Soon, Ye Xuan replaced the single-line connection rune "∮" with the double-line connection rune "?". After testing it, he swapped it for the triple-line connection rune "?".
The triple-line rune connected with several adjacent runes. In that instant, the Array Patterns came to life. All the lines began to flow automatically.
Ye Xuan immediately channeled his Spiritual Qi. Suddenly, a small-scale Killing Array appeared in the courtyard. Its power was undoubtedly far greater than that of a Level Two Array.
"It’s a success!" A smile graced Ye Xuan’s lips.
Arrays were truly exquisite. A single change in a rune caused profound shifts in the Array Patterns. The Power of Heaven and Earth it drew upon was completely different.
Ye Xuan had officially become a Level Three Array Master. Following this logic, he went on to set up an Illusion Array, another Killing Array, and a Concealing Array. Every single one succeeded! Each one possessed the might of a Level Three Array.
The Array Fool’s theory was indeed correct. He had categorized Array Patterns into one hundred and eighty distinct array symbols. No matter how powerful an Array was, it could not deviate from these symbols. It was the principle of remaining true to the core despite countless variations.
To level up his arrays, Ye Xuan didn’t need to learn the layout methods of higher-level arrays. He merely needed to apply the correct variations to lower-level ones. That alone was enough.
Just as Ye Xuan was reveling in his joy...
DONG!
DONG!
DONG!
Three chimes of a bell echoed across half the Gongsun family estate. Almost everyone from the Direct Lineage heard it.
CLATTER.
Gongsun Yanran, who was sipping tea, instantly dropped her cup to the floor. Some of the tea spilled, soaking a part of her dress, but she remained completely oblivious to it. She stood up abruptly, her face turning pale and grim.
"The Unmoving Bell actually rang! Could it be..."
Gongsun Yanran suddenly staggered. Once she regained her footing, she unexpectedly activated her Beast Soul Transformation. Her arms transformed into wings, and she took flight toward the main courtyard.
"Sir, what happened to Madam?" Hua’s surprised voice rang out. She and Gongsun Yanran had just been having a pleasant chat. Why did her expression change so drastically upon hearing the bell?
Ye Xuan didn’t answer. He frowned, seemingly realizing something, and instructed, "Keep an eye on Liu Ruoxi. If she tries to run, notify the patrolling Golden Armor Guards."
With that, Ye Xuan also left the Lingxuan Courtyard. Barely a few steps out, he noticed many Direct Lineage members rushing out with expressions of shock.
"The Unmoving Bell! Who rang the Unmoving Bell?"
"If the Unmoving Bell is rung, something major must have happened."
In a state of panic, they sprinted toward the main courtyard.
"Aunt Thirteen, what’s going on?" Spotting Gongsun Yan in the crowd, Ye Xuan called out to ask.
Gongsun Yan shook her head. "I don’t know what’s happening either. But once the Unmoving Bell rings, all Direct Lineage members must gather at the main courtyard. It seems something huge has occurred!"
"Something huge?" Ye Xuan’s expression shifted. He wondered if what he was worried about had actually happened. Had something really happened to his grandfather?
"Aunt Thirteen, has anyone ever rung this bell before?"
"No. For over a thousand years, the Unmoving Bell hasn’t rung even once—otherwise, it wouldn’t be called the Unmoving Bell. I’m going on ahead; I won’t wait for you."
Gongsun Yan sped up. However, she quickly realized she hadn’t managed to shake Ye Xuan off. Ye Xuan was keeping up right beside her. His speed was actually not inferior to hers at all. Yet, Ye Xuan’s cultivation was only at the Super Spirit Realm! How could he be this fast? He was truly a freak of nature.
Running at full speed, it only took Ye Xuan three minutes to reach the main courtyard. At this moment, the main courtyard was already packed with people. The vast majority of the Direct Lineage had arrived.
In the main courtyard stood a high platform, upon which rested a large, dust-covered bell. Standing beside the bell was Gongsun Xin. He was the one who had rung it. His expression had always been stern, but right now, it seemed even colder. It was like a millennium-old layer of frost.
"Gongsun Xin, why did you ring the Unmoving Bell? Are you crazy?"
"Eldest Brother, how could you ring this bell?"
Several clan members questioned Gongsun Xin. He let out a long breath before finally speaking.
"Almost everyone is here, so I’ll get straight to the point. The Unmoving Bell hasn’t been moved in a thousand years. Today, I rang it, and I’m sure you all have your guesses.
"It is with profound grief that I announce to you all...
"Father’s Life and Death Jade has shattered."
The Life and Death Jade, shattered. Shattered...
Gongsun Xin’s voice echoed continuously through the surroundings. Every member of the Gongsun family was instantly stunned. The entire main courtyard suddenly went dead silent. The atmosphere was terrifyingly quiet; even the drop of a pin could be heard loud and clear.
At this moment, the Gongsun Clan Members felt dizzy, their minds going completely blank. It took a long while before an Elder finally spoke.
"Is... is this true?"
Gongsun Xin nodded and extended his right hand. In his palm lay a shattered Life and Death Jade. Carved into the jade were four large characters: Gongsun Wenjin. These four characters, just like the Life and Death Jade itself, were fractured and broken!
"This is Father’s Life and Death Jade."
"This... the Life and Death Jade really broke."
"Grandfather is... dead?!"
Everyone’s bodies were trembling. Some even collapsed onto the ground because they realized the sheer gravity of the situation. In the past, it wasn’t as if no Patriarch had ever died. But those deaths were always accidental, occurring during their own outside expeditions. This time, however, Gongsun Wenjin had been summoned by the Main City Lord. This meant that if he died, it would be considered a natural fall.
Every member of the Gongsun family knew very well that the sky over Dapeng City was about to change.
"Dead..." In the crowd, Ye Xuan’s expression shifted drastically. He had a premonition that something would happen to his grandfather, but he never expected it to be this disastrous!
With his grandfather dead, Dapeng City was bound to fall into chaos. The Three-Star Secret Realm would likely not open on schedule, either.
"Now you know why I rang the Unmoving Bell. It’s because our Gongsun family is about to face immense danger. All the major families will rise up and attack us together," Gongsun Xin’s voice rang out again.
"Gongsun Xin, what are your plans?" an Elder asked.
"I don’t know. This matter is of grave importance, and I wish to discuss it with all of you. Should we flee or defend? I want to hear your opinions."
As soon as he finished speaking, Gongsun Ancient Formula let out a cold shout.
"Fleeing is out of the question! Wouldn’t that mean handing Dapeng City over on a silver platter? Let them come! If one comes, I’ll kill one; if two come, I’ll kill the pair. If a whole family comes, I will annihilate their entire bloodline. Even though the Patriarch is dead, how could our Gongsun family be defeated by a bunch of ants? We will make sure none of them return alive!"
Gongsun Ancient Formula’s words earned the approval of the other Elders.
"That’s right! If those people want to be the City Lord, they first have to see if our Gongsun family agrees. Once the City Seizing Token is torn up, as long as we hold our ground for seven days and they fail to conquer the Gongsun family in that time, this city will still bear the Gongsun surname. I firmly believe we can defend it! Our Gongsun family’s millennium of heritage is no empty boast!"
"Yes, Uncle! Let’s fight! We swear to defend the Gongsun family to the death!"