Sect Elder Huan listened from the side with keen interest. The Heavenly Rankings were too far out of his reach. In this lifetime, he didn’t harbor much hope of becoming a Grandmaster. But while he had accepted his fate long ago, it didn’t mean he wasn’t interested in Grandmasters or the Heavenly Rankings.
“Wu Yuan.”
“Hierarch.” Wu Yuan responded promptly.
“Your exceptional talent, though not unprecedented, is undoubtedly unmatched in todays world!” The Rain Hierarch looked straight into Wu Yuan’s eyes, “Before seventeen, you have already reached the Perception stage. In the future, achieving Integration won’t be hard. Your awakening has unlocked your upper dantian lobe, resulting in a particularly strong soul.”
“One could say that, as long as you proceed methodically, your future holds immense potential for greatness.” The Rain Hierarch’s eyes shimmered with anticipation. “Don’t limit yourself to the Land Rankings, aim for the Heavenly Rankings. I will stake my life to lend you my assistance.”
“Heavenly Rankings?” Wu Yuan was taken aback. He didn’t expect The Rain Hierarch to set such high expectations for him.
“Back then, Grandmaster Fang Xia was on the cusp of entering the Heavenly Rankings. If not for the Chu-Jiang Empire…never mind, there’s no need to delve into those secrets.” The Rain Hierarchs gaze focused on Wu Yuan, “If you become a Heavenly Ranker, our Cloudstride Sect will flourish for 300 years. Even Great Jin will be helpless to stop us.”
Sect Elder Huan listened with a gaping mouth. He knew Wu Yuan had a good chance of becoming a Grandmaster, but the Hierarch believed Wu Yuan could actually become a Heavenly Ranker?
“300 years?” Wu Yuan asked curiously. “Can a Heavenly Ranker truly live for that long?” The Grandmaster’s Insights he had perused didn’t provide much details on Heavenly Rankers.
“Much longer,” the Rain Hierarch murmured. “You see, an average Grandmaster typically lives to around 140-150 years old. But why is it that some Grandmasters can extend their lives to 170-180 years? It’s through the consumption of qi!”
“Take The Sword Hierarch, for instance. In terms of combat prowess, I surpass him. However, when it comes to qi research, he is far more advanced than me,” The Rain Hierarch admitted with a hint of self-deprecation. “Unless any accidents occur, he will undoubtedly outlive me by at least two decades.”
Wu Yuan and Sect Elder Huan exchanged glances.
Sect Elder Huan recalled what his father had told him. He thought he was just boasting, little did he know it was all true.
“Grandmasters can only consume qi, but they can’t store it as their acupoints have yet to be opened,” The Rain Hierarch explained.
“Heavenly Rankers, on the other hand, not only consume qi, but they can also refine it. They have opened their middle dantian lobe, and by circulating it through their acupoints which act as nodes, they can store spiritual qi within their body, and tap into the qi as a source of energy.”
“Qi consumers are blessed with long lives! Qi refiners scarcely fear death.” The Rain Hierarch’s eyes held endless longing. “The so-called Heavenly Rankers are essentially a group of qi refiners. Naturally, their lifespans are extraordinarily long, 300 years is just the lower limit. The higher their cultivation level, the longer their lifespan.”
“From what I know, there exist qi refiners who have lived over 500 years,” the Rain Hierarch sighed.
Wu Yuan and Sect Elder Huan were stunned.
In just 200-300 years, countless dynasties and sects had risen and fallen. The Cloudstride Sect could only boast a history of just over 300 years. The Chu-Jiang Empire had crumbled after a little over 600 years. Yet, Heavenly Rankers could live over 500 years? Truly, qi refiners scarcely feared death.
“Hierarch, what did you mean when you said you would lend me your assistance?” Wu Yuan asked.
“There’s no need to question it,” The Rain Hierarch said faintly, “You’ll know when the time is right. The information I’ve just provided is a rough guide to help you comprehend the Land and Heavenly Rankings, and to provide you with a clear purpose.”
The Rain Hierarch said solemnly, “Remember, Wu Yuan, your goal should be the Heavenly Rankings!”
“Disciple will keep that in mind,” Wu Yuan replied seriously.
“Elder Huan, I wish to speak to Wu Yuan alone, you may leave,” The Rain Hierarch suddenly ordered.
