Martial Warrior.

Martial Master.

Martial General.

These three cultivator’s ranks are officially classified as the lowest-stage realms amongst cultivators.

Initial-stage Enlightenment, Middle-stage Enlightenment, Peak-stage Enlightenment.

For a Cultivator to evolve into the next martial realm. They must conquer this three stages of enlightenments, mastering their realms.

Since Alisa is a newly evolved cultivator, she hasn’t broken through the initial-stage enlightenment But Eurenia has.

Alpha Eurenia is currently a middle-stage enlightened Martial Warrior.

The Martial Master they had killed was an Initial-stage enlightened Martial Master, it would have been difficult if they came across a Peak-stage enlightened Martial Master.

Although the higher the realm they evolve into, the more proficient their control over mana becomes, their cultivation becomes more or less balanced.

But...

The realm of a Martial Lord becomes the starting point of a cultivator’s meteoric rise, stepping into the middle-stage realm.

The fourth mana core directly connects a cultivator to his soul, each staged enlightenment structures and draws out power from their very soul.

This is a realm where soul battles become common.

Elder Croak, who had already reached the end point of his cultivation as a peak-stage enlightened Martial General, had no hopes of advancing.

Stuck at the Martial General’s realm until his death came.

But the appearance of Roy changed everything.

A single devoted prayer to the God of Beasts, Lord Varanus, was all it took for him to evolve into a Martial Lord.

Not only that, he has regained his youth once again, brimming with the terrifying power of an Insectar.

Despite his status as a Martial General, Elder Croak was a cultivator without an active skill.

Not all cultivators were lucky enough to awaken an active skill. It all depends on one’s bloodline and divine blessings.

Cultivators with an awakened skill were rare in this game.

His bloodline wasn’t pure enough to awaken an active skill, making his very growth stagnant.

Compared to even Tiger Lord Manuses, who possessed an active skill, Elder Croak was weaker.

But now he has awakened an active skill: Tyrant Sea Lord.

Thanks to his amphibian genetics, Elder Croak had special affinity for water attributes, this was why his third mana core represents the water path.

Transforming his mana into radioactive water, densed enough to crush his enemies.

But...

It wasn’t a skill, neither did it possess the strength of a skill.

This is an awakened skill that grants him dominion over the natural seas and storms.

Battling against him in the sea could be considered a death sentence.

Roy was gone, leaving the elder alone.

**

Roy returned back to the abandoned warehouse with a satisfactory grin written on his lips; he exhaled deeply.

He was met with dozens of message notifications indicating new followers every minute.

His followers count, adding the rescued crimson wolf-men and the black-spotted frogmen, had risen from a mere 50 to over 200.

He was racking up faith points in the process.

"You seem happy, Master Jarden," a voice whispered from behind. Roy turned to see Alisa standing behind him.

But she wasn’t alone. Alpha Eurenia tagged along.

"You’re here," Roy spoke calmly. He glanced at Alpha Eurenia for a moment before facing Alisa.

"Yes," Alisa nodded with a lofty smile, "Just as you requested. I supported the Great Luna Pack in setting their people free."

"This is Eurenia... Alpha of the Great Luna Pack," Alisa wasted no time officially introducing Eurenia to Roy.

’So that is the Master Jarden Alisa spoke of?’ Eurenia thought. She was observing the mysterious crimson wolf-man who commands Alisa. ’He’s a wolf-man just like that old man Anazora. I’ve never seen such a handsome man before,’ she smiled.

"Greetings, Master Jarden," Alpha Eurenia bowed, "I am Lady Eurenia of the Great Luna Pack. I want to thank you for your support."

"Lady Alisa has been of great help to us," she said.

"Is that so?" Roy smiled, "I’m happy to hear that, but there’s no need to thank me," he said.

"Why is that?" Alpha Eurenia asked.

"Why?" Roy chuckled, "Isn’t it obvious that children of Lord Varanus must help each other?" he asked.

"We all serve the same god. The ancient primordial who has just woken up from his slumber."

"He is our father and he wants to guide us to the path of absolute dominance!" Roy’s eyes flickered, "I must obey his will."

"I see," Alpha Eurenia’s lips curled faintly, "Then we truly are allies." She heaved a sigh of relief. "My people are currently being snuck out of Tempest City."

"We are preparing for a large-scale war!" she spoke with confidence, although she had a slender body.

She’s amongst the strongest cultivators of the Martial Warrior’s realm.

"Exercise patience, it’s too early," Roy said.

"Why do you say so?" Alpha Eurenia questioned, her eyes slightly narrowed.

Roy shrugged his shoulders, "Nothing much," he answered calmly, "It’s just that I gave the Tiger Lord two days to make a decision."

"What decision, if I may ask?" Alpha Eurenia stepped forward.

"Pray to Lord Varanus and abandon his service towards the Troll King." Roy’s amber eyes glowed; he’s still using the form of the wolf-man Jarden Rome.

"Why would you do that?" Alpha Eurenia asked again.

"Tempest City isn’t our enemy," Roy exhaled a soft sigh, "The Troll King is... he’s the greatest threat to the peace of the Hudeii Desert."

"Serving an evil god who desires living sacrifices only from beastmen, he has been marked for death."

"Lord Varanus has ordained me to be that blade," Roy declared. "The Tiger Lord had no choice serving the Troll King because he was weak."

"If he comes under the banner of the God of Beasts, he shall receive strength to stand against the Troll King."

"That is a promise," Roy explained.

"But what if he refused?" Alisa asked.

"Then war it shall be," Roy giggled. ’Whatever the case may be, I benefit from them. If the Tiger Lord prays to me, his soldiers will follow me.’

’My follower count will surely surpass a thousand. But if he refused, then war will harvest me their souls.’

’Their souls will automatically be converted into faith points.’ A lopsided grin appeared on Roy’s lips as he lingered.

"Alpha Eurenia," Roy called, "Hold your forces down for now and wait for the signal."

"But keep striking down the Orcs, Trolls, and Goblins serving Tempest City. Minimize the deaths of Hyena-men and Tiger-men."

"They’re beastmen. They’re our brothers," Roy instructed.

Alpha Eurenia bowed her head, "I’ll heed to your request."

"Good." Roy turned his back on the two cultivators, "Alisa. That Frogman cultivator is now a dedicated follower of Lord Varanus."

"I’ll give you his location. Follow the path used by the Great Luna Pack and lead those black-spotted frogmen out of Tempest City."

"But tell the old man to stay back," Roy stated, "He’s going to be our very own powerhouse if the Tiger Lord wants war!"

"Tomorrow... by sunrise, I’ll pay the Tiger Lord a visit."