"We will begin with secondary manuals and techniques. You no doubt understand the power of spiritual energy. Your cultivation manuals are only one method to increase your power. There is a myriad of others. Some of the most common are" He held up a finger as he counted them off. "Body Tempering, Heart Forging, Soul refinement and Beast Mastery. I will begin my primers with Body Tempering. You have no doubt noticed that your body has been strengthened. Like metal beneath the forge master's hammer, you have begun removing the weaknesses and strengthening what remains. That is the most basic improvements for your body. It represents the first step and will be of limited use when you face off against real enemies." Once again Maximilian wished he had a notepad or his recorder. This information felt like it would be worth its weight in gold. Especially once he left here. Who knew when they would get access to information like this again?

  "Body Tempering techniques are common though they are not created equal. The quality of the technique determines both its benefits, and the price paid to practice. As a general rule all techniques require a practitioner to do the same thing. You absorb energy through your body and use it to rebuild or improve what's there. The exact method is dependent on the technique. Though they are grueling on the body. With requirements for either affinity, Dao, ancestry, or bloodline. A technique's compatibility determines whether a person can safely practice the technique. Trying to cultivate a technique you lack affinity for is the same courting death. Further depending on the energy involved you may take the people around you with you to see Granny Meng."

  Maximilian had no idea who "Granny Meng" was but based on the context he assumed it was a grim reaper of some kind. Either that or an ancestor. Either way he got the message. He was focused on the Dao of lightning which meant he should cultivate a tempering method for that. Assuming he stuck with it. If he went in a different direction he could adjust. Further if it was based on affinity couldn't he do any technique? He imagined if he picked the opposite of lightning it would cause problems. Though he had no idea what that even was. The Nine Lightnings Cannon had given hi a path forward and he saw no reason to change it.

  "Is there a place we can buy techniques!" One of the harpies asked. "Ones for our bodies?"

  The scholarly dwarf shot her pointed glance and then nodded. "Yes, yes there are myriad ancestries in the multiverse. There is something for everyone. The humanoid form is the most common. Mostly due to how prolifically they reproduce so you should be fine. Others among you will have to look harder. Regardless, you will be hard pressed to buy one. Why would someone go through the effort and trials to create a technique. Only to sell it so a stranger can benefit. A stranger that could one day end up as their enemy. No most factions who have the techniques would keep them and use them as lures to draw people to them and their side. Faction points are the most common ways of purchasing such techniques."

  Maximilian grimaced at that but understood the logic. Information was valuable no matter where you were. It wasn't until the printing press and further the internet that that changed on earth. Even then we kept the most important stuff hidden. If people had a technique that let them punch a hole in the mountain it was unlikely to end up on the internet. Though the idea was amusing. He also figured that the Network would act as another source. He doubted the quests would stop once they left. He doubted any quest that provided something like that would be easy though. That was a problem for tomorrow.

  "After Body Tempering, we have Heart Forging. Despite the name it does not refer to your physical heart, your Dao Heart or Martial Heart depending on who you ask. It refers to your determination, inner will, conviction and other similar concepts. Regardless of whether you are a practitioner or not. Your path will be fraught with dangers and temptation. Those of you with weak Dao Hearts will find their paths harder or cut off completely. A strong Dao Heart will help you endure illusions, torture and all other types of hardships. Without it your path will shatter, and you may find fates worse than death."

  Maximilian put a mental mark on that one. He had no interest in getting trapped in illusions or whatever "A fate worse than death" meant. He also believed in the old adage. Mind over matter. It sounded like your Dao heart might make you stronger as well. There were countless stories of people who accomplished great things because they wanted it bad enough. If he could make that happen than who knew what would happen? Would his electrical attacks be able to wipe out mountains? Or he'd be immune to mind control and illusions. Regardless of it would be amazing."

  "After the heart we have the soul. Soul refinement is like that of Heart forging. The soul is the center of consciousness. There are practitioners who specialize in attacking it. You all should not encounter such a path on your planet. At least not yet. Those of you with the ability will not be strong enough to warrant dedicated cultivation for it. Your attributes and a few treasures should be enough to keep you alive. That being said Soul Refinement techniques follow the same requirements as Body Tempering. The better your affinity with the technique the better your progress. As for the benefits. A Stronger Soul helps you defend against illusions as well. Further the soul provides mental energy, mental energy controls the Dao. The strength of one's soul is inborn for the most part but that is where Soul Refinement enters the picture. You slowly remove your impurities, polish what remains. Until you have something that can stand the test. A strong enough soul can exist independent of the body. Something that requires a unique technique and is thus very rare."

