Chapter 578: Four Sacred Beasts Perfected (Request for Monthly Votes)
“Even Senior Brother Kuang, who cultivated the Three Corpse Nascent Soul, is dead. . . ”
Jue Yanzi stared at the scene, his face stiff with disbelief.
This ‘Senior Brother Kuang’ was widely renowned within the Saint Fire Cult because he had cultivated a secret art called the ‘Three Corpse Nascent Soul’. In moments of crisis, he could split his Nascent Soul into three to escape, guaranteeing his survival even when pursued by a Great Cultivator!
Yet, he hadn’t expected that against a Soul Transformation cultivator, not even a third of his Nascent Soul would manage to escape. . .
“How can the sect’s lineage be so easily abandoned? ”
An old Core Formation cultivator spoke fervently, only to be impaled through his skull by a flying sword from above, his body collapsing.
At this moment, only those loyal to the Saint Fire Cult were being killed!
“Utterly incorrigible. . . ”
Fang Xi sighed, his fingers moving as if plucking zither strings.
Jue Yanzi and Sang Qingsong numbly scanned their surroundings, realizing that they seemed to be the only high-level cultivators left alive.
Such was the might of a Soul Transformation cultivator!
“How do you two choose? ”
Fang Xi let out a cold snort and asked.
“I hereby renounce my sect today, severing all ties with the Saint Fire Cult. Should I violate this oath, heart demons shall proliferate within me, and I shall surely die! ”
Jue Yanzi gritted his teeth and swore a heart demon oath.
Although Nascent Soul cultivators didn’t put much stock in such oaths, it was at least a declaration of intent.
“Sang Qingsong. . . today, I sever ties with the Saint Fire Cult. . . ”
Sang Qingsong gazed at the ‘Black Sand True Monarch’ whom he had brought in and who had nearly annihilated the Saint Fire Cult, his face filled with bitterness.
“Very well, you two may leave. . . ”
Fang Xi waved his hand, allowing the two Nascent Soul cultivators to depart. After all, he had thoroughly tricked them earlier.
As for the Foundation Establishment and Qi Refinement disciples, who were even less significant than ants, he couldn’t be bothered to pay them any mind.
He looked at Yunxi Xianzi and Bai Laozu: “The spirit vein of this Saint Fire Cult now belongs to me. Do either of you have any objections? ”
“From now on, the Western Desert Cultivation World shall naturally honor your esteemed self,” Bai Laozu replied, though his face twitched slightly as he spoke.
Yunxi Xianzi chuckled sweetly: “Yunxi also agrees. . . and congratulations, Fellow Daoist, on your successful breakthrough to Soul Transformation! Though I wonder why you spared those two Nascent Soul cultivators? ”
“The Saint Fire Cult must have hidden branches and Nascent Soul cultivators outside; I simply cannot kill them all. . . ”
Fang Xi shook his head: “These two did not oppose me, so I’ll let them off. . . and they can serve as targets in the future. ”
If any remnants of the Saint Fire Cult were to seek out these two, it would provide clues to follow.
Of course, Fang Xi had no intention of personally bothering with such matters, unless another Soul Transformation cultivator emerged from the Saint Fire Cult.
Such tasks of eradicating remnants would naturally be left to his subordinates.
Fang Xi’s face was wreathed in smiles, completely devoid of the ruthless coldness he had shown when eliminating the vast majority of the Saint Fire Cult’s high-level cultivators: “I am preparing to host a Soul Transformation celebration. I sincerely hope both of you fellow Daoists will honor me with your presence then. . . ”
Now that he was invincible in the Human World, there was no need to conceal many things.
For example, that ancient teleportation array leading to the Southern Desolate Cultivation World could now be specially guarded and developed by his people, connecting the Southern Desolate with the other three major regions.
“Certainly. ”
Bai Laozu and Yunxi Xianzi exchanged glances, both solemnly agreeing.
...
Inside the Mountain Sea Pearl’s cave-heaven.
Fang Xi saw Huo Laozu’s aged corpse lying beneath the Ancestor Demonic Tree, which had been transplanted once more.
Numerous aerial roots hung down, yet they seemed to be deterred by the aura emanating from his corpse, not daring to move. . .
