After the statue completely crumbled to dust, Chen Chuan saw the intense dematerialization of his Second Self begin to subside. He withdrew his hand and gradually relaxed as wisps of white steam rose from his body.
He looked down at the pile of dust and ash. 'Since that's dealt with, there's no need to descend the mountain tonight. I can wait until morning.' He returned to the temple, replaced a few torches, lit some more incense, and sat down again.
The chirping of insects now filled his ears. It was as if an isolating wall had been shattered, and the world had returned to its natural, vibrant state.
He centered himself and began using his Breathing Technique to guide the Mutated Organization. The psychic assault had been far too intense. It had left his Second Self unstable and ethereal, and the Mutated Organization had nearly lost its ability to grow in a normal, orderly fashion. 'Now I can finally calm down and focus on getting it back under control.'
