With the cleanup done, so Wu Guang began preparing his first approach to technique fusion.

From the information he had, fusion could be performed if the original techniques resonated with his normal circulation. It did not really explain how they would do so, but Wu Guang surmised that most probably it referred to the fact that he needed to use the technique while performing the patter of the 'Everchanging' that he also gained alongside the other information.

So the problem was how to exchange the circulation. In the case for 'Rock Shield' he had been using enough to reach a level where he could activate it without preparation. He only needed to will his qi to become the technique. While for 'Rock Spikes' he only obtained it today and so an intermediate level was his maximum. So using it would require the martial circulation pattern. Another thing to solve was to decide on the result he wanted.

In any case, waiting would not solve anything so Wu Guang decided to test the first method he could think of.

The idea behind it was simple, to try and activate both techniques at the same time. Easier said than done, but in the end, Wu Guang managed to do so. Still, he failed a few times because the techniques interfered with each other. This was not because of anything else than because originally 'Rock Shield' was also activated via 'Stomping the Hill'.

When he managed to call both techniques at the same time Wu Guang felt something and judged it to be the resonation described by the information about fusion. And indeed it was so, he even got something akin to a hint on how to proceed. And truth to be said, it was far easier than he imagined. He only needed to divide his attention and recite both of the technique mantras at the same time.

So now the only matter left was to mix them into one. Thankfully it seemed that the hints did not stop there, as another idea arose by itself. If he needed to mix both of them then "it would become one and so the mantra should be one as well" was the thought that solved the matter. And indeed, after dismantling the words contained in both mantras he managed to mix them into a single one. Then by reciting it, he managed to call three big spikes infused with qi. Albeit he called them spikes, in reality, they more resembled the slabs that were summoned by the 'Rock Shield', albeit with sharp tips and of smaller stature.

In any case, this confirmed that fusion was indeed possible. And even more, after a trial and error process, Wu Guang managed to form a mantra that would let him perfectly control the amount, size, and area of effect. "Mantras are needed for unmastered techniques as they help for one's mind to materialize the image of what is being done... I see... I created a new technique and obviously, it's unmastered by me. I should take my time to test if I can master it to a point of not needing the mantra at all and if it's possible, then the until now unknown fusion process that this set provided me is too impressive".

And he was right about the impressiveness of the set's fusion method. This was akin to the known method of creating a new technique from scratch, though doing so was an extremely hard and time consuming process. In fact, one had to be extremely lucky, or talented to be able to create one.

As for fusing techniques in general, it was also something known. But the only method available to do so required the author's cultivation to be at least a full major realm over required for the techniques themselves. Even more, it was only a form to create a combination, which in the end simply activated both techniques at the same time.

Wu Guang had just formed one in under an hour, while being in the same realm as the techniques. Adding that this was his first time doing so, this could even mean that with practice he could do so almost instantly with any technique he learned! If any expert heard of such, they would unhesitantly agree to, do, or sacrifice anything for such method.

After all, techniques made by other people could not be improved. They only could be mastered. While a personal technique could be not only improved and changed, it would also be far easier to use. This is because as the creator, one would have absolutely no problem in advancing its mastery or learning the quirks that any technique would have.

The experiment was successful, but Wu Guang wanted to check if it was truly a new technique. So he sat down and began trying to internally master the technique. But as he started to do so an easy but still important question arose "If this is a new technique, how should I call it?". The name of a technique was not really important or at least it should. But as matter of fact, this was a mistaken assumption of people who did not attain full mastery with any. A fully mastered technique was activated simply by willing it and to do so a name or sign was needed. Without any good ideas and because of the original techniques, Wu Guang named it 'Earth Spiked Shield'. Initially, he wanted to include rock in the name. But as Wu Guang considered the fact that it was now something outside the 'Rock' techniques of the Sect - decided to use Earth at the end.

"Hmm, I wonder if the personalization that was mentioned in the fusion can be applied to further change this technique. If it is so, maybe it can be used with other things apart from rocks? It would not be strange as both the circulation and mantra are unique now" With this now occupying his mind Wu Guang meditated for an hour as to fully recuperate.

Deciding that this thought would need an extensive trial and error process to be tested out Wu Guang left it for later and simply strived to achieve his original goal of testing the mastering process.

As if confirming the heavenly level of the set he obtained on their's whim, Wu Guang managed to activate the 'Earth Spiked Shield' without the mantra right away. From this, he not only confirmed the impressiveness of the fusion process but also the fact that the technique itself could be mastered as normal. And considering the speed with which Wu Guang mastered common spirit techniques and with it being his personal one, he could reach the most advanced level of mastery in a day or two!

The sun had already set and so Wu Guang decided to finish his training. In truth, he had another two matters left to test, but they would require a few days, assistants, and a location with different terrain. And as he had neither, he could only leave it for the future. These matters were to try to make changes to the techniques and to try and teach someone the technique. As from what he could see, the corresponding circulation for fusion had no restrictions and could be considered as a martial one. If this was confirmed, then in the future he could actually create and teach his own techniques to his followers or friends. And even creating a full combat set of his own would not be an impossible dream.

Even though he has decided to end his training and experiments session, he could not leave yet. At least not until solving the mess he created. And it was indeed a mess, all the entirety of the training area was covered with holes, complete and destroyed rock slabs or spikes. This was so to a point that if Wu Guang did not know for sure, he could not even guess that originally the area was a plain square covered with sand.

When Wu Guang finished clearing the mess and the training area looked at least presentable, the sun was already beginning to rise. Thankfully he could go without sleep for a few days without issue so after taking a long bath, Wu Guang started preparing breakfast for two.

Cooking for two turned to be the right decision as Yuan Taotu was true to his word. He arrived right as the breakfast was ready, almost as if he had sensed that the time was right. They did exchange a few words, but Yuan Taotu did not mention the reasons or results of his night out. Still, Wu Guang was pretty sure to have correctly guessed the main reason, which was that Yuan Taotu techniques required a ritual. Rituals done in the night were a sure sign of yin and demonic techniques, but albeit called evil by some, the techniques were pretty much accepted by most of the cultivators. Considering that Yuan Taotu had never used or showed his techniques before him even during the expedition, his guess most probably was indeed the truth.

***

Elder Mo had instructed Wu Guang to come on the day after the tournament. He did not mention any specific hour to do so, and in place said that Wu Guang should come as he could. Something that Wu Guang understood as at first hour. So right after breakfast, he moved to the main plaza of the Sect. Crossed it towards the building that he started calling Elder Mo's hall and entered it. Inside he found out that his decision was right. Not only Elder Mo was in there, he even seemed to have been waiting for Wu Guang's arrival.