Provocation (Final Systemic Introduction to Early-Stage Ranks)

From Apprentice level 1 to Realm Lord level 9 peak, the base power gap between each rank is roughly twofold.

Even across a major realm, such as Apprentice level 9 to Planet Grade level 1, the base power difference is still twofold (in the original story, Luo Feng at Apprentice level 9 could control a hidden weapon weighing 500,000 kilograms, while at Planet Grade level 1, it became 1,000,000 kilograms).

The difference lies in the immense benefits of crossing a major realm—not only in lifespan but also in special abilities and consciousness, which are fundamentally different. This is why strength skyrockets after a major realm breakthrough.

For example, from Apprentice level 9 to Planet Grade level 1, one gains certain special abilities and generates their own gravitational field. As long as the environment's gravity isn't too strong, a Planet Grade martial artist can fly through the air and slightly release their internal Primal Force.

Thus, while a Planet Grade level 1 expert has only twice the base power of an Apprentice level 9, their actual combat strength is far more than double.

To break through from Planet Grade level 9 to Star Grade level 1, one must awaken another type of power. For instance, a Planet Grade level 9 martial artist must awaken some telekinetic power to reach Star Grade (this is my own addition; souls are an exception).

You can be a Star Grade telekinetic master or a Star Grade martial artist. You don't have to use the other power, but you must possess it at a minimum level to avoid hindering future breakthroughs.

After all, Star Grade experts can fly into space for short distances and survive there. If a Star Grade telekinetic master had a body as weak as Apprentice level 9, they couldn't achieve this.

Star Grade experts are more well-rounded than Planet Grade, so the overall strength boost from reaching Star Grade is naturally more pronounced.

But to break through from Star Grade to Cosmic Level, one must further compensate for their weaknesses.

Ideally, both telekinetic power and genetic Primal Force should reach Star Grade level 9. Then, by slightly improving mental amplitude and force amplitude, the probability of entering Cosmic Level would be at least 50%.

This sounds easy, but for most Star Grade experts, it's quite difficult.

After all, everyone's talent and opportunities differ.

From an ordinary person's perspective, even having some talent and relying on one type of power (either genetic Primal Force or telekinetic power) to reach Star Grade is already extremely rare.

Without treasures like Cosmic Crystals, Muya Crystals, Wind Chime Fruits, or Jasper Marrow to assist them, they can only absorb cosmic energy slowly to improve. Such people will remain at Star Grade until they die.

Even if someone manages to reach Star Grade level 9 through a single type of energy, out of a hundred thousand such Star Grade level 9 experts, it's hard for even one to become a Cosmic Level expert.

Cosmic Level experts can traverse the cosmos, fight starships with their bodies, and even survive on a White Dwarf. If either of their two internal powers is a weakness, they don't deserve the title of Cosmic Level.

From Cosmic Level to Domain Lord, this is even more critical, and whether one possesses a domain is the key factor.

Without a domain, one cannot leverage the "power of heaven and earth" to unite their telekinetic power, Primal Force, and will into a Life Core.

The higher the domain, the easier it is to condense a Life Core. If a Cosmic Level genius has a domain at level 9 and no major weaknesses elsewhere, their probability of breaking through to Domain Lord is at least 70%.

Thus, the biggest difference between a Domain Lord and a Cosmic Level is the "Life Core." It can be located anywhere in the body, which is why a Domain Lord can survive having their head shattered.

From Domain Lord to Realm Lord is another massive leap. At this stage, the most important step is to resonate one's Life Core with the Origin Land of the Primordial Universe, allowing telekinetic power and genetic Primal Force to merge within the Life Core, giving birth to the first thread of World Force, and ultimately forming an Inner World.

By the time one reaches Realm Lord, their domain transforms into a World Projection, granting overwhelming superiority over those below Realm Lord.

So the further one goes, the harder it becomes to break through major realms.

However, for Wu Sheng, the "Soul-Devouring Demon Tank," he must gain recognition from the Source Laws at the Domain Lord stage to undergo the final transformation when entering Realm Lord. Moreover, the more Source Laws recognize him, the better.

But...

