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"Hmm—so this 'Primordial Spirit Gathering Array' was thought to be lost for a thousand years, and it's nearly impossible to activate! I can't believe it actually exists within the Wudang Sect!" Shawn Young exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes, yes, that's right. I didn't expect you to know about the 'Primordial Spirit Gathering Array' either, Brother Shawn! This formation is a secret Wudang technique. To activate it, you need seven highly skilled masters working together, arranged according to the Big Dipper constellation. Back then, Wudang's Grand Elder, Daoist Liuyun, and my own Swordmaster Sect teacher were the closest of friends. That's why they went all out, expending their true energy and inner force, gathering seven Wudang experts to join hands and activate the 'Primordial Spirit Gathering Array.' It saved my cultivation, and even boosted my power quite a bit. Looking back, I've truly been blessed!" Dragon King said with feeling.
"Uh—I only heard that the 'Primordial Spirit Gathering Array' could restore energy and focus. I didn't know it could also boost cultivation!" Shawn Young marveled.
"Hehe—every sect in this world has its own unique methods for cultivation and increasing power. Take your Clear Sky Order, Brother Shawn—it's the same. That legendary 'Twin Spirit Rite' is one-of-a-kind for boosting cultivation. I may not know all its secrets, but given how strong you are at such a young age, I'd bet that 'Twin Spirit Rite' plays a big part!" Dragon King chuckled, asking Shawn Young.
"Uh—yeah, sort of, haha—sorry to make you laugh, Dragon King—" Shawn Young hadn't expected Dragon King to know so much about his cultivation techniques, and his face flushed with embarrassment as he replied.
"Hehe—no need to be so modest, Brother Shawn. Remember, the world is made of Yin and Yang, and everything is full of spiritual energy. Cultivation basically follows the principle of Yin-Yang union, drawing energy from all things. Your 'Twin Spirit Rite' is among the best of countless cultivation methods out there. Most of us here are cultivators, chasing a different kind of goal than ordinary folks, so there's no need to be bound by mundane ideas!" Dragon King said, open-mindedly.
"Oh, I suppose that's true—" Shawn Young finally relaxed.
"Alright, let's move on—why do we mention Martin Oniin first? Because this time, he's likely our strongest opponent, and the reasons are pretty complicated. Xiangxiang, could you give everyone a rundown of the historical background?" Dragon King said to Sherry Shawn.
"Sure! Let's start with some reference images!" Sherry Shawn said, fiddling with the computer. The screen displayed a grand building, almost like a palace.
"Oh, the Ise Grand Shrine!" Mai Kanda immediately recognized the palace, and she even spontaneously knelt on the floor, bowing devoutly toward the shrine. She looked utterly sincere.
"That's right, this is Japan's most sacred shrine—the Ise Grand Shrine! It's over 2,000 years old and dedicated to Amaterasu. Since Japan follows Shinto, the shrine is destroyed and rebuilt every 20 years, symbolizing the Shinto idea of life and death cycles. The shrine has an Outer Shrine that's open to the public, but the Inner Shrine is different—unless you're a member of the imperial family, there's no way in. It's always been shrouded in mystery. The main hall houses the Empire's most important treasure: the Yata Mirror! Plus, the shrine hides the nation's biggest secrets, guarded by the most powerful and mysterious people from all over Japan, all of them lifelong devotees of Shinto!" Sherry Shawn explained, glancing in surprise at Mai Kanda.
"Oh, I—I may have pledged myself to Shawn Young, but the Ise Grand Shrine is the holiest place in Japan. As a Japanese, please allow me to keep my faith!" Mai Kanda explained earnestly.
"It's fine! As long as you're not our enemy, we don't force anyone to change their beliefs!" Dragon King, who understood Japanese culture well, didn't make things difficult for Mai Kanda.
"Alright, I'll continue—" Sherry Shawn said, fiddling with the computer again. A new image appeared on the screen, this one much older. It showed a group of people in various outfits, some clearly wearing WWII Japanese military uniforms, complete with samurai swords at their waists.
"Hmm—looks like Martin Oniin is among them! Who are these people, anyway?" Jade Swann, sharp-eyed, spotted a young Martin Oniin in the group. He was easy to recognize, since even in the photo, he was already the famous one-eyed swordsman.
"Exactly—every one of these people is incredibly skilled. Back then, they entered China with the invading Japanese army as part of a 'Showa Special Task Force.' Unlike regular soldiers, they had an extremely special mission!" Sherry Shawn said.
"Huh? What kind of special mission did they have?" Jade Swann asked curiously.
"Well, back then, Japan was swept up in a wave of militarism. Both the government and the public were obsessed with the idea of building a 'Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.' But they knew to realize their 'grand vision,' they'd have to eliminate all opposition. Driven by Shinto beliefs and the needs of conquest, the Japanese cabinet and military launched a top-secret plan—the 'Showa Imperial Project.' The Showa Special Task Force carried it out. There weren't many of them, but their power was immense! These die-hard Shinto followers were absolutely loyal to the Emperor, and their mission had two main goals: first, to infiltrate countries resisting Japan and hunt for hidden treasures to fund the war effort; second, to destroy the ley lines in those countries!" Sherry Shawn revealed a shocking secret.
"Huh? Treasures? Ley lines? Do those really exist? Could the Japanese actually find them?" Shawn Young couldn't help but ask, full of curiosity.
"Yes, yes, most people think it's all nonsense, but in reality, these things do exist! It's just that, to keep the peace or avoid unwanted attention, rulers throughout history have always denied it. But as the nation's guardians, we have to understand and keep protecting our country!" Sherry Shawn said seriously.
"So, did those Japanese actually make any progress?" Shawn Young nodded and kept asking.
"Of course! Their efficiency and influence were massive. Not to mention our country, just look at the Korean Peninsula—those people turned it upside down!" Sherry Shawn replied.
"You mean the colonial period, when Japan ruled the Korean Peninsula?" Shawn Young, a history major, naturally knew about that painful chapter in Korea's past.
"Exactly—those people embedded the Dragonbane Spike into the ley lines of the Korean Peninsula, causing massive losses that still affect the region today!" Sherry Shawn said.
"Destroying ley lines with the Dragonbane Spike?! That's theoretically possible, but pulling it off would be incredibly tough! I mean, sabotaging another country's ley lines would bring down divine punishment, and the locals would never stand for it!" Shawn Young exclaimed in shock...
"Yeah, it's tough, but those people were incredibly skilled, and they had powerful backing! So they really could pull off something that seemed impossible. As for divine punishment, they believed Amaterasu would protect them and make them invincible!" Sherry Shawn revealed another shocking fact.