Knowing

"Pardon?" 

"You see, the place I came from has some… unique ways of calling cultivators. I'm just curious if you people from this city can tell me some things about that." His question might have sounded strange so he rephrased it.

"Is that so? Well…" Xiao Lingxi started explaining the concept of cultivation to Jiao Heng.

She didn't mind since what she's saying is common sense. It was also her own lack of knowledge from the outside world and thought that Jiao Heng was speaking the truth about the different concepts of cultivation from different places.

She didn't see anything wrong explaining it.

As Xiao Lingxi was speaking, Jiao Heng was listening intently. He didn't interrupt since he might miss some things.

From what he heard from her, there are 9 cultivation realms and 10 cultivation small realms from each

Elementary Profound Realm, Nascent Profound Realm, True Profound Realm, Spirit Profound Realm, Earth Profound Realm, Sky Profound Realm, Emperor Profound Realm, Tyrant Profound Realm, and Sovereign Profound Realm.

Their city called Floating Cloud City is a backwater city compared to others from the Blue Wind Empire.

They don't have practitioners that are on Sky Profound Realm for decades and cultivators on that level rarely go here.

'Wait, these cultivation realms… this is from Against the Gods.' The more he listened, the more it became clear to him. 

This two aunt and nephew is also proof of it.

"Jiao Heng, is there something wrong?" Seeing him staring at them intently, Xiao Lingxi asked.

"Nothing, it's just… your situation sounds difficult." Jiao Heng shook his head.

"Hahahaha, we don't think so. Although the Xiao Clan is in exile here, we are living peacefully in this city." Xiao Lingxi isn't the type to pursue power and glory so she didn't think there was something wrong.

"That's true…." Jiao Heng disagrees but since she said it, he didn't speak any further.

"Is it possible for me to stay here for a while? I will pay you back when I have the chance." He asked with embarrassment.

"Of course! You helped Che'er so there's no problem. I'm sure that my father won't mind." Xiao Lingxi nodded. 

"You can also stay here until the wedding happens."

"Speaking of the wedding, who's the bride?" He asked curiously.

"It's Fairy Xia Qingyue of the Xia Clan."

"Who?" 

"You don't know Fairy Xia?" Xiao Lingxi asked surprised. She knows that not only in their city but even outside as well, Xia Qingyue of the Xia Clan is well known.

This is not only due to her beauty but talent as well.

"I did hear some stories…." Jiao Heng pretended to remember and said.

"She's the one betrothed to Che'er. It's an agreement between my grandfather and Fairy Xia's father." She replied before looking at her nephew who looked away.

"But why did your fellow clansman beat you up earlier?" He asked the groom in question.

"It's because I'm a cripple. Aside from my status, I could never catch up to Fairy Xia." Xiao Che replied bitterly.

"... I see. Have you tried treating it?"

"My grandpa tried but no one can so far." Xiao Che shook his head.

"I'm sorry. I'll leave first." Xiao Che stood up and left. 

"I apologize for my nephew. He's not like this…" Xiao Lingxi tried explaining to him.

"It's fine. This kind of thing must be a great blow to him." Jiao Heng shook his head. 

He could understand people's thoughts on those kinds of things. Expectations but you don't have the talent to achieve it.

As someone who's considered the young master of their clan, add that with his fiancée, it's normal for him to be pressured.

"I must say, he's lucky to have you by his side." Jiao Heng smiled at her.

"I-It's nothing! Che'er is my nephew and it's normal for me to do it." She waved her hands with a flushed face.

Jiao Heng chuckled seeing her act like this.

Xiao Lingxi pouted after seeing his expression. She got teased.

"Hmph, you're allowed to stay here for the time being. I'll leave first." Standing up, she crossed her arms before walking away.

'To think she's the Ancestral Goddess. Must keep an eye on her.' Looking at the leaving Xiao Lingxi. Jiao Heng nodded secretly before drinking the tea.