  Maximilian placed another mental mark next to that option. His dislike for illusions made him feel like he had little choice in the matter. If he didn't count that his gut told him the Dao was going to be very important for him. He didn't use a weapon which meant his basic attacks would either be skills or Dao based. If that was the case than a strong soul should be key to that. It would also let him shift his skills to bigger attacks. Creating a kind of set of finishing moves that would land after he opened them up with basic attacks. There was also the chance to collect more unique skills. Million Voices was amazing but what about other options? He figured it would be best do all three if he could manage it. His body was a priority but it would be helpful. Surviving the few hits that got to him would be nice. Though his gut told him lightning would be focused on fast movement. Not being there when a hit arrives is even better than surviving it.

  "Next we have Beast Mastery techniques. These are a cross between a cultivation method and a profession. They provide you the ability to bond with a beast. Or in some cases multiple beasts. These focus on the compatibility between the beast, you and the technique. For the most part issues wouldn't appear on the cultivator's side. Different techniques required different kinds of beasts. Some varied in rather or not it needed the beast consent. Or if the beast had to reach a certain rank first. Either way the benefit remains the same. The beast and cultivator form a bond with one another. A bond that allows them to cooperate with one another. In some cases the beast becomes a battle companion, in others they become a mount or serve some other purpose. Lastly the beast would be loyal as long as the power disparity wasn't too large. If that happened there was the chances the beast would rebel. At which point the loss of benefits would be the least of your problems."

  Maximilian wasn't sure about that option. Having beast partner sounded cool. It could also deal with the weaknesses of being a spell caster. He was pretty sure the creature wouldn't rebel against him either. At least that he wouldn't mistreat it so if he picked well that shouldn't be a concern. He placed beast mastery into the may be category. If he came across a chance to learn it that wouldn't hurt him than he would go for it. If not he wouldn't. It wouldn't be a problem not that any of this mattered. He assumed that last quest would provide a technique for one of these but that wasn't guaranteed. Regardless it would be something he looked into when he had the chance.

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  "Those are not the only support manuals in the multiverse, but you will need to learn those on your own. I will now explain alternative professions. The one you all should be most familiar with is alchemy or alchemists. Those rare few who specialize in the creation of pills, baths, tinctures and every other consumable you will need. The road of the alchemist is every bit as demanding as the practitioner. They spend tireless hours in front of cauldrons. Where they test and create alchemical pills that will manifest the Dao and miracles in equal parts. Along with their work they are some of the most respected people you will encounter. Talented alchemists have the world at their fingertips. Those of you who have affinity with the Dao of alchemy than I suggest you give it a serious consideration. Even if you choose not to devote yourself to the path it could be vital."

  Maximilian listened to the explanation and wasn't interested. He had seen what healing pills could do so it wasn't that he wasn't impressed but it wasn't his style. Though he was interested in a side profession. He even had an idea of what he wanted it to be. If his assumption was correct. He had played more than a few games with wizards and mages. If he could specialize in ritual magic than he would without a doubt. It would add an extra layer to his strength and flesh out his abilities. If the movies and games were any sign, he would be able to make floating cities or construct minions. The next thing the dwarf explained him a bit more interested, but it wasn't what he wanted to hear.

  "Healers are next and outside of a talented alchemist everyone would be wise to keep them available. They are the ones that will repair the damage to your body or soul. That includes injuries caused by opposing Dao. Something that most of you haven't encountered yet but you will. You learn how difficult it is to purge those injuries. Healers have unique skills that help them deal with all manners of wounds and ailments. Most factions and armies would welcome some talented in the art."

  It wasn't that he didn't want to be a healer, it was that he didn't want the whole responsibility. If he could learn a skill or two for that he would but other than it wasn't for him. He also doubted he would get the chance. He wasn't sure how someone got the class, but the entire tutorial had been dedicated to violence. He doubted eating pills would count as medical attention. Nor did he think saving that general would count so he figured that was dead at the moment. If he tried for a Dao dedicated to it? Either way it wasn't something he wanted to deal with.

  "Next we have Blacksmiths. A profession that existed on your world. High quality weapons, armor and other equipment are even more valuable. Do not look down on the profession. Hear me and understand well. The number of quests and the rewards you have received will slow down once you leave. You will need to work hard for each step forward and you will take the resources you need out of the hands of others. Blacksmiths are both that resource as well as a way around that situation. They can forge new items; improve the ones you have or repair them. Blacksmiths can be the life blood of an organization."

