Behind the Classification Method

The ranking system is a very mysterious thing. The great being who first invented the Ninth Rank Classification Method read through Ten Thousand Paths of the heavens and collected countless cultivation methods before finally designing a classification method that could perfectly fit almost all cultivators.

That's right, it's almost all of the practitioners.

Whether you belong to a rudimentary Dao Lineage from some remote, impoverished region or a top-tier tradition from across the land, you can be easily encompassed by the Nine-Rank Classification System.

This difference in quality is fundamental, and can even be described as a leap in the level of life, much like the difference between multicellular organisms and single-celled organisms.

In their early stages, multicellular organisms may not be as powerful as other single-celled organisms, but in terms of complexity, functionality, and future development, they possess unparalleled advantages. With just a little development, they can completely outclass all single-celled organisms.

The idea of forcibly elevating the grade of a living organism and then using its reproductive capacity to mass-produce raw materials of the corresponding grade is indeed very creative.

Although it would be against the natural order for Li Qi to use this method on a real life like a pearl oyster, it would be perfect for the Witchcraft Silkworm.

However... Li Qi couldn't help but fall into deep thought again.

He could understand the difference in rank.

But where does this difference come from? The improvement in cultivation level seems to bring about a more fundamental change. It is not just the appearance of a certain characteristic, but rather it shows that within the grade, there is a universally applicable standard of tiers.

This standard led to the Ninth Rank Classification Method. If we can think and study in this direction, can we find the commonalities of each Dao Path?

After all, if everyone can use the same rank-up plan, it means that there must be commonalities and that it can be accommodated together.

For Li Qi, with so many Dao Lineage within him, which are fragmented and incompatible with each other, he can only rely on a 'conceived' Ultimate Great Dao to forcibly balance them.

But if we think about it from this perspective, could the Ninth Rank Classification Method be one of the pieces of evidence for the existence of this 'Ultimate Great Dao'?

Since all Dao Path use the same grading method, it means that they share a certain degree of commonality at a deeper level. If this commonality can be found, will it have a positive impact on the compatibility of Dao Path?

There definitely is; this is one possible approach.

Having merely obtained this method of enhancing Dragon Qi rank, Li Qi had many new ideas. Perhaps it really would be useful. Li Qi secretly made a mental note of it, preparing to find an opportunity to thoroughly investigate the things behind the Ninth Rank Classification Method.

Indeed, nothing that can be implemented throughout the entire world is simple.

The standard that is universally used in all the various Dao Lineage in the world must contain a true mystery. If one can understand it, it will definitely be of great benefit to one's Dao Path!

However, there is still one problem.

To date, the Ninth Rank Classification Method has been able to effectively encompass almost 'all' practitioners.

Yes, almost.

Because martial arts are an exception.

After a martial artist has condensed their Martial Way Divine Intent and advanced to the eighth rank, their rank becomes blurred and chaotic. It is difficult to determine a martial artist's rank based on a single distinct 'characteristic'.

For example, Shaman, once he reaches the seventh rank, can Creation from Nothing within his own microcosm. This is a very obvious sign, and seeing this sign means that the Shaman has at least reached the seventh rank.

But martial arts are different. Martial arts have extremely vague and chaotic standards. The ninth rank allows the body to reach its best state, and the eighth rank condenses the Martial Way Divine Intent. After that, martial arts have no other characteristics.

Martial Dao Inner Qi itself has no order whatsoever, and can even devour other energies, incorporating them into its own internal energy.

Just as I said before, other Dao Path and Technique Method are like sophisticated machines.

Martial Dao Inner Qi is like a machine directly melting into magma; it is no longer precise and orderly, but in return, it brings pure destructive power.

What characteristics can a mass of chaotic magma have? Of course, nothing. You can only see that the magma is increasing in number and temperature, and it can destroy more and more machines, but you won't see any fundamental improvement.

Therefore, only 'strong' remains.

How can a fifth-rank martial artist prove that he is a fifth-rank martial artist?

It's very simple. If you kill or cripple other fifth-rank individuals, it means you've reached the fifth rank. You're strong enough to be called a fifth-rank individual.

A high-ranking martial artist once known as the God of War said something like this.

At that moment, he pointed to the heavens and laughed loudly, then his voice boomed like thunder. "What is a God of War? It's not some boring thing like 'attaining godhood.' The only reason I'm called a God of War is because I'm incredibly strong—strong enough to bring down even the most damned gods!"

