40: Innate Realm

"Young Heroes, it's getting late. I've prepared a banquet at the City Lord's Mansion to celebrate the successful conclusion of this Martial Arts Tournament.

Everyone can also take this Opportunity to make friends with each other. After all, one more friend means one more path in the future."

Shangguan Batian said enthusiastically.

Upon hearing this, Ji Mo naturally couldn't ask for more.

Shangguan Batian was the most profound cultivator he had ever met, and Ji Mo had many questions he eagerly wanted to ask Shangguan Batian.

Furthermore, Ji Mo felt that based on Shangguan Batian's description of his daughter's illness, he might be able to resolve it.

Although he wasn't entirely confident, as he had never encountered such a situation before, he figured that the two "boss-level existences" within his Soul.

Could probably resolve the problem with just a slight move.

If that were truly the case, having this immensely powerful City Lord owe him a favor would be absolutely perfect.

Subsequently, everyone gradually left.

Ji Mo also returned to his small courtyard first.

After all, he was going to a banquet, so he still needed to tidy himself up; otherwise, it would inevitably seem a bit rude.

Nowadays, after every fight, Ji Mo particularly wanted to take a bath and comfortably soak in the tub.

At this moment, after his bath, he changed into a brand new set of clothes.

Standing in front of the mirror, looking at his heroic and handsome Face, Ji Mo couldn't help but feel immensely proud.

He was extremely satisfied with his state in this life.

Filled with endless power, having gone through many twists and turns, and achieving consecutive Breakthroughs, he had now grown into a mature, steady, and extraordinarily handsome adult male.

Ji Mo couldn't help but fantasize: if he could return to Earth with this appearance, he would definitely have an easy time living off rich women, and might even be able to pick and choose based on their looks!

Thinking of this, Ji Mo couldn't help but indulge in some self-absorbed fantasizing.

As dusk gradually fell, Ji Mo tidied his attire and slowly walked towards the City Lord's Mansion.

Upon arriving at the mansion gate, he saw that those greeting everyone were all Xiantian Masters who had been watching the competition from the stage today. This treatment truly gave everyone enough Face.

All the participating Disciples brought their respective protectors. Of course, these protectors were all Xiantian Masters; ordinary Acquired guards were not qualified to enter today's banquet.

Everyone entered the City Lord's main hall, where several tables were laden with luxurious feasts.

The tables were filled with various rare Yao Beast meats and all sorts of Heaven and Earth spirit fruits. Such a lavish spread of dishes was extremely difficult to taste outside.

Everyone took their seats and began to converse with each other.

Just then, City Lord Shangguan Batian entered the banquet hall. This time, his daughter did not accompany him.

Seeing this, everyone in the hall quickly rose to show respect. Shangguan Batian, seeing this, laughed heartily and said:

"Young talents, and friends, there's no need to be so formal.

Tonight, here, regardless of cultivation base or status, we are simply making friends, chatting about the Dao of cultivation, and broadening our horizons."

Although Shangguan Batian said this, everyone initially still seemed a bit reserved, with a hint of respect in their words.

Ji Mo also said little, just quietly eating his food, occasionally conversing with the person next to him, listening to them recount various experiences from the cultivation world, which indeed broadened Ji Mo's horizons.

After three rounds of wine, everyone felt a little tipsy, and the atmosphere consequently became relaxed and lively.

Some bolder individuals began to gather courage and converse with Shangguan Batian.

Shangguan Batian was quite pleased with this and took the Opportunity to talk in detail with everyone about his daughter's situation.

In truth, Shangguan Batian was truly at his wit's end.

He was originally a Loose Cultivator, and his current cultivation base and status were entirely due to his profound Opportunities.

Most of his former close friends and relatives had cultivation bases that were far beyond his reach, with the highest being only in the Condensing Gang Realm.

Now, befriending these young talents was, firstly, to add another glimmer of hope for his daughter's rescue, and secondly, primarily because he valued the forces behind everyone.

After all, within those Sect forces, there were often Old Ancestors presiding, and these Old Ancestors were all Saint-tier Powerhouses.

He thought to himself, what if a certain Disciple could persuade the Saint-tier Old Ancestor behind them to lend a hand?

Just then, Ji Mo slowly stood up, raised his wine cup, faced Shangguan Batian, and respectfully said:

"City Lord Shangguan, first, this Junior wants to thank you for the generous rewards and this rare Opportunity.

Secondly, this Junior has some questions about cultivation that I would like to ask City Lord Shangguan, and I hope you will not hesitate to answer."

Shangguan Batian had an excellent impression of Ji Mo, and immediately nodded to Ji Mo, signaling him to continue.

Ji Mo no longer stood on ceremony and directly asked, getting straight to the point:

"City Lord Shangguan, this Junior would like to know how the Xiantian Realm is specifically divided, and what kind of existence is the Saint-tier you mentioned earlier?"

Shangguan Batian's gaze slowly swept over everyone, then, with a solemn expression, he slowly began to speak:

"Presumably, some of the young talents present know about the division of cultivation Realms, while others are not quite clear.

Today, I will take this Opportunity to explain it to you in detail.

After the Houtian Realm, comes the Xiantian Realm.

