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No matter what this Rex said or how affable he appeared, Xu Yuan remained cautious.
After all, those who could ascend to godhood were definitely not fools. They had blood on their hands and were certainly not benevolent individuals. When dealing with people from other planes, even if they didn't necessarily harbor ill intentions, they would never go out of their way to offer benefits.
In Xu Yuan's view, this Rex had the opportunity to avoid being brought back by Na'er.
However, he allowed Na'er to bring him back.
Now that he was discovered by Xu Yuan, he immediately cooperated fully, revealing everything Xu Yuan wanted to know, which seemed somewhat abnormal.
At least from a cautious perspective, Rex's behavior had aspects worth being wary of.
Of course, if one were more carefree, it could be considered a normal person's reaction. Rex's actions might all be in good faith, with clear intentions.
Previously, Xu Yuan leaned towards the former.
Now, hearing Rex ask for more, he suddenly felt this might lean towards the latter.
A typical merchant-like demeanor, seemingly very particular about equal exchange.
This was Xu Yuan's new impression of the newly acquainted Rex.
Equal exchange.
This Rex's remaining strength was uncertain, but as a magician, he should be able to leverage a small amount of power to move vast natural forces. In Xu Yuan's understanding, killing him might not even be an issue, especially since he had previously mentioned being super-god-level.
He could also threaten.
Yet, he hadn't made any threats upon showing up.
This unexpectedly gave a somewhat favorable impression.
"What benefits can you get?"
Xu Yuan grinned.
Seeing Xu Yuan's smile, Rex inexplicably felt something was amiss.
He had seen this kind of smile often in his homeland, and had been tricked too many times.
"Since you like to talk about equal exchange, I won't ask you to demonstrate basic magic. I want your magical cultivation system, techniques, and the spells you master. You must teach me with all your effort."
Rex's face immediately darkened, looking very unpleasant.
"Do you know how taboo it is to covet a magician's magic?"
"If my stakes are sufficient?" Xu Yuan calmly asked.
Rex's gloomy expression began to show signs of hesitation.
Seeing Rex's change in demeanor, Xu Yuan knew this deal could probably be completed.
A new system.
Compared to the Blood Master system, this magic system might be more suitable for the current Heavenly Origin Brush martial soul—no, more accurately, for Xu Yuan himself.
Xu Yuan wasn't a qualified soul master. He had a wealth of insights, but his soul power hadn't reached the god-level. His insights had far exceeded his soul power level, making him quite unqualified according to the soul master system where accumulating soul power mindlessly could lead to advancement.
Even though soul masters at the Super Douluo level greatly increased their requirements for insight, none reached the exaggerated extent Xu Yuan did.
Even on the path to godhood, following Xu Yuan's proposed theory, there weren't such high demands. It could still be described as proceeding step-by-step: with reasonable allocation of martial soul spirit rings, continuously practicing and mastering the nine soul skills, becoming proficient through repetition, and fully mastering the soul skills, which would be enough to meet the conditions Xu Yuan mentioned for ascending to godhood.
Of course, the premise was that the quality of the nine spirit rings had to surpass the optimal combination of two yellow, two purple, four black, and one red ring in the most primitive state.
Just like that, it was sufficient to use the abilities of the nine spirit rings to nurture the martial soul, allowing it to grow to a sufficient extent.
Therefore, even though the path to godhood required insight, it didn't change the logic of the mindless leveling-up in the soul master system.
On the contrary, in Xu Yuan's understanding, the magic system required an extremely high understanding of elements.
Especially in his understanding, magic should mean higher insight leads to stronger power, mobilizing elemental forces and natural forces to unleash world-destroying forbidden spells.
"I was once a super-god-level magician in my previous life, mastering countless spells. Are you sure you can offer something of equal value?" Rex showed a skeptical expression. "Considering this is a big deal, I can waive the teaching fee for a super-god-level magician personally tutoring."
Listening to the latter part of Rex's statement, Xu Yuan felt this guy was more like a merchant.
However, when such words come from a merchant's mouth, it usually means the other party is setting up traps.
