369: Chapter 369 Young friend, perhaps Heaven is simply taking pity on you in this situation.

Xu Ruyu took a deep breath and recounted everything about his cultivation until now—from his Transmigration to cultivating the "True Explanation of Taixu Source Energy," to reaching the twenty-fifth level of Qi Refining while still remaining in the Qi Refinement Stage.

After finishing, he looked at The Hundred Saints, his eyes full of expectation. "Seniors, you are all knowledgeable and experienced. Do you know what is happening to this Junior?"

The Hundred Saints looked at each other.

After a moment of silence, the old man slowly spoke, "Your situation, little friend, is indeed rare. I have lived for many years and have only seen similar records in ancient texts."

Xu Ruyu felt a surge of joy. "Please tell me, Senior."

The old man pondered and said, "Do you know of a Physique called the 'Physique Blinded by the Heavenly Dao'?"

Xu Ruyu shook his head.

The old man explained, "The so-called Physique Blinded by the Heavenly Dao is a natural Dao Body. It is favored by the Heavenly Dao, but because of that, it is 'blinded' by the Heavenly Dao.

For someone with this Physique, their cultivation will continue to grow and their strength will continue to increase during cultivation, but their Realm will be deliberately hidden by the Heavenly Dao."

Xu Ruyu was stunned. "Hidden by the Heavenly Dao? Why?"

The old man smiled slightly. "Because the Heavenly Dao cannot bear it."

"Cannot bear it?"

"Yes, it cannot bear it," the old man said slowly. "Little friend, do you know what a Cultivator must experience every time they break through a major realm?"

Xu Ruyu naturally knew. "Heavenly Tribulation."

The old man nodded. "Heavenly Tribulation is a test from the Heavenly Dao for Cultivators, but it is also a punishment.

If you pass it, your cultivation advances greatly; if you don't, you are reduced to ashes.

Every Heavenly Tribulation is a great ordeal of life and death."

He looked at Xu Ruyu with a profound gaze. "And your Physique is favored by the Heavenly Dao. The Heavenly Dao cannot bear to let you experience these Heavenly Tribulations, so it hides your Realm.

Your cultivation is growing, and your strength is growing, but your Realm always remains at the initial Qi Refinement Stage.

This way, you don't have to undergo tribulation."

Xu Ruyu was left dumbfounded by what he heard.

Is such a thing even possible?

The Heavenly Dao cannot bear it? So it won't let him undergo tribulation?

Doesn't that mean he won't have to experience those deadly Heavenly Tribulations in the future?

Seeing his expression, the old man laughed. "What? You don't believe it, little friend?"

Xu Ruyu scratched his head. "It's not that I don't believe it, it's just... too outrageous."

A middle-aged saint nearby laughed. "Outrageous? I think it's your good fortune.

Think about it. Others Cultivate painstakingly and have to undergo tribulation with their hearts in their throats, potentially being reduced to ashes with one mistake.

But you? Your cultivation and strength grow just the same, yet you don't have to suffer that pain.

If this isn't good fortune, what is?"

Xu Ruyu thought about it, and it seemed... to make sense.

But he still had one question. "Senior, then what Realm is my current strength equivalent to?"

The old man pondered for a moment and said slowly, "According to what you said, you are now at the twenty-fifth level of Qi Refining.

A normal Qi Refinement Stage only has four levels.

After four levels comes Foundation Establishment; after four levels of Foundation Establishment comes Golden Core; after four levels of Golden Core comes Nascent Soul; after four levels of Nascent Soul comes Soul Transformation; after four levels of Soul Transformation comes Void Refining..."

As he spoke, he counted on his fingers.

"Four levels of Qi Refining, four of Foundation Establishment, four of Golden Core, four of Nascent Soul, four of Soul Transformation... that adds up to twenty minor realms.

The Void Refining Stage and Body Integration Stage also have four minor realms each, totaling twenty-eight minor realms.

You are now at the twenty-fifth level of Qi Refining..."

A hint of surprise flashed in the old man's eyes. "Converted, your strength is already equivalent to the Early Body Integration Stage."

Early Body Integration Stage!

Xu Ruyu gasped.

He remembered that the Taihu Clan Chief, Yuehua, was in the Saint Realm.

The Grand Mage was also at the Saint Realm Peak.

And now, he was already equivalent to the Early Body Integration Stage?

Doesn't that mean his strength was only two major realms—or about a dozen minor realms—away from catching up to the Taihu Clan Chief?

Seeing his shocked expression, the old man smiled. "There's no need to be surprised, little friend.

Your Physique is inherently special.

Your cultivation is blinded by the Heavenly Dao, but your strength is not restricted.

If you continue to Cultivate, breaking through to Mahayana, entering Undergoing Tribulation, and surpassing the Saint Realm will only be a matter of time."

Xu Ruyu's heart pounded wildly.

Surpassing the Saint Realm!

What kind of concept was that? That was an existence only one step away from being a True Immortal!

That was the terrifying Realm that Xiao Nianyin occupied when she firmly suppressed him back when he first transmigrated.

If he truly possessed strength beyond the Saint Realm, then he would have a lot of room to maneuver in how he dealt with Xiao Nianyin.

At the very least, he would no longer have to rely on the Seal inside her to keep her under control.

Thinking this, he took a few deep breaths, barely suppressing his excitement, and asked, "Senior, then to what extent must I Cultivate to break through the Saint Realm?"

The old man was silent for a moment before saying slowly, "The Saint Realm is the peak of this world. Beyond that is the True Immortal Realm."

The True Immortal Realm!

Xu Ruyu's eyes lit up. "Then can I Cultivate to the True Immortal Realm?"

The old man shook his head and sighed. "Little friend, this is the Lower Realm.

Limited by the Laws of heaven and earth, a True Immortal is not allowed to appear here.

A Cultivator can at most Cultivate to the Saint Realm and then must wait for Ascension.

Only by ascending to the Upper Realm can one continue to break through and become a True Immortal."

Xu Ruyu was stunned.

Lower Realm? Upper Realm?

He suddenly remembered that the Taihu Progenitor had also said the Taihu Clan came from the stars and was a branch of the 'Starry Sky Spirit Fox.'

It seemed the truth of this world was far more complex than he had imagined.

"Then... how will I ascend in the future?"

The old man smiled slightly. "It is too early for you to think about these things, little friend.

Your current strength is only at the Early Body Integration Stage; you still have a long way to go before the Saint Realm.

When you Cultivate to the Saint Realm Peak, you will naturally sense the opportunity for Ascension.

At that time, whether to go or stay will be up to you."

Xu Ruyu nodded, etching these words into his heart.

Just then, a saint who looked like an old woman spoke up.

"Little friend, your questions are finished. Now, it's our turn to ask you."

Xu Ruyu was taken aback and looked at her.

The old woman took a step forward, her cloudy eyes full of burning light. "Little friend, those Cultivation Techniques you completed... how did you do it?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the other members of The Hundred Saints also crowded around, each of their eyes filled with expectation.