Chapter 476: Major Achievement |
Chen Qing returned to his residence at Myriad Techniques Peak.
The main building had three floors with flying eaves and layered brackets. The quiet chamber was located at the deepest part of the top floor, with walls built from a mixture of profound iron and cold jade. The floor was paved with azure jade bricks. Long-burning lamps quietly burned in the four corners, emitting a faint sandalwood scent that calmed the mind and spirit.
Chen Qing sat cross-legged and took a deep breath.
He didn't immediately begin cultivating. Instead, he first took out all the gains from this journey one by one and placed them before him.
In a crimson jade bottle, three drops of dark red blood essence like rubies from the flood dragon's heart quietly floated. Even separated by the jade bottle, one could still feel the tremendous qi and blood power contained within.
In a palm-sized jade box, the flood dragon's inner core lay quietly. Deep within the core's heart, a point of dark light circulated, profound as night.
Two other jade boxes separately contained the Azure Dragon Heart-Entwining Vine fruit and the Profound Yin Soul-Congealing Grass.
Chen Qing's gaze swept over these gains in turn as he calculated in his heart.
"The Azure Dragon Heart-Entwining Vine fruit that Bai Xi wanted is already obtained. I'll just hand it over to her when the time comes."
Chen Qing picked up that deep blue spirit grass, "However, this medicine's properties lean toward cold. If taken directly, it would likely require expending large amounts of True Origin and time to harmonize it, and might not achieve full efficacy. There's no rush for now."
Finally, there was that strange black bead obtained from deep within the accumulated liquid in the flood dragon's lair.
Chen Qing held it in his palm, examining it carefully.
The bead was about the size of a pigeon egg, its surface covered with fine, complex natural patterns.
He tried channeling a thread of glazed True Origin into it. The bead had no reaction, like a clay ox entering the sea. The True Origin was silently devoured.
He then condensed a wisp of divine sense and cautiously probed toward the bead.
The instant his divine sense touched the bead's surface, Chen Qing felt an extreme yin cold suddenly backlash along his divine sense. That cold penetrated directly into his Will Sea, as if wanting to freeze his very soul!
Chen Qing immediately severed that thread of divine sense.
He gazed at this black bead with a grave expression, his thoughts racing.
This item was clearly extraordinary. It could spontaneously erode divine sense, and had been born in that place where extreme yin cold malevolence converged in the black flood dragon's lair. It probably couldn't be separated from how that flood dragon could generate poisonous miasma.
It was just that with his current cultivation and knowledge, he couldn't penetrate its mysteries in a short time.
"Either it's a great treasure, or... it's some kind of fierce malevolent object." Chen Qing muttered to himself.
He didn't force further investigation, cautiously storing the black bead separately.
"I'll put this item away for now. When my cultivation deepens in the future, or I can consult Old Man Li or Master Hua, perhaps I can learn its origins."
Having dealt with the black bead, Chen Qing's gaze returned to the crimson jade bottle.
"What's most urgent now is to absorb the flood dragon blood essence and improve my strength."
He took a deep breath, adjusting his state to optimal condition.
Within his dantian, that vast glazed True Origin lake was calm and undisturbed, crystal threads settled at the lake bottom.
The qi and blood throughout his body, under the circulation of the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Vajra Body, surged like rivers, producing low rumbling sounds.
Chen Qing opened the crimson jade bottle's stopper.
"Hum—!"
An extremely concentrated blood qi mixed with faint dragon might instantly permeated the air. The atmosphere in the quiet chamber seemed to grow heavier by several degrees.
Within the bottle, three drops of dark red blood essence were like three miniature stars, slowly rotating.
Chen Qing didn't hesitate. He opened his mouth and inhaled.
One drop of flood dragon blood essence was wrapped in his True Origin and slowly drawn into his mouth.
The instant the blood essence entered his throat, it was as if he'd swallowed a mass of burning magma!
Violent, scorching qi and blood essence instantly exploded, transforming into countless streams of scalding torrents that madly rushed into his four limbs and hundred bones!
"Mm!"
Chen Qing grunted. His entire body's skin instantly turned crimson red, blue veins bulged on his forehead, and bean-sized beads of sweat rolled down.
The qi and blood power contained in this flood dragon blood essence was far more domineering than imagined!
