172 Chapter 171: Research Group (1/2)

”What do you think these symbols mean?”

”I dunno. Have you discussed it with Great Elder Luo yet?”

”Not yet…”

There was a flurry of activity as everyone sought to analyze the Spirit Diagrams that I had managed to trigger a response from the Spirit Engraved Pillars. Earlier, I had arrived on the plaza with the others, and I succeeded in triggering a response from the Spirit Engraved Pillars. Communing with them, I was able to project the hidden Spirit Diagrams into the open like a holographic projector. And now tech-adepts of the Adeptus Mechanicus…uh, I mean technicians of the Nine-Tailed Fox Sect were bustling about, setting up hi-tech equipment such as screens, hololiths, digital auspexes and long-range vox-receivers.

The blacksmiths and Spirit Engravers selected by Sect Leader Zi Shou De had also gathered on the site to observe the Spirit Diagrams beamed onto the screen.

”Oh…so there is this way too…I never thought of it.”

One of the Great Elders nodded, bemused, as he stroked his white beard. He stared at the Spirit Diagram that was now projected and recorded on the screen. The river was flowing gently, fish and marine plants rustling within its tranquil depths.

”In the past, we believed that only the person who was able to trigger a response from the Spirit Engraved Pillars would understand the Spirit Diagrams concealed within. We never thought to have him share his experience and discuss it with us for conclusions. We thought those who weren't able to trigger a response would be completely useless in deciphering the mysteries of the Spirit Diagrams, since they weren't able to open up a pathway into communing with the Spirit Engraved Pillars.”

In other words, the people who communed with the Spirit Engraved Pillars in thhe past were considered special, and they were supposedly the only ones who would ever be able to understand the mysteries within. What arrogance.

Shaking my head inwardly, I took a deep breath and suppressed my weariness with a smile. ”No, I don't believe that. Everyone should have a fair chance at studying it. Sure, perhaps not everyone can trigger a response from the Spirit Engraved Pillars, but that doesn't mean only those who can will be able to analyze the mysteries.”

Even someone who could trigger a response from the Spirit Engraved Pillars like me was unable to fully comprehend the intracies and designs behind the Spirit Engraved Pillars and the Spirit Diagrams within. Never mind me. Apparently Liang Shao Yang was still unable to truly understand the Celestial Sealing Demon Diagram or whatever he saw when communing with the Spirit Engraved Pillar with the demons on it. That didn't change the fact that Liang Shao Yang did indeed see the Celestial Sealing Demon Diagram, however.

I wasn't clear with the details, but from what I heard, Liang Shao Yang did not dare to spend long periods of time to commune with the Spirit Engraved Pillar and comprehend the mysteries it guarded. The demons would have attacked his spirit consciousness and hurt him psychically. It was a different assault from the demonic entity dwelling beneath the plaza, but still a very real threat nonetheless. My point, though, was that whether it was me or Liang Shao Yang, just because we saw the Spirit Diagrams, didn't mean we comprehended them, or would be the only ones who could understand them. Similarly, just because other people weren't able to trigger a response from the Spirit Engraved Pillars and commune with them didn't mean they would never be able to comprehend them.

Teamwork. If I joined a collaborative effort with other people and sought their help, they might be able to spot what I missed and fill in the gaps for me, while I kept the Spirit Diagrams activated long enough for them to study it.

Sensing a sturdy sensation from my Snow Aegis, I glanced down at it and studied the glow. True to his word, Sect Leader Zi had upgraded the spiritual defense of my Snow Aegis and now I could barely feel the demonic entity below my feet, his psychic tendrils and spiritual invasion rendered uselss by the invisible spiritual barrier that my Snow Aegis erected over me. I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. It seemed that I could stick around for longer than last time.

I was still wary of sticking around in the plaza for too long, though. I wasn't the type to take unnecessary risks.

Behind me, the Great Elders and First Elder Hai Mo were discussing with Tang Qi Hong and a group of young inner sect disciples, which included Zi Xiao Ji and Lian Rou.

”The aquatic environment filled with marine life must mean something. Perhaps water is life. That might be the hidden meaning.”

”Yet the aquatic environment is always changing. The fishes are always changing – do you notice how they're different from a minute ago?”

”Could this be the passage of time?”

”Maybe…the lives of the fish and plants are causing the ture core of the Spirit Diagram to always be in flux. It is constantly changing the energy of the internal Spirit Lines. But that's normal, isn't it? For all Spirit Diagrams.”

”That's right. These changes often happen whenever the Spirit Diagram functions alongside the corresponding Spirit Arts. These changes and flux are what grants the Spirit Diagram its power and its own individual soul!”

”That's why Spirit Diagrams are perceived to be living objects.”

Overhearing the discussion between the young and the old, I couldn't help but smile. The younger generation were fully of vitality, searching for fresh, creative ways and innovative interpretations of ancient texts, formulating new ideas and conceptions, but sometimes they tended to be too impulsive and liberal with their interpretations. The older generation, on the other hand, despite being more rigid and stubbornly set in their ways, were able to rein the former's impulsive streak in while providing invaluable knowledge and advice with their wealth of experience and wisdom. Having the two groups working in concert proved to be a brilliant idea.

