The moon hung high in the sky, casting its soft glow over the courtyard where Nyx's ethereal form shimmered beside Jin Mo. Though he was still a child, his gaze was fixed on her, his young mind sharp and curious. Nyx, seated in a lotus position, appeared calm, her voice steady as she prepared to explain something fundamental yet vast.
"Jin Mo, have you ever wondered about the force that flows through your veins, through the air you breathe, and the world you now live in?" Nyx asked, her eyes glimmering with the light of countless stars.
The young boy tilted his head, curiosity written across his face. "The force? Like… Qi?"
Nyx nodded, a proud smile gracing her lips. "Exactly. Qi is the lifeblood of Murim, the essence that sustains all life and power. Understanding it is the first step to mastering this world." She extended her hand, and a faint, swirling mist of golden Qi appeared, dancing in her palm.
Jin Mo leaned closer, mesmerized. "Can you teach me?"
Nyx chuckled softly. "All in good time, little one. First, let me explain the path that lies ahead for those who cultivate Qi. It is called the Nine Realms of Power. Each realm marks a significant step in a cultivator's journey, and each realm is divided into three stages: the Initial Stage, Advanced Stage, and Peak Stage. Let me begin."
She waved her hand, and the mist formed into a glowing diagram of nine ascending tiers, each split into three layers.
"The first realm is the Qi Refining Realm," Nyx began. "This is where everyone starts. Here, you gather and refine Qi, learning to manipulate it and strengthen your body. It's the foundation of all martial arts. Simple, but vital."
Jin Mo's eyes widened. "So… this is like when you're just learning to walk?"
"Exactly," Nyx affirmed. "Next comes the Foundation Establishment Realm, where you solidify your Qi and prepare for higher cultivation. You're no longer just learning to walk—you're starting to run."
She pointed to the third tier, which glowed brighter. "After that is the Core Formation Realm. Here, cultivators form a Qi Core within themselves, granting them immense stability and power. With this, martial techniques become far more potent."
Jin Mo's small hands reached toward the glowing diagram. "And after that?"
Nyx smiled. "Patience, little one. The fourth realm is the Spirit Realm, where the soul and spirit are refined. Cultivators begin to manipulate spiritual Qi, connecting their essence to the universe."
The diagram shifted, and darker hues swirled into the next tier. "Then comes the Void Realm," she said, her tone deepening. "Here, you learn to control the formless—space, time, and even the nature of reality itself. Few reach this stage, but those who do are formidable beyond measure."
Jin Mo's brows furrowed. "Does it stop there?"
Nyx shook her head. "Far from it. The Heavenly Soul Realm follows, where cultivators command the natural and cosmic forces. Then, the Celestial Realm, where one transcends mortal limitations and begins to rival the gods themselves. But even these are not the peak."
She gestured to the highest tiers, her voice taking on a reverent tone. "The eighth realm is the Immortal Realm, granting true immortality and mastery over life and death. And finally, the Transcendent Realm. This is where cultivators achieve ultimate control over Qi, space, time, and existence itself. It is… a realm of legends."
Jin Mo blinked, processing the enormity of it all. "Has anyone ever reached the Transcendent Realm?"
Nyx's expression turned wistful. "None that we know of. But it is said that the greatest cultivators of ancient times glimpsed its edges."
Jin Mo nodded slowly, determination flickering in his young eyes. "I want to reach it."
Nyx chuckled. "Ambitious as always. But remember, Jin Mo, raw power is only part of the story. Skill matters just as much."
With another wave, she conjured a smaller diagram, depicting stars of varying brightness. "Skills in Murim are ranked by their star level. One-star skills are basic, barely functional techniques, while nine-star skills are god-like, capable of shaping the very world. These skills are learned, mastered, and sometimes even created by cultivators."
Jin Mo's eyes lit up. "Do I get to learn a nine-star skill?"
Nyx smirked. "Not anytime soon. But one day, if you work hard enough, perhaps."
She shifted the diagram again, this time showing various weapons. "Weapons, too, follow a similar ranking. A one-star weapon is barely more than a stick, while a nine-star weapon… well, those are the tools of legends. Entire wars have been fought over them."
Jin Mo leaned closer, his voice hushed. "Are there any nine-star weapons here?"
Nyx hesitated, then smiled knowingly. "That… is a story for another time. For now, remember this: a great warrior is not defined by their tools, but by their will and determination."
The diagrams dissolved into faint sparks, leaving the courtyard bathed in moonlight once more. Nyx reached out, brushing Jin Mo's cheek gently.
"You have the potential to climb higher than anyone before you, Jin Mo," she said, her voice soft yet firm. "But the path will be treacherous. Are you ready for it?"
Jin Mo nodded without hesitation. "I'm ready, Nyx. I'll make you proud."
Nyx's smile grew warmer. "I already am."
The stars above seemed to shine brighter, as if the heavens themselves bore witness to a destiny waiting to unfold.