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Chapter 274: The Profound Mystery of Mirror Image
🕑 Added 2024-10-01 05:35:54 +0000 UTC"Let’s keep our backs to the castle; after all, it's an inseparable part of the Green family," Rhett suggested after some thought.
"You have a good eye, sir. It certainly adds a more solemn and ceremonial feel," White Hat complimented him.
"You are the expert here. When do you think we should gather?"
"The afternoon would be more fitting, with the bright and sunny weather."
"Alright, let's go with your suggestion. We’ll do the painting in the afternoon."
When the two returned to Dark Rock Castle, a variety of desserts had already been laid out on the dining table. Sveta pulled out the chair at the head of the table for Rhett and said, "Master, please take your seat."
Rhett didn’t rush to sit down, keeping a slight smile on his face. Facing the others, he clapped his hands, and the crisp sound echoed through the spacious hall, drawing everyone's attention.
He glanced at White Hat and then looked at the people at the table. "I have good news to announce. After a pleasant conversation, the renowned painter and magus next to me has decided to join Dark Hawk City to fight for our shared goals! Let us welcome our new member—White Hat!"
Clap, clap, clap!
Riley led the applause, his eyes shining with excitement as he enthusiastically said, "Oh, my esteemed mentor White Hat, welcome to the team! Dark Hawk City's epic painting will surely be even more splendid with you!"
"Wow, that’s quite the surprise!" Aura covered her mouth in disbelief. After a moment of consideration, she also offered her congratulations.
"Thank you all," White Hat smiled and swept his gaze across the paintings hanging on the walls. "The paintings on the walls are excellent. Riley, your growth is evident!"
"Thanks to your guidance, White Hat. It has been of great help to me," Riley replied humbly.
"Personal effort is still what matters most. Take Aura, for example. She paints inconsistently—sometimes on a whim, sometimes with little focus. At this rate, I doubt she'll ever reach her mother's level," White Hat shifted his tone to gently criticize Aura.
"Hmph, I've never claimed to be as good as my mother!" Aura pouted defiantly, but then she turned to Rhett and asked, "Marquis Rhett, is it true that you plan to recall Lawrence?"
"Yes, it's true," Rhett responded casually. "He’s completed his training at the Fire Pattern Mine and should return to take on greater responsibilities."
"Thank you! That’s a wise decision!" Aura's eyes gleamed with pride, feeling honored that Rhett held Lawrence in such high regard.
Rhett glanced at Aura, the elegant young lady showing a hint of lovesickness, which surprised him. But he hadn’t recalled Lawrence for their romance; his real intention was to take Lawrence to the Coldstream Front for more rigorous training.
A flower grown in a greenhouse, no matter how precious, couldn’t withstand a storm. Even a genius must endure various trials to grow stronger and more stable.
Five years ago, when Rhett returned to the canyon front, Lawrence had been too weak to bring along. But now, Lawrence had gained enough strength, like an unpolished jade. This trip to the Coldstream Front would be an excellent opportunity to refine him further!
Afterwards, the Green family and White Hat chatted for a while longer. After lunch, they took a short break before gathering in front of the castle to assist with White Hat's painting. They stood in two rows, each striking various poses—making peace signs, hearts, pointing with a single finger, tilting their heads with a smile, and so on.
Except for the children, most of them were extraordinary individuals, so holding their poses was relatively easy. The children, meanwhile, were surrounded by wind elements, making their limbs light and reducing the difficulty of maintaining their stances for extended periods.
Under the bright sunlight, two hours passed before White Hat's solemn expression relaxed. He made a few final strokes on the canvas, let out a sigh of relief, and smiled, saying, "Thank you all for your cooperation. The painting is complete."
"Phew!"
The members of the Green family immediately relaxed and dispersed. Especially the third-generation members like Dick, Kazena, and Trish, who ran to the lawn and began playing together, resembling carefree puppies frolicking in the sunlight.
"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. White Hat," Rhett smiled as he approached White Hat.
