Within the isolated dimension of Wet Bone Forest, cut off from the Ninja World, even the passage of time seemed different from that outside.
Neji sat cross-legged beneath the enormous Thousand-Armed Statue. The aura around him sometimes flowed with the warmth of a spring of creation, sometimes flickered unpredictably like turbulent currents of space-time, and sometimes became as deep and unfathomable as an abyssal curse.
The Three-Phase Immortal Power within his body was no longer divided into three distinct forces. Under the command of the Primordial Bagua Diagram, it had formed a dynamic, harmonious balance and cycle.
After an unknown amount of time, he slowly opened his eyes.
The pure white of his eyes no longer held cold flames, but a depth and calmness like someone who had seen the rise and fall of countless tides.
He spread open his left palm, and a wisp of chaotic-colored airflow quietly emerged. It rotated gently, emanating an aura that made the surrounding space ripple faintly.
"Tri-Aspect Return to Origin, yin and yang newly established. This is the result of my seclusion."
Neji murmured softly. His voice carried a trace of fatigue, but even more confidence born of mastery over his power.
With a thought, the chaotic airflow dispersed. His upturned palm then gathered countless tiny, translucent hexagonal crystal flakes out of thin air. They combined and extended on their own as though alive, forming in an instant an ancient-looking short sword shining with three-phase radiance.
"Sage Art: Crystal Release: Tri-Phase Genesis."
He gently stroked the blade. The short sword let out a clear hum. "It is no longer confined to a fixed form. With Immortal Power as its foundation and intent as its guide, it can create crystals with different properties at will. Defense, attack, sealing, even... transmission and filtration."
He rose