“I thought it was strange as well. But after reading into what it’s like over in the Western Region, I realized this was completely normal. These people either lacked talent or they weren’t from noteworthy backgrounds, and because of that, they weren’t eligible to learn the high-level Techniques of their Church. The same goes for the members of the Warlock Families. They aren’t like us who have Sects that opened their doors for anyone to learn their Martial Arts Techniques. The highest-level Techniques in the Church and Royal Families are being kept under lock and key by the rich and powerful.”

“So, it was like that.”

Yoon-Jae said while Sol recalled what Mar-Du had told them about the Western Region in the tent.

“Father-in-law did mention that the powerful organizations in the Western Region hoard all the resources and prevent other powers from rising. It looks like those same practices are inside their very own organizations as well.”

“What are their cultivation realms?”

A voice was suddenly heard from the side.

Sol, Yoon-Jae, and Mar-Dule turned to see that a disciple in black robes had asked that question.

It was now they realized the disciples around them were listening in on their conversation.

Some wore the Alchemy Pavilion’s yellow robes, the Elemental Innate Dharma Pavilion’s multicolored robes, and even some wore the green robes from the Runes and Formation Pavilion.

For disciples like them who were at the bottom of the Academy, information like this wasn’t easily accessible. So, they couldn’t help but listen to their conversations.

However, listening silently and butting in to ask questions were two completely different matters.

Most of the disciples in the surroundings turned to glare at this black robe disciple in anger since this could likely cause Mar-Dule and the others to stop talking out of displeasure. They might even get chased away.

The boy seemed to panic when he realized how rude his actions were.

He hurriedly cupped his fists and bowed as he apologized.

“Senior Brother Mar-Dule, I deeply apologize for my actions. I am a new disciple who was just admitted to the Academy four months ago, and I am not from a noteworthy background to know this kind of information so I couldn’t help but ask. But that is no excuse and I sincerely apologize.”

Before Mar-Dule could say anything, Sol suddenly smiled and said.

“I was just about to ask that question as well. And nothing is wrong with asking a simple question, you didn’t have to worry.”

When this disciple heard Sol’s latter sentence, he glanced at Sol and smiled embarrassingly, but he still cupped his fists towards him and bowed respectively.

In truth, the disciple had known how rude his actions would be perceived. But he couldn’t give up on this chance to have his questions answered, so he risked offending these senior disciples by asking his questions.

This was how people like him had always lived, by taking risks.

But he wasn’t a fool and he realized what Sol’s words meant, and it made him embarrassed that his thoughts were seen through by Sol. But thankfully, he wasn’t angry.

The disciple started to wonder who this handsome Senior Brother was and how he had never heard of him before.

Mar-Dule smiled and explained.

“Surprisingly, the Church and the Royals cultivation systems are similar to ours in many areas. However, if you want me to explain in detail how they progress through their cultivation realms then it’s impossible. The Church and the Royals keep their techniques and that kind of information a secret from their own members, much less outsiders. I can only give you an overall explanation and some side bits of information.”

The disciples in the surroundings all bowed in thanks before Mar-Dule took a bite of one of his dumplings and started his explanation.

“Let’s start for the Church. Even though they’re called the Seven Great Churches, they’re actually one big church that worships their God Keres. The reason why they’re known separately was because they were founded by seven existences in the past that were rumored to be Deities.”

Some of the disciples gasped when they heard the mention of Deities, while Mar-Dule continued.

“Whether that’s true or not is up for debate, but within these seven Churches you have two camps. The Paladin Warriors and the Worshipers. The Paladin Warriors are trained to protect the church while the Worshipers are responsible for operating the inner workings of the church and expanding it by recruiting believers.”

Mar-Dule paused to finish his dumpling. Afterward, he took out a Rice ball and took a bite before continuing to explain.

“The stages of a Paladin Warrior that I know from weakest to strongest are Beginner-level, Master-level, and then the Grandmaster-level. From my understanding, they cultivate similar to our Fleshly Body cultivators. Using their Holy Energy or Faith Energy, they focus on strengthening bodies. As for the Worshipers, their stages are more like titles, they are Deacon, Bishops, and Archbishops. But these people cultivate extremely weirdly, and not many people cultivate like this.”

