Chapter 11: The Eight Major Types of Spiritual Beings

When Fanxing returned to the room, Yedou had already wriggled out of the bag and even carried out the injured flower spirit in his mouth.

She walked over and took the flower spirit, patting Yedou gently on the head. “You wouldn’t be thinking of eating her, would you?”

“Meow~” Yedou shook his head vigorously. No, I’m just worried because she looks unwell.

Fanxing thought for a moment, then took out a spirit energy card and summoned the Rainbow Crown Swan. She then instructed both it and Yedou, “You two play by yourselves; I’ll take care of this little one’s injuries.”

“Meow~”

“Coo~”

Both spirit creatures responded in unison.

Seeing this, Fanxing turned and went to fetch the medicine box.

After Fanxing left, the two spirit creatures began exploring the house.

Yedou rolled around on the sofa a few times, then tumbled off onto the dark carpet beneath before crawling under the shadowy couch.

No one was paying attention to him, but he was having the time of his life playing by himself.

The Rainbow Crown Swan glanced disdainfully at the small, dejected cat, then raised its proud head and strutted around the room with elegant steps, as if inspecting its domain.

Meanwhile, Fanxing found the medicine box and began to treat the flower spirit’s external wounds.

Although she wasn’t sure if ordinary medicine was effective for her, she figured it was worth a try.

The flower spirit’s body was covered with countless tiny wounds, resembling the work of a scalpel.

Whether out of fear or because she realized Fanxing meant no harm, the flower spirit did not struggle as Fanxing applied ointment and bandages.

Once the wounds were treated, Fanxing brought a basket, lined it with a soft towel, folded a handkerchief into a pillow, and gently placed the flower spirit inside.

“Stay here and rest well. Once you’ve healed, you’re free to leave—I won’t stop you.”

After saying this, Fanxing turned and left.

The flower spirit lay curled up in the basket, her large eyes fixed unblinkingly on Fanxing’s retreating figure.

When Fanxing returned to the living room, she found Yedou, somehow having dug out a ball of embroidery thread, batting it around on the carpet like a toy. The sight was… utterly silly.

Seeing that he wasn’t causing trouble like before, Fanxing simply went along with him.

As for the Rainbow Crown Swan, after searching the house for a while, Fanxing finally spotted it on the bathroom vanity.

It was admiring itself in the mirror, sometimes stretching its slender neck proudly, sometimes spreading its wide wings, then blinking repeatedly at its long, curved blue eyelashes.

“Coo~~ I am truly beautiful!”

Fanxing: …

Not wanting to disturb the swan’s vanity session, Fanxing returned to the living room.

She took out the bracelet she had obtained from Lin Zaize and, after thorough inspection confirming it was intact, activated the compendium function pointed at herself.

A beam of light flashed, and a luminous screen appeared before her.

Species: Painted Skin (Mutant)

Classification: Undead

Attribute: Yin

Trait: Reality [Under the guise of reality, all illusions become truth]

Skills: Skinning [Sharp claws peel skin and scrape bone, with a piercing effect]

Flying Blade [Condenses golden energy to launch flying blades that slice enemies]

Rating: D

Role: Rapid Assault

———

Species: Taisui

Classification: Divine Spirit

Attribute: Evil

Trait: Immortal [Neither dying nor perishing]

Skill: Plunder [Steals a skill from a devoured spirit and uses it as one’s own]

Rating: Unknown

Role: Support

So her two identities were an undead spirit and a divine spirit!

Fanxing recalled that Fan Honghong had mentioned divine and demonic spirits were rare types of spirits.

Originally, Painted Skin had only the skill “Skinning.” The “Flying Blade” skill was bestowed upon Painted Skin after Taisui plundered it from the scalpel spirit.

Since Taisui was not an offensive spirit, the flying blade skill was useless to it and thus transferred to Painted Skin.

Unexpectedly, Painted Skin’s rating was higher than Yedou’s and the Rainbow Crown Swan’s.

What Fanxing didn’t know was that her original rating was the same as Yedou’s; it was only after devouring the scalpel spirit and upgrading her spirit energy that she attained a D rating.

