Chapter 865 - 860: Lest Any Escape
Gaia Building, in another room.
Quentin, the newly promoted Red Race Major General, was meticulously accompanying several other Red Race Major Generals.
Before them sat a mature beauty with black hair cascading like a waterfall, cross-legged and silent, eyes closed.
However, Quentin and the others did not dare to be careless at all.
The woman before them, known as "Flame Dance" Chi Lijia, was a taboo among the Red Race —
Don’t be fooled by her calm demeanor; when she goes berserk, she’ll cut down even her closest kin!
Calm as a virgin, fierce as a mad dog.
If it weren’t for Bron dying in battle and there being no other unparalleled Awakened to counter Steel Heart, the higher-ups would never have allowed Chi Lijia to lead.
Quentin felt a strange sense of relief for not participating in the Heart Demon World ambush against Steel Heart; otherwise, he might have ended up following Bron to the grave.
Suddenly, Chi Lijia spoke, "Quentin."
Quentin jerked to attention, "Yes!"
Chi Lijia’s voice was gentle, "Has that native Steel Heart from Sea Blue Star returned?"
Quentin hurriedly replied, "I’ve been watching him closely, no sign of return!"
Chi Lijia murmured, "What about Steel Heart’s allies then? The ones who dared oppose us in the Heart Demon World... have they returned?"
Quentin looked for help from the side.
A tall, ugly man spoke softly, "The members of Furnace Squad have all returned. They’ve been keeping a low profile, not visiting or connecting with others."
This tall, ugly man named "Luoshili" was well-established among the Red Race Awakened, older than even Chi Lijia.
Luoshili, known for his steady demeanor, held high esteem among the younger generation of Red Race Awakened. His relationship with Chi Lijia’s primary personality — the current long, black-haired stance—was good.
This time, while Chi Lijia served as the leader in public, Luoshili was the actual coordinator, managing arrangements and communicating.
"Go find them." Chi Lijia stood up.
Luoshili quickly said, "Chi Lijia, stay calm. This is Gaia Building; violence is forbidden here!"
Chi Lijia snorted, "Relax, I’m not going to do anything. Just ’meet’ them... to ensure none escape once it’s time to kill."
...
Heart Demon World.
Bai Pu sat cross-legged, with four small statues placed around him.
Cyan Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, Black Tortoise.
These were the Four Symbols Statues.
Bai Pu closed his eyes, synchronizing his consciousness with the Four Symbols Statues.
In his sea of consciousness, the hazy virtual images of the four statues appeared.
The memory of [Dong Bochengzhi’s Swordsmanship Manual] slowly fused with the Cyan Dragon statue.
In Bai Pu’s consciousness sea, the image of the Cyan Dragon grew clearer.
Next were [Nan Zhu Burning Heart Style Secret Techniques]’s memory merging with the Vermilion Bird statue; [Beiming Xuan Mirror Flow Secret Scroll]’s memory merging with the Black Tortoise statue; [Xiyuan Clan’s Demon-Control Secret Technique]’s memory merging with the White Tiger statue.
The virtual images of the Power of Four Symbols became clearer.
However, right now, the virtual images of the Power of Four Symbols were "flat," like two-dimensional drawings, missing a three-dimensional feel.
Bai Pu knew this was due to not integrating the comprehension of "Space Mystical Arts."
He simulated the memories of "Three Calamities" Composite Mystical Arts in his mind, infusing the insights into the Four Symbols Statues.
Soon, the White Tiger statue representing the Power of Four Symbols Water and the Black Tortoise statue representing the Power of Four Symbols Earth gradually transformed from flat to three-dimensional.
Then, in his Spiritual World, he used [Holy Thorns (Replica)] to strike himself, initiating Cruel Admonition to enhance comprehension.
"I also have Sea Heart Flame Combined Mystical Arts, it’s Water Element added with Fire Element."
Bai Pu integrated the memories of Sea Heart Flame Combined Mystical Arts with the Four Symbols Statues.
The White Tiger statue, already turned three-dimensional, extended an invisible tether, connecting to the Vermilion Bird statue of Four Symbols Fire.
With Bai Pu’s enhanced comprehension, the Red Lotus Mystical Arts gradually merged with the Space Mystical Arts.
The manifestation was the gradual transformation of the Vermilion Bird statue from flat to a three-dimensional image!
"Currently, for the Four Great Oaths Secret Techniques, I still have one more chance for insight from [Dong Bochengzhi’s Swordsmanship Manual]’s third part and the second chance from [Xiyuan Clan’s Demon-Control Secret Technique]."
Bai Pu opened [Dong Bochengzhi’s Swordsmanship Manual], comprehending the third part and experiencing the fusion refinement process of Dong Bochengzhi’s Dancing Wind Mystical Arts and Space Mystical Arts.
"Wind Phase Sword Intent... indeed, combining the characteristics of wind’s formlessness with omnipresence aligns with, and complements, space properties."
Bai Pu experienced Dong Bochengzhi’s Wind Phase Sword Intent, feeling streams of information flow, deepening his understanding of wind and space.
In the consciousness sea, the Cyan Dragon statue representing Four Symbols Wind quickly transformed into three-dimensional.
As the Cyan Dragon statue became three-dimensional, all four statues in Bai Pu’s consciousness sea simultaneously emitted light!
Countless sword techniques and skills glanced past in the consciousness sea like flashes of light.
There was the grace of Wind Sword Style, the solidity of Profound Mirror Style, the fire-like aggression of Heart-Burning Style, and the eerie, variable nature of the Xiyuan family.
This was the function of these four "world-unique" statues.
These four statues, containing the Power of Four Symbols, were sourced from the Mystical Arts origins that the ancestors of Four Great Oaths discovered in their fight against Demons.
Bai Pu immersed himself.
The fusion of Four Elemental Mystical Arts and Space Mystical Arts accelerated progressively until finally complete!
At this moment, the Four Symbols Statues in Bai Pu’s consciousness sea lit up, beams connecting each other, projecting into Bai Pu’s Heart Image Space, forming gigantic totem phantoms.
The cyan dragon of wind, white tiger of water, red kite of fire, and black turtle of mountain.
"So this is it. I’ve succeeded."
A moment of realization flashed across Bai Pu’s mind.
He had successfully fused the Five Major Mystical Arts, and named it "Four Symbols" Composite Mystical Arts.
Next would be gradually "practice makes perfect," transitioning it towards the path of True Intent.
Once the Four Symbols Power Totem Phantom in the Heart Image Space can be elevated, projecting into the outer world, Bai Pu’s True Intent Prototype would be ready to achieve major success.
Then, Bai Pu would ascend to the level of Evolver, fully achieving practice makes perfect, and transform the Four Symbols Power Totem into reality.
It’s estimated that would be "True Intent First Heaven."
Having clarified his path, Bai Pu felt endless joy in his heart.
A feeling of clearing away clouds to see the sky emerged.
Bai Pu stood up, collecting the now dull and lusterless Four Symbols Power Statues, which he stored away.
[Dull Four Symbols Power Statue: Outer casing devoid of Essence energy. Must be recharged before reuse.]
"Where will I find the Oath Ancestor’s Essence to recharge?"
Though Bai Pu shook his head laughing, he still treasured the items. They might be useful someday.
"For now, let’s check out my new Mystical Arts. Come forth, Four Symbols Mystical Arts panel!"