Stranger Danger

"The only question now is how long the Golden Peak Sky Holding Great Array will stand, and how longwecan hold out!"

Jin Manshan was extremely relieved and excited that the Golden Peak Sky Holding Great Array had blocked the initial impact perfectly as a matter of course, but he also knew that now wasn't the time to celebrate yet.

After all, no one knew how long the Sea Burning Demonic Fire would last, or how long the Golden Peak Sky Holding Great Array could hold.

If the Golden Peak Sky Holding Great Array ran out of power, or if parts of the array were damaged, then the demonic fire would surge onto the island, and they would all meet a gruesome fate.

Yue Ling consoled him after a short silence, "Do not worry, island lord Jin. Humanity must triumph over the heavens. I believe that we will overcome this."

"I hope so."

Jin Manshan gave her a forced smile and returned his attention to the island's periphery.

The first wave was the strongest. The subsequent waves were much smaller and weaker than before. Therefore, the Golden Peak Sky Holding Great Array did not need to endure another one of that shocking impact.

That said, the danger and threat the demonic fire posed hadn't decreased in the slightest. It was because Gold Island was completely surrounded by demonic fire right now. with every passing second, the demonic fire was eroding the shield from every direction.

Sure, the Golden Peak Sky Holding Great Array was consuming less energy than it did during the initial impact. However, this energy consumption was continuous.

It hadn't been long since the initial impact, but Jin Manshan could already sense that the Golden Peak Sky Holding Great Array was using up tons of energy.

His heart grew heavier as he declared in a loud voice, "Enough celebration. Everyone, continue to hold your posts. Report to me immediately if there is any problem at all."

His voice spread across the entire Gold Island, silencing the waves of cheers instantly. The atmosphere immediately grew tense and solemn.

Jin Manshan turned his head and looked at Yue Ling. "I need to go, Princess Yue Ling. Please keep an eye on the demonic fire on me while I'm gone. Report to me immediately if you notice anything amiss."

"Got it." Yue Ling nodded.

"Thank you." Jin Manshan saluted her before turning to leave. He then went straight to the city lord residence.

After returning to the city lord residence, Jin Manshan went to a secret room located in the backyard. It was where the core of the Golden Peak Sky Holding Great Array was located.

"Island lord!"

"Island lord."

Several people walked up to him as soon as he stepped inside the secret room.

"Let's cut to the chase." Jin Manshan waved off the pleasantries and walked over to his wife's side. He asked, "How is the array doing?" "The array is functioning perfectly. I do not foresee any problems in the short term."

Maybe it was because she was activating and maintaining the great array earlier, but Ming Yueying looked a little pale. "However, it is consuming more energy than expected."

Jin Manshan asked, "How long will the array last?"

Ming Yueying took a moment to calculate inside her head before answering, "At the current rate it's consuming energy, the Golden Peak Sky Holding Great Array will last three days at most."

"What?How is it only three days?" Jin Manshan blanched. Although he already predicted that the Golden Peak Sky Holding Great Array would not last, three days was far shorter than even his lowest estimate.

The one thing Gold Island did not lack was wealth, so they had used the best possible natural resources to build the Golden Peak Sky Holding Great Array, and strengthened it further with all sorts of priceless treasures. Moreover, the great array was one with Gold Island and so could continuously absorb ambient energies to maintain its function. It was so potent that it could withstand even a Sage's assault.

Assuming that the Golden Peak Sky Holding Great Array was functioning normally, it would take even a Sage ten days at the shortest to deplete its energies completely.

That was why Jin Manshan thought that the Golden Peak Sky Holding Great Array would hold for ten or so days. Worst case scenario, it should hold for a week at the minimum!

But now, Ming Yueying was telling him that it could only last three days. To say it was unbelievable and beyond his expectations would be an understatement.

"That's because the demonic fire is extremely corrosive, corrosive, and destructive. It is taking our array several times the energy it would have needed to block an average assault to defend against it."

Ming Yueying answered in a bitter voice, "Moreover, Gold Island's ability to absorb ambient energies to fuel itself is useless because the demonic fire is surrounding us from all sides and isolating us. This further decreased the array's potency as well."

"All things considered, three days is our absolute limit. Not only that, nothing must happen during these three days. Otherwise, the duration of the Golden Peak Sky Holding Great Array could be even shorter!"

"It could be shorter?"

Jin Manshan's face was completely dark at this point. Pain and despair were leaking into his eyes.

"Ahem... there's no need to feel doom and gloom just yet, everyone. When the heavens closes a door, a window opens somewhere. Who knows, maybe the Sea Burning Demonic fire will end in less than three days."

To Jin Manshan's credit, he immediately recognized the inappropriateness of his reaction and mastered himself. He even forced a smile on his face and said, "Besides, don't forget that two seniors are guarding Gold Island, and they've already found a way to resolve the demonic fire. So do not despair, everyone. We will survive this crisis."

"You're serious, island lord?" Someone asked instinctively.

"Of course. When have I ever lied to you?" Jin Manshan replied, "Remember the time we were trapped in the City of No Return? It is they who had rescued us and exposed their conspiracy. You should all be aware of this by now."

"The two seniors haven't left yet. They are residing in Gold Island right now. I am sure they will lend us their aid when it is time, so don't worry."

"Yes, there is nothing to worry about with them around, so go do what needs to be done and stop standing there like a training dummy already."

Ming Yueying echoed in agreement and waved her hand. "Oh right, don't tell anyone what we just told you. The seniors do not like being disturbed. It's not worth losing your life over a moment of curiosity, understand?"

When no one spoke up, Ming Yueying raised her voice with a hint of anger, "Are you all deaf? Did you not hear what I just said?"

If Jin Manshan was amiable, then Ming Yueying was domineering. She was fairly well-respected on Gold Island as well. That one bark was enough to send a tingle up everyone's spine and elicit an affirmative response from them.

Of course, the group was still worried and suspicious. However, there was a little more hope and strength in their eyes.

"Go busy yourselves!"

Jin Manshan waved them away. After the group had dispersed, the husband and wife exchanged a look with each other. Their expressions were fraught with worry and solemnity.

Their promises might be able to assure others, but not them. After all, they knew the truth of the matter.