Back in the resting chamber of the Second Trial, Raqin remained silent, still digesting everything the two old men had just revealed while they waited for Meenah to complete her nanite assimilation.
From their discussion, he finally confirmed that there truly was a realm beyond the Mortal Realm. Unfortunately, even the two old men knew almost nothing about it.
"We don't know its name," Jekyll admitted with a bitter smile. "We've never met anyone who truly stepped into that realm."
"The only beings that might have reached it are the beasts deep within the core of the Black Mountain Range," Hyde added. "Even then, they can only be considered half a step into that realm at best."
The conversation naturally shifted toward cultivation itself.
Both old men became unusually enthusiastic. Having discovered Raqin's frightening talent, they no longer treated him like a mere junior. Instead, they eagerly shared every bit of cultivation knowledge they had accumulated throughout their lives.
"The First Level of the Mortal Realm is known as the Skin and Muscle Refinement Realm," Jekyll began.
"This is the stage where the physical body first attracts the Qi of Mortality, using it to temper and strengthen the skin, muscles, and flesh. Every strand of muscle is gradually hardened, allowing the body to withstand increasingly greater pressure."
"The stronger your body becomes during this stage, the better your foundation for everything that follows."
Hyde nodded before continuing.
"The Second Level is called the Bone and Tendon Refinement Realm."
"Once the external body reaches its limit, the cultivator begins reconstructing the skeletal frame. Qi is infused directly into the bones and tendons, making them denser, tougher, and more resilient."
"The tendons gradually become like spiritual pathways, allowing explosive movements while maintaining perfect flexibility."
"When the bones, muscles, skin, and tendons become perfectly synchronized, one's body achieves incredible speed, flexibility, and durability."
"Only then can someone be considered to have reached the peak of the Second Mortal Realm."
Raqin listened attentively, memorizing every word.
"The Third Level," Hyde continued, "is known as the Blood Energy Refinement Realm, and this is where things become considerably more difficult."
"The Qi used to temper the body during the first two realms is no longer left scattered throughout the flesh."
"It is gradually assimilated into every drop of blood."
"This is also the stage where the mysterious dantian finally begins to play its role."
Jekyll took over.
"During the first two realms, the dantian remains completely dormant. It is empty."
"So cultivators cannot draw power from it."
"The body itself acts as a magnet, naturally attracting the Qi of Mortality to strengthen itself."
"The Third Realm serves as a bridge."
"The Qi accumulated throughout the first two stages is merged with the blood, transforming it into Qi Blood—a semi-spiritual fluid capable of carrying tremendous energy."
"As Qi Blood circulates through every vein, artery, and organ, it tempers the body from the inside out."
"It grants immense physical strength, greatly increases resistance against Qi attacks, and slowly fills the once-empty dantian."
"Only when every drop of blood has completed this transformation can someone truly be called a peak Third-Level Mortal cultivator."
Raqin slowly nodded.
Everything they described aligned almost perfectly with his own observations.
"The Fourth Level," Hyde said seriously, "is known as the Spirit Foundation Realm."
"This is where cultivation transitions from relying solely on the physical body to relying on true spiritual energy."
"The Qi Blood accumulated within the dantian begins undergoing compression."
"The dantian converts it into genuine Spiritual Energy."
"That Spiritual Energy is then circulated throughout the body, replacing ordinary physical power with spiritual power."
Raqin frowned.
"If that's the case..."
"...why do so many people fail to break through?"
Both old men sighed.
"There are countless reasons," Jekyll replied.
"Poor cultivation methods."
"Lack of resources."
"Weak physiques."
"Inferior talent."
"Almost anyone can cultivate to the peak of the Third Mortal Realm."
"But without an exceptionally solid foundation..."
"...they can never cross into the Fourth."
"They remain trapped there forever."
Hyde continued.
"The common cultivation methods used by humanity forcefully compress the Qi Blood stored within the dantian into Spiritual Energy."
"It works..."
"...but only about half the time."
"If the cultivator's foundation from the first two realms isn't flawless..."
"They either become permanently stuck in the Fourth Realm..."
"...lose all of their cultivation..."
"...or their body simply explodes the moment they break through."
Raqin remained thoughtful.
Hyde then pointed toward the distant cultivators gathered elsewhere inside the trial.
"Now look at our counterparts."
"They appear human..."
"...but they're actually Beastmen who have transformed into complete human forms."
"Their bloodlines naturally strengthen their bodies."
"Their foundation techniques allow them to absorb far more Qi during the first two realms than ordinary humans."
