Thought after thought surfaced in Locke's mind, each one examined, weighed for feasibility, and then dismissed.
Suddenly, an idea sprouted from the depths of his heart, breaking through like a sapling that rapidly grew into a towering tree.
"Now that I've reached Sanctuary, I possess limitless lifespan."
"If my attacks are lacking, then I can simply train my warrior-level abilities!"
Once this thought took root in Locke's heart, it could not be shaken.
Magic might be flashy and spectacular—but as a transmigrator from a flower-worshipping world, which mage wouldn't secretly yearn for close-quarters combat?
"And…" he continued mentally.
"Both mana and Dou Qi are refined from the elemental energies of heaven and earth."
"Merging with the mind and stored in the Sea of Souls, it becomes mana."
"Merging with physical strength and stored in the dantian, it becomes Dou Qi."
"Magic spells are created by the gods when they dissect law principles to their limits, enhancing their universality so more people can learn them."
"Similarly, a Dou Qi manual should exist in the same way as magic spells."
"A Dou Qi manual capable of helping someone break through to a seventh-level warrior must contain law principles equivalent to a seventh-level spell."
"Now that I am at Sanctuary, if I use the law principles I've mastered to create a Dou Qi manual, it will be perfectly suited to my own cultivation."
"Moreover, creating a Dou Qi manual will deepen my understanding of these law principles—a true double benefit."
"Let's do it!"
With that, Locke opened his eyes and entered a state of Heaven-and-Human Unity, immersing himself in the intricacies of the "Mist Illusion" law principles.
Previously, when Locke studied law principles, he either dissected the secrets of magic spells or extrapolated other unmastered principles from the ones he had comprehended, assimilating them fully into his own understanding.
Now, he would take his mastery a step further. Not only would he refine these principles at a higher level, but he would also, just like when developing spells, begin creating a Dou Qi manual based on the "Mist Illusion" law principles.
Days passed… two months… a year… two years…
One day, a massive influx of water-element energy swirled into Locke's body.
But unlike mana, which merges with the mind and is stored in the Sea of Souls, these water elements flowed through his meridians according to a specific pattern, eventually condensing into blue Dou Qi and stored in his dantian.
Half an hour later, Locke concluded this session and opened his eyes.
"Not bad. Three years of cultivation, and I've finally created a Dou Qi manual based on the 'Mist Illusion' law principles."
"Like refining mana, refining Dou Qi consumes energy—but while mana consumes spiritual power, Dou Qi consumes physical strength."
"Over time, the body will grow exhausted."
"The stronger the body, the longer one can refine Dou Qi."
"Now that I've reached Sanctuary, my body—tempered by mana—has reached the strength of a seventh-level warrior."
"Soon, my Dou Qi training will reach seventh-level as well, after which progress will naturally slow."
Cultivation is never one-dimensional.
Body and soul are interconnected.
A mage who reaches Sanctuary has physical strength comparable to a seventh-level warrior.
A warrior at Sanctuary possesses mental strength rivaling a seventh-level mage.
But because they lack specialization, a Sanctuary mage fighting a seventh-level warrior using only body strength may easily be overwhelmed.
Conversely, a Sanctuary warrior wielding Dou Qi to cast spells against a seventh-level mage may also falter due to inexperience.
Once everyone reaches God-tier, distinctions between mages and warriors vanish.
All cultivation then stems from divine power, not mere mana or Dou Qi.
At most, only fighting styles differ: mages who ascend to God-tier specialize in ranged attacks, while warriors excel in close combat.
After completing the Dou Qi manual, Locke still practiced swordsmanship in the intervals between studying law principles.
As a Sanctuary-level cultivator, he didn't need to practice ordinary warrior techniques. Instead, he immersed himself in Heaven-and-Human Unity, contemplating how to infuse the "Mist Illusion" law principles into his sword strikes.
During Locke's secluded training, the Ross Guild visited Pu'er Village nearly every year. Each time, the leader was either President Ross or Locke's younger brother, Cole.
Every visit, they would stop by to see Locke.
Cole had run the Ross Guild for years and knew the immense advantage of having a powerful mage backing the trading caravans.
The guild's prosperity was inseparable from Locke's presence.
Especially after Cole married Ross's daughter, even petty nobles or bandits were willing to bow in deference to the guild.
Over a decade ago, Locke could single-handedly annihilate a bandit army of a thousand in short order. More than ten years later, no one doubted that the mage Locke had remained every bit as formidable.
A guild with at least one seventh-level grand mage on its side was hardly one to provoke.
…
One day, Locke was practicing swordplay in front of his small house.
A thin mist swirled around him, giving the courtyard a dreamlike, ethereal quality.
Suddenly, a powerful divine presence radiated from afar, instantly snapping Locke out of Heaven-and-Human Unity.
"Who's there?"
Before the question even fully formed in his mind, a deep male voice sounded in his ears.
"Oh?"
"Unexpected… a pleasant surprise."
"Little one, I am Celes, Emperor of the Frost Snow Empire."
"Would you be willing to fight for the Lord God, to serve as a soldier under Lord Phiros?"
Locke's heart skipped a beat.
This was… the divine awareness of a God-tier being?
"Locke pays respects to Emperor Celes."
Though it was only a divine projection, Locke did not dare show disrespect.
He bowed slightly toward the imperial capital.
"Your Majesty Celes, may I ask—if I become a soldier under Lord Phiros, what would I gain?"
"And if I refuse, what would I lose?"
"Hahaha… amusing, very amusing."
"Little one, your name is Locke, correct?"
(End of Chapter)
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