“It seems creating a Soul Transformation puppet is still a pipe dream for now. . . ”
Fang Xi shook his head: “Moreover, Soul Transformation cultivatiion lies in manipulating the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth. Even if I could turn Huo Laozu into a wood puppet, its power would likely only be at the Nascent Soul level. . . ”
“Even if the Ancestor Demonic Tree could refine ancient demons and demon race members of the Soul Transformation level, it would only yield puppets with extremely powerful physical bodies. . . but they would lack the various divine abilities that require manipulating the power of Heaven and Earth, greatly reducing their true might. ”
After all, his ‘wood puppet art’ was merely an unconventional path.
Perhaps there were higher-level puppet arts in the Earthly Immortal World that could truly unleash the combat power of Soul Transformation or even Return to Void cultivators!
But Fang Xi, at his current level, was undoubtedly unable to access them.
The best puppets in the Human World were only at the superior-grade fourth-tier level. . .
He sighed and picked up Huo Laozu’s storage bag.
At the same time, several treasures floated into mid-air.
Fang Xi merely glanced at them and sighed, for none of them were fifth-tier Numinous Treasures.
He extended his Divine Consciousness into Huo Laozu’s storage bag, first noticing a large quantity of supreme-grade spirit stones.
Beyond that, there was a vast amount of fire-attribute materials.
Among them was the ‘Fire Qilin Blood’ that Fang Xi had been yearning for.
“This Huo Laozu, collecting so many fire-attribute materials. . . was he perhaps planning to refine a treasure? ”
Fang Xi took out a fiery-red jade slip and probed it with his Divine Consciousness.
An artifact refining technique quickly emerged.
“Five Fires Seven Birds Fan. . . quite a grand claim. So, it’s a refining method passed down from the Earthly Immortal World. ”
Fang Xi glanced at it, losing interest. After all, he wasn’t keen on the path of artifact refining, and the materials collected in this storage bag weren’t even a third of what was needed to refine the Five Fires Seven Birds Fan.
He planned to hand over these raw materials and the refining method to the Kyushu Realm, unsure of what those cultivators might research from them.
“However, it is said that the true body of this fan is a renowned ‘Immortal Abode Rare Treasure’ from the Earthly Immortal World, possessing various incredible wondrous uses. . . Once refined, it can effortlessly handle void storms. . . No wonder Huo Laozu went to such great lengths to try and imitate it. ”
Soul Transformation cultivators also faced dangers when ascending through the ‘ascension platform’.
If they encountered a void storm, it would be a near-certain death!
Huo Laozu hadn’t yet refined this treasure to protect himself, so he naturally didn’t dare to gamble.
Fang Xi, on the other hand, directly took out the fifth-tier Fire Qilin Blood, a faint smile gracing his lips.
He had already tested the ‘Myriad Demon Armor’ secret art during his Soul Transformation heavenly tribulation, and it indeed had the wondrous effect of weakening the power of lightning tribulations.
And this was just the incomplete ‘Three Sacred Beast Armor’.
If he could gather the essential blood of the four spirit beasts of the fifth-tier and form the true ‘Four Sacred Beast Armor’, it would undoubtedly provide even greater resistance against heavenly tribulations.
For a cultivator, this was naturally a great boon.
Therefore, even though he knew this bottle of ‘Fire Qilin Blood’ was an important material for refining the Five Fires Seven Birds Fan, Fang Xi unhesitatingly prepared to use it to cultivate his secret art.
After all, compared to potential future gains, the benefits secured immediately were the most substantial.
Azure patterns appeared on his face, and in a flash, he transformed into a Soul Transformation-level demon race member!
With such an identity, if he were to go to the Monster World, he would surely be able to occupy a region, act as a tyrant, and influence the development of the entire world!
Accompanied by a low incantation, the Three Sacred Beast Armor materialized on Fang Xi, with the phantom figures of three great spirit beasts coiling around him.
Fang Xi tossed the Fire Qilin Blood into the air and pointed a finger!
Roar! Roar!
The phantom figures of a Celestial Phoenix, an Alligator Flood Dragon, and a Black Tortoise emerged, enveloping the Fire Qilin Blood, rapidly refining it.
Crimson scales began to appear on Fang Xi’s body, on the previously repaired ‘Three Sacred Beast Armor’.
