Li Yuchun sat with a broad, confident posture on a chair beside the tub, nodding: "You can go to the archives yourself to read about this when you have time."
"But since I'm stuck here watching you anyway, I'll explain. In your understanding, is First Rank the limit of a system?"
Xu Qian nodded.
"The grades of the various cultivation systems were originally vague, without clear standards. It wasn't until the Sage's later years that he divided all the world's cultivation systems into nine ranks, which have been used ever since."
"But the Sage didn't include himself in the ranking system."
"Why not?" Xu Qian asked.
"Let me finish first." Li Yuchun continued: "Besides the Sage, there are four beings who exist outside the rankings — the Gu God, the Shaman God, the Dao Ancestor, and the Buddha."
"They are said to be indestructible by all calamities and immortal."
Now Xu Qian understood: "The gods and Buddhas are not within the rankings... Wait, do gods and Buddhas really exist?!"
Li Yuchun shook his head: "No one knows."
Xu Qian considered: "I heard the Sage only lived to eighty-two. According to what you said, he should have been immortal. So there must be exaggeration."
Li Yuchun couldn't answer this question, because there was no answer.
Since ancient times, tales of immortals had circulated endlessly, and immortality was every emperor's lifelong wish.
But who dared claim to have seen an immortal?
"Other systems all have existences beyond their rankings, but martial artists don't. A First Rank martial artist is the strongest of the current era." Li Yuchun steered the topic back.
*So everyone thinks martial artists are the vulgar system...* Xu Qian suddenly noticed something: "Wait, the Directorate of Celestials' warlocks don't have one either."
Li Yuchun nodded: "But you can't deny that warlocks have made the greatest contribution of all systems."
Xu Qian knew this part — a Ninth Rank warlock was a healer, saving lives and curing the dying.
A Seventh Rank warlock was a Feng Shui Master, surveying terrain, helping commoners and nobility choose burial sites, making significant contributions to housing arrangements.
A Sixth Rank warlock was an Alchemist, greatly advancing social development and satisfying people's material needs, making huge contributions to the era's industry and handicrafts.
Song Qing was a standout among them — he toiled heart and soul for the cause of "human-beast" relations. Xu Qian felt he'd transmigrated too early; give it a few decades and he might write a *Guide to Otherworldly Customs.*
Additionally, Xu Qian knew the Directorate's warlocks were responsible for updating and creating the almanac.
For an agricultural civilization, the almanac was crucial — it directly affected crop yields.
Compared to other systems, warlocks were truly role models for the nation and people, building blocks of civilization.
"Chief, it's starting to hurt." Xu Qian frowned.
The medicinal liquid was seeping into his pores like a thousand tiny needles, stinging his entire body.
"Good. That's the Marrow-Washing working." Li Yuchun said: "In about one incense stick's time, you'll feel like you're being flayed alive. That's when I'll open your Heaven's Gate for you."
"You can talk to distract yourself."
Xu Qian nodded: "So, our Emperor has been diligently cultivating the Dao for over twenty years in pursuit of immortality?"
The current Emperor had appointed a stunningly beautiful Daoist nun as his Imperial Preceptor and had been earnestly pursuing the Dao for over twenty-some years — this was common knowledge throughout the kingdom.
Some impoverished scholars had even written salacious stories about the Emperor and the beautiful nun practicing dual cultivation... the outcome was, naturally, being censored by the divine beast of harmony.
"But martial artists don't have beings beyond the rankings, so they should at least be able to extend their lifespans, right? Just focus on martial cultivation — why chase the illusory dream of immortality?"
To Xu Qian's viewpoint, Li Yuchun countered: "How long did it take you to reach Essence Refining?"
"Seventeen years." Xu Qian said. He'd been stuck at peak Essence Refining for two full years.
"A bit slow. Well-resourced clan descendants can reach peak Essence Refining around sixteen. Considering body development, fifteen is the limit." Li Yuchun said:
"But even those clan descendants might not successfully enter Qi Refining, because beyond the daily endurance of body tempering, they face the obstacle of beauty. The more lavish the upbringing, the easier it is to fall into sensual traps."
"And Essence Refining is just the initial stage of the martial system. You can imagine how difficult it is to reach the higher ranks and extend one's lifespan."
*I get it, I get it... That Lady Fuxiang must be scolding me morning and night as a beast below animals! Tonight I'll show her what the single-whip technique is!*
Xu Qian strongly resonated with this.