Moreover, there was an untamed, fierce malevolence that invaded along with it, trying to disrupt his qi and blood circulation and assault his will.
"Suppress!"
Chen Qing's thoughts raced. He immediately circulated the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Vajra Body at full power!
"Boom—!"
Beneath his skin, pale golden Sanskrit characters lit up like a tide, layer upon layer, emanating through his body and forming a circle of pale golden radiance around him.
From deep within his bones came dense, popping sounds like exploding beans. That was the sound of his bones being repeatedly tempered under the tremendous qi and blood washing.
Muscles knotted and swelled. Qi and blood surged like a great river bursting its banks, producing a thunderous sound.
Simultaneously, Chen Qing circulated the incantation of the Wind Snow Hidden Dragon Roar.
"Using flood dragon blood essence as the catalyst, wind and snow as form, dragon's cry as spirit... Fuse!"
Chen Qing's hand seals changed, following the specific meridian pathways of the Wind Snow Hidden Dragon Roar, circulating thunderously!
"Ang—!!!"
A low yet majestic dragon’s cry thunderously resounded from within Chen Qing’s body. It did not emerge from his throat, but was the sound produced by surging qi and blood, vibrating True Origin, and the resonance of divine abilities!
The temperature in the quiet chamber suddenly dropped. Countless tiny ice crystal snowflakes condensed from nothing, slowly falling around Chen Qing.
Within those snow shadows, a vague dragon-shaped outline flickered in and out of visibility, baring fangs and brandishing claws, its dragon eyes like lightning, emanating fierce cold malevolence and dragon might!
This was precisely the manifestation of the Wind Snow Hidden Dragon Roar divine ability!
Previously when Chen Qing deployed this technique, although he could also summon wind and snow and condense dragon-shaped force, that dragon form ultimately only had the appearance without substance, lacking a true "dragon soul" and tremendous qi and blood support.
But at this moment, as the first drop of flood dragon blood essence was refined and absorbed, the dragon-shaped outline became solid at a visibly rapid rate. Scales and claws gradually appeared, and the divine light in the dragon eyes became increasingly lifelike, as if it was truly about to come alive!
The wind and snow grew fiercer, the dragon's cry louder!
Chen Qing's mind and spirit immersed within.
Time slowly passed amid silence and low dragon cries.
Who knows how long passed before the wind and snow phenomenon in the quiet chamber suddenly intensified!
"Roar—!!!"
A dragon's roar full of majesty and coldness suddenly exploded!
No longer the previous low resonating Dao sound, but a true and genuine dragon's cry seemingly from ancient cold wastes!
The wind and snow surrounding Chen Qing suddenly contracted, condensing into an ice crystal flood dragon three zhang long with clear scales and prominent horns!
The flood dragon's entire body was constructed from extremely condensed cold ice malevolent qi. Its eyes were blood red, lifelike, coiling behind Chen Qing and emanating heart-palpitating coldness and dragon might.
It wasn't a physical entity, yet was more solid and animated than any previous deployment.
[Heaven Rewards Diligence, Success Guaranteed!]
[Wind Snow Hidden Dragon Roar: Major Achievement (1/20000)]
"Success!"
Chen Qing slowly opened his eyes. Within his pupils, wind and snow seemed to sweep past, a trace of ice-blue dragon shadow flashing briefly.
Joy surged in his heart.
The Wind Snow Hidden Dragon Roar had stepped into the realm of Major Achievement. Its power had more than doubled!
This technique inherently combined area control with single-target lethality. Now the ice crystal flood dragon condensed was not only more powerful.
More importantly, this was just the beginning!
Chen Qing suppressed the surging in his heart, his gaze turning to the remaining two drops of flood dragon blood essence in the crimson jade bottle.
"Strike while the iron is hot. I'll refine and absorb these two drops of blood essence in one go to further enhance my physical body!"
He opened his mouth again, drawing in the second drop of blood essence.
Having experienced it once before, Chen Qing handled it much more calmly.
The violent power released by the blood essence was still fierce, but under the circulation of the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Vajra Body, the pale golden Sanskrit light blazed brightly, like a blazing furnace continuously devouring and refining that massive qi and blood essence.
"Rumble rumble..."
The sound of surging qi and blood rolled like muffled thunder within his body.
