Seeing that Han Yi's confusion seemed genuine, He Fengdi shook his head slightly, thinking he must have been overthinking things. Why would Han Xuxiao, a Peak Qi Refining cultivator, hunt down a junior brother at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refinement?
"Han Xuxiao is one of the Blood God Sons of the Blood God Sect."
"Junior Brother Han may not realize this, but even within the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement, there are tiers."
"When one first reaches the Ninth Layer, they're at the most basic level, often referred to as the early Ninth Layer. As their mana grows and their combat skills become above average for the Ninth Layer, they advance to the late Ninth Layer, also known as the seasoned Qi Refining stage. Reaching the pinnacle of the Ninth Layer is known as Peak Qi Refining."
"But beyond Peak Qi Refining lies a realm that wasn't originally recognized: Legendary Qi Refining, also known as Half-Step Foundation Establishment."
"Those who achieve Legendary Qi Refining are capable of escaping with their lives even when facing ordinary Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators. Some can even clash head-on with them."
"Of course, the Foundation Establishment cultivators I'm referring to are those in the early stages of Foundation Establishment or those who have just entered the stage."
"Among the Qi Refining cultivators in the Blood God Sect, nine individuals hold special status. They bear the title Blood God Son. These elites are all at the Peak Qi Refining stage or higher."
"Each generation of Blood God Sons consists of exactly nine individuals. When one advances to Foundation Establishment or dies, another immediately takes their place."
"Han Xuxiao is one of the Blood God Sect's nine Blood God Sons. Even among them, he stands at the pinnacle, a legendary Qi Refining cultivator."
"But it's strange," He Fengdi said, shaking his head in puzzlement. "Why would Han Xuxiao suddenly appear and openly challenge a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator?"
"Junior Brother Han," Shen Ru interjected, "I noticed Han Xuxiao appeared behind you earlier. Could he have been chasing you?"
Han Yi shrugged and chuckled. "How could that be? I'm only at the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining. Why would he waste his time chasing me?"
Though his smile remained, Han Yi's mind had already entered a state of high alert. Recalling the chilling murderous intent that had washed over him from afar as he boarded the Immortal Ship, the sensation that had made every hair on his body stand on end, Han Yi was now almost certain Han Xuxiao was targeting him.
Facing a legendary Qi Refining cultivator with his current strength would be a near-certain death.
From He Fengdi's explanation of the sub-tiers within the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement, and comparing it to the numerous Qi Refining Stage cultivators Han Yi had witnessed slaughtering each other in the Combat Arena, Han Yi finally understood that the Spirit-Body Dual Cultivator he had killed, who wielded a halberd, must have been a seasoned Ninth Layer cultivator.
After his brutal battles in the Myriad Demon Mountain Range, Han Yi had gained a deeper understanding of his current capabilities:
Against ordinary Eighth Layer Qi Refinement cultivators, victory was effortless.
Against ordinary Ninth Layer Qi Refinement cultivators, it would require some effort, but victory should still be achievable.
Against seasoned Ninth Layer Qi Refinement cultivators, victory was possible if he gave his all.
Against Peak Qi Refining Stage cultivators, he would need to exhaust every tactic, exploit any weaknesses, leverage favorable conditions like timing, terrain, and Spirit Talismans, and rely on countering their strengths to have even a slim chance of winning—though the probability remained extremely low.
The halberd-wielding cultivator in the Myriad Demon Mountain Range, despite being classified as a seasoned Ninth Layer, was actually no weaker than a typical Peak Qi Refining Stage cultivator in terms of combat prowess. Han Yi had only managed to kill him by exploiting his weaknesses and using the Yin Thunder Talisman.
But against a Legendary Qi Refining cultivator, Han Yi felt he had no chance of victory—and even fleeing might prove impossible.
These legendary cultivators, who earned their title within the Qi Refining Stage, were capable of directly challenging Foundation Establishment Stage experts.
Every action of a legendary cultivator should be imbued with profound meaning.
Yet why were so many Profound Pill Sect disciples from the Eighth and Ninth Layers of Qi Refinement in the Myriad Demon Mountain Range, focused on hunting me, a mere Seventh Layer cultivator, instead of pursuing the others?
Han Yi swiftly reviewed his experiences of the past two days, his thoughts settling on the four Blood God Sect cultivators he had slain.
