"Lord Emperor, there is something you must know. The Great Xia Royal Family has ruled the Great Xia Dynasty for thousands of years for one simple reason: every generation has had an Extraordinary True Monarch presiding over it!"
Hearing Xia Wuyang’s question, Cao Zhenghe said in a hushed tone.
Xia Wuyang’s eyes narrowed. "An Extraordinary True Monarch?"
"That’s right. What most people don’t know is that what we call the realms from Ninth Grade to the Super Grade Realm are actually just the Body Refining Stage of the Martial Dao, also known as the Mortal Stage."
Cao Zhenghe’s expression turned grave. "The Martial Dao is vast and profound. How could it possibly have only ten grades? Above the Tenth Grade lies the Extraordinary Stage, also called the Qi Refining Stage. At this level, Martial Artists must condense a True Seed, cultivate True Qi, and master the Extraordinary Power that is True Qi."
"Once someone steps into the Qi Refining Stage, they earn the right to be called a True Monarch. True Monarchs must forge Spiritual Veins, cultivate True Qi, and see through the world’s true nature—hence the name ’True Monarch.’ Their Cultivation Realms aren’t divided by grades, but by the number of Spiritual Veins they have forged. Forging one Spiritual Vein makes you a One Spirit True Monarch. Two veins, a Two Spirits True Monarch... all the way up to ten veins, which makes you a Ten Spirits True Monarch!"
’So the so-called Extraordinary Realm is the Qi Refining Stage, which requires forging Spiritual Veins and is known as the True Monarch Realm.’ Realization dawned on Xia Wuyang, and he couldn’t help but ask, "Then is the Refining God Stage above the Qi Refining Stage? Does Essence, Qi, and Spirit each correspond to a different cultivation stage?"
"I do not know." Cao Zhenghe shook his head. "However, I once read in an ancient text that after True Monarchs reach the peak of their cultivation, they must begin cultivating Spiritual Power. I am not certain if this is to break through to an even higher level."
Xia Wuyang’s eyebrows shot up. ’So, under normal circumstances, only Ten Spirits True Monarchs would begin to dabble in Spiritual Power. But with the help of my Golden Finger, I’ve started cultivating it this much earlier.’
’No, no, it’s not just me. There are others who possess Spiritual Cultivation Techniques. For instance, the Seventh Prince, Xia Wunian, obtained the extremely rare Spiritual Treasure Manual, the Enchanting Heart Treasure Manual, from the True Yin Sect and began cultivating Spiritual Power ahead of time.’
’But even for the Royal Family, Spiritual Cultivation Techniques are exceedingly rare. No wonder I haven’t come across any after all these years.’
Qi Refining True Monarchs cultivate Spiritual Techniques and Spirit Arts. Among them, One Spirit to Three Spirits True Monarchs are considered Low Level True Monarchs. Four to Six Spirits True Monarchs are Middle Level True Monarchs, and Seven to Nine Spirits True Monarchs are High Level True Monarchs. The Ten Spirits True Monarch is in a league of its own, known as a Top Level True Monarch.
’The Dragon Tiger Fist is just a Top Level Mortal Technique; it doesn’t contain the method to break through the Body Refining Stage. If I want to advance to the Qi Refining Stage, I’ll need to find a way to obtain a Qi Refining Technique. Otherwise, I’ll be stuck.’
"The Great Xia Royal Family possesses a secret Spiritual Technique, the River Scripture, which is highly compatible with the Dragon Tiger Fist. If you could obtain it, you could use your Qi and Blood Power to condense a True Seed, cultivate True Qi, and step into the Qi Refining Stage, joining the ranks of the Extraordinary Realm." A look of longing appeared on Cao Zhenghe’s face. "Your Majesty once told me that the River Scripture has six layers in total, corresponding to the realms from One Spirit True Monarch to Six Spirits True Monarch. One can cultivate it all the way to the peak of the Middle Level True Monarchs, a feat considered remarkable even among the neighboring dynasties."
Xia Wuyang was stunned. ’I never thought the Great Xia Royal Family had something this good. I must get my hands on the River Scripture.’
