The chapter begins with a heavy atmosphere as Master Die Yuan turns to his disciple, Sai, his voice carrying the weight of authority.
"Sai," Die Yuan began, "you are currently lingering at the mid-stage of Level 7. If you hope to survive the True Domain, you must break through to the high stage—or better yet, the peak of Level 7. It is the minimum requirement to even set foot there."
He gestured toward the cache of blood pills Sai had refined from the enemies he had slain. "Do not let those pills go to waste. Use every last one of them. Refine them, absorb their essence, and force your cultivation to ascend."
Sai nodded, though he looked around the desolate surroundings. "I understand, Master. But where should I begin? A breakthrough of this magnitude requires a secure location."
Die Yuan scanned the area, his eyes sharp. "No need to search for a hidden cave. Sit right here. Begin your cultivation now. I will stand guard and ensure no one disturbs your progress. Go."
The Two-Month TribulationWith his Master's protection guaranteed, Sai sat cross-legged and began the arduous process of absorbing the pills. At first, there was nothing but silence. The energy was stubborn, refusing to yield. One day passed, then two, then three.
The days bled into weeks, and the weeks into months. For two full months, Sai remained like a stone statue, his breath shallow, his internal energy swirling in a chaotic storm. Just as it seemed as though the breakthrough might fail, the world itself began to react.
The sky, which had been bright and clear, suddenly bruised into a deep, abyssal black. Thick, suffocating clouds swirled above Sai's head. The winds howled, turning into a localized hurricane, and the air crackled with the scent of ozone. To any onlooker, it looked as if the world was ending—a localized apocalypse centered on one young man.
CRACK!
A massive bolt of Heavenly Thunder—a streak of pure, blinding white light—descended from the heavens. It struck Sai directly, the sheer force of the impact shattering the ground beneath him and sending a massive plume of dust and debris into the air.
Beyond the LimitDie Yuan watched calmly as the dust settled. From the center of the crater, a figure emerged. Sai stepped out, his aura transformed. The power radiating from him was sharper, more refined. He had successfully reached the Level 7 High Stage.
"Congratulations, Sai," Die Yuan said, a hint of pride in his tone. "You have finally crossed the threshold."
"Thank you, Master," Sai replied, bowing low. As he felt his new power, a question surfaced. "Master, you mentioned the True Domain, but what about the Heavenly Land? What is that place truly like?"
Die Yuan's expression turned grave. "In the Heavenly Land, martial artists between Levels 7 and 9 are as common as grass. People believe that 'Low Immortals' reside there."
"Low Immortals?" Sai asked, puzzled. "What does that mean?"
"A Low Immortal is someone who has reached Level 10," Die Yuan explained. "But Level 10 is not the end. It is merely the limit of human cultivation. Beyond Level 10, 'Levels' no longer exist. Instead, we measure power by Ranks. There are Ranks 1 through 10 above the mortal limit."
Sai's eyes widened. "Ranks instead of Levels? Then... Master, what is your Rank?"
Die Yuan smiled faintly. "I am currently at Rank 2."
"But Master," Sai stammered, "whenever I sense your power, it always appears to be Level 7. How can that be?"
"Sharp as always," Die Yuan chuckled. "It is true that my base form appears as Level 7. However, much like your Blood Demon Transformation, I possess a transformation of my own. That transformation is what holds the power of Rank 2, not my original physical body. Do you understand, my disciple?"
"I see... I understand, Master."
Die Yuan turned his gaze toward the horizon. "The time has come. You must begin your journey to the Heavenly Land."
"I am ready," Sai said firmly. "But where is it located?"
Die Yuan shook his head. "That is for you to discover. I will not hand you the map to your destiny; you must find it yourself. I will tell you only this: seek your path in the West."