She seemed to have forgotten she had just said one must not get distracted.
"Noblewomen?" Carl asked, puzzled. "What use is it to them?"
"Of course it’s useful," Hibell said, rolling her eyes. "Women’s anxiety about their appearance and figure is by no means less significant than the importance men place on... that particular area."
Carl suddenly understood.
Thinking about the beauty craze of his previous life, he could understand the business opportunity hidden within. He didn’t know whether Robert had been involved in this sort of business, but even if he had, he probably wouldn’t dare to do it openly. After all, there are distinct differences between men and women.
"Lower-level Transformation Skill cannot truly change the body," Carl said. "It only provides temporary or partial remodeling, with a certain chance of rebounding or even damaging the body. True transformation comes from the inside out, thoroughly changing a person’s body from the Bloodline up. This then allows a person to gain the ability to transform into other creatures."
"Hmm," Hibell said, stroking her chin. "Many records in Wizard books indicate that Wizards can transform into eagles to soar the sky or become whales to enjoy the ocean. They can even shift into legendary ancient creatures to confront the Divine head-on."
She shook her head gently, a look of regret on her face.
"Transforming into eagles or whales is of little use. It can even shorten one’s lifespan and diminish strength. And transforming into legendary creatures requires analyzing those beings, which is even more impossible."
Carl pondered. Transforming into other creatures is within the domain of an Official Wizard. As an apprentice, one must start from the very beginning. Adapting to other Bloodlines! Typically, one needs to find a part of a Transcendent being, eliminate the rejection reactions, and transplant it into a cultivator. This gradually grants their body the abilities of the Transcendent being. Or create something, like a Heart of Stone.
Carl didn’t have the refinement method for a Heart of Stone, but he did have a ’part’ from a Transcendent being in his possession—the Treasure Bead!
Through experimental analysis, the Treasure Bead left by Annie after her death was revealed to be the eye of a unique spider. It even retained a trace of activity, meeting the cultivation requirements for Bloodline Wizards.
The journey was long. With so many people, the caravan struggled to increase its speed. Reaching Mutan City would take over a month, even at their fastest pace.
During this time, Carl found it inconvenient to enter the Divine Domain Fragment. He spent most of his time inside the carriage practicing the Meditation Method and Breath techniques. Only at night, when it was time to rest, would he take the opportunity to head to Freedom Port to trade and exchange some supplies.
A month passed by in a flash.
Mutan City could already be faintly seen in the distance, and Carl had successfully integrated the spider’s eye into his arm.
Transplantation Skill!
The key to this Wizard skill is adapting to other Bloodlines. Due to differences in species and structure, the body will instinctively reject foreign elements. Without the involvement of special powers, integration is impossible.
"For a Bloodline Wizard, this transplantation process is somewhat akin to integrating a Dharma Seal; it also saves a lot of effort," Carl murmured, gently lifting his left arm.
On the inside of his left forearm, there was now a white bead, which was actually the spider’s eye. Upon closer inspection, the eye was still moving, somewhat eerie and unnerving.
Carl continued, "By transplanting a specific organ from another being, one enhances oneself or gains abilities one originally lacked. The next step is to replace internal organs... Finally!" His hand clenched into a fist. "A complete body overhaul, transforming from the inside out into another form!"
The eye transplanted onto his arm, which had almost lost all activity, now, nourished by Carl’s life force, had regained its vigor.
And its effect... Keen perception!
Or perhaps, call it ’Spider Sense’?