I'm a bit uncertain. These Materials are too rare. Some I've only seen recorded in ancient books and have never even seen in person. Although the Liu Family has a deep heritage, it's really hard to say if they can produce so many rare Materials all at once."

The middle-aged Rune Master beside him also frowned.

"If the Materials are incomplete, how will the soul crystal be repaired? The problem has clearly been found and a repair plan exists, but if we're stuck on the Materials, that would be too frustrating."

"Indeed. Grand Tutor Dongxuan explained so clearly just now, step by step, how to repair it and what Materials to use. If everything is ready except for the Materials, it would really be agonizing."

Everyone discussed animatedly, their tones filled with both anticipation and worry.

The anticipation was because Jiang Yun had identified all the problems with the runes and Formations, and the repair plan was clear.

This was the first time in the Liu Family's three hundred years of waiting.

The worry was that although there was a plan, the required Materials were too rare, and the Liu Family might not be able to collect them all today.

Just then.

Elder Mo suddenly spoke.

"Everyone, do not be overly concerned."

His voice was still aged and gentle, but his tone carried a hint of certainty.

Everyone looked at Elder Mo, only to see this highly respected old Rune Master stroking his snow-white beard with a calm face.

"Among the Materials little friend Dong Xuan mentioned just now, there is one called Soul Marrow, which I happen to have here."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes lit up.

Elder Mo reached into his sleeve and took out a palm-sized jade bottle. The bottle was milky white throughout, with a warm and delicate texture, and a faint spiritual light flowed over its surface. The mouth of the bottle was sealed by a golden Seal covered in dense runes, clearly a special Restriction used to prevent the loss of the medicinal power inside.

"This bottle of Soul Marrow was obtained by me sixty years ago when I explored an ancient rune ruin. That ruin was located in an Ancient Tomb deep within the Bone Burial Area. The tomb's owner was a Sun-Level Rune Master, and this bottle of Soul Marrow was among the burial goods. Back then, I used all my strength to break the tomb's Restriction and obtain this item."

He paused, his gaze falling on the jade bottle in his hand, a hint of reminiscence appearing in his eyes.

"Over the years, I have always cherished it, wanting to study its recipe. Unfortunately, the recipe for Soul Marrow has long been lost. I've studied it for sixty years and could only barely analyze a few of the main ingredients, but I've never been able to restore the complete preparation method. I originally thought this bottle of Soul Marrow would go into the ground with me, becoming a permanent regret."

He looked up, his gaze sweeping over everyone present, finally landing on Jiang Yun.

"I didn't expect that today, it could actually be useful for the repair of my Liu Family's soul crystal. An Opportunity obtained by chance sixty years ago has actually found a use today. It is truly the will of heaven."

He held up the jade bottle with both hands and nodded slightly to Jiang Yun.

"Little friend Dong Xuan, I give this bottle of Soul Marrow to you for preparation and use. Keeping it for myself is just keeping it. If it can contribute to the repair of my Liu Family's soul crystal, my sixty years of cherishing it will not have been in vain."

As his voice fell.

The entire Spirit Sealing Hall fell silent for a moment.

Then, a wave of exclamations rose like a tide.

"Soul Marrow! That's the top-tier preparation base material for Soul Ink! Without Soul Marrow, the highest quality Soul Ink needed for the inner Core Runes simply cannot be prepared!"

"Heavens! Elder Mo actually cherished a bottle of Soul Marrow for a full sixty years! He never mentioned it to anyone in all these sixty years!"

"With this bottle of Soul Marrow, the repair of the inner Core Runes is assured! At least we have the most critical material!"

"Elder Mo is truly a pillar of the Liu Family! For the sake of the soul crystal's repair, he's even willing to take out a cherished treasure!"

The Rune Masters were each more excited than the last.

They understood the preciousness of Soul Marrow better than anyone.

It was the base material used by ancient Rune Masters to prepare top-tier Soul Ink, a supreme treasure that all Rune Masters dreamed of.

If Elder Mo were willing to take this bottle of Soul Marrow to auction, it wouldn't be a joke to say it could be traded for a whole city.

Yet he had just taken it out like this to be used for the soul crystal's repair.

"With Elder Mo's heart, there is surely hope for the soul crystal!"

"Indeed! Even Elder Mo has brought out a treasure he's cherished for sixty years; what reason do we have not to give our full effort?"

