C4 The Division of the Forces on Earth
"Tsk, I have such contempt for this planet." Meier circled back to the topic of Earth, her lips pursed in dissatisfaction. "The highest level of cultivation here is merely at the Divinity Stage, and even that's just a novice at the Divinity Early Period. It's laughably weak. Sure, this planet isn't as straightforward as it seems—it's been sealed—but reaching the Fusion Stage should still be possible. These people are just pathetic!"
"What? Earth has been sealed? By whom?" Fei Liang exclaimed, taken aback.
"It's not just Earth; the entire solar system is under a mysterious and potent seal. As for the identity of the sealer, that remains unknown," Meier explained with an air of innocence.
"Oh? And how did you come across this information, Meier?" Fei Liang asked, his tone laced with skepticism.
"I was just killing time and happened to hack into your Earth's satellite internet. Stumbled upon some so-called top-secret files," Meier said nonchalantly, her casual demeanor suggesting it was indeed an accidental discovery.
"..."
"So, who is this so-called First Expert of Earth? Is he from Hua Country?" Fei Liang inquired, looking up.
"You've got it wrong, Mr. Fei," Meier corrected him. "Firstly, this novice at the Divinity Stage isn't from Hua Country. Secondly, he's not even human!"
"Not human?" Fei Liang's smile turned mischievous. "If not human, could he be a ghost?"
"No, he's neither ghost nor human, but a demon!" Meier paused briefly before continuing, "He's a snake demon known as Yamata No Orochi, residing in a country neighboring Hua Country. In human form, Yamata No Orochi is at the Nascent Infant Late Period, but as the great serpent, he can exhibit the power of the Divinity Early Period. However, due to injuries, he can sustain that form for less than twenty minutes."
"Yamata No Orochi?" Fei Liang was astounded. "I never imagined the legends in Japan to be true. But wasn't it said to be slain by a god named Susanoo?"
Fei Liang's astonishment wasn't due to the presence of a demon on Earth or its formidable powers. Having encountered the black-clothed elder, the Yamata No Orochi didn't impress him much. His shock stemmed from the realization that the Japanese legends were indeed factual, and the Yamata No Orochi was very much alive.
"Susanoo? He's merely at the Nascent Infant Peak level. How could he possibly defeat Yamata No Orochi? He doesn't strike me as the type to overcome stronger opponents. Yet, Yamata No Orochi's injury likely has something to do with him. Moreover, whether Earth's so-called First Expert truly holds that title remains to be verified. After all, that's just what the official records show on the surface. It's probable that Earth harbors many hidden masters not accounted for in the official data," Meier explained.
Fei Liang was at a loss for words. Susanoo had actually appeared.
"And there's Shu Ying, Susanoo's sister, who is also at the Nascent Infant Peak," Meier added.
Fei Liang fell silent again.
"Meier, you keep mentioning terms like 'Nascent Infant Peak.' Are these Cultivator cultivation levels?" Fei Liang inquired.
"Both the Out of the Core and Nascent Infant stages are part of the Cultivation Realm's hierarchy. Cultivators progress through levels starting from Qi Refinement, Foundation Establishment, Light Opening, Breatharianism, Golden Core, Nascent Infant, and Out of the Core. As for the stages beyond that, Mr. Fei, there's no need for you to concern yourself with them just yet—they're quite beyond your current reach."
Fei Liang nodded, absorbing the information.
"And Earth? Does the same system apply here?" he asked.
"Earth is a bit more complex. People here may not have the highest cultivation levels, but they're split into numerous factions, each practicing different cultivation methods. So, aside from Cultivators, Earth is home to warriors, mutants, demon cultivators, members of the Blood Clan, knights, and more," Meier explained with a calm demeanor.
Fei Liang, curious, pressed on. "What are some of the major factions on Earth, and what types of Cultivators exist?"
"There are far too many to list, but let's start with Hua Country," Meier paused briefly before continuing, "In Hua Country, the Dragon Group represents the official power. Unofficially, we have Shu Mountain, Kunlun, Kongtong, the Witch Clan, and the enigmatic Immeasurable Sect. As for the Nanyang region, they have the Subduing Heads Group, and R Country has..." Meier went on, detailing the various forces one by one.
