Chapter 912: Classification of Primordial Embryos

In the blink of an eye, Zhang Xuan had thoroughly understood the contents of this book.

The earlier part detailed the process of Confucius becoming a saint. Most of the experiences were similar to the insights left on the Saint Sealing Platform, but more detailed, including not only feelings but also various real-world actions.

"So complicated?"

Zhang Xuan's brow gradually furrowed.

He had thought that the so-called Saint Sealing Solution was a simple technique, and that following the steps would greatly increase his strength, but it was not that easy.

To be recognized as a saint by heaven required not only strong true qi and power, but more importantly... cultivating the mind along with it.

The so-called cultivation of the mind was actually tempering the psyche.

This kind of practice did not enhance combat ability, but it broadened one's mind, allowing one to see further and reach higher.

Only when the mind reached a state of embracing all things and encompassing heaven and earth would the dantian naturally become broader, able to contain more true qi.

"The Cocoon Seal realm, also called the Embryo Concealment realm, Embryo Concealment realm, or Golden Core realm. It means accumulating cultivation and condensing a primordial embryo (golden core) within the body. Once successful, merging it with oneself breaks through shackles and becomes a spirit or saint..."

Seeing him put on his previous clothes and read the book seriously, Mu Shi puppet no longer dwelled on it, explaining, "You have already cultivated to this level, so you must have a deep understanding of this realm."

Zhang Xuan nodded.

The Cocoon Seal realm was essentially condensing all the true qi in the body into an embryo, transforming it into a pill. In simple terms, it turned gaseous true qi into a solid form.

This way, the body could contain more true qi. Once the primordial embryo was formed, one could conceal the embryo and become a saint, reaching a higher realm.

Although he had not collected a heavenly technique higher than the Cocoon Seal realm, the true qi in his body had begun to converge toward the center, forming a true qi vortex in the dantian. With diligent cultivation, condensing the primordial embryo was only a matter of time.

"In normal cultivation, as long as one follows the steps and works hard, the true qi in the body can quickly condense, but... that is only the worst kind of primordial embryo, the so-called third-grade primordial embryo!"

Mu Shi puppet said.

"Third-grade primordial embryo? Primordial embryos have grades?" Zhang Xuan was full of doubt.

He had never heard of this before.

Even though he had collected many professional books in the academy, he had never seen such an introduction.

"Of course they have grades, but very few people know about it!"

Mu Shi puppet shook his head: "This grading was proposed by one of Confucius's students. He wanted to inform all cultivators, but Confucius stopped him! It was kept secret, so fewer and fewer people know about it!"

"Confucius stopped him?" Zhang Xuan was puzzled.

Wasn't Confucius the teacher of all ages? He made great contributions to humanity, founded the master teacher profession, and spread the heritage to all of humanity. How could such a person deliberately conceal information?

"Confucius did this for the sake of humanity!"

Mu Shi puppet sighed and did not let Zhang Xuan wonder long, continuing, "For ordinary cultivators like us, as long as we work hard, we can basically condense a third-grade primordial embryo. The second-grade is much harder! Not only does it require a large amount of cultivation materials, but also guidance. One mistake can lead to total failure."

"In other words, to condense a second-grade primordial embryo, the cost is at least ten times that of a third-grade... Humanity cannot afford such a cost! Most importantly, not everyone can succeed; it requires extremely high talent and mental disposition. If it fails, at best the primordial embryo is destroyed and cultivation is crippled; at worst, death on the spot, beyond even the gods' help..."

Mu Shi puppet shook his head: "If the news of the grades were known, countless master teachers would risk trying to enhance their combat power... The consequence would only increase the burden on humanity, causing many to go mad and die, rather than cultivating more experts."

"This..."

After a moment's hesitation, Zhang Xuan finally nodded.

What the other said was correct.

To strive for a higher-grade primordial embryo naturally required paying a price!

Many people, limited by their talent, would not only fail but also harm themselves if they forced it.

It was like a snake trying to swallow an elephant; it was only the size of a well rope, yet it wanted to devour an elephant several meters long. Even if it succeeded, it might end up killing itself.

The same applied to the grades of primordial embryos.

Knowing this news, if one did not attempt it, there would be a flaw in the mind, feeling inferior to others... thus limiting future achievements.

But knowing also brought danger...

Ignorance is bliss; sometimes, ignorance is a kind of happiness.

"A high-grade primordial embryo only means stronger combat power at the same level... But the cost could train a Saint Domain second or even third realm expert! Paying such a price just to raise the primordial embryo by one small grade... Anyone should know how to choose!"

Mu Shi puppet continued: "Especially for a teacher of all ages like Confucius, who considered humanity's future! Moreover, the main ability of the master teacher profession is to train more humans to reach the peak. Teaching is the priority. Even if combat power at the same level is slightly weaker, it does not matter much."