"No need to thank me, Marquis Rhett. It was an honor to paint for the Green family. Perhaps this painting will go down in history with your name, and I’ll be remembered too!" White Hat chuckled.
Rhett smiled back and glanced at the painting on the easel. A glimmer of amazement flashed in his eyes as he praised, "It’s stunning. This extraordinary skill—I've never seen anything like it from anyone else. Although the colors aren't a perfect match, the contours, details, and shading are all reproduced with such precision. And there’s an indescribable quality to it… Truly remarkable! Is this really something a painting can achieve?"
Hearing these words of praise, the other members of the Green family gathered around to take a look, exclaiming in wonder as they saw the painting!
"Wow, why does it feel like there's another world inside this painting?"
"Indeed, it’s as if... another space is hidden within."
"Exquisite!"
"Incredible..."
The others were immersed in admiration of the artwork. Riley, as an enthusiast, also lit up with excitement, shaking his head in awe. "Mr. White Hat, when will I be able to master such a skill?"
White Hat stroked his beard and glanced at Riley with a smile. "In fact… as long as you're a water-element mage, you might be able to reach this level!"
Rhett's curiosity was piqued, and he asked, "Oh? Why do you say that?"
"Well… this is something I've kept hidden for a long time, but there's no harm in telling you now," White Hat replied mysteriously. "You, as a lord of considerable rank, must have some understanding of profound mysteries. Do you know how many kinds of water-element profound mysteries there are?"
"Hmm, I think water-element profound mysteries are the most numerous, perhaps seven kinds," Rhett pondered aloud. "But what does that have to do with painting?"
"It might be related…" White Hat mused. "Although I'm not sure what all the water-element profound mysteries are, I seem to have touched the embryonic form of one of them."
"What? Mr. White Hat, you’ve comprehended a profound mystery?!" Riley exclaimed in shock. "Which profound mystery is it, and how does it enhance your painting skills?"
After a brief silence and some consideration, White Hat explained, "It appears to be the 'Mirror Image' profound mystery, but I can’t say for certain whether it improves my painting. I believe it depends on the individual."
"Depends on the individual? Could you explain a bit more clearly?" Rhett asked, his curiosity deepening.
After a moment of quiet reflection, White Hat elaborated, "I’m not sure how much you know about profound mysteries, so I’ll start simply. It’s a mystical form of power, akin to the essence of the world’s forces. As for the Mirror Image profound mystery, I’ve only scratched the surface.
What’s peculiar is that I stumbled upon it while painting. Perhaps that’s why, whenever I paint, I find it relatively easy to channel this profound mystery into enhancing my art."
"Mirror Image profound mystery, how fascinating…" Riley murmured to himself. Although he was somewhat confused, it didn’t diminish his sense of admiration.
"I see…" Rhett said, a glimmer of realization in his eyes. "So, painting might help in comprehending the Mirror Image profound mystery?"
"Well, I can't guarantee that. Perhaps I was just lucky," White Hat said with a wry smile.
Rhett didn’t delve further. As someone who had mastered three profound mysteries himself, he understood how difficult it was to articulate such things. He simply said, "Alright, would you mind demonstrating the power of the Mirror Image profound mystery for us?"
"Of course, though the power I’ve mastered is weak. It might not seem very impressive," White Hat said, walking towards an open space.
Rhett said casually, "That’s alright. I’m just curious to see the Mirror Image profound mystery in action."
White Hat walked a short distance away, pausing before he summoned a cluster of water elements. In an instant, the highly condensed water elements transformed, taking on the exact shape of White Hat’s silhouette, stunning everyone around.
They noticed that the phantom was indistinguishable from White Hat himself in every detail, from his face to his clothing. The only difference was the color—it was clear that the other figure was made of water.
"Interesting," Rhett said with amusement. The water element clone looked peculiar, but under his perception, it was just a highly condensed cluster of water elements. There didn’t seem to be anything special about it. He didn’t believe that the power of profound mysteries could be so simple.