Time passed unknowingly, as earthy yellow, crimson, azure, and sky blue — four colors — continuously converged on the Myriad Demon Armor, eventually transforming into a pure white radiance.
As Fang Xi continued his incantation, runes flickered indistinctly on the armor.
“The complete ‘Four Sacred Beast Armor’ is finally perfected! ”
Feeling the terrifying defensive power of the Myriad Demon Armor at this moment, Fang Xi was extremely satisfied.
...
Kyushu Realm.
“Dao Master! ”
Gui Axe Zhenjun immediately bowed in salute upon seeing Fang Xi’s arrival.
Fang Xi walked to a floor-to-ceiling window, looking down to a colossal reactor.
Within the reactor was a constantly burning mass of three-colored flames—precisely the fifth-tier Three Yangs Sacred Fire!
“According to the data Dao Master sent last time, the analysis of ‘Samadhi True Fire’ is largely complete. . . With this fifth-tier flame, a report should be ready soon. ”
Gui Axe Zhenjun spoke meticulously: “What does Dao Master plan to do with this flame next? Use it as a new energy source, refine it into a flame seed. . . or design it as a single-use weapon? Its power should be capable of annihilating mid-stage Soul Transformation Demon Race members, though it might be more troublesome for the Yao Race. . . ”
“First, hand it over to my Second Primordial Spirit for refining. . . ”
Fang Xi said.
His Second Primordial Spirit, with the aid of Red-Refining Demonic Venerable, was now also a late-stage Nascent Soul Demonic Path Great Cultivator.
Moreover, its Six Paths Demonic Flames had previously devoured heavenly tribulation flames, increasing its power further.
Now, after devouring this fifth-tier spiritual flame, probably no cultivator below the Earthly Immortal World would dare to directly withstand its life-bound demonic flame.
“Understood. . . ”
Gui Axe Zhenjun had no objection; after all, it was something the Dao Master personally brought back.
“Also, take a look at this, Gui Axe. . . ”
Fang Xi smiled faintly, handing the crimson jade slip he had obtained from Huo Laozu to Gui Axe Zhenjun.
Gui Axe Zhenjun swept it with his Divine Consciousness and was immediately stunned by the multitude of top-tier fire-attribute materials: “So many top-tier fire-attribute materials. . . many of them are probably long extinct in the lower realms, and we can only find substitutes. . . Five Fires Seven Birds Fan. . . Immortal Abode Rare Treasure? Unheard of, absolutely unheard of. . . ”
For this Grandmaster of artifact refining, being able to see the concept and craftsmanship of a peak supreme treasure was like a drunkard encountering fine wine; he simply couldn’t bear to let go of it.
Seeing this, Fang Xi couldn’t help but smile faintly.
He enjoyed dealing with people of pure character.
Of course, being pure-hearted didn't mean they were easily fooled, just easier to communicate with.
This time, he chose not to bring the Kyushu Realm army to raze the Saint Fire Cult, primarily for his own safety.
Without the power to suppress everything, rashly opening the World Gate was not a wise decision.
However, besides that, he had no intention of suppressing Bai Laozu and others from achieving Soul Transformation.
After all, once these Great Cultivators reached Soul Transformation, they would become his arms and valuable assistance!
Fang Xi’s earlier promise to help the three Great Cultivators achieve Soul Transformation was no empty talk.
At the very least, when one of them was to break through to Soul Transformation in the future, he could lend them his ‘luck-boosting Gu’, to enhance their luck and slightly increase their chances of success. . .
‘What a pity. . . the Saint Fire Cult has no Soul Transformation foundation left. ’
Thinking of this, Fang Xi’s expression turned somewhat gloomy.
It was clear that after the last great war, Huo Laozu had made preparations.
The Saint Fire Cult’s Soul Transformation foundation had, in all likelihood, already been moved, in the hope of investing in a peerless genius in the future, who would outlive Fang Xi and revitalize their lineage!
But unfortunately, Fang Xi would make them realize what true despair was!
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Chapter 579: Soul Transformation Celebration (For Fiend Immortal Alliance Master! )
Chapter 579: Soul Transformation Celebration (For Fiend Immortal Alliance Master! )
South Barrens Cultivation World.
Jiang Kingdom, Lishang Demon Palace.
