Chapter 1286: The Saint Emperor Establishes a New Law
Chapter 1286: The Saint Emperor Establishes a New Law
Zhang Xu’s expression was grave as he stroked his beard and said, “The connection between blood relatives is mysterious and profound, yet one must trust it. Brother Sun, perhaps you could have someone send a message on your behalf to confirm things with your family.”
Hua Yueye nodded in agreement.
“Thank you for the guidance, my Daoist brothers.” Sun Ang, who was none other than Li Fan himself, pondered for a moment before sending out a spiritual talisman that flew beyond the space of the Deduction Jade.
Each Dao Integration guardian was only granted one chance to use such a talisman after a hundred years of service. If not for Xu Yuanxian’s prior “special consideration,” which had reduced “Sun Ang’s” guarding duty by a century, he would have had no way to contact the outside world even if he wanted to.
Less than half a day later, the head of the Sun family, Sun Luyuan, arrived in person.
“Your uncle... has unfortunately fallen.”
The expression on Li Fan’s face shifted from shock to a mixture of self-blame and sorrow. “Before my uncle departed, I had a vague premonition...”
Sun Luyuan offered some comfort. “Life and death are uncertain. Luchang’s fall has nothing to do with you. Lu’er, you needn’t blame yourself.”
Sun Luyuan paused for a moment before changing the subject. “These are troubled times, but as long as I am here, the Sun family will not collapse. You should just remain here in peace.”
“When the time is right, I will find a way to get you out,” Sun Luyuan promised solemnly.
Knowing full well that the Sun family had already pledged its allegiance to the Great Qi Saint Dynasty, Li Fan understood the true meaning behind Sun Luyuan’s words. For now, however, he could only feign ignorance. “I can hold on. I can’t let the family waste any more resources on my account.”
...
While the two members of the Sun family were putting on a show of deep familial affection, Li Fan’s avatar, who had taken over Fu Yuansheng’s body, was facing a torrent of overwhelming malice from various members of his own clan.
“Little Sheng, what incredible luck did you stumble into to have the honor of obtaining a Dao Integration technique?”
“Yuansheng, the family has treated you well over the years, has it not? It is time for you to repay the family.”
“Sheng’er, in less than two days, more than a dozen Soul Transformation cultivators have come knocking. Every single one of them is an existence our Fu family cannot afford to offend! For the future of the Fu family, why don’t you just hand over the technique?”
“Fu Yuansheng, don’t think a moment of luck will last a lifetime! You are a mere Golden Core cultivator. How can you possibly protect a true Dao Integration art? Rather than having it forcibly taken from you later, it would be better to hand it over voluntarily in exchange for a bright future!”
The moment he left the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance headquarters, the previously blocked messages flooded in. The undisguised greed and malice in their words were almost enough to make one’s spiritual energy stagnate. If the current Fu Yuansheng were not who he was, his own relatives might have shattered his Dao heart on the spot.
Li Fan watched the incessant stream of messages, which grew even more aggressive due to his lack of response, and his expression turned peculiar.
“The evil in the human heart can reach such depths!”
“As they say, the local environment shapes its people. Such a thing would never happen within the Saint Dynasty’s borders. The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance... its destiny is exhausted!”
“Let me just give it another little push!”
A faint smile touched Li Fan’s lips before his expression instantly twisted into one of anguish and profound indignation.
Instead of returning to the Fu family, he used a teleportation array to travel to Tianshu Immortal City, where he brazenly appeared before the public.
Before long, Fu Yuansheng’s appearance attracted the attention of a few people.
Even those who were unaware of the situation noticed the strange looks from the surrounding crowd. After a few inquiries, they instantly understood what was happening.
Fu Yuansheng, the center of everyone’s attention, seemed to be driven into a corner, fleeing in a panic.
Instead of finding a place to hide or using a teleportation array to escape, he seemed to have lost his mind, flying directly out of Tianshu City with his own body.
Soon, a crowd of spectating cultivators gave chase.
How fast could a Golden Core cultivator truly fly? In no time, a massive swarm of people was trailing behind Fu Yuansheng.
Not all of them were truly after the technique; the vast majority were simply there for the spectacle.
Li Fan feigned a terrified expression, all the while unhurriedly leading the group on a merry chase.
