Removing the nails seemed simple to observers, but the reality was far more complex. These were the core of the Dragon-Locking Spirit Array—nine Dragon-Locking Nails capable of suppressing an entire dragon vein. Their complexity far outweighed their appearance.
After centuries of suppression, pulling the nails would trigger a violent backlash from the vein. Little Black needed to escape the range of this counterforce quickly. Furthermore, the nails themselves required isolation; only divine power—or in this context, immense magical energy—could handle them. Very few met these conditions.
Erwin was one, but he required constant effort to manipulate the array's operations. He was modifying Bowen Liu's original design to better suit Sunny Finch and Charlotte's group during their trials. The only other being trusted and capable was Little Black.
As Little Black pulled the second nail, the battle intensified. The white-armored figures on the field seemed to increase in number and strength. Originally, two white-armored warriors equaled one black-armored opponent. Now, the balance had shifted; their power was equal. Moreover, an inexplicable force seemed to empower the contestants.
Fleur's wand vibrated, sending a spell at a black-armored warrior. "I suddenly feel my spell's power has increased!" she exclaimed.
The others nodded in agreement. Sunny Finch's eyes narrowed in thought. Her suspicion was confirmed: their trial was actually a process of unsealing the Dragon Vein. When she observed it the previous night, she theorized Erwin needed the Dragon Vein unlocked to use its power. Since even Kunlun lacked records on how to unseal it, the battlefield itself must be the mechanism.
If she wasn't mistaken, the white-armored figures embodied the Dragon Vein's power, while the black-armored ones represented the Dragon-Locking Spirit Array. The two were locked in balance—the black suppressing the white. By destroying the black-armored warriors, the students were weakening the array. The white-armored figures' increased power signaled the Dragon Vein's gradual revival. What Erwin planned to do with Britain's Dragon Vein remained a mystery.
Outside, white energy flowed across the white jade dragon sculpture, though the flow remained obstructed by the remaining Dragon-Locking Nails. With two removed, the energy moved smoother than before.
Old Tom had already left the scene. At the base of the Changbai Mountains, the Kunlun Sect Leader and his disciples waited. Old Tom arrived with the Cavendish family retinue.
The Kunlun Sect Leader saw them approach. "Prepare to begin!" he commanded.
Kunlun disciples nodded. Several elders led groups into the surrounding perimeter of the Changbai Mountains. The Sect Leader glanced at Old Tom, who offered a slight, respectful bow.
The Sect Leader drew a compass. With a low shout, multicolored light burst forth. Old Tom simultaneously produced his own compass. Drawn together by an invisible force, the two floated into the air, intertwining. Array patterns projected from them, landing on the ground to form intricate sigils. Kunlun elders and disciples began inscribing similar patterns across the outer perimeter, weaving a massive ward.
Had Sunny Finch been present, she would have recognized these as Kunlun's signature arrays. Though a simplified version, their power remained formidable.
Inside the mountains, the fifth nail was pulled. Erwin had already expended a fortune in magic crystals; his reserves were beginning to dwindle. It served as a testament to Britain's dragon vein—incredibly powerful and difficult to influence even for someone of Erwin's caliber.
On the battlefield, the tide had turned. The white-armored figures now suppressed the black-armored ones without need for student intervention. The black-armored ranks dwindled rapidly, sensing the encroaching danger and beginning to converge.
Little Black lay to the side, panting heavily, utterly exhausted. Erwin glanced at the white jade dragon sculpture, communicating mentally with Little Black. The serpent received the command and headed toward the edge of the mountain range.
The white light emanating from the sculpture grew blindingly bright, the energy flow accelerating. Even the ordinary wizards in the spectator stands sensed the shift.
"What is that sculpture?" one murmured. "I feel a vague sense of danger."
"I thought I was the only one. That aura... it makes me uncomfortable."
"It must contain massive energy."
While the spectators discussed the anomaly, a small group slipped away from the stands, moving deeper into the Changbai Mountains. They were the pure-blood families of the British magical world, led by Lucius Malfoy.
Narcissa walked beside her husband. "What exactly are we doing here? Did Erwin not give you any specifics?"
Lucius shook his head. "No. You know how he is—extremely cautious. I can only assume what he's about to do is extraordinary, hence the secrecy. He only gave me the departure time and ordered me to lead our people into the mountains to prepare for battle."