Everyone's morale suddenly soared.

Those who were worrying about the Materials just now.

The clouds of worry on their faces were swept away at this moment.

However.

The remaining problems still existed.

Soul Marrow was only one of the base Materials for Soul Ink; several other rare Materials were still needed to prepare the complete Soul Ink.

Furthermore, the Spirit Sealing Jade and Soul Suppression Stones were still unaccounted for.

Everyone's gaze fell once more on the tightly closed stone door, awaiting Elder Liu Lan's return.

Jiang Yun stood before the high platform, his gaze sweeping over the jade bottle in Elder Mo's hand, and he couldn't help but secretly marvel in his heart.

This Liu Family's heritage was indeed unfathomable.

Even in his Entry Manifestation information, something like Soul Marrow was only described as the core base material for top-tier Soul Ink used by ancient Rune Masters, with its recipe lost and very few existing.

This kind of thing, if placed in the outside world, would definitely be a supreme treasure with a price but no supply.

And Elder Mo had just brought it out like that.

Although he hadn't seen the treasury with his own eyes, just this bottle of Soul Marrow that Elder Mo had casually produced was enough to show how deep the Liu Family's accumulation was.

A Hidden Family of several thousand years—even if they had been on a downward slope for the past three hundred years, their former heritage was still not to be underestimated.

"Since we have the Soul Marrow, if the remaining Materials can also be collected, there will be no more obstacles to repairing the soul crystal. And..."

Jiang Yun calculated secretly in his heart.

"The Liu Family can even bring out treasures of the Soul Marrow level; their treasury must surely contain even more good things. When I go to select treasures later, I must use my Innate Talent Skill to scan them well; perhaps I can discover treasures even more precious than previously estimated."

Just then.

The stone door opened again.

A water-blue figure walked in quickly.

It was Elder Liu Lan.

Her pace was much lighter than when she had left, and her face carried a hint of joy that was hard to conceal.

Her water-blue long hair fluttered gently behind her, and her skirt trailed waves of arcs on the floor with her hurried steps.

Everyone's gaze instantly converged on her.

"Elder Liu Lan is back!"

"Look at her expression! She has a smile on her face! There's hope!"

"Could it be that the treasury has them?"

Liu Qingyun hurried forward, his face full of urgency.

"Liu Lan, how is it? Are these Materials in the treasury?"

Elder Mo and Great Master Master Fu Shan also stepped forward at the same time, their gazes fixed tightly on Elder Liu Lan.

The two Elders, who usually remained as calm as still water, now had tension and expectation appearing in their eyes as well.

Elder Liu Lan took a deep breath.

The joy on her face deepened a few points.

"Reporting to the Patriarch, Elder Mo, and Great Master Master Fu Shan—we have them! All the Materials on the list provided by Grand Tutor Dongxuan happen to be in the treasury, and the quality is fully up to standard, and the quantity is just sufficient!"

As she spoke, she raised her hand and gave a wave.

A water-blue light lit up from the Storage Ring on her finger, transforming into a light screen in the air.

Within the light screen, over a dozen Materials appeared one by one, floating before everyone's eyes.

Most eye-catching were three massive crystals about the height of a person.

The crystals were azure-blue throughout, with the fluctuations of space Laws faintly flowing within.

The surface of the crystals was smooth as a mirror, yet there was no reflection, as if all light approaching it was absorbed into the endless void within.

This was the Spirit Sealing Jade.

The finest among space attribute spiritual jades, the space power contained within alone had already caused a slight distortion in the surrounding air.

However, the quality seemed to be only Falling Star Rank.

Beside the Spirit Sealing Jade were seven deep-black stones the size of a fist.

The stones had a rough surface and were covered in fine pores, with ghostly blue mist faintly seeping from each pore.

The mist was extremely cold; just a trace of the lingering Aura naturally emitted from the stones caused the surrounding temperature to drop by several degrees.

This was the Eclipsing Moon Rank Soul Suppression Stone.

A supreme treasure that could only condense in the depths of ancient battlefields with dense Yin Qi, it had miraculous effects on stabilizing space and suppressing Souls.

Beside those were three jade bottles of varying sizes.

The largest jade bottle was dark gold throughout, its body covered in ancient sealing runes, containing the top-tier Soul Ink base material.

Soul Marrow—it was the same as the bottle Elder Mo had just produced, and the treasury actually contained another bottle.

