Beside the Array Association building, a tall structure stood proudly against the bright morning light.

Previously, this building had belonged to a small merchant clan that used it as their business headquarters.

But under the City Lord's recent decree, it was relinquished.

Over the past five days, the building has undergone tremendous changes. It was completely renovated.

The most striking feature was its circular open roof, a design that allowed both sunlight and moonlight to pour directly into the chamber below.

At the very center of the grand chamber, a massive platform had been raised several meters above the ground.

Its surface was etched with intricate runic symbols and patterns that pulsed faintly with spiritual light, so complex that even array masters would be dizzy mere staring at them.

Surrounding the platform were numerous layered formations, interlocking circles of power, each one humming in resonance with the others.

No one could determine what type of array formations they were or what specific functions they served.

Standing before this sacred sight, the gathered array masters of Mystic City could only gaze in awe.

Never in their wildest dreams had they imagined witnessing such a breathtaking creation.

An array that was not only powerful but also harmonious and elegant, exuding a sacred aura.

Jun Wu stood calmly at the front, hands clasped behind his back. His eyes reflected satisfaction as he looked at the glowing platform.

"Finally," he murmured softly. "It is completed."

These arrays and runes were something he had obtained from Heaven's Blessing.

Though he had yet to fully understand its, the little knowledge he managed to grasp during its setup had already pushed his mastery of arrays and runes to new heights.

"Young Master Wu, are you done?" the Array Association president asked in a low, respectful tone.

"Yes," Jun Wu nodded slightly. "Everything is ready. We can now begin the Master Teacher Awakening Ceremony."

Upon hearing those words, the president and all the array masters released a collective sigh of relief.

The tension that had built over the past few days finally began to fade, replaced by excitement and anticipation.

"Young Master, you've worked very hard," Elder Shen said kindly, her face breaking into a bright smile.

"Why don't you rest for a while? We'll prepare for the first awakening ceremony."

Jun Wu nodded in agreement and quietly left the chamber. He had been working non-stop for three straight days.

He had initially underestimated the difficulty of constructing such an intricate array system.

As Jun Wu was led to a private resting chamber reserved for him alone, the Array President immediately dispatched messengers to inform the two Deans of the completion of the Awakening Platform.

…

City Lord's Mansion

Inside the grand hall, dozens of figures stood in silence, their faces filled with tension and curiosity.

The atmosphere was thick with anticipation.

Leaders from various clans stood together, each trying to maintain a calm expression even as their hearts pounded furiously in their chests.

Unlike their disciples or children, who stood behind them with confusion, these clan leaders understood exactly what was happening.

This was a moment that could change the fate of their clans forever.

Among those gathered, the younger generation consisted mostly of elite students from Mystic Path Academy and Frostwind Academy.

Behind each student stood their teacher or master, each loyal to the academies.

For centuries, the two academies had raised countless clans within their academy ground.

The loyalty of these families to the academies ran deeper than blood.

Aside from academy affiliated clans, several others allied with the academies were also present.

The Yuan Clan, the Mei Clan, the Jiang Clan, the Shi Clan, the Fu Clan, and many more.

Their combined presence made the hall feel both prestigious and suffocating.

On the main seats at the front sat the two Deans. The Old Dean of Mystic Path Academy and the Second Dean of Frostwind Academy.

Their expressions were unreadable, giving no hint of emotion.

Suddenly, the City Lord entered the hall, his footsteps echoing loudly against the marble floor.

He approached the Old Dean and whispered something into his ear.

The Old Dean's stoic expression softened, a faint smile curving his lips.

He exchanged a meaningful glance with the Second Dean, and both shared a knowing look before smiling.

Watching their brief exchange, the clan leaders' hearts began to race.

They knew that expression…it meant good news.

'Finally… it's about to begin' they all thought.

The Old Dean rose to his feet.

"Let's depart," he commanded.

No one dared to question his order.

The clan leaders and academy elders all bowed respectfully, allowing the two Deans to lead the way out of the hall.

As the crowd began to follow, the City Lord remained momentarily behind, his face tightening with mixed anticipation and anxiety.

The threat outside the city was growing stronger each day.

Trade had all but stopped.

Some allied clans had even begun withdrawing from Mystic City altogether.

It felt as though the city was standing on the edge of a looming disaster.

He clenched his fists tightly.

'Please… let all of this be worth it.'

….

Suddenly, the deep tolling of a great bell echoed across the city.

The alarm rang again and again, its sound carrying dread through every street.

"What's happening?" panicked voices echoed through the streets.

High upon the city wall, the Guard Captain stared into the distance and his heart froze.

Beyond the horizon, a dark wave surged toward them, blotting out the earth beneath it.

The ground trembled.

"H-Heavens…" he stammered, his face draining of color.

His legs nearly gave out.

Just from a glance, he could identify thousands of Tier-2 Ruin Beasts, their auras swirling with violent energy.

Worse still, among them were several Tier-3 Ruin Beasts.

Despair wash over the guards.

How could they possibly defend the city against such overwhelming power?

Then, a calm but commanding voice descended from above.

"Activate the city's defense array."

Everyone looked up.

Hovering in the sky were two figures. the Old Dean and a middle-aged woman.

The guards' fear slowly turned into awe.

For them to stand in the sky itself, they had to be Expert Realm,

Slowly, courage began to spread among them.

Perhaps…

Just perhaps…

They still had a chance.

While the guards and the city soldier were prepared for a life and death battle, all the selected younger generation were led into the master teacher awakening building.

Although the city was under ruin beast attack, the awakening ceremony must continue.

Standing at the entrance of the awakening platform chamber, Jun Wu looked at the new arrival without any change in expression.

"Let's begin."

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