“Grand Elder. . . ”
Su Xuelong quickly entered the palace, adorned with upturned eaves and intricate brackets, gazing at Tian Du Mojun, who sat high above, clad in black robes, with the face of a youth and a red mole between his brows.
The Lishang Demon Palace's power now stretched across the Jiang Kingdom and Feng Kingdom. . . it had utterly suppressed the righteous sects of the former Heavenly Pillar Alliance, leaving them unable to raise their heads.
However, Su Xuelong knew that this Grand Elder was, in fact, not happy. . .
Because even though Lishang Demon Palace was the premier power in the South Barrens, Tian Du was not the top individual in the South Barrens.
A mere word from a certain individual, hidden away in the Myriad Islands Lake of the Three Kingdoms cultivation world, could potentially reduce Lishang Demon Palace to dust.
Thinking of this, his mood grew even more complex as he held the invitation in his hand.
“Xuelong, what is it? ”
Tian Du Mojun opened his eyes, the demonic aura around him, which seemed to devour all light, slowly dissipated.
“Reporting to Grand Elder. . . someone from Myriad Islands Lake sent an invitation. ”
Su Xuelong felt a bitter taste in his mouth: “That person. . . has already advanced to Soul Transformation! He invites us to his Soul Transformation Grand Ceremony. . . ”
“Soul Transformation? ”
Tian Du Mojun was not surprised, only sighed with emotion: “How fast. . . Back then, this Venerable had extraordinary talent, was born with a spiritual body, and encountered many tribulations, leading my master to believe I was envied by the heavens, hence the title Tian Du. . . But compared to that person, I am nothing. ”
Tian Du Mojun had long prepared himself mentally for the Dragon Fish Island Lord's advancement to Soul Transformation.
After all, even before reaching Soul Transformation, the opponent had been able to defeat a fifth-stage Soul Transformation Celestial Phoenix!
With such natural talent, strength, luck, and opportunities. . . if the Dragon Fish Island Lord could not reach Soul Transformation, then who in the South Barrens could?
“It only means that this person will surely continue to suppress the South Barrens for over a thousand years. . . The good news is, if a great disaster occurs in the future, we will have a backbone. As for the bad news? ”
Tian Du Mojun gave a wry smile, carefully reading the invitation: “This Venerable will personally go to Myriad Islands Lake to offer congratulations. . . As for the gift? Let’s choose that ‘Demonic Profound Blood Ore’. . . ”
“What? ! ”
Su Xuelong was startled. This was the Lishang Demon Palace's most prized hidden treasure, formed by chance over countless millennia from the blood of a Soul Transformation demonic venerable spilling into an underground mineral vein.
It was a top-tier demonic material, and if its demonic qi were extracted through secret methods, it could even provide a slight boost for demonic cultivators attempting to break through the Soul Transformation bottleneck.
“One mountain cannot hold two tigers. The South Barrens can no longer give birth to a second Soul Transformation cultivator. . . If this item were exposed by sects like the Wishful Thinking Sect, it would be a disaster, not a blessing. ”
Tian Du Mojun shook his head.
Although the Lishang Demon Palace had hidden this treasure very well, there was no guarantee it wouldn't be leaked.
Especially with that woman Nangong Li being so close to the other party. . .
For the sake of the Lishang Demon Palace's heritage, it was better to be compliant.
“As you command. . . ”
Su Xuelong reluctantly accepted the order, a bitter taste in his heart.
He knew that his Grand Elder had been in secluded cultivation ever since the Realm Descent, hoping to achieve Soul Transformation early. Not to defeat the Dragon Fish Island Lord, but merely to stand on equal footing.
Yet, in the end, the result was still the same!
...
The Dragon Fish Island Lord successfully achieved Soul Transformation!
This monumental news, like a hurricane, swept across the entire South Barrens Cultivation World.
After all, for thousands of years, there had been no confirmed news of a cultivator successfully breaking through to Soul Transformation in the South Barrens Cultivation World.
Fang Xi's breakthrough undoubtedly injected a powerful stimulant into those cultivators aspiring to the immortal Dao!
Successfully achieving Soul Transformation not only signified a lifespan of two thousand years but also the possibility of attempting the Ascension Platform when one's lifespan was nearing its end!
