“Zhulong, the Torch Dragon: the result of consuming it?” Chaos parts, the underworld is lit, day and night bend to your command, the four seasons turn at your will, wind and rain answer your call.

“Xiangliu, the Nine-Headed Serpent: the result of consuming it?” The earth corrodes, mountains are swallowed whole, poison endures across a hundred generations, nine heads each moving to their own design.

“Feiyi, the Two-Tailed Snake: the result of consuming it?” Insects and beasts are subdued, the spirit is fortified, a hundred ailments find no purchase.

“Yu Chong, the Three-Legged Turtle: the result of consuming it?” Stealth becomes second nature, and deathly sand flies from your lips.

“……”

“How is this world's secret Classic of Mountains and Seas so different from the one I knew in my past life?”

Lost in silent thought, Ding Songyan turned to the person beside him:

“You're saying—these creatures vanished from the world long ago. Only the martial arts remain, forged by those who first consumed them, shaped by the transformations wrought upon their very bodies. And these arts… can still be cultivated?”