Lem could feel the discomfort of his simulated self. He knew better than anyone that his intuition would not work as the martial elder intended.
And when Master Brightflame realized he had been deceived…
For the first time in the current simulation, Lem felt that he could see the end was coming.
As he was brooding over the future, Lem’s simulated self got a sudden thought.
“When you attacked before…”
“Yes,” Master Brightflame replied. “It was not at my full strength, I assure you. Otherwise it would have been impossible for you to resist.”
“I felt a paralysis come over me. Was that because you mobilized your true essence?”
“That was likely what you felt,” Master Brightflame agreed. “Technically, there is no difference in life level between a pure mortal and a Body Refiner. One may be more powerful than the other, but it is not a qualitative difference.
“True essence can be thought of as the difference between mortals and cultivators. When it is exerted, the very world will give priority to its operation, causing all beings beneath the Spirit Refinement Realm to be incapable of resistance. This is why Spirit Refinement is considered to be the first authentic realm of cultivation.”
[You learn that the reason why you were paralyzed when the martial elder attacked was due to his utilization of spirit essence, the mark of the Spirit Refinement Realm…]
“And what can be done to break out of that state?” Lem’s simulated self asked in confusion. After all, he was certainly not in the Spirit Refinement Realm.
“The only way of breaking free from this effect is to utilize a force that transcends the Mortal Realm. I saw that you were capable of producing such a force from the [Nine Bull Fist], which could be considered a small achievement, but only because it is not an orthodox method. It is far more common for a martial artist to use a movement technique to the same effect.”
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Master Brightflame gave a deep look at Lem.
“However, do not get the feeling that martial arts are capable of matching cultivation. They are easy to learn, and even easier to be enthralled by, but this is because it is a shortcut. A mortal using the power of the Spirit Refinement Realm is akin to a toddler brandishing an axe.
“At most, it enhances combat abilities. Cultivation arts, on the other hand, improve the very origin of the cultivator. Every aspect undergoes a transformation, from longevity to physique and even fundamental understanding of the world.
“It is because of this that any Spirit Refinement Master could easily dispose of the most powerful martial artist. It would be akin to an adult facing off against that toddler. Axe or not, it would make no difference.
“Furthermore, after reaching the Spirit Refinement Realm, any cultivator can pick up a martial art and master it in a day. Can the same be said for someone who masters a martial art and tries to learn cultivation? No! Remember that prioritizing martial arts will always be a shortsighted decision at best.”
Lem’s simulated self stopped talking as he quietly processed what Master Brightflame had told him.
At the same time, Lem was also lost in thought.
Instinctively, he knew that there was something wrong with the martial elder’s words. If martial arts could channel the power of the world, there did not appear to be a limit to the strength that could be exerted.
Theoretically, the limit was the limit of the world!
If the power being exerted was great enough, then it would be superior to that of the cultivator.
In the terms of the conversation, the toddler could win against the adult if it could wield a deadly enough weapon.
The usefulness of martial arts would be even more apparent if the ‘wielder’ was also a cultivator.
Would it not be akin to adding wings to a tiger?
Still, Lem agreed with Master Brightflame’s overall point. In his current situation, prioritizing martial arts would be shortsighted.
If cultivation could improve his longevity and ability to comprehend other techniques, including martial arts, then it was obvious which he should choose to focus on.