He was waiting for an opportunity to completely detonate the situation.
After flying aimlessly for half a day, the figure Li Fan was waiting for finally made his entrance.
It appeared to be Fu Yuansheng’s nominal father, Fu Linmu.
“You wretched creature! The family head summoned you, yet you did not return. What exactly are you trying to do?” Fu Linmu appeared and immediately began berating Fu Yuansheng.
Behind Fu Linmu stood a cultivator with his arms crossed and his eyes slightly narrowed. Judging by his aura, he was at the Soul Transformation stage.
Li Fan halted, feigning great fear of his father.
Fu Linmu continued with a mix of emotional appeals and reasoning, then introduced the squinting Soul Transformation cultivator behind him.
“This is Senior Fu Tongtian from Tianquan Province. He can be considered one of our own.”
“Our Fu family simply cannot protect that Dao Integration technique. In your hands, it is a curse, not a blessing. It would be better to entrust it to Senior Fu...”
After Fu Linmu’s lengthy persuasion, Li Fan put on a show of agonizing internal struggle, seemingly on the verge of compromise.
Just then, another uninvited guest arrived.
It was another elder from the Fu family, who had brought yet another Soul Transformation cultivator, intent on contesting ownership of the true art.
Li Fan acted bewildered, as if he didn't know whom to listen to.
While the two Soul Transformation cultivators faced off, more cultivators of the same stage arrived one after another, having heard the news.
“Everyone, it is just one Dao Integration technique. It is hardly worth fighting to the death over. Why don’t we discuss this peacefully?” someone suggested, completely disregarding the opinion of Fu Yuansheng, the technique’s owner. They had already treated the art as a prize within their grasp.
“Indeed. If the price is too high, we might as well just purchase one from the Tianxuan Mirror.”
“Why don’t we first hear what kind of technique this young prodigy of the Fu family had the Deduction Jade derive?”
The group of Soul Transformation cultivators quickly reached a consensus and turned their gazes toward Li Fan in unison.
Little did they know, this played right into Li Fan’s hands.
Before entering the Deduction Jade’s space, he had already calculated that he would use this technique to stir up trouble. Thus, the blueprint he provided to the Deduction Jade was of an exceptionally high standard.
The resulting technique was naturally extraordinary. It was even of some use to the current Li Fan.
Li Fan, disguised as Fu Yuansheng, wore a pained expression. Finally, with no other choice, he took a deep breath and spoke, enunciating each word. “The technique I obtained is called the [Heaven Reaching Spirit Responding Incarnation Technique].”
“The current New Method is an act of defiance against the heavens. Yet, to break through to the next realm, we are forced to rely on the world’s various resources. This is fine for the great clans and families, but for powerless cultivators like us, even those with peerless talent are still constrained!”
Li Fan’s words struck a chord with many of the cultivators present, their expressions flickering with shared sentiment.
Li Fan continued, “Therefore, I have always dreamed of one day breaking free from this restriction. Thanks to the great kindness of [Senior Qianxun], who gifted me the Audience Jade Token, I finally had the chance to turn that dream into reality.”
“This Heaven Reaching Spirit Responding Incarnation Technique can continuously strengthen one’s connection to the Xuanhuang world, greatly diminishing the Heavenly Dao’s hostility. Then, by relying on this connection, one can locate Nascent Soul Grotto-Heavens, World Birthing Changes, and other essential materials for breakthroughs. When mastered to a high level, even sensing the location of the Spirits of Heaven and Earth becomes a simple matter...”
“With this technique, if you just gave me, Fu Yuansheng, a little time, achieving Dao Integration would not be an idle fantasy. But I never expected... I never expected...”
“That the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance would persecute a low-level cultivator like myself to this extent! They won’t even give me a sliver of a chance!”
The more Li Fan spoke, the more indignant he became, his eyes turning bloodshot.
Then, with a grand sweep of his hand, he projected the general outline of the [Heaven Reaching Spirit Responding Incarnation Technique] for all to see, displaying it in full public view.
With just a single glance, the Dao Integration cultivator present could see the extraordinary nature of this technique.
It was by no means something a mere Golden Core cultivator could fabricate.