Chen Qing could clearly feel that his muscles, bones, internal organs, and even bone marrow were undergoing earth-shaking changes.
Contained within the flood dragon blood essence wasn't merely tremendous qi and blood, but also an extremely dilute trace of life essence!
This was the most precious thing for body cultivators!
Under the nourishment and washing of this life essence, Chen Qing's physical body seemed to break through some kind of shackle and began leaping toward a higher level.
Muscle fibers became thicker and denser. The explosive power contained in their contraction multiplied several-fold.
Bone density further increased. The sound when struck faintly carried a trace of metal clashing quality.
The five viscera and six bowels were wrapped and nourished by concentrated qi and blood, full of vitality and beating powerfully.
The most significant change was the explosive increase in total qi and blood volume!
The qi and blood that had originally surged like rivers now seemed to transform into a vast ocean, flowing mightily and endlessly through his meridians.
Each heartbeat was like war drums pounding, pumping fresh blood containing terrifying power to his entire body.
[Dragon-Elephant Prajna Vajra Body: Eighth Layer (103284/120000)!]
The second drop of blood essence wasn't yet fully refined, but the cultivation progress had directly surged by nearly fourteen thousand points!
He wanted to use this opportunity to break through to the ninth layer in one go.
Even more violent power surged in again!
This time, the changes were even more dramatic.
The pale golden Sanskrit characters around Chen Qing's body actually began to slowly writhe and interweave.
Beneath his skin, faint pale golden radiance emanated, making his entire person appear solemn and dignified, like a golden-bodied Arhat.
The gentle sounds from deep within his bones grew increasingly dense, finally connecting into one and transforming into a low, prolonged dragon-elephant harmonious cry!
"Moo—Ang—!"
Like an ancient elephant's call, yet also like a flood dragon's low chant.
Dragon and elephant power seemed to truly begin fusing at this moment!
Outside the window, cold wind howled past the peak of Myriad Techniques Peak.
Inside the quiet chamber was a scene of new life interweaving.
...
In the center of Jade Capital City, the Martial Arts Field.
This place occupied a hundred mu, paved with entire blocks of azure steel rock. Nine coiling dragon stone pillars stood around it, the pillar bodies carved with the valiant bearing of successive Yan Kingdom emperors conquering in all directions.
On ordinary days, this was where the imperial guards drilled and the Martial Academy held major competitions. It only opened for grand occasions.
Today, however, the viewing platforms around the martial arts field were packed with people.
Martial Academy disciples were neatly arrayed on the eastern viewing platform, everyone's expression solemn, gazes locked on the field.
On the western and southern VIP seats sat young ladies and noble ladies from the great aristocratic families of Jade Capital City, in brocade clothes and gorgeous robes, surrounded by pearls and jade ornaments. As they discussed in low voices, their gazes occasionally glanced toward that upright figure in the field, their eyes full of admiration.
The northern high platform was specially set for the imperial family and important ministers.
Marquis Jingnan, Marquis Zhenbei, Marquis Weiyuan, and several other marquises wielding real power sat within, their expressions seemingly calm but their eyes quite grave.
Beside them, the Que Religion delegation was led by Helian Shuo, with Elders Qin Yuan and Mo Qingshan seated left and right. Saintess Bai Xi sat quietly to the side.
On the field, two figures stood facing each other.
On the left, a man eight chi tall wearing crimson-gold marquis regular robes. This was precisely the Martial Academy genius whom the Yan Emperor had promoted exceptionally in recent years and enfeoffed as Marquis Pingding—Yue Qianfeng.
Though only sixty years old, he had already reached True Origin realm peak with eleven refinements. He also cultivated the imperial secret transmission Flame Dragon Army-Breaking Formula. His combat power was formidable. He was publicly recognized as the military's outstanding talent among Yan Kingdom's younger generation and was also entrusted with great hopes by the Yan Emperor.
On the right was precisely Shang Yuming, personal disciple of the Que Religion Sect Master.
At this moment, the two were fighting fiercely, having already reached a white-hot stage.
Crimson-gold True Origin gushed from Yue Qianfeng's body. Scorching heat waves distorted the surrounding air. Dragon-shaped phantoms faintly coiled and hummed lowly within the fierce flames.
