Time slipped by, and in the blink of an eye, one stick of incense had elapsed.
But the very moment that stick of incense's time ran out, a problem arose during Chu Feng's array construction.
"Oh no."
Because everyone had been watching Chu Feng the entire time, the instant something went wrong on his end, they all noticed.
Daoist Niantian and the others, as well as the Zhuge family members, all grew tense.
The reason everyone was so shocked by the array Chu Feng was currently constructing — to the point that even the people from the Situ Spirit World Gate were alarmed — was not because they understood what kind of array Chu Feng was attempting to build.
In fact, none of them knew what form this array would take once completed, or what kind of attack it would employ.
However, they could all see that Chu Feng's array-construction technique was extraordinarily refined, demanding an extremely high level of mastery as a Spirit World Master. Maintaining such refined technique for a short while was feasible, but sustaining it over a long period was incredibly difficult — even they themselves would struggle to accomplish it.
But if one could pull it off, an array completed with such refined technique would undoubtedly wield formidable power.
Yet that was precisely where the difficulty lay.
Maintaining such refined technique for an extended period was simply too hard.
If one's focus wavered even momentarily, the array would be affected.
And now, Chu Feng was finding it impossible to hold on. His Mental Power began to scatter, and his array construction grew increasingly rough. If this continued, the quality of the array would inevitably suffer.
If Chu Feng could stabilize himself in time, there would still be hope.
But unfortunately, Chu Feng panicked. He desperately wanted to salvage the situation and grew ever more anxious, and it was precisely because of this that error followed upon error.
His subsequent array-construction methods could be described as completely devoid of any order or pattern.
Yet the fundamental requirement of barrier techniques was that every element interlock seamlessly, without even the slightest flaw.
This was precisely why those with superior control over barrier power achieved greater mastery of barrier techniques.
And right now, Chu Feng was committing the most egregious error a Spirit World Master could make.
True, Chu Feng's starting point had been remarkably high — he had begun constructing the array with the most refined technique, so it was understandable that mistakes might follow. But now Chu Feng was clearly in a total panic, at a complete loss as to how to make repairs.
What Chu Feng should have done most was to start the array over from scratch. But he stubbornly refused, instead continuing to attempt patches — and the result was only more and more errors.
Of course, no one reminded Chu Feng to start over.
Because it was pointless. Even if Chu Feng began again, he was clearly no match for Situ Gouyue.
Situ Gouyue's array was simply too powerful — its superiority was plain for all to see.
Unless Chu Feng could use that refined technique to complete a full offensive grand array within three sticks of incense, he had no hope of victory.
But clearly, Chu Feng did not possess that ability.
"Heh…"
"I really was such a fool. Before, I actually thought I had underestimated this brat."
"My fault, for placing any expectations on a junior from the Ancestral Martial Galaxy."
Watching Chu Feng's flustered state, the blue-robed woman smiled alluringly. Though her smile was lovely, every word dripped with mockery.
Behind her, the Situ Spirit World Gate members likewise let out derisive laughter.
"Alas…"
Seeing this, the Zhuge family members let out long sighs.
They too felt that with Chu Feng making such a grievous error, he had absolutely no chance of winning.
Although the confrontation had not yet officially begun, the outcome had already been sealed.
"Grandmaster Yinren, if Chu Feng proves no match for his opponent, is there any way to rescue him?"
As for Princess Xiaoxiao, she directly implored Grandmaster Yinren for help.
She naturally did not wish for Chu Feng to lose his life within.
But Grandmaster Yinren shook his head.
"Your Highness, from the moment young friend Chu Feng chose to challenge that Situ Gouyue, his fate has been beyond our control."
"Not only would his death be certain if he loses, but even if he wins — would the Situ Spirit World Gate truly let him go?"
"Young friend Chu Feng is too impulsive."
Grandmaster Yinren said.
"Impulsive, perhaps. But it is also blood and fire."
"If everyone in our Eastern Domain possessed such spirit, we would not be looked down upon by the vast cultivation world."
Silent Sacred Light also spoke. He did not look at Grandmaster Yinren as he talked, but his words were clearly a rebuttal.
Grandmaster Yinren glanced at Silent Sacred Light, then chuckled softly and shook his head. Clearly, he did not agree with Silent Sacred Light's view either.
The time that followed was agonizing for Princess Xiaoxiao and the others — even despairing.
They kept hoping Chu Feng could create a miracle, reverse the situation, fix that array that had clearly descended into chaos, and leave everyone utterly astonished.
But such a miracle never came. And when the third stick of incense's time arrived, Chu Feng's array was still not complete.
ROAR—
With a furious roar, the entire palace trembled violently.
A colossal flame beast rose up from before Situ Gouyue.
This flame beast was extraordinarily terrifying. Not only did it tower over ten thousand meters in height, but the aura it radiated was absolutely horrifying.