The slightly smaller jade bottle was silver-white, containing several auxiliary Materials needed for Intermediate Soul Ink.

Moonlight Condensate, Thousand-Year Soul Vine Sap, and Star Sand.

The smallest jade bottle was greenish-gray, containing Materials needed for Common Soul Ink.

Dark Spirit Stone Milk and Withered-Flourishing Wood Heart Powder.

In addition to these core Materials, there were over a dozen auxiliary Materials.

Formation-Base Spiritual Jades used for carving Soul-Suppressing Pillars, Rune Brush and Rune Paper used for repairing Soul runes, as well as spirit crystals and Spirit Stones of various grades.

Within the light screen, various Materials emitted colored lights, illuminating the entire Spirit Sealing Hall as if it were broad daylight. Spiritual Qi so dense it was almost tangible radiated from these Materials, causing the spirits of everyone present to lift.

"Great!"

"All the Materials are here! Although some of the quality doesn't meet the standards, I suppose they can barely be used!"

"Spirit Sealing Jade! A full three pieces! They correspond exactly to those three damaged Soul-Suppressing Pillars!"

"There are also seven Soul Suppression Stones! Plus that bottle of Soul Marrow from Old Mo, we can prepare all the Soul Ink for the inner, middle, and outer layers!"

"This is the Foundation of my Liu Family! Three thousand years of accumulation is truly unfathomable!"

"With these Materials, there are no more obstacles to repairing the soul crystal!"

The Formation Masters and Rune Masters crowded around, their eyes burning as they looked at the Materials floating in the air.

The people who were worried just moments ago now had faces overflowing with uncontrollable excitement and exhilaration.

For three hundred years, many Grand Tutor Level Appraisers had come, looked, and left shaking their heads.

For three hundred years, the Liu Family's soul crystal had lain silent in the depths of the ancestral land, with no one able to repair it.

But today, the problem was identified, the Materials were gathered, and the restoration was right before their eyes!

Old Mo looked at the Materials, stroking his long beard, his eyes full of gratification.

"Good, good. To think the treasury just happened to have these Materials; it truly is providence. It seems even the heavens are helping our Liu Family, choosing this moment for the soul crystal to be reborn."

Great Master Master Fu Shan also nodded, his eyes full of excitement.

"The Materials are ready, and the manpower has arrived. Everything is prepared; we only need to start. With this Spirit Sealing Jade and these Soul Suppression Stones, it's possible to reshape those three damaged Soul-Suppressing Pillars. I have absolute confidence in repairing the Eight Desolations Spirit Sealing Array."

He turned to look at Jiang Yun, his expression solemn.

"Next, we must rely on little friend Dong Xuan's overall arrangements. The repair of the runes and the Formation needs to be carried out simultaneously; we cannot fight individual battles. How to divide the labor, how to coordinate, and what to do first and last—all of this must be decided by little friend Dong Xuan. Among everyone present, only he has a clear understanding of the entire repair plan."

Old Mo also looked at Jiang Yun and nodded slightly.

"Old Master Fu Shan is right. Since little friend Dong Xuan has completely grasped this rune system, you shall lead the repair work. Although I am older, when it comes to repairing these Ancient Soul Runes, I am willing to follow your instructions."

Two highly respected Grand Tutor Level masters who had stood tall in the Liu Family for decades actually expressed their willingness to follow Jiang Yun's arrangements in public.

The Formation Masters and Rune Masters looked at each other, then all turned to look at Jiang Yun with eyes full of respect and expectation.

Jiang Yun's heart stirred slightly as he looked at the Materials Elder Liu Lan had brought out.

Although he had long known the Liu Family's Foundation was deep, he couldn't help but secretly marvel when he saw these Materials with his own eyes.

Spirit Sealing Jade, Soul Suppression Stone.

Soul Marrow, a supreme treasure whose recipe had been lost.

If any one of these Materials were taken to the outside world, it would be enough to make countless factions fight to the death for it.

Yet the Liu Family's treasury actually had them all, and in exactly the quantity and quality needed to repair the soul crystal.

"It seems this Liu Family is even wealthier than I previously estimated. A Hidden Family of several thousand years, even after declining for three hundred years, the Family background they've accumulated is still terrifyingly thick. When I enter the treasury to pick treasures later, I must use my Innate Talent Skill to scan thoroughly. Who knows how many buried supreme treasures there are?"