He remembers how this girl Xiao Lingxi is actually the reincarnation of the Ancestral Goddess.

Although he has no interest to her, it's still better to observe her just in case.

After some time, a servant came in to take care of him. 

Contrary to his expectations, he didn't see any dissatisfaction from the servant.

He didn't know that it's because he looks intimidating with his stature.

Despite not being a cultivator yet, his appearance and individual strength. It's still not something a normal person can handle.

—

"So this is profound strength." He hummed while clenching his palms. 

It's currently midnight. Despite this, the people in the city are still busy.

Since he had nothing to do, after resting, he went outside and practiced cultivating.

With the help of the Secrets and his own understanding of the cultivation system of this world, he finally entered the first realm of cultivation.

1st level of Elementary Profound Realm.

"Now, let's start with the secrets." 

Earlier today, he used one of the Nine Secrets: Move.

Speed type secret skill. Once under control, speed is unmatched and nobody will be able to catch or block the user. It will be akin to strolling amongst the ranks of enemies. When trained to the limit, the user will be able to bend time with extreme speed.

That's what he saw from his manual.

In simple terms, it grants him super speed and if mastered, he would even be able to control time to a certain extent.

However, Move is not something he needs right now. What he needs is something that could aid him in combat.

Although the Move secret skill can do it, if he met a far stronger opponent, the most he could do is just run and not fight.

That's why he's going to cultivate two secret skills.

Battle and Forward.

Battle is an attack type secret skill. Being able to copy many moves. Using "Battle" secret character, one can raise their attack power. Also, steal moves for own usage will be available.

With this art, he could steal moves and even make one for himself.

Or in this case, Profound Arts.

Such is the wonder of the Secrets.

On the other hand, Forward is an aid type secret skill that can be used to assist cultivation, heightens the sixth sense. As a result, user will be able to anticipate attacks. Therefore, always maintaining combat.

Speed, technique and combat strength. This is what he'll be focusing on for now.

He still has six remaining secrets but for his current situation, this is what he'll need.

'Heh, I wonder how Yun Che will beat me with this.' Jiao Heng thought with a smirk.

In his opinion, Yun Che even with all his legacies is still no match for someone who has the Nine Character Secrets.

This is also from his own understanding as the user.

"Come to think of it. How should I deal with him?" He can't kill Yun Che due to his ridiculous plot armor that would put most protagonists to shame.

Even Xia Qingyue was used as a tool to redirect bad karma. If he succeeds at killing him, he doesn't know how the Ancestral Goddess will react.

"Seriously, only been here for a day and already thinking about killing someone." Jiao Heng shook his head amused. He didn't think that his personality would change this fast.

He can only blame this cultivation world for it.

"Jiao Heng?" Turning around, he saw Xiao Lingxi looking at him with surprise.

"What are you doing here?" She came towards him and asked.

"Just observing the stars." 

"Oh." 

"What? Is there something wrong with it?"

"There's nothing. I just didn't think that travelers would take the time to look at the stars." Xiao Lingxi looked at the sky. She remembered that she and Xiao Che used to do the same.

"Although it's convenient to increase one's strength. It's also better to relax from time to time." Jiao Heng spouted nonsense. He just got into this world and is just letting his thoughts drift away.

"That's true…" Xiao Lingxi nodded. She's not that focused on cultivation so she didn't think there was something wrong with what he said.

"But that doesn't mean you should neglect cultivation. After all, might controls everything. Without strength, you cannot protect anything, let alone yourself." Jiao Heng stood up and got inside the cabin. 

He must've looked cool just now.

Meanwhile, Xiao Lingxi looked at him with surprise. For him to say such a thing, something must have happened.

Xiao Lingxi stood up with a determined face. Jiao Heng was right. If you don't have strength then you can't protect anything.

Maybe she should also start cultivating again.

Xiao Che wouldn't be able to protect himself so she should be capable of doing it.