  Maximilian noted his words but didn't care for the trade. The image of a large person slamming a hammer against a piece of metal didn't appeal to him. Further it would be too loud. He would sooner go with the alchemist. Not that he wouldn't try and fight a blacksmith or a dozen to work in whatever place he built. He would just need to meet them outside of their forge or shop. Someone did ask if blacksmiths created items for casters. Or if that was a different profession. The answer depended on the nature of the item and not on its use. A blacksmith didn't work with wood or other similar materials. He didn't get where the line was drawn since the artisan depended on their Dao not on the materials. He would need a blacksmith either aligned with or able to understand the Dao of lightning. He imagined it would get tougher if you had a dozen different concepts.

  "Next we have the Array Master. Array Masters are every bit the artisan the alchemist is. Where one brings the Dao to life through pills and medicinal ingredients. The other brings it forth through the environment, through energy through existence itself. Arrays can come in many different forms from planet spanning formations to the small inscriptions on your clothes. That said Array Mastery is a demanding art. One would need high affinity with to begin. Further it will burn money whether you spend it on materials, lessons or on spirit stones. It is bottomless void that if mastered can provide in ways that few others can hope to achieve. Warriors make up the ground force of every faction. An Array Master can be much more."

  Maximilian was sure that the dwarf hadn't emphasized this one more than the others, but it felt different. As if he was speaking to him and not at him. Part of him wanted to stand up and applaud but he ignored it. He still had no idea how to begin so it was on the back burner. As soon as he could change that he would. His mind filled with ideas like an invisible barrier to defend against attacks or a formation that could make a city appear to be somewhere else. Who knew what else he could do? He imagined he would have to spend a few years learning all of that but he had time. Assuming he didn't die in the next year he should have a few hundred years minimum. Hell he might able to pick up a tertiary profession. He stopped the run away train that had become his thoughts and focused on what was in front of him. He still had to survive the final quest and then whatever the Earth had become. Only then would he have the time to become what he wanted. From there the Dwarves allowed everyone to ask questions. Most of which were clarifications on Earth's professions and how they mapped to the more fantasy ones. Which indirectly revealed a few more professions. For example, vehicle creation was different from both blacksmiths and array masters. They often worked together. Anyone willing to buy a custom vehicle would want to improve it with arrays.

  Further it seemed that "vehicles" weren't what they were used to. The dwarves hinted it all kinds of flying treasures but wouldn't go further. Maximilian couldn't resist imagining flying brooms and carpets. He doubted those were real. What purpose would a carpet serve by being able to fly? Even if he took into account the changes to his body, he figured a proper vehicle would be better. There were also questions from a group of humans who he assumed were either doctors, nurses or medics. There were questions focused on how healing worked. How they could take the principles of Earth's medicine and merge it with the Network. The consensus was that it wasn't possible. Or rather the healing skills would be better unless they created something unique. For some reason though any questions about technology in the multiverse were ignored. Maximilian wanted to ask about that, but he was stopped his instincts. It wasn't quite danger, but it wasn't safe either. He couldn't tell if the threat came from the dwarves or somewhere else.

  Regardless he decided not to press the situation. It wasn't important to him as there was no technology here. So, he couldn't do much with it. Soon after that the dwarves left and everyone split up. The atmosphere was different; it leaned toward the hopeful than helpless. There was still some bitterness when he looked around. From people who either suffered injuries that wasn't healed or who had lost someone. He pushed it to the back of his mind so he could focus on cultivation. He returned to his apartment and took a seat on his mat. Once again, he split his time in fourths with each segment devoted to a focus with the four for sleeping. That was also the smallest section. Part of him wished he had the ability to reduce his sleep need in college. He could've avoided a lot of coffee.

  The next day he picked up where he left off. He didn't bother leaving his cultivation chamber. He could tell he was nearing a milestone on both his Dao and his level. His electrical Dao was getting closer to advancement, but it wasn't the one that drew his eye. It still wasn't ready which meant it wouldn't be an option in whatever tomorrow's quest would bring. He got his hands on another round of healing pills. Something that felt insufficient. The battle with the commander and the assassin had made it clear that he was really risking it this time. Not that it would stop him. He was going to up the difficulty one more time. He wished he could blame it on some rational reason. That he wanted the better rewards but that wasn't true. He wanted to test himself. He wanted to prove something. He didn't know to who. Was it the Network? Himself? Or someone else. Either way it didn't matter. He had made up his mind and thus he would do it.