The Results of Light as Heavy

Matthews then used the same method to cast a hammer. After reheating the iron sword until it glowed red, he gave it a few simple strikes.

A sword forged this way was bound to be too weak, so Matthews didn't have high expectations for it. Besides, they had no way to sharpen this heavy sword right now.

"Forget it. A heavy sword has no edge, and great skill needs no ornament!"

Hearing Matthews, Asolun asked in confusion, "Boss, what does that mean?"

"It means a heavy sword has no sharp edge. You face your enemies with broad, straightforward strokes!"

Asolun didn't understand what "a heavy sword has no edge, and great skill needs no ornament" meant, but it still thought the saying sounded profound.

"Boss, you're amazing!"

Matthews wasn't sure whether his explanation was right either, but he continued, "I guess the saying also means that once you reach the level where a heavy sword has no edge, you don't win through skill alone. Instead, you use your strength and insights into your realm to overwhelm your opponent!"

Asolun didn't understand, so it asked, "Boss, what does it mean to overwhelm someone with your presence?"

"When you reach my level, all you need to do is comprehend the might of heaven and earth. Then you can easily advance to the Saint Realm!"

"Comprehending your presence is a must for a Level Nine warrior to advance to the Saint Realm!"

"Boss, is there a way to advance to the Saint Realm without comprehending your presence?"

Matthews thought for a moment before replying, "There is, actually. You can directly comprehend the Laws!"

Seeing how engrossed Asolun was, Matthews said, "That's still a long way off for you. Focus on refining your Magic Beast Core and raising your level!"

"Mm, that's true. As long as we magical beasts don't have bloodline restrictions, we can advance to the Saint Realm!"

After hearing Asolun's words, Matthews felt like hitting someone. He had to fight for his life to comprehend Light as Heavy, then Light as Heavy—after that, he still had to comprehend the might of heaven and earth before he could advance to the Saint Realm.

Meanwhile, this guy only had to refine his Magic Beast Core to advance to the Saint Realm while lying around!

"Asolun, your boss is very unhappy!"

"Huh, Boss? Why are you unhappy?"

"What do you think?"

Asolun replied, confused, "I don't know!"

"Argh, I'm going to beat you up. This is unfair! Why don't you magical beasts need to comprehend any of that to advance to the Saint Realm?"

After fooling around for a while, Matthews left with Asolun. Although Asolun seemed to be a mutated divine beast, it had already defied the ironclad rule that one couldn't change size before reaching the Saint Realm.

Matthews still hoped it would grow stronger, so he told it, "You still need to comprehend the Laws. Even if you can advance to the Saint Realm easily, comprehending the Laws once you're there is what really matters. You can start preparing for the future now."

"Mm! I understand, Boss!"

"You can control water and mist innately. Mist is a manifestation of the Water Laws' Mysteries of Mist, so you can try pursuing that path!"

With the heavy sword, Matthews found it much easier to practice Light as Heavy. The Light as Heavy he had learned from the Purple-Striped Black Bear quickly reached a level comparable to that of the Light as Heavy he had comprehended earlier!

Now at the peak of Level Eight, Matthews headed deeper into the Magic Beast Mountain Range with Asolun.

One day, the two of them passed by a lake. Matthews had been training in the Magic Beast Mountain Range for a long time and hadn't bathed, so he stripped by the lakeshore and began washing up.

"Splash—"

Matthews dove into the lake and swam to his heart's content.

"Refreshing!"

After washing away the filth that had covered him, Matthews felt completely refreshed.

Just then, Asolun noticed something strange on the lake's surface and immediately sent Matthews a Soul Transmission. "Boss, it looks like something's there!"

"Mm!"

Matthews knew they were in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, so he immediately sprang out of the water. Just as he was about to act, a Level Nine Magical Beast, the Black Snake, shot out of the lake and lunged at him. Matthews instinctively took the heavy sword from his Space Ring and held it in front of himself.

"Clang—"

After just one strike, the heavy sword in his hand broke with a snap, and the impact sent Matthews flying ten meters. Asolun didn't just stand by; it immediately used ice magic to freeze the lakeshore around Matthews and the Black Snake.

As a Seventh-Level Magical Beast, Asolun's ice magic couldn't hold back a Level Nine Magical Beast for long. Taking advantage of the brief opening, Matthews pulled Hanguang Youying from his Space Ring.

"Clang—"

In his haste, Matthews struck the Black Snake with Hanguang Youying. In its experience, its thick scales could fend off most attacks like this. But Matthews had comprehended Light as Heavy.

The attack, imbued with that level of power, wounded it despite its thick scales. This enraged the Level Nine Magical Beast, the Black Snake.

It lunged at Matthews again. After its bite was blocked, it opened its mouth to spit venom. Matthews thought, I'm done for. He was fighting the Black Snake at close range, so near its mouth that he was sure to be hit.

"Ice Shield!"

Asolun was coiled around Matthews, its head beside his. It instantly cast a fifth-level Ice Shield!

"Nicely done!"

Taking advantage of the opening, Matthews swung the Youying in his left hand at the Level Nine Magical Beast's lower neck, using Light as Heavy once more. The Black Snake recoiled in pain.

After leaping away, Matthews carefully examined the wounds he'd inflicted during their brief exchange. His attacks had all broken through the Black Snake's defenses, but none of them had been fatal.

Everyone knew that a snake's weak point was seven inches behind its head. He needed to find an opportunity to get behind it and strike that spot if he wanted to kill this Level Nine Magical Beast.

"Asolun, stick to the plan!"

Matthews didn't dare rush in for close combat anymore. Asolun's Ice Shield had blocked the Level Nine Black Snake's venom just now, but there was no guarantee it would work next time. So he began attacking the beast with his Electromagnetic Cannon, keeping it at bay.

Asolun also began using Ice Art to create ice around the lakeshore. Since they were beside a lake, there was plenty of moisture in the air. Asolun quickly prepared a battlefield to their advantage.

"Ready?"

"Almost, Boss!"

Hearing that Asolun was ready, Matthews stopped his ranged attacks. He used the speed provided by Electromagnetic Levitation and charged straight at the Level Nine Black Snake.

By now, the Black Snake had grown increasingly agitated by Matthews's fighting style. Seeing him charge, it lunged at him without hesitation.

"Ice Seal of a Thousand Miles!"

Asolun's ice magic froze the Black Snake at just the right moment, restricting its movements. This was the instant Matthews had been waiting for. He flashed behind the Level Nine Magical Beast's head. Hanguang crackled with electricity, and Matthews brought down a strike imbued with Light as Heavy, easily severing its head.