Lin Mu watched as the four lights transformed into the guardian beasts.
The Red Light Transformed into the Vermilion Bird, the Blue Light transformed into the Black Tortoise, the Green Light transformed into the Azure Dragon and the Yellow light transformed into the White Tiger.
'The colors merely represent the element they belong to rather than themselves.' Lin Mu understood seeing it.
The Vermilion Bird was massive and had two vibrant wings with a long and sharp beak. Looking into its eyes would make one shudder and feel the heat of a thousand furnaces within them.
The Black Tortoise was like a mountain and had a snake's body growing from its body as its tail. It had thick legs that were more like the heavenly pillars that held up the sky while its shell was like the crust of the earth.
The Azure Dragon had a mix of azure, blue, and green scales that shone in different lights when it reflected off it. It had a bushy beard along with two long white whiskers that swayed in the air. It also had two dark brown horns that had three branches on them.
Then there was the White Tiger which had claws that looked like they could rip apart the land, the seas and the skies. Its muscular body felt like it could leap into the heavens with one kick while its sharp fangs could crush the life of all foes. Its eyes also made one feel like they were being stabbed by hundreds of blades.
Such were the Four Guardian Beasts that had reigned as deities from times immemorial. They had provided protection to many races and also taught them in exchange for their devotion and faith.
Looking at them, Lin Mu too felt awe and the power that exuded from them was also empowering. This was surprising since most strong beings would actually feel oppressive and overwhelming unlike this.
"Wait… the words earlier meant this?" It finally clicked to Lin Mu.
"You understood quickly. That ward is indeed to protect the immortals that come here. Even for Seventh Tribulation Stage Immortals, our presence can be overwhelming and they can get Qi deviation simply by being in front of us." The Vermilion bird spoke.
"I understand, senior." Lin Mu cupped his hands.
"Tell us your name, winner." The White Tiger asked.
"I am Mu Lin." Lin Mu answered.
"So Mu Lin it is." The Vermilion Bird said before looking at the Azure Dragon.
"Tell us what you want as a reward." The Azure Dragon stated.
"You can get two rewards from us, whether they be techniques, skills, resources, weapons or something else." The Black Tortoise chimed in.
Lin Mu had already thought over it all and was prepared with his requests.
"The first thing that I want from the guardians, or more particularly Guardian Black Tortoise is a defensive technique." Lin Mu stated.
"A defensive technique huh… my specialty." The Black Tortoise looked at Lin Mu deeply, making the man feel as if he could glance at all his secrets.
Lin Mu did feel a sense sweep over him and enter his body with ease. It only lasted a moment though and disappeared in the next.
"Looks like you have already been practicing quite a few defensive techniques already." The Black Tortoise spoke, slight surprise in his voice.
"Has he now?" The White Tiger asked. "I can certainly sense the metal element from him. His affinity to my element is very high. In fact… he feels like a hill of gold walking around." The beast sniffed lightly.
"You're right, he sure does have a high amount of gold in him." The Black Tortoise agreed. "An awfully high amount." He said before taking a look at Lin Mu.
"So tell us, child, just how did you consume this much gold? We need to know more so we can suggest you the best option." The White Tiger asked.
"Alright." Lin Mu knew there was no need to hide much from these guardians beasts.
He reckoned even the True Gold Body Forging Arts might not be much for them.
"I found this technique a long time ago and used it as a body cultivation technique." Lin Mu took out the metal plate on which the technique was imprinted.
"Refine the gold, Refine the body, Quench the flesh, Coat the bones; Become Impenetrable!" The White Tiger read the mnemonic before furrowing its brows. "You practiced this insane and incomplete thing and succeeded?" the beast looked a mix of confused and surprised.
"I… did yeah." Lin Mu nodded his head. "Its defense is good enough that it lasted me till the False Immortal Stage. And even after that, it works in combination with my body cultivation."
~sigh~
The Black Tortoise didn't know if Lin Mu was unaware of the kind of technique he had practiced or the fact that he had succeeded in taking that risk.
"Do you recognize this?" the Black Tortoise spoke to the White Tiger.
"It's not exact, but I can surely see the similarities. This was made by those mad monks wasn't it?" The White Tiger replied.
Hearing that, Lin Mu raised his brows. This was the first time he was getting an insight into this. So far, he didn't have any true background on who or what power had truly created it.
"Do you know who made this?" Lin Mu asked, feeling a hint of excitement.
"Somewhat." The White Tiger replied. "This was possibly made by the descendants of those that were exiled from the Golden Vajra Sect. They were a body cultivation sect that took in people from both Buddhist as well as immortal factions.
They were obsessed with making an impenetrable body and practiced various techniques to reach the pinnacle." It revealed.
"The Golden Vajra Sect… so the ones who made these weren't even official party of them?" Lin Mu asked.
"Yes. The Golden Vajra sect had a bout of conflict, which split it apart into many fractions. Most turned into minor sects, while those with the original mentality were deemed insane and exiled into distant worlds." The White Tiger explained. "In short, it is not only an incomplete technique, it is also defective."
"I see…" Lin Mu felt a bit disappointed, but he also knew this was not the end.
After all, he was here to find solutions.
"But this isn't the only defensive technique you practice, do you?" The Vermilion Bird, which had been silent for a bit, asked.
"Indeed." Lin Mu nodded his head. "I did practice another technique… and earth based body cultivation technique back when I was still in the mortal realm. It was the Mortal Strengthening Scripture."
"The Mortal Strengthening Scripture?" The Black Tortoise seemed surprised. "I've seen others who've practiced it, but you don't have any traces of it on you. Even if you've dispelled it entirely, it should still have some traces left over."
"That might be due to the fact that the technique… Upgraded." Lin Mu answered. "It became the Immortal Strengthening Scripture when I reached the First Tribulation Stage of the Immortal Realm." He explained.
"That technique you used to endure the Great Hurricane Falcon… so it was that." The Azure Dragon said with interest in its eyes. "It surely is a strong defensive technique for it to withstand the power of almost a seventh Tribulation Stage immortal's attack." The beast was impressed.
"Hmmm… Considering you have these, in addition to your own body cultivation I think I have a suitable option for you." The Black Tortoise said after thinking for a bit.
"What is it Senior? Is it one of your signature techniques?" Lin Mu asked, feeling eager.
He had heard just how strong the techniques of the Black Tortoise were, after all.
"Not exactly. They don't belong to me, but it does belong to an offshoot of my clan… and the Azure Dragon clan." The Black Tortoise stated.
"What?!" Lin Mu was stunned. He hadn't expected that it would be linked to not one, but two Guardian beasts.
"Yes… it is a technique that belongs to the Dragon Turtle!" The Black Tortoise revealed.
"Dragon Turtle…" Lin Mu had read about them and knew that they too were great beasts that existed in many worlds.
They were very strong and had equally strong defensive power too. But this was the first time Lin Mu heard confirmation that the Dragon Turtle was acutely related to both the Azure Dragon and Black Tortoise clans.
"What is the technique, senior?" Lin Mu questioned.
"It is called as the Longgui Bulwark Armor!" The Black Tortoise revealed.
Hearing the name, Lin Mu couldn't help but feel impressed.
"The technique is based on the three elements of the Dragon Turtle; Metal, Earth as well as fire. Since you clearly have affinities to all three and practice defensive techniques of two, this is the best suited technique for you." The Black Tortoise stated.
Lin Mu felt awed by this and couldn't wait to get his hands on it.
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