Chapter 4: The Big Move
In the morning, sunlight shone upon the rear garden of Dragonblood Castle. Linley, for once in a good mood, was fully engrossed in carving in the garden. As he carved, scenes of being together with Grandpa Doehring involuntarily surfaced in his mind.
"The shape, texture, grain, and color of a stone contain not only concrete images but also beauty itself. Using a carving knife to cut away the excess parts of the rough stone, allowing the graceful image within to naturally emerge and reveal itself—that is stone carving."
"The method of carving is actually a method of handling form and space. When carving..."
The scene of Grandpa Doehring teaching him how to carve back then was still so clear.
After comprehending the profound mystery of Velocity, Linley wielded his flat knife with such ethereal grace, sometimes moving so fast it became a blur, sometimes slow and gentle... This human-shaped stone sculpture was gradually becoming clearer and clearer. Linley's carving also attracted Hillman, Taylor, and others, who watched from a distance.
"Father's carving is so unique," Taylor said in shock.
Hillman exclaimed as well, "Right, the way your father carves this stone sculpture gives me the feeling... as if the sculpture itself was already complete. All your father is doing is removing the dust from its surface."
As the flat knife's shadow flickered, stone chips flew through the air.
Indeed, as Hillman said, Linley was truly like someone removing surface dust, clearing away the stone chips, and the stone sculpture gradually revealed its true appearance. Emerging from its shell—this was the feeling of a sculpture emerging from its shell in stone carving!" Jenny exclaimed. "But I've never seen stone carving done so naturally." Jenny had studied stone carving, but what she learned required many tools.
"Hmm?"
Linley, however, only needed a single flat knife.
He started carving in the morning and continued until dusk. Finally, Linley withdrew his flat knife and reached out to gently caress the stone sculpture before him.
"Grandpa Doehring," Linley said silently in his heart. "Back then, I said that one day, I would uproot the Radiant Church entirely. Soon, very soon, I will do it."
The stone sculpture before him was of Doehring Cowart's likeness, with that ever-present kind smile on his face.
"Linley." Suddenly, a voice came from behind.
Linley turned to look. The speaker was actually Fain. Hillman beside him immediately said, "Linley. Mr. Fain has been here for a while, but seeing that you were carving, he didn't disturb you."
"Truly miraculous," Fain exclaimed in awe as he looked at the stone sculpture.
The sculpture seemed to possess a soul; in a daze, it was as if a real person were standing there.
"Linley. Who is this you carved?" Fain asked curiously.
Linley didn't answer. Instead, he asked, "Fain, what brings you here?"
Fain quickly replied, "Oh, I came to invite you to Mount Wushan. Tomorrow, April 6th, all the Deity-level experts will gather at Mount Wushan, and among the Saint-level experts, only a few have been invited to attend as well."
"Oh?" Linley's heart stirred. Deity-level experts gathering, but only a few Saint-level experts invited—this meeting must be important.
"I wonder what it's about?" Linley inquired.
Fain shook his head. "I'm not entirely sure either. Teacher didn't tell me. But if you go, you'll definitely find out."
"Alright, I'll be there tomorrow," Linley nodded in agreement.
On April 6th, 10034 of the Yulan Calendar, on Mount Wushan outside the west of the O'Brien Empire's imperial capital.
In the quiet courtyard of the War God O'Brien, the four Deity-level experts—the War God, the High Priest, Dylin, and Hissette—along with Fain, Linley, Desri, and Tulliray, the eight experts all sat down casually.
"They only called the four of us over," Desri said, puzzled. "Linley, do you know what's going on?" Desri communicated with Linley via soul transmission.
"I'm not sure either. They're all Deity-level already. Their matters probably don't concern us," Linley replied, also confused.
At that moment, the four Saint-level experts remained silent.
The War God and the High Priest exchanged glances. Then the War God's sharp, blade-like gaze swept over Linley and the other three, and he said in a booming voice, "The reason I called you four here today is that the High Priest and I have discussed it, and we feel that the Yulan Continent has too many nations. It's time to reduce their number."
Linley and the other three were startled.
"Are the War God and the others planning to start a large-scale war?" Linley thought to himself.
The masked High Priest spoke in a gentle voice, "The War God and I have discussed it. The Yulan Continent should only have three empires left—the O'Brien Empire, the Yulan Empire, and the Baruch Empire. In other words... we will launch a war that covers the entire Yulan Continent."
Although Linley, Fain, Desri, and Tulliray were surprised inwardly, they managed to remain calm outwardly.
"Linley, do you have any objections? You can be considered the representative of the Baruch Empire," the High Priest said, looking at Linley.
Linley considered for a moment.
"This is a good thing, so I naturally won't refuse."
Linley continued, "The three empires joining forces to destroy the other nations isn't difficult. However, I believe that if you, War God and High Priest, joined forces, you could accomplish this with ease. So why involve us Saint-level experts here? That's something I don't quite understand."
Even if the War God and the High Priest were giving him face, why drag Desri, Tulliray, and Fain into this?
"It's simple," Hissette said with a hint of mockery in his eyes. "The War God and the High Priest don't want to act; they want you to do it."
The War God glanced at Hissette, who just chuckled on the side.
"We won't interfere in this war," the War God said in a firm, resounding voice. "You must be told one thing. According to Lord Beirut's orders, the four of us Deity-level experts will set off for the Necropolis of the Gods in three days."
"The Necropolis of the Gods?" Linley and Desri knew that last time, Saint-level experts had entered the Necropolis of the Gods, but the Deity-level experts hadn't.
Saint-level experts sought lower-level divine sparks, while the War God and the others sought mid-level divine sparks.
"Three days from now? Lord Beirut, why didn't he have you enter the Necropolis of the Gods at the same time as us? Is there some special reason?" Linley asked.
