The Dawn of the New World

It felt like a 6.0 magnitude earthquake that lasted for close to ten seconds before a loud horn sounded from the city. All three of them looked in the direction of the city gates with solemn expressions.

"It already started," Princess Ceni commented first to which Jin Wang agreed.

"I really thought it would take them longer. And it looks like they aren't the only ones..." he looked in another direction following the sound of alarm bells going off within his head.

'Some rats have managed to find the secret vault.'

Ma Jiang got back on her feet, giving an appreciative nod to Princess Ceni before directing her inquisitive gaze towards Jin Wang.

"Shouldn't we help them first?"

Jin Wang closed his eyes for a moment before snapping out of the daze. With a weary sigh he looked towards Ma Jiang.

"I will help them so you two bring back Hao Xuan first."

Ma Jiang's eyes opened wide as she shook her head vigorously.

"No B-But you said you would help and guide me while I was doing it."

Jin Wang chuckled and patted her on the head, "You don't really need my help, one person will be more than enough."

He gestured for Princess Ceni to go up first and she did not waste a single moment before flying up the stairs. When he was sure she was out of earshot Jin Wang took out a small stone artifact.

It was approximately 10 centimeters in diameter with hundreds of tiny symbols engraved on its surface. He handed it over to Ma Jiang who accepted it with both hands.

It was all made from one piece but the disk itself looked very old with two minor cracks snaking through the center. It was cold to the touch but other than that there was nothing special about it.

It didn't exude any special aura or give off any strange feelings. Only the rock it was crafted from was nothing she had ever or heard about before.

Jin Wang gave her a few seconds to examine it before explaining its use and a quick how-to.

"This is the formation disk. When you get in make a circle with your mana on the ground behind Hao Xuan and place the disk down in before sitting in front of it. You only have to focus your mana on the disk and it will do the rest but be careful, if the mana flow is halted for more than 10 seconds the disk will shatter on its own."

"Once Hao Xuan wakes up all you have to do is pick up the disk and place it on his back in one swift motion. The moment you let go the sealing process will begin."

"That's...it?" Ma Jiang inquired suspiciously. That was a bit too simple.

Jin Wang's lips arched into a toothy grin upon hearing her question, "Hahaha, that's it for the instructions about using the disk but there are a couple more things."

He looked towards the stairs to make sure Princess Ceni could not hear before snapping his fingers to create a sound-proof barrier around them just in case.

"For one, make sure she doesn't do anything suspicious like trying to change his memories or enchant him while he's defenseless."

"But how will I know?"

"Trust me, you will know. Your affinity with nature is so high that you should be able to tell whenever someone tries to do anything duplicitous. It will be a feeling like something is 'off' about whatever she is trying to do."

Ma Jiang pondered in silence for a moment before nodding.

"Good. Secondly, pay close attention to their vitality. If something goes wrong while she is in there you will be able to feel it. Both of their bodies will start to become more flaccid as they lose energy and vitality. A sudden change in the posture is a definite sign."

"W-What?! What do I do if that happens?? Earlier you said everything would be fine-"

"Then...there is not much you can do, no one can," his face fell at the thought of it along with his voice, "If worse comes to worst you will simply have to leave them and get out there before their bodies implode."

"Your mana is extremely pure and has healing qualities so you could probably keep them stable for a while but it won't help in the long term. I'm only telling you this so you can mentally prepare for a what-if scenario. But please remember, whatever you do, do not touch either of them or you will be dragged into it as well."

For the first time in a long time Ma Jiang's expression turned ugly. Her wrathful glare caught even Jin Wang off-guard since he didn't think her capable of reacting that way.

"So...you want me to just leave them to die if something goes wrong!?"

The ground shook once again and the barrier Jin Wang had created was forcefully broken as a result of it. The sound of shouting could be heard all the way from the city gates forcing a premature end to their conversation.

Jin Wang sighed while shaking his head, "If there was another option I would try it but this is it. The princess has to risk her life but you don't, there is no need to lose another person."

Ma Jiang turned around and started walking up the stairs.

"You're just like the rest of them. Giving up at the smallest hurdle. Does a person's life mean so less to you people?"

Jin Wang didn't know what to say, not that it was directed at him alone in the first place.