Becoming spiritualist
Phenax lingered around Zeo's head, scanning the physique before starting anything inside Zeo's spiritual world. The birthmark is nowhere to be seen after they contracted, which puzzles him. "The martial arts that I will teach is composed of single movement technique. It will allow you to teleport depending on the mana you use. Besides that, by contracting with me, you gain an ability called "Devour". All Creation started from void, how can it benefit you ? I don't know, so let us take one step at a time".
Zeo was led towards the center of his spirit world, noticing a small puddle surrounded by three pillars and contained silvery water inside it. "That is your mana pool". He was so shocked because he thought he gained cheat-like stats by contracting with Phenax, which makes him ahead of other spiritualists. "Phenax, why is it so small, I think even a jug of water can hold more compare to it".
Feeling down, Zeo sat crossed-legged and then touched the silvery water inside the pool. He is sure he touches the water but doesn't feel anything from it. "Before we start, do you notice the pillars? This pillar can contain other spirits in it without you contracting them. How does it affect you, that your job to find out, logically the greater the spirit, the better effect".
"I am sure you know your spiritual world can be upgraded further". In this case, spiritual treasure can be transported into the spiritual world, such a case of Saint Rebecca. She specializes in spiritual herbalist, she took very good care of the peach tree in front of her childhood house for hundreds of years, using many of her treasures to nurture it. The peach tree transforms into a Rare Spiritual Treasure, and due to her care, she easily binds with it. Zeo remembers that her mother once mentioned that the tree helps her mana recover twofold. It shows the significance of owning spiritual treasure.
Spiritual treasure can be categorized into Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Mythic. So far, the only person Zeo know possess mythical spiritual treasure is his father , his left eye, The Eye of Truth. His father obtained it by slaying a variant of a three-eyed dragon that terrorize Zenneth previously. Not many of its abilities are known, but one is detecting truth and lies. That is why Zeo always kept quiet in front of SiaXin if he did something wrong behind him. Silence is golden.
"Enough of the explanation, lets start training". Phenax's tail touches Zeo's forehead. The steps of the martial art were transferred to him. Firstly he needs to feel the surrounding of his body by using mana, then by remembering the sensation, he needs to move it to his targeted location. He struggled to control his mana to envelop the surrounding of his body. He tried multiple times but always ended up in failure. He noticed the moment he tried to cover his whole body, his mana pool would be drained, it takes a few hours for the pool to be filled back.
"This is frustrating, your mana pool is already a disappointment, but why is your mana recovery as well. If not for me, needing a host to bring out my full power, I would not be willing to be contracted. Your comprehension is good, but your talent is thrash. At the beginning of my life, I was a million times better than you, one of the Big Boss in the spirit realm until now. Still, sadly our power is constrained outside of the spirit world without any contract. And our growth of power depends on the contracted host. I don't even understand Lord of Creation's setting for this, but who am I to question it". Phenax remarks, surprise Zeo, no wonder it is easier to contract to a lower spirit than a higher spirit. Higher spirit looks for quality compared to the desperation of lower tier spirit.
"I don't think I can progress much if I don't increase my mana pool". To increase the mana pool, there are many ways , the shortcut is to gain spiritual treasure related to it , but the cheapest and most complicated is via alchemy. Not all people can become alchemy as it require a high level of comprehension, talent, and hard work. To successfully concoct a pill may direct 3-5 times of spiritual herbs set, showing that the success rate is low. But the high tier of the alchemy, the less likelihood for them to fail. Comparing 5th-tier alchemy and 4th-tier alchemy is like heaven and earth. All occupation is categorized by tier, such as chef , herbalist , alchemy , smithing and etc. The highest tier, which is 5th-tier is when Heaven acknowledges the person's profession, which was only told in legend. Zeo was taught by 4th tier alchemy affiliated with The Shadow Clan. However, he is still not considered as alchemy, just an apprentice.
Packing some clothes and food, Zeo set on a journey toward the mountain behind Elder Kinta's mansion, hoping to collect some spiritual herbs. Spiritual herbs can be detected easier the greater the spiritual sense , but the spiritual sense is the hardest to train because it is related to individual mentalism. The technique for it has long been lost since the Ancient Era.
Zeo went deeper into the woods, and suddenly he felt some unique feeling coming around 20 meters from his location. "Phenax, do you feel the same as I do? I never had this sensation before I contracted to you, but since then, I felt quite similar to when I met Elder Kinta when he was training previously".
"What you felt is the aura of the spirit, and it seems that there is a spiritual being nearby you, be caution". Zeo approach the origin of the aura carefully. To his surprise, he finds Red Monkhood, common spiritual herbs recorded in the book he learns. "Don't pluck the herbs; use the Devour skill on it".
Red Monkhood disintegrates, leaving its essence. Zeo examined the essence and then surprisingly shouted after analyzing the essence. There is no impurity in the essence, and the time for him to extract it, is only a few seconds , even his teacher , the 4th tier alchemy took few minute to get an essence from the low tier herbs.
Phenax overjoys at this discovery." Young One, search for more of the spiritual herbs, do not worry regards the pill formation, that part let me handle it. Even though your talent is mediocre, with my help you will be the strongest in Zenneth". Zeo is quite upset with Phenax and swears that when the time comes, it will be his turn to scold him. He continues onwards for his search by getting deeper into the forest.