"So when they attempt to reach the Spirit Foundation Realm..."
"...most of the dangers humans face simply don't exist for them."
He then looked directly at Raqin.
"But you..."
"...have taken an entirely different path."
Before either old man could continue explaining the higher Mortal stages, Raqin suddenly interrupted.
"Have either of you ever heard of Qi Compression?"
The two exchanged confused looks.
"Qi... compression?"
"How exactly does that work?"
Raqin smiled faintly.
He finally decided to reveal part of his cultivation journey.
Naturally, he concealed the existence of the System.
He explained how his Foundation Technique possessed an obscure implementation method capable of refining the quality of Qi itself.
He described reaching the peak of the Third Mortal Realm before deliberately compressing all of his accumulated Qi.
That process caused his cultivation to collapse all the way back to the First Mortal Realm.
Instead of considering it a setback, he repeated the process.
Every time he reached the peak of the First...
Second...
and Third Mortal Realms...
...he compressed everything again.
Three complete cycles.
However, he omitted several crucial details.
He never mentioned awakening Sword Qi from the very first realm.
Nor did he reveal how his Nanite Qi, Natural Qi, and Sword Qi had fused into an entirely new form of Qi unique to himself.
He knew none of that would have been possible without the System.
Instead, he simply said,
"My Foundation Technique allowed me to create a Spiritual Seed inside my consciousness."
"Since the consciousness and the dantian appear to share a mysterious connection..."
"I used my accumulated Qi to consume that Spiritual Seed."
"And that eventually awakened my Martial Spirit."
Silence.
The two old men stared blankly at him.
"This..."
"...goes completely against everything we've ever known."
Hyde rubbed his forehead.
"How could we awaken Martial Spirits if we never possessed Spiritual Seeds?"
Raqin smiled.
"The nanites I gave both of you are my own invention."
"They reconstructed your bodies from the very core, using my Foundation Technique as a template."
"I also believe your previous cultivation helped."
"Both of you had already reached the peak of the Seventh Mortal Realm."
"So awakening your Martial Spirits became significantly easier."
He paused before adding,
"However..."
"There is still one enormous difference between us."
"You may surpass me in cultivation."
"You possess greater Qi."
"You are stronger."
"But..."
"...the purity of my Qi far surpasses both of yours combined."
Without another word, his Martial Spirit materialized.
The majestic dragon floated silently behind him.
"Look into its eyes."
"What do you see?"
The two old men focused carefully.
"...Nine bronze stars..."
"They're revolving around its pupils."
"What do they mean?"
Raqin smiled.
"I'll answer that after both of you count yours."
Curious, they immediately summoned their own Martial Spirits.
A few moments later...
"...Three..."
"...and a half."
The realization struck them almost instantly.
"The compression technique!"
Raqin nodded.
"I believe those bronze stars represent the quality of one's cultivation."
"Perhaps they also symbolize one's overall foundation."
"If there's truly a realm beyond the Mortal Realm..."
"...then perhaps the stars evolve as well."
"Bronze..."
"Silver..."
"Gold..."
"I'll call Bronze the Common Grade."
"Silver..."
"...the King Grade."
"And Gold..."
"...the Heaven Grade."
He shrugged.
"It's only a theory."
"We'll confirm it when we eventually reach that point."
The two old men immediately became excited.
"Kid!"
"Teach us the Qi Compression Technique!"
Raqin simply smiled.
System. Connect to their nanites and transfer the technique.
/Done, Host./
The next instant, enormous streams of information flooded directly into their minds.
The old men froze.
Their eyes widened.
"What..."
"...was that?"
Raqin simply folded his arms.
The two immediately surrounded him.
"You absolutely have to teach us this 'science' after we survive these trials!"
"For the first time in decades..."
"...we truly feel like fools."
Raqin chuckled.
"I'll need both of your help once we leave this place."
"I've realized I won't accomplish my goals alone."
"But before learning Qi Compression..."
"...I suggest both of you first create your own unique Qi."
Both old men blinked.
"Our own... Qi?"
"How?"
Raqin explained patiently.
"First, isolate your Qi Blood Energy while keeping your Spiritual Energy completely separate."
"Use your Martial Spirits alongside the nanites to fuse your Sword Qi with the isolated Qi Blood Energy."
"Do not allow Spiritual Energy to interfere."
"If it mixes during the process..."
"...your body will explode."
The two gulped.
"After successfully fusing them..."
"...introduce the Qi generated by your nanites."
"The fusion should naturally create a brand-new Qi unique to your bodies."
"Finally..."