Credit went to Sect Leader Zi, because it was only through his efforts that this was made possible. He also stepped in to meditate conflicts between the two groups as well as encouraged flexibility and discussion rather than have one group shut out the other totally. I could see why he was the sect leader.

Tang Qi Hong observed the flowing water and took note of several of the patterns. Turning to Elder Hai Mo, she discussed her hypothesis with him.

”I think I understand now. The Heavenly Nine Winding River Diagram on the inside is one with the enormous body of water on the outside. The changes in the water will cause the core Heavenly Nine Winding River Diagram to constantly change as well. If I cannot understand the connection between the two, particularly the way they interact with each other, then I probably won't be able to truly comprehend the Spirit Diagram.”

Elder Hai thought for a moment, and then nodded.

”You're right, there's definitely a connection between the two. A mutual dependency…an ecosystem, perhaps? Maybe we're looking at the Spirit Diagram from the wrong angle. We've always been assuming that they are separated into two parts – the core and the outer layer. What if they are not meant to be separate, but exist as a single, coherent ecosystem?”

”Ah…!” Tang Qi Hong's eyes lit up and she nodded enthusiastically. ”You're right! I didn't think of that!”

Stepping in, I observed the Spirit Diagram more intensely and picked out a pattern. Elder Hai was right…if he didn't mention his opinion, I would never have noticed it. Getting excited when I spotted the connection, I hurried over and flashed my tablet toward them. On the holographic screen, a single line was lit up, marked in blue.

”Look! These two Spirit Lines are actually one line! When the line outside moves, the line inside also moves in accordance as well! They are actually one Spirit Line, not two! That's why, if you stimulate the Spirit Line outside, it will naturally cause changes in the inside as well! You're right, it's a single ecosystem!”

Taking a deep breath, I analyzed the spiritual metaphor and tried to concretize the image into words.

”Just like in a living ecosystem…if the water is affected, the fish and the aquatic plants living in the water will be affected as well. Like, um, pollution. If toxic material is dumped into the water, the fish and plants will die too!”

Tang Qi Hong winced. ”Could you use a less macabre metaphor?”

”Sorry.” Looked like I had delved too much into ecocriticism under one of my literature professors. ”Um, how about this? If the water is clean and filled with more oxygen, it would help the plants and fish become fresher and stronger. And if it's clear enough for sunlight to pass through, then the plants inside can photosynthesize better.”

Now I was bullshitting with my limited environmental science knowledge, but no one knew.

”Hmm…I guess.” Tang Qi Hong nodded, convinced. ”That might be the secret to it! We should record this down!”

”Already did.” I waved my tablet at her.

”Sounds good. At this rate, we'll be able to make a breakthrough.”

The project leader, Sect Leader Zi, was personally supervising the research and he looked pleased with our progress.

We had been working on this for nine days now, arguing, coming up with hypotheses, poking holes in each other's theories and figuring out new stuff. There were also attempts to replicate the Spirit Diagram, and even though none of them had been successful, I had the feeling we were getting closer to the finished article.

Honestly, having a group help out was excellent. We had come a lot further and achieved this much in a much shorter time than if I were to sit here and meditate on my own. Hell, I doubted I would be able to figure anything by myself.

Staring at the glowing Spirit Diagram that was projected by the Spirit Engraved Pillar with water motifs – the first one I triggered a response in – I wondered if I would finally be able to replicate the Spirit Diagram on a tablet.

Well, one thing at a time. For now, I should focus on completing the current step first before jumping ahead to the next. Pulling my thoughts together, I tried to recall the discussions we had so far and apply them to the Spirit Diagram that was currently swirling above us, filled with life and vitality. As the Great Elders noted, the Spirit Diagram had its own soul.

And now our job was to find out how to recreate that soul.

*

While we were focused on researching and studying the Heavenly Nine Winding River Spirit Diagram, Lang Xie was occupied with matters of his own. He was standing outside the Will'o Wisp Forest, silently watching the Blood Blades training within.

This time, the training was a little different. A few of the Blood Blades were actually practicing with their battle-automata, having completed their Spirit Engravings on their battle puppets and binding the mechanical warriors to their will.

”Sire.”

Shen Cha appeared from the shadows and knelt respectfully before Lang Xie, who only gave him the most cursory of glances.

”How is the situation outside?”

”…” Shen Cha closed his eyes for a moment. Then he opened them, and spoke up, his voice muffled by his mask. ”Divine Shadow Sect is making their move. They have been raiding our shipments and trying to intercept our Spirit Artifact cargoes. Fortunately, the Imperial Guard mobilized and beat them back, but we sustained quite a few losses.”

Lang Xie's eyes darkened, but his expression remained unchanged. Even so, a bloodthirsty aura seemed to emanate silently from him, saturating the forest with his bloodlust. Even Shen Cha shuddered at the force of it.

”I see,” the vice-commander of the Blood Blades said quietly. ”So they really intend to declare war on us.”