Jiang Yun silently noted this account in his heart, but his face remained calm.

He nodded slightly, his tone still composed and indifferent.

He pushed his innate ability to its limit.

The Entry Manifestation of the Formation and runes became increasingly detailed.

Jiang Yun looked at the information and immediately summarized it.

"Since the Materials are ready, let's not delay and begin the repairs."

He turned around and raised his hand to point at the three damaged sealing positions on the dome.

"Great Master Master Fu Shan, you will lead all the Formation Masters to repair the Eight Desolations Spirit Sealing Array. The repair process is divided into three steps. First, use the Soul Suppression Stones to fill the cracks in the three damaged Soul-Suppressing Pillars to stabilize their Foundation, then use the Spirit Sealing Jade to recast the pillar cores."

"Second, after the three Soul-Suppressing Pillars are repaired, immediately begin repairing the damaged sealing positions in the southeast, north, and southwest of the dome. The repair of the sealing positions must be linked with the repair of the Soul-Suppressing Pillars; therefore, do not repair the sealing positions before the pillar cores are recast."

"Otherwise, the Soul Power cycles on both sides will interfere with each other, causing the entire array to lose balance. Third, once the sealing positions are repaired, use the Soul Ink to redraw the conductive Soul runes and reconnect the severed Soul Power cycles."

He withdrew his hand.

He then pointed to the dim soul crystal on the high platform.

"Old Mo, you will lead all the Rune Masters to repair the Ancient Soul Runes on the surface of the soul crystal. The repair process is also divided into three steps. First, repair the inner Core Runes."

"Only when the Core Runes are complete can they protect the Nine Nether Underworld Phoenix's Origin will from being impacted during subsequent activation."

"Second, repair the middle conductive runes. The conductive runes must be done after the Core Runes are repaired, otherwise, secondary damage might be caused to the Core Runes during the process."

"Third, repair the outer sealing runes. The sealing runes must be repaired last, and you must wait until the moment of activation to complete the final batch of broken Soul runes to stabilize the soul crystal's form."

He paused, his tone becoming even more solemn.

"The preparation of the Soul Ink must be carried out according to the quality requirements of different levels. For the inner Core Runes, use the highest quality Soul Ink, with Old Mo's Soul Marrow as the main material, supplemented by Moonlight Condensate and Star Sand, with the mixing ratio strictly controlled at three to one to one."

"For the middle conductive runes, use Intermediate quality Soul Ink. Use Thousand-Year Soul Vine Sap as the main material, supplemented by Dark Spirit Stone Milk. For the outer sealing runes, use Common quality Soul Ink, with Withered-Flourishing Wood Heart Powder as the main material."

"The order of repair must proceed layer by layer from the inside out. After each layer is completed, we must wait for the Soul Power to stabilize before proceeding to the next layer. Do not be rash, and do not skip layers. A slight mistake will render all previous efforts in vain."

He turned back to the dozen or so Formation Masters and Rune Masters.

"Everyone, perform your duties according to the assignments just given. The Formation Masters will be divided into three groups, each responsible for recasting one of the three Soul-Suppressing Pillars. The Rune Masters will be divided into three groups, responsible for the inner, middle, and outer Soul rune repairs respectively. The groups must maintain communication at all times to ensure the progress of the Formation repair and the rune repair remain synchronized."

His voice was not loud, but it was like a precise ruler, carving out every instruction clearly without a hint of ambiguity.

Every instruction pointed to a specific goal, and every goal had a logical relationship that linked them all together.

The entire plan coming from his mouth was like a precision blueprint, with every line drawn just right.

Everyone listened with rapt attention, with some nodding from time to time, their faces showing expressions of sudden realization.

Those Formation Masters and Rune Masters who had been at a loss just now now had a clear direction in their hearts.

Old Mo listened to Jiang Yun's arrangements.

A flash of undeniable admiration crossed his eyes.

He had served as the Liu Family's Chief Rune Master for decades and had presided over countless rune repair works; his experience in division of labor and coordination was incredibly rich.

But even he had to admit that Jiang Yun's arrangements were more reasonable and refined than any plan he had previously conceived.

The order of each step, the material ratios for each layer, and the synchronization between the two groups were all considered thoroughly and flawlessly.

"How on earth is this kid's brain wired?"

Old Mo marveled inwardly.

Great Master Master Fu Shan's feelings were even more direct.