There is nothing that cannot be killed. Even if you do encounter something that cannot be killed, it's just that you're not strong enough right now!

The purest form of violence, the simplest form of classification, is also the most ambiguous.

Aside from this bizarre Dao Path, the Ninth Rank Classification Method can effectively handle the differences between different ranks for other Dao Lineage.

"Martial arts... has its essence been improved, and all that's left is to improve its quantity?" Li Qi wondered to himself as he walked towards the sea off East Isle.

Martial Dao Inner Qi has the characteristic of devouring all other energies and assimilating them into itself. A martial artist's "eating" is based on this characteristic.

Li Qi liked to use machines and magma as metaphors for this difference.

Does this mean that after Martial Dao Inner Qi condenses Martial Way Divine Intent, it directly reaches the most sublime essence? That is... the end of everything?

According to Li Qi's understanding of the entropy increase theory, everything will eventually become a chaotic mess, losing its order. So, is Martial Dao Inner Qi a manifestation of this chaos and disorder? And this chaos and disorder is actually quite sublime, representing a very high level.

If we understand it this way, then martial arts doesn't lack ranks; rather, after the eighth rank, it jumps directly to a very, very high rank, such as the third rank? Or even the second rank!?

As for the first rank, Li Qi didn't even dare to think about it, and subconsciously eliminated that answer from his mind.

However, just like the Mother Clam who was forcibly promoted to the eighth rank, she has not yet reached the power and understanding of the Dao that this rank should have, and needs to make up for it slowly through cultivation and training.

That's why martial artists need the 'heart of a martial artist' so much, because they need an extremely firm heart, Dao heart that is unimaginable to other Dao Path, in order to grasp this sublime essence at the eighth rank.

Without such a firm Dao heart, without that Heart Qi of 'my fist is higher than the will of Heaven's Will,' a martial artist could not possibly grasp this essence!

This conjecture gave Li Qi a real boost!

It's definitely possible!

The hypothesis has been formed; the next step is to find evidence to prove it.

If evidence can be found to resolve the classification issue of martial arts within the Ninth Rank Classification Method, the Ninth Rank Classification Method itself can become one of the pieces of evidence for the Ultimate Great Dao, thereby stabilizing Li Qi's Dao heart.

If we conduct in-depth research on the Ninth Rank Classification Method, we will certainly find something useful.

However... these are all just speculations.

Evidence is not yet available; it is currently beyond Li Qi's capabilities. With his current cultivation level, he lacks the ability to gather evidence regarding this matter.

However, I'll keep it in mind for now and verify it when I have the chance.

Thinking about all this, Li Qi felt that coming to the East China Sea was really worthwhile.

Although he broke through to the seventh rank in Chang'an, he spent the next year or two doing nothing but accumulating experience and building up his foundation.

But once they arrived in the East Sea, they saw all sorts of things that they couldn't see in Chang'an, which immediately brought them a huge amount of inspiration, thus giving them a greater impetus to their cultivation and Dao Path.

Li Qi's mood improved more and more until he surfaced.

Well, the next step is to go find Reason Way's people.

Several days have passed; Wang Dun should have made some preparations by now, right?

The first bait I received when I came here was Reason Way.

This is also why Li Qi was certain that someone was trying to lure him in. The knowledge of Reason Way and spirit was almost irresistible to Li Qi, and the simultaneous appearance of these two things meant that he himself did not believe that no one had orchestrated it.

However, the other party's methods were somewhat clumsy, and they also used the mermaid's deception, which backfired and allowed him to discover the clues.

This also allowed me to continue the investigation.

Thinking about all this, Li Qi weighed the dragon scale in his hand.

This thing, along with the dragon blood on it, is Li Qi's biggest clue.

With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Li Qi, riding on the Old Ma, finally reached the upper level of East Isle.

Having Old Ma is very convenient. This way, Li Qi doesn't have to find his way himself. He can sit and meditate on horseback while thinking, leaving the task of finding the way to the Old Ma.

If the lower level of East Isle is the home of these marine natives who are responsible for maintaining the operation of East Isle, then the upper level of East Isle, with its five large enclosures, is a place solely for serving tourists.

Riding his Old Ma through the streets, Li Qi was thinking about 95% of his mind, but he still managed to spare half of it to pay attention to his surroundings.

