573: Chapter 573 Eating melon seeds!!

As for the strength of the woman next to him, Qin Yan could see it a bit more clearly.

Her Body Refining Realm was the same as his, Fifth Grade Peak, but he couldn't discern her Qi Refining Realm.

However, that aura was deep and stable; clearly, her Qi Refining Realm was above his, at least at the Middle Sixth-Grade.

Then, Qin Yan looked toward the last man.

That man was also looking up at Qin Yan at that moment, a gentle smile on his lips as he gave Qin Yan a slight nod.

Qin Yan nodded back in response.

But in his heart, he was somewhat surprised.

He felt a beast-like aura coming from this man.

It wasn't an intentional release, but an instinct originating from his Bloodline and Physique.

It was as if beneath this seemingly refined and elegant body, a Vicious Beast was hidden, ready to pounce at any moment.

This was a powerful Body Refining Martial Artist.

Qin Yan made his judgment immediately.

To his surprise, however, this man's Qi Refining Realm wasn't as high as his—his Qi Refining was only at the Fifth Grade Peak.

This was very unexpected to him.

"Nine-Li, Qin Yan, you've arrived."

Yin Li opened her eyes and looked up at the two of them.

She picked up her guqin, stood up, and walked toward them.

Her steps were light, her skirt fluttering slightly, like a clear mountain spring or a gentle forest breeze.

After sensing the aura on Qin Yan, Yin Li couldn't help but show a hint of surprise on her face.

This Qin Yan had actually achieved a Breakthrough in both Body Refining and Qi Refining.

She had already investigated Qin Yan's background during this time—no background, no backing, and he Cultivated the extremely difficult Five Elements Primordial Scripture, leaving his future uncertain.

Despite this, he could still reach the Sixth Rank in Qi Refining. This Qin Yan was truly not simple!

He was indeed worthy of being someone who could pass the Heavenly Stairway.

"Since everyone is here, let's start with some self-introductions."

Yin Li withdrew her gaze and spoke calmly.

"Let's get to know each other briefly so we can coordinate better when we carry out the mission later."

After speaking, she took the lead: "I'll go first. I am a Dual Cultivation practitioner of Qi Refining and spirit; my Qi Refining is at the Late Stage Sixth-Rank, and my Mental Energy is 460 Hertz."

Dual Cultivation of Qi Refining and spirit?

Qin Yan was also slightly surprised to hear this.

He hadn't expected this Yin Li to be a rare Mental Energy Cultivator.

Moreover, her Mental Energy was as high as 460 Hertz.

Mental Energy from 400 to 499 Hertz corresponds to the Sixth-Rank Martial Artist Realm.

400 to 420 Hertz is equivalent to the Sixth-Rank Early Stage;

421 to 440 Hertz is equivalent to the Middle Sixth-Grade;

441 to 460 Hertz is equivalent to the Late Stage Sixth-Rank;

461 to 499 Hertz is equivalent to the Sixth-Rank Peak;

In other words, as long as Yin Li's Mental Energy increased by just one more Hertz, she would reach 461 Hertz, which is equivalent to the Sixth-Rank Peak Realm!

Her Mental Energy cultivation was even stronger than her Qi Refining cultivation.

"Huang Jiuli, Body and Qi Dual Cultivation, Late Stage Aperture Awakening Realm for Body Refining, Late Stage Spirit Transformation Realm for Qi Refining."

Huang Jiuli spoke proudly, her tone carrying a hint of innate confidence.

After she finished, she looked at Qin Yan, indicating it was his turn.

Qin Yan nodded and said, "Qin Yan, Early Stage Spirit Transformation Realm for Qi Refining, Meridian Opening Peak for Body Refining."

His voice wasn't loud, but it was steady and powerful.

After Qin Yan finished, the other man and woman also introduced themselves.

Lu Qingshan said with a smile, "Lu Qingshan, Middle Stage Aperture Awakening Realm for Body Refining, Fifth Grade Peak for Qi Refining."

His smile was warm and sincere, his voice clear as a spring.

Middle Stage Aperture Awakening Realm was already a very high Realm.

No wonder Qin Yan felt a beast-like aura from him; it was the natural manifestation of a Physical Body strengthened to the extreme.

Yun Qingge spoke in a cold voice, being very sparing with her words:

"Yun Qingge, Middle Stage Spirit Transformation Realm for Qi Refining, Meridian Opening Peak for Body Refining."

Qin Yan fell silent after hearing these introductions.

He had thought that after his Breakthrough to the Sixth Rank, he would be among the top even among the Special Grade Disciples.

He hadn't expected that among this group, his Realm would still be the lowest.

Sixth-Rank Early Stage Qi Refining, Fifth Grade Peak Body Refining—he was at the bottom in both categories.

Huang Jiuli saw Qin Yan's silent expression, walked up to him, and said slowly, "Don't be discouraged. The people here are all standouts among the Special Grade Disciples in their respective branches. It's understandable that your Realm isn't as high as theirs."

She paused, her eyes full of amusement. Her Phoenix eyes curved into two crescent moons, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly as she said with a bit of pride:

"Also, the Intents we Cultivate are all second grade or above—yes, second grade or above, and some might even be first grade."

For some reason, as soon as she saw Qin Yan, she wanted to poke at his shortcomings.

Ever since the "lying flat grudge" on the Heavenly Stairway, she had developed an indescribable feeling toward this young man.

Seeing him suffer a setback made her feel incredibly amused.

Qin Yan looked up at Huang Jiuli.

He wasn't angry, nor was he discouraged.

He simply mimicked Huang Jiuli's slow tone and said, "Who was it that was lying flat on the 998th floor? Who was it? Who could it be? I won't say."

Upon hearing this, the smile on Huang Jiuli's face instantly froze.

It was replaced by a blush that spread from her cheeks all the way to her ears.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but didn't know what to say.

"What 'lying flat on the 998th floor'?"

Yin Li's eyes flashed with a hint of curiosity upon hearing this.

Her eyes, clear as water, looked at the two of them, her gaze moving back and forth between Qin Yan and Huang Jiuli as if searching for some clues.

She felt like there might be some drama to enjoy.

The other two also stared straight at Qin Yan and Huang Jiuli upon hearing this.

Lu Qingshan raised an eyebrow, his eyes full of interest;

Although Yun Qingge's expression remained calm, her eyes brightened a bit.

Did something interesting happen between these two?

"It was back then on the Heav..."

Just as Qin Yan opened his mouth to speak, he was interrupted by Huang Jiuli.

"Nothing! You misheard!"

Huang Jiuli said quickly, her voice a few notches higher than usual, carrying a hint of urgency.

After speaking, those Phoenix eyes glared fiercely at Qin Yan, filled with a threat—if you dare say it, you're dead!

Qin Yan shrugged indifferently.

He hadn't planned on saying it anyway; he was just scaring Huang Jiuli.

After all, the pot shouldn't call the kettle black; hadn't he also been lying flat on the 998th floor of the Heavenly Stairway?

It was just that he hadn't been lying there as long as Huang Jiuli.

If he said it, both of them would lose face.

Seeing that there was no drama to enjoy, the other three couldn't help but sigh.

Lu Qingshan shook his head, Yun Qingge withdrew her gaze, and Yin Li gave a soft laugh without asking further.

"Let's decide how to complete this mission,"

Yin Li said, her voice returning to its usual calm.

With a wave of her hand, a map appeared in the air and slowly unfurled.

The map was several feet square, densely marked with mountains, rivers, and building layouts, with every detail clearly visible.