Although it was almost impossible to cultivate to Soul Transformation Perfected in the lower realms, as long as one reached mid-stage Soul Transformation, there was still a certain success rate for ascending to the Earthly Immortal World via the Ascension Platform.
Once in the Earthly Immortal World, one could live for another few thousand years!
This was longevity within sight!
For a time, not only did the Nascent Soul sects who received invitations decide to send their own Grand Elders to the feast, but even some high-level cultivators who hadn't received invitations went uninvited. A large number of cultivators rushed to Myriad Islands Lake, the scene vaguely resembling the later stages of the previous demon race Realm Descent.
But unlike the panicked flight then, this time many cultivators were beaming with joy, while only those Nascent Soul sects looked as if they had lost a parent.
For accompanying the invitations were several lists casually drawn up by Fang Xi, detailing various extremely rare heavenly materials and earthly treasures, some of which were the very lifeblood of these clans.
However, with the only Soul Transformation cultivator in the South Barrens issuing a command, these Nascent Soul sects, if they didn't wish to be annihilated, had to obediently deliver the gifts, all while wearing fawning smiles, fearing that Fang Xi wouldn't accept their "gifts of congratulations"!
For a time, countless cultivators ground their teeth in hatred towards Nangong Li of the Wishful Thinking Sect, and even more wished to strangle that Four-Eared Finger Monkey.
However, Nangong Li herself was a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, and ordinary early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators couldn't even contend with her.
And those who could contend with her couldn't kill her.
The few who could kill her, such as Tian Du Mojun, knew that the suspects were too few, and if Nangong Li were to meet with an accident, that Soul Transformation Venerable would surely unleash a bloody massacre in his rage, so they dared not act. . .
...
Emerald Island.
Evergreen Hall. The ancient teleportation array flashed, and Yunxi Xianzi appeared with Shui Lingxin.
“Welcome, both of you, to the South Barrens. ”
As the host, Fang Xi naturally received his distinguished guests at the Evergreen Hall.
After his breakthrough to Soul Transformation, this ancient teleportation array could now be opened directly, and it could also bring in a continuous stream of benefits.
“This is where fellow Daoist cultivates in seclusion, truly a place of outstanding people and spiritual energy. . . ”
Yunxi Xianzi nodded.Although a mere fourth-order spirit vein was nothing extraordinary, her words of praise were naturally due to Fang Xi's strength.
“Little friend Lingxin. . . I haven't yet congratulated you on forming your Nascent Soul! ”
Fang Xi looked at Shui Lingxin and smiled with a complex expression: “This place is called Myriad Islands Lake. Many islands here have beautiful scenery, such as Dragon Fish Island, Maple Leaf Island, Peach Blossom Island. . . especially Peach Blossom Island, that is where I started my journey. I cultivated there during the Qi Refinement stage. Little friend is welcome to explore it freely. . . ”
“Thank you, Senior. . . ”
Shui Lingxin bowed respectfully. How could she not know that Fang Xi's emphasis was on “Peach Blossom Island”? She immediately decided to visit it.
“Fairy Yunxi, please move to the Evergreen Front Hall. We can enjoy tea and discuss the Dao, while we await Patriarch Bai. . . ”
Fang Xi extended the invitation.
Yunxi Xianzi chuckled and nodded, showing no resistance whatsoever.
A few days later.
Countless streaks of light descended outside Emerald Island.
The Seven Treasures Treasure Ship was tall and majestic, with numerous flying boats, palaces, and spirit beasts. . . it was truly a dazzling sight.
However, though many cultivators arrived, not a single one dared to step onto Emerald Island, evidently frightened by previous examples.
Dong!
With the sound of a bell, the ‘Nine-Nethers Profound Wood Grand Array’ split open, revealing a massive passage.
A ray of light flew out, revealing none other than Fairy Ling Shu.
She softly bowed and said, “Emerald Island welcomes all of you. . . Please enter the ‘Welcoming Immortal Hall’. . . ”
“The Lishang Demon Palace congratulates the Dragon Fish Island Lord and presents a gift – one Demonic Profound Blood Ore. ”
Tian Du Mojun transformed into a streak of demonic light and flew out, gently nodding towards Ling Shu, his voice spreading far and wide.