He took a step forward. The azure steel rock ground cracked open in spider-web fine lines with a "crack." His form shot like a cannonball straight at Shang Yuming. His right fist clenched tight. Crimson-gold True Origin condensed at the fist edge, transforming into a fierce dragon head that roared as it bombarded forth!
Flame Dragon Army-Breaking Fist!
Wherever the fist wind passed, heat waves parted the air, actually pulling a crimson flame trail through the atmosphere. On the viewing platform, quite a few young ladies from aristocratic families with lower cultivation were forced pale-faced by this scorching heat wave, crying out in alarm.
"Marquis Pingding is mighty!"
Earth-shaking cheers erupted from the Martial Academy disciples, everyone's face showing excitement.
This punch from Yue Qianfeng had reached the extreme of True Origin realm—supremely powerful and matchless!
However, facing this punch capable of splitting mountains and cracking stone, Shang Yuming merely raised his eyelids slightly.
He didn't even have any intention of evading. He simply slowly raised his right hand, spread his five fingers, and gently pressed forward.
His movements were relaxed, carrying not the slightest trace of mortal concerns.
But just as his palm pushed out, a vast ocean-like tremendous qi and blood power, like a sleeping giant whale awakening, thunderously erupted!
There was no brilliant radiance of True Origin bursting forth, only the air vibrating caused by physical power condensed to the extreme!
"Hum—!"
A low sound like a muffled drum.
Shang Yuming's fair, slender palm steadily pressed against Yue Qianfeng's crimson-gold dragon-head fist edge!
The expected earth-shaking collision didn't occur.
Yue Qianfeng's violent, scorching fist force, as if striking an invisible yet indestructible copper wall and iron rampart, was actually forcibly blocked, unable to advance an inch!
The crimson-gold dragon head emitted an unwilling wail before thunderously collapsing, transforming into scattered sparks flying everywhere.
Yue Qianfeng's expression changed drastically. He only felt that his mountain-crushing fist power, like a clay ox entering the sea, was easily dissolved by that vast power transmitted from the opponent's palm.
Moreover, a mountain-heavy rebounding force surged back, his arm numb and qi and blood churning. His feet retreated "thud thud thud" three steps, each step leaving a deep footprint on the azure steel rock.
The entire venue suddenly fell silent.
The Martial Academy disciples' cheers came to an abrupt halt.
The noble ladies on the VIP seats covered their mouths in shock, their beautiful eyes full of disbelief.
"It seems your strength,"
Shang Yuming withdrew his palm, lightly brushing away nonexistent dust from his sleeve. His tone remained bland yet carried a trace of obvious disappointment, "Doesn't match your big words."
Yue Qianfeng steadied himself. The qi and blood in his chest still churned.
He took a deep breath, suppressing the surging True Origin. The battle intent in his eyes blazed even fiercer, "That was just a warm-up. Take another move from me!"
He knew his opponent's foundation was unfathomably deep. Ordinary techniques would be hard-pressed to shake it. He held nothing back now, roaring lowly as crimson-gold True Origin around his body madly surged toward both fists.
Twin Dragons Strangling Kill!
Two crimson-gold flame dragons several times more solid than before burst from his fist edges, intertwining and coiling. Dragon cries shook the heavens, carrying terrifying high temperatures that could melt gold and fuse iron along with the horrifying force to strangle everything. One left, one right, they bit toward Shang Yuming!
This strike, he had used eighty percent of his strength. The power of the Twin Dragons Strangling Kill—even experts newly entering Grandmaster realm praised this move highly.
Shang Yuming shook his head, seeming to find it boring.
He finally moved.
Instead of retreating, he advanced, taking a step forward. The azure steel rock beneath his feet silently cracked. His form like a phantom cut into the center of the Twin Dragons Strangling Kill.
Facing that violent power capable of twisting refined iron into hemp rope, his arms extended. He actually didn't dodge or evade, directly grasping with bare palms toward the two flame dragons' seven-inch positions!
"This is seeking death!"
Some Martial Academy disciple couldn't help calling out lowly.
However, the next scene left everyone dumbstruck.
Those seemingly fair palms of Shang Yuming, the instant they touched the flame dragons, suddenly emanated a dark luster like deep sea profound iron beneath the skin. Faint giant whale low humming sounds emerged.
Que Religion's town-protecting body cultivation secret transmission, Giant Whale Overturning Seas Technique!