He was a Grand Tutor Level Formation Master himself and was more familiar with the process of Formation repair than anyone.

But after hearing Jiang Yun's arrangements, only one thought remained in his mind.

He couldn't have come up with this plan himself.

It wasn't because of a lack of knowledge, but because Jiang Yun's depth of understanding of the entire array had already surpassed his own.

To be able to break down the repair process so precisely and arrange the sequence so reasonably required a thorough understanding of every detail of the array.

"This boy's talent in the Dao of Formations is indeed above mine. And it's not just in Formations; the clarity of his overall strategic thinking and the precision of his task delegation make him an outstanding leader."

Great Master Master Fu Shan evaluated silently in his heart.

His evaluation of Jiang Yun rose several notches higher.

Liu Qingyun stood to the side, taking in everyone's reactions.

He saw the fleeting amazement in Old Mo's eyes, the undisguised admiration on Great Master Master Fu Shan's face, and the focused expressions of the Formation and Rune Masters, as if they were listening to a senior's lecture.

A sixteen-year-old youth, standing in the center of the Spirit Sealing Hall of the Liu Family's ancestral land, was commanding all the top Formation and Rune Masters of the Liu Family, including two Grand Tutor Level masters, and everyone was listening intently, with no one finding it inappropriate.

This scene made the thought in Liu Qingyun's mind even firmer.

The Liu Family had to befriend this youth at all costs.

Not just because of his Heaven-Defying appraisal talent, Formation comprehension, and rune attainments.

But also because of the comprehensive qualities he displayed: calm, composed, meticulous, and methodical.

Such qualities were not something one could possess through talent alone; they also required a high Heart-Nature and sufficient experience.

The future achievements of such a person would definitely not be as simple as just being a Grand Tutor Level Appraiser, Formation Master, or Rune Master.

He was destined to become a truly great figure who played the game of chess between heaven and earth.

If the Liu Family could be tied to him.

Even if it was just establishing a sufficiently deep bond of goodwill.

The Liu Family's future would have an extra layer of unbreakable protection.

The thought surfaced in Liu Qingyun's mind once again.

The Liu Family's pride of this generation, Liu Ruyan, was twenty years old, possessed world-toppling beauty and extraordinary talent, and had suitors as numerous as carp crossing a river.

If she could be betrothed to this little friend Dong Xuan, even if it was just a marriage contract, it would be a guaranteed profitable investment for the Liu Family.

With the talent and potential Jiang Yun was currently showing, becoming a Radiant Sun-Level powerhouse in the future was almost a certainty.

It might even be possible for him to strive for the Legendary level.

Of course, this thought was currently just Liu Qingyun's wishful thinking.

He knew nothing of Jiang Yun's true identity, background, or even the face beneath that mask.

But that didn't matter; once the soul crystal was repaired, he would have plenty of time to slowly cultivate this relationship.

Just as Liu Qingyun's thoughts were wandering, Jiang Yun's arrangements were coming to an end.

"The above is the complete division of labor for the repair work. Does anyone have any questions?"

Everyone shook their heads.

Their eyes were full of confidence and expectation.

Liu Qingyun took a deep breath, stepped forward, and swept his gaze over all the Liu clansmen present.

His voice was loud and majestic, carrying the unique Aura of the Liu Family's patriarch.

"Everyone, you are all the pillars of my Liu Family's Formations and runes. Today's matter concerns the rise or fall of my Liu Family for the next several centuries. This soul crystal is the Foundation left by our ancestor for future generations. Whether it can regain its vitality carries the expectations of countless generations of the Liu Family."

He paused, his tone becoming even more solemn.

"Today, I entrust these heavy responsibilities to you all. Keep Grand Tutor Dongxuan's arrangements and exhortations firmly in mind, and do not make the slightest oversight or error. Repair the soul crystal and let my Liu Family regain its Legacy!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was excited and responded in unison with great fervor.

"Please rest assured, Patriarch! We will do our utmost and not fail the Patriarch's trust, nor the expectations of Grand Tutor Dongxuan!"

"Repair the soul crystal, revitalize the Liu Family!"

"It's been three hundred years! Today, we must make it light up again!"

The voices echoed in the Spirit Sealing Hall, causing the Soul runes on the dome to flicker slightly.

Then, everyone began to act according to Jiang Yun's arrangements, performing their respective duties.