"Indeed!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

This secret was too shocking; if it spread, it would overturn the cultivation world. Doing so would only bring psychological pressure and burden... with no benefit.

It was better not to say anything, letting everyone remain ignorant of this matter.

Furthermore, the main profession of master teachers was 'teaching' and 'heritage,' not fighting. Even a third-grade primordial embryo was acceptable.

With their understanding of techniques and martial skills, they were still unrivaled in many professions.

"You said ordinary cultivators only have third-grade primordial embryos. Then... what are people with second-grade primordial embryos like?" Having understood the other's purpose, Zhang Xuan stopped dwelling and continued asking.

"Most second-grade primordial embryos belong to war masters!"

Mu Shi puppet said.

"War masters?"

"Yes! War masters do not need to study auxiliary subjects; they focus on combat and have more energy for martial cultivation. Coupled with the free supply from the Master Teacher Pavilion and all of humanity, as well as their own talent, condensing a second-grade primordial embryo is not difficult!"

At this point, Mu Shi puppet paused and continued, "Back then, Confucius forcibly separated the war master profession from the master teacher profession, actually to pass on the grading of primordial embryos!"

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

No wonder that Wu Xu he encountered earlier, also at the peak of the Cocoon Seal realm, could suppress Hu Yaoyao, Xue Zhenyang, and others single-handedly. It was not because Dong Xin and the others lacked talent, but because their primordial embryo grade... was insufficient!

Thus, whether in true qi purity or control over power, they were inferior to him. Being defeated was only natural.

"War masters only have second-grade primordial embryos... What about the first grade?"

Zhang Xuan asked again.

War masters were so powerful, yet they only had second-grade. Wouldn't the first grade be even more terrifying?

"The first-grade primordial embryo exists only in legends; no one has succeeded in a long time! I have never seen it. It is said that Confucius might have had it... Of course, the specifics are not recorded in books, so I dare not jump to conclusions..."

Mu Shi puppet explained.

"No one has succeeded?" Zhang Xuan was startled.

"Yes! That is why I suspect that the first-grade primordial embryo is... the main reason for becoming a heaven-recognized saint! Therefore, I have always wanted to achieve a first-grade primordial embryo, spending no less than several hundred years on it... In the end, I only condensed a second-grade upper-upper-grade primordial embryo, still failing!"

Mu Shi puppet smiled bitterly.

For a dream with an unknown outcome, he had wasted several hundred years, nearly half his life. Anyone would regret it deeply.

"Second-grade upper grade?"

"Yes, primordial embryos are not only divided into first, second, and third grades, but each grade is further divided into four levels: lower, middle, upper, and supreme! I was able to condense this grade only after great cost, experiencing life-and-death situations, and wasting countless years!"

"After succeeding, although I could fight above my level, my peers who were weaker and less talented than me... had already reached Saint Domain fourth or fifth realm. Seeing this, I realized my mistake! At that time, I was just an ordinary Saint Domain... I had already missed the best age for advancement, unable to reach higher realms for the rest of my life, ultimately stuck at the first realm peak... The regret in my heart is unimaginable!"

"Only then did I understand why Confucius deliberately concealed this news... If talent is insufficient, even success is a waste of time! Think about it: Is a Saint Domain fourth realm expert more useful to humanity, or a Saint Domain first realm peak? The answer is obvious!"

Mu Shi puppet's eyes showed regret.

Saint Domain experts had a lifespan limit, at most two thousand years. He had wasted his youngest seven or eight hundred years on advancing the primordial embryo, missing the golden period of cultivation. As his physical functions declined, further breakthroughs became impossible.

Meanwhile, those who competed with him back then, with inferior strength and talent, had all reached Saint Domain fourth or fifth realm... What use was a higher-grade primordial embryo? What use was being invincible at the same level? Could he fight across several levels?

Obviously not.

So, in summary, insufficient talent meant wasting time.

"Knowing this, I specially set up this Record Mountain to assess combat power. Only those who are below half-saint and can defeat me, a Saint Domain first realm initial stage, are qualified to know this news and have hope... to successfully condense a higher-grade primordial embryo... Because such talent surpasses mine, they might succeed and fulfill what I could not!"

Mu Shi looked at him with blazing eyes.

"You are only at the initial stage of the Cocoon Seal realm, yet you defeated me and came all the way here. Your understanding of combat and your combat power are unmatched in tens of thousands of years... If you can cultivate this Saint Sealing Solution, you might condense a higher-grade primordial embryo and have a chance to strive for a heaven-recognized saint!"

"Me? Have hope?"

Hearing his words and seeing his fervent gaze, Zhang Xuan was startled.