After the internet was disconnected, I connected to the magic world.

Zhao Hao was filled with curiosity, and seeing Li Yan's silence, he quickly pressed for an answer:

"Elders, elders, do your martial arts have different levels of skill? How powerful can you become at the highest level?"

This question hit the nail on the head, and the other four people also stopped eating and looked at Li Yan in unison.

Li Yan put down his teacup and slowly said, "The martial arts of the Nine Provinces originated after the fall of the ancient immortals."

In those days, all the immortals and gods perished, and the lineage of immortal techniques was severed. However, a peerless genius deduced martial arts methods from the surviving fragments of immortal techniques, and these methods have been passed down to this day.

According to ancient texts, the path of cultivation is divided into two main steps: refining essence into qi and refining qi into spirit.

However, the transformation of Qi into spirit is now just a legend.

Modern martial arts have only scratched the surface of refining essence into qi.

Upon hearing this, the pupils of all five people contracted slightly.

Refining essence into qi, and cultivating qi into spirit.

These eight characters are familiar to any Chinese person with even a slight understanding of Taoist culture.

This is the core realm of cultivation in Chinese Taoism, and surprisingly, the same statement appears in the martial arts classics of this other world.

Zhao Hao blurted out:

"These realms really exist? I thought they were just made up by the Taoist priests back home!"

Li Yan glanced at him but didn't reply, continuing to explain the specific realm divisions:

"A novice martial artist can only condense a trace of internal energy and knows some basic techniques. In the martial arts world, they are generally considered to be second-rate and cannot be considered a true martial artist."

"Once the three main meridians and twelve regular meridians are opened, the internal energy is refined into true qi, which can strengthen the physical body and enable the use of martial arts techniques, then one will reach the early stage of the acquired realm."

"Unblocking the eight meridians and twelve regular meridians signifies the mid-stage of the Acquired Realm, and most masters in the martial arts world are at this level."

"When all twelve meridians are opened and true energy fills the whole body, one achieves the Great Perfection of Acquired Nature."

At this point, one is already considered a significant figure in the secular martial arts world, enough to establish one's own sect.

Zhang Lei swallowed hard as he listened: "Then... is it possible to have a congenital condition?"

A hint of longing appeared on Li Yan's face, and his tone became more serious:

"Above the acquired realm lies the innate realm."

One must open up the Ren and Du meridians, allowing acquired energy to return to its original state and transform into innate qi, before one can truly step into the advanced stage of martial arts.

"The entire territory of Kyushu is vast, and the number of innate masters on the surface can be counted on one hand. They are all figures standing at the pinnacle of the martial arts world."

With the protective aura of the Innate Realm, one is impervious to blades and spears, and the ability to fly and burrow underground is practically divine in the eyes of ordinary people.

"And what about beyond the innate level?" Zhao Hao's eyes lit up, and he leaned forward.

"When all eight extraordinary meridians are fully connected, one reaches the ultimate innate realm, and is revered by the world as a Grandmaster."

Li Yan shook his head. "Grandmasters only exist in legends. In the last hundred years, not a single one has appeared in the Nine Provinces."

Further up, ancient texts record the existence of the Land-based Celestial Realm, which exists only in ancient legends and has never been seen by anyone.

"If they can fly, aren't they immortals?" Zhao Hao exclaimed in astonishment.

"Back in our area, this would be considered a living god."

Li Yan shook his head solemnly: "No. The paths of immortals and mortals are different, whether one is a grandmaster or a celestial being on land."

Ultimately, we are still mortal beings of flesh and blood, with a lifespan of only a hundred years or so, unable to escape birth, aging, sickness, and death.

"Only by forging a foundation for immortality can one truly embark on the path to immortality and transcend the mortal realm."

Above the Immortal Foundation lies the legendary True Person, whose lifespan is hundreds of years. They can ride the clouds and mist, and summon wind and rain; those are the true immortals.

However, these are only mentioned in fragments in ancient texts. The art of immortality was lost for thousands of years, and no one has ever seen a true immortal.

After he finished speaking, the main room fell silent.

Xuanqing and Shimingyuan had the most complex expressions.

One of them studied Taoism and the other practiced Buddhism, spending half their lives studying the "immortals and Buddhas" in classical texts.

Hearing with my own ears today that there are indeed records of the inheritance of immortal foundations and true immortals in another world, my heart felt like it had been struck by something, and I was filled with mixed emotions.

After decades of spiritual practice and exploration, it seems that at this moment, I have finally found a true place to settle down.

Zhao Hao, quick-witted, immediately picked up where he left off:

"After refining Qi into spirit, one refines spirit into emptiness, and then refines emptiness into the Dao, right?"

That's what I've seen written in Taoist books!

Li Yan suddenly looked up and stared straight at Zhao Hao, his face showing obvious shock for the first time.

"Young friend... the eight words you spoke are exactly the same as the fragmented records on the oldest incomplete scroll of the Qingyun Sect!"

His tone was somewhat hurried, "Our sect's predecessors have studied this for hundreds of years, but they have only been able to guess the general meaning."

"You...you know the complete description of the realms, but you can't even put together a complete list?"

He was still wondering how the strange man, who himself did not possess immortal magic, could possibly predict the "return of immortal magic."

Upon hearing this, most of my doubts vanished instantly.

As expected, although the strange man himself did not practice magic, he carried the complete inherited memories of ancient immortals and gods!

The five people looked at each other, and they all saw surprise in each other's eyes.

The Taoist common sense they had heard since childhood turned out to be a lost ancient secret in this world.