Reaching this point, Mar-Dule wore a strange expression. He then said.

“These Worshipers cultivate by gaining believers. The more believers that follow them the stronger they become.”

“So essentially it’s a popularity contest?”

“Right! That’s exactly what I thought it was as well.”

Mar-Dule said as he turned to look at Yoon-Jae before continuing.

“I also read that without the Paladin Warriors’ protection, those people would be dead, and the Church destroyed because of how weak they are.”

However, Mar-Dule’s expression suddenly became serious as he said.

“Though, it’s known that if one cultivates like this to the peak, they can become a God.”

The disciples listening silently were all shocked to hear that. But Mar-Dule looked at them and said.

“Why are you so surprised? Aren’t we cultivating to become Immortals as well? Do you think an Immortal is any weaker than a God in terms of power? They’re not!”

Mar-Dule took a hard bite of his Rice ball and then said.

“Cultivating into a God, and God’s existence in general is only a speculation in their Church, however, there is evidence of this similar to how we have the separate dimensions that were said to have been created by past Immortals. Even their Cardinal, the person who oversees the seven Churches, is said to have cultivated like this and has now become a God.”

The disciples were once again shocked, but Mar-Dule finished his Rice ball before waving his hand dismissively and saying.

‘It’s just rumors, weren’t there also rumors that claim the Sect Leader of the Shaolin Sect was an Immortal? But disciples like us have no way of knowing.”

Mar-Dule took out a dumpling this time, and after taking a bite he said.

“By now you should see the similarities between their cultivation system and ours.”

“They’re separated into Paladin Warriors and Worshipers like how we are separated in Fleshly Body cultivators and Aether Energy cultivators.”

Sol said, and the disciples who were confused had looks of understanding appear on their faces. They then turned to give thankful looks to Sol.

Mar-Dule nodded then said.

“This is similar to the Royals cultivation system as well. They have Warlocks and Magic Knights. The cultivation realms for both are separated into Classes. From weakest to strongest are 1st Class to 9th Class.”

Mar-Dule finished his dumpling and brushed his hands as he finished up his explanation.

“It should be noted that although the Royal Families are collectively called Warlock Families, there are some who solely focus on studying Magic Sorcery while others focus on learning the Skills of a Magic Knight. However, unlike the Church which doesn’t cultivate both paths at once, there is a path among the Royals that’s known as a Magic Swordsman. These people study both Magic Sorcery and learn the Skills of Magic Knights, thus their strength is considerably powerful. The Patriarch of the Beorhtric Family, the most powerful Warlock Family, is such an existence and it’s said he’s as strong as the Cardinal from the Church. That’s it, the end of my explanation. If you want to know more details like what the Western Region is like, the Academy should be adding books about the Western Region in the Martial Arts Library.”

All the disciples in the surroundings thank Mar-Dule with cupped fists. At this point in time, even a few disciples from the Great Clans nearby had come over to listen and they cupped their fists as well.

The first disciple who had started all of this said his thanks as well, but a hesitant expression appeared on his face.

It seemed like he wanted to ask a question, but Mar-Dule had already gone back to eating while focusing on the battles below.

“Mar-Dule, you’ve fought disciples from the Church and the Warlock Families, right? How strong are they in their own realm of cultivation compared to us?”

Mar-Dule paused eating to think for a moment before saying.

“I think it’s reasonable to say that our strengths are similar. For example, a Mortal Realm cultivator here could fight with a Magic Knight and a Warlock up to the 3rd Class. As for the church, a Mortal Realm cultivator should be as powerful as a Deacon and a Beginner Paladin Warrior. Of course, this similar strength would only be there if these disciples learned some real Techniques. Haha, look! That bastard from the Church was so embarrassed after getting knocked off that he jumped back onto the stage to fight only to be blown off once again.”

Mar-Dule burst out laughing at the hilarious scene.

Sol turned to give the youth who was hesitating to ask a question a smile.

The youth couldn’t help but feel immense gratitude for Sol’s help that he bowed with cupped fists once more.

Everyone who managed to hear Mar-Dule’s answer also thanked Sol in their hearts.

However, this caused more and more disciples to have the same burning question appear in their minds.

Who is this handsome Senior Brother?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep