Chapter 925: A Remedy

"Since the three fellow Daoists are not deeply versed in the Star Falcon禁制, perhaps the rest of the work can be done by the two of us alone. Though it will be slower than planned, I doubt City Lord E and the others will object," Han Li suggested.

"No. The Star Falcon Grand Formation was created by me based on the Four-Phase禁制. It was manageable before, but for the next steps, all five of us must work simultaneously from the four phases; otherwise, the禁制 will lose balance and collapse. Enough talk—I will handle this myself." Madam Liuhua nodded at Han Li, her attitude much gentler than before.

Since Madam Liuhua said so, Han Li did not press further.

Madam Liuhua then carefully explained the key points of the Star Falcon禁制 to Han Li and the other three before beginning to set up the formation.

The five worked as before: Madam Liuhua handled the central area of the ship, Han Li the port side, Lü Gang and Liang Fa the starboard, and Xuan Yuan Xing the stern.

Han Li held the Star Ripple Brush and carved formation patterns on the port side of the flying ship.

Various parts of the ship, especially the walls, had been soaked with silver amalgam, which clashed incessantly with the star power in the Star Liquid, making the carving several times harder than before.

He took a deep breath, intensified his divine sense, and strove to stabilize the Star Liquid's power while adapting to the conflict.

With his current divine sense and his understanding of the Star Falcon禁制, he quickly adapted, carving formation patterns while installing various materials and formation tools into the patterns, gradually setting up the禁制.

Han Li's progress was relatively smooth, but the situation for Xuan Yuan Xing and the other two was less favorable. Xuan Yuan Xing, working alone, found carving formation patterns especially difficult. Over half a day, he had failed four or five times in a row, wasting a considerable amount of materials.

Though Madam Liuhua had spoken confidently earlier, seeing so many materials wasted, her expression turned grim. She had no choice but to stop and re-instruct Xuan Yuan Xing and the others on the key points of the formation.

In the blink of an eye, eight or nine days passed.

Inside the Star Falcon Flying Ship, formation patterns crisscrossed the walls, shimmering with faint silver light, covering most of the ship's interior.

At the very center of the ship, the five stood facing each other.

Xuan Yuan Xing and the other two hung their heads in shame.

Han Li stood silently to the side, saying nothing.

Madam Liuhua's expression was somewhat gloomy, her eyes darting as if deep in thought.

Over these days, they had exhausted themselves setting up the formation, completing most of it, but due to the large waste of materials by Xuan Yuan Xing and the others, they had finally run out.

"Ahem, now that materials are insufficient, Madam Liuhua, do you have any countermeasures?" Han Li asked after a long silence, clearing his throat.

"I still have some formation tools, and the damaged ones are not completely ruined. Those with minor damage can be repaired and reused, so that's not a concern. The main problem is the lack of three materials: Sea Coagulation Jade, Crimson Crystal, and Earth Tide Stone," Madam Liuhua said calmly.

"Madam Liuhua, do you already have a plan for these three materials?" Han Li asked, noticing her composed demeanor.

"In the Cold Ice Mountains lives a scale beast called the Ice Scale Armadillo. The horn on its head is very similar to Sea Coagulation Jade and can be used as a substitute. After we entered the Cold Ice Mountains, I once saw traces of Ice Scale Armadillos not far from here—only two days' journey. We can hunt a few. As for Crimson Crystal, I know City Lord Fu Jian has some. I can ask him for it, and he will likely agree. The most troublesome is Earth Tide Stone; I don't know where to get it," Madam Liuhua said slowly.

"Some parts of the puppets in Puppet City are made from Earth Tide Stone. Daoist Sha Xin should have some. I'll go borrow some from him," a voice interjected as two people entered from the ship's entrance—E Kui and Chen Yang.

"City Lord E, you..." Madam Liuhua stood up abruptly, a flash of embarrassment crossing her face.

"Daoist Liuhua, you're still so concerned about face. Although you promised to build this Star Falcon Flying Ship for me, given this sudden situation, it would have been proper for you to inform me instead of stubbornly trying to solve it alone," E Kui said with a slight smile.

Hearing this, Han Li understood why Madam Liuhua had been reluctant to mention the matter to City Lord E.

Madam Liuhua's expression shifted several times before she finally sighed. "I messed things up; I had no face to ask City Lord E for help. But since you already know, let's do as you say."

E Kui nodded and said to Chen Yang, "I'll leave the hunting of Ice Scale Armadillos to you, Chen Yang. On the way here, I remember encountering some Ice Scale Armadillos, roughly at this location."

He took out a jade slip, sketched a rough map of the Ice Fire Extreme Vein, marked a spot, and handed it to Chen Yang.

