"Uhhh, we've finally arrived."
At the same time, Javon returned to his senses as he looked at the entrance of the forest before them.
"We have arrived at the Cleave Forest, everyone. This is the raiding site of my Spirit Worship Sect."
"Spirit Worship Sect?" everyone around muttered under their breath — including Javon.
The youths leading the group still kept their nonchalant gazes, as though everything happening had nothing to do with them. Yet, one could sense the pride in their eyes when the Spirit Worship Sect was mentioned.
"I can't believe it's actually the Spirit Worship Sect!" Ewen, who resided within Javon's body, exclaimed in amazement.
"Is the sect really that amazing?" Javon asked hesitantly.
"The Spirit Worship Sect is a major force in the Psalms Empire — it's actually a 7th-rank force in the Boundless Continent," Ewen replied, his voice laced with excitement.
"I can't believe the Spirit Worship Sect is really the owner of the Cleave Forest."
"So you're saying they're just a 7th-rank force?" Javon asked speechlessly. "What's all the fuss about? It's just a mere 7th-rank force." He felt a sense of disdain toward such a sect.
"You! Do you even know what a 7th-rank force means? Do you know the kind of experts a 7th-rank force possesses?" Ewen's tone grew graver by the moment.
"Was I wrong...? They're just a seventh-rate force, for God's sake — too weak," Javon said in disgust.
"You forgot you couldn't even deal with a mere disciple from a 7th-rank force, yet you dare to look down on them," Ewen sighed.
"Let me tell you how this works," Ewen continued helplessly. "Sects and guilds are ranked based on their strength, as you should know. The ranks start from 9th up to 1st, the 9th rank being the weakest of them all. The rank of a sect is measured by the strength it possesses. But before I explain the rankings of the forces, let me enlighten you on the cultivation levels in this world."
"When a being steps onto the path of cultivation, it means they have broken through to the Body Strengthening Stage, which has nine levels — from the First to the Ninth. After the Body Strengthening Stage comes the Artery Refinement Stage, Core Formation Stage, Spirit Gathering Stage, Soul Rudiment Stage, and finally, the legendary Martial Dao Stage," Ewen said patiently.
"Is the cultivation journey really that long?" Javon asked in doubt.
"Yes… It's also rumoured that there's another level above the Martial Dao Stage, but I'm not sure about it," Ewen's voice rang out again.
"Rumours don't start from nothing," Javon said gravely.
"You there — what are you doing standing in a daze?"
A man in a beast-skin coat barked as he looked at Javon coldly.
"Uhhh…" Javon grunted before following the group into the forest.
"Ewen...?"
"What is it?"
"Tell me more about the powers in this world — how they work?"
"You make it sound as though you're not from this world," Ewen said curiously. Javon just shrugged speechlessly.
Seeing Javon had no intention of answering, Ewen didn't press further, though his curiosity remained.
"The ranks of the world depend solely on the strength of the force behind them," Ewen continued.
"For example, a 9th-rank force must at least have a Core Formation Stage cultivator."
"It's that powerful...?" Javon muttered in amazement.
"Yes — that powerful."
"Then what about an 8th-rank force?"
"An 8th-rank force must have a cultivator at the Spirit Gathering Stage."
"So the higher the rank, the stronger the members?"
"Exactly," Ewen confirmed.
"Then what kind of powerhouses do you think exist in a 1st-rank force?"
"Even I don't know for sure," Ewen admitted, "but one thing is certain — they have many cultivators at the Martial Dao Stage." His voice carried a trace of disbelief. Martial Dao experts were, after all, the stuff of legends.
"Wow…" Javon exclaimed unconsciously, drawing mocking gazes from the group.
Scratching his nose awkwardly, he kept a nonchalant expression as the journey continued smoothly.
"Ewen."
"What is it again?" Ewen grunted.
"Sorry for disturbing you, but do you, by any chance, have any cultivation methods you mentioned earlier?"
"No. Do you think having a cultivation method is as simple as eating and drinking?"
Javon's expression darkened. Even though he hadn't expected much, disappointment still filled his heart.
With a long face, he followed the group behind the hunters — until a shout suddenly echoed.
"All of you, stay behind us!"
The voice came from a young man who seemed to be the group's leader.
"After we kill the group of beasts gathered near the mine, you will begin the excavation. Until then, don't move."
Without another word, the arrogant young man drew his sword. His companions exchanged a nod, seeming to reach a silent agreement, before walking into the mist together.
The group of expendable recruits at their rear all wore grave expressions. One of the Spirit Worship Sect disciples remained behind to prevent escape, crushing any hope they had.
Javon, as usual, remained silent at the back, but within him, his mind was full of questions.
"Ewen, I heard the leader talking about beasts. What's that about?"
"The 'beasts' he mentioned are actually animals — or rather, an evolved version of animals."
"Oh? What gives them that upgrade?"
"The upgrade is that they can cultivate. Animals that cultivate are called wild beasts."
"Interesting… beasts that cultivate. So how are they ranked by strength?"
"They're ranked just like cultivators. For example, a beast that has just stepped onto the path of cultivation is in the Beast Strengthening Stage."
"Ohhh, just like how humans start with the Body Strengthening Stage," Javon asked once more.
"Exactly."
"So, what level of beasts do you think are inside this mist?"
"They should, at most, be beasts at the peak of the Beast Strengthening Stage."
"They're so weak," Javon frowned.
"Think about defeating them first before calling them weak," Ewen said with disdain.
"You—"
"Hey! Something's coming out!" one of the men suddenly shouted in terror.
"What is it?" everyone asked at once, even Javon's gaze sharpening.
"It… it seems like a beast," someone stammered in fear.
Rooooar!
A deafening roar echoed through the air, suffocating everyone present.
"Are we gonna die here?" a young man whimpered, tears in his eyes.
Moments later, the beast stepped into view — a grotesque creature with the head of a pig, the body of a rhino, and the arms of a tiger.
Terror filled the hearts of everyone gathered, even the Spirit Worship Sect disciple assigned to watch over them.