"Puff! Puff!"
Two light sounds. Those two fiercely powerful crimson-gold flame dragons were actually forcibly grasped by the neck by Shang Yuming's hands. The violent flames and strangling force impacted his palms yet couldn't even scorch half his skin!
"Disappointing. Too disappointing."
Shang Yuming murmured, then suddenly clapped his hands together!
"Boom!!!"
The two flame dragons were smashed together by his supremely domineering tremendous force and thunderously exploded!
Crimson-gold flame fragments mixed with violent True Origin turbulent currents scattered and shot in all directions, scorching the martial arts field ground into charred black pits.
Yue Qianfeng suffered as if struck heavily, grunting as a trace of fresh blood leaked from the corner of his mouth. His form staggered backward.
But Shang Yuming no longer gave him a chance to catch his breath.
His figure flickered and he had already appeared a zhang before Yue Qianfeng. His right hand formed a fist, simply and plainly pushing forward.
This punch not only used True Origin but also urged the Giant Whale Overturning Seas Technique's ninth layer to the extreme!
The punch emerged soundlessly, yet the air seemed compressed to the extreme, producing an unbearable "creaking" sound.
Yue Qianfeng's heart turned cold. He seemed to sense the crisis.
He called out lowly, pouring all remaining True Origin into both arms, crossing them to block before his chest. Simultaneously he activated his protective treasure armor. A layer of crimson-gold light shield instantly lit up.
Twelve-Story Tower, open!
At the moment of life and death, he finally stopped hiding, deploying the imperial secret transmission's life-saving divine ability, briefly elevating defense to the limit!
A trace of surprise flashed in Shang Yuming's eyes, then transformed into even deeper indifference.
The fist edge pressed against the crimson-gold light shield.
Time seemed to freeze for an instant.
The next moment—
"Crack crack crack... Boom!!!!"
The crimson-gold light shield, like fragile paper, filled with spider-web cracks, then thunderously shattered!
Shang Yuming’s fist, without any flourish, slammed into Yue Qianfeng’s crossed arms.
"Puff!"
A heart-chilling sound of bones shattering rang out.
Yue Qianfeng's arms presented an unnatural bend. The protective treasure armor's light instantly dimmed.
Bang!
His entire person, as if struck head-on by a city-sieging giant hammer, flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crossing dozens of zhang distance before heavily crashing at the martial arts field's edge. He was barely bounced back to the ground, rolling several times before lying limp and motionless, already unconscious.
The entire venue fell deathly silent.
Only the hunting sound of wind blowing past the martial arts field flagpoles remained, along with faint gasping sounds from the distance.
Every Martial Academy disciple's face was deathly pale, clenched fists with nails digging deep into palms.
The noble ladies on the VIP seats lost all color, covering their faces with sleeves, not daring to look further.
Several marquises' expressions changed slightly.
Shang Yuming slowly withdrew his fist, standing in the field, his clothes spotless.
He swept his gaze around, looking at those disbelieving faces, especially the Yan Kingdom people's expressions that had turned extremely ugly. That stifled breath of qi that had long built up in his heart finally vented out in a refreshing rush at this moment.
The martial arts field that had just been noisy and boiling was now so quiet a falling pin could be heard.
This kind of silence was more pleasing to him than any cheering or acclaim.
He slightly raised his chin. His voice clearly transmitted throughout the venue, carrying a trace of disappointment:
"Yan Kingdom's geniuses, nothing more than this."
These words were like a resounding slap, viciously striking the faces of all Yan Kingdom people present.
"You...!"
Some hot-blooded Martial Academy disciples could not help wanting to rush down to the field, but were firmly held back by the instructors beside them. He could only stare with bloodshot eyes, glaring furiously at that proudly standing figure in the field.
"This personal transmission disciple of Que Religion's Sect Master is truly formidable, his strength unfathomable!"
"Even a genius like Marquis Pingding was defeated. It's truly alarming."
"Que Religion's foundation is truly as rumored—bottomless..."
The aristocratic family disciples at the edge of the field whispered among themselves, their voices unable to conceal their agitation.
Several noble ladies with considerable experience exchanged glances and sighed softly.