Great Master Master Fu Shan led the three groups of Formation Masters to the locations of the three damaged Soul-Suppressing Pillars.

They took the Spirit Sealing Jade, Soul Suppression Stones, and Formation-Base Spiritual Jade and began the recasting of the Eight Desolations Spirit Sealing Array. Old Mo led three groups of Rune Masters to sit around the high platform, took out their Rune Brush and Soul Ink, and began repairing the Ancient Soul Runes on the surface of the soul crystal.

Inner layer, middle layer, outer layer—the three groups of Rune Masters each took charge of a layer, coordinating perfectly and methodically.

The Spirit Sealing Hall suddenly became busy.

Formation Masters shuttled between the outer Soul-Suppressing Pillars, spiritual light flashing and Formation patterns intertwining.

The Rune Masters probed the surface of the soul crystal with their Divine Sense, carefully identifying the broken Soul runes, their Rune Brush dipped in Soul Ink as they painstakingly traced and repaired them stroke by stroke.

Old Mo presided over the overall situation at the most critical positions, while Great Master Master Fu Shan personally worked at the core Formation eye of the Eight Desolations Spirit Sealing Array.

Everyone was in position.

Coordinating like precision gears.

[part:gemini-2.5-flash]

Jiang Yun stood before the high platform, looking at the bustling scene, and slightly exhaled.

Although he had no practical experience in the Dao of Formations or the Dao of Runes, if he were to personally engrave array patterns or repair Soul runes, he probably wouldn't even reach one-tenth the skill of those Formation Masters and Rune Masters.

However, his Entry Manifestation talent could manifest every detail of the entire plan: the location of the problem, the steps for repair, the ratio of Materials, and the sequence—all were crystal clear.

He didn't need to do it himself; he only needed to accurately convey this information, letting professionals handle professional matters.

As long as everyone strictly followed his plan, there would be no errors in this repair scheme.

And because of the Heaven-Defying Comprehension Ability he had just displayed in the fields of Formations and runes, everyone present already had deep faith in his judgment, and they carried out the tasks without any doubt or slackness.

"Now it seems that repairing the soul crystal is only a matter of time. These Formation Masters and Rune Masters are the most top-tier talents of the Liu Family, and with Elder Mo and Great Master Master Fu Shan personally overseeing, the efficiency is even higher than expected. At most, half a day, and the repair of the Formations and runes should be fully completed."

Jiang Yun secretly estimated the time in his Heart-Nature, then quietly stood by the high platform, no longer speaking, just silently watching everyone busy at work.

Time passed quickly.

Half a day vanished in a flash.

During this half-day, the repair work within the Spirit Sealing Hall was in a state of high-speed operation.

The repair of the outer Soul-Suppressing Pillars progressed smoothly.

Among the three damaged Soul-Suppressing Pillars, the cracks in the first pillar's body had been filled with Soul Suppression Stones, and the Spirit Sealing Jade was being inlaid into its core.

The core of the second pillar had already begun recasting, with progress close behind.

The auxiliary array patterns of the third pillar were also being engraved.

The three damaged Spirit Sealing Positions on the dome were also gradually being cleaned and reshaped during the repair of the Soul-Suppressing Pillars.

The repair of the Ancient Soul Runes on the surface of the soul crystal was even more orderly.

The inner core patterns had all been repaired, the middle conduction patterns were mostly complete, and the preparatory work for the outer Seal patterns was also proceeding simultaneously.

The repair progress was compiled and reported.

Everything was steadily advancing according to plan.

Meanwhile, outside the Spirit Sealing Hall, in the Ancestral Land Plaza, many Grand Elders, deacons, and young disciples of the Liu Family were still anxiously waiting.

They had been guarding outside for a full half-day, but no clear signal had come from within the Ancestral Land.

The stone door remained tightly shut; no one came out to report good news, nor bad news.

As time passed, the atmosphere in the plaza grew increasingly anxious, with discussions rising and falling, some filled with anticipation, others with worry.

"It's been so long, what's going on inside? Can the soul crystal really be repaired?"

"With Great Master Master Fu Shan and Elder Mo personally taking action, it should be possible, right? Both are Grand Tutor Level Great Masters."

"But that's the soul crystal! Even President Yun Xi was helpless. How could it be so easy?"

Some were full of confidence in Grand Tutor Dongxuan, while others remained skeptical.