From Fan Honghong, Fanxing had learned that spirit ratings, from highest to lowest, were: SSS, SS, S, A, B, C, D, E, F—nine levels in total.

After putting away the black bracelet, Fanxing got up to cook.

Before long, the meal was ready, and she invited Yedou, “Do you want to eat?”

“Meow~” Yedou shook his head.

Fanxing thought for a moment, then suddenly extended her right hand, which instantly transformed into flowing liquid.

She controlled the liquid to extend toward Yedou. “Eat or not?”

Seeing the Taisui meat, Yedou’s eyes lit up, and he immediately dashed over to Fanxing, pawing at her arm with eager eyes.

Fanxing placed a plate in front of Yedou, and the liquid from her hand dripped onto the plate, solidifying into a palm-sized, jelly-like piece that wobbled gently.

Thanks to the trait Immortal, Fanxing felt nothing when a piece of flesh fell off; her palm quickly regenerated.

Yedou let out a happy cry and began to feast.

Fanxing’s flesh was rich in spirit energy, highly nourishing for spirit creatures.

After eating the Taisui meat, the wound on Yedou’s neck vanished instantly.

At that moment, the Rainbow Crown Swan strutted out of the bathroom, soon attracted by the meat, staring fixedly at Yedou’s plate.

Fanxing repeated the process, preparing a piece of flesh beside Yedou.

“Come eat,” she called to the swan.

“Coo~” The swan flapped its wings and flew over, pecking at the Taisui meat on the plate.

Taisui meat was greatly restorative; as the two spirit creatures devoured the meat, a faint spiritual glow enveloped them.

At the same time, like Yedou, the Rainbow Crown Swan became Fanxing’s puppet without realizing it, merely feeling that Fanxing had become much friendlier, attributing the change to the tasty food.

Seeing the swan’s satisfied expression, Fanxing pondered and said, “I’ll give you a name, okay?”

“Coo~” The swan immediately raised its head, displaying its most beautiful side to Fanxing.

“You have to give me a lovely, noble, and elegant name.”

Fanxing was amused by its behavior. “Since you’re so vain, I’ll call you Princess—fitting, since you’re wearing a crown.”

“Princess?” Hearing the name, the swan perked up, stepping lightly and flapping its wings as if performing a ballet.

I’m a princess! I’m a princess!

Clearly, it was very pleased with the name.

After lunch, Fanxing rested briefly before heading to class.

She arrived neither too early nor too late; the classroom already had a dozen or so students.

Fan Honghong was also there. Fanxing wanted to greet her but saw she was deep in conversation with Cui Xiaowen, so she silently lowered her raised hand.

However, Honghong had spotted Fanxing. As soon as Fanxing sat down, she dropped Cui Xiaowen and approached her.

“Xingxing, you’re here!”

Fanxing smiled and asked, “Not going to build your relationship with Cui Xiaowen?”

“Ha~” Honghong smiled mysteriously, clenching her hand in front of Fanxing. “Already taken care of!”

Fanxing: ???

“So efficient? You’re sure you’re a couple now?”

Honghong nodded proudly. “That’s right! From today on, he’s my boyfriend!” She playfully winked at Cui Xiaowen.

Cui Xiaowen blushed furiously, almost burying her face in the desk.

Fanxing admired Honghong’s boldness immensely.

Time flew by, and soon it was 2:00 p.m. Teacher Zhao entered the classroom punctually.

“Good afternoon, everyone.”

Unlike the gentle Teacher Hu, Teacher Zhao was stern and serious.

“Later I’ll take you all for a practical class, but first, I need to explain what spirit users and spirit creatures are.”

The students perked up at this.

Teacher Zhao scanned the room. “Let’s start with spirit users. Can anyone tell me, what do you understand by a spirit user?”

A delicate, handsome short-statured boy raised his hand.

Teacher Zhao said, “Good, you speak.”

The boy stood and said, “Spirit users are a special group of humans born with spirit veins. They can absorb spiritual essence through these veins and convert it into spirit energy for their use.

