The Lotus Convergence

The 'Beast Emperor's Unyielding Wall' was indeed a formidable technique, but could it truly claim his life!?

'Converge the second trigram'!? What could that possibly mean? Du Chen had no leisure to delve into its meaning. Countless past experiences had affirmed that 'Fifth Brother's' guidance regarding the Lotus Sacred Artifacts was infallible, and certainly never detrimental to his well-being. Mounting his lotus pedestal, he swiftly evaded a direct confrontation with Leihaite. As he dodged, he swept his hands in a blur, manifesting 'Fourth Bro,' 'The Sixth,' and 'the Seventh (Lotus)' — his three defensive sacred artifacts — into colossal shields, arrayed before his person.

Leihaite's preparatory movements concluded; he now hovered, kneeling in the æther. When Jamis had unleashed this technique in the past, the subsequent action was invariably a barrage of subservient bows and pleas for clemency, culminating in a most undignified bellowing of—'I'm sorry, I'm sorry...'

Leihaite's execution, however, deviated entirely. His colossal hands, which had rested upon his knees, slid downwards with the motion. His elbows flared, the backs of his hands pressed tight, as though poised to rend something asunder. And indeed it was. His ten fingers clenched into savage talons, then strained outwards with immense power, rending the very fabric of the air itself. To the naked eye, the space before him was visibly torn apart, and a terrifying fissure in the void materialized instantly before Du Chen.

Immediately, that abyssal void fissure emanated a potent, irresistible suction. On either side, torrential, explosive currents of spiritual energy surged forth. These two disparate forces—one pulling, one pushing—instantly destabilized the qi flow within the entire phantasmal domain, causing the lotus pedestal beneath Du Chen's feet to waver precariously, threatening to plunge him headlong into the maw of the rift! Struggling desperately against the twin currents of chaos, Du Chen bellowed in exasperation, 'Damn you, Fifth Brother! How precisely does one 'converge the second trigram'!?'

Only the 'hissing' of the frenzied currents of energy assaulted his ears, alongside the 'rumbling' battle qi Deboning unleashed with all his might, spurred by Du Chen's peril. Yet, from 'Fifth Brother,' there was not a whisper of a reply! Du Chen, consumed by frustration, yet utterly powerless, could only exclaim, 'Fifth Brother, aid me!'

'Hmph! Very well, purely for that endearing invocation of 'Fifth Brother,' I shall enlighten you: partition your inner strength into three distinct currents, imbuing each with the essence of a Battle Soul... when dire straits befall you, invoking 'Fifth Brother' is never amiss...'

A Battle Soul? His battle qi cultivation barely reached the Fourth Level; how could he possibly wield a Battle Soul, an attainment exclusive to Six-Star Battle Gods!? Du Chen's mind whirred with sudden insight, and he abruptly understood: 'Fifth Brother' was simply using an alternate nomenclature, referring to his Lotus Primordial Spirit as a Battle Soul! He mentally railed against 'Fifth Brother's' infuriating capriciousness, yet his hands moved without the slightest hesitation, uninterruptedly channeling his inner strength into the Lotus Sacred Artifacts according to the guidance.

'Fourth Bro,' the invisible shield, though imperceptible to mortal sight, Du Chen knew well that it was a flattened lotus blossom, with a central handle and a matching recess. Infused with inner strength, 'Fourth Bro' abruptly materialized upright before him...

'The Sixth,' the Heart-Protecting Mirror, possessing one gently convex side and one concave. As inner strength flowed into it, it abruptly diminished in size, twirled rapidly a few times, then seamlessly nestled itself into 'Fourth Bro's' recess, a perfect, impeccable fit! Its concave surface now faced Du Chen. Next, 'the Seventh (Lotus)'—that diminutive mirror—also expanded to the size of a man's palm, effortlessly gliding into 'The Sixth's' concave surface, integrating with the same flawless precision...

In a flash, the three defensive sacred artifacts merged into one, yet the metamorphosis was far from over. 'Fifth Brother' himself—soft, pliable, and possessing the deep-seated grievances of a sequestered concubine—slithered forth from Du Chen's robes. He twisted and contorted, coalescing into a cylindrical rod, then with a forceful thrust, *thwip*, ejected a portion of his essence directly onto the coalesced artifact. Instantly, this viscous efflux rapidly filled the minutest fissures within the sacred artifact, and the newly formed lotus shield became a seamless, resplendent whole, its disparate elements now utterly indistinguishable!