"Although Grand Tutor Dongxuan is young, he saw through the fragment at a glance and found the core problem. I believe he can do it."

"Easier said than done. Finding the problem and solving it are two different things. He might be scratching his head in there right now too."

At the edge of the plaza, Liu Lie and the other three stood outside the crowd.

A sneer of Yin and Yang sarcasm hung on Liu Lie's lips, and Elder Liu Ku behind him also had an ill expression.

Having waited for half a day with no news of progress, a glimmer of hope rekindled in Liu Lie's Heart-Nature.

Perhaps Jiang Yun really got stuck during the repair process.

"Hmph, half a day has passed, and there's no movement at all. I've said it before, that kid just got lucky."

Liu Lie snorted coldly, his tone full of disdain.

"What's the use of just knowing the problem? When it comes to actually repairing it, how much real skill can a sixteen years old kid have? Maybe he's just helplessly making his subordinates busy for nothing right now."

Elder Liu Ku behind him quickly chimed in.

"Elder Lie is right. Appraising a fragment is one thing; repairing a soul crystal is another. He might see the problem, but not necessarily solve it. We'll just wait and see."

Supreme Elder Liu Yunshan heard this, cast a faint glance at Liu Lie, his tone flat but with a sting.

"Since Elder Lie is so confident that Grand Tutor Dongxuan will fail, why not bet again? If Grand Tutor Dongxuan succeeds, you'll kowtow three times to him in public?"

Liu Lie's face instantly flushed red, his mouth twitched a few times, but he couldn't utter a single word.

The young disciples around them saw this scene and chuckled softly.

Just then, the Ancestral Land's stone door suddenly opened.

A young Formation Master walked out quickly.

With a joyful expression, he announced loudly.

"The core of the Soul-Suppressing Pillar has been recast! The outer perimeter of the Eight Desolations Spirit Sealing Array has been repaired!"

This news was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up ripples.

Perhaps it was to let all members of the Liu Family feel the joy of the Liu Family's resurgence.

Subsequently, every stick of incense or so, a Formation Master or Rune Master would come out to report progress.

The middle conduction patterns have been repaired!

Spirit Sealing Positions repaired!

Outer Seal patterns ready!

The atmosphere in the plaza was repeatedly pushed to a climax, and even those clansmen who had originally given up hope were infected by the continuous progress, with anticipation rekindling in their eyes.

When the last Rune Master came out to report that all Ancient Soul Runes on the surface of the soul crystal had been completely repaired, with a total of 788 broken and obliterated spots fully mended, a deafening cheer erupted in the plaza.

Liu Lie and the others' eyes twitched even more.

Their faces were extremely grim.

And within the Spirit Sealing Hall.

With the completion of the final step, everyone reassembled in front of the high platform.

The Formation Masters withdrew from the periphery, and the Rune Masters put away their Rune Brush and jade bottles.

Their faces were filled with excitement and agitation.

The Soul-Suppressing Pillars had been re-erected, the Spirit Sealing Positions restored, and the broken conduction Soul runes and Ancient Soul Runes on the soul crystal's surface were all repaired.

The Aura of the Grand Formation was gradually recovering, and the dim cracks on the soul crystal's surface had largely healed after the Soul Power began flowing again.

However, when everyone gathered before the high platform, their gazes falling upon the soul crystal, the anticipated scene did not appear.

The soul crystal still quietly floated on the high platform; although the cracks had healed and the surface Soul runes had re-illuminated, the dark red light within still flickered slowly and weakly.

Compared to before the repair, there was no essential change.

After waiting for a moment.

The soul crystal still showed no reaction.

The excitement on everyone's faces gradually faded, replaced by confusion and bewilderment.

"What's going on? The Formation has been repaired, and all the broken parts of the runes have been mended. Logically, the Soul Power circulation should have been re-established, and the soul crystal should react."

"Indeed, something's not right. During the repair, we clearly felt an anomaly within the soul crystal, but after all steps were completed, it became quiet instead. It's as if something inside was touched, but then fell back into a deep sleep, with no sign of awakening."

"Could it be that something isn't repaired? Or did we miss some crucial step?"

Someone began to speculate.

A hint of uncertainty entered their tone.

"Could it be... Grand Tutor Dongxuan didn't see the real problem? After all, appraisal is appraisal, and repair is repair. Is it possible that we repaired all the superficial problems, but actually missed a core link?"