The Soul Transformation cultivators all had different expressions. The atmosphere suddenly grew tense and solemn.
“Enough.”
One of them erased the text from the sky and then scanned the crowd. “I believe I need not say more about the value of this technique.”
“Indeed. Even among Dao Integration techniques, there are differences. If what this boy says is true, the value of this art is the greatest I have ever seen in my life.”
“Hehe, I’d say even if half of us here were to die, it would be worth it to win this technique!”
The Soul Transformation cultivators exchanged words, the smell of gunpowder thickening in the air.
The members of the Fu family present, however, grew pale with despair.
Had they known that Fu Yuansheng had comprehended such a supreme technique, one capable of founding a new cultivation dynasty, they would have tried to protect him, no matter the cost!
Or at the very least, they could have demanded better terms when selling it!
But regardless of the Fu family’s regrets, the final ownership of the Heaven Reaching Spirit Responding Incarnation Technique was decided by a newcomer who inserted himself into the situation.
This person was known as [Red Willow Immortal Venerable]. Just a few days prior, he had broken through to the Dao Integration realm.
He had not yet found a suitable cultivation technique and happened to hear about Fu Yuansheng’s matter. On a whim, he had come to join the fun.
He hadn't expected such a pleasant surprise.
Between Dao Integration and Soul Transformation, the difference was as vast as heaven and earth. If Red Willow wanted it, the crowd of Soul Transformation cultivators naturally could not contend with him.
Besides, Red Willow was not alone; he had the backing of a rather influential family.
Ultimately, under this dual pressure, the Soul Transformation cultivators present withdrew from the competition one by one.
To avoid any complications from delay, the final victor, Red Willow Immortal Venerable, demanded that Fu Yuansheng hand over the technique on the spot.
“I hope that after Senior obtains this art, you will still show some consideration for our Fu family.”
Li Fan sighed, looking up at the sky. His words made the Fu family members present burn with shame.
Watching Red Willow fly closer, Li Fan transmitted the complete Heaven Reaching Spirit Responding Incarnation Technique to him via his divine sense.
“It is indeed a supreme and wondrous art,” Red Willow exclaimed, his face alight with joy.
“Fu boy, sign this contract. It states you are voluntarily relinquishing ownership of the technique. Don’t worry, I won’t treat your Fu family poorly...” Red Willow said in a deep voice.
“This junior obeys.” Li Fan bowed his head, about to accept the golden contract.
And just at that moment...
Seemingly influenced by the text of the [Heaven Reaching Spirit Responding Incarnation Technique] he had just read, Red Willow suddenly felt his mind grow hazy.
The Fu Yuansheng before him suddenly seemed to transform into a hideous, terrifying monster, the kind that only appears in nightmares, lunging at him with bared fangs and claws. In the next instant, it was about to pounce on his face.
Red Willow jolted, subconsciously striking out with a flash of red light.
It hit Fu Yuansheng’s body squarely.
The might of a Dao Integration expert, even a casual, unintentional strike—how could a mere Golden Core cultivator possibly withstand it?
An expression of utter disbelief frozen on his face, Fu Yuansheng’s body disintegrated inch by inch in an instant, his life and Dao extinguished!
This sudden turn of events stunned everyone.
They all stared in shock at Red Willow Immortal Venerable, who had just committed murder in public.
Red Willow himself was also somewhat stunned.
He stared blankly at his own palm.
“Could it be that since I just broke through, the influence of the Spirit of Heaven and Earth on me has not yet completely faded?”
“Thankfully, I already have the [Heaven Reaching Spirit Responding Incarnation Technique].” This was the second thought that flashed through Red Willow’s mind.
“Sheng’er!” After a deathly silence, the Fu family members finally reacted.
They let out cries of grief and despair.
Many of them, fearless of the immense gulf between them and a Dao Integration cultivator, stared at Red Willow with absolute hatred.
Overhead, the celestial phenomenon of a cultivator’s fall arrived belatedly, announcing the cause of Fu Yuansheng’s death.
As the killer, Red Willow looked at the glares of these ants and felt a faint discomfort.
But since he was in the wrong and in full view of the public, he couldn’t lash out.
He simply said, “Rest assured, I am a man of my word. I will not treat your Fu family poorly.”
