"In Liyue, I can't really spread my wings. Guess I'll just wreak some havoc here in Inazuma instead."
The energies within Gu Sanqiu's body began to integrate, yet the three forces seemed to remain divided. Even with the Fengxiang Scripture as the primary guide, the other two forces showed no intention of perfectly merging.
"Feels like I've married three wives, and now my household is in utter chaos."
Gu Sanqiu let out a sigh. Any one of these scriptures could easily become the prized possession of a major sect. And yet, here he was, holding all three at once. By all accounts, he should be thrilled.
But the more he possessed, the more he wanted to achieve. For instance, he dreamed of using them as a foundation to create an even more formidable technique.
"Turns out, that's easier said than done."
"Yin-yang harmony isn't working. Should I consider a triangle? The most stable structure doesn't seem very useful here."
What he sought was true fusion, not a polite coexistence among his techniques.
"So, how about rotation?"
Gu Sanqiu extended his right hand, drawing out strands of the three distinct energies, letting them swirl in his palm.
Boom!
An explosion resounded, and Gu Sanqiu calmly withdrew his protective shield.
"Failed again."
He had attempted to use rotational motion to generate a harmonious yin-yang force among the three energies, but that approach was clearly a dead end.
"What if I introduced wind elements to aid the fusion?"
Boom!
Another explosion erupted, this time sending gusts of wind that tousled Gu Sanqiu's hair, revealing his exasperated expression.
The seed of power given by Decarabian provided him with a source of wind energy, but its nature was akin to a wild, unruly child—pure, tempestuous chaos. Without fully refining the seed, complete control was beyond his reach.
"Damn, does that mean I can only rely on one power during the duel before the throne?"
He wasn't some kind of universal adapter. Using one scripture's energy while simultaneously channeling another wasn't the same as wielding the power of a Vision.
The seed of power, the Vision, and the Delusion gifted by the Doctor—these were more like magical organs, allowing him to combine elemental energies.
But unless he could develop a similar "magical organ" within his body, it was impossible to unify all three energies seamlessly. That was the crux of his current dilemma.
"Using the Fengxiang Scripture as the base doesn't work. If I use the Hanshan Scripture instead, the limitations are too numerous. And the Liyue Scripture... strictly speaking, that was compensation from the Geo Archon to my family."
Wait.
A flash of insight lit up Gu Sanqiu's eyes. Fengxiang... Fengxiang Chamber?
"I think I've got it."
The large cauldron placed in the Fengxiang Chamber—it might just be the key.
A method for fusion!
Forget balance or harmony. Toss everything in the pot and stew it together!
The cauldron's material would be the Fengxiang Scripture itself, while the fire would be his spiritual will. He would throw in the Liyue Scripture and the Hanshan Scripture and forge a new technique tailored to him!
It wasn't about whether the techniques wanted to merge; it was about whether he could force them to.
"At the end of the day, whether it's a technique or a Vision, they're all just tools."
"That simplifies things."
Gu Sanqiu acted immediately. He combined the power of the Fengxiang Scripture with his spiritual will and forcibly pulled the two "neighbors" into the cauldron.
Boom!
Gu Sanqiu staggered, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, but his stance and resolve remained unshaken.
"Submit... or be obliterated!"
Strictly speaking, these were all parts of his own power. However, his body had grown accustomed to their divided state, and any attempt to shatter that equilibrium triggered instinctive resistance.
But from a long-term perspective, his actions would yield greater benefits. So even if his body protested, he would subdue it.
Within his consciousness, Gu Sanqiu's spiritual will materialized as a colossal face, glaring coldly at the cauldron's unruly energies.
This wasn't some playful lover's spat. These two forces weren't interested in teasing or yielding; they simply refused to obey.
Thus, Gu Sanqiu's will was straightforward: either they cooperated and evolved into something stronger, or he would discard the powers cultivated from the two scriptures. He could still use the Fengxiang Scripture for earth-shaking techniques, even if it came at a greater cost.
Would Gu Sanqiu fret over something as trivial as energy expenditure?
To help Xiao resolve his issues, he had once rallied the prayer powers of both the northern and southern regions. A little extra consumption was nothing to him!
If this were a game, Gu Sanqiu would be a textbook "six-sided warrior"—tough, versatile, and capable of tanking, dealing damage, healing, and even handling support roles.
Boom!
Another explosion rocked the chamber. Gu Sanqiu spat a mouthful of blood, his expression now akin to a ruthless gang leader.
"If you're that stubborn, I'll give you a push."
The cauldron trembled, and streams of power from the Fengxiang Scripture emerged like ethereal hands, forcibly merging the other two energies.
And so, in this new Dragon Road Dojo, the first to bleed wasn't an opponent but the dojo's owner himself.
---
"Success!"
After an indeterminate amount of time, Gu Sanqiu sat cross-legged in a pool of his own blood, his pale face alight with joy.
Through his knowledge and a peculiar mix of brute force and sheer determination, he had finally merged the three energies. A core of white flame now burned brightly within the cauldron—a new foundation for his techniques.
"Ha! Those looking for trouble better come quickly. This young master can't wait to test my newfound strength."
Rising to his feet, Gu Sanqiu swallowed a handful of pills. He then gathered his spilled blood into his palm and burned it with a burst of flame.
"The power is incredible."
He clenched his fist, not in a dramatic display but to gauge the strength coursing through his body.
If he were to face Itto Arataki in a brawl now, the difference in raw physical strength wouldn't be as significant. Paired with his combat techniques, he could at least avoid internal injuries from a single punch.
After all, half the reason he was coughing up blood earlier was thanks to Itto. Truly outrageous.
---
Meanwhile, in Liyue, Zhongli had just picked up his teacup when his right hand inexplicably trembled, spilling some of the clear, precious tea.
"Huh? Don't waste it, my dear Consultant! This is a rare tea from Sanqiu's private stash, dug up by Ningguang herself. Every drop is priceless."
Hu Tao, sitting backward on her chair, teased, "What's wrong? Did some old-age ailment act up? Why the sudden tremor?"