As these words came out, worry appeared on everyone's faces. Even those clansmen who had always been full of confidence in Jiang Yun couldn't help but inwardly question.

Liu Qingyun stood before the high platform, his brows tightly furrowed.

His gaze lingered on the soul crystal for a long time, then turned to Jiang Yun, his tone carrying a hint of caution.

"Grand Tutor Dongxuan, the Formations and runes of the soul crystal have all been repaired. However, this soul crystal still seems to have no reaction. What could be the reason for this?"

Elder Liu Lan also looked at Jiang Yun, a trace of worry flashing in her watery blue eyes.

She wasn't doubting Jiang Yun's ability; she was just worried that something had been missed during the repair.

After all, if even Jiang Yun couldn't solve it, then the Liu Family would truly have no hope left.

Elder Mo stood by the high platform, his brows slightly furrowed.

Immediately after all steps were completed, he extended his Divine Sense into the soul crystal to carefully perceive.

He could feel that the Soul Power circulation had indeed recovered, and the solidified Soul Power within the soul crystal had begun to show a faint fluidity.

But the dark red light representing the remnant Soul of the Nine Nether Underworld Phoenix was still in a state of deep slumber.

The Formation was repaired, the runes were complete, but the core of the soul crystal...

The remnant Soul of the Nine Nether Underworld Phoenix...

Still hadn't awakened.

He looked up at Great Master Master Fu Shan, and the two exchanged a glance.

Great Master Master Fu Shan also had tightly furrowed brows, clearly sensing the same situation.

A judgment simultaneously emerged in the minds of the two Grand Tutor Level Great Masters.

The repair work had no omissions, but it was missing one step.

Like having repaired all the parts of a lamp, but not yet lit the wick.

Everyone's gaze converged on Jiang Yun simultaneously.

Over thirty Formation Masters and Rune Masters, two Grand Tutor Level Great Masters, the Liu Family Patriarch and Elders, all eyes were focused on that silver-white mask, awaiting an answer.

Jiang Yun spoke unhurriedly.

His voice remained calm, betraying no ripples.

"Everyone, please calm down. The soul crystal still has no reaction after the runes and Formations were repaired, not because of any omissions in the repair, but because there is one final step missing."

Everyone was startled, looking at each other.

"There's still a final step? Didn't we already complete all the steps according to the plan?"

"Wait, Grand Tutor Dongxuan just said the third step hasn't been done? But the plan clearly only has two steps: repairing the Formations and repairing the runes! Where did a third step come from?"

"Why didn't he say anything before, and only now? Could this third step be extremely difficult, with some special profound mystery?"

Elder Mo and Great Master Master Fu Shan also looked puzzled.

Jiang Yun's entire repair plan was extremely detailed; could he really have hidden one last step?

Why hadn't he mentioned it before?

Elder Mo was the first to speak.

"Little Friend Dong Xuan, what is this third condition?"

Great Master Master Fu Shan also quickly asked.

"Is repairing the Formations and runes still not enough to awaken the soul crystal?"

Liu Qingyun was even more direct.

"Grand Tutor Dongxuan, what exactly is needed for this last condition?"

Jiang Yun's gaze slowly swept across everyone's faces, finally settling on the still dim soul crystal floating on the high platform.

"The repair of the Formations and the mending of the runes have indeed all been completed."

He paused.

"However, the reason this soul crystal cannot be activated is not merely due to external damage. No matter how complete the Formation, or how comprehensive the runes, they only provide a shell for the soul crystal. The true key to awakening the soul crystal lies in the remnant Soul of the Nine Nether Underworld Phoenix within. It has slept for three hundred years and has lost the willingness to actively communicate with the outside world. To awaken it from its slumber, the Origin Will of the Nine Nether Underworld Phoenix must be reawakened; it must perceive a powerful Aura of an equivalent level."

He looked up, his eyes under the mask as calm as water. "Therefore, the third condition is the resonance of three powerful Ancient Bloodline Auras. It requires three tamed beasts with Ancient Divine Beast-level Bloodlines, possessing the attributes of fire, wind, and darkness respectively. The Bloodline Auras of the three must simultaneously bloom in resonance to guide the soul crystal's core, creating a resonance with the Origin Will of the Nine Nether Underworld Phoenix. Only then can the Soul of this Underworld Phoenix, which has slept for three hundred years, be truly awakened."