The Flying Boat roared as it sped away from the Netherdark Sea.
On the way there, the fifty Outer Sect disciples had sat together chatting or stood at the edge of the Flying Boat, gazing excitedly at the distant scenery. It had been lively indeed!
On the return journey, all six Outer Sect disciples sat in the middle of the deck with their heads lowered. No one spoke. There was only endless silence.
Chen Yu kept his eyes closed.
In his mind, he saw the mirror-image avatar of Sect Master Chu that Elder Sun had summoned with the Grand Cultivator Shadow Talisman, heard those words imbued with effortless authority, and recalled that earth-shattering sword strike.
In this world, if I want complete control over my own life instead of being a fish on someone else's chopping block, I'll have to reach at least the same cultivation realm as Sect Master Chu.
Nascent Soul...
My current level is the first layer of Foundation Establishment.
According to the Cultivation World Travelogue I read in the Heavenly Union Association's Records Room, Qi Refining has nine layers, while Foundation Establishment has three. Beyond those three lies the Golden Core realm.
The Golden Core realm also has three layers, but cultivators usually call them the early, middle, and late stages.
Besides advancing through those three minor realms, cultivators also need to find ways to improve the grade of their golden core. The aim is to raise their potential ceiling as much as possible, giving them a chance to reach higher realms in the future. Improving a golden core's grade requires gathering heavenly treasures and special secret arts, or employing other methods.
*Only after reaching the peak of late-stage Golden Core, with a golden core of at least the fifth grade, does one have a chance