The original owner was a martial fanatic with a stubborn personality, prone to obsession — precisely the kind of person who could endure grinding his body day after day, laying a solid foundation for the martial path.
Even so, the original owner had to fight a fierce daily battle with his own hands, denying Lefty and Righty any chance to strut their stuff.
If it were Xu Qian himself, he couldn't guarantee he'd have lasted all those years, let alone maintained his purity in the face of temptation.
After all, while men usually think with the head on top, in certain situations, the head below — which has no brain — is the true self.
Gradually, Xu Qian's desire to chat faded, even though they were discussing knowledge he found fascinating.
His frown deepened — the pain was approaching his limit.
"That should be enough. The medicinal bath stimulates your body, awakening dormant qi." Liu Yuchun stood, placed one hand on Xu Qian's head, and said solemnly:
"Opening Heaven's Gate is very difficult. For someone with good aptitude, I only need to circulate qi through three meridian cycles in your body, and you'll be able to sense qi on your own, achieving internal-external resonance."
"What about poor aptitude?" Xu Qian asked worriedly.
"The worse the aptitude, the more cycles required. The normal person's limit is nine cycles. In other words, if after the eighth cycle you still can't sense qi on your own, then the martial path isn't for you."
Li Yuchun studied him: "I'm quite curious about your aptitude."
With that, he closed his eyes and stopped talking.
Immediately after, Xu Qian felt a warm current enter through the Baihui point at his crown, sink into the dantian, and travel through his limbs and bones.
His body seemed to memorize the circulation route instantly. After completing one cycle, it spontaneously generated qi, shaking off the starter and flying solo.
Li Yuchun opened his eyes, looking at the young man in the tub with a somewhat bewildered expression.
Xu Qian returned a bewildered look: "Seems pretty easy..."
Li Yuchun: "..."
"Try cycling on your own a few times. I'll observe the situation," was all Li Yuchun could say.
After three cycles, Xu Qian opened his eyes. Without a mirror, he couldn't see the subtle changes from entering Qi Refining.
First, his eyes were brighter and more spirited, as if containing stars. The improvement in his eyes alone elevated his charm considerably.
Second, his bearing had become heavier and more reserved, like a mountain standing still.
Finally, his skin — the medicinal liquid had stimulated his pores, expelling impurities like blackheads. His reddened skin had a delicate quality.
Feeling the new power coursing through his body, Xu Qian stretched his limbs, raised his hand, and struck the window with a palm through the air.
The lattice window cracked with a bang.
External qi projection — this was the supernatural ability of an early Qi Refining practitioner. If he'd held a sword, Xu Qian could have projected sword qi.
Of course, the power wouldn't be great, since he'd just entered Qi Refining.
Someone like his Second Uncle at peak Qi Refining could cleave a wall with a single blade. He could also move objects remotely.
"Excellent!" Li Yuchun, expressionless, nodded slightly: "Keep cycling. Meridian circulation is the cultivation method for strengthening qi, but don't neglect body tempering."
With that, he left the chamber. The moment he stepped through the door, Spring Brother's mind was flooded with "impossible."
Li Yuchun twisted his head to look at the cracked window, his lips twitching.
*Peerless genius?!*
*Did I really just encounter one so easily?*
*Oh right, his aptitude test is done. I should ask Lord Wei what grade he got.*
*If it's a B, the fact that he found qi sensation in one cycle could push it up to B-plus.*
*That would increase his resource allocation accordingly.*
*"If it's B-plus, it might even be upgraded to A. A is Gold Gong aptitude — he'd become a priority cultivation target for the Night Watchmen..."*
*"Hmm, he hasn't taken the 'Combat Strength' test, so B-plus is impossible. I'm getting ahead of myself."*
Leaving the courtyard, he headed directly to the Night Watchman compound's central tower — the towering Haoqi Tower.
After being announced by the clerks inside, Li Yuchun arrived at the seventh floor and saw his direct superior, as well as his superior's superior.
Yang Yan nodded to him slightly.
The effeminate man, lacking interest, turned to gaze at the scenery beyond the tower.
"My Lord!"
He bowed at a ninety-degree angle, his attitude humble.
"We were just talking about you — you've luckily gained a talent." Wei Yuan's smile was warm.
*Hmm?*
*Luckily gained a talent... This must be referring to Xu Qian. Lord Wei is praising him this highly? But I haven't even told him about the single-cycle qi sensation...* Li Yuchun's mind flashed with confusion as he respectfully said:
"I wish to know Xu Qian's rating, and also have a minor matter to report to My Lord."