"Hard, so hard! I might have some hope of gaining recognition from the Wind Source Law at the Domain Lord stage, but the other Source Laws are probably hopeless."

Thinking about this, Wu Sheng felt a headache coming on.

He was still too young. Why did he choose such a troublesome special life form identity? And that golden finger, the cheat-like Time-Space Shop, was also a scam.

Not only did it provide no help from the start, but it also required him to invest a trillion Cosmic Crystals first.

"My telekinetic power has already reached Planet Grade level 9. I can't break through further for now. I'll focus on Muya Crystals to improve my genetic Primal Force!"

Wu Sheng sighed inwardly. After all, the sooner he activated the Time-Space Shop, the better! If he could activate it at Planet Grade, he wouldn't wait until Star Grade.

"Hmm, what's going on outside?"

Frowning, Wu Sheng contacted Man Gu through the Mind Control Mark, and a stream of information flooded into his mind.

"Hmph, a bunch of people looking for death. Di Fei and He Na aren't even controlling them. Looks like there are plenty of troublemakers among these newcomers."

"Back when I refined the pure soul power of nearly a hundred people, my will got stuck at Star Grade level 7. I've been worrying about how to find more people, and now they're delivering themselves to me."

With a cold laugh, Wu Sheng stood up and walked toward the cave entrance.

Outside.

"Bai Yu, you two really don't know when to die. My master inviting Wu Sheng is an honor for him. But he's ignored us time and again, sending just a servant like you to brush us off. Do you think my master can be bullied?"

"Exactly. A nobody with no background, how does he deserve the sixth spot in the Blood River Squad? Know your place and get lost, free up the position. Otherwise, for showing such disrespect to my master, we should kill him on the spot!"

A group of Prison Clan members of various shapes stood outside the cave, sneering at Bai Yu and Man Gu, their patience wearing thin.

However, Man Gu, being a puppet, could only mechanically carry out the orders Wu Sheng had left behind without his command.

So Man Gu said nothing, merely preparing for battle. His four hooves tensed, his head lowered slightly, and the three horns on his head glowed with a faint blue light.

As for Bai Yu, he was caught in a dilemma. On one hand, he had to obey Wu Sheng's orders; on the other, he had to constantly fend off the provocations from these people outside.

But as time passed, the pressure would only grow. And sure enough, this group was the first to make a move.

"What's going on?"

Just as Bai Yu was at a loss, the stone door behind him creaked open, and a Green-Robed Youth stepped out.

"Master, you've come out of seclusion!" Bai Yu shouted joyfully, rushing forward to bow while transmitting everything he knew to Wu Sheng through their soul link.

"Oh, finally willing to come out? Perfect timing. My master invites you. Come with us immediately to meet him!"

The Prison Clan member spoke first, his form scorpion-like, over two meters long, with Black Scales covering his entire body. The Tail Hook emitted a dark, eerie glow, and his Front Pincers were as large as Stone Hammers, making him appear extremely formidable.

"So that's how it is." Wu Sheng rubbed his chin after learning some details from Bai Yu.

This time, his seclusion had lasted a year and a half. He Na and the others had indeed managed to recruit quite a few Trial Takers by dangling the temptation of large amounts of Cosmic Crystal. After Wu Sheng, they had pulled in another thirteen Elite Trial Takers.

Thus, the Blood River Squad now had nineteen members. On top of that, each member had been recruiting Excellent Trial Takers like Man Gu under them, so the squad's total headcount had swelled to over two hundred.

But as the saying goes, a big forest has all kinds of birds. Among the later-joining members, some saw that Wu Sheng—who ranked high—neither developed his own faction, nor went out to kill Trial Takers from hostile forces, nor interacted with the group, but instead buried himself in cultivation. Naturally, some wanted to take his place.

Though Wu Sheng ranked high among the members, that ranking only indicated the order in which they joined and held no real meaning.

Still, that didn't stop people from deliberately using it to provoke him, gradually leading to the current situation.

"A femme fatale indeed—the ancients were not wrong."

Wu Sheng shook his head with a light chuckle. He had become a special lifeform and was now in the Prison Clan. How had he managed to stir up such a huge, unwarranted mess?