“Understood,” Sect Elder Huan responded in a low voice. He understood that if the hierarch didnt want him present, it meant they were discussing something truly serious.
…
Only Wu Yuan and The Rain Hierarch remained in the hall.
“Wu Yuan,” The Rain Hierarch began softly, “With your current strength, you should be able to challenge the third level of the Skystride Pavilion soon.”
“Perhaps, I have not attempted it yet,” Wu Yuan nodded.
Given the power he had demonstrated, his physical constitution fell slightly short of a first-rate Adept, though his overall strength was on par with one.
However, the third level of the Skystride Pavilion was regarded as a benchmark for the disciples of the Cloud Martial Hall. The sect’s predecessors had set the level of difficulty with little expectation that future generations of disciples would surpass it.
Therefore, according to Wu Yuan’s plan, he would challenge the Skystride Pavilion’s third level only after turning eighteen.
“Completing the third level of the Skystride Pavilion will not be easy. It takes time for your physical constitution to improve. It is also challenging to make significant martial skill advancements in a short time,” The Rain Hierarch said softly. “Initially, I had intended to wait a few more years and subject you to further tests. Unfortunately, I can’t afford to wait any longer.”
“So, after the annual competition next year, challenge the second level of the Skystride Pavilion,” The Rain Hierarch declared, “After that, apply for a field trial.”
“Field trial?” Wu Yuan blinked in confusion.
“Just follow my instructions,” The Rain Hierarch assured him, “I have my reasons.”
“Understood,” Wu Yuan nodded.
Whoosh! Turning over her palm, a book appeared out of thin air.
“This book, ‘Majestic Earth and Oceans’, is the sole qi consumption method our Cloudstride Sect has obtained.” The Rain Hierarch gently caressed the book cover and said quietly, “Now, it’s yours.”
The book flew gracefully towards Wu Yuan, who instinctively reached out and caught it.
The book cover was not made out of ordinary paper, but rather a very special material. Its unique texture and exceptional durability made it evident that it had been painstakingly created at great expense.
“This is the original book,” The Rain Hierarch stated calmly.
“Original?” Wu Yuan was immediately taken aback.
“There are two main variations of qi consumption methods: the first are those created by the Heavenly Rankers, and came into existence first,” The Rain Hierarch said, “The second are those discovered by generations of martial arts experts from various immortal relics.”
“‘Majestic Earth and Oceans’ was obtained by Ancestor Fang Xia from an immortal relic. Copies only retain the form, but not the spirit of the original! When reading the original book, you will feel the book guiding you through the process. This will make qi consumption much easier than merely reading the words,” The Rain Hierarch said, “Even so, it is no easy feat.”
Wu Yuan couldn’t help but nod. Such was the power of a sect. No matter how talented he was, he could hardly obtain such a treasure by himself.
“Of course, you may not remove this book from the mountain.” The Rain Hierarch said softly, “Once you have mastered the method, return the book to me.”
“Yes, Hierarch,” Wu Yuan agreed obediently.
“In addition,” The Rain Hierarch declared, “I shall arrange for the sixteen Grandmasters Insights to be made available to you at the library, free of charge. All contribution points will be waived.”
“Thank you, Hierarch,” responded Wu Yuan gratefully. This unexpected gift would save him hundreds of thousands of contribution points.
Of course, Wu Yuan understood that contribution points were merely a means of distributing sect resources among the disciples, a way to motivate them. However, restricting him with contribution points after witnessing his exceptional talent would contradict the sect’s original purpose of promoting cultivation among its disciples.
“Alright, you may leave,” The Rain Hierarch gestured with a wave of her hand, her expression slightly burdened as if a weighty thought had crossed her mind.
“Yes.” Wu Yuan cupped his hands, not asking further. He clutched the books to his chest and respectfully took his leave.
Watching Wu Yuan depart, The Rain Hierarch rose and proceeded down the grand hall’s corridor, eventually reaching a side hall at the rear. Inside, rows of spirit tablets were on display, surrounded by the constant burning of incense.
Predecessors of the sect,” The Rain Hierarch looked at the names on the spirit tablets, deep in thought. “The sect is in peril, Bu Yu beseeches your permission to take bold action.”
“Wu Yuan is still young and untested, I cannot be certain if he can be trusted with this responsibility. Yet, I am left with no other choice.” With a gentle sigh, The Rain Hierarch lit three incense sticks, bowing three times before inserting them into the incense burners.