29 Classification of Levels

As soon as Li Mochou admitted her identity, Tang Xuan saw the words "Li Mochou, Level ???" light up above her head. This signified a level gap of more than ten! Over the past few days, Tang Xuan had been roaming the martial world with his master, Grandmaster Xuan Zhi, gleaning much useful information from him. He now had a general impression of the skills and ranks of these martial artists.

Those below level ten needn't be mentioned; they are mere novices in the beginner’s village, fledglings in the martial world. Beyond level ten, one is still unremarkable, just a background character. At level twenty, however, one is considered a third-rate expert—a true master, albeit of the lowest rank. For example, the third boss of Blackwind Fortress was a level twenty leader boss, already classified as a third-rate expert in the martial world. His internal and agility skills were mediocre, but he wielded a lost technique, the Five Tiger Gate-Cleaving Blade, making him a minor notable in his own right.

The second boss of Blackwind Fortress, a level twenty-five leader, was even stronger, skilled with a short blade and the third-grade agility art, Grass-Stepping Flight. He, too, was a third-rate expert, even more formidable than the third boss.

Above them, those over level thirty are considered second-rate experts in the martial world. The chief of Blackwind Fortress, a level thirty leader, had a solid foundation in both internal and agility skills, and wielded the “Jade Maiden’s Pure Heart, Remnant Rainbow Style,” a fourth-grade technique, though not yet mastered. This earned him a place among the second-rate experts, the kind who could make a name in their region—like the leader of the Dragon Gate Escort Agency, “Multi-Armed Bear” Du Dajin, the chief of the Giant Whale Gang, the head of the Sea Sand Sect, the master of the Divine Fist Sect, or Lin Zhennan of the Fortune Escort Agency.

Second-rate experts are already qualified to lead minor sects or small clans. Beyond them are the first-rate experts, those over level forty, whose names shake the realm—such as the elders of the Beggars’ Sect, high monks of Shaolin, the Thirteen Guardians of Songshan, or leaders like Yue Buqun of Huashan and Yu Canghai of Qingcheng. These are level forty to fifty bosses!

With his current skills, Tang Xuan, though only in his teens in level, could deal with some level thirty-plus second-rate experts. But against these level forty to fifty bosses, victory would be far out of reach—their attributes and abilities were simply too high.

Each of these bosses possesses formidable martial techniques. Grandmaster Xuan Zhi, for instance, as a senior Shaolin monk, was proficient in more than one Shaolin ultimate art, all of which were fifth or sixth-grade skills. Yue Buqun’s “Purple Mist Divine Power” was also such a technique. The Thirteen Guardians of Songshan wielded the “Great Songyang Divine Palm” and “Songshan Swordplay,” both fourth-grade arts, but each had reached a level of mastery. Yu Canghai’s “Heart-Crushing Palm” and “Pine Wind Sword” were likewise brought to perfection. With such high attributes, strong internal force, and powerful skills, Tang Xuan would have little chance against them.

As for the infamous “Scarlet Serpent Fairy” Li Mochou, she was certainly a first-rate expert, and among them, she was even more formidable. She was highly skilled with the Icy Soul Silver Needle, the Scarlet Serpent Divine Palm, and her agility was inherited from the Ancient Tomb Sect—renowned for its unparalleled lightness skills. This explained how she had survived the martial world for years, ruthless and vengeful, yet untouchable.

Now that Tang Xuan was preparing to confront Li Mochou to gain virtue points, he felt reassured by the presence of his master, Grandmaster Xuan Zhi, and the support of allies like Yang Guo. Against this demoness, their chances were not slim.

At this moment, Li Mochou unleashed her Scarlet Serpent Divine Palm and ordered two middle-aged beggars to deliver a message to the chief of the Beggars’ Sect. Though the beggars doubted their chief would covet Li Mochou’s so-called book, under duress, they prepared to deliver the message.

Just as the two beggars were about to leave, Li Mochou spoke coolly, “For such a message, one is enough.”

Their expressions changed. One of them shouted angrily, “Outrageous! We came together, and so we shall leave together! Why force one to stay? Don’t push us too far!”

Li Mochou sneered, stood up, and struck. In an instant, she seized one beggar’s arm, and with a sickening crack, broke the bone, leaving it limp. The man screamed in agony. The other beggar, shocked yet loyal, did not flee but struck at Li Mochou with his fist.

She casually caught his wrist and, with a twist, broke his arm as well! In just a single move each, both beggars were gravely injured, realizing their fate was sealed. Back to back, each clutching their uninjured arms, they resolved to fight to the death.

Li Mochou, however, sat down again and said calmly, “If you want to live, one stays, the other delivers the message. When your chief brings the book, you’ll be ransomed.”

The two beggars were furious and terrified. Master Xuan Zhi, seeing this, could hardly stand by as a Shaolin monk. He immediately rose to confront this demoness.

But at that moment, two young men and women at another table also sprang to their feet! Weapons drawn, the young man whispered, “Sister, you must leave—this woman is formidable!”

“And you?” the young woman replied.

“I’ll save the beggars and then escape!” he said.

The young woman was stunned; in her eyes, her brother was rarely matched, and to hear him speak of fleeing was hard to believe.

But the young man, without further ado, drew his sword with a ringing sound and lunged at Li Mochou. “Fairy, your methods are far too cruel—allow me to test your skills!”

He formed a sword seal with his left hand, stepped forward, and unleashed a move called “Stabilizing Needle,” stabbing upward at an angle—a classic move from the orthodox Quanzhen Swordplay.

This move was executed with perfect energy, strength, form, and timing—seemingly simple, yet to achieve such flawlessness required rare talent and a lifetime’s effort.

The Quanzhen Swordplay itself was a superior fourth-grade art, consisting of only thirty-six moves. Each, beyond its sword technique, incorporated secret hand formations and grappling skills, changing unpredictably with every sword movement. Thus, though named thirty-six sword moves, it actually encompassed thirty-six hand techniques as well.

“Hmm?” Grandmaster Xuan Zhi, who had been about to intervene, could not help but exclaim softly—this was authentic Quanzhen Swordplay.

Tang Xuan had already guessed the young man’s identity—Yelü Qi.

This youth, outstanding in talent, had been chosen by the “Old Mischief” Zhou Botong as a disciple, becoming a peer of the Quanzhen Seven even at his young age. Even Li Weiwei, a disciple of Sun Bu’er the “Hermit of Clarity,” would call him “Little Uncle.”

His talent was indeed remarkable; at such a young age, he had already mastered the Quanzhen Swordplay to perfection. This was why Zhou Botong himself would pass on his skills to such a promising youth.

Later, Yelü Qi would marry Guo Fu, the eldest daughter of Huang Rong, and succeed as chief of the Beggars’ Sect. However, with the influx of countless players into the game “Grand Wuxia,” whether Yelü Qi could still marry Guo Fu and become the chief was uncertain.

Guo Fu, daughter of Guo Jing and Huang Rong, though not the most amiable, was strikingly beautiful and a popular target for many players. With the world’s utter realism, all affairs between men and women in “Grand Wuxia” were as vivid as in real life.