The four figurines are a relic of protection that the three could use when they encounter the four divine beasts. They could either use it to summon a protection enchantment or a sealing enchantment. The protection enchantment makes them immune to any damage from the selected divine beast for a given duration.
The sealing enchantment can trap the divine beast in an alternate dimension for a few minutes which is enough for them to escape. When the Vermillion Bird released a powerful heat wave that disintegrated all the offenders, they used up the charge that the relic has on it to make sure that they come up alive. The benefit does outweigh the cost since they got what they came for.
"Let us return or else we might get spotted again." Tai stated as he vanished from his location along with Vixen and Tama.
What the three did not know is that there was a small black puppy lurking in the corner. It was Sirius that Adrian left there to monitor what would happen. He is in the form of a small black puppy as he was commanded to reduce his aura to the utmost in order to avoid the detection of the other party. Once they left, Sirius hopped inside the shadows and returned to his master's side.
"My soulbounds were ready to attack if they showed any signs of hostility but they did not. It seems that their leader made sure that they did not bother me. He is very perceptive as expected of the one labeled as the Oni." Adrian thought as Sirius shared the latter's memories with the former.
"I have done what I can here, my friend. Thank you for protecting the imperial city even though it was not your duty." The Vermillion Bird stated as it saw Adrian return.
"It just so happens that it overlapped with part of my duty as the Champion of the Twin Gods. You do not need to thank me for doing something that I was supposed to do anyway." Adrian stated.
"Remember that I can see what you do, my friend. You did not return just because of your duty. I am off as summoning me is also straining your soul even if it is the sturdiest ones that I have seen a being possess." The Vermillion Bird stated as it curled up its wings and vanish into a pillar of flame.
"We should leave as well." Adrian stated.
The imperial city has already been cleared up of miasma thanks to Levin Cloud, Saena, and the Vermillion Bird. All that is left is for the citizens to rebuilt what has been destroyed but they prayed deeply to the Vermillion Bird as they were graced by its healing powers. If the Vermillion Bird did not spread its power then a lot of the evacuees would have died from the miasma.
"You are going already?! I wanted you guys to teach me how to wield my new abilities." Prince Reishi stated.
"We would love to teach you but we are also in a quest to save the world. Besides, there is someone that can teach you." Adrian stated as he pointed towards the demigod Xing Tian.
"Are you referring to me, Champion Equinox?" The demigod Xing Tian stated.
"Who else will teach him the ways of using the evil spirits? You have accompanied the God Zhong Kui which means you know of his tricks." Adrian replied.
"You are correct! Haha! I can teach the boy some of the things then I should maintain this form." The demigod Xing Tian stated as he reduced his size to the size of the seventh prince. He used this form to match the movement of the seventh prince.
"We will leave it up to you." Adrian stated as he opened a portal back to the Temple of the Sun.
==
Adrian, Levin Cloud, Kabrakan and Peridot returned to the Temple of the Sun all battered up as they just came from a fight. They also arrived before the other returned, but Cairo greeted them. He then approached them with a rather apprehensive look which made Adrian ask him why he is like that.
"Is there something wrong?" Adrian asked Cairo.
"I actually forgot to mention to you about the thing in the guild chat. Aren't you mad about the messages that popped up there?" Cairo asked.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Why? Why would I be mad?" Adrian asked as he forgot that he muted his guild chat since they were in such an intense situation in the eastern continent.
Adrian then unmuted the guild chat and he was blasted with notification. The thing that caught his eye is the fact that he received a message that he thought that he will never get or rather his guild will ever get.
[Your guild member, Solstice, has razed a city in the western continent. The Patheon Guild's Infamy has increased by 100.]
[Your guild member, Creepysoo, has raised an army of undead and destroyed livelihoods in the western continent. The Patheon Guild's Infamy has increased by 100.]
[Your guild member, Lycan, has been called the Bloody Beast of the West in the western continent. The Patheon Guild's Infamy has increased by 100.]
…
[Your guild has built up a lot of infamy in certain parts of the western continent. Your guild will be hunted down by bounty hunters if you enter those territories.]
The messages continued as a lot of them have gotten infamy in various colorful ways. Never in a million years did Adrian think that they would get infamy. He thought that they would get recognition but the fact that they made infamy makes him question the methods that they used. Even their 'shadow squad' has earned infamy by being called the Dark Assassins of the Northern Dessert.
"We just split up to get Sun Stones. Why did they get Infamy instead?" Adrian stated as he calmed down and reminded himself that they were not that discreet like him.
"No worries as it comes with the mission but when did you have a bug?" Levin Cloud stated as he pointed at the bug behind Adrian.