The most likely explanation was that those four were connected to the Blood God Son, and their sect was now seeking retribution for their deaths. He couldn't think of any other possibility. Beside him, Chu Jinmo gave him an enigmatic, half-amused look, but said nothing.
"By the way, Senior Brother He," Han Yi asked, cupping his fists in a respectful gesture, "I have a question. Since there are several Foundation Establishment Stage Martial Uncles aboard the three Immortal Ships, why didn't they intervene when our disciples were ambushed in the Myriad Demon Mountain Range? It would have been trivial for them to annihilate the Blood God Sect cultivators."
This question had surged to his mind the moment he emerged from the forest. He Fengdi, as a seasoned Ninth Layer cultivator who had undergone the Cave Heaven Trial, undoubtedly possessed far more knowledge than a humble cultivator like himself.
He Fengdi didn't dismiss Junior Brother Han because of their differing cultivation realms. Instead, he patiently explained the situation.
"Our sect has Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators, and so does the Blood God Sect."
"The current situation is delicate. It's more of an unspoken agreement between our sects: Qi Refining Stage cultivators fight Qi Refining Stage cultivators, and Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators fight Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators."
"Consider this, Junior Brother Han: if a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator were to attack a Qi Refining Stage cultivator, who besides legendary Qi Refining experts like Han Xuxiao—with his extraordinary innate talent and immense strength—could withstand a single blow?"
"If we abandoned this agreement, you would annihilate our Qi Refining disciples, and we would retaliate by slaughtering all of yours. The foundation of both sects would be reduced to ashes, leaving only mutual devastation."
"This tacit agreement has been in place for ages. When the sect planned this Myriad Demon Mountain Range mission, they anticipated that the Blood God Sect would send disciples to ambush us. Past missions were training exercises; this time, it's real combat. The sect hopes we will rapidly grow through this baptism of blood and fire, even if it means suffering heavy casualties."
As He Fengdi spoke, a flash of murderous intent flickered in his eyes. He paused briefly before continuing, "As for Han Xuxiao's appearance earlier, that was a direct provocation to our sect's Foundation Establishment cultivators. Such behavior is tantamount to courting death. Martial Uncle Lan had every right to kill him; he has no one else to blame."
He Fengdi finished speaking and gazed out at the Immortal Ship, a hint of envy flickering in his eyes as he observed the now-calm sky.
Only upon reaching Foundation Establishment does one cease to be an ant.
Han Yi's eyes darted about thoughtfully, his mind working through He Fengdi's explanation. This conversation had given him a new understanding of the tacit agreement between the two sects: Foundation Establishment cultivators clashed with their peers, while Qi Refining cultivators engaged with their own. This unspoken pact seemed strange at first—why maintain such restraint when both sides were locked in a life-or-death struggle? Shouldn't they be seeking the total annihilation of the opposing sect?
Yet upon deeper reflection, it made perfect sense. Without this understanding, Foundation Establishment cultivators would inevitably intervene in battles between Qi Refining cultivators, and eventually, even Golden Core cultivators would join the fray. In such a scenario, every Qi Refining cultivator—and perhaps even some Foundation Establishment cultivators—would perish.
This delicate balance meant that regardless of initial intentions, the final outcome was inevitable: mutual defeat. The only survivors would be Golden Core Stage cultivators and a handful of Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators, leaving the once-grand sect shattered and fragmented.
Neither sect desired such a catastrophic scenario unless absolutely necessary.
Hence, this subtle, unspoken agreement had emerged—a form of restraint.
Han Yi understood implicitly, remaining silent.
Moments later, the Foundation Establishment Stage Elder who had pursued Han Xuxiao returned. He cast a discreet glance at Han Yi but said nothing, resuming his position at the helm of the Immortal Ship.
Han Yi surmised that the elder had failed to eliminate Han Xuxiao.
Yet he felt no fear. Han Xuxiao was formidable, but their next encounter might not come for a long time. By then, Han Yi would have advanced to the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement and further refined his skills. Who would be the hunter then?
Three days later, the Immortal Ship carrying Han Yi and his companions reached its hundred-person capacity. Although the month-long deadline hadn't yet passed, the ship departed for the sect immediately, its passenger quota fulfilled.