A long time ago, Lü Yang had heard a saying:
There are nine grades of Cultivation Techniques in the world, from highest to lowest. Those below the Sixth Grade have no hope of reaching Foundation Establishment, those below the Third Grade have no hope of forming a Golden Core, and only a First-Grade Cultivation Technique offers any hope of reaching the Nascent Soul Realm.
Later, at the Sword Pavilion, he saw the first First-Grade Cultivation Technique of his life.
Sword Monarch's Profound Discussion and Golden Secret Chapter
However, it was later confirmed that this First-Grade Cultivation Technique's purpose was to sacrifice a Cultivator to attain the Void Sword Dao. In essence, it was a technique designed to screw people over.
That raised a question:
'Back then, I thought it was just the Sword Pavilion's typical way of doing things, specially designed to screw people over... but now, it seems there might be a deeper reason behind it.'