Once possessing spirit energy, spirit users can bond with spirit creatures, then use their power to strengthen themselves and grow stronger.”

Teacher Zhao nodded, gesturing for the boy to sit, then said, “Well said. Over countless years, spirit users have created many miracles.

The immortals and cultivators of Eastern legends, the wizards, witches, and sorceresses of Western tales—all are spirit users. Other terms include onmyoji, psychics, mutants, and more.

After the Spirit User Alliance was formed, these various names were unified under one term—Spirit User!”

While speaking, Teacher Zhao drew a diagram of a human body on the blackboard, covered with lines.

Pointing to the lines, he said, “These are the spirit veins inside the human body. I hope you can remember them.”

The students quickly took out phones to snap photos.

Then Teacher Zhao drew a blank human figure and added many lines to it.

He explained, “Cultivating spirit energy isn’t complicated. Follow this map, and your spirit energy will continually grow.”

Soon the spirit energy flow routes were completed, and Teacher Zhao began instructing everyone on how to operate them.

Only Fanxing stared wide-eyed; she was no human—she had none of these spirit veins within her.

Like a skilled cook without rice, she had no choice but to pretend to study along.

As Teacher Zhao said, the spirit vein flow was simple, and the students quickly learned.

Teacher Zhao added, “Your spirit energy growth depends on your innate spirit vein conditions and the spirit creature you bond with. So, to grow strong quickly, you must not only cultivate well but also nurture your spirit creature.”

Spirit creatures, when growing, reciprocate by nourishing the spirit user, hence his words.

Even if one’s spirit veins are poor, a well-cultivated spirit creature can still make them strong.

After teaching about spirit veins and their operation, Teacher Zhao continued, “Now let’s talk about spirit creatures.”

“Everything in existence can transform into a spirit creature—from a speck of dust to an ocean. They can be real objects or imaginary creations.

The conditions for spirit creature birth aren’t fully understood but are definitely related to spiritual essence.”

Teacher Zhao looked at the students again. “First, who can tell me the categories of spirit creatures?”

There was a brief silence before Mei Xiaohuan raised her hand.

Teacher Zhao gestured, “Go ahead.”

Mei Xiaohuan stood and answered, “Teacher, spirit creatures have eight categories: Transformed Spirits, Immortal Spirits, Beast Spirits, Undead Spirits, Evil Spirits, Demonic Spirits, Divine Spirits, and Fantasy Spirits.”

Teacher Zhao nodded approvingly. “Very good! Sit down.”

He stepped down from the podium and continued, “The student’s answer was very accurate. The known spirit creatures fall into eight categories: Transformed, Immortal, Beast, Undead, Evil, Demonic, Divine, and Fantasy spirits.

Now, who knows how these eight categories are distinguished?”

The students looked at each other; no one dared to raise a hand.

Seeing this, Teacher Zhao didn’t press anyone and returned to the podium.

“Since no one wants to answer, I’ll explain.”

“Transformed Spirits are those born from objects gaining spirit, like our desks, chairs, and toys.”

“Immortal Spirits are spirit creatures born using objects as carriers, such as water sprites born from water, fire sprites from fire, flower spirits from plants, and wood spirits from trees.”

A student raised a hand. “Teacher, Transformed Spirits and Immortal Spirits seem similar. How do we tell them apart?”

Teacher Zhao replied, “Good question.

Though they sound similar, the difference is simple.

Transformed Spirits are objects themselves becoming spirits, while Immortal Spirits are spirit creatures born from those objects but separate from them.

For example, a treant and a wood spirit both depend on trees.

The treant is a Transformed Spirit—the tree itself becomes alive as the treant.

The wood spirit, however, is an Immortal Spirit; it uses the tree as a carrier but separates after birth, leaving the tree unchanged.

So, treants are Transformed Spirits, wood spirits are Immortal Spirits.”

The students nodded in understanding.

Teacher Zhao continued, “Next is Evil Spirits.

They are born from curses, filth, and evil forces, possessing innate evil or malevolent energy with the evil attribute.

