My Martial Arts Level Never Drops

Chapter 416: Chapter 195: Perfect Impartiality

Master Hu began to briefly explain the so-called Exotic Species.

Understanding dawned on Qin Fang.

Simply put, Exotic Species are divided into several levels according to their strength.

The most common is the ’Mortal Level’...

For various reasons—perhaps accidentally ingesting some Heavenly and Earthly Treasures, or being fed items like Elixir Powder by humans—an ordinary beast undergoes changes that set it apart from its kind.

Although they are considered Exotic Species, they aren’t much different from ordinary beasts. At most, their bodies are slightly stronger and their speed a little faster. But on the whole, they are still Mortal Beasts, their intelligence undeveloped.

Above the Mortal Level is a stage called ’Initial Awakening’. An Exotic Species at this stage begins to awaken its intelligence. Not only is its Physique stronger than others of its kind, but its intellect is also significantly different from that of an ordinary Mortal Beast.

Their intelligence is roughly equivalent to that of a normal six or seven-year-old human child, and they can understand simple commands.

Furthermore, their own power at this stage will also become clearly distinct from others of their kind.

Greater strength, faster speed... a stronger Physique.

The next step up is ’Spirit Awakening’.

An Exotic Species at this level possesses an intelligence not much different from that of a young human. Moreover, they often have an Innate Spirituality that allows them to actively absorb the ambient Primordial Power of the world to temper their own bodies.

Their bodies will undergo further transformations. They might grow tougher scales, sharper claws and teeth, or their fur might exhibit special Array Patterns. They might even begin to awaken unique Talents...

For example, some Spirit Awakening Exotic Species can exhale a faint breath imbued with a specific Nature, such as a frosty mist or toxic gas. Others possess an extraordinary affinity for and Perception of certain elements like Earth Veins or plant life...

Still others might exhibit traits in speed, stealth, or raw power and Physique that far surpass their kin...

Upon hearing this, Qin Fang froze, his eyes wide with disbelief.

”Absorb Heaven and Earth Primordial Power? ... Isn’t that an ability you only gain after pushing open the Divine Gate?”

Qin Fang asked in astonishment, ”Exotic Species... can push open the Divine Gate too?”

”The Divine Gate is unique to the cultivation of human Martial Artists. Exotic Species have no need for it.”

But Master Hu simply shook his head at the words.

He paused for a moment before continuing, ”Humanity... is uniquely privileged.”

”Look at Exotic Species. In their first three stages of development, the greatest change isn’t physical... it’s their intelligence. Only a very, very small number of exceptions ever develop true sapience.”

”But what about humans? Nearly every normal human, provided they grow up healthy, will gain the wisdom and awareness in a little over a decade that most Exotic Species might never attain in a lifetime.”

”Sapience is what most distinguishes humans from beasts... and it is the world’s most precious gift to our race.”

”It is because of this innate sapience that humans, from the very beginning of their cultivation, can clearly understand themselves, perceive their Qi Blood, and condense their will. They can then use their spirit—their ’God’—to knock upon and push open the ’Divine Gate,’ that symbol of Extraordinary transformation. This allows them to draw the Heaven and Earth Primordial Power into their bodies, make it their own, and establish their Dao Foundation.”

His tone shifted as he looked at Xile, Qin Fang’s mount. ”And what of the Exotic Species? The vast majority live their entire lives in a state of ignorance and confusion. Even if they are fortunate enough to reach ’Initial Awakening’ or even ’Spirit Awakening’ and their intelligence begins to grow... they are still a far cry from humans.”

”But the world is impartial.”

”Exotic Species lack a ’Divine Gate,’ but they possess ’flesh’ and ’bloodlines’.”

”For them, absorbing Heaven and Earth Primordial Power is not an act of ’Control’ and ’Refinement’ as it is for us. It is more of a passive process, relying on their gradually awakening Spiritual instinct to absorb the ambient Primordial Power, or to devour Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures rich in that power. Through this, they slowly temper their bodies and awaken the latent power within their bloodlines.”

”Thus.”

”Humans use sapience as the key to open the Divine Gate, gaining direct access to the great Dao of the world, developing both Root and Leaf.”

”Exotic Species, however, use their physical bodies as fertile ground to accumulate Primordial Power and awaken the Demon Essence in their blood.”

”The world gave the Human Race a shortcut through intellect, the Divine Gate, yet the Gate is difficult to open. It gave other creatures powerful physiques and bloodline abilities, yet their minds are difficult to awaken...”

Understanding finally dawned on Qin Fang...

’...So that’s why Xile has a power similar to True Essence in its body.’

’I didn’t quite get it before, but listening to Master Hu has cleared up my confusion.’

’And Xile’s current level is even above ’Spirit Awakening’—it’s reached the ’Extraordinary’ level!’

’An Exotic Species at this level already possesses an incredibly high intelligence, practically no different from Ordinary People.’

’...It just can’t talk yet.’

’But True Essence has already formed within its body, its Qi Blood is vigorous, and its Physique is formidable... An ordinary True Essence First Realm Martial Artist would be no match for Xile, I’m afraid.’

And above the ’Extraordinary’ level, there were even higher tiers of Exotic Species, such as True Blood and True Species...

Those were exceedingly rare.

”Your luck is astounding. Not only has this Exotic Species crossed the ’Extraordinary’ threshold, but it seems to have already accepted you as its master... Not bad, not bad at all.”

Master Hu was full of praise.

Only after Qin Fang’s curious questioning did he learn that raising an Exotic Species was far from simple. Furthermore, even after being raised, there was no guarantee it would accept a master.

Some might be very affectionate toward humans while their intelligence is still nascent.

But once their intelligence fully matures, they might turn on their human companions...

...Those not of our kind are sure to have a different heart.

”To an Exotic Species, a human Martial Artist is a rare feast of flesh and blood... The fastest way for them to grow stronger is to devour Heaven and Earth Spirit Essence, absorbing the Primordial Power within to strengthen their Physique and transform it into Demon Essence.”

”But Spiritual Treasure Plants are, after all, hard to come by.”

”Human Martial Artists, by comparison, are far more numerous...”

”You’ve heard the legends of ’Demons’ in the outside world. Those ’Demons’ are, in fact, ’Exotic Species’ that have eaten humans.”