Meanwhile, inside Elder Gu's study.
Elder Gu was currently seated in a chair, while Gu You stood respectfully before him.
"You'er, do you hold any resentment regarding today's events?" Gu Cheng asked slowly.
"Father, I have no objections whatsoever." Gu You paused for a moment before adding, "As you know, I reached the Grade 6 Peak a few days ago, and ordinary resources have virtually no effect when it comes to breaking through to the Rank 7 True Qi Realm."
"You'er, you are my son; how could I not know your temperament?" Gu Cheng shook his head with a bitter smile. "You have been obsessed with martial arts since childhood and possess a stubborn nature. How could you possibly consider advancing to the seventh rank without attempting to charge into the Blood-Changing Realm's Lesser Consummation?"
A martial artist's cultivation is divided into nine ranks, with each rank further subdivided into Early Stage, Mid Stage, Late Stage, and Peak.
However, the sixth and ninth ranks are rather special.
Both the sixth and ninth grades are extremely crucial milestones in martial arts cultivation. Consequently, they each feature two additional minor realms: Lesser Consummation and Greater Consummation.
The Blood-Changing Realm is divided into six minor realms based on the number of blood refinements: Early Stage (one or two times), Mid Stage (three or four times), Late Stage (five or six times), Peak (seven times), Lesser Consummation (eight times), and Greater Consummation (nine times).
Although a martial artist can break through to the seventh rank simply by reaching the Grade 6 Peak—which is undergoing blood refinement seven times—advancing to the seventh rank after progressing further along the sixth-grade path will make a martial artist's potential and combat prowess far surpass those of the same tier.
Therefore, any ambitious genius will refuse to break through directly to the seventh rank right at the Grade 6 Peak, unless there is truly no other way.
"I am indeed reluctant to break through to the seventh rank with a cultivation level at the Grade 6 Peak, but even without this matter concerning Feng'er, I fear it would be exceedingly difficult for me to reach the Blood-Changing Realm's Lesser Consummation."
"Rather than wasting time on such uncertain prospects, it is better to break through sooner and strive to advance to Rank 9 at the earliest possible date," Gu You said with a helpless sigh.
"Moreover, Feng'er is only fifteen years old, yet his cultivation is already on the verge of catching up with mine."
"If the family devotes all its resources to him, perhaps our Gu Family will produce an invincible Grandmaster in the future."
That was a supreme existence capable of anchoring a kingdom for centuries.
At this thought, Gu You could not help feeling his heart surge with emotion, his body trembling slightly.
Seeing this, Gu Cheng wore a rare flash of excitement on his face before speaking with a hint of guilt: "It is your father who has failed you. Given your aptitude, had you been born into a major clan in the royal city, you would never have had to worry about these ordinary cultivation resources."
"Father, please do not say such things. You have already given us far too much—our starting point is much higher than that of most people in this world," Gu You comforted him.
After hesitating for a moment inwardly, he ultimately asked, "Father... what on earth is going on with Feng'er's cultivation?"
"I am not entirely clear myself. Yesterday morning, Feng'er suddenly came to see me and told me that it took him only a single year to advance from First Grade all the way to the Sixth Grade Realm," Gu Cheng explained.
"What? One year?" Gu You's expression changed drastically as he asked in disbelief.
"Yes, that is precisely what Feng'er said," Gu Cheng confirmed with a nod.
Gu You's expression flickered uncertainly. After a long period of contemplation, he said, "How could anyone break through so many realms in a single year? I'm afraid there are secrets here that we know nothing about."
Elder Gu nodded. "I suspect Feng'er has indeed encountered fortunes unknown to us."
"However, as long as he is a descendant of our Gu Family, we naturally will not pry into our own family member's opportunities."
"Indeed," Gu You agreed with a nod.
"Our Gu Family commands absolute authority here in Anshuang County, but looking across the entire Taicang Kingdom, factions far more powerful than us are everywhere."
"Therefore, you must all remain united as one and never turn your blades against your own blood," Elder Gu said earnestly, straightening his posture slightly.
"Father, all of us brothers understood this principle since childhood," Gu You replied with a wry smile, shaking his head before adding: "In order to make us understand this truth, you deliberately gave us the names we bear today."
"Indeed. Looking ahead without looking behind, looking left without looking right, and in the end, everything turns to dust."
"Back then, I hoped that you brothers would remain united as one for all eternity, which is why I named you Gan, Hou, Zuo, and You respectively," Elder Gu said with a sigh and a trace of nostalgia, seemingly recalling days gone by.
