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Qigefei was originally planning to challenge me to another duel two days after our last one, once his injuries had healed. However, at that time, I was discussing martial arts with Leimen and had no interest in dealing with him. Qigefei's martial arts cultivation hadn't reached the level of Leimen's, where he could transcend the realm of martial arts and achieve mastery over all techniques. Despite persistently listening for hours, he understood nothing and became frustrated, eventually leaving "Thousand Sea Ice Condensation Hall" to find someone else to duel.

"Xuanfeng, I heard you came out today, so I specifically came to find you. To have another battle with you, I even postponed two other duels. Don't disappoint me; let me see what secret techniques Master Leimen has taught you." Unexpectedly, this handsome golden eagle youth turned out to be a violent fanatic and a duel enthusiast. He had challenged almost every expert in the Holy City several times, but never cared about winning or losing. Seeing that I was new, he naturally wouldn't let me go.

"No, I'm very tired these past few days and just want to rest. Why don't you find Catherine as your opponent?"

"No way, I've already challenged Catherine more than ten times. The successor of 'Emperor Martial Overlord Technique' is the least interesting to challenge. They always rely on their enhanced combat power and talk about how great simplicity is."

"Then how about this: tell me how you learned magic, and I'll fight until you're satisfied. How does that sound?"

"Hehe, so you also want to dual-cultivate magic and martial arts? Actually, it's not much of a secret. The real reason is quite simple, thanks to something called 'Symbiotic Evolution.'"

"'Symbiotic Evolution'? Is this it?" I quickly showed the three-headed magic wolf emblem on my arm.

"Huh? You have it too? That guy who taught me magic said it was a rare encounter that happens only once in a thousand years. But since you have it, that's good. Anyone with the 'Symbiotic Evolution' contract emblem, regardless of race, immediately gains the constitution to practice elemental magic. You can start learning the corresponding elemental magic right away. However, because this magic constitution comes from the contract, it slightly differs from normal magic. The contract prioritizes powerful sources of magical power. In other words, you can only freely use magic once your magical cultivation surpasses the magical abilities shared by your contracted beast. By the way, what level is the magic shared by your symbiotic beast?"

"...Two level eight and one level nine."

"Really... So your symbiotic beast has three attributes?"

"Exactly."

"In that case... Hahaha, congratulations! Once you surpass level eight and nine in the three elemental magics, you can use them freely. Imagine becoming a level nine mage, how remarkable that would be!"

"Enough, stop mocking me. Don't forget, I can use level nine magic without cultivation, which you might never get to use. Who should be laughing at whom? By the way, what level is your symbiotic beast?"

"When we bonded, it was level two, but now it's evolved to level five. Come out, Ado."

With Qigefei's summoning, a beam of light flew from his shoulder, transforming into a two-foot-long blood-colored bird that perched on his shoulder, resembling a parrot, tilting its head to look at us.

"Let me introduce you to my friend, the Blood Crying Kite, Ado. Its abilities include sharing a level one magic spell 'Acceleration' with me, and it also has a mental magic spell 'Bloody Lament' that can completely sap someone's will to fight with its sorrowful and hoarse singing. Since the magic I share is a level one wind magic spell, I only need to master level two magic to use it freely. Additionally, when the symbiotic beast evolves, the power of the shared magic increases, but not the level."

Chapter 42: Old Feuds and New Truths

"Come, come, Brother Qigefei, let's discuss this martial art again. The move I used earlier wasn't ideal; next time, I'll make sure to deliver a perfect strike, and you won't be disappointed."

In the martial arts arena of the guesthouse, I was enthusiastically encouraging Qigefei to engage in his twenty-seventh duel—no, I was preparing for my twenty-seventh thrashing of Qigefei. Yet, the guy who had sworn to fight to the death this morning was now lying on the ground, refusing to get up.

It wasn't that Qigefei was incompetent; he simply didn't expect that someone who was evenly matched with him a few days ago would improve so much in such a short time. After battling the Leopard Sword Sage and comprehending the subtleties of the Nine Yin Techniques, I easily defeated Bioramo, who had been his equal. Then, with Leimen's guidance, I thoroughly organized my martial arts, though my strength remained unchanged, my understanding had reached a whole new level.

Thus, the anticipated evenly matched and exciting duel turned into a one-sided beating. After defeating Qigefei several times, I practiced various martial arts individually, rotating their use: "Holy Ice Thorn Halo," "Platinum Mirror Demon Armor," "Nine Yin White Bone Claw," "Heart-Crushing Palm," "Sunset Sky Bow," "Yellow Spring Phantom," "Heaven and Earth Annihilation Blade," and even the Golden Bell Shield. I tested each technique's effects using Qigefei as a target, thoroughly enjoying myself. Anyway, the guesthouse had a dedicated Shaman healer, so I wasn't worried about any harm coming to him.

Seeing that Qigefei couldn't get up anymore, I reluctantly left the arena. Upon returning to my room, I was called out by Catherine. It turned out that a tailor specializing in formal attire had arrived to create ceremonial and celebratory outfits for me.

"Aren't we the children of the War God? Why do we need such luxurious formalities?"

I had imagined that the ceremony for meeting the Beast King and receiving the lord's enfeoffment would take place in a simple, spacious hall with a brief ritual witnessed by a few important figures. However, after listening to Catherine's explanation, I realized that the entire ceremony included numerous steps such as greetings, petitions, audiences, announcements, edicts, rituals, celebrations, and gatherings. Completing the entire process would take an entire day, requiring at least five changes of formal attire, making it even more complex than the procedures for a scholar receiving an imperial commendation.