“This seal requires more than 24 Soul Formation cultivators’ combined efforts. Each one has to conjure a different array at the same time in order for it to work. Our sect has a total of 24 Soul Formation cultivators, but….” Chan Ji gestured at the Soul Formation cultivators around him and said, “A few months ago, one cultivator in our sect fell. It caused a hole in the seal. Although Elder Jing De can easily fill that space, there is bound to be a gap as the new seal overtakes the old one. If no one is there to stand guard at that time, the ferocious beast might escape through that gap. That’s the reason why we have been holding off creating that new seal for so long.”

　　“So…” Lonemoon lowered his gaze. “You hope that we will guard the array when you’re replacing the seal?”

　　“I know that might be asking too much of you.” Chan Ji sighed. “The ancient ferocious beast is too dangerous. Although it will merely take you a couple of seconds, you might be faced with other difficulties. That’s why we’ve always asked our elder to guard the array instead. Ah, you all should leave as soon as you can.”

　　“If all you need is for us to guard the array, I’m willing to give it a shot,” Fatty said as he stepped forward. “Court Lord, we cannot delay sealing off that ferocious beast any longer. Leave this matter to us.”

　　“Well…” Chan Ji hesitated. “Guarding the array is a huge matter. Fellow Daoist Hui Ze, if you were to tackle it alone, I’m afraid…”

　　Fatty turned to Lonemoon pleadingly. “Master…”

　　Chan Ji turned to face Lonemoon as well.

　　Lonemoon’s eyes darted between the two of them. A moment later, he sighed and said, “With me and Chef, you’ll have three people guarding the array in total. That should be enough, right?” Since Fatty had already agreed, Lonemoon could not reject Chan Ji. “That settles it, then.”

　　Chan Ji finally relaxed, as if someone had just taken a huge load off his shoulders. He cupped his fists and bowed at the group, saying, “We are doing this for the sake of all the living creatures under the heavens. Chan Ji shall thank you on behalf of all of them.” The cultivators behind him all looked overjoyed as well. Chan Ji turned to address them, his eyes twinkling. “Let’s not delay this any further. We can begin immediately.”

　　Once he finished speaking, all the cultivators spread out and assumed their positions. Chan Ji pointed to the middle of the circle and said, “May I request you all to stand guard outside of the array? Take care that you do not allow any yin Qi to escape the array.”

　　“Yes.” Fatty nodded. He straightened his back and walked over.

　　Lonemoon and Yi Qing exchanged a meaningful look, then they pulled Shen Ying out of the way.

　　Chan Ji gave the order. The Earth Immortal and Soul Formation cultivators outside the array activated their respective arrays all at once. A different array appeared atop each of their heads, gathering together in the middle. After a few minutes, the huge array from earlier on appeared beneath their feet once more. The sea underneath began to swirl, as if something was threatening to jump out at them.

　　Fatty was looking increasingly nervous. He summoned his spirit sword and conjured a seal, keeping his eyes fixed on the scene beneath his feet. He was ready to stop the ferocious beast the moment it escaped from the sea. He remained this way, on high alert, afraid that he would miss a cue. He happened to look away for a fraction of a second and realized that the other three of his companions were standing by the side, relaxed. They looked almost unbothered, like there was nothing major happening at that very moment. Neither Lonemoon nor Yi QIng were even looking at the array beneath their feet, much less Shen Ying, who was still busy gnawing away at her fruits.

　　Huh?

　　Fatty paused, and then looked at them, confused “Master? Aren’t you supposed to guard the array?” Why was he the only one who was so anxious?

　　“What are you panicking for?” Lonemoon looked at him like he was retarded. “The actors are in place, but the show hasn’t begun.”

　　“Huh?” What does he mean?

　　Before Fatty could react, the seal on top of their heads was complete. It resembled the array that was beneath their feet. The seal slowly descended from above. It was just about to merge with the array below.

　　Suddenly, he heard the sound of something being ripped apart. A huge, black hole appeared between the two arrays. It was right in the middle of the array beneath their feet. Yin Qi covered the skies at once, covering the entire array.

　　The seal… split open!

　　“This is no good!” Fatty’s heart stopped. He turned around and shouted at Chan Ji, “Court Lord, the ferocious beast is going to…”

　　Before he could finish speaking, he saw Chan Ji grin at Fatty. He looked exactly as he did before, yet somehow this time he looked much more evil. Fatty’s chest tightened, and he felt a chill run down his spine. It was then that he finally realized what was going on.

　　He felt himself sinking and everything before his eyes became black. The few of them fell into a new heaven and earth. The array that had been above their heads disappeared. Everything around them was now quiet. The only sound was that of Shen Ying gnawing her fruit.

　　Lonemoon conjured a fire-elemental spell that lit up the surroundings. All they could see, however, was one another. Everything else remained pitch black.

　　“Master…” Fatty stared blankly at Lonemoon. He looked hurt.

　　“What’s the matter?” Lonemoon rolled his eyes. “Is this your first time being cheated by someone? It’s alright, you’ll get used to it soon enough.”

　　“…” What kind of logic was that? Fatty’s expression darkened. For some reason, he no longer felt as sad as he did just a second ago. A moment later, he said, “Master, are you saying that everything the Court… Chan Ji said about the ferocious beast in the seal was a lie? He led us in here on purpose?”

　　“The seal is definitely a lie, but the ferocious beast may not be.”

　　“Ah!” Fatty paused.

　　Roar¬

　　A large roar echoed throughout the surroundings. Two balls of red light appeared a few metres away from them, and they were getting closer and closer. On closer inspection, Fatty realized that he had been staring at a pair of eyes. The pair of eyes was attached to a huge, scary beast, but Fatty could not yet make out its shape and size. The beast was black. Against the pitch black yin Qi, it opened its mouth and revealed rows of sharp teeth that were headed straight for the group.

　　Fatty’s heart fell. The next moment, he felt his body being captured by something so that he could not even make a move. A suppressive force that filled the sky threatened to smash his body into smithereens. He was just about to fall to his knees, when Lonemoon caught him by his arm and helped him back up.

　　The giant beast was about to bite down on them. Yi Qing was going to defend the group. It was at that moment that Shen Ying suddenly frowned and said in a cool voice, “It’s so smelly.” Then, she raised her hand and slapped the beast across the cheek. “I said stop breathing out at us!” Could it be more self-aware if it had bad breath?

　　With that, the ferocious beast flew backward and landed with a huge thump onto the ground. Faintly, they heard the sound of something cracking.

　　Crack¬

　　The thick yin Qi around the beast’s body began to dissipate. Its head was stuck in the cracks in the ground. No matter how hard it struggled, it could not free itself. All it could do was to peek from inside the cracks with its red eyes at the group of people. The beast began to tremble helplessly. It was a long time later that it finally let out a weak…

　　“Meow…”

　　Fatty: “…”

　　Yi Qing: “…”

　　Lonemoon: “…”

　　Wasn’t it supposed to be an ancient ferocious beast?

　　Chef silently kept his sword. If he had known earlier, he would have acted sooner. Then, Master would not have been troubled to act.