"Meier, what exactly constitutes a Super Force?" Fei Liang asked promptly after Meier finished her explanation.
"On Earth today, those at the Nascent Infant Stage are considered the pinnacle of mastery. Any expert who has reached the Nascent Infant Stage is part of a Super Force," Meier responded.
"Then, by that logic, the Immeasurable Sect would be the most enigmatic and potentially the strongest of these forces?" Fei Liang pondered aloud.
"Exactly. There's very little information available about the Immeasurable Sect, and what is available is vague," Meier confirmed.
"Please, continue," Fei Liang urged with gravity in his voice.
"Alright. The following is the hierarchy and classification of Earth's cultivators," Meier said, as a holographic display materialized in Fei Liang's mind.
Cultivators:
- Qi Refining Stage
- Foundation Establishment Stage
- Light Opening Stage
- Breatharianism
- Peak of Breatharianism
- Golden Core Stage
- Golden Core Great Perfection
- Nascent Infant Stage
- Nascent Infant Peak
- Yellow Level
- Profound Level
- Earth Level
- Heaven Level
- Heaven Level Great Perfection
Demon Cultivators:
- Qi Refining Stage
- Foundation Establishment Stage
- Light Opening Stage
- Demon Residence Stage
- Peak of the Demon Residence
- Demon Core Stage
- Demon Core Great Perfection
- Demon Infant Stage
- Demon Infant Peak
- E-class
- D-class
- C-class
- B-class
- A-class
- S-class
- 2S-class
- 3S-class
- 4S-class
- Level One
- Level Two
- Level Three
- Level Four
- Level Five
- Level Six
- Level Seven
- Level Eight
Ninjas:
- Lower Ninja
- Middle Ninja
- Upper Ninja
- Great Ninja
- Special Ninja
- Imperial Heavenly Guard
- Divine Grace Illusionist
- Ancient Heavenly Emperor
Magicians:
- Acolyte
- Priest
- High Priest
- Archbishop
- Quasi-Cardinal
- Cardinal
- Grand Cardinal
- Quasi-Pope
Knights:
- Black Armored Knight
- Green Armored Knight
- White Armored Knight
- Silver Armored Knight
- Golden Armored Knight
- Crusader
- Round Table Knight
- Divine Knight
Blood Clan:
- Baron
- Viscount
- Earl
- Marquess
- Duke
- Lord
- Prince
- Quasi-Emperor
- Emperor
"In Hua Country, warriors who achieve Heaven Level Great Perfection can transition from martial arts to the Golden Core Stage," Meier added. "Mr. Fei, you could actually venture into the Apocalyptic Civilization once you've attained the Yellow Level."
"Yellow Level, at the very bottom..." Fei Liang muttered to himself with a sigh, "It's my own doing, no one else to blame."
"The Yellow Level isn't as subpar as you might think," Meier said with a twist of her mouth. "Early Yellow Level strength is comparable to a regular special forces operative. Middle Period is on par with the elite of special forces, and late-stage is among the secular world's finest. As for those at the Profound Level and beyond, they seldom engage in the secular world."
"In practical terms, someone at the Early Profound Level can take on five adults, a Mid Yellow Level individual can handle two at the early stage, someone at the Late Yellow Level can manage two at the Middle Period, and someone at the Early Profound Level can take on three at the Late Yellow Level, and so on," Meier continued, "Mr. Fei, are you following?"
"So, a master at the Late Yellow Level could take on around twenty average adults?" Fei Liang pondered.
"Exactly," Meier confirmed with a nod. "Which means, Mr. Fei, with your Late Yellow Level abilities, you're ready for the Apocalyptic Civilization."
Fei Liang chuckled wryly, "We've finally circled back to that topic."
After a few more miscellaneous inquiries, Fei Liang grew weary. With eyes closed, it wasn't long before Fei Liang drifted off to sleep.
Little did he know, Meier also let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Soon after Fei Liang succumbed to slumber, the chaotic Spirit Bead in his hand emitted a faint white glow before vanishing into his body, unseen.