Dylin snorted, "No special reason. It's just Lord Beirut's order."
Linley was taken aback.
Lord Beirut's order?
"Enough of that," the War God said calmly. "Destroying the other nations is a trivial matter. I believe you all can handle it easily. So, Linley, Tulliray, Desri—take your Saint-level subordinates and head to the Radiant Church's Sacred Isle. Destroy it."
"As for my personal disciples of the War God's School, they will join the High Priest's personal disciples to destroy the headquarters of the Dark Church."
The War God glanced at Linley and the others. "Don't tell me you can't do it."
"I'm more than happy to deal with the Radiant Church," Linley said with a frown. "But on the Sacred Isle of the Radiant Church, there's a large defensive magic formation called the Glory of the Radiant Lord. I think breaking it with just Saint-level strength will be somewhat difficult."
Dylin sneered, "The Glory of the Radiant Lord? That large magic formation's power isn't bad. It could withstand one of my attacks back then. A single Saint-level expert can't break it. But Linley, if you and a dozen or so Saint-level experts attack together with full force, once, twice, a few times in a row, I think that'll be enough to break the Glory of the Radiant Lord."
Linley smiled.
Back then, the Radiant Church had worried that Linley would lead a group of Saint-level experts to attack the Sacred Isle, so they made him agree that he could only go alone. But that agreement had been broken ever since the Radiant Church, the Dark Church, and Linley fell out.
The High Priest Katherine spoke up, "Actually, three Wind-style Saint-level Archmages, simultaneously casting Dimensional Blades at the same spot, should be able to break the Glory of the Radiant Lord."
"Once the enemy's Saint-level forces are eliminated, even if the war hasn't started, the outcome is already decided," the War God said coldly. "This is a war of annihilation. When necessary, Saint-level forces can be deployed directly to intimidate the enemy. I believe this war will proceed very quickly."
Linley, Desri, Fain, and Tulliray could only smile bitterly inwardly.
In the eyes of Deity-level experts, the wars on the Yulan Continent were indeed child's play, especially with the War God and the High Priest joining forces. Once the top experts of the Radiant Church and the Dark Church were eliminated, the outcome of the war was predictable.
"Lord War God, I have a question," Linley said. "Why did you wait until now to start this war? I think if you and the High Priest had joined forces, you could have divided the continent between your two empires long ago."
The War God and the High Priest exchanged glances.
Dylin, however, let out a sinister laugh. "That's simple. I hadn't returned to the Yulan Continent back then, and Hissette hadn't broken through. In human society on the Yulan Continent, there were only two Deity-level experts—them. They were always in opposition, enemies. How could they join forces?"
"As for joining forces now, first, they realized there was no hope of unifying the Yulan Continent, so they decided on a three-way division. Second, they're under pressure. As for why they're under pressure, figure it out yourselves," Dylin said.
Linley's heart stirred. "The War God and the High Priest think they have no hope of unifying the continent? Is it because of me?"
Linley suddenly understood.
First, he was about to become a Deity, which the War God and High Priest should know. Second, he had obtained divine sparks in the Necropolis of the Gods and could cultivate lower-level Deities. And most importantly, the third point—Bebe's relationship with Beirut—this third point alone would prevent the War God and High Priest from becoming enemies with Linley.
"The Eighteen Northern Duchies and the Sacred Alliance go to my O'Brien Empire," the War God said calmly.
The War God looked at Linley. "The Rohault Empire and the Great Prairie territory go to your Baruch Empire."
"As for the remaining Dark Alliance and the Rhine Empire, they go to the Yulan Empire," the High Priest beside him nodded slightly.
"Linley, do you have any objections?" The War God and the High Priest both looked at Linley.
Linley smiled helplessly to himself.
He could fully sense from the tone of the War God and High Priest that they didn't take this continent-deciding war seriously at all. Indeed, a war with no suspense was something experts like them truly didn't need to care about.
"No objections. Of course I have no objections," Linley said. What else could he say?
With this division, the territory of the Yulan Continent was officially split into three.
"Hmm." The War God nodded in satisfaction. "Linley, you know that these worldly powers are all illusory to us. Our own cultivation is what truly matters. Linley, I've heard that you'll probably become a Deity in about ten years."
Linley could feel that the War God before him was clearly treating him as someone on their level.
After all, ten years was nothing. By the time the War God and the others returned, Linley would likely already be a Deity.
Dylin beside him said seriously, "But before that, we must warn you, or if you do something terribly foolish, it will be disastrous."
Linley immediately listened carefully, and even Desri and the others listened closely.
"Becoming a Deity through your own power is completely different from refining a divine spark to become one. Once you comprehend the laws to a certain threshold, the heavens will naturally generate a divine spark from your soul. This divine spark is perfectly attuned to your soul."
"Once the divine spark is born, you will face a choice." Dylin looked seriously at Linley. "After the divine spark is born, you have two options. One is to absorb the divine spark into your mind and merge it with your soul. Your body will then be naturally transformed into a divine body."
"When the divine spark merges with your soul and your body is transformed into a divine body—for example, if this divine spark is of the Earth element—then from then on, you can only cultivate the Earth element laws. You cannot cultivate anything else."
"Of course, after the divine spark is born, you also have a second option!"
"That is, not to merge the divine spark into your body, but to leave it outside. Then the heavens will naturally condense a new divine body based on the divine spark. Your original body will not change. In other words... you will gain an avatar. This avatar will be a lower-level Deity, while your original self can still cultivate other element laws!"
Dylin said seriously, "But this second option comes at a cost. Your soul itself will split into two parts. Of course, at the moment of becoming a Deity, protected by the heavens' unique power, this soul division is controlled by the heavens. Doing this won't kill you, but it will cause significant damage to your soul."