Wolf Fang Art

The three known dynasties in Chen Qingzhi's world were actually Spring and Autumn, Warring States, and the Heavenly Dynasty. Raphael wondered whether this was a coincidence, so he asked why the era over two thousand years ago had been called "Spring and Autumn."

Chen Qingzhi replied, "There are two explanations for that. The first says that the climate back then was very different from today's. There were only spring and autumn, with no summer or winter.

"The other says that three of the Eight Great Powers were founded in spring, while five were founded in autumn. They would hold large-scale rites and celebrations during those seasons.

"So spring and autumn were generally times when the major powers rested and recuperated, and wars only took place in summer and winter. After the Warring States era began, fighting continued throughout all four seasons. People longed for the peaceful springs and autumns of the past, so they named that era 'Spring and Autumn.'

"There is still no consensus on which explanation is correct."

Raphael nodded and did not pursue the question.

Chen Qingzhi continued with great deference, "I have now told you everything about this world's powers and history. May I ask you another question, Demon Lord?"

"Go ahead," Raphael said. "But we will still take turns. You ask, then I ask."

He guessed that Chen Qingzhi was still interested in the Acting Method, and he should be able to answer his question.

"Yes," Chen Qingzhi said.

Then he asked, "Demon Lord, is there something wrong with the Blood Sect's cultivation method in this world? Is there a better way to cultivate?"

"There is," Raphael said with an air of seasoned authority. "There is indeed a better way to cultivate."

He smiled. "My turn."

Chen Qingzhi paused in surprise before saying, "Demon Lord, what exactly is this cultivation method?"

Raphael sneered. "The specifics of that cultivation method are confidential even in my own world. Yet the questions I want to ask could be answered by any ordinary cultivator in yours.

"It is my divine abilities and cultivation that cannot descend into your world for now, not my intelligence."

Chen Qingzhi gave an awkward smile, then asked, "Demon Lord, how might I learn this safe cultivation method?"

Raphael said, "Answer my questions carefully, and I will naturally make it worth your while.

"Hmm. Since you wish to ask about a safe cultivation method, explain the different cultivation methods of the Qi Sect and the Blood Sect in detail, so that I can avoid giving you a method unsuitable for your world."

"Yes." Suspecting nothing, Chen Qingzhi carefully explained the two different cultivation methods. Surprisingly, both Qi Sect and Blood Sect disciples began by practicing this world's basic cultivation arts.

These basic arts were taught in ordinary schools and academies, much like the radio calisthenics Raphael knew.

After practicing these arts a little, people could try seeking opportunities at the major sects once they had completed their general education.

These so-called opportunities meant seeing whether they could gain the recognition of the True Lord's Jade Body.

There was no discernible pattern to this process; it depended entirely on an individual's fortune. Anyone who received an infusion of magical power from the True Lord's Jade Body would be accepted as a disciple by the sect's Qi Sect, then taught cultivation arts under a standardized curriculum at its various branches.

Once someone gained the recognition of the True Lord's Jade Body, his fate would change dramatically.

Even if he remained in the mortal realm, equivalent to sequence 9 through sequence 7, he would be given the title of Immortal and generally respected by others.

Every major sect had a foundational cultivation art. The Dark Hut's was the Demon Source Scripture, which had nine levels in total. Any disciple recognized by the True Lord's Jade Body, infused with magical power, and given a reconstructed body could begin practicing its first level.

The first purpose of this art was to familiarize cultivators with their reconstructed bodies and prepare them to cultivate divine abilities.

Its second purpose was to temper their minds and spirits, allowing them to comprehend the true essence of the Dark Hut.

Only after fully mastering one level could they receive another infusion of magical power from the True Lord's Jade Body and then cultivate the next.

Generally, upon reaching the late mortal realm, equivalent to sequence 7, they could begin cultivating some low-level divine abilities.

The Dark Hut's sequence 7 disciples could cultivate the Wolf Fang Art and the Chaos Art.

When cultivators of the Wolf Fang Art activated it, they would merely grow four wolf fangs and longer nails, with no other changes to their bodies. Meanwhile, the Demon Source Scripture gave them exceptionally steadfast minds, so activating the Wolf Fang Art would not cause them to lose their reason.

Moreover, besides its transformation technique, the Wolf Fang Art included two divine abilities: the Nine Wolf Shadow Steps and the Wolf Fang Claw.

The former was a movement technique divided into three levels. In the late mortal realm, cultivators could only practice the first level. Upon reaching the early and late deification realm, equivalent to sequence 6 and sequence 5, they could practice the second and third levels respectively.

The latter, though called a divine ability, was actually a martial art designed specifically for the Wolf Fang Art.

Although Chen Qingzhi had only given a brief explanation, Raphael could not help admiring this world's Beyonders. They had found remarkably inventive ways to use a Werewolf's abilities.

He had just experienced actual combat. His fight with the Zombie had been exactly like two wild beasts fighting, with nothing beyond basic combat techniques.

These two divine abilities, however, brought a Werewolf's agility and claws to their fullest potential, turning them into cultivation arts that could be taught to future generations.

Upon reaching the deification realm, equivalent to sequence 6 through sequence 4, cultivators could practice not only new levels of the Demon Source Scripture but also other divine abilities, such as the Three Corpse Refining Arts and the Phantom Divine Art.

The Blood Sect's cultivation method was different. After completing their general education, those who failed to gain the recognition of the True Lord's Jade Body still had another option. If willing, they could undergo the Blood Sect's assessment.

The assessment generally required a powerful spirit and a firm will.

Anyone who passed still had a chance to become an Immortal Master.

Most people would not choose this path, however, because taking an inner core would drastically alter their temperament. Even practicing an art that tempered the mind, such as the Demon Source Scripture, would not help much.

Generally, in the early and middle mortal realm, equivalent to sequence 9 and sequence 8, the effects would most likely be limited to erratic behavior and certain bodily mutations.

But when they took an inner core for the late mortal realm, there was a significant chance that they would collapse directly into a monster.

Chen Qingzhi thus badly needed the "safe cultivation method" mentioned by this "Demon Lord from another world." After explaining his world's two cultivation methods, he asked again.

Raphael also very much wanted this world's cultivation arts and was willing to trade Potion formulas for them, but a question immediately occurred to him: did this world have the necessary supplementary ingredients?