“What? ! It’s actually a fifth-order treasure of that kind? ! ”
“The Lishang Demon Palace truly went all out. . . ”
The group of Nascent Soul old monsters exchanged glances, feeling that their own "cut" wasn't so painful after all.
A black-robed Nascent Soul cultivator flew out and loudly declared, “The Profound Corpse Sect congratulates the Dragon Fish Island Lord and specially presents a gift – the spirit artifact ‘Three Serpent Banner’! ”
“The Feng Country Orthodox Law Sect congratulates the Dragon Fish Island Lord and specially presents ten supreme-grade spirit stones! ”
“The Long family congratulates the Dragon Fish Island Lord, presenting three ‘Divine Intent Pills’. . . ”
One after another, spiritual items that would normally make even Nascent Soul old monsters green with envy were announced, giving the cultivators a grand feast for their eyes.
...
Tian Du Mojun was the first to enter Emerald Island, arriving at a grand hall built suspended in mid-air.
This was the ‘Welcoming Immortal Hall’, specially constructed for the celebration, more than spacious enough to accommodate a thousand people.
Guided by the greeter, he stepped into the hall and was immediately slightly surprised.
Within the hall, there were already some unfamiliar Nascent Soul cultivators seated!
‘Cultivators from other regions? An ancient teleportation array? ’
Tian Du Mojun’s heart stirred, and a wave of envy washed over him. The Dragon Fish Island Lord’s rapid cultivation progress was largely due to his mastery of the ancient teleportation array and the immense resources he gained from it! He wondered what kind of scenery awaited him in the Western Desert Cultivation World?
But as his gaze moved upwards, his face suddenly turned pale, and he quickly lowered his eyes, his breathing growing faint: “Soul Transformation cultivators. . . two of them. . . ”
Soul Transformation cultivators, rarely seen in the South Barrens, were actually present here, two of them!
Counting the Dragon Fish Island Lord, it seemed all the top cultivators in the Human World had gathered here!
Tian Du Mojun found his seat, keeping his eyes on his nose, and his nose on his heart, remaining outwardly calm.
Beside him, a black-robed cultivator smiled: “Greetings, great cultivator. I am Black Sand, from the Western Desert Cultivation World. Your profound cultivation truly inspires admiration. . . ”
“So it is fellow Daoist Black Sand. ”
Tian Du Mojun offered a polite smile.
True Monarch Black Sand, however, was overjoyed in his heart, for according to their previous agreement, Fang Xi would support the Yellow Sand Sect to become the overlord of the Eastern Eight Domains!
This Dragon Fish Island Lord was now the foremost cultivator and Soul Transformation Venerable in the Western Desert Cultivation World!
With a single word from him, the Yellow Sand Sect could henceforth bask in the glory of this Venerable's might, ensuring at least a thousand years of prosperity!
‘A single thought, like clouds and mud apart. . . ’
True Monarch Black Sand silently sighed with emotion, then took another deep gulp of spiritual wine.
One by one, Nascent Soul old monsters took their seats, and then were awed by the two Soul Transformation Venerables, none daring to make any small movements.
It was only when the banquet officially began that they saw a young cultivator, dressed in a Green Bamboo Daoist Robe, with his hair tied in a simple bun and a bamboo hairpin, leisurely take his place at the head table.
“Congratulations to the Dragon Fish Island Lord! ”
“Congratulations to the Island Lord on advancing to Soul Transformation! ”
For a moment, all the cultivators in the hall bowed their heads!
Fang Xi looked at this scene, then thought back to his arduous struggles on Green Bamboo Mountain, feeling as if a lifetime had passed.
He lightly raised his hands, a faint smile appearing on his face: “Please rise! ”
He raised his wine cup, filled with Green Bamboo Wine: “This Venerable has achieved Soul Transformation. I will lecture on the Dao for three days and also host a small auction, where I will auction off ten slots to the Western Desert Cultivation World, just for fun! ”
“Everyone, please drink this cup! ”
Fang Xi drained the Green Bamboo Wine. The trace of spiritual energy in the wine was nothing, but the crucial point was its bitter taste, which reminded him of the difficulties of his past survival, ensuring he wouldn't become arrogant and complacent.
“Cheers! ”
The numerous cultivators likewise drank their fill, and for a time, the hall was filled with splendor, guests and host alike enjoying themselves. . .
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