This Life's Song: The Genius Rune Master

"So what's the highest level in your Central Continent right now?" Lian Xue asked after hearing what he said.

Lu Yaorao simply listened to the two of them without saying a word, walking forward and occasionally picking a leaf to play with.

Upon hearing Lian Xue's question, Qi Nianbei replied, "The highest level in the Central Continent is currently the Martial Emperor realm."

"How many Martial Emperor realm experts are there?"

"It is said that there are six major sects with Martial Emperors or even higher, but it is only heard of and no one has ever seen them. As for the three kingdoms, there are also Martial Emperors in charge, otherwise they could not stand firm. The remaining six sects also have those who are about to break through to the Martial Emperor realm. As for the four cities and below, most of them are Martial Kings or Martial Sects." It can be said that Qi Nianbei has told everything he knows at this moment.

"So, which country are you from?"

Qi Nianbei said, "The country I live in is called the Western Neighboring Country. Our home is located in the main city of the Western Neighboring Country."

"Isn't there also the neighboring Northern Forest Kingdom to the south?" Could this place be divided into east, west, south, and north? Lian Xue looked at Qi Nianbei with an "I understand" expression.

Hearing Lian Xue's question, Qi Nianbei was speechless. "Hehe~ cough! That's just because it's said that the first emperor was called Xi Lin, and there's no concept of east, west, south, or north. The other two countries are Zhan Yue Kingdom and Feng Xiao Kingdom, and there are natural barriers between the countries, so there are very few wars."

"Then wouldn't you, the Central Continent, live a very peaceful and prosperous life?"

"Live in peace and contentment? Junior Sister, as cultivators, we have already entered another realm. How can we live in peace and contentment? What is the purpose of cultivation?" Lu Yaorao couldn't help but ask.

"Senior Sister, isn't cultivation for a better life, and then to be carefree and unrestrained?" Lian Xue looked at her senior sister with a puzzled expression.

"Sigh! Junior Sister, you've been in the mortal realm for too long and don't know how cruel the cultivation world is. For a little opportunity or even to improve your strength, you have to compete and sacrifice a lot. For example, the spirit-gathering bag that Young Master Qi gave you is not something that everyone can have."

So remember, don't show off in front of others. And those so-called peaceful and prosperous lives are only for those with superb strength. Not everyone has the right to live a wonderful life." Lu Yaorao looked at the little girl with concern. She didn't know if the little girl would listen to what she was saying. After all, she had lived a carefree life since childhood, which was why her thinking was so simple.

"So there's competition everywhere!" Lianxue said, seemingly understanding but not quite.

"Senior Sister Lu is right. Even though it looks peaceful now, disputes are inevitable. Moreover, this barrier is not permanent and may lose its effectiveness at any time. So everything is unknown."

My father always reminded me that one should not do evil, but one should never be afraid of trouble either. Most importantly, if you are merciful to your enemies, you will only be waiting to die.” Qi Nianbei looked at this girl who was a few years younger than him and recalled her previous battles. He believed that Lian Xue was not an ignorant person; it was just that no one had enlightened her, and she had never experienced competition, which was why her mind was so clouded…

"Is that so?" Lianxue was still hesitant.

"Yes, competition is unavoidable in this cultivation world. For example, in the Ghost Forest, higher-level animals want to hunt lower-level ones."

Those of lower level also want to cultivate to higher level and take their place; those with intelligence kill those without intelligence; those at level nine also want to advance to level ten so that they can transform into human form.

The competition became even fiercer afterward. And even our cultivation resources had to be fought for ourselves, such as pills, medicinal herbs, spirit stones, cultivation techniques, talismans, and formations used on this continent…” Lu Yaorao strongly agreed with Qi Nianbei’s statement.

Looking at this child who was a few years older than her junior sister, she only had approval in her eyes. After all, as the young master of Duobao Pavilion, it was a given that she was knowledgeable and experienced, far more so than Lian Xue. It seemed that it was the right thing for her master to bring her junior sister out.

Qi Nianbei looked at the two of them and said, "The main reason why our continent is at peace now is because of the sects. All the royal children have to go to the sects to study and cultivate, so the balance is maintained for the time being."

"Does that mean anyone can join a sect?" Lianxue asked.

Qi Nianbei then said, "These are generally for members of the royal family. There are a few spots that can be entered directly, or you can enter by passing an assessment test. There is also a way to enter if you hold a sect's purple token. Of course, the royal family's spots are only available because of royal spirit stone subsidies. They are not free and do not come with special privileges. Even if you pass the assessment, you still need to pay for it yourself. This is in the best interest of a sect for long-term development."

"What happens if I don't join a sect? Can't I cultivate on my own?" Lianxue continued to ask.

"It's actually possible not to add people. For example, some independent cultivators rely on seizing resources to cultivate. But the problem is that they often don't have that many resources and can only obtain them through secret realms. Moreover, they will face bullying and pursuit from the disciples of large families and sects. It's not that no one succeeds in cultivation, but compared to sects, the number is still very small."

"As for sects, they offer cultivation techniques, elixirs, training methods, teacher guidance, direct sect competitions, and various small secret realm activities. After completing their studies, many places are willing to accept them, and the people and things they encounter are different. Joining a sect brings even more benefits." At this moment, Qi Nianbei answered Lian Xue's question like a walking encyclopedia.

Lian Xue heard these words and kept them in mind. She realized that the mortal world and the cultivation world were indeed very different, and the gap between them was really obvious. Since it was a field that had to be fought for, she had to work hard to improve her strength and not hold her master back. She silently made a decision in her heart.

Lianxue then asked, "When does your sect recruit students, and what are the recruitment tests like?"

"Sects recruit students roughly every five years. In the latter half of the year of recruitment, all sects take the exam together. After passing, students can choose different mentors or directly become disciples. The test content varies greatly and is different every time recruitment starts, so I can't answer that."

"This year is the perfect time to recruit students, and I'm old enough to join a sect now." Qi Nianbei's face showed longing when he talked about sects.

"Alright, we've taken so long, we've asked enough questions, shouldn't we hurry up?" Lu Yaorao said.

"Senior Sister, how do we speed things up?" Lian Xue asked, looking puzzled.

"See these big trees in front of us? We channel our spiritual energy into our feet and leap forward," Lu Yaorao said, lifting her skirt and tying it in a knot at her waist.

Then, he stepped forward with his right foot and supported himself with his left foot, channeling spiritual energy into both feet. He then leaped, landing on a nearby tree and using a small triangular leap to jump down to the next tree. After several quick movements, he was no longer visible as the trees obscured his figure.

Following her senior sister's example, Lianxue lifted her skirt and tied a knot. Then, mimicking her senior sister's movements, she staggered her steps, channeled her spiritual energy, and leaped. She didn't jump as high as her senior sister, only managing to maintain a height of about ten feet.

The first time I tried, I didn't have enough strength and fell down. I got up without making a sound, mustered my strength again, and jumped forward.

Qi Nianbei followed behind Lian Xue.

Lianxue fell three times before finally mastering the use of spiritual energy, leaping and catching up with her senior sister's pace, but the distance was still far, and the height was still one zhang.

She now understood her senior sister's intention: using spiritual power to maintain balance on both feet would make her more flexible in circulating spiritual power, and jumping would make her leg muscles stronger, and her body would also be able to maintain good balance.

He jumped onto a tree again, accidentally cutting his wrist, but didn't care and continued darting forward.

Unbeknownst to her, the bracelet on her wrist was stained with blood and faintly glowed green, matching the color of the forest.