Nine Energies
Upon reaching the A-rank level, masters begin to comprehend the innate laws known as the Nine Qi of Taoism: Primordial Qi, Abyssal Qi, Radiant Qi, Celestial Qi, Prosperous Qi, Concealed Qi, Harmonious Qi, Fiery Qi, and Evolving Qi. However, each A-rank master can only grasp one of these Qi.
Primordial Qi is the original energy from the time when heaven and earth first separated. Those who understand it can manifest a black dot in their palm, which then expands into a small sphere that consumes and dissipates anything it touches. Currently, only the Tai Chi Sect has mastered the secrets of Primordial Qi.
Abyssal Qi is the spiritual energy found within blessed, hidden realms. Masters of this Qi can sense the earth’s energy to locate such sanctuaries and enhance their strength exponentially within them, without any side effects. Nearly all martial artists in the world know how to harness this Qi.
Radiant Qi is pure, luminous energy. Those who cultivate it can restore a dying person to their original vitality, though it lacks offensive capability. The Lotus Sect is the only known holder of this Qi’s secrets.
Celestial Qi is lofty and ethereal. Masters who command it can teleport instantly to any place their energy can reach, allowing them to strike from behind during combat. The Taoist Alliance currently holds this knowledge.
Prosperous Qi symbolizes flourishing vitality. Similar to Abyssal Qi, the more prosperous the city, the stronger its master becomes. Additionally, its wielders can unleash a divine technique called "Disperse Wind, Still Clouds," which halts all movement within several miles around their target. The royal family exclusively guards this secret.
Concealed Qi is shrouded and hidden. Its cultivators can instantly cloak all their energy, making them perfect for assassination, espionage, and surprise attacks. This Qi’s mastery is confined to the Evil Sect and certain lone martial artists.
Harmonious Qi embodies fusion and balance. It is primarily used in combined formation attacks, enabling the fusion of allies’ strengths into a single individual. Most major powers and independent fighters have learned this art.
Fiery Qi channels the sun’s intense heat to continuously empower the user without directly enhancing their strength. The Taoist Alliance also possesses this knowledge.
Evolving Qi pertains to transformation and development, often used for divining celestial secrets and fortune-telling. It carries no offensive power but allows the user to anticipate an opponent’s moves and evade attacks in advance. The Tianji Sect and other martial clans are its current keepers.
When Zhang Zhengju intercepted Qin Hao, he employed the Celestial Qi. An A-rank master can only use their Qi’s divine techniques three times within a short span; exceeding this limit inflicts harm upon themselves. The exact nature of this harm is known only to A-rank masters, and few dare to pay such a price. Since most of the Nine Qi’s secrets are held by major factions, B-rank masters must seek their patronage to break through, which has led to the decline of the once-powerful alliance of independent martial artists.
Returning to the main issue: could this time the Tai Chi Sect be the ultimate victor? Indeed, it seems so, especially given the unreliability of their disciples. Yet some questioned:
“Why, though Luo Cheng’en and the others reached the Grandmaster’s side, was there no one to aid them?” The answer lies in the fact that those in charge had already agreed upon the arrangement—otherwise, how could anyone survive to reach the Grandmaster? The appearances of Gui Qi and Qin Hao were all part of this plan, silently acknowledged by the Tai Chi Sect leader, the Taoist Alliance head, the emperor, and the Evil Sect’s chairman. The most unfortunate were Luo Cheng’en and Luo Chenghu, both oblivious and merely pawns in others’ games, with the greatest concern being Luo Chenghu’s daughter. Initial offers to them were mere formalities to save face; ultimately, the true ownership of the Yin-Yang Jade would be decided by strength.
Another query arose: “Why did Qin Hao wield the jade to face three opponents first, rather than Zhang Jianyi and the others?” The jade in question was the twelfth Yin-Yang Jade. The previous eleven were held respectively by the royal family (two), the Taoist Alliance (two), the Evil Sect (two), the Tai Chi Sect (one), the Lotus Sect (one), the Tianji Sect (one), the alliance of independent martial artists (one), and one remained with a lone martial artist. The four major powers agreed that this jade must not fall into any other hands. Their elders and seniors engaged in fierce struggles not only to suppress each other but also to prevent outsiders from interfering, thereby creating space for their younger generation. Since the Tai Chi Sect had one less jade than the others, they proposed:
“We’ll face three opponents; if we win, the jade is ours; if we lose, the three of you split it among yourselves.” The three powers agreed, instructing their youths to give their all, though only Cai Lenglin obeyed. Zhang Jianyi was rebellious, adhering to his own principles, while Gongsun Xiaoyue was indifferent, playing by her own rules. The royal family knew her nature and thus sent Zhang Zhengju along. As expected, Gongsun Xiaoyue fired a few shots and let Qin Hao go after only a brief exchange of hand techniques. The other two powers put on a more thorough show. To save face, Zhang Zhengju paused the fight as Qin Hao was about to finish, engaging in a few casual moves with some elder Tai Chi members to signal the royal family’s stance.
The tragedy extended beyond Luo Chenghu and Luo Cheng’en to many independent martial artists who never even had a chance to participate. They had hoped to send a young representative, but seeing the four major powers’ youths had already reached the “Upper Five Realms,” and that Gongsun Xiaoyue only appeared weak because she wasn’t serious, they lost the courage to step forward, knowing they would be crushed in a duel.
Some asked: “Why are the four major powers suddenly so united, despite longstanding rivalries?” There is a saying:
“There are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.” With the Yin-Yang Jade emerging, all prejudices were set aside to face a common goal. Once possession was secured, the old rivalries would resume—slashes and stabs exchanged without mercy. There are no everlasting friends. If Cai Lenglin had snatched the jade from Qin Hao in the end, would the Evil Sect have shared it peacefully? They would have fought to the death. That is why Qin Hao did not wait for the elders and immediately activated a teleportation formation to leave, fearing betrayal.
Qin Hao received a warm welcome from the sect leader. Soon after, Gui Qi and several elders returned, all unscathed. Qin Hao, however, was covered in wounds. The leader promptly convened a council to discuss his reward, unanimously deciding to promote him to deputy chief of the Tai Chi Sect across the four provinces of Sichuan, though he would not assume the position immediately, as other tasks awaited him within the sect. His rank was elevated to Four Symbols. The leader personally gave him three elixirs—one that healed his injuries, and two kept in reserve for critical moments. The sect granted Qin Hao a brief leave to recover.