The sobbing of the Fu family members slowly subsided.
After all, the man was dead. It was not worth defying a Dao Integration expert and courting death over someone who was already gone.
Red Willow departed with the members of the Fu family.
The remaining Soul Transformation cultivators lamented among themselves. “It seems this technique was too precious. Red Willow Immortal Venerable chose to kill him to ensure absolute secrecy.”
“He doesn’t even trust a contract? This newly ascended Dao Integration expert is a bit too paranoid, isn’t he?”
“What good is a contract? There are countless bizarre and wondrous techniques in this world. What if there’s one that allows you to violate a contract without punishment?”
“And this was in front of so many witnesses. If it were in private, he would likely act with even less restraint!”
“Dao Integration cultivators are truly impressive! The laws of the Alliance become almost meaningless at their level, don’t they?”
“Of course. You don’t need to think hard to know that the Alliance would never truly punish a Dao Integration expert for a mere Golden Core cultivator. Even if they do, it will certainly just be for show.”
“Once you enter Dao Integration, you are truly on a different level. Just like the rainbow light from the Li Realm that could travel the Star Sea—that’s a privilege only for Dao Integration cultivators.”
...
The Soul Transformation cultivators chatted with waning interest before gradually departing.
But the remaining crowd of lower-level cultivators—Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul—lingered for a long time.
They looked up at the celestial phenomenon of the fall, which had not yet dissipated, and a feeling of shared sorrow for a fellow victim washed over their hearts.
Under the influence of a mysterious power they could not perceive, this emotion gradually transformed into a slow-burning flame of anger.
“In the eyes of the Alliance’s upper echelons, we truly are nothing but ants.”
“What about the laws of the Alliance? Are they only effective against us?”
“Today it was Fu Yuansheng who died. Who among us will be the next to die an unjust death tomorrow?”
...
In the silence, a peculiar atmosphere was brewing.
Though no words were spoken, the looks they exchanged with one another revealed everything.
However, under the Alliance’s intimidating presence, none of them dared to voice their thoughts.
Perhaps...
What they needed was an opportunity.
A long time later, the crowd of onlookers finally dispersed completely.
A wisp of Li Fan’s divine sense reappeared in the world as a phantom.
“Now that the flame is lit, it will probably burn across the entire Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance without me even needing to fan it.” Li Fan was quite satisfied with his masterpiece.
And subsequent developments unfolded exactly as he had predicted.
Although the image of Red Willow Immortal Venerable striking down Fu Yuansheng in broad daylight spread rapidly throughout the Alliance via the Tianxuan Mirror, the matter was dropped. The Fu family announced that they had forgiven Red Willow for his momentary lapse, attributing it to the instability of his newly attained realm. Consequently, the Alliance no longer pursued the matter, merely issuing a symbolic fine of contribution points.
Conversely, when news of the Heaven Reaching Spirit Responding Incarnation Technique that Red Willow had obtained spread, countless families made inquiries about its authenticity.
Furthermore, they all expressed their willingness to pay a heavy price for Red Willow to use his ability to sense and locate the positions of the Spirits of Heaven and Earth.
In an instant, the status of the newly ascended Red Willow surpassed even that of some veteran Dao Integration cultivators.
As for the innocent and tragically deceased Fu Yuansheng, he was slowly forgotten with the passage of time.
...
“How ironic! The guilty is not punished but rewarded instead.”
Within the Great Qi Saint Dynasty, Wang Xuanba clicked his tongue in amazement as he read the article in his hand.
“If this were in our Great Qi, never mind an ordinary official, even I, a direct disciple of the Saint Emperor, would be severely punished for committing such an act. I’d be locked in the Gloomy Prison for hundreds of years at the very least. How could it just be brushed aside so lightly? The Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is so... ah, no, the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance is so corrupt!” Ou Shangtian shook his head repeatedly.
Sun Erlang glanced at Ou Shangtian and smiled helplessly. “What Master means is that this incident can be publicized as a prime example, to serve as mobilization before the war.”
“It can even be used to shake the very foundations of the Alliance. After all, the vast majority of cultivators in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance are below the Soul Transformation realm.”
Ou Shangtian scoffed. “What’s the use of winning over these weaklings? I’ll kill as many as they send!”
