Within a workshop set a short distance away from the main household, Xue Chang was flinging himself around the room while striking at someone continuously.
Wu Jie chuckled to himself as he held out a single finger and blocked every single one of Xue Chang's attacks.
It was a shocking sight to see such a young child battling against a cultivator at Wu Jie's level, but even more shocking to see just how powerful the child really was.
With a flick of his wrist, Wu Jie waved the sleeve of his arm around and wrapped around Xue Chang's blade.
And with a twist, he flipped his nephew over and threw him toward a wall.
But just at the last moment, a sudden wave of weakness washed over Wu Jie and caused him to use less force than he originally intended.
While he was barely using any strength the first time, now he was basically just tossing Xue Chang softly rather than throwing him.
Landing into his feet, Xue Chang quickly hopped back without his blade in hand. Taking a stance, he began to partake in fist to fist contact with his uncle.
This lasted for only a couple of minutes before Wu Jie finally used a bit of his strength and completely overpowered Xue Chang.
It wasn't even a challenge for him to knock away all of Xue Chang's attacks then grab and lift him up by his head.
"Ah Ah Ah! I give! I give!"
"Ha Ha Ha!" Wu Jie roared in laughter as he released his grip upon Xue Chang, who stumbled backwards in wooziness.
"You're so strong!"
"Of course, don't think just because I'm old I will be weak. No in fact I've only grown stronger with age Xue Chang!"
Xue Chang's uncle laughed again as he rolled his shoulders around playfully.
"But I must admit, it's frightening how strong you've become. It's almost as if you can actually cultivate."
Xue Chang stared up pridefully. But although he wasn't afraid to express his true prowess in front of Wu Jie, he still chose to not explain how his strength advanced.
Even he himself did not fully understand it, much less trying to explain it to another.
"So what did you think Uncle Wu?"
Wu Jie rubbed his chin silently for a second before stating, "You are definitely stronger than most, I'd say you are equal to the fourth level of Qi refinement. Hell, you might be able to hold your own against the fifth level."
"Then what about the sixth level? That means it's not impossible for me to face them as well right?"
But contrary to his expectations, Wu Jie just shook his head solemnly toward Xue Chang.
"If you ever face off against a sixth level Qi refiner, my recommendation is to run. Whatever you have to do, just get out of there immediately!"
Xue Chang was shocked by the seriousness of his uncle's tone. But he also thought it was a bit incredulous.
Sure the sixth level was undoubtedly stronger than the fifth, but it wasn't to the point where he would have to escape using everything he could! Right?
"Remove such silly thoughts from your head. The sixth level isn't just a small increase in power, but it is the bottleneck of an entire rank!"
Under Xue Chang's confused gaze, Wu Jie began to explain.
"Right now, the stages of cultivation we know of consist of three stages. Qi refinement, Foundation establishment, and Core forging. But despite popular belief, the stages aren't separated into ten level. Only the lower cultivation realms like Qi refinement and Foundation establishments use these scales. But passed there it is different."
Picking up a stick off the ground, Wu Jie drew three circles into the floor and drew words within each of them and one in the outside.
'Lower'
'Primary'
'High'
'Peak'
"These are the ranks that truly separate each cultivation level. Lower ranks consisting of the first five levels. Primary represents the sixth through eighth, while high is the ninth and tenth. Peak is the most unique one as it represents a state of being where you hold a power far greater than what a tenth level expert can hold, but you haven't achieved an official breakthrough yet."
Hearing all of this, Xue Chang's mind of course had many questions. The main one being why they used the ten level scales if it wasn't originally like that.
But as if reading his mind, Wu Jie's explanation got even more in depth.
"You must understand Xue Chang, humans are vain and fickle creatures. So people like me, who probably won't reach Foundation establishment, can't even dream of reaching Core forging. As such we want to make ourselves sound as distinguished in these lower cultivation stages as possible. After all, comparing lower rank Qi refiner isn't as impressive as a level five Qi refiner compared to a level four."
Xue Chang listened intently as Wu Jie told him how the system was made based on demonic beasts. The markings on their bodies were something that signifies their level of strength, and while he wasn't sure what their purpose was, he knew that people in the past used the beast's markings as the bases for the new level system.
"Anyway I digress, back to the main point. Like I said, the difference between fifth level and sixth level isn't just a simple level, but instead an entire rank. While it isn't impossible for some lower rank Qi refiners to defeat slightly stronger lower ranks, it is a whole different story for a lower rank to beat a primary rank."
Finally Xue Chang understood why Wu Jie said he wouldn't be able to defeat a sixth level expert.
But then Wu Jie's words made Xue Chang realize something.
"But wait, doesn't that mean that your last breakthrough..."
"Yes, both your father and I have entered into the higher ranks. We are high ranks Qi refiners. That is why it was such a big deal for us to make a breakthrough. Our level of strength is leagues above what it was in the past."
It really was quite a surprise for Xue Chang. Now he understood how incredible his dad and Wu Jie were.
Although his brother had undoubtedly reached a level far higher than them, they still reached such incredible heights while only using a fraction of the resources.
His family really was full of monsters. Compared to him...
"Hmm? Is something wrong?"
Wu Jie immediately took note of his downtrodden expression and curiously asked.
Xue Chang looked at his uncle with a dejected expression while pondering, "Do you think it would matter if I disappeared?"
Wu Jie froze in shock due to the unexpected question, "How could I ever think that?! Of course it would matter!"
"But still, I just realized it even more now. My father is a genius cultivator, my mother is backed by a powerful figure, my brother is a heavenly fate, and even you my uncle is a level nine Qi refiner. Yet as for me, I'm none of those. Now I have a little sister coming into the world soon and I am extremely happy, but maybe she will be a good replacement? Something to distract my parents if their disappointment of a son. After all, raising a new child must be easier than taking care of a crippled one."
Suddenly a large palm found its way across Xue Chang's face. Wu Jie looked at him angrily while grouching out, "Don't ever say anything like that again. Xue Chang, you parents and I love you. Just because Zhou Wei and Xue Mei are going to have another child, doesn't mean you're irrelevant. You are their flesh and blood, have a little faith in them. After all, your parents really aren't like that!"
But just as quickly as these words and expression came about, they disappeared.
"I know, I'm just worrying about needless things. Don't mind my rambles uncle. But I think it's time for me to leave. How long do you think until the things are finished?"
Wu Jie stared silently at Xue Chang for a second before turning around and looking back at the sheet of paper Xue Chang had given him.
"I need to check the probability of success as well as find materials that can handle the process. It will take a while, but I don't think it will be too long. I'll tell you whenever it is ready."
Hearing such good news put Xue Chang in a giddy mood. He thanked his uncle and quickly skipped out of the room, leaving Wu Jie let behind in the silent workshop.
After he was out of sight, Wu Jie couldn't help but sigh to himself. Thinking about their short conversation a few seconds ago, he muttered to himself, "It is not like I don't understand what you're feeling right now- Xue Chang... I'm sorry..."
There was a lot of guilt in his heart as he looked toward a wall with a calendar on it not too far away. And there circled on the calendar was a date that passed yesterday. A date everyone had forgotten due to several excuses that weren't good enough.
'Xue Chang's birthday'