Qi and Ranks

Zhou An could not understand it. They had clearly been teaching—why had they suddenly started talking about some mysterious expert?

Wasn't that mysterious expert him?

The constables did not understand either. Why had the topic suddenly changed? They all stared at Head Constable Xie with puzzled looks.

Head Constable Xie raised a hand to his mouth and coughed, using it to hide his embarrassment. The scar on his face seemed even more savage. "The people of this world can be divided into four major categories. The cultivation methods within all four are similar, broadly falling into two types."

"The first is mental cultivation methods; the second is techniques."

"There are also two approaches to cultivation. The first values mental cultivation methods over techniques. The second values techniques over mental cultivation methods."

"Mental cultivation methods can strengthen one's own power. Once cultivated to the utmost limit, even if one's techniques are somewhat lacking, they can make up for it."

"But there is also a flaw."

At this point, Head Constable Xie raised his hand and pointed at one of the constables, calling him forward.

The constable walked over with a face full of confusion.

"Raise your hand," Head Constable Xie said.

Though the constable could not make heads or tails of it, he obediently raised his hand.

Head Constable Xie grabbed the constable's wrist. "What do you feel?"

A startled and uncertain look appeared on the constable's face. He stammered, "I feel a current of qi circulating through my body."

Head Constable Xie nodded and released him. "This is what mental cultivation methods bring. This current is collectively known as qi. Qi is the foundation of mental cultivation methods and the source that drives techniques. It can increase the power of techniques."

The constable asked, "Then what is the flaw?"

Head Constable Xie sighed. "There are all kinds of mental cultivation methods in this world, some good and some bad. Can you guarantee that you'll obtain a good one? The gap between a good method and a bad one is not just a little. The good methods are all held by those at the top."

With that explanation, everyone understood.

The good mental cultivation methods had all been hidden away by others.

And if they learned inferior methods, there would still be a gap.

Zhou An listened as well, comparing it to his own situation.

Mental cultivation methods?

None.

He had never even seen one.

He did indeed have currents of qi in his body, but he had obtained them all by grinding out his life skills.

This current ought to be qi.

Would I count as the second type, or the first? Zhou An wondered.

As he thought this, there was movement from Head Constable Xie again.

"There are many middling mental cultivation methods, so there are likewise many people of this type."

Head Constable Xie slowly said, "Now let us discuss the second type: valuing techniques over mental cultivation methods. There are far fewer people of this kind."

"Shing!"

The sound of a blade leaving its sheath rang out. Head Constable Xie drew a snow-bright long saber and slashed out with a backhand stroke.

Before everyone's eyes, the saber light condensed into a thin line and struck the ground, leaving behind a long saber mark.

"Whoa!"

The constables erupted in an uproar. The sight had shocked them too deeply.

Head Constable Xie sheathed his saber and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "The second type has fewer requirements. It uses techniques to aid mental cultivation methods. Once the techniques improve, the qi of the mental cultivation method will naturally improve as well. But this type is especially difficult."

"Some people devote themselves to techniques and make no progress for decades. Others attain enlightenment in a single day and soar up the branches from then on. Though it does not have the flaw of mental cultivation methods, this is already an exceedingly high threshold."

"Did you understand the saber strike I just made?"

The constables shook their heads, indicating that they had not.

They had only seen the saber light flash, a thin line appear, and an extra saber mark appear on the ground.

Head Constable Xie said, "I have trained in saber techniques bitterly for more than ten years, and only now can I be considered to have stepped through the gate. I belong to the techniques path. If you wish to learn, you can only learn saber techniques from me."

"When you can slash out a thin line, you will have truly entered this path and be able to produce qi."

"This is also why I mentioned the mysterious expert. That mysterious expert likewise values techniques."

Only then did everyone come to a realization.

Zhou An also put on a look of sudden understanding.

But though his face wore that expression, his thoughts were entirely different.

Similar.

All he could say was that they were very similar.

The stroke Head Constable Xie had just slashed out was indeed very much like the one he used.

But...

Why did it seem so strenuous?

After Head Constable Xie slashed out that white line, his face visibly paled for a moment. There was even sweat on his forehead, as if the expenditure had been considerable.

Why didn't I feel anything? Zhou An thought.

When he had fought that black shadow before, he had casually slashed out more than a dozen arcs of saber light.

For him, it had merely consumed half his qi. He had not been in Head Constable Xie's state at all.

That feeling was like... he was very weak.

Though Zhou An felt it was not good to put it that way, the fact lay right before him. Head Constable Xie felt very weak to him.

Zhou An continued mulling it over on his own.

Meanwhile, Head Constable Xie returned his saber to its sheath.

"Fellow colleagues, you have all seen it just now. This is one manifestation of techniques. Though it is difficult, it is powerful."

"If one day you can condense saber light and slash out a white line, then at least in An Ding County, you can be considered outstanding among your peers."

Head Constable Xie spoke loudly.

At his words, the constables all grew excited, as though it were very simple. They chimed in one after another.

For a time, the noise did not cease.

Head Constable Xie also knew that after seeing the other side of this world, such a reaction was only natural.

He had been the same back then.

He did not stop them. Instead, he waited patiently. Only after quite a while did the clamor gradually die down.

The courtyard returned to silence once more.

Head Constable Xie revealed a smile.

He rarely smiled in ordinary times, always wearing a stern expression. The constables were all afraid of him when they saw him, especially because the scar on his face added several degrees of ferocity.

As he watched the constables, he seemed to think of his younger self.

"Everyone, I still have something else to say." Head Constable Xie raised his hand and gently pressed it downward.

The constables all looked at Head Constable Xie expectantly.

Head Constable Xie continued, "Since this is cultivation, there must naturally be ranks. These ranks are uniform across all four major categories."

Among the crowd, Zhou An's eyes brightened slightly.

This was the main event—at least, for him it was.

This was precisely the information he needed.

"Whether one cultivates mental cultivation methods or techniques, both actually rely on qi. Only the source of the qi differs."

Head Constable Xie said, "Therefore, the standard for ranks is also evaluated according to qi."

"So long as you can cultivate qi, you will reach the rank of a Third-Rate Expert. Above that are Second-Rate and First-Rate."

"Do not underestimate a Third-Rate Expert either. To become a Third-Rate Expert is already to stand out from the crowd."

"As for above First-Rate, you need not learn about that, because those people are already capable of founding sects and establishing schools."

"Let us first briefly discuss Third-Rate Experts."

"I said before that qi is the standard of evaluation."

Head Constable Xie plucked out a strand of hair.

"At the beginning, your qi is only as thick as a strand of hair. As cultivation deepens, it will grow as thick as a thumb. At that level, you are already among the best of Third-Rate Experts."

Hearing this, Zhou An carefully sensed the current of qi inside his body, his expression turning strange.