Li Yan was excited for a while before he calmed down. He looked at the peach wood token on the table, hesitated for a few seconds, and finally asked:

"I have a favor to ask."

This Nine Provinces Simultaneous Engraving Token is an ancient celestial artifact. I would like to venture to examine it and see if I can uncover any clues. I wonder if any of you would be so kind as to grant me this favor?

The atmosphere in the room paused slightly after these words were spoken.

The group exchanged glances, all somewhat hesitant.

The five of them were completely defenseless, while their opponent was a genuine martial arts master. If he really had malicious intentions and wanted to steal the token, they wouldn't even have a chance to resist.

You could refuse directly, but you're afraid of offending the other party.

Zhao Hao, being carefree, handed over his token without much thought:

"There's nothing wrong with this, Elder, please feel free to look around."

Li Yan took the token, and with a slight exertion of his fingertips, a wisp of true energy silently poured into it.

The token remained motionless.

He frowned, increased his strength by thirty percent, and channeled his true energy into the wood grain, but the token seemed like a bottomless pit.

No matter how much true energy was poured in, it all sank to the bottom of the sea, without the slightest reaction, not even a glimmer of light appeared.

After trying three or four times, Li Yan finally shook his head and returned the token to Zhao Hao.

"My cultivation is too shallow to detect even the slightest hint of the truth."

His tone carried a hint of regret, "This token is far more mysterious than I imagined. With my level of cultivation, I can't even get close to it."

He paused, then looked at the five people and extended an invitation:

"The five extraordinary individuals are new to this world and unfamiliar with the place, so staying in this small mountain village will inevitably cause them many inconveniences."

Why don't you come with me back to the Qingyun Sect for a while?

The sect's library contains many ancient books; perhaps we can find records related to the Tongke Order.

The sect is safe, and no one dares to disturb you.

Zhao Hao's eyes lit up, and he was about to agree on the spot.

"OK--"

"Wait a moment." Xuan Qing coughed lightly, interrupting Zhao Hao, and cupped his hands to Li Yan.

"We appreciate the elder's kindness."

However, this matter is of great importance. Let us discuss it tonight, and then give the elder an answer first thing tomorrow morning, shall we?

Li Yan didn't press the matter and nodded with a smile:

"That's how it should be."

I will stay at the hunter's house in the village for the night. Once you have thought it through, just send someone to inform him tomorrow.

After saying this, he got up to take his leave and turned to leave the courtyard.

After dinner, Shi Laogen arranged for the five people to stay in the two cleanest mud-brick houses in the village.

The bedding was all newly changed, and a thick layer of dry straw was laid on top, making it soft and dry.

The five of them stayed together in the large room on the east side, closed the door, and discussed matters under the oil lamp.

"Are we really going to that Qingyun Sect?" Zhang Lei asked first, his tone tinged with concern.

"The five of us have no special skills, but we're given the title of 'extraordinary people,' and the rumors about us are incredibly exaggerated."

If we actually go to their territory, what if they find out we don't know any magic and turn their backs on us?

Elder Li is clearly a master; if he really wants to harm us, we won't even be able to run away.

Zhou Ming pushed up his glasses and whispered in agreement:

"I also think there are risks."

The prophecy said we would bring divine magic, but we have nothing.

Once they discover the truth, they might think we're frauds, or... lock us up and interrogate us about the inheritance.

This is the most practical problem.

They were just five ordinary people who stumbled into another world and were hailed as the benefactors of prophecy.

However, his reputation is not commensurate with his abilities, and if the rumors of "an extraordinary person with immortal powers" are exposed, his fate may not be good.

Xuan Qing sat on a wooden stool, twirling his beard with his fingertips, and slowly began to speak:

"There are indeed risks. But let me ask you this: is it safe to stay in this little stone village?"

"The news of the extraordinary being's descent has already spread. Today, an elder from the Qingyun Sect has come, and tomorrow, perhaps other sects or forces will arrive."

We're left in this small mountain village, all alone and helpless, anyone can take advantage of us.

"Going to the Qingyun Sect, at least they still respect our status as 'Outcasts' and won't touch us in the short term."

"More importantly, did we come all this way just to stay in the village?"

Xuan Qing raised his eyes and swept them over the crowd. "Martial arts and immortality are both laid out in front of you."

Staying in the village means you'll never even get close to spiritual practice.

"Going to a sect will at least allow me to access legitimate lineages."

Shi Mingyuan nodded slightly, his voice calm yet firm:

"This humble monk has practiced Zen for over twenty years, seeking nothing more than the word 'truth'."

Now that the right path lies ahead, even with risks, it's time to take the plunge.

"That's right! What's there to be afraid of!" Zhao Hao slapped his thigh, unable to contain himself any longer.

"We are the extraordinary beings from the prophecy!"

They're too busy trying to curry favor with us, how could they dare to harm us?

With the opportunity to cultivate immortality and practice martial arts right in front of us, what's a little risk?

In real life, I wouldn't even be able to find this way!

The group of people took turns speaking, clearly explaining the pros and cons.

Staying in the village may seem safe, but it's actually a death sentence. The more the news spreads, the more it will attract more forces, making things even more dangerous.

Going to the Qingyun Sect carries the risk of being dependent on others, but at least you can come into contact with martial arts traditions. Moreover, with the title of "Outcast," the other party will definitely treat you with courtesy in the short term and won't easily make a move.

After careful consideration, going to the Qingyun Sect is still the safest option and offers more hope.