Xiao Man thought to herself, would the method of Qi Gathering be the same as cultivating internal energy? Cultivating internal energy forms internal Qi within the body, strengthening the physique. Would Qi Gathering introduce spiritual energy into the body to form true Qi, nourishing not the body, but the soul?
"Are cultivators divided into ranks?"
"Yes, cultivators are also divided into ranks. After Qi Gathering, one enters the Qi Refining stage. The Qi Refining stage has nine levels, each further divided into upper, middle, and lower grades. Then comes the Foundation Establishment stage, Golden Core stage, Nascent Soul stage, Soul Transformation stage, Void Returning stage, Dao Integration stage, and beyond that is the Mahayana stage. Thus far, I haven't heard of any Mahayana stage cultivators."
"Is Cang Xuan Continent a cultivation world?"
"Yes."
"What is the highest rank of cultivator in Wuji City?"
"In Wuji City, most are Qi Refining stage cultivators. Several individuals in the City Lord's mansion are Foundation Establishment stage cultivators. Among the seven major sects, the sect leaders and elders are Golden Core stage cultivators, and there are a few exceptional individuals who are Nascent Soul experts. The higher the level, the more experts there are."
"What level cultivator were you before?" Xiao Man asked curiously. Xiang Jian's foundation was very solid. If they were in Wuji City, she would definitely not be Xiang Jian's match. But in the Land of No Return, spiritual energy was scarce, and his injuries had not healed. In terms of martial arts, she had never admitted defeat!
"Golden Core stage." Xiang Jian placed a hand on his dantian. He was once a Golden Core stage cultivator, but his Golden Core had shattered. He had to start cultivating from scratch. Nowadays, he was merely a Qi Refining stage cultivator.
"If one wishes to go to another plane, what level of cultivation is required?"
"Soul Transformation stage." Xiang Jian looked at Xiao Man. "Once one cultivates to the Soul Transformation stage, the spiritual energy of Cang Xuan Continent can no longer satisfy the needs of a cultivator. At this point, one must go to a continent with more abundant spiritual energy. However, traveling to other continents requires traversing spatial rifts, and a slight carelessness can lead to demise."
Xiao Man's expression shifted slightly. Could it be that they had arrived here by traversing spatial rifts? Were others alright?
"Do people die when traversing spatial rifts?"
Xiang Jian nodded affirmatively. Xiao Man possessed many secrets, but he was not interested in them. He only wanted to cultivate quickly and then go back to ask him why he treated him like this!
"Xiang Jian, how long does it take to cultivate to the Soul Transformation stage?"
"Perhaps a hundred years, perhaps a thousand." Xiang Jian said uncertainly. "After all, old monsters like those in the Soul Transformation stage can live up to three thousand years. Who knows how long they cultivated before reaching the Soul Transformation stage."
"No, that's too long!" Xiao Man shook her head. If she waited a hundred years, her family would turn to bones. How could she go back and reunite with them? A thousand years was even more out of the question. Returning after a thousand years, their bones would likely have turned to ash!
"You are not even a Qi Refining stage cultivator now. To cultivate to the Soul Transformation stage is as difficult as ascending to heaven!"
"Is there any way to achieve rapid advancement?" Xiao Man's eyes gleamed with anticipation as she asked.
Xiang Jian nodded affirmatively, "Yes, elixirs."
"Elixirs..." Xiao Man's thoughts stirred. If elixirs could help her cultivate rapidly, she would first need to learn alchemy. "How can I learn alchemy?"
"Firstly, you must become a cultivator. Secondly, you must recognize medicinal herbs. Then, you must know basic alchemy..." Xiang Jian scratched his head. "I almost forgot, you're only missing becoming a cultivator. Everything else will not be a problem for you. Come with me."
"Where are we going?"
"To find a quiet place, I will teach you Qi Gathering."
Xiao Man's peripheral vision swept over the trailing figures behind them. A smile curved her lips. She pulled Xiang Jian into a hidden alley and disappeared.
The pursuers, having followed them into the alley, found that Xiao Man's trace was already gone. They searched the alley back and forth several times but could not find any sign of Xiao Man. Helpless, they could only return to report.
After the pursuers left, Xiao Man and Xiang Jian reappeared, their attire changed, and they had disguised themselves as ordinary people, so ordinary that they would be indistinguishable even if thrown into a crowd.
"I thought you weren't afraid, but you are too." Xiang Jian said with a smile. To brazenly produce ten Dragon Spiritual Bamboo shoots, such a grand gesture would likely make even the City Lord of Wuji City's heart flutter. He would surely try every means to extract the method of obtaining the Dragon Spiritual Bamboo from them. Xiao Man separating from the others was to protect them. Although the Dragon Spiritual Bamboo was given by the Bamboo Snake King, there must have been her contrivance behind it!
Fan Ting returned to the City Lord's mansion with the Dragon Spiritual Bamboo. City Lord Yan Yu stared at the box of fresh Dragon Spiritual Bamboo, his shock uncontainable.
"Have you found out how they obtained the Dragon Spiritual Bamboo?" Yan Yu inquired.
"A total of ten people passed the assessment and entered Wuji City. These ten people were led by a young man named Xiao Qin. This young man is skilled in poison and has a meticulous mind." Fan Ting thought of Xiao Man and couldn't help but frown. "Your subordinate sent people to track them, but they split up midway, and our men were shaken off."
"What do you mean?"
"Xiao Qin has disappeared. Our men have searched everywhere and found no trace of him. He is likely deliberately hiding." Fan Ting explained. "He must also understand the principle that innocence can be a crime when possessing treasure."
Yan Yu pondered for a moment, then sighed, "My father's health is deteriorating day by day, requiring spiritual elixirs to prolong his life. However, the pills from Baiyao Hall are too expensive, and the Dragon Spiritual Bamboo is not easy to obtain. Must I only watch my father die?"
"City Lord, there will be a way."
"Keep a close watch on them. If you cannot find Xiao Qin, find a way to extract information from the others about how they obtained the Dragon Spiritual Bamboo."
"Yes."
"Also, if you find any trace of Xiao Qin, report it immediately." The City Lord said slowly, he always felt this person was not simple. "Additionally, investigate if there have been any individuals named Xiao Qin among those exiled to the Land of No Return over the years."
"Yes, City Lord."
After Fan Ting left, the City Lord put away the ice box. The medicinal properties of Dragon Spiritual Bamboo are highly volatile. Only by sealing it in an ice box can it be preserved for a long time. Ten Dragon Spiritual Bamboo shoots can guarantee his father ten years of peace. However, ten years is but a fleeting moment for a cultivator. In these short ten years, can he truly find a solution?
Wuji City is regarded as paradise by the people of the Land of No Return, yet it also has its darkness. On the surface, it appears orderly and peaceful, but in reality, a different scene unfolds. Those who have just entered Wuji City from the Land of No Return are seen as ripe prey by some. New arrivals do not understand cultivation and lack the ability to protect themselves. Even if their possessions are robbed, no one will stand up for them.
While others live cautiously in Wuji City, doing their best to protect their contribution points, Xiao Man and Xiang Jian have seemingly disappeared without a trace.