The Four Realms of a Grandmaster

"It's almost time to get off work, what brings you here?"

Xu Shou, holding a cigarette, smiled as he looked at Xu Mu.

"Today, at Jiang Huihui's martial arts competition to choose a husband, I saw someone. It was Jiang Mingzhuo, the one you mentioned before."

Xu Mu sat on the sofa. "He seemed like he was about to attack me."

"Attack you? That's impossible, you two have no grudge."

Xu Shou said with a furrowed brow.

"What about you?" Xu Mu asked.

"Me? First, tell me what exactly happened."

Xu Shou leaned back in his executive chair, took a drag of his cigarette, and said.

Xu Mu recounted everything that had happened to Xu Shou.

Xu Ningbing, who was nearby, was also listening attentively.

After hearing it all, Xu Shou waved his hand with a laugh. "Kid, you've misunderstood."

"What do you mean?"

Xu Mu asked curiously.

"He wanted to hurt you simply because of your strong talent. If you were poisoned, it would be even better for blackmailing Mr. Wei and the others."

Xu Shou explained. "I've only heard of Jiang Mingzhuo, I don't know him personally. Why would he hurt you for no reason?"

"So that's how it is."

Xu Mu nodded to himself, realizing he had guessed wrong.

He had previously thought they were rivals.

"Little Mu, from what you said, they're so strong, all being Grandmasters. So how do you tell who's stronger and who's weaker?"

Xu Ningbing asked from the side, genuinely curious about these things.

"Explain it to us. She's asked me several times, and I only have a rough idea myself, can't really explain it clearly."

Xu Shou laughed and took another puff of his cigarette.

Xu Mu curled his lip. Sure, play dumb.

Nevertheless, he gave a general explanation. "Grandmasters are also divided into realms. The Grandmaster level is a dividing line."

"What kind of dividing line?"

Xu Ningbing asked.

"Before Grandmaster, they are called Ancient Martial Artists. But after reaching Grandmaster, most refer to themselves as Cultivators."

Xu Mu looked at Xu Ningbing. "The Grandmaster level has four stages, corresponding to four realms. There are many names for them."

Mainly due to different languages and some foreign races, but the meaning is the same.

"Early-stage Grandmaster, Mid-stage, Late-stage, and then Completion?"

Xu Ningbing suddenly asked.

"Right, that's one way to call them. There's also Minor Grandmaster, Middle Grandmaster, Major Grandmaster, Completion Grandmaster, and so on."

Xu Mu took a deep breath and began a general introduction.

The early stage of Grandmaster is called the Body Tempering Realm.

Physical defense increases dramatically, capable of withstanding slashes from blades and swords, as well as small to medium-sized firearms.

The mid-stage of Grandmaster is called the Bone Forging Realm.

Bone density becomes like steel, strength surges explosively. The physical body at this realm can completely block sniper rifle fire.

However, to reach this realm, the vast majority of people require rare treasures that enhance calcium to advance.

The late stage of Grandmaster is called the Meridian Strengthening Realm.

The elasticity of the meridians increases, the amount of Qi the meridians can hold increases, the amount of Qi released in a single burst also greatly increases, and it also enhances the explosive power and coordination of the tendons.

To enter this realm, one similarly needs rare treasures to strengthen the meridians.

The Completion stage of Grandmaster is called the Organ Refining Realm.

Using Qi to strengthen the internal organs, physical stamina increases dramatically, the heart's beat sounds like a drum, and the speed of healing injuries is dozens of times faster than an ordinary person's.

It also requires rare treasures to temper the internal organs.

...

Upon hearing about these realms, Xu Ningbing was inwardly shocked.

Just from the description, one could see the world of difference between these realms and Ancient Martial Artists.

No wonder they are called Cultivators.

"Cultivating the body, bones, meridians, and finally the internal organs—it's almost like replacing all the hardware of the entire body."

Xu Ningbing looked at Xu Mu and asked, "What realm comes after that?"

"The Transcendent Mortal Realm."

Xu Mu shrugged. "Don't ask me about that. I only have a superficial understanding of the Transcendent Mortal Realm, I can't explain it to you."

Xu Ningbing crossed her arms and said calmly, "Then I'll just wait until I reach the Transcendent Mortal Realm and tell you myself."

"So fierce! So domineering!"

Xu Mu gave a thumbs-up.

"By the way, do you know about the Mu Family's affairs?"

Xu Shou suddenly asked with a smile.

"The Mu Family? What about them?"

Xu Mu crossed his legs and slumped into the sofa.

Since Jiang Mingzhuo wouldn't attack his old man, he felt relieved.

"Their ambitions are huge. They've simultaneously secured two plots of land, one in our Jiang City and another in Yang City."

Xu Ningbing explained next to Xu Mu.

"Developing both at the same time... This Ye Chen seems quite confident."

Xu Mu stroked his chin in thought.

"I've guessed his methods. Yang City has a better port, and he knows big clients in the Middle East. In the future, he'll definitely go for maritime shipping."

Xu Ningbing gestured with her fingers. "Jiang City, Yang City, export abroad, and then import cheap materials from overseas back to Yang City and Jiang City."

Xu Mu nodded inwardly. That made sense. He remembered from the plot that Ye Chen had quite a few forces abroad.

Being able to export was indeed the biggest advantage.

"Do you know what industry they plan to go into?"

Xu Mu suddenly asked.

"It's not clear yet, we can only wait and see." Xu Shou smiled and glanced at his phone. "Alright, time to get off work."

Xu Mu and Xu Ningbing nodded simultaneously.

...

When Xu Mu returned home.

He found that Ye Tong was already back. Using his perception to check, he found that Ye Yu was currently at Feng Yue's house.

"Husband, you're back?"

Ye Tong immediately came over and took Xu Mu's hand. "How did it go this time? Did you win?"

Xu Mu felt a bit awkward. Why did it seem like Ye Tong was even more concerned about winning or losing than he was?

He nodded gently. "Got lucky this time, happened to win."

Hearing this, Ye Tong immediately beamed with joy. Finally, one success.

"So when are you bringing Jiang Huihui home?"

Ye Tong followed up closely.

"What are you thinking?"

Xu Mu tapped Ye Tong's forehead. "Right now, I'm only her nominal fiancé. We're not married yet. What would people think if we brought her to our home?"

"That's true too."

Ye Tong mumbled, seeming like she'd have to endure a bit longer.

"Brother-in-law! Are you home?"

Ye Yu's voice called out loudly even before she entered the house.

"Just got back."

Xu Mu smiled and nodded.

[Favorability +10]

Ye Yu directly pounced on him, laughing, "I practiced reverse parking today. It felt pretty difficult."

Ye Tong's favorability prompt also appeared.

"Of course it's difficult. The first time I tried to park, I couldn't get into the right spot either."

As Xu Mu said this, he couldn't help but glance at Ye Tong beside him.

Ye Tong's face instantly turned bright red, and she immediately turned and walked towards the kitchen.

Xu Mu smiled. After all, when he first crossed over, he was still a young boy.

Although he was already well-versed in theoretical knowledge, he had never put it into practice.

When trying to park, he had also bumped into other places and couldn't smoothly get in.

But, everything has a first time. Once you get skilled, it naturally becomes smooth and easy.

After dinner, as usual, Xu Mu went upstairs, waiting for Ye Tong to come to the room for a "meeting."

After Ye Tong finished washing the dishes, she headed to the bedroom.

Ye Yu pouted behind them, too lazy to even comment on them anymore.

Xu Mu liked watching the news. Just as he and Ye Tong were having a thorough, in-depth exchange of views on the global situation, Dai Xingluo's phone call suddenly came through.