A dazzling luminescence flared, but the instant the sacred artifact finalized its union, the glow abruptly retracted, only to unfurl once more, revealing a mesmerizing tableau of swirling sea-blue and aquamarine undulations. The newly formed sacred artifact, still shield-shaped and based upon 'Fourth Bro's' invisible form, now displayed discernible stratifications. Its outermost layer was a translucent, mist-like veil of shield-leaves, utterly crystalline. Closer to the core, jagged, petal-like formations converged. The shield's skeletal frame jutted forth starkly, exuding an oppressive grandeur, yet simultaneously casting a gentle cerulean luminescence.

At the shield's very core lay a deep azure crystal. Though utterly unassuming at first glance, sustained contemplation would reveal within it the myriad profound truths of the cosmos, seemingly encompassing the untainted quintessence of the Water Element itself...

From afar, Deboning was jolted with profound astonishment upon witnessing the azure radiance emanating from this creation. What was this!? Why were its aqueous fluctuations more pristine, more divine, than even 'The Weeping Tear' bequeathed by Yessar God!? No! 'The Weeping Tear' and Young Master's radiance held no true comparison! 'The Weeping Tear' merely established a connection with the Water Element between heaven and earth—the Old Grand Pontiff called it the Primeval Water Force—but that was a mere liaison! Young Master's luminescence, however, seemed capable of... compelling the Water Element to its will!

To communicate, to command – a mere two words, yet their implications represented a chasm of difference! Deboning's hands slackened in sheer astonishment, and Hawkins, who had been driven to the precipice of defeat by him, exhaled a ragged breath of relief. Yet, he had no leisure to register Du Chen's transformation. Witnessing his nephew Leihaite unleash the family's prohibited arcana—the 'Beast Emperor's Unyielding Wall'—Hawkins thundered, 'Leihaite, you are but a Level Seven practitioner! Do you seek death!? Cease this madness!'

Immediately after, Hawkins committed himself fully. Mimicking Leihaite's stance, he bellowed, 'Come! Bear witness to the true, composite forbidden art of the 'Saint Baton Family': the 'Beast Emperor's Unyielding Wall' combined with the 'Beast God's Undying Body'!'

With the sacred artifacts now coalesced, the 'Lotus Sacred Artifact's' power had magnified by no less than three times its original might. Deboning, now assured of Young Master's triumph, felt his tension ease, a cold smirk gracing his lips. 'You boast forbidden techniques, yet do you imagine I possess none!? Behold, the 'Soul-Flaying Golden Marrow'!'

The two formidable figures clashed in a whirlwind of combat, while Du Chen, having seen his sacred artifacts coalesce, mounted his lotus pedestal and raised his left arm. The 'Lotus Azureveil Shield' descended autonomously into his open palm. Lightly clasping the shield's integrated grip, Du Chen felt a profound surge of energy emanate from it, harmonizing utterly with his Primordial Spirit Power, rendering them an inseparable whole!

No sooner said than done! The entire sequence transpired in a mere breath. The instant Du Chen gripped the Azureveil Shield, he found himself precariously drawn to the very precipice of the void fissure. The turbulent currents born from the void originally lacked true corporeal form. Du Chen stood serene and unperturbed behind the Azureveil Shield, yet through the shimmering, aqueous haze of its shield-leaves, he 'perceived' a surge of turbulence bearing down upon him. He thrust forth the shield with a powerful sweep of his arm. Amidst 'hissing' reverberations, the Azureveil Shield collided with the turbulence, which instantly dissipated into naught. Then, the deep azure crystal in the center of the Azureveil Shield flashed with a brilliant aqueous gleam, and the currents regenerated, only to abruptly veer and surge towards Leihaite!

'Hah, exhilarating!' Du Chen let out a resounding peal of laughter. Heeding 'Fifth Brother's' counsel, he gripped the Azureveil Shield's handle with one hand, while the other, brimming with 'Lotus Internal Force' and 'Primordial Spirit Power,' struck the handle with a powerful surge of energy. Suddenly, the 'Lotus Azureveil Shield,' which had been a singular entity with two faces, unfurled like a blossoming lotus, expanding and arching outwards, eventually transforming into a perfectly spherical, shimmering aura that entirely encased Du Chen, leaving not the slightest vulnerability, permitting the chaotic currents to crash against him with impunity!

