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After a fusion of martial spirits, a natural affinity arises between the spirit masters involved... However, this characteristic does not exist within body-based martial spirits.
In other words, when both individuals possess body-based martial spirits, this phenomenon does not occur.
Tang San reached this conclusion after studying numerous body-based martial spirit users recruited by the Spirit Hall. He found that while body-based martial spirits have a sensitivity to each other, it remains limited to "mutual cooperation." This cooperation maintains each individual's independence rather than fostering attraction as seen in typical martial spirit fusions.
For non-body-based martial spirits, fusion often influences the spirit masters directly. Even if they initially disliked each other, the complementary nature of their martial spirits generates a natural resonance that affects their physical perceptions, leading them to feel increasingly drawn to one another.
This unique synergy between martial spirits has often led to the formation of powerful unions in the world of Douluo, like the famous Dragon and Snake couple from the Beast Realm, whose combined strength has built a family legacy.
Body-based martial spirits, however, differ fundamentally. Being an inherent part of one's body, these spirits can cooperate and even fuse, but their "cooperation" maintains individual autonomy. In essence, no one spirit depends on or subordinates to the other in the fusion.
This mirrors human society, where individuals might form large collectives with defined hierarchies, yet each person maintains an independent mind. Body-based martial spirits are similar, but even more apparent in their independence because they possess a unique consciousness, yet lack human desires and emotions.
Thus, each body-based martial spirit has a sense of "being the leader." For this reason, achieving harmony between individuality and unity within body-based martial spirit fusions becomes a key challenge.
When body-based martial spirits sense a connection with other types of martial spirits and engage in fusion, the impact on the individual is far less pronounced than with other spirit types and can often be disregarded.
"So, what should we do?"
Shen Hou couldn't contain his eagerness to try.
The others felt the same way.
They understood that martial spirit fusion could unleash a force far surpassing the power of an individual spirit master. Normally, this fusion only involves two people, but now, they had twelve! How powerful would they become after merging? What kind of strength could they unleash? The Twelve Heavenly Branches could hardly wait to find out.
"Unlike other spirit fusions, the fusion between body-based martial spirits is both easier and harder," Tang San said cryptically. Before they could question him, he continued, "It's easier because you twelve have trained together often, understanding each other well. After three years of training in the Eternal Domain, your rapport surpasses that of ordinary people."
"This forms the foundation of martial spirit fusion."
"But it's difficult because there are twelve of you. Harmonizing each of your spirit powers will take time and training. Additionally, you'll need a more comprehensive understanding of the human body. It's not enough to simply recognize parts like limbs or the head. You need to grasp the intricacies—the roles of the internal organs, the functioning of the brain and nervous system, and so on."
"At the very least, you need to thoroughly understand the parts of your body that correspond to your martial spirit. Otherwise, even if you manage to fuse, I doubt you'll achieve more than a superficial success."
Soul masters are generally not inclined to think deeply, and the Twelve Heavenly Branches were no exception.
Yet, since it was Tang San's directive, the twelve had no choice but to treat it as truth and study accordingly. Fortunately, with the help of "Heaven's Way," they could accelerate their mental processing, greatly speeding up their learning. This was especially beneficial for Yin Hu, Si She, and Wei Yang. During their initial training with Tang San, they received instruction tailored to their aptitudes, and now, Si She had even become a competent physician.
Thanks to the time difference between the Eternal Domain and the outside world, it only took half a day for the Twelve Heavenly Branches to return, their faces filled with excitement. "Lord Earl, we now have a much better understanding of our own martial spirits and the corresponding body parts. Can we start the martial spirit fusion experiment?"
Tang San checked each person's physical condition and questioned them about various organs, assessing their grasp of their martial spirits' applications. Pleased with the results, he praised them, saying, "Not bad; the foundation is solid. The fusion experiment can proceed."
Multi-person martial spirit fusions are not unheard of on the continent. Besides the once-renowned Golden Iron Triangle, the previous Continental Elite Tournament saw multiple academies showcase group fusion techniques.
For instance, Xu Xing's soul power fusion and Huo Yuhao's soul skill fusion. However, neither achieved the level of a true martial spirit fusion.
The Twelve Heavenly Branches, on the other hand, were aiming to achieve a complete fusion, uniting twelve distinct organs into a singular "human" form:
- *Zi Rat (Male): Nose*
- *Chou Ox (Male): Left Arm*
- *Yin Tiger (Female): Right Hand*
- *Mao Rabbit (Female): Ears*
- *Chen Dragon (Male): Right Foot*
- *Si Snake (Female): Tongue*
- *Wu Horse (Female): Waist*
- *Wei Goat (Female): Hair*
- *Shen Monkey (Female): Heart*
- *You Rooster (Female): Skin*
- *Xu Dog (Male): Mouth*
- *Hai Pig (Male): Skeleton*
The head is composed of Zi Rat, Mao Rabbit, Si Snake, Wei Goat, and Xu Dog. Wei Goat's martial spirit manifests as hair, but it contains abundant neurons, extending as part of the brain. Therefore, it can be considered part of the brain.
Yet, the head lacks eyes.
Chou Ox, Yin Tiger, and Chen Dragon represent the limbs, although each corresponds to only one. Future awakenings—second or third—may eventually complete the missing parts.
Wu Horse represents the waist, including the internal organs such as the intestines.
Shen Monkey's martial spirit is the heart, containing the entire vascular network and blood. In the future, the other organs can be developed as well.
Hai Pig's martial spirit forms the skeleton, the essential structure supporting the body.
Lastly, You Rooster represents the skin, which covers the body and can stretch and contract as needed. You Rooster can even disguise herself by altering her skin, making her appearance highly adaptable.
These twelve have trained in the Body Art, learning the Qi-Blood Furnace technique. Under Tang San's guidance, the resonant sound of their qi and blood echoed like a deep, powerful bell, bringing their spirits into a balanced state of unity.
"Now is the time!"
"Feel the rhythm of your martial spirits—begin the combination!"
At Tang San's command, the twelve chanted softly, connecting their soul power into a circuit, albeit an imperfect one.
Then, something unexpected happened.
The fusion of their martial spirits did not manifest through energy merging with their bodies. Instead, their body-based martial spirits separated from their hosts, hovering before them in a detached form.
Under an unusual resonance, the nose, limbs, skin, waist, skeleton, heart, and other parts floated into the air and began assembling in the order of a human body structure.
The incomplete martial spirits, like the right foot, drew in the energy of the surrounding world, forming a right leg and symmetrically completing a left leg and foot.
The other body-based martial spirits also approached completeness: the circulatory system of the heart generated the remaining organs, while the neural layer beneath the hair extended into an energy-based brain.
And so forth.
After three minutes, a figure towering six zhang tall took shape. It had no discernible gender or identity and gave off no particular aura. It appeared as an ordinary... human.
It seemed like a humble farmer or a mountain hunter. In fact, Tang San even saw a hint of his own reflection in its features.
A thousand faces in one—a being that embodies everyone.
"Could this be the ancestor of all humanity?" Tang San felt a shock ripple through his soul as the thought arose unbidden. The Eternal Sovereign, now fused with his spirit as the Blue Silver Emperor, transmitted in a trembling voice, "This figure has awakened an ancient being, long lost in time. Its power might rival my former self from my previous life, a true god of creation!"
(End of Chapter)