"My brothers and I all understand your profound intentions. No matter how formidable an individual may be, it is impossible to be omnipotent."
"Even if you can look after one or two sides, how could you possibly guard against three, four, or countless sides?"
Elder Gu nodded with satisfaction and said, "Martial cultivation may require an indomitable and unstoppable momentum, but in human affairs and conduct, one must never look only ahead while neglecting what lies behind."
"Family development still requires unity and thoroughness in all aspects."
***
After leaving the martial arts arena, Gu Feng intended to return to his quarters to cultivate. Suddenly burdened with the hopes of the entire clan, he could not help feeling a heavy weight in his heart.
Yet, having lived a second life in this world of cultivation, if he didn't strive and fight with all his might, and fail to reach the pinnacle, he felt it would be an everlasting regret.
"Greetings, Third Brother. Did you just come from the martial arts arena?"
Suddenly, a slightly surprised voice rang out.
Gu Feng looked in the direction of the voice and saw a somewhat slender youth standing there. The youth was around twelve or thirteen years old, with eyes as clear as deep pools, delicate facial features tinged with a hint of resilience, and dressed in a plain cyan robe.
Seeing Gu Feng look over, the youth hastily cupped his fists and bowed deeply.
"Ah, it's the Sixth Brother. Where are you headed?" Gu Feng asked casually after returning the greeting with a cupped-first salute.
Gu Lingyun lowered his head and answered truthfully, "I went to the martial arts arena for my morning practice as usual, but the family guards stopped me. Steward Ye said Grandpa needs to use the arena temporarily, so morning practice is canceled."
Gu Lingyun paused for a moment, then quickly added, "I stayed at home for a while and was planning to go check out the arena again."
Gu Feng looked at him with slight curiosity and asked, "Why must you go to the martial arts arena?"
"Third Brother, my aptitude is poor, so naturally I must work harder at my cultivation to compensate for my clumsiness with diligence. Otherwise, it will be very difficult for me to reach the Grade 4 Late Stage before I turn sixteen," Gu Lingyun said with a bitter smile on his face.
The Gu Family rules stipulated that if one had not reached the Grade 4 Late Stage by their coming-of-age ceremony at sixteen, the family would no longer waste resources on their cultivation, leaving them to fend for themselves thereafter.
After finishing, Gu Lingyun suddenly regretted bringing up a sore subject. He had been so caught up in talking that he forgot if anyone lacked aptitude, Third Brother probably ranked first.
Rumors circulated privately among the brothers that because Third Brother had missed the optimal age for cultivation, he hid in his courtyard every day, wallowing in self-abandonment and refusing to cultivate at all.
Gu Feng did not overthink things the way Gu Lingyun imagined. Instead, he looked at him with a degree of appreciation and asked, "With so many places in the estate, wouldn't it be fine to find any random spot to practice? You don't necessarily have to use the arena, do you?"
"The cultivation technique I practice yields better results when combined with the family's specially crafted 'stone locks'. Those stone locks are only available in the martial arts arena," Gu Lingyun explained.
Stone locks were actually exercise tools crafted by polishing hard boulders. They were generally square in shape, with a rounded handle on top and a hollowed-out section beneath the handle to allow fingers to pass through and grip it.
Ranging in size, stone locks weighed anywhere from dozens to thousands of kilograms. They were one of the common auxiliary tools used by martial artists to temper their bodies, and long-term perseverance yielded excellent results in refining blood and Qi.
"I see. I just came from the arena area—it's available for normal use again now. Hurry along," Gu Feng said with a nod.
"Thank you, Third Brother. I'm off then," Gu Lingyun said, bowing gratefully to Gu Feng.
Gu Feng nodded and continued walking toward his quarters, while Gu Lingyun walked briskly toward the martial arts arena. The two passed each other, growing gradually distant.
"Sixth Brother."
After walking a short distance, Gu Feng suddenly turned back and called out.
Gu Lingyun turned around, looked at Gu Feng in confusion, leaned forward slightly with a bow, and asked, "Is there anything else Third Brother wishes to instruct me on?"
"Don't be so formal in the future. We're all family."
With a sincere gaze, Gu Feng looked at Gu Lingyun from afar and spoke slowly.
Hearing these words, Gu Lingyun froze on the spot. After a long moment, he looked earnestly into Gu Feng's eyes and said, "Third Brother, I'll remember that."