"However, magic progresses gradually. The spells I master range from low to high, from beginner to super-god-level forbidden spells. I'll teach you as far as you can learn."
Rex's image was already quite distinct.
"At the same time, I must clarify that I can only guarantee teaching you a complete heritage, not handing over all my spells." Rex was very serious when he said this.
A magician would never hand over all their spells to another person unless they were dying and had found a suitable disciple to inherit their legacy.
Clearly, he didn't think he was dying now and had no intention of taking on disciples; he was merely conducting a transaction with Xu Yuan.
Xu Yuan had no objections to the various restrictions and traps Rex mentioned.
Unable to learn?
If he couldn't learn, Xu Yuan could only accept his misfortune.
He believed the magic system suited him and was willing to invest in this cost.
"So, what stakes have you prepared?" Rex looked at Xu Yuan, very curious about where Xu Yuan got the confidence to exchange for a new cultivation system plus direct inheritance to super-god-level?
Xu Yuan smiled and pointed to the depths of the Seven Saints Abyss.
"You'll know when you look over there."
Following the direction of Xu Yuan's finger, Rex looked over and immediately his pupils contracted, and the body formed by divine consciousness dispersed somewhat before reconstituting.
"This is..."
Xu Yuan smiled indifferently.
"This is the fundamental path of my cultivation."
"I cultivate the path of life and death. This rune is the result of my cultivation. I buried it here, using the revival of dragon souls to achieve the cycle of life and death, thereby promoting the self-evolution and perfection of this rune."
"Sss~"
Rex gasped.
"When you opened this demi-plane, you fused this thing into it and integrated it into the laws. Rune, what kind of ability is this, to directly integrate into the laws and perfect itself through the evolution of the demi-plane's laws?"
At this moment, Rex felt he had absolutely hit the jackpot.
As a merchant, this transaction filled his coffers to overflowing.
"Just a reminder, I'm just pointing out that this rune exists within the plane and manifesting the Life-Death Rune for you, but I hope you don't meddle with my Life-Death Rune. You only have viewing rights."
Xu Yuan calmly reminded Rex not to overstep.
Rex wasn't angry, instead finding it reasonable.
He had heard what Xu Yuan said earlier. This was the fruit of someone's lifelong cultivation, waiting to be harvested when ripe, absolutely impossible to give away.
However, simply comprehending and observing such a thing was already a great harvest.
Rune
Rex could affirm that this would absolutely be the key turning point for the transformation of the magic system.
Perhaps, the Sacred Heart Plane would have the opportunity to produce its first true God King-level powerhouse!
Seeing Rex behave relatively properly, Xu Yuan silently nodded in his heart, temporarily rating Rex's character positively.
"If you want to learn magic, first you need to know what magic is."
Rex didn't put on airs and began enlightening Xu Yuan about magic.
The first lesson, he imparted his understanding of magic to Xu Yuan.
"In my view, magic is about analysis and application. Magicians exist as a group that analyzes and applies the laws of heaven and earth."
"Of course, the prerequisite is a god-level magician."
"Below the god-level, during the initiation stage, that is, the entry stage and subsequent primary, intermediate, advanced magicians, grand magicians, archmagi, grand archmagi, and saintly archmagi, all can be considered the initiation stage."
Xu Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly.
Is this the rank division of the Sacred Heart Plane?
Only... seven ranks?
"I know your question. The normal cultivation system has nine ranks below the god-level, with the god-level corresponding to the tenth rank. Our Sacred Heart Plane's magic system naturally follows suit. Among the realms I just mentioned, within the saintly archmagi, there are three divisions. The seventh rank saintly archmagus is generally referred to as a saintly archmagus. The eighth rank saintly archmagus is often given another title, called a Saint Archmagus. Reaching the ninth rank saintly archmagus is known as a peak archmagus, the pinnacle below the god-level."
The title 'Saint' had just been used by the Federation to define the super-god-level. Now, hearing from Rex, a super-god-level magician, that their seventh rank was titled 'Saint' and the eighth rank even had a saintly title, Xu Yuan was momentarily speechless.
However, the meaning was easy to understand.