However, the Xiantian Realm is merely the starting point for transcending Mortals.

The Xiantian Realm can be further divided into three major Realms: the Zhen Gang Realm, the Condensing Gang Realm, and the Void Shattering Realm."

At this point, he paused slightly, as if organizing his thoughts, then continued:

"The so-called Zhen Gang Realm is about solidifying the ethereal, being able to condense all the Spiritual Qi in one's body into Zhen Gang.

This Zhen Gang can not only be materialized for attacking and defending against enemies, but also changes endlessly and appears unpredictably.

As for the Condensing Gang Realm, cultivators need to temper their Zhen Gang repeatedly, achieving a qualitative leap through extreme compression. This way, its power will increase by hundreds or thousands of times.

And the Void Shattering Realm is the Realm I am currently in.

When a cultivator reaches the Condensing Gang Realm, they continuously temper their Zhen Gang until it undergoes another qualitative change, becoming powerful enough to shatter space within a small area, thus stepping into the Void Shattering Realm."

After speaking, he fell silent for a moment, as if lamenting the long path of cultivation.

After a brief pause, Shangguan Batian continued:

"As for the Saint-tier, one can tell its transcendent and saintly level just from the name. Those who reach this Realm can no longer be regarded as ordinary humans.

It is said that the most intuitive manifestation of the Saint-tier is Lifespan.

Saint-tier Powerhouses have a Lifespan of at least a thousand years, or even several thousand years.

Moreover, they also possess the ability to open space Secret Realms, and some can even cross planes.

However, I am not entirely clear on the specific details.

After all, I have been hovering at the Peak of the Void Shattering Realm for decades, yet I have never been able to touch any threshold of Breakthrough."

Speaking of this, a hint of regret inevitably appeared in Shangguan Batian's eyes.

Everyone listened in rapt attention, their Faces filled with longing for the Saint-tier.

For a time, the entire venue was silent, everyone immersed in their aspirations for the Saint-tier.

It was the younger generation who snapped out of it first.

After all, young people are always full of drive and passion. In an instant, the banquet hall was filled with ambitious declarations, everyone expressing their firm determination on the path of cultivation.

The banquet continued until the moon was high in the sky, before slowly drawing to a close.

After everyone had gradually departed, Ji Mo then walked up to Shangguan Batian and softly said:

"City Lord Shangguan, tomorrow I hope to visit your esteemed daughter to check on her condition.

I possess some special methods that might be able to help resolve the ordeal your esteemed daughter is facing.

Even if it cannot be completely resolved in the end, it will certainly be beneficial to her."

Hearing Ji Mo's words, Shangguan Batian instantly became uncontrollably excited. His figure flashed like lightning, and he appeared beside Ji Mo, tightly grasping his arm, and said anxiously:

"Young brother, are your words true! You must not deceive this old man. I will never allow anyone to joke about my daughter's matter. Her current state truly cannot withstand any stimulation!"

Seeing this, Ji Mo couldn't help but let out a wry smile and quickly said:

"City Lord Shangguan, it is naturally true. How would I dare to play such a joke with you?"

Shangguan Batian realized his lapse in composure and gave an awkward smile.

"Young brother, please don't mind it. This old man truly pities my daughter too much.

As long as young brother can save her, whatever request you make, this old man will grant it all.

Even marrying my daughter, as long as she agrees, this old man will wholeheartedly approve. At that time, this vast foundation of mine will all belong to you!"

"City Lord Shangguan, please don't get excited yet. I also dare not guarantee that I can definitely solve it. The specific result will have to wait until I see your esteemed daughter's condition tomorrow."

Ji Mo quickly comforted him. "Why wait until tomorrow? Let's go now!" Shangguan Batian said, burning with impatience.

Ji Mo quickly reached out and grabbed Shangguan Batian's arm, pointing to the moon high in the sky, and said:

"City Lord, look at the time. It's really not appropriate to go now. Besides, I've had some wine tonight and need to go back and make some preparations."

"Alas, alright! Young brother, this old man was too impatient."

Shangguan Batian then released Ji Mo, but still strongly urged Ji Mo to stay and rest in the mansion. After Ji Mo politely refused, he finally gave up.

Returning to his small courtyard, Ji Mo sat cross-legged on the couch and then carefully took out the reward he had won at today's Martial Arts Tournament—the Earth Rank Sword Technique, the Drawing Sword Technique.

Ji Mo slowly opened the Secret Manual and began to study it intently. As his understanding of the sword moves deepened, Ji Mo felt as if he had entered a marvelous world purely constructed by swords.

"The Drawing Sword Technique emphasizes drawing the sword like lightning, requiring a preemptive strike with the force of thunder, ensuring that the momentum arrives before the sword is even unsheathed."

Ji Mo softly recited the key points from the Secret Manual, pondering them in his mind.

He keenly noticed that this Drawing Sword Technique shared some similarities with the Gale Three Swords he had learned previously; both focused on the element of "speed."

However, the Drawing Sword Technique was clearly more profound and mysterious, far more than just being fast. It must contain other subtle intricacies.

After all, mere speed could never achieve the powerful might of an Earth Rank Cultivation Technique.