When that perfectly condensed stream ofmysteriousblack light, like a homesick bird returning home, entered the jade pendant at his chest, Tang Xiao Qi felt as if he was no longer an independent individual, but had become a newborn, miniature universe core.
"BOOM—!"
Not an explosive roar, but a grand resonance from the level of life origin and fundamental principles! Azure Dragon's vigorous life-generate, White Tiger's solemn killing sharpness, Vermillion Bird's scorching creation, Azure Dragon's weighty defense—these four representing the world's four poles, constituting the world's foundation ultimate powers, finally completed their transcendent reunion and fusion spanning countless ages, within this inch-sized jade pendant!
No longer simple energy superposition, but a qualitative transformation!
The jade pendant at his chest underwent visible metamorphosis. Its original warm luster completely introverted, color becoming deep and primitive, as if an uncarved primordial stone, its surface naturally emerging with four flowing, respectively corresponding to Four Symbol Saints' originsmysterious patterns. Inside the jade pendant, no longer merely light flowing, but seemingly having opened a hazy, constantly being born and destroyed micro-heaven! Green energy rising, white radiance sharpening, red flames leaping, black water sinking and condensing—Four Symbol powers cycling within, evolving earth-water-fire-wind, birth-death-illusion-annihilation's supreme principles.
And within his dantian's sea of qi, that Golden Core already reaching peak of Late Golden Core underwent qualitative change. On the Golden Core's surface, those four divine beast patterns had come alive, like four miniature law-dragons slowly swimming around the Golden Core's core. With each swim, they spewed pure Four Symbol origin power, transforming it into a more advanced, more approaching world-originchaoscolor spiritual power. This spiritual power possessed Four Symbol characteristics—soft or hard, life or death, creation or defense—mind's turn could simulate and evolve all worldly techniques!
His cultivation, after naturally breaking through to peak Late Golden Core, didn't stop growing. Instead, in an even more steady, foundation-consolidating manner, it launched a silent assault toward that legendary Nascent Soul bottleneck. Though that barrier remained firm, he could feel he had truly stood at Golden Core realm's ultimate peak, possessing qualification to glimpse the next realm.
The greatest change came from the "Purification Source" he had always relied upon.
As the Four Symbols Soul Crystals thoroughly aligned and balanced, the Purification Source seemed to have found its true foundation and home. It was no longer rootless duckweed but perfectly integrated into this newly born Four Symbols Chaos system, becoming the core pivot maintaining balance and harmonizing all methods. Its quality underwent an earth-shaking leap!
Previous purification power leaned more toward dispelling, clearing, annihilating evil and filth. But this moment's Purification Source, after integrating Four Symbol balance and protecting heaven and earth's grand "Dao rhyme," became more tolerant, more profound. It was no longer merely "purification" but contained supreme meaning of "harmonizing," "nourishing," "protecting," and "rebirth."
One thought could purify demonic energy like splashing boiling water on snow; one thought could also nourish all things like spring wind and rain. It became the ultimate manifestation of protective power, capable of sweeping away all threats in the most fierce posture, and protecting peace in the most gentle manner. This was no longer a mere divine ability but touched a trace of "Dao's" origin power.
Xiao Qi slowly raised his hand. A wisp ofchaoscolor spiritual power flowed at his fingertip. With a slight thought, this wisp transformed into vibrant green spiritual light, landing on a nearbypiece of dark ice eroded by cold. That ice actually melted visibly, radiating a trace of weak life; he thought again, the spiritual power transformed into sharp white sword energy. With a light slash, it left a deep mark on the altar floor harder thanrefined gold; then the spiritual power turned red-warm, dispelling the bone-piercing cold around; finally becomingmysteriousblack weighty, forming a seemingly thin barrier before him that seemed able to isolate everything.
Four Symbols flowing, as desired!
He felt his connection with all heaven and earth becoming incomparably close. EasternWood Essence energy, WesternMetal Geng malevolent aura, SouthernDeparting Fire essence, NorthernRenwater marrow—all within his one-thought perception. He could even vaguely sense theice-coldaura Mu Xue was inducing during her seclusion in that infinitely distant Tianji City; could faintly detect Qingxu Temple mountain gate'sexperienced vicissitudes protective formation meaning; could more clearly "hear" the rhythm of ancient ice marrow flowing in the depths of this Northern Snow Field's earth veins beneath his feet...
With Four Symbols aligned, he was like one of the heaven-and-earth recognized "protectors," possessing partial authority to mobilize heaven-and-earth power!
The Four Symbol Saints' phantasms behind him slowly drew in, merging into his body. His entire aura became profound as the sea, primitive and natural. Standing there, he seemed integrated with this altar, this ice cavern, even the entire Northern Snow Field.
"Xiao Qi..." Third Senior Sister Liu Yun gazed at Xiao Qi whose temperament had transformed incomparably. Her beautiful eyes filled with shock and relief. She could clearly feel this Junior Brother had truly been reborn, stepping onto an unprecedented path toward heaven! His reserves' depth and potential's greatness probably no longer inferior to those top sect's saint sons and Dao sons.
Xiao Qi gathered in his surroundingominous phenomenon, turned to look at Third Senior Sister. His eyes carried the usual clarity and firmness, but within that firmness was added a steadiness bearing heaven and earth.
"Senior Sister, we succeeded." His voice was calm, yet carried undeniable power.
Third Senior Sister heavily nodded, excitement overflowing: "Four Symbols complete, origins fused! Xiao Qi, you've finally reached this step!"
Xiao Qi caressed that primitive-looking yet internallyheaven and earth-containing jade pendant at his chest, feeling the cycling, vast endless power within. His heart was also filled with great aspirations. From Xu Lan Manor's orphan, to Qingxu Temple's "littlewaste," to now heaven's appointed protector with Four Symbols aligned—through all this hardship, danger, life-and-death moments, all thepay was worth it at this moment.
However, he wasn't confused by this massive power. His gaze penetrated the ice cavern, seemingly seeing that demonic entity'strue body lurking in unknown corners, restless; seeing Shadow Snake Pavilion's pursuit like attached bones; seeing the undercurrents beneath this seemingly calm cultivation world.
Four Symbols Soul Crystals gathered wasn't an ending, but a brand new beginning.
The real challenge, the ultimate battle concerning this realm's survival, now... was just beginning.
He took a deep breath of that air within the ice cavern containing pure cold-ice origin, his gaze sharp as blades.
"It's time to go end all this."