Level Nine Magic Beast Purple-Black Bear

Hearing this, Matthews frowned and asked, "Do you know who the Saint-level expert behind them is?"

"I have no idea."

Seeing that Lucas didn't know either, Matthews didn't press the matter. They shifted the conversation to their experiences over the years. Upon learning that Matthews had also settled in the capital of the Furio Empire, Lucas said happily, "That's great! I'm currently serving the Divine Beast Sect. We should grab a drink when you're free!"

"No problem at all!"

After chatting for a while, Matthews and Lucas prepared to part ways.

Unexpectedly, Lucas said, "I came here this time intending to contract a Magic Beast. I wonder if Brother Matthews could help me out?"

Matthews truly hadn't expected him to make such a request, especially since they hadn't seen each other in a long time. Although they had once shared hardships, their friendship was still shallow.

"Uh, didn't you just say you were an eighth-rank mage? Why not wait? When you reach the ninth rank, you can contract a ninth-rank Magic Beast, and then find a Saint-level Magic Beast core to make it a Saint-level beast. Wouldn't that be better?"

Hearing Matthews say this, Lucas looked at him with a surprised expression.

"Uh, Brother Matthews. Saint-level Magic Beast cores aren't that easy to get!"

Hearing Lucas's explanation, Matthews realized he had been taking things for granted.

"Hahaha, that was my oversight!"

As they spoke, Matthews agreed to Lucas's request. At this moment, Asolun asked, "Boss, are you really going to help him?"

"It's fine. Even if he turns on us, we can handle it!"

Half a day later, Lucas led Matthews to the edge of a cliff. After observing for a moment, Lucas explained, "I've been watching this place; it's the territory of a pair of eighth-rank Wind Dragons."

"I will seize the opportunity to subdue one of them, and I'll have to trouble Brother Matthews to help with the other!"

"Fine!"

Seeing that Matthews agreed, Lucas launched an attack on the female Wind Dragon guarding the nest.

"Dance of the Fire Serpent!"

This eighth-rank fire-style magic, which had been described in the original work, was unleashed by Lucas. Two fire dragons attacked the Wind Dragon! The brooding female Wind Dragon had no choice but to flap its wings, sending two tornadoes to intercept the fire serpents.

The fire fed on the wind, forcing the Wind Dragon to take flight to dodge. At that moment, the eggs in the dragon's nest were knocked out and fell toward the ground. Matthews flew up and caught the two Wind Dragon eggs.

The battle between the Wind Dragon and the fire mage quickly attracted the male Wind Dragon, which had been out foraging. Matthews did not break his promise and blocked the dragon for Lucas.

The result of the battle on the other side was soon decided. The brooding female Wind Dragon was already relatively weak, so it was quickly subdued by Lucas, who then signed a master-servant contract.

Matthews also easily subdued the eighth-rank male Wind Dragon. Lucas walked over and congratulated him, "Thank you for your help, Brother Matthews. You can contract this eighth-rank male Wind Dragon now!"

Matthews already had Asolun, a Magic Beast capable of changing its size at will. Even if he were to sign a master-servant contract with another beast, it would at least need to have Saint-level talent or be a Saint-level Magic Beast.

He declined, saying, "No need. Since Brother Lucas has already contracted the female, why not go ahead and contract this male as well?"

"In that case, thank you, Brother Matthews!"

Initially, the male Wind Dragon was unwilling, but after Matthews produced their two eggs, it agreed to sign the contract with Lucas.

Just as the two were celebrating, a ninth-rank Magic Beast, a Purple-Striped Black Bear, appeared not far away!

"Oh no, a ninth-rank Magic Beast is approaching!"

As soon as Matthews finished speaking, Lucas immediately controlled the newly contracted Wind Dragon to take flight. Matthews drew Cold Light Ghost Shadow and slashed at the charging bear.

"BOOM--"

With just a single strike, Matthews was sent flying and spat out blood.

"Dance of the Fire Serpent!"

Lucas did not abandon Matthews at this moment, instead casting his most proficient fire-style magic.

"Run! This is a peak ninth-rank Purple-Striped Black Bear!"

Seeing that his boss had lost his combat ability, Asolun grew to his full size and flew away with him.

Lucas did not linger either, controlling his Wind Dragon to flee!

After Asolun flew a long distance with Matthews, he asked, "Boss, how are you?"

Matthews spat out another mouthful of blood and said weakly, "I'll be fine!"

Matthews truly hadn't expected that even though he was an eighth-rank warrior and had grasped the essence of Light as Heavy, he would be sent flying and lose his combat capability after a single encounter with a ninth-rank beast.

From the attack of that ninth-rank beast, Matthews clearly sensed that it had already grasped the essence of Heavy as Light. That clumsy-looking bear's seemingly light palm strike had contained the force of ten thousand pounds the moment it collided with his blade.

Through this strike, Matthews realized that the Purple-Striped Black Bear was not far from grasping the power of heaven and earth. In this regard, it was further along than he was.

It was fortunate that he had also grasped Light as Heavy; if it had been an ordinary eighth-rank warrior, they likely would have perished from that single blow.

"Let's find a place to heal."

Hearing Matthews's words, Asolun had no choice but to turn back, returning to the small canyon where they had previously trained.

Matthews lay down in their former resting spot in the canyon: "Go keep watch. I need to regulate my Battle Qi."

After a brief adjustment, Matthews lay still to recover from his injuries. At the same time, he replayed the palm strike from the black bear in his mind over and over, analyzing the essence of Heavy as Light contained within it.

Two months later, Matthews began to simulate Heavy as Light with his sword. Although he made some progress, the sword was a light weapon, so the results were limited.

At his current level, Matthews definitely couldn't defeat that ninth-rank Purple-Striped Black Bear, so he and Asolun changed direction and continued forward.

Matthews then began to challenge peak eighth-rank Magic Beasts, using them to hone his understanding of Heavy as Light.

One day, while passing by a volcano, Matthews looked at the magma occasionally flowing out. He decided to forge a heavy sword for himself; after all, a heavy weapon was more suitable for practicing Heavy as Light.

Matthews acted on his thought. At the crater, he used the heat of the volcano to melt some iron ore from his Space Ring and began to cast a sword using the smelting process.

He first used wet clay to create a mold for the heavy sword, then poured the molten iron into it. After waiting for it to cool, he had a crude iron sword.