Due to their harsh birth conditions, Evil Spirits are naturally bloodthirsty and warlike, feared by humans and other spirits alike.”

At this, everyone glanced at Fanxing in unison.

Honghong immediately glared them all back.

A student raised a hand, asking, “Teacher, if evil can birth Evil Spirits, why aren’t there corresponding Good Spirits?”

Teacher Zhao smiled. “You’ll have to ask the heavens. I don’t know either.

But some scholars speculate that evil easily spawns twisted powers, which more readily create spirits, while good lacks such power.

You may have heard the saying: ‘Darkness strengthens by thirty percent, redemption weakens by thirty.’ Maybe the heavens agree with that.”

The students burst out laughing.

“Just joking. Now, moving on to Undead Spirits.

As the name suggests, they are spirits born from the dead. Common ghosts, zombies, and phantoms are all Undead Spirits.

If a person dies but their soul lingers in the world, don’t doubt it—they have become a spirit creature.”

Fanxing suddenly understood; Painted Skin was born from her own corpse, explaining why it was an Undead Spirit.

“Beast Spirits are easier to understand—they’re spirits evolved from animals, whether birds, beasts, insects, fish, or crustaceans.

However, not all animal-shaped spirits are Beast Spirits. For example, dragons, phoenixes, tortoises, and vermilions are clearly Divine Spirits.

Beast Spirits’ other notable trait is that their prototypes exist in reality.”

The students nodded, quickly taking notes.

Teacher Zhao continued, “Since we mentioned Divine Spirits, let’s now discuss Divine and Demonic Spirits.

Both arise similarly—from myths, fairy tales, folklore, horror stories, and such.

Examples include the Eastern dragon, phoenix, and qilin, and Western angels, demons, and dragons.

The difference is Divine Spirits usually have a Yang attribute, while Demonic Spirits have Yin.

Essentially, they’re part of one large category.”

Fanxing, recalling Painted Skin’s Yin attribute despite being an Undead Spirit, raised her hand.

“Teacher, are Yin and Yang attributes exclusive to Demonic and Divine Spirits?”

Teacher Zhao shook his head. “No.

Divine and Demonic Spirits must have either Yin or Yang, but these attributes aren’t exclusive to them.

Whether a spirit is Divine or Demonic depends mainly on its origin.

Your Rainbow Crown Swan was born from Western fairy tales and has a Yin attribute, so it’s a Demonic Spirit.”

Teacher Zhao had a strong impression of Fanxing and remembered her having the Rainbow Crown Swan.

“Thank you, Teacher,” Fanxing nodded.

Teacher Zhao withdrew his gaze and continued, “Having covered Divine and Demonic Spirits, let’s talk about the last category—Fantasy Spirits.

This is the rarest and most powerful category of all.

Their birth is very similar to Divine and Demonic Spirits, also based on myths and fairy tales.

However, Divine and Demonic Spirits are broad categories, referring to groups, like dragons and phoenixes, which can be further divided into water dragons, fire dragons, fire phoenixes, ice phoenixes, and so forth.

Fantasy Spirits, on the other hand, are unique and singular—there is only one of each in the world.”

“For example,” Teacher Zhao considered, “many of you probably have elders who are spirit users, right?”

The students nodded.

“Have you heard of the legend of the Seven Great Witches?”

Lu Xiangxiang suddenly raised her hand.

Teacher Zhao nodded. “Please stand and tell us.”

Lu Xiangxiang cleared her throat. “Cough, cough, the Seven Great Witches are seven powerful witch-type spirit creatures wandering the world, not belonging to any nation or alliance.

They are Snow White, the Little Mermaid, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Alice, and Jingwei.”

Teacher Zhao gestured for her to sit.

“Correct. These seven witches are all born from famous fairy tales.

Because their stories are so renowned, they materialized from those tales.

All seven are SS-grade Fantasy Spirits!”

The students gasped.

All seven being SS-grade? That was astonishing.

They knew that SSS-grade spirits were unmatched, and SS-grade were already national-level powerhouses.