"You can no longer turn back," Ritz said, startling the beasts. "You have already passed the first trial. It is the deadliest, yet the simplest: show no mercy to humanity. You passed with perfect scores; not one of you flinched at my tales of slaughter. It seems you share my belief that no human is truly innocent."
Ritz continued, his expression hardening. "I intended to choose a human disciple, not a beast. Beasts take too long to ascend. I must modify the trial. I am doubling the difficulty: cultivate this technique, Faceless Transformations, to the second stage in half a year. Fail, and you die."
He waved a hand, and a black tablet rose, inscribed with the art. The wolf studied it, amazed, but noticed the cat, who clearly could also read human script, looking terrified. This art was meant for humans; for a beast, it was a death sentence. Ritz vanished with a sinister smile. "If you wish to be my disciple, you must at least master a human form. And if you are truly talented, use this human art as inspiration to forge your own beast path."
The wolf began to study, soon realising he needed to adapt the art for world qi rather than human origin qi. Utilizing his unique bloodline ability, the keen sense of qi flow, he spent five months meticulously altering the circulation paths. With a week remaining, his new technique was complete. He could transform into a rabbit, a cat, or even a white wolf. Finally, he shifted into the naked form of Ritz himself. The cat, watching from the corner, remained unnervingly still.
"Finally, I can be rid of this disloyal servant," the wolf-Ritz rasped. The cat, furious at the jab, braced for a fight.
Suddenly, Ritz reappeared. He analyzed the wolf's transformation, clearly impressed. He then turned his icy gaze toward the cat, raising a hand to freeze and execute the "talentless" beast. In a flash of light, the cat transformed, not into a man, but into an incredibly voluptuous woman with raven hair and seductive eyes. "Master, have I met your expectations?" she crooned, her voice heavenly.
The wolf was stunned; he had been certain the cat was male. Ritz, visibly pleased by the change, dismissed the wolf's confused staring. He commanded them to reveal their true human forms. The wolf shifted into a handsome, powerful youth. The cat, appearing as a beautiful woman, had successfully manipulated the master. Pointing to the "woman," Ritz declared, "You will be my disciple." And just like that, the cat had secured a powerful master through deceit.