"Mortal Renewal…" Minos couldn't help but utter the name under his breath. He naturally also heard the main reference the 'mainland' which further proved Minos's idea that the Alephora continent was a small island, not even the center of its own world.
Of course this small was ultimately in the eyes of the strange man. To Minos, the Alephora continent was still a massive place, with plenty he had yet to explore.
"Above the Mortal Renewal Realm is the Inner Heaven Realm. This realm is considered a critical realm, one that has a massive impact on the distance a cultivator can reach. The main reason being that one is blessed with their Aptus at this realm"
"Aptus?" Minos questioned, never having heard the word before.
"Aptus, or in simple terms, innate ability. When a person opens their Inner Heaven, they are connected for a split moment with the heavens, having their own Inner Heaven resonate with it. At that point, one gives birth to their Aptus, a unique ability different to every person who awakens it."
"So it's like a skill?" Minos couldn't help but ask.
"Almost, but not quite. As I'm sure you already understand, regular skills don't grow with their users, instead only being applicable at a certain realm before being rendered useless once more."
"An Aptus is born with its user, growing with them. Hence whether one is still a tiny mortal, or a deity standing high above, their Aptus will still have equal value."
"Beyond the Aptus is the Inner Heaven itself, a core capable of holding Nux, finally allowing mortals to wield this captivating power. With Nux at a cultivator's disposal, their means became much more varied, no longer limited to the punches and kicks of the Mortal Renewal Realm."
"The size of their Inner Heaven is another reason the Inner Heaven is considered a critical realm. A large Inner Heaven will allow a cultivator to reach much further heights then a person with a smaller one."
"The Inner Heaven Realm is split into Ten Heavens and Four Clouds, but these are all things you currently don't need to know, so I won't go into detail."
"Finally, beyond the Inner Heaven Realm is the Aperture Opening Realm, but given your current realm, there's no point in understanding things that are that distant yet."
"As for your second question, 'I'd like to answer, but unfortunately your question time has run out." As the man said that, a new person suddenly appeared in the hall, looking around in confusion.
Minos immediately realized who this man was given the obvious purple sword on his chest. He wasn't at all surprised that he was the second person to make it given his cultivation.
"Welcome, you're the second person to arrive. Once all our guests make it, we can begin the second part of the test. In the meantime, why don't you find a seat and make yourself comfortable."
"Second? that's not possible? With my strength I should have easily been first." He said, with slight rage in his tone. Looking around, he immediately locked his eyes onto Minos. While he couldn't tell his cultivation from a single look, Minos's young age revealed more than enough.
"That kid must have cheated!" He said angrily. However, the strange man still responded with a leisurely smile on his face.
"I see everything that happens here, so are you implying that he cheated directly under my eyes?" As he said that, he released some slight pressure from his body, bearing down on the Thousand Split Sword Sect cultivator.
Feeling the heavy pressure that suddenly appeared on his body, the purple sword cultivator couldn't help but start sweating before stuttering.
"N-no senior, I would never dare question you. It was a moment of anger, I apologize." He managed to force out.
"Good. Since that's the case, sit down and stay quiet, our next guest is about to arrive." Just as cued, a new person arrived in the hall. This man was tall with broad shoulders and a fierce face. He still had some blood on his hands, clearly showing off his favoured way of combat.
Unlike the purple sword cultivator, he was quiet. After a quick inspection of the room, he found a seat and began meditating in silence.