’The Enchanting Heart Treasure Manual only has thirteen layers, and at best, it can only raise my Refining God Cultivation to a level equivalent to the Three Spirits True Monarch realm. It’s far inferior to the River Scripture.’
’If I can obtain the River Scripture, I won’t have to worry about finding a Cultivation Technique for a long time.’
’The Dragon Tiger Fist is just a Body Refining Technique, which can at most be cultivated to the Super Grade Celestial Human Level. If I want to break through the Body Refining Stage and advance to the Qi Refining Stage, the River Scripture is the key.’
’Body Refining Stage... Qi Refining Stage... Based on my own speculation, the next one is most likely the Refining God Stage. This must be the path of the Martial Dao.’
’Body Refining Martial Artist... Qi Refining True Monarch... So what comes with Refining God?’
’The Body Refining Stage focuses on the body, and the Qi Refining Stage focuses on True Qi. Most Martial Artists only cultivate one aspect. But I’m different. I’m already cultivating the Refining God Stage while still in the Body Refining Stage.’
’Even if the next stage of the Martial Dao isn’t the Refining God Stage, the growth of my Spiritual Power will be a huge benefit to my cultivation in both the Body Refining and Qi Refining Stages.’
’When I break through to the Qi Refining Stage in the future, maybe I can cultivate my Essence, Qi, and Spirit simultaneously and become even stronger.’
"The River Scripture is an Intermediate Spiritual Technique. The True Qi it cultivates flows like a mighty river, its power boundless." Cao Zhenghe continued, "This is why the Great Xia Royal Family’s hidden Extraordinary True Monarchs are uncommonly powerful, even among other True Monarchs."
Xia Wuyang was shaken. ’It seems I was right not to steal the Jade Marrow Reishi just now. If I had actually drawn out one of the Great Xia Royal Family’s hidden Extraordinary True Monarchs, I’m afraid my Dragon Storage Skill and Stealth Technique wouldn’t have been enough to hide my presence.’
"How many True Monarchs does the Great Xia Royal Family have?" Xia Wuyang asked.
Cao Zhenghe shook his head. "I don’t know that either. The True Monarchs all cultivate inside a Secret Realm. They won’t show themselves unless the Royal Family is facing a major crisis."
These words made Xia Wuyang even more wary of Emperor Xia and the Great Xia Royal Family. ’So the Great Xia Dynasty’s ability to control a territory of thirty-six million square kilometers isn’t just based on its apparent power. It’s because they have a trump card like an Extraordinary True Monarch.’
’It seems I’ll have to be even more careful from now on. I must accumulate enough strength before I can even consider seeking revenge.’
Following Cao Zhenghe, Xia Wuyang entered another secret chamber and took a High Level Miracle Treasure, a Vermilion Fruit.
The fruit was crimson all over, with fiery patterns flowing across its surface. It gave off a faint heat, making it perfectly suitable for an Upper Third Grade Martial Artist to consume.
’If I eat this, it should raise my Cultivation by at least one or two minor realms. With the power of the Dragon Saliva Grass as well, the First Grade is no longer far off.’
"The Vermilion Fruit matures once every few hundred years. Besides raising one’s Cultivation Realm, it also has some effect on purifying Qi and Blood," Cao Zhenghe reminded him.
Xia Wuyang nodded and took some other items that wouldn’t be easily missed: a few Middle-Low Level Miracle Treasures, a High Level Mortal Artifact Set, and various other rare treasures... He only stopped when his Personal Space was nearly full.
"How will you explain the disappearance of these treasures?" Xia Wuyang asked.
Cao Zhenghe smiled. "Rest assured, Emperor. For some of these, I’ll create the illusion of loss or damage. For others, I’ll make it seem as though they were taken by certain members of the Royal Family... And even for those that are difficult to conceal, I’ll delay their discovery for as long as possible."
"Good. I’ll leave this matter to you," Xia Wuyang said with a nod, then quietly departed from the Inner Treasury.
’In a few more days, my Cultivation Foundation should be completely stable. Then, perhaps, I can finally consume that stalk of Dragon Saliva Grass.’
’When that time comes, my Cultivation Realm is bound to soar again. Will I reach the Second Grade Late Stage, or maybe even Second Grade Perfection?’

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