Longevity Martial Arts: Starting from Inner Core Skill

Capítulo 1152: Chapter 47: Two Extinctions (Part 2)

“Does youth signify anything? According to reason, the study of runes should gain richness with age, correct?”

“That’s true, however, as one ages, their energy diminishes. More importantly, I have discovered that while experience accumulates with time, understanding and proficiency with runes actually deteriorates, thus the need to remain young. In fact, I feel you’re already somewhat old, but unfortunately, it’s hard to find younger wizards.”

The Great Wizard’s words were clear; Wang Sheng was a compromise.

Wang Sheng’s transformation was constrained to the mundane, and his lifespan was consequently limited too.

Upon entering the Great Wilderness and shedding extraordinary power, he seemed equivalent to seventeen or eighteen years old. Now, after over twenty years have passed, he appears over forty.

For the mundane, this is considered entering middle age, and in the eyes of the Great Wizard, an older age is understandable.

Wang Sheng didn’t mind this direct approach: “Does age really reduce proficiency at refining runes?”

This was something he hadn’t noticed before.

“Do you know why?”

Qiong Tian shook his head: “I don’t know, it’s simply a result observed from experience.”

“Alright then!” Wang Sheng nodded, not dwelling on it further. He said, “So what exactly do you need from me?”

“The Physique Transformation Technique is something I use for selection because what I want to achieve involves the Physique Transformation Technique, and I need help.”

“Help? Isn’t your research on the Physique Transformation Technique already quite successful, enhancing seven or eightfold? Why involve others?” Wang Sheng was somewhat puzzled, “Could it be that you’ve hit a bottleneck?”

Qiong Tian nodded and said: “Indeed, I’ve hit a bottleneck. In fact, shortly after developing the Physique Transformation Technique, I had a feeling that it would soon reach a limit, and this limit might be unsatisfactory to me.

Although it was just a feeling back then, I began preparing, and it proved correct; seven or eightfold is the limit of the Physique Transformation Technique, and further enhancement seems impossible.”

“The limit of the Physique Transformation Technique…” Wang Sheng mulled over it.

He wasn’t surprised by this development.

Because this cosmos restricts the emergence of extraordinary powers, aside from runes.

Spiritual power, Qi-Blood, etc., are part of systems of extraordinary power.

It’s likely that Qiong Tian’s Physique Transformation Technique has already touched on the extraordinary realm.

Thus, it’s challenging to advance.

“So, Great Wizard, you’re asking me to help you break through this limit?”

“Yes.” Qiong Tian nodded, not hiding his desire to find a collaborator.

“Great Wizard, I’m merely reflecting your brilliance; if even you can’t succeed, my chances are even slimmer.” With the restrictions of Starry Sky Rules, Wang Sheng wasn’t keen on participating, fearing a futile endeavor.

“That’s fine, even if I fail, there’s still a chance in future generations. If successful, like the Witch Doctor System once did, it could truly transcend the mundane, perhaps enabling flight and incredible abilities.”

Qiong Tian appeared somewhat excited:

“Hence, I hope you join. I’ve learned about you beforehand; you love gathering and studying various runes, and nowhere in the empire has more runes than my research site. No one understands runes better than me, aligned with your goals.”

His words piqued Wang Sheng’s interest: “Do you have many runes there?”

“Of course, all the empire’s runes are with me, some never leaving for external use. Additionally, caravans gather runes from various tribes of the Great Wilderness, with new Rune Stone Plates arriving every three years.”

At this moment, Wang Sheng was already tempted, but he asked another question: “Are there any living Witch Beasts?”

Witch Beasts, the providers of Blood of Witch Beasts for testing Witch Doctor aptitude.

Wang Sheng had been intrigued by Witch Beasts in the White Deer Tribe.

Despite Witch Beasts appearing in the Great Wilderness regularly, finding them depended greatly on luck.

Unfortunately, his luck wasn’t great.

He hadn’t seen any in the White Deer Tribe before leaving, and for the subsequent decades, even upon arriving at the empire, he hadn’t encountered any Witch Beasts.

Just unlucky.

But he was keen to discover what kind of source allowed him to glimpse the decaying Great Tao River’s blood.

The Wizard Alliance might be a promising source of information.

His question made Qiong Tian frown before responding: “Witch Beasts, it really depends on luck. Actually, wizards don’t rely much on Blood of Witch Beasts; once the initial cultivation rune is engraved, it’s no longer needed. Given Witch Beasts’ unpredictable appearances and large size, a single kill provides ample usage, so they’re rarely actively sought and usually killed immediately upon discovery, seldom found alive.”

Witch Beasts aren’t considered crucial unless needed for a wizard’s initiation; if deemed important, ironically they’re only needed at the start.

Thus creating an awkward situation.

“Does the Wizard Alliance not search either?”

“Most effort is directed at searching for new Rune Stone Plates. Compared to the optional Blood of Witch Beasts, Rune Stone Plates are clearly prioritized.”

“I see… Great Wizard, have you ever considered, since wizards utilized Blood of Witch Beasts to embark on the wizard path, dipping into the extraordinary, could Physique Transformation perhaps also utilize this?”

This was a bit of persuasion.

Wang Sheng primarily wished to observe the Witch Beasts.

Therefore, he needed greater leverage.

He had leveraged the imperial family before, but his influence wasn’t as strong as Qiong Tian’s.

However, following his persuasive, Qiong Tian took it seriously: “In fact, I’ve already tried using Blood of Witch Beasts, yet Witch Beasts themselves indeed hint at a direction, although it seems I’m somewhat perplexed…”

After the conversation, Wang Sheng chose to join Qiong Tian’s research.

The two sat and discussed, exchanging understanding of runes.

Unquestionably worthy of transforming Witch Doctors into Wizards.

Their comprehension of runes was indeed remarkable, even Wang Sheng gained significantly.

Qiong Tian’s gains were even greater, so upon Wang Sheng’s joining, he immediately unlocked access, allowing Wang Sheng to browse all Rune Stone Plates.

“Quite a number of hidden Rune Stone Plates…”

He then began an extensive analysis of runes.

Besides that, he collaborated with Qiong Tian to further advance the Physique Transformation Technique.

With Witch Beasts temporarily unfound, the focus shifted to an in-depth study of runes.

Wang Sheng contributed various cultivation systems from the Source Star, providing many suggestions.

“The human body also has limits; why not try introducing other powers?”

“Since overall enhancement is difficult, attempt to perfect a specific part, like blood.” This was Wang Sheng’s suggestion for exploring the Qi Blood Path.

His approach broadened Qiong Tian’s perspective and possibilities.

Unfortunately,

As he had anticipated, this starry sky forbids extraordinary existence.

Whether Qi-Blood or external power introduction, all attempts were futile.

In these failures, a rune system was constructed.

Indeed, he witnessed the projection of time again.

Though this time, unlike the previous Immortal Realm projection,

The showcase seemed to be a technological civilization, steel cities, mechanical airships, and the ultimate —

Destruction!

Yes, this time the depiction was lengthy, showcasing more, letting him witness the sudden extinction of a technological civilization.

And the images were still set in the Great Wilderness.

“If the two images depict the same place across different eras, it seems only complete destruction could result in entirely different civilizational styles, possibly indicating these images reflect the past, and the Great Wilderness… has been destroyed twice?”

At that moment, he felt this starry sky might not only restrict extraordinary existence.

Then, while contemplating, Qiong Tian sought him again.

“The Witch Beast, it’s been found!”