But this was clearly no time to dig down to the roots of the matter. Li Chen and Old Hou merely expressed their surprise before briskly setting about cleaning up the Wild Ox leader's carcass.
Rogue cultivators of the wilds came and went in haste. Who knew when former companions might become strangers? What was the point of questioning everything so closely?
On the way back to the Commandery Seat, the three rode their respective Mechanism Beasts and chatted in a relaxed mood.
Li Chen asked the other two, "Do you know about the Black Tortoise Path of the Other Continent?"
"Of course," Old Hou said. "It's a path of cultivation that draws energy into the body, constantly using heaven and earth vital energy to temper and strengthen oneself. We've borrowed from it here as well, incorporating it into cultivation methods for body tempering and strengthening."
You An seemed to know more about it and chimed in, "Here on the Eastern Victory Continent, we mostly see Low-Rank Martial Artists. We can't compare with them. They say the Other Continent has experts capable of shattering the void!"
"Whether they can split stone tablets or shatter the void, it's merely the difference between low martial arts and high martial arts," Li Chen said. "But either way, they cultivate by studying beasts in combat or the innate gifts of gods and devils. At heart, it's all imitation in pursuit of evolution and transformation. I'm not wrong about that, am I?"
You An gave him a slightly surprised look, then nodded. "That's right."
"Then we've already grasped its profound essence," Li Chen said.
Old Hou laughed. "Brother Li, surely you're joking? Neither of us practices that path."
But Li Chen said, "Think about it. Martial artists imitate powerful species such as beasts or gods and devils to advance their cultivation. We Puppet Masters go even further-we directly seize their gifts and abilities for our own use. If that isn't grasping its essence, what is?"
"Whether it's the innate divine abilities of powerful species, the wonders and strange phenomena wrought by nature, or all manner of minerals, rare treasures, and precious natural materials, they're all creations of this world. We simply put them to use more readily."
"One who borrows a carriage and horses travels a thousand miles without swift feet; one who borrows a boat and oars crosses rivers without knowing how to swim. That is the true pursuit of the Dao!"
Old Hou was stunned for a long while before he sighed. "That makes sense."
You An also nodded repeatedly as he listened, plainly agreeing.
"So, Brother Hou, your Mechanism Right Arm harnesses the work of creation, and so does your War Armor, You An. If you have all four essentials of cultivation and the right opportunities, you, too, could become one of those legendary experts."
These words might have sounded like encouragement for the two men, but they also sprang from his own reflections.
Ever since witnessing the mechanical martial artist's cultivation path demonstrated by You An, he had once again realized how advanced this world's cultivation civilization was.
This was by no means the medieval world it appeared to be on the surface, but a vast world capable of wresting power from creation itself, a world with legends of Yan Shi's Creation.
Then, if the right opportunities arose, could he find even more ways to improve?
It seemed the resources he possessed were far more valuable than he had expected. Both the differences and the similarities between the two civilizations might offer something worth using.
"There are so many ways to improve and grow stronger!"
Old Hou smiled faintly at this. He was getting on in years and no longer harbored such lofty ambitions.
You An, however, was quite interested and hurriedly asked for details.
"I have a method that might help equip your War Armor with weapons, You An," Li Chen said, "and give you more ways to defeat your enemies."
You An was delighted. "I almost forgot-you're a Craftsman, brother!"
Li Chen's expression darkened. "How could you forget something like that?"
You An burst out laughing. "A slip of the tongue, a slip of the tongue! I was so excited I blurted it out. Don't mind me, Brother Li. But if you really have a way, remember to help me modify my War Armor."
Li Chen solemnly agreed. "Don't worry. I wanted to take this opportunity to study it anyway."
You An's War Armor had reminded him of the mechanical exoskeletons from his previous life, as well as the mechs and powered armor found in all sorts of science fiction.
Those were definitely ways to effectively improve his strength in a short time.
Over the next few days, Li Chen and the other two hunted nearly ten more beasts, selling them for several hundred coins.
The haul was not particularly large, but it was enough to prove that both Li Chen and You An had skills of their own.
Old Hou seemed to have finally set aside his misgivings and was no longer so reluctant to take them along to hunt demonic beasts.
Li Chen also began fulfilling his promise, using the breaks between hunts and their evenings in the city to study You An's War Armor and look for possible improvements.
The result left him rather embarrassed. This War Armor was actually "Heavenly Soldier War Armor," a relatively advanced model within the two-star grade, with a "cultivation content" far beyond ordinary Wooden Soldiers or Armored Warriors.
Never mind whether Li Chen had the skill to dismantle it and decipher its core and central spell arrays-he was too embarrassed even to ask.
Thus, before the improvement plan could truly be put into practice, it was declared a failure. He could only put it off, saying he would take his time finding a solution.
For Old Hou, on the other hand, Li Chen found time to make a skin covering for the hand of his Mechanism Right Arm.
He was still continuing his research into the Skin-Painting Art for humanoid puppets, and as far as hands were concerned, he could already achieve a lifelike effect.
Old Hou was greatly satisfied with it. It also dispelled the doubts caused by the failed War Armor modification, restoring his confidence in Li Chen's skill as a Craftsman.
On the twenty-sixth day of the fourth month, in a tavern in the city, Old Hou munched on fragrant roasted beans as he told Li Chen and You An, "Brothers, we've had enough rest these past few days. It's time we went looking for some real demonic beasts."
They had not left the city that day, because Old Hou's injuries had fully healed, and he had retrieved his Battle Puppet and Mechanism Right Arm several days earlier.
Moreover, the new team's division of duties had begun to take shape, and he was thinking it was time to increase the difficulty.
Li Chen wholeheartedly agreed. "If we keep going after ordinary beasts, we're only earning money through hard labor. If we want to advance our cultivation, we'll have to rely on demonic beasts."
"Exactly," Old Hou said. "I suggest we start venturing farther tomorrow, even spending the night in the forest."
"That works," Li Chen said.
You An agreed as well. "Brother Hou, we'll leave the decisions to you."
"Good," Old Hou said. "We'll each make our preparations today and set off punctually at sunrise tomorrow."
After leaving the tavern, Li Chen parted ways with the two men and headed to the Market Fair alone.
Over the past few days, he had been steadily gathering the various spirit materials and puppet components he needed, all of them necessary for his research and cultivation.
As a young Puppet Master, he had a long road and a bright future ahead of him. Advancing his cultivation was his foremost priority.
Just then, as Li Chen was browsing, he suddenly spotted a tall sign outside a shop by the street. It read, "Wonderful news! A new shipment of finely crafted Grand Artisan works has arrived!"
He went over to inquire and learned that the shopkeeper had somehow obtained a batch of components suitable for puppets of three-star grade and above. As luck would have it, among them were several Magnetism Components he had never stopped thinking about!
Those are the key to antigravity technology!
He immediately matched them to the technology of Earth in his previous life.