The 10th Rank?

The 9th ranks gathered and discussed their own ideas. Yang Kai was one of these 9th ranks. He had recently managed to break through a few hundred years ago. "This information seems a bit… difficult to interpret. But, from what is written here I don't think it is wise to make assumptions nor to ignore it entirely." Yang Kai said after having read through the jade slip himself. "Unless, Brother Lei Jin's wives have anything else to add. Perhaps some words to make it clearer?" He added. 

"Usually that would be the case. However, with this matter it seems to be very different. My Husband has purposely given this information in hopes we can figure it out. And he has not deliberately shared anything else with us. While we share a connection with our Husband much like the connection Brother Yang shares with his wives. Our Husband is much stronger than us. So hiding things that he doesn't want to share yet is still an easy feat for him." Zi Rong explained, detailing that even they were in the darkness as to the limits of this information. 

"Hmm, it seems then that Jin'er has his reasons. If it is something he doesn't even want to share with his family, then it must be quite unstable in some way. He is perhaps doing this in hopes that someone discovers a better method and ends up breaking through as a result." Azure Heart said, taking the jade for herself to study this time. 

"What mother-in-law says is true. Us sisters can confirm that the situation is very different from before. However, there is one thing I am certain of. And that is that Lei Jin, does not expect anyone to comprehend this information nor does he expect that anyone will manage to break through before he himself can figure some other things out to help aid everyone." Ling Shi said, in an effort to calm the anticipation. 

"Since Brother Lei has given this information I think it would be wrong to assume there isn't something we must learn from this. Perhaps there is a hidden meaning behind the ranks of the realm." Yang Kai said, rubbing his chin. "In my path of cultivation ever since I was in the body tempering realm, good things had always been hidden in some way, shape or form. Be it an array of some kind, or something meant only for those who could see it." He added. 

"That! The ranks! There was originally a 2 rank promotion limit. But with the changes in the heavenly way, there really isn't any promotion limit now. However, the Open Heaven method was a way to generate a complete universe. The Heavens and the Earth alike. Hence the 5 elements and 2 forces, combining together to form the 7 resources that we refine into the dao seal." A 9th rank said, with an overly enthusiastic look on his face. 

"Junior brother, you might be right about there being a relationship with the rank of the resources. For instance, did anyone in history ever refine a complete set of 8th rank resources? I don't recall such a thing. And even if it did, would their limit truly only be the 9th rank? If that was the case why would there be any 8th rank resources?" Another 9th rank said. 

"This is true, the heavens have always been fair and balanced in all things. When I broke through to the Emperor Realm, I had to face the baptism of the World Force as a result of the things I had gained." Yang Kai said, giving an example of the equal gains to equal suffering. 

"But that doesn't mean that a direct 8th rank could naturally reach the 10th rank if that's even what we want to call it." Another 9th rank contested, having a hard time believing this. 

"If that isn't the case, then how about this old master's experiences?" Another 9th rank asked, speaking up. "Through my journey I had suffered much and gained some good things. But, those good things were enough to reflect how good they should have been. The heavens were fair in my matters. And I know that many of you here know quite well some of my suffering." He added. 

"Indeed, if it's the Senior brother's words I can believe it. All benefits will have equivalent suffering and benefits. I guess… We should accept the fact that the 10th rank is possible in that case. But how did we never think of it before? Was it just that we had assumed that 9th rank was the absolute maximum?" The voice of the contesting 9th ranks said, finally getting on the same page as everyone. 

"Since there exist Giant Spirit Gods in the world, why shouldn't there be a way for our human race to contend with such power houses? Since as it stands now even using the Four-Directions Array, it would be difficult to resist a single Giant Spirit God. And according to Young Lei Jin, the Ink Clan likely has numerous of these hidden masters just waiting for the right moment." Liang Changming said, seemingly understanding something new and having a rise in his cultivation as a result.

"Wait! If there is a 10th rank! There must be an 11th rank as well!" Someone piped up thinking they understood something no one else did. 

"I don't think so. Even if there is a 10th rank, the number 11 is not a significant number." Another 9th rank said, shaking his head. 

"So what! Neither is 10!" The 9th rank that spoke just before quickly snapped back. 

"Wrong! 10 can be found in many things. Back in the Star Boundary well before I even became an Emperor there was a maximum of ten Great Emperors. Which was the absolute minimum to be considered a Low rank Universe World. One simply just needs to shift their perspective to see that 10 is a significant number." Yang Kai said. 

"Not only that, but some arrays use 10 points. And we even measure distances in magnitudes of ten! So who says 10 is not a significant number?" A 9th rank array master added. 

"Moreover, we all saw that Lei Jin proved there is indeed a rule that follows tens. It would behoove us to not debate its significance any longer." Xin Xia said, as Xiao Ling came over and sat in her lap.