To call it a scene of dazzling lights and bustling activity would be no exaggeration.

Li Qi didn't know if this was the case for his particular disc or for all discs, but the decoration and architecture here were extremely luxurious, many times better than the lower levels.

The lower-level mermaids Conch Folk still live in the reefs, toiling away every day cultivating pearls, while the high-rise buildings here have already begun to use large-scale formations.

Although it can't compare to the Law Treasure floor tiles of the Human Path, it at least maintains a certain degree of automation using arrays.

The vast number of pearls has become the energy source here. You can also see many sea people engaged in the service industry. Occasionally, you can also see sea women and many beautiful women who are Form Transformation from fish demons to greet guests here.

It seems that... the entire lower level of East Isle is serving the cities on these five discs. Everything built below has not been enjoyed by the city itself, but has instead been sent to the upper level.

The pearls cultivated by the mermaids, the utensils crafted by the Conch Folk, the fish raised by the sea people, and even the sea people themselves, all serve the tourists here.

"Sir, would you like to rest your horse? We have a professional stable with a ninth-grade spirit beast trainer on duty, and we also provide free peach pills!"

"The new clam girl is like an oyster, plump, tender, and smooth!"

"The fleet heading to White Cloud Coral Reef has a fair income distribution, requiring only those of rank eight or above. We are in dire need of Reason Way cultivators skilled in ship repair. Once you are ready, we will depart!"

"The ocean-going deep-sea exploration fleet is overseen by a seventh-rank expert, ensuring absolute safety! This Seventh Rank Treasure Ship is unsinkable! There are still 460 tickets available. Those who wish to enter the deep sea should hurry. Departure is expected in four days!"

Someone else was shouting, "Ingredients! Fresh seafood, caught four days ago from the deep sea, including fish maw and gudgeon, and thirty skewer of shrimp roe, each skewer is one foot long and about one inch wide and thick! Absolutely top-quality!"

He even knew what those seafood items were, such as the dragon-tailed fish, which resembled an owl and would bring rain when it stirred up waves, so he placed an image of it on the roof ridge.

The fish, also known as the yufu, is neither fish nor dragon. It is as large as a boat, two or three zhang long, and resembles a catfish. It has two nipples under its belly, and its male and female forms resemble humans. When its offspring are taken and placed on the shore, their cries sound like those of an infant. It has a hole on its neck that leads to its head, from which it hisses and breathes.

Li Qi heard shouts like these constantly, and he could also clearly feel that he was in a 'port city'.

The fishy smell, which can also be described as umami, wafts towards the nose.

The sounds of waves, seabirds, and the subtle hum of mechanical transmission... these are the sounds of East Isle operating beneath our feet.

Um...

It seems there's no need to rush to find those people from Reason Way; they'll probably come looking for me.

Since I have just arrived at East Isle, it is time for me to rest for a while. I have spent the past few days gathering intelligence and investigating Tianhong Jun. Now that I have made progress on Tianhong Jun and have the dragon scale in hand, it will not be difficult to continue to delve deeper.

I'll rest for a few Chen, and then... wait for someone to come find me.

With that thought in mind, Li Qi banished those thoughts from his head.

Actually, all these reasons are just because... he was craving it.

Seafood.

Authentic seafood from the East China Sea.

Since we've come all this way to Donghai, of course we have to try the local specialties.

To be honest, Li Qi has always been curious about local specialties and foods. In Clear Mist City, he spent his time strolling and eating; the first thing he did upon arriving in the Tang Kingdom was to visit the market to see all sorts of food; he even wanted to try Liu Junyi's cooking. When he went to Shangyuan to serve the Flower Trumpet Flower God, he also made sure to sample the wines and delicacies served by the Flower Goddesses of Shangyuan. (See Local Delicacies)

Now that we've come to the East China Sea, how can we not give it a try?

Li Qi had never told anyone about this hobby; only he knew about it, and he never revealed it to others because he felt... it was a little shameful.

With this in mind, Li Qi felt he could rest for a few Chen. Since there was still some seafood, he might as well buy some of these fresh deep-sea items and take them to the local restaurants to cook.

Thinking this, Li Qi walked to the place where you had just been shouting from your ship.

"Hey, sir! What would you like to buy this time? How about a bunch of fresh shrimp roe?" The sailor selling goods called out enthusiastically as soon as he saw Li Qi.