206: Activate the ancient array of the secret realm

Lu Yang's gaze swept over the wild and twisted ancient runes on the stone platform, and he understood instantly. The regulations and structure of these runes were highly consistent with the core chapters recorded in the "Incomplete Manual of Ancient Formation True Explanation" that he had chanced upon earlier!

The magnificent yet crack-filled ancient Formation before him was precisely the "Starry Sky Shifting Formation" described in the secret manual! However, the spiderweb-like deep cracks on the Formation Plate were shocking to behold, with chaotic spatial energy constantly leaking out from them.

With the foundation of the secret manual he had thoroughly mastered through "proficiency points," a complete repair plan and activation incantation instantly surfaced clearly in Lu Yang's mind. This Formation, he could not only repair, but also activate!

However, catching a glimpse of his companions with their withered Auras and injuries, as well as the two deep-cultivation Formation Hall elites, Gu Qingyi and Ling Rui, Lu Yang's thoughts raced.

The core Secret Realm was right before them, and the opportunities within were unpredictable; the struggle would surely be dangerous. His side had many injured members in poor condition. If he brought Gu Yingying's trio along, the team size would double, making the distribution of loot complicated and potentially inviting unnecessary trouble. What he needed was a relatively simple and controllable situation.

Having made up his mind, a expression of gravity mixed with difficulty appeared on Lu Yang's face. He pointed to a complex rune node filled with hideous cracks at the core of the Formation Plate and said in a heavy voice, "Junior Sister Gu, Senior Sister Gu, Senior Brother Ling. To be honest, I have seen records of this Formation in an ancient book."

Gu Yingying's eyes instantly lit up like stars in the night, filled with pleasant surprise: "Senior Brother Lu! You recognize it?!"

"That's right." Lu Yang nodded affirmatively, "This is the lost ancient 'Starry Sky Shifting Formation,' which can indeed provide directional teleportation to the core Secret Realm of the Forbidden Ground."

Shock and a gleam of inquiry also erupted in the eyes of Gu Qingyi and Ling Rui as they stared intently at Lu Yang.

Lu Yang changed the subject, pointing to the shocking cracks at the core, his tone carrying a heavy certainty: "However, this Formation is too severely damaged, especially the 'Star-Fixing Pivot' that maintains the stability of the spatial tunnel. Even if I can barely repair it, with its remaining power, it can only support a single teleportation before it completely collapses. More importantly..." He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over everyone, "According to the ancient book, the limit for safe teleportation this Formation can carry after repair is six people! If there is even one more person, the spatial tunnel will be in danger of collapsing, and the consequences would be unthinkable!"

His gaze finally fell back on the six companions behind him who were in poor condition: "Our group happens to be exactly six people." The slots were full, with no room left.

The surprise on Gu Yingying's face instantly froze, anxiety and unwillingness crawling over her small face: "Senior Brother Lu! Is there really no other way? This ancient Formation, that core Secret Realm..." Her thirst for knowledge and Opportunity was palpable. Gu Qingyi and Ling Rui exchanged a glance, both seeing intense disappointment and unwillingness in each other's eyes. Having paid a huge price to reach this place and discovering such an important teleportation Formation, how could they stop here?

Gu Qingyi took a deep breath, suppressing her churning emotions, her gaze shooting toward Lu Yang like a torch: "Junior Brother Lu, is there truly no other way? Even if... we are willing to share the risk?" Her words carried a hint of persistence.

The look of helplessness on Lu Yang's face deepened, as if he were struggling to recall the difficult records of the ancient book: "Senior Sister Gu, it's not that I'm unwilling to help. It's just that the activation conditions for this Formation are extremely harsh! According to the fragments of the ancient book, to activate this Formation pivot and communicate with the power of the starry sky to open a stable tunnel, one must gather the Five Elements Origin Essence power, using its pure and vast energy as a guide!"

He sighed and patted the four jade boxes hanging at his waist, which emitted distinct yet incredibly pure Origin Auras: "We went through a narrow escape and were lucky enough to collect the Metal, Wood, Water, and Earth Essences. We are only missing the most crucial 'Fire Essence' as the core pivot for activation! Without this item, even if the Formation Plate is repaired, this Formation would be like dead wood or a stubborn stone, with absolutely no possibility of activation. Alas, it is the will of heaven..." He spoke the words "will of heaven" in a low, regretful tone.

"Fire Essence?!" Gu Yingying cried out softly, her gaze instinctively darting toward the crimson jade box at her eldest senior sister's waist, which emitted a faint but unusually scorching Aura!

Gu Qingyi's mind was shaken! Five Elements Essences? Activation core? Fire Spirit Essence! Wasn't this the treasure they had only recently obtained with great difficulty? She looked at Lu Yang's regretful expression, then at the unconcealable anxiety in her Junior Sister's eyes and the tense face of her Junior Brother, and finally toward the core Secret Realm entrance that was so close yet blocked by an invisible barrier...

A decision became clear in her mind instantly!

"Junior Brother Lu!" Gu Qingyi's voice was decisive, carrying an unquestionable tone. She unhesitatingly untied the warm-to-the-touch crimson jade box from her waist. The surging fire spirit power caused the air around the jade box to distort slightly. "This item is the 'Fire Essence' we obtained!"

She held the jade box steadily and looked directly at Lu Yang with burning eyes: "With this Fire Essence as collateral, I exchange it for the qualification for the three of us to enter the Secret Realm teleportation! The fire element power needed to activate the Formation will be entirely under your control and dispatch, Junior Brother! After entering the Secret Realm, the three of us are willing to work together with you and the other Fellow Daoists to explore opportunities!" Her stance was clear, and the trade was explicit.

Looking at the key Fire Essence emitting startling energy and meeting Gu Qingyi's incredibly firm gaze, Lu Yang did not hesitate for a moment. He solemnly reached out both hands to take the jade box: "Senior Sister Gu is truly magnanimous. By completing the Five Elements with fire, you have solved our urgent need and are willing to stand together! The matter of the slots is settled as such!"

"I must trouble the three of you to wait a moment." Lu Yang carefully put away the jade box and, without another word, immediately turned to face the massive, weathered ancient Formation. He took a deep breath, calmed his mind, and his ten fingers swept rapidly through the air in front of him like he was Calling name. The pure spiritual power condensed at his fingertips turned into streaks of profound and mysterious golden light, accurately pointing at the key damaged nodes on the Formation Plate! The ancient runes began to glow with life under his hands, and the repair work suddenly commenced!