"...circulate that unique Qi throughout your body using the Spiritual Energy of your Martial Spirit."
"If successful..."
"...your Martial Spirit may awaken a genetic ability."
To demonstrate, Raqin activated his own transformation.
Silver dragon scales spread across his skin.
His hair lengthened.
Sharp dragon claws formed.
His pupils became those of an ancient dragon.
An overwhelming draconic aura filled the chamber.
A few breaths later, everything returned to normal.
The two old men stood speechless.
"You..."
"...figured all this out..."
"...without a master?"
Raqin nodded calmly.
At that moment, both old men finally understood.
They were standing before someone who would one day shake the entire cultivation world.
Although still young...
Although still weak...
His future was terrifying.
Without hesitation...
Both old men stood.
Then bowed deeply.
"Guide us..."
"...Young Master Raqin."
Raqin immediately frowned.
"I've already told you two to stop calling me that."
The old men only laughed awkwardly.
Soon afterward, under Raqin's guidance, they began constructing their own unique Qi before circulating it using their Martial Spirits and the Foundation Technique reconstructed by the nanites.
Hours later...
Both transformations erupted simultaneously.
Jekyll's body expanded dramatically.
Massive bull horns curved from his head.
His muscles bulged.
His legs transformed into powerful hooves, making him resemble a towering centaur.
Hyde underwent a completely different evolution.
Metallic claws extended from his fingers.
Dark steel-like wings unfolded behind his back.
His pupils sharpened until they resembled those of an eagle capable of seeing miles into the distance.
The two stared at each other.
Then...
"...What an ugly metallic chicken."
Hyde's face twitched.
"If I'm a metallic chicken..."
"...then what does that make you?"
"A goat that somehow married a human woman?"
Raqin pinched the bridge of his nose.
Then...
He couldn't help smiling.
"I really envy these two."
"They've put decades of rivalry aside for a common goal."
"Very few people could truly do that."
Just then...
A notification appeared.
/Subject Meenah has completed nanite assimilation./
Meenah slowly opened her eyes.
The first thing she saw was the two old men arguing while still partially transformed.
She immediately squeaked and hid behind Raqin.
The old men awkwardly deactivated their genetic abilities, returning to normal.
Raqin smiled.
"Welcome back, sleepyhead."
"You completely missed all the fun during the Second Trial," Jekyll laughed.
Smack!
Hyde's palm landed squarely on the back of his head.
"Ouch!"
"What was that for?!"
"Tsk."
"Because I felt like it."
Invisible sparks flew between them once again.
Raqin wisely ignored them.
Instead, he looked toward Meenah.
"How do you feel?"
"I'm fine, Big Brother Raqin."
"But..."
"I can see something floating in front of me."
"Can you see it too?"
Raqin smiled knowingly.
"That's your personal display panel."
"Only you can see it."
Meenah looked back at the floating interface.
"It's asking me to choose a Bestial Body Cultivation Path."
"It already selected the Sword Path as my primary path..."
"...and the Water Element."
"What beast should I choose?"
Raqin smiled.
"That's entirely your decision."
"If you could tame any beast in the world..."
"...what would you choose?"
Meenah thought carefully.
Moments later...
A bright smile blossomed across her face.
"A big cat!"
Raqin laughed softly.
"Then why not a tiger?"
"I like tigers!"
"I'll choose that."
The moment she confirmed her choice...
The system immediately responded.
/Initialization Ready./
Raqin nodded.
"Once initialization finishes, your cultivation will begin from the start."
"Unfortunately..."
"The resources I currently possess are only enough to help you reach the peak of the Second Mortal Realm."
"Learning Qi Compression will require even more resources."
"So reaching the Third or Fourth Realm later will become much more difficult."
Meenah nodded seriously.
"Big Brother..."
"It's asking whether I want to begin."
"Go ahead."
"Yes."
A new notification appeared.
/Initialization Starting.../
At the same time, the two old men also began comprehending the Qi Compression Technique.
With the nanites assisting their understanding, a process that should have taken decades was completed within hours.
When they finally opened their eyes...
Both simply stared at Raqin.
Their expressions were unbelievably complicated.
Only now did they truly understand how profound the technique was.
Without the nanites...
Even if the technique had been handed to them personally...
They doubted they could have reached even the introductory stage during their entire lifetimes.
The technique required absolute mastery before it could even be practiced safely.
Yet the nanites had allowed them to comprehend it to perfection within mere hours.
Jekyll finally broke the silence.
"Kid..."
"...do you happen to have any other cultivation techniques you could share with us?"