Helian Shuo stood up and cupped his fists toward Marquis Jingnan and the others beside him, "Nephew Shang is young and impetuous. He doesn't know the proper measure in his attacks. If his words gave offense, I hope Marquis Jingnan and all of you will be magnanimous."
"His meager skills can't even be considered top-tier within our humble religion. Injuring the young marquis was truly unintentional. This old man will definitely prepare generous gifts later and go to Marquis Pingding's residence to apologize."
His words were polite, but everyone could hear the deeper meaning within them.
Marquis Jingnan’s expression was as calm as an ancient well. He slowly said, “Elder Helian is being too serious. In sparring matches, victory and defeat are commonplace in military affairs. Young Friend Shang’s heaven-bestowed talent, cultivating both inner and outer arts to the realm of transformation—truly a rare genius seen once in a hundred years. It has greatly broadened our horizons.”
He paused, his words slightly turning, "However, regarding today's matter, the specific arrangements still require His Majesty's imperial decision. This marquis will immediately report to His Majesty."
Helian Shuo nodded with a smile, "That's natural. Everything follows the arrangements of His Majesty the Yan Emperor. We shall quietly await good news at the guest residence."
Behind him, Qin Yuan and Mo Qingshan remained seated upright, their postures calm and composed, as if everything before them were only to be expected.
Bai Xi’s gaze remained serene.
The other Que Religion accompanying personnel all straightened their backs, expressions proud, looking down disdainfully at the Yan Kingdom people below who were silent as cicadas in winter.
Yan Kingdom geniuses?
Marquises?
Before Senior Brother Shang, they couldn't withstand a single blow!
Soon, palace eunuchs and imperial physicians hurried onto the field, carrying away the unconscious Yue Qianfeng for treatment.
The viewing crowd began slowly dispersing in an atmosphere of extreme suppression and humiliation. No one spoke loudly. Only discussion sounds spread in the corners.
The results and details of this battle were, at the fastest speed, transmitted back to the depths of the imperial palace through the channels of the Pacification Guard and the palace inner guards.
In the Yangxin Study, wisps of blue smoke from the incense burners curled upward.
The Yan Emperor stood before the screen depicting ten thousand li of rivers and mountains, hands clasped behind his back, listening to the low yet clear report of the chief inner guard.
"...Marquis Pingding exhausted his full strength yet still couldn't match that Shang Yuming. The opponent didn't even deploy his full strength before breaking through the marquis's 'Twelve-Story Tower' and severely wounding him into unconsciousness."
“Shang Yuming’s attitude was extremely arrogant and contemptuous. Although Helian Shuo’s words were polite, his bearing was haughty, carrying a clear sense of coercion.”
The chief inner guard finished his report and bowed deeply, not daring to look toward the figure behind the screen.
The hall fell utterly silent.
After a long time, the Yan Emperor's voice came from behind the screen:
"Twelve refinements, Giant Whale Overturning Seas Technique ninth layer... and without deploying full strength, crushed the head of my Great Yan's Martial Academy."
He gently exhaled. “Que Religion… this is a blade bared against my Great Yan, and also toward the entire Beicang, showing its sharp edge.
They want to use this Shang Yuming to suppress the younger generation of my Yan Kingdom in Jade Capital City, right under my nose, to gain more leverage for the negotiations to come.”
The chief inner guard pondered for a long while before saying, “Just now, when this subordinate was on the way here, the Seventh Prince from the inner court volunteered!”
The inner court was where the Yan imperial family’s direct bloodline gathered.
And the Seventh Prince was heaven-bestowed with talent, the foremost figure of the current imperial generation of Yan Kingdom. What he inherited was even the Yan Kingdom’s secret transmission, and his strength was second only to that person.
“Old Seven’s status is special. His every move concerns the imperial family’s honor.”
The Yan Emperor slowly turned around. Though separated by the screen, the invisible pressure radiating from that figure made the air in the hall seem to freeze several degrees.
“Go.”
“Transmit my verbal decree—immediately notify the Six Great Upper Sects of Tianbao, Taiyi, Cloudwater, Lingxiao, Mystic Heaven, and Purple Sun. Order them to dispatch their most outstanding disciples of the current generation to hasten to Jade Capital at once.”
“I want to see whether the so-called thousand-year foundations of those Six Great Upper Sects can suppress Que Religion’s single Shang Yuming!”
"..."
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