Purple Mist just frowned, looking down at Arthur from atop his Avian Species Corpses.
He didn't want to admit it, but he knew he had underestimated Arthur. The power of that Attribute Control Skill he had just used, in addition to the "twisting" nature of his other weaker Attribute Control Skill wasn't anything that he had originally expected.
That fact that a normally linear Attribute Control Skill could twist numerous times meant that it's flexibility was increased, and the number of variations and usages that the Attribute Control Skill had increased several times over.
If he missed even one, it could end his life.
That was what such an ability meant.
'Is it Space Attributed Fae? Or is it his innate ability? How does "twisting" or "bending" relate to either Wood Laws or Emotion Laws though? Or is it something else.... some sort of Innate Treasure or something?'.
The possibility of Intent passed through Purple Rain's mind, but it was quickly dismissed.
Arthur was only nineteen, and from a small region like the Winter Rain Mountains. Even if he did have some sort of fortuitous encounter that allowed him to comprehend Attribute Control Skills or combat prowess easier, Intent was a completely different story.
A Fae Master needed to unify their Thoughts, Emotions and Desires into a single goal. A seed which was buried deep within the depths of their Mind. A type of wish, for something beyond that which their current self could currently attain.
Out of every single member of the White Dominion Sect, only two people possessed Intent. Considering that it was normally something that a Fae Immortal possessed, it was extraordinarily difficult for anyone below the Rank of Fae Immortal to form Intent.
Purple Mist just narrowed his eyes.
His Corpse Laws wouldn't do anything to suppress Arthur considering that he two had reached the second level of Wood Laws. The only thing he could try to do now was-.
The Boundary Physique wielder just clasped his hands once more, this time in a slightly different position.
His gaze grew serious, and his expression stern as his eyes never left Arthur's figure.
"Corpse Attribute Control Skill: Night of Ten Thousand: Amalgamation!".
The Avian Corpses beneath Purple Mist's feet changed their movements once more, gathering around a single point. The sound of flesh and bone breaking echoed throughout the martial platform, and extra pieces of flesh, bone and blood dripped down towards the sea of bloodthirsty plants beneath them, as they tried to extend their gaping maws and blood soaked vines towards Purple Mist.
The Avian Corpses squished together, pressing their rotting bodies and disgusting feathers together, to the point where their flesh started melding together.
The internal organs weren't useful after their deaths, however some Fae Masters make use of the remnant organs of Corpses. Refining their bones to make them stronger, switching out internal organs with other Avian Species Corpses, applying certain inscriptions or runes to various sections of different Corpses....
This Attribute Control Skill was undoubtably something that Purple Rain had not created himself. From just a glance, both Arthur and Vladimir could see the School of Transfiguration, the School of Surgery, the School of Alteration and the School of Inscriptions as well.
With his current level of talent, it was possible for him to have dabbled in the Inscription Attribute, although very much like Blacksmithing or Alchemy Attributes, it was extremely obscure.
The difference between Inscriptions and Runes was their innate meanings.
Runes on their own carried meanings. Slight insights into the fundamental Laws and rules of the World. They were born when the Dao ordered Madness, and was technically the first notion of "language" within the Thirty Three Heavens.
Inscriptions on the other hand, was not a type of language. It is closer to an "image" rather than a "language".
By inscribing an image onto something, that object can gain certain properties. It is similar to the way that a Fae Master creates a Law Image within their origin essence seas, but inscriptions themselves did not carry a Law or Attribute. Only a trait, or property.
This Purple Mist hadn't perceived Inscription Laws, but it seems that he was walking down the path of Inscriptions as a secondary path to complement his Corpses.
As for Thoughts, which was also something that the White Dominion Sect cultivated, Arthur didn't detect any such spiritual essence or Laws within Purple Mist. Obviously, he had yet to either decide on his third path, or had something else in mind which couldn't be discerned right now.
Arthur watched as the Avian Species Corpses combined together, into a large amalgamation of blood, bone and rotting flesh. Its feathers were dyed a mixture of dozens of different colours, showing just how many spirit beasts were used in order to create such a monstrosity.
It possessed six, no seven legs, most of which with varying degree of size and toe numbering. The largest feathers that sprouted out from its behind were reminiscent of a peacocks, although the colour and low quantity of feathers made it look more sickly than anything else.
This amalgamation of corpses possessed six wings, each flapping gently in the faint night breeze. The scent of rotting flesh carried over, although the vast majority of people present were used to such scents.
The Avian monster also possessed two heads. One similar to size and shape to an eagles, with plenty of feathers and a beak which curved downwards towards the end. The other head was similar to a cranes. With a long, stretched beak, perfect for pecking and thrusting forward.
Purple Mist just stood atop the Avian monster, smiling down as he looked at Arthur, who had to tilt his head back in order to meet his gaze.
"You might be an extremely talented genius Arthur. One who would still become a powerhouse, even without the Boundless Forest Yearning! But unlike myself, you do not possess the foundations that a large Sect or Clan can provide! You will not lose to me in terms of strength, but in terms of background and depth!".
Purple Mist just placed his hands behind his back, taking a deep breath.
"The White Dominion Sect is a peak mortal Sect! It's foundations stretch back several thousands of years! Even if I cannot complete Ascension and become a Fae Immortal, I will still reach the peak of Rank 5 within my lifetime! If I win here today, then I will be more than content with having defeated a future Rank 6 Fae Immortal".
Despite Purple's Mist's words being polite and humble, the meaning behind them were laced with insidious intent.
If he could defeat a future Fae Immortal.... his renown would be spread throughout the White Dominion Region, and even towards neighbouring regions beside it! Not only that, but for Sovereign Boundary Physique Ascension was even more difficult!
If Arthur didn't become a Fae Immortal in the future, then perhaps it was an overestimation of his talent and abilities.
As Purple Mist had just said, Arthur lacked the background that he did, even if his talents were higher.
Vladimir just smiled, glancing at Arthur from the other side of the martial platform. He wanted to see how his fellow Sovereign Boundary Physique wielder would act when faced with such impudence....
Arthur didn't say anything, and just smiled while nodding his head.
"It's true, I don't necessarily possess the same background as a core disciple of the White Dominion Sect but-".
The corners of Arthur's mouth rose, as his hair turned a dark shade of verdant, his eyes shifting towards the same colour.
The faint image of an Affection Tree Fae could be seen behind him.
"Doesn't that just mean, that I only have to be stronger than the entirety of your Sect?".