He raised a finger and said, "It's divided into three major realms: Yu Qing (Jade Purity), Shang Qing (Upper Purity), and Tai Qing (Great Purity)."
"Most disciples never get past the first. Even reaching the peak of Yu Qing is considered an amazing accomplishment."
Zhang Xiaofan listened intently
Song Daren continued, "Right now, there are over three thousand disciples in our sect. But only about twenty have broken into Shang Qing.
And as for Tai Qing... only a single person in the last thousand years was known to reach it Patriarch Qingye."
Zhang Xiaofan's eyes lit up with curiosity. "What about the current Sect Leader, Master Dao Xuan?"
"Rumors say he's at the Tai Qing realm as well," Song Daren said, lowering his voice. "But it's never been officially confirmed. You know how mysterious the elders like to be."
Zhang Xiaofan nodded slowly.
In the original novel, he remembered this clearly. Dao Xuan had indeed reached the Tai Qing stage, as had other titans like Yun Yilan of Fenxiang Valley.
And eventually… even Zhang Xiaofan himself, after mastering the Heavenly Book, had stepped into that divine realm.
But that was the old Zhang Xiaofan.
He was someone different now armed not just with memories of the future, but with something even greater.
> Tenfold Talent.
A surge of confidence welled up in his chest.
The bottlenecks that had once stalled him for years? He would breeze past them.
The trials that had once pushed him to the brink of death? He'd crush them. The regrets that had haunted his predecessor's life?
> This time, there would be none.
"Senior Brother," Zhang Xiaofan said, gripping the booklet tighter, "I'll work hard. I promise."
Song Daren clapped him on the shoulder with a hearty laugh. "That's the spirit!"
He pointed again at the bamboo. "Start tomorrow morning. And don't think about slacking off. Mistress Su has eyes everywhere."
Zhang Xiaofan chuckled and looked at the forest.
A new life. A new body. A chance to cultivate one of the most profound techniques in the world.
And this time… the heavens had given him a head start.
---
Tenfold Talent, and a Baffled Song Daren
Junior Brother, what are you thinking about? Don't get distracted."
A large palm landed gently on Zhang Xiaofan's shoulder, pulling him from his thoughts.
It was Song Daren, his honest-faced senior brother, who now stood beside him with a curious look.
Zhang Xiaofan blinked and smiled, half-joking, half-serious. "Senior Brother, I was just imagining what it would be like to reach the Taiqing Realm or even the legendary Land Immortal stage that no one has ever attained."
"Haha… You rascal!" Song Daren burst out laughing, shaking his head with amusement. "You've really got a big imagination."
Then his expression turned more serious. "Junior Brother, Master already told me your aptitude is average maybe even slightly below mine.
Honestly, if you can cultivate to the fifth or sixth level of the Tai Chi Xuanqing Dao in this lifetime, that would already be an incredible achievement."
He paused, his tone deepening.
"The Taiqing Realm… that was reached by Patriarch Qingye a thousand years ago. And as for the Land Immortal stage? That's nothing more than a myth. Even the genius Qingye Zhenren couldn't reach it. You should be more realistic."
Song Daren continued patiently, "You know, the first level of the Tai Chi Xuanqing Dao is just the foundation..
Most disciples take about a year to complete it. The second level takes five years, and the third level could take decades.
Many cultivators never even get that far. And the higher levels? They're almost unreachable."
Zhang Xiaofan smiled faintly but didn't argue.
He knew the truth—his greatest secret. The system he possessed had given him ten times the natural talent of a normal person. But how could he ever explain that to someone else? No one would believe him. They'd think he was insane.
What's more, he was walking a dual cultivation path, practicing both Buddhism and Daoism. While his early progress would be slow due to the need for a solid foundation, once the base was formed, his growth would skyrocket. The two disciplines would complement each other, and his cultivation would accelerate far beyond the norm.
Clap! Clap!
Song Daren clapped him on the back again, smiling earnestly.
"All right, Xiaofan. I'll begin teaching you how to meditate, sense your meridians, circulate your qi, and control your spiritual energy. Listen carefully."
Zhang Xiaofan nodded respectfully. "Yes, Senior Brother."
An hour passed as Song Daren explained the basics in detail. When he finished, he stood up and stretched.
"That's enough for today. Try practicing the Tai Chi Xuanqing Dao now. If there's anything you don't understand, just ask me."
Zhang Xiaofan found a large rock nearby, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes. Following the breathing technique and spiritual guidance that Song Daren had just taught, he began practicing.
Watching from the side, Song Daren nodded in approval.
Not bad… Even if his talent is average, at least he's diligent and focused, he thought. If he sticks to it for a few hundred years, maybe he really can reach the sixth level of Yuqing...
But then, something happened that made his heart stop.
"What the…"
His eyes widened in shock as he stared at Zhang Xiaofan.
A faint green light shimmered around the young man's body, swirling gently like mist before it slowly entered his skin.