Sun Erlang’s expression changed. “Don’t speak such nonsense! A just cause enjoys abundant support, while an unjust one finds little. The hearts of the Alliance’s people have been lost. Our Saint Dynasty’s campaign is an act that follows the will of the people.”
“With a righteous cause and by acting in accordance with the Dao, we will be invincible!”
After all, he was the eldest senior brother. Ou Shangtian didn’t dare to refute him, merely muttering, “After all that talk, it still comes down to strength in the end.”
After some playful banter, the fellow disciples returned to the main topic.
“Shangtian, how is the construction of your Myriad Phenomena Teleportation Array coming along?” Sun Erlang asked.
A look of pride appeared on Ou Shangtian’s face. “You can rest assured when I’m on the job, Senior Brother. I’ve already locked onto the positions of all the provinces in the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance. As soon as Master gives the order, the soldiers of our Great Qi can instantly pass through the Myriad Phenomena Teleportation Array to any designated province. Then, using the Samantabhadra True Boats and the cover of the white mist barrier, I guarantee we can descend upon the celestial cities of each province without anyone being the wiser!”
Wang Xuanba continued, “The several moles we planted within the Alliance have also made contact. When the time comes, the Tianxuan Mirrors and teleportation arrays in every province of the Alliance will all be disabled.”
An abbreviated map of the Alliance’s territory appeared before them.
“At that time, each province will become an isolated island, unable to fend for itself. We’ve already scouted their strength. Devouring them one by one won’t be a problem.”
“The most crucial locations are still the Central Four Prefectures and the Alliance headquarters.”
After scanning the list of primary cultivators stationed in each province, Sun Erlang focused his gaze on the very center of the abbreviated map.
After a moment of thought, Sun Erlang said, “When Master summoned me before, he vaguely hinted at something. When the time comes, he will employ a heaven-shaking method to directly seal off the Central Four Prefectures and the Alliance headquarters. We shouldn’t have to worry about reinforcements from the headquarters; we just need to concentrate on finishing the battles in each province as quickly as possible.”
“Additionally, the Alliance’s secret realms hidden within the white mist and various provinces will all be sealed off with formations before the war begins. Places like the Hidden Dragon Abyss, Phoenix Mist City, the Vast Mountain, and the Roaring Immortal City—although the forces stationed in each are not strong, their combined strength is not to be underestimated. We still need to defeat them one by one.”
The others listened to Sun Erlang’s exposition of the battle plan with solemn expressions.
Only Ou Shangtian was grinning. “I’ve personally experienced the level of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance’s formations. They’re not worth mentioning at all. The sealing formation personally created by Master will be more than enough to trap them for a year and a half!”
“But the materials for setting up the formation... might we be a little short?” Ou Shangtian suddenly frowned, asking with confusion.
Sun Erlang smiled and took out a [Voidbright Stone Mother], placing it before them.
Ou Shangtian glanced at the supplies stored within the stone mother and was so shocked he shot to his feet. “So much? Did you rob the Alliance’s treasury?”
Sun Erlang laughed heartily. “Master gave me a total of three. Each stone mother is packed to the brim. As far as I know, Senior Ou Daozi’s side also received an abundance of supplies. So, you don’t need to worry about strategic resources. Just focus on preparing for the formation deployment.”
Hearing his father’s name, Ou Shangtian’s eyes lit up, and he nodded vigorously.
Sun Erlang then turned to look at the duo of Su Yuqing and Liuli, who had remained silent all this time.
Ever since they were sent by the Saint Emperor to guard the underground world of gloom, it was as if they had been tainted by the darkness, becoming much more taciturn.
“Junior Sister, how is the formation of the allied forces from the small worlds coming along?” Sun Erlang asked.
“Faster than anticipated. Rest assured, the Federation of All Worlds will arrive at the battlefield on time,” Su Yuqing said softly, her tone possessing a newfound resilience.
In the process of educating the You Clan in the underground world of gloom, she had faintly grasped a possible connection between the Heavenly Dao of a small world and its inhabitants.
Coupled with her own experience of being favored and possessed by the Heavenly Dao in the Li Realm, she found it naturally easier than other cultivators to gain the affinity of the small worlds’ Heavenly Daos.