"No problem." Chen Yang took the jade slip, briefly examined it, nodded, and was about to leave.

"Wait. The Ice Fire Extreme Vein is full of dangers. Though you are strong, Chen Yang, it may not be safe to go alone. Let Li Feiyu accompany you for mutual support. Besides, he is familiar with Sea Coagulation Jade and can provide advice," E Kui said, turning to Han Li.

Han Li was slightly startled but then nodded in agreement.

"City Lord, I wasted the most materials in this formation. Please allow me to go along and contribute, to ease my guilt a little," Xuan Yuan Xing suddenly stepped forward and said.

"Very well. You may go too. Remember to return early," E Kui raised an eyebrow and nodded.

Without further delay, the three made brief preparations and soon left the camp, heading back the way they came.

Having traveled this route once before, they moved quickly and reached the marked area in just one day.

After a day of travel, night fell, and the surrounding cold air suddenly intensified. Gusts of biting wind howled, wave after wave, with no sign of stopping.

The yin-cold force in the wind was so strong that even the three, despite their considerable strength, gradually felt their limbs grow numb.

"This surge of cold is abnormal. Better not continue; let's find a place to take shelter," Chen Yang said, glancing around.

Xuan Yuan Xing, who seemed barely able to endure, nodded first.

Han Li, though still able to persist, did not object.

They searched nearby and soon found a relatively hidden cave beside a valley, quickly ducking inside.

Inside the cave, the rock walls blocked the cold, making it less intense. The three relaxed and each found a spot to sit.

Xuan Yuan Xing, who seemed most sensitive to the cold, chose the deepest part of the cave.

He then took a small basin and a bamboo-tube-like container from his backpack, pouring some black oily liquid into the basin.

With a crackling sound, a spark fell into the basin, and the black liquid burst into flames, forming a bright fire.

Seeing this, Han Li frowned slightly.

Though the cave was hidden, lighting a fire here might cause temperature changes and attract scale beasts outside, which could be troublesome.

He glanced at Chen Yang, who looked indifferent and did not object, so he said nothing.

"City Lord Chen Yang, Daoist Li, you two are far stronger than I and can withstand the cold, but enduring it physically is still a burden. Come sit by the fire and warm up," Xuan Yuan Xing invited.

"Alright." Chen Yang got up and sat near the fire basin.

Seeing this, Han Li also walked over.

The flame from the black oil in the basin was exceptionally hot, driving away much of the cave's chill. The firelight fell on them like warm sunlight.

"This black oil seems unusual. What treasure is it?" Han Li asked, slightly surprised, glancing at the fire basin.

"Just some scale beast oil, hardly a treasure," Xuan Yuan Xing laughed.

Han Li nodded and did not ask further.

"Strange, why is the wind so strong tonight?" Xuan Yuan Xing muttered.

"The Ice Fire Extreme Vein is near the Black Abyss; the climate is naturally changeable. Nothing unusual," Chen Yang said flatly.

The howling wind outside grew louder, whistling through the valley with eerie sounds that were startling to hear.

Though the wind raged outside, the cave was warm, like a different world.

Basking in the fire, their stiff bodies gradually recovered, and their spirits lifted. Since the task ahead was not particularly difficult, they chatted idly, relaxed.

As night deepened, their talk soon faded.

Xuan Yuan Xing leaned against the cave wall in his clothes and was the first to fall asleep.

Chen Yang also sat cross-legged, closing his eyes to rest.

Han Li, not feeling sleepy and not in the mood to cultivate, stared into the flickering firelight, his eyes reflecting the flames, lost in thought.

"Daoist Li, it's late. Why don't you rest? Though tomorrow's task is not difficult, it's always good to be well-rested," a voice sounded in Han Li's ear. Chen Yang had opened his eyes and was looking at him, transmitting his voice.

"Though this place is hidden, we are still in the Ice Fire Extreme Vein. Danger may come at night. It's better for one of us to keep watch," Han Li glanced at Xuan Yuan Xing and replied via voice transmission.

"Daoist Li, you are not only strong but also meticulous. Entering the Great Ruins this time, you can certainly make great achievements," Chen Yang transmitted with a smile.

"I am merely following you all into the Great Ruins to see the sights. I never thought of making any great achievements," Han Li shook his head with a laugh.

"The Great Ruins are filled with countless treasures. Surely Daoist Li has something you desire?" Chen Yang gave Han Li a deep look.

"Oh? What do you mean by that, Daoist Chen?" Han Li met Chen Yang's eyes and asked slowly via voice transmission.

"I heard recently that before the Five-City Tournament, you visited Daoist Liuhua and mentioned Celestial Phosphor Meteorite Crystal?" Chen Yang transmitted.