Sure enough, the next moment, the clone’s actions proved Rhett's suspicion. As everyone watched in awe, something even more astonishing occurred.
With White Hat holding his staff and making a gentle gesture, the water element clone mimicked him, raising its hand to cast magic. The next instant, two water arrows shot forth, slicing through the air, leaving behind a trail of mist as they struck two small stones in the distance.
With a loud crack, the stones shattered into dust.
This exceeded Rhett's expectations. His pupils contracted sharply—what had just happened? Was that double casting?
Although he had read the profound mystery manual left by Mozassi, the explanation of the Mirror Image profound mystery was one of the few that was not thoroughly detailed. It mentioned that throughout history, very few had ever comprehended the Mirror Image profound mystery.
Rhett’s curiosity was intense. Just as he was about to ask more questions, he noticed the water element clone dissipating. At that moment, White Hat spoke up, "That’s the extent of my ability. Casting one water arrow is the limit of my power."
"Thank you. What you just showed was incredible. I've never heard of such an intriguing profound mystery," Rhett applauded lightly.
The others followed suit, clapping enthusiastically, equally astonished by the unique demonstration!
"Could you explain it to me in simpler terms?" Rhett asked with a smile.
"No problem," White Hat said after a moment of thought. "The Mirror Image profound mystery is like another essential force of water elements—the omnipresence of water. By comprehending this profound mystery, I’ve reached an unparalleled affinity with water, seeing everything in the world through a different lens.
The trick I used to form my image is just a minor application. In reality, I can take on any form I wish. However, these are not the main power of the Mirror Image profound mystery, merely supplementary abilities.
The true power lies in when I use my mental strength to cast magic, manipulating the elemental trajectories. The surrounding water elements also move in sync, which means I can control more water elements with the same mental strength, casting multiple spells."
"I see… so the Mirror Image profound mystery is essentially multi-casting, but only with water-based magic," Rhett mused, now understanding better. He nodded and said, "That makes it much easier to grasp."
Riley beamed with interest and said to White Hat, "In that case, I’ll need to learn even more about painting from you in the future. Perhaps one day I’ll also grasp the Mirror Image profound mystery!"
"You're always welcome, young master Riley. You have great talent, so you might indeed have a chance!" White Hat replied with a warm smile.
"Sveta, please store this painting safely. Frame it and place it above the fireplace in the fifth-floor hall!" Rhett called out to Sveta, who was being playfully swarmed by several children not far away.
"Understood, Master!" Despite Dick pulling at her clothes, Sveta responded with a gentle smile, lifting her head.
She then looked down at the children and said, "Young Master Dick, Young Master Kares, Miss Trish… I need to attend to something important now."
After saying this, she stepped away, freeing herself from the children’s grasp. But after taking only a few steps, she exclaimed in surprise:
"Oh, Kares, don’t step on my shoes!"
"Kazena, don't wipe your drool on my clothes!"
"Dick?! Naughty children will be eaten by the big bad wolf..."
A few minutes later.
Seeing that Sveta still hadn’t returned, Rhett glanced over at the situation and, with a sigh, turned to Riley, saying, "It looks like our butler is having some trouble. Kares and Kazena are the most troublesome. Riley, go help him out."
Riley’s mouth twitched, and he sighed, "Understood, Father. These kids really are a handful..."
Rhett stroked his chin, watching Riley’s retreating figure. He smiled and murmured to himself, "Who hasn’t gone through this? Including all of you..."
The gentle spring made time pass quietly, and a month slipped by unnoticed.
On a vast plain, a group of more than twenty people traveled across the land, all clad in silver armor, well-trained, and with serious expressions. The sunlight glinted off their armor as they marched in two neat columns.
The flag flying above the group bore an ancient emblem—the symbol of the Brenn family.
At the front of the group, Count Nilo rode at the center, dressed in light red armor, one hand holding the reins as he looked far ahead.
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