Chapter 2823

Yun Xi glanced at Duke An. "Duke An emerged suddenly at that time, stabilizing the situation in Wu. That is why he was granted the title of Duke An."

Yun Xi understood now. Fifty years ago, the situation in Wu was far more difficult than the current crisis with the Great Scholars. It involved a succession dispute between the old and new emperors, while hidden nobles coveted the throne. The late Emperor had twenty-one sons and died suddenly without a will. The chaos was unimaginable. Without Duke An, Wu might have already fallen out of the top four nations.

The presence of a Golden Book Qi master stabilized the realm. Duke An personally supported the Seventh Prince, son of the Empress Yuan, to take the throne. No one dared object. This showed how crucial a Golden Book Qi master was to a nation.

Yun Xi pondered. He already knew that Golden Book Qi corresponded to the ninth level of Qi Refinement. But why did people here stop there and not break through?

"Gentlemen," Yun Xi asked, "I am curious. Is there a level beyond Golden Book Qi?"

Wang Lanxuan looked at Yun Xi, puzzled. Yun Xi had already broken through, so why ask? What was his goal?

"Guardian Duke," Prince Yong said, "to be honest, we feel there should be a breakthrough beyond Golden Book Qi. I have stayed at this level for seventy years. My Book Qi is thick, but I cannot break through to the next layer."

Who didn’t seek the highest cultivation? Prince Yong wanted it too, but his efforts yielded no results.

Yun Xi tilted his head. "Our moves are based on poetry and prose. Without Book Qi support, our martial arts are weaker than ordinary soldiers."

"Guardian Duke, did you think of something?" Prince Yong asked.

"It is just a suspicion," Yun Xi said. "Could our cultivation methods be flawed? I once read a book stating that cultivators must first refine Qi. One cycle around the body is a Small Heavenly Cycle. Eighty-one cycles form a Great Heavenly Cycle. Those with good talent and the right method can become supreme beings. I noticed no one here understands the Small or Great Heavenly Cycles."

Prince Yong was stunned. "You are right. Indeed, no one here knows what these cycles are."

"Guardian Duke," the Regent said, "do you mean our methods are insufficient?"

Yun Xi smiled faintly. "I only suspect. If our methods were not lacking, why would we be looked down upon?"

She didn’t say it explicitly, but the Golden Book Qi masters understood. The Vermilion Bird Plane was despised because their highest level, Golden Book Qi, was likely just an ordinary level in other planes. Why could others break through while they couldn’t? It was due to inferior methods.

As cultivators, they knew methods were vital. In the Vermilion Bird Plane, most methods were incomplete or useless.

"I think the Guardian Duke is likely correct," King Zhenjiang said.

"I am just guessing," Yun Xi smiled. "But if we had a method to try, we would know."

"Indeed," Duke An sighed. "We have too few methods in this plane."

"Does this mean we can never break through without methods?" Prince Yong asked casually.

"I am not sure," Yun Xi laughed lightly. "But the chance of breaking through with a method is much higher than without. This is just my guess. Only when we get lucky and find a method will we know the answer."

Yun Xi’s words summarized the discussion. The others realized he had subtly guided them to this conclusion. His skill was impressive.

"Guardian Duke, you are amazing," Duke An said, giving a thumbs-up. "Since that is settled, I will take the first challenge. I wish to duel with the Guardian Duke."

"Of course," Yun Xi agreed.

The duel phase began. Everyone’s spirits heightened. Fighting masters helped gain combat experience.

Book Qi users fought by writing poetry and prose, channeling their power into the words.

Yun Xi’s mind was full of poetry. As soon as he faced Duke An, his hand never stopped moving.

Each line and character transformed into powerful attacks against Duke An.

After writing five poems, Duke An spoke. "I lose this round."

Duke An was honest. He knew his weakness. Though he was a Duke, he was not skilled in poetry. He remembered many verses, but his reaction was slower than Yun Xi’s. If Yun Xi had not held back, he would have lost long ago.

"You are too kind," Yun Xi smiled, stepping aside to let the Regent enter.

The Regent fought Prince Yong. Although the Regent had only recently reached Golden Book Qi, his years of experience were real. His poetry flowed effortlessly.

Prince Yong was also deeply skilled in poetry. They were evenly matched.

The spectators cheered. The Regent lost by half a move, but everyone knew it was because he had less time at this level. In a few years, he would surely surpass Prince Yong.

Finally, Yun Xi fought King Zhenjiang.

Yun Xi’s cultivation was superior. King Zhenjiang was strong, but he could not handle the anomaly that was Yun Xi. He admitted defeat.

With two wins out of three, the Great Scholars won.

This showed that the Great Scholars no longer needed to fear being surrounded by the other three nations. With the protection of Golden Book Qi, their development would only improve.