With this advantage, she traveled among different small worlds under the Saint Emperor’s command.
Using a combination of soft and hard tactics, temptation and coercion, she assembled a true “Federation of All Worlds” with terrifying efficiency.
Although they didn’t hold high hopes for the actual combat effectiveness of this allied force, its sheer scale would certainly boost their army’s morale.
Most importantly, it eliminated the possibility of them causing trouble during the decisive battle between the Saint Dynasty and the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance.
“By the way, where did Senior Sister Lin Ling go? I haven’t seen her lately,” Ou Shangtian suddenly asked with some curiosity.
Sun Erlang was evasive. “She has her own appointment from Master. I’m not too clear on the details. But rest assured, she will certainly not be absent from this grand feast.”
All the disciples once again turned their gazes to the abbreviated map of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance in the center of the room.
Their eyes were filled with impatience and anticipation.
In the Saint Dynasty’s secret realm, within the experimental ground—or perhaps, academy—built for Yin Shangren.
Yin Shangren scratched his scalp, pushing the true Dao foundation that had once again emerged from the crack in his skull back inside.
He asked with some uncertainty, “Isn’t doing this a bit too rash?”
“The method of Foundation Establishment Through Oneself is a complete victory, I’ll admit. The Mixed Origin Golden Core, however, is only half-derived. As for what comes after, it’s all castles in the air, a reflection of the moon in water. It looks beautiful at first glance, but it shatters with a single poke and cannot withstand scrutiny!”
Saint Emperor Li Ping was sitting at a wooden table, occasionally flipping through the illusory text, deleting and revising.
Around him, the phenomena born from his Dao enlightenment, like a river of stars, twisted space, appearing and disappearing intermittently.
Yin Shangren forcibly tore his gaze away from such a stunning scene.
After a long while, the Saint Emperor finished reviewing the entire illusory book and started modifying it again from the first page.
Only then did he respond, “As the saying goes, ‘When the true is treated as false, the false becomes true.’ As long as we make the cultivators of the world believe that this is a ‘New New Law’ that can be cultivated independently of the Dharma Spreader’s system...”
“...even if it only lasts for a few days, that will be enough.”
“Besides, given how obscure this New New Law is and how completely it contradicts the Dharma Spreader’s method, how long do you think it will take the cultivators of the Xuanhuang Realm to verify its authenticity?”
As the Saint Emperor spoke, he once again used his hand as a brush, modifying the illusory book that constituted the New New Law.
Yin Shangren did not answer, merely repeating the phrase, “When the true is treated as false, the false becomes true.”
A long time later, he had an epiphany. “Right! Because the New New Law never existed before, once we announce it, and since the easiest part to verify—the Foundation Establishment method—is real, they will naturally and temporarily assume that the subsequent techniques are all real as well.”
“And my repeated revisions are simply to make this deception more effective,” the Saint Emperor said with a self-deprecating smile.
“But what’s the point? In the end, it can’t shake the foundation of the Dharma Spreader’s system, can it?” Yin Shangren scratched his scalp again.
“The Dharma Spreader’s method and the New New Law are incompatible. To cultivate the new one, one must change their path and re-establish their Dao. Perhaps only one in a thousand will choose to do so, but it is still a zero-sum game, a slow erosion.”
“More importantly...”
As the Saint Emperor spoke, he completed another round of revisions to the illusory book.
He made no further changes, instead closing the book.
He pressed his hands upon it, and a mesmerizing starlight surged across its surface.
In almost the blink of an eye, the illusory book, which had been nothing but a construct of light and shadow, gained a physical form.
It had become a real [Book] that truly existed in the world.
Handing this [New New Law] to Yin Shangren, the Saint Emperor rose and continued, “More importantly, if we announce the New New Law, and the Alliance can do nothing to stop us...”
“The Dharma Spreader will certainly rush back from the distant stars,” the Saint Emperor said in a deep voice.
“This is what is known as attacking a place the enemy must defend.”
A faint light flickered in Yin Shangren’s eyes as he slowly nodded.
“Are you... confident in facing the Dharma Spreader?”
After some hesitation, Yin Shangren still asked the question.
“It’s just a desperate gamble, nothing more,” the Saint Emperor replied frankly.
(End of this chapter)
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