He basically memorized these divisions after Rex introduced them.
"Magicians are cultivators who analyze and apply the laws of heaven and earth. However, the laws of heaven and earth are complex. Even at the god-level, complete analysis is impossible, let alone for ordinary people. Therefore, magicians below the god-level mostly imitate and resonate."
"Through models constructed by god-level magicians, they simulate the structure with their own mana, replicate the magic model, and then achieve resonance with the elements of heaven and earth through their own will, thereby influencing the laws and releasing magic."
"Mana is the power cultivated by us magicians, mainly composed of mental strength. Initially, mental strength senses the corresponding elemental power, merges with it, and then separates to create mana."
"In short, it leaves an elemental imprint on mental strength. It is precisely because of this that the models constructed with mana can achieve resonance with elements."
What Rex spoke about was theory, but Xu Yuan loved listening to it because mastering the theory would make actual learning twice as effective with half the effort.
Sure enough, Rex next began teaching Xu Yuan specifically how to become a magician.
"Release your mental strength. I'll help you test which heavenly elements you resonate with."
Seemingly afraid that Xu Yuan might be suspicious, Rex explained, "I don't have a magic-testing stone on me, but I do master the magic-testing array. However, your mental strength is strong enough that without your cooperation, I can't forcibly draw out your mental strength."
Hearing this, Xu Yuan released a wisp of mental strength.
Rex pointed his finger in the air.
Instantly, a point began to spread, and complex patterns formed in the void.
Xu Yuan couldn't even see what force Rex used to guide the formation of this array.
This array seemed to appear out of thin air, and even the force composing the array was the power of heaven and earth, without any trace of Rex's own power.
Is this what a god-level magician is like?
Xu Yuan sent his mental strength into the array.
Instantly, colorful lights shone, illuminating the Seven Saints Abyss in bright red.
As if in response, strands of emerald green energy emerged from various parts of the Seven Saints Abyss, mingling with a small amount of destructive energy, surging into Xu Yuan's body.
This...
Rex fell silent.
Was that life energy just now?
And the purplish-black was... destructive energy?
You call this life and death?
However, walking the path of death from destruction and not continuing along the original path also took some courage.
Rex was shocked but didn't know how to comment.
"Your affinity for heavenly elements is divine-grade, including earth, fire, water, wind, thunder, light, and life attributes."
Xu Yuan could understand the others, but hearing from Rex that he had an affinity for light elements surprised even him.
Where did this light come from?
Could it have been created by forging those few holy light source crystals?
But during the forging of the holy light source crystals, Xu Yuan hadn't even participated in the tribulation, so how could he have been affected?
"Could it be that I am naturally attuned to light elements?"
Xu Yuan tended towards his final guess.
Perhaps, he himself was an unparalleled genius in the magician system.
"Your talent is somewhat too exaggerated. If you have time later, you can try verifying your affinity for elements like space and time. These require you to comprehend the corresponding laws yourself; I can't help you test them."
"Alright, if you have such a high affinity for so many elements, then we have a lot to discuss. We can directly start cultivating and condensing mana."
"The technique for condensing mana is..."
"You have an affinity for many elements. You can try refining them one by one, and later add new elemental refinements as needed. Of course, you can also go all the way at once, which means your initial mana quality will be extremely high, quickly supporting the increase of your mana."
"The cultivation of mana is the result of continuous communication between magicians and elements. Only under the recognition of elements can a magician's mana gradually improve. In essence, it's the degree of refinement of a magician's mental strength by elements that determines the upper limit of mana accumulation."
"..."
Listening to Rex's lecture, Xu Yuan had already entered a meditative state.
Following the method taught by Rex, he exposed his mental strength to the outside.
Colorful specks of light gathered.
Xu Yuan absorbed all these specks with his mental strength and began constructing a model.
A complex model, which he constructed in the blink of an eye, perfectly accurate.
Time passed, but Xu Yuan didn't feel any changes.
He dispelled the model and exited the meditative state.
"Rex, my mental strength doesn't seem to have changed."
Saying this, he released his mental strength, showing Rex that there was no sign of his mental strength transforming into mana.
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