The turbulent currents surged, only to harmlessly deflect. On the other side, Deboning and Hawkins, too, unleashed their lethal techniques, and the entire scene erupted into utter pandemonium...

With a muffled detonation, the phantasmal domain was utterly annihilated, and the victor declared! Du Chen stood upon his lotus pedestal, shield held high, and placed a lotus upon Leihaite's head, who was still retching forth gouts of blood.

Deboning approached leisurely, carrying Hawkins. Not a solitary blemish marred his form; only a faint, disdainful smile graced his lips. 'Young Master,' he declared, 'in adherence to your command, I refrained from employing my full might. I secured him alive!' He then offered a terse nod. 'Young Master, you are now fully capable of vanquishing a peak Level Seven Battle God. Across the 'Three Continents,' you are regarded as a truly exceptional 'Master'!'

Du Chen leveled his shield at Hawkins. 'Descendant of the 'Undying Death God,' heir of the 'Saint Baton Family'! You are of the lineage of the 'Sacred Emperor,' and I shall grant you your due respect. However, I expect a coherent account from you! The calumnies you have hurled against me are beyond immense, verging on the utterly absurd!'

The dignity of the Five Great 'Fallen Gods' families brooks no insult!? Hmph!

Hawkins slowly lifted his gaze, letting out a guttural grunt. 'We are defeated,' he declared, 'with undeniable conviction!' As he spoke, he cast a glance at Leihaite, who lay retching blood. 'My nephew forcibly invoked the 'Beast Emperor's Unyielding Wall'; he has already sacrificed at least a decade of his life. Now, with the subsequent backlash of uncontrolled power, he is swiftly approaching his end! He is beyond salvage! I demand he be granted funeral rites commensurate with his noble station!'

A furrow appeared between Du Chen's brows as he cast a glance at Leihaite. Indeed, the young 'beastman' was continuously retching blood, his face drained of all vitality. His eyes, though wide open, displayed dilated and unfocused pupils, a clear sign of his shattered mind and imminent demise!

Just as he was about to make a move, a tremendous roar of surging water erupted in Du Chen's ears. Only then did he truly register his location after the phantasmal domain's collapse—the abyssal depths of a boundless ocean! The furious confrontation between the several individuals had not only utterly obliterated the illusory 'Magic Formation' Hawkins had laid but had also stirred up a torrential maelstrom from the seabed's waters—especially when Deboning and Hawkins each unleashed their forbidden techniques, further desecrating the once-placid marine environment. Unlike 'Mount Tianshan' or the 'Auerbach Grand Canyon,' this place offered no natural conduits for accumulating battle qi! With the phantasmal domain's rupture, an anomalous void suddenly appeared in the ocean. The surrounding seawater instantly converged, exacerbating the fury of a nascent deep-sea tsunami! At this critical juncture, the seabed seemed to erupt with a cataclysmic earthquake, or perhaps a rampant oceanic tempest. Waves of primal, untamed force roared forth, bearing down upon Du Chen and his companions.

Du Chen's countenance flickered. Deboning, anticipating his thoughts, declared, 'Young Master, Hawkins is utterly incapacitated. Hold him in check; the remaining matters are my purview!'

'Mm, swiftly neutralize these abnormal occurrences here! Avoid excessive loss of life among the sentient beings!' Du Chen nodded, then conjured another lotus to restrain Hawkins.

Just as Deboning was poised to act, a chorus of shouts erupted from every quadrant: 'Sacred Artifact Squad, prepare! Tidal Colossus Cannons, harness the Coral Golems, stand ready, unleash!' 'Second Squad, mission complete! The deep-sea tsunami and earthquake in this area have subsided!' 'Fourth Squad, mission complete!' 'Sixth Squad requests additional deployment of Coral Golems...'

In but a moment, the tumultuous ocean receded into tranquility! Hawkins, suppressed beneath the lotus, felt a sudden realization strike him. 'Ah, General Tiger Shark mentioned there were eight thousand 'Sea Tribe army' nearby! Eight thousand 'Sea Tribe army' I can summon at will, ha!' he bellowed with frenzied desperation, 'I am Hawkins! 'King of Palkin Sea,' heed me no longer! Capture 'Francis,' and surrender him into the custody of my family! The 'Saint Baton Clan' shall forever be indebted to your allegiance!'