In the True Spirit Hall, Master Baiyun sat facing his twelve disciples, his smile warm as a spring breeze.
“Today, whether you’re a new true disciple or an entry-level disciple, each of you may ask me one question. Think carefully about what you want to know. Of course, you can pass if you wish—no need to force it.”
A master indeed, he saw through the young ones’ thoughts.
They surely had many questions, and this chance could strengthen the master-disciple bond.
As a Mortal Saint Realm martial artist who’d traveled far and wide, he’d seen more than these children had eaten salt. It’d be odd if they had no questions.
“Please, Master, explain ‘special constitution,’” Dai Yuling asked first.
They’d never heard of special constitutions until Master Baiyun mentioned it during the test, sparking their curiosity.
“A special constitution is a remarkable state formed when spirit, energy, and essence reach a certain level together,” Master Baiyun explained. “You know combat tools are graded. For martial artists, the body is a combat tool—more vital than any weapon—and it too has grades.”
“Like treasure bodies, spirit bodies, and so on?” Fei Yu asked eagerly.
“You could say that, but before treasure bodies, there’s the mortal body, like mundane weapons—just ordinary,” Master Baiyun replied.
“Our world has over a hundred billion people, with lands so vast you can’t imagine. In the Mortal Realm, people are divided into ranks based on potential.”
“Simply put, over ninety percent of lower races are born with mortal bodies. Without rare fortune, their potential rarely changes.”
Ling Xiao found this perspective novel—it was his first time hearing it.
“Mortal bodies have levels too: low, mid, high, peak,” Master Baiyun continued. “Don’t assume all mortal bodies are equal. My Seven-Star Flower tests mortal bodies and low, mid, high treasure bodies.”
“One star is a low mortal body, two is mid, three is high, four is peak mortal, and five is a low treasure body—what I call a special constitution. This can be seen through observation.”
“Higher constitutions, like treasure bodies, often have unique traits. Take Ling Yixue—her soul force is immense, a soul body, though I can’t pinpoint its rank.”
“Six stars would be a mid treasure body, seven a high treasure body. Ling Yixue shattered the Seven-Star Flower not just because her potential exceeds high treasure body, but because she struggles to control it. Otherwise, even surpassing seven stars wouldn’t have broken it.”
“Ling Xiao and Leng Mei did well here. Their potentials likely reach above four but below five stars, yet they didn’t shatter the four-bloom flower, showing good control.”
“Of course, I took some precautions too.”
“In short, reaching a treasure body gives a natural edge in cultivation. The martial path is far easier for them than for mortal bodies. With effort, they’ll break through to the Mortal Realm—it’s just a matter of time.”
“Mortal bodies, however, depend on luck. Most will never break through, no matter how hard they try.”
“Master, you said potential is innate but can change through effort?” Ling Xiao asked, a question critical to him.
He felt his potential before the Mountain River Martial Soul was at best peak mortal body, not treasure body.
But after gaining it, things changed drastically.
He needed clarity.
“Absolutely, and many have altered their potential through effort, though it’s extremely difficult—often a matter of life and death,” Master Baiyun nodded. “Certain rare herbs, bloodlines, or martial souls can transform a martial artist’s potential.”
“Thank you, Master!” Though brief, the answer satisfied Ling Xiao.
He’d known his rapid progress stemmed from the Mountain River Martial Soul but hadn’t understood why.
Now he did—it had reshaped his potential.
As for his current level, even he was unsure.
If only he could fix that Seven-Star Flower.
Ling Xiao thought of his Mountain River Martial Soul’s “creation” ability, which included a repair function.
Maybe he’d try to get those flower fragments later—it could reveal his true potential.
While he pondered, several others had asked their questions.
When he snapped back, Ling Yixue was speaking.
“Master, we know Martial Vein Ninth Layer peak leads to Mortal Saint Realm. Is there a realm beyond that?”
Everyone had wondered if the martial path was endless.
“There is,” Master Baiyun affirmed. “But I haven’t touched that stage, so I can’t explain it.”
“It’s like when you were at Martial Vein First or Second Layer—you’d never heard of Mortal Saint Realm. Even if you had, you wouldn’t have understood it.”
Ling Xiao could relate.
As a First Layer martial artist, his goal was just to become a martial apprentice, reaching Fourth Layer.
After gaining the Mountain River Martial Soul, his cultivation soared, sparking ambitions for Martial Master, even Ninth Layer peak.
Meeting Mortal Saint Realm experts widened his horizons.
Mortal Saint Realm was still beyond their grasp, let alone what lay above, so Master Baiyun couldn’t elaborate.
“Master, could you offer guidance for our cultivation? How can we maximize our chances of reaching Mortal Realm?” Zhu Hua asked.
Her soul potential was four stars and nine-tenths, near five, meaning her constitution was close to treasure body—giving her a strong shot at Mortal Realm.
Her question aimed to learn what to focus on now for an easier breakthrough later.
“Focus on your strength, reduce obsession with techniques and combat, and prioritize soul cultivation,” Master Baiyun answered. “The rest of you, listen: balanced growth is ideal but hardest. I don’t recommend it—focus on your strongest potential.”
