Chapter 17

Liu Bian said to the gathered generals with a solemn expression: "All generals, after you finish court, go to your respective armies, transmit the cultivation method to each of your armies, ensure every soldier cultivates the method."

The generals shouted in unison: "We will obey the edict and surely transmit the cultivation method into every soldier's hands!"

Liu Bian asked the crowd: "If there is anything you still don't understand, you may speak now."

Cao Cao, near the great hall, hurriedly spoke and asked Liu Bian doubtfully: "Your Majesty, how are the strengths and weaknesses of martial arts divided, and do cultivation methods have strengths and weaknesses?"

Liu Bian said: "Since I have already imparted the cultivation method to you, it is also time to tell you about cultivation. Cao, the Loving Minister is right: in the cultivation world, the martial dao realm can be divided into the mortal realm and the immortal realm; I will not speak of the immortal realm, for it is still far from you. Now I will tell you about the division of the mortal realm of martial dao."

In the cultivation of martial dao, within the mortal realm, roughly from low to high, it can be divided into: Postnatal Realm, Innate Realm, Martial Ancestor Realm, Martial King Realm, Martial Emperor Realm, Martial Venerable Realm, Martial Saint Realm, Martial God Realm, and Martial Emperor Realm.

Liu Bian finished speaking, glanced lightly at the stunned crowd below, then quietly watched those who had fallen into a daze, giving them time to digest the shock of this result: "The cultivation of Confucian dao also distinguishes mortal and immortal realms; the mortal realm, from low to high, can be divided into: Child Scholar, Scholar, Recommended Candidate, Presented Scholar, Hanlin Academy, Grand Scholar, Great Scholar, Half Sage, Lesser Sage, and Confucian Sage. The first nine levels correspond respectively to the nine levels of martial dao, and the final Confucian Sage equals the immortal realm of martial dao. Each realm also has nine layers; one must reach the ninth heaven of that realm before being able to cultivate and break through to the lower realm."

After the people in the great hall regained their composure, they all exclaimed with emotion: "Ah, I never imagined martial arts had so many realm divisions; it seems we were previously blindfolded by a single leaf, and now I finally know who I am!"

Yuan Shao, suddenly standing beside the great hall, asked softly: "Your Majesty, I don't know, what realm is your cultivation currently in?"

Upon hearing Yuan Shao's question, Yuan Kui standing in front hastily rebuked Yuan Shao: "Yuan'er, do not be presumptuous; the Emperor's cultivation reaches the heavens, how could we possibly know? Hurry up and apologize to the Emperor!" After speaking, he cautiously glanced at Liu Bian.

Liu Bian gave Yuan Kui a reassuring look and said softly: "Old Loving Minister Yuan, there's no need to be nervous; this isn't something unknowable. My cultivation has just broken through to the Postnatal Seventh Heaven."

Upon hearing this, the officials instantly lost their composure: "What, the Emperor's strength is so great, yet it's only Postnatal Seventh Layer? The higher realms must be incredibly powerful—truly something to look forward to!" They felt that the shock of their entire lives combined could not compare to today's.

Considering the divine might Liu Bian displayed five days ago, they thought his strength should be above the Martial Ancestor Realm; yet the result, the Postnatal Seventh Layer, is that powerful. Thinking of the cultivation method they had just received, they could not help but anticipate.

Liu Bian ignored the crowd's shock and continued: "As for the cultivation method grades, from low to high they can be divided into: Mortal Grade, Yellow Grade, Mystic Grade, Heaven Grade, etc.; each grade is further divided into Lower, Middle, Upper, and Extreme Grades."

Cao Cao, hearing this, turned to Liu Bian with a face full of curiosity and asked: "Your Majesty, what grade is the cultivation method you have transmitted to us?"

Liu Bian explained to the crowd: "The cultivation method I have imparted to you is currently Yellow Grade Upper Grade; however, once I unify Tian Xia, there will be a way to raise the method's grade. The method you cultivate is capable of growth; such a method can be encountered but not sought."

In the great hall, among the civil officials' ranks, slightly toward the rear, a young man stepped forward, looked at Liu Bian with full anticipation, and bowed to ask: "Your Majesty, Minister Xun Yu, I still have a doubt; may I ask Your Majesty to resolve it for me?"

Liu Bian fixed his gaze, and his heart instantly blossomed with joy: "Xun Yu! He is actually here too!"

In historical records, Xun Yu was indeed one of Cao Cao's important advisors, exceptionally talented and widely praised. However, according to the records, after Dong Zhuo entered the capital, Xun Yu deeply resented his brutal conduct and therefore resolutely resigned his office and returned to his hometown. As for exactly when he left the Gongting, the records do not clearly state. But now it appears Xun Yu has not yet resigned his office and left the Gongting, which fills Liu Bian's heart with a hint of delight.

Liu Bian silently made up his mind: "Xun Yu, Xun Yu, I will surely cherish your talent and will never let you lament your life."

Facing Xun Yu's question, Liu Bian's face showed a gentle smile: "Loving Minister, what do you wish to ask Me? Please speak freely."

Xun Yu asked, his face full of doubt, expressing what was in his heart: "Your Majesty, I have often heard you say that many problems can only be resolved after the unification of Tian Xia; the cultivation issues of those over thirty years old, as well as the current method improvement problems, are all related to the unification of Tian Xia you mentioned. I, your humble servant, do not understand; please, Your Majesty, resolve my doubt."

Liu Bian looked at the people in the great hall, all wearing doubtful expressions, gave a slight smile, and spoke lightly: "Hehe, Loving Minister Xun's question is excellent; I think you are also curious about this—how could this still be related to the great matter of unifying Tian Xia? Then today I will tell you all at once!"

Liu Bian, with a solemn face, slowly said to the people in the great hall: "This matter is not exactly unspeakable; speaking of it, one must mention a force: the Yun Dynasty. As long as I establish the Yun Dynasty, many problems will be readily resolved."

Xun Yu hastily asked: "May I ask Your Majesty, what kind of force is the Yun Dynasty?"

From ancient times to the present, the states established on this continent have been merely mundane kingdoms; the longest-lasting among them is only a few hundred years, and the average lifespan is only a few decades.

However, the Yun Dynasty is different. If someone can gather the fortune of all beings under Tian Xia and establish a fortune-based nation, then all the people of the Yun Dynasty will receive fortune's blessing: the realm will be peaceful and prosperous, winds favorable and rains timely; those blessed with fortune can strengthen their bodies, remain free from illness, their cultivation speed will greatly increase, the concentration of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy within the realm will rise, newborn children's cultivation aptitude will improve, and there is a high probability of special constitutions being born.

Liu Bian introduced the wonders of the Yun Dynasty in one breath to the people below: "The ruler of the Yun Dynasty and the ministers in court possess more fortune, so their cultivation speed will be faster. When facing strong enemies, they can draw upon part of the Yun Dynasty's fortune to bolster themselves, raising their cultivation realm against the foe. In short, the growth of the Yun Dynasty has no upper limit; the Yun Dynasty is a divine immortal nation, and by then, you all will have the possibility of becoming immortal ancestors and achieving longevity."

Liu Bian finished speaking, then quietly looked at the stunned crowd below, his face full of shock.

After a full quarter of an hour, it was still the generals who first regained their senses: "Huu—," hearing the many gasps, everyone fully woke up, drew a cold breath—it was truly shocking.

Liu Bian instructed the crowd, then waved his hand, signaling the end of court: "If you have no other business, dismiss court now; you have plenty to do, so seize the time—when you return, don't forget to cultivate!"

Eunuch Chief Steward Li Liangcheng shouted loudly: "Dismiss court!"