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"'Ancestor Resurrection War Song'? Well... Your Eminence, isn't the resurrection effect of this war song useless for a Sword Saint-level expert?" I asked hesitantly.

"Of course, any healing magic or divine art is ineffective against sacred domain experts... No, wait, why are you asking about this? Did you already know? Did the 'King of the Undead' tell you?" Halfway through, the Pope suddenly stopped and glared at me with a questioning look, leaving me confused.

Involving the secret of the 'King of the Undead'? Could this be the reason the orc alliance brought that lich back, and why I was advised to build a good relationship with him? This secret greatly piqued my interest, unexpectedly linking to Sword Saint matters. However, although I intended to pretend I already knew and try to extract the secret from the Pope, seeing the resolute killing intent in his eyes made me realize that if I admitted it, he would likely attack me immediately. Although I was confident I could defeat this old turtle with my Sword Emperor cultivation within three steps, it wasn't worth the risk for such an intangible secret. Besides, based on old lion Leimen’s advice, even if I didn't inquire, I would still receive benefits in the future, so why cause trouble now?

Therefore, I immediately denied it, saying, "No, the 'King of the Undead' never revealed anything to me, and I wouldn't inquire about things I shouldn't know. I understand the rules of the orc alliance during wartime."

"Then why are you asking about the Sword Saint?" the Pope pressed, not giving an inch.

"Hehe, about this... You must keep it confidential for me." Considering myself unlucky, knowing I might have inadvertently touched upon a top-secret matter, if I didn't quickly prove my innocence, I might be sacrificed for the alliance's great cause. I had no choice but to reveal what I had been hiding. "Look, what do you see here?"

I stretched out my hands, and under the Pope's astonished gaze, shimmering black stars formed nine streams of light that coiled and writhed like nine serpents around my arms.

"Is... Is this your second battle aura?" The old turtle Pope's head emerged completely from his hood, his wide eyes almost bulging out. The old orc, over two hundred years of age, said in disbelief, "Leimen said you lacked the chance to cultivate a second battle aura, so how can you cultivate it now?"

"Hehe, that's my own secret. Not even you, Your Eminence, can force me to reveal it. As long as I can prove why I asked about the Sword Saint matters, that should suffice."

"Hmm, although I'm not a warrior, I still have some insight. I didn't expect that the War God favors our alliance so greatly. First Leimen, and now you too. It's truly... Sigh, it seems that your becoming a 'War God Knight' is indeed destined. Otherwise, how could both of you be such martial geniuses?" The old turtle Pope, stimulated by this, didn't know how to respond for a moment and could only change the subject. "Since Xuanfeng, you have the potential to become a Sword Saint in the future, the 'Ancestor Resurrection War Song' indeed isn't very suitable for you. However, for a Sword Saint, most divine arts are already unhelpful. After all, at that level, what limits the strong isn't the limit of their own power, but the limit of this world."

"If we disregard combat?" I suddenly asked.

"Hmm? If we disregard combat, with the assistance of your 'Saint Ice Thorn Aura,' any additional effects would be redundant. Now that you mention it, there is a divine art that might be very suitable for you." The Pope mused.

"What divine art?" I had asked casually and didn't expect the Pope to seriously consider this option for me.

"The exclusive divine art of the Wolf Clan Shamans, 'Ghost Wolf Summoning Art,' can summon a giant wolf phantom made of energy as a mount and battle assistant. The strength of the giant wolf phantom depends on the wolf soul sealed by the divine art, and its duration depends on the user's mental strength. Generally, the wolf souls aren't very powerful, so the effectiveness of this divine art doesn't match the effort put into it. Were it not for the Wolf Clan's special racial advantage, no Shaman would continue to cultivate it. However, if it's you, I believe you will gain special benefits. Besides, even if the power is lacking, you should still opt for it."

"Why do you think so?" I was momentarily puzzled.

"Didn't I already say it? The power of this divine art directly relates to the wolf soul you choose. Among all the wolf-type magical creatures in the world, apart from the superb magical wolf 'Fenrir,' the strongest magical wolf is only seventh-tier. Superior-level magical creatures cannot be subdued by any divine art, so in the past, when others practiced this divine art, they could at most summon a seventh-tier ghost wolf. But don't you have a magical wolf that is nearly tenth-tier?"

"You're talking about Ice Wind? But it has already..."

"I know. Katherine and Romeo have told me about your companion magical creature. If it were alive, why would I even suggest the 'Ghost Wolf Summoning Art' to you? A living one is certainly better than a dead one. Although your magical creature has already self-destructed, including its core, life, soul, and memories are all gone. However, the companion contract it left in your hands still retains a residual imprint of its essence. The Battle God's divine art is not necromancy; it doesn't require souls or the like. Sealing a wolf soul is merely to obtain a template for a ghost wolf. Therefore, with the remaining imprint of the magical wolf you possess, you should be able to summon a powerful ghost wolf. Moreover, since this ghost wolf's form is copied from your original companion magical creature, even if it isn’t as strong, you would still choose it, wouldn’t you?" said the Pope with a smile, confidently.

"You... you mean... Ice Wind can come back?" I asked, unable to believe it.

"I didn’t say that; it’s impossible. Your magical creature's soul and memories are long gone. The summoned ghost wolf only shares its appearance and power. Ultimately, it’s just an energy form. Moreover, I'm not entirely sure if the imprint is complete. From what I can estimate, the abilities of its three heads and three attributes likely won’t be retained, and the wings will certainly be gone. At most, its original icy form might remain. However, since it once temporarily reached the level of a superior magical creature, its speed and strength might still be maintained at the superior level. Of course, this will require the shamans who cast the divine art to expend more of their cultivation. But given your contributions, it’s worth making such a sacrifice. Although the ghost wolf’s magic cannot reach the superior level and may even lose some capabilities, it would still be a capable mount for you. After all, as an army commander, you can’t command your troops while riding a dragon."