"The leap from Seventh Rank to Eighth Rank is a change in kind. Only the great Aristocratic Clans can gather all the precious materials it requires. But the journey from Eighth Rank to Ninth Rank is harder still—a climb to the heavens. You can't imagine how difficult it is, because reaching Ninth Rank requires a Star Core," Feng Feitian explained.
"What's a Star Core?" Luo Qian had never heard of one. "It's the soul of a planet. Extract it, and the planet dies. Destroying a planet is easy for a Saint, but only the Saint Court can extract its Star Core. So every Ninth-Rank expert comes at the cost of a planet. Every planet in the Saint Realm is linked to the others in mysterious ways, and destroying one can have unpredictable consequences. Even the Saint Court weighs the decision again and again before extracting a Star Core. At present, there are only nine Ninth-Rank experts in the entire Saint Realm."
"Because Ninth-Rank experts are so scarce, Eighth Rank is divided into nine levels. I've already reached the fifth level. I may not be able to stir up much of a storm, but I can protect myself."
"So there's that much tangled up in it." Luo Qian thought of Bai Zisheng, then said, "Just be careful. Avoid that fellow if you can. Don't let him take advantage of you, or I'll be the one losing out!" Feng Feitian found his possessiveness funny, but it warmed her heart too.
His wife had a squad of Saint Soldiers to protect her. Securing his own safety, though, would cost money. Luo Qian went to the Private Professionals' Guild at Rhinoceros Sky Saint Market. The mercenaries here were in another league from those at Black Iron Saint Market. If he could afford the price,