Chapter 4: Big Move
In the morning, sunlight illuminated the back garden of Dragon Blood Castle. Lin Lei, in a rare mood, immersed himself wholeheartedly in sculpting. As he carved, images of his time with Grandpa Derinkoort surfaced unbidden in his mind.
"The shape, texture, grain, and color of stone contain not only a specific image, but beauty itself. Use a chisel to carve away the superfluous parts of a stubborn stone, allowing the graceful image within to naturally reveal itself and emerge. This is stone sculpture."
"The method of sculpting is, in essence, a way of treating form and space. To sculpt…"
The scenes of Grandpa Derinkoort teaching him sculpting back in the day were still so vivid.
After comprehending the 'Mystery of Speed,' Lin Lei's hand moved with extraordinary grace as he wielded the flat knife — sometimes so fast it became a blur, sometimes slow and gentle… The human-shaped sculpture was gradually becoming clearer. Lin Lei's sculpting had also drawn the attention of Hillman, Taylor, and quite a few others watching from a distance.
"Father's sculpting is so strange," Taylor said in amazement.
Hillman marveled as well: "Exactly. Watching your father carve this sculpture gives me the feeling… as if the sculpture was already finished. All your father is doing is brushing away the dust from its surface."
The shadow of the flat knife flickered as stone shavings drifted through the air.
Just as Hillman had said, Lin Lei truly seemed to be merely clearing away the surface dust, removing those stone shavings, and gradually the true form of a sculpture was emerging.
"Breaking free from the shell — this is what sculptors call the feeling of 'emergence'!" Jenny exclaimed. "It's just that I never realized stone sculpting could be so natural." Jenny had studied stone sculpting, but in her learning, sculpting required the use of many tools.
"Hmm?"
But for Lin Lei, a single flat knife was enough.
He began sculpting in the morning and continued until evening, when he finally set aside the flat knife and gently reached out to caress the sculpture before him.
"Grandpa Derinkoort," Lin Lei said silently in his heart. "Back then I said that one day, I would tear the Church of Light up by its roots. Soon — very soon — I will do it."
The sculpture before him was none other than the likeness of Derinkoort, that ever-present, kind smile on his face.
"Lin Lei." A voice suddenly came from behind.
Lin Lei turned to look. The speaker was Fa En. Hillman immediately said, "Lin Lei, Mr. Fa En has already been here for quite a while, but seeing you busy sculpting, he didn't want to disturb you."
"Truly masterful," Fa En marveled, gazing at the sculpture before him.
The sculpture seemed to possess a soul. In a fleeting moment, it was as though a living person stood right there.
"Lin Lei, what is this you've sculpted?" Fa En asked curiously.
But Lin Lei didn't answer. "Fa En, what brings you here this time?"
Fa En quickly replied: "Oh, I've come to invite you to War God Mountain. Tomorrow — that is, the sixth of April — all the god-level powerhouses will gather at War God Mountain, and a select few Saint-level experts who have been invited will also be attending."
"Oh?" Lin Lei's heart stirred: A gathering of god-level powerhouses with only a few Saint-level experts — this must be quite important.
"Might I ask what it's about?" Lin Lei inquired.
Fa En shook his head. "I'm not entirely sure either. Master didn't tell me the details, but once you go, you'll definitely find out."
"Alright. I'll be there tomorrow," Lin Lei nodded.
Yulan Calendar, Year 10034, April 6th. West of the Imperial City of the O'Brien Empire, atop War God Mountain.
In the tranquil courtyard of the War God 'O'Brien,' four great god-level powerhouses — the War God, the High Priest, Di Lin, and Hisi — along with four others: Fa En, Lin Lei, Des Li, and Tu Li Lei, all eight of these supreme experts had taken their seats at their leisure.
"They've only asked the four of us to come," Des Li said, also puzzled. "Lin Lei, do you know what this is about?" Des Li and Lin Lei communicated via soul transmission.
"I'm不清楚 either. They're already at the god level — their affairs probably don't concern us," Lin Lei replied, equally confused.
At this moment, the four Saint-level experts maintained their silence.
The War God and the High Priest exchanged a glance. Then the War God's gaze, sharp as a blade, swept over Lin Lei and the other three as his resonant voice rang out: "The reason you four were summoned today is that the High Priest and I have discussed the matter and feel that the Yulan Continent has too many countries. It's time to reduce the number."
Lin Lei and the other three were all startled.
"The War God and the others — are they planning to launch a massive war?" Lin Lei thought to himself.
The masked High Priest spoke in a gentle voice: "The War God and I have discussed it. The Yulan Continent should have only three empires — the O'Brien Empire, the Yulan Empire, and the Baruch Empire. In other words… a war that will encompass the entire Yulan Continent."
Lin Lei, Fa En, Des Li, and Tu Li Lei were inwardly astonished, yet they managed to maintain their composure on the surface.
"Lin Lei, do you have any objections? You could be considered the representative of the Baruch Empire," the High Priest said, turning to Lin Lei.
Lin Lei weighed his words.
"This is a good thing, of course I wouldn't refuse."
Lin Lei continued: "With the three great empires joining forces, eliminating the other countries won't be difficult. However, I believe that the War God and the High Priest, with your combined power, could accomplish this with ease. So why involve us Saint-level experts? This, I find somewhat puzzling."
The War God and the High Priest were giving him face, to be sure.
But why bring Des Li, Tu Li Lei, and Fa En into this?
"It's simple," Hisi said from the side, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "The War God and the High Priest don't want to get their hands dirty. They want you to do it."
The War God shot Hisi a glance. Hisi merely chuckled from his seat.
"We will not intervene in this war," the War God's forceful voice rang out. "There is one thing you must be told. By Lord Belutu's command, the four of us god-level powerhouses will depart in three days for the Tomb of the Gods."