The reason why the Maha Orthodox Church was able to rapidly expand its influence was mainly because practicing the Five Elemental Secret Arts did not require strict faith. Even those regarded as blasphemers could perform the Five Elemental Secret Techniques. Although the Church claimed that the great god Maha was tolerant of blasphemers, some insightful people began to doubt Maha’s status as the main deity. The growth of such doubts caused the Maha Orthodox Church to show signs of decline after a century of rapid expansion.

　　The Church also gradually degenerated into a secular power.

　　Could it be that Brian Sutton wanted to train Eric to become a secret arts sorcerer?

　　Not only Eric, even William Harper was quite puzzled by Brian Sutton’s decision. The talent Eric displayed in martial arts was something even William Harper could not match. Although Brian Sutton was not skilled in martial techniques, at the level of the Dao, mastery of one art leads to mastery of all; under his guidance, it would not be difficult for Eric to become a top martial artist.

　　Although William Harper did not understand, he did not doubt, because he knew that Brian Sutton was not a follower of Maha, but was a powerful secret arts sorcerer.

　　Eric bowed his head in agreement. Brian Sutton helped him up and said, “Although they are called by different names, there is a force that fills the world and can be manipulated and controlled. Miluo martial artists call it the vital breath of heaven and earth, while secret arts sorcerers call it elemental force. Miluo martial artists cultivate by absorbing the vital breath of heaven and earth, refining it into core power, strengthening the body, and gaining great martial strength. Secret arts sorcerers, on the other hand, refine mental power through meditation, and use this mental power along with incantations to control the elemental force of the world and perform secret techniques. The force that fills the world is called the wandering power of the stars by the Maha Orthodox Church. When martial artists enter the Divine Cultivation stage and sorcerers enter the Spirit Condensation stage, the soul power in human bloodlines begins to awaken, allowing one to sense a miraculous power. The Maha Orthodox Church regards the stars as the source of all power and calls it the Holy Power of the Stars. The sorcerers of the Temple of the Stars call it the divine power of their god. Miluo is one of the twelve Star Gods; strictly speaking, besides martial techniques, Miluo martial artists are also cultivating a kind of divine art…”

　　Those who practice martial arts are also required to enter a state of focused meditation. Brian Sutton explained the way of meditative thought, and Eric immediately understood what was required.

　　For those on the Heaven Ranking, both martial artists and secret arts sorcerers have their own advantages; legendary figures who have obtained the power of the heavens and are close to becoming gods, whether through martial arts or secret techniques, are no longer essentially different. Given the limited energy of humans, practicing both magic and martial arts is a poor choice.

　　Perhaps only those with the talent of godly descendants, after their talents awaken, can possess an unparalleled advantage in both magic and martial arts, but even they can only cultivate their innate skills.

　　William Harper thought of his feathered friend Derek Collins, and of those wings of light and shadow that could unfurl under the moonlit night.

　　The feathered people are the descendants of the Dark Moon God in the mortal world. When their talents awaken, they can condense the holy power of the Dark Moon stars on their backs, forming the Wings of the Dark Moon and gaining the ability to fly. It is said that only high-ranking sorcerers of the Dark Moon Temple can perform this seventh-level skill: Wings of the Dark Moon.

　　Just think, Derek Collins is only nineteen years old. To fly freely under the starry night sky truly made William Harper deeply envious.

　　It is precisely this ability to fly that makes many feathered people fond of a wandering life in their youth.

Chapter Five: The Radiance of Kui Wolf Star

　　Gregory Clark entered the lower courtyard and came to Eric’s room, but found it empty. He sighed softly and left. A faint halo shone above the west wing; if Gregory Clark hadn’t known that Eric would be at the west wing at this time, he wouldn’t have noticed the barrier in the hazy moonlight.

　　The gentle warmth of Brian Sutton was like a spring breeze, making it impossible to feel any malice, but the momentary chill upon their first meeting left a deep impression on Gregory Clark. He hoped that Eric would gain a good background because of this, but he couldn’t suppress the worry in his heart.

　　Gregory Clark felt that Brian Sutton had devilishly enchanting eyes that could see into the deepest desires of the human heart.

　　Gregory Clark stood in the courtyard, watching the silver and blue spots of light that occasionally flashed on the barrier—these were caused by the clash of energies within. Brian Sutton was testing Eric’s martial skills, or so Gregory Clark thought.

　　At dawn, Eric walked out of the west wing and saw Gregory Clark standing in the narrow courtyard, and paused in surprise.

　　“Have you already decided?”

　　Faced with Gregory Clark’s question, Eric felt ashamed for making decisions on his own, lowered his head, and dared not meet Gregory Clark’s desolate gaze. Yet his tone was unusually firm: “Eric has never been willing to hide under teacher’s white robe. Why should the existence of the lowborn pollute the eyes of the noble?”

　　“All these years, even if you didn’t say it, I knew what was in your heart. I have nothing more to teach you; it’s time for you to leave the academy. Perhaps you think that the appearance of Brian Sutton is a rare opportunity in your life, but you must know that the lowly can never win the favor of the highborn by talent alone.”

　　“……”

　　“Don’t let the resentment in your heart show in the eyes of those who think themselves noble. Brian Sutton and the nobles around him will not tolerate such a person by their side.”

　　Eric turned and knelt, burying his head deep between his knees: “Eric will remember this always.”