"Do you understand?"

"Yes!"

"Good."

Seeing the grave expression on Sui Wenyan's face, Wenren Yu understood that there was something wrong. But as for what it was, he had no idea in the slightest bit. He also had no guts to ask Sui Wenyan when her face was that dark.

While Wenren Yu didn't know because the man used to only stay to study medicine, Sui Wenyan was very clear of this matter. Human's strength was divided from one to twelve with one being the weakest. Normal people would be only around 3 while children were 1 or 2. If they were cultivator, their strength would increase.

Body Training was referring to their training of their body strength, which would increase. Once they reached Body Training Rank 6, their body strength usually increased to 4, which was also the threshold for them to advance in their training. Because of this, Body Training Rank 6 had become the upper line for many sects to accept disciples.

Without reaching Body Training Rank 6, their body was simply too weak.

When they reached the peak of Body Training Stage, they would be increased to 6, which was also the requirement for them to become Foundation Establishment Cultivator. It was the weakest line and also what most people aimed. They would reach 5 by the time they reached Body Training Rank 9, which was also the strength of majority people at Body Training Rank 10.

To increase even one would require bitter training for days and hours. The only method to create a shortcut was through medicinal bath that would increase their strength exponentially.

The increase of each of this number was double the previous one. Because of that, it was hard for them to even increase one number.

Before this, Sui Wenyan had gauged that Lin Xiao was around 7 or maybe nearing 8. But for someone who wanted to become the Emperor, this strength was simply not enough. He had to make sure that the was much stronger than many others. Even other princes didn't usually make their break through to Foundation Establishment before they reached 9 or possibly 10 to obtain better foundation. 

But Wenren Yu had just told her that Lin Xiao's strength increased to 12, which was basically the peak. The number 12 was only there because in history, there was someone who reached it. But to recreate his legend was simply too hard.

No one would be insane enough to stay in Body Training Rank 10 for years just to obtain the strength of 12.

There was golden time for them to advance to Foundation Establishment and no one wanted to miss the time. Thanks to that, those who wanted to reach the peak usually used some outer sources such as medicines and some methods to be able to increase their body strength rapidly.

Sui Wenyan herself knew that her physical strength was only hovering between 8 and 9. She would still grow stronger as long as she trained herself, but the progress wouldn't be that quick anymore because her focus had shifted to train her Qi.

The medicine bath would usually help cultivators to increase their strength to 8, which was already good enough for majority of them. After all, it was already far above the passing line for them to make their breakthrough.

Both Lin Yun and Wenren Yu were already at 6, but to be save, it would be better for them to wait until they reached 7. The chances of people failing to advance to Foundation Establishment at strength 6 was too much and not many people wanted to advance at such low strength.

It would be a bit embarrassing.

But those who were already older wouldn't care in the slightest bit and tried to advance when they could. Even if they were slightly weaker in the process, it would be worth it as long as they could reach Foundation Establishment and have hope to advance further.

"Wenyan?"

Seeing Sui Wenyan in deep contemplation, Wenren Yu felt that there was truly something wrong. He wanted to know, but he felt that it might be above him to know about this.

Sui Wenyan shook her head. "Just pack up and prepare yourself for departure. We'll be going the day before New Year."

"Alright."

The four of them met with Qui Si and Zhongsun Shan once more to bid their farewell. Lin Xiao had been learning a lot from the couple but there were still many things that he needed to learn, so Qiu Si packed a lot of books for him to read. 

Looking at the pile of books that he had to read, Lin Xiao felt like crying. There were so many of them!

After a few days, Lin Xiao managed to control his strength better. Despite failing to do so a few times, it was still much better than when he completely obliterates everything in his path whenever he went.

Sui Wenyan also refused to spar with him again if he couldn't control his strength. What a joke. Without the protection of her Qi and also the fact that her own strength had increased much more because she was a stage higher than Lin Xiao, she would have died in Lin Xiao's hand during the spar.

She also took her time to repair her Zither, which was the most important weapon in her hand.

…

A few days later.

The four of them headed to the square then to the specific building. This building was designated for those who wanted to travel because there was Transportation Circle that was useful for long distance transportation.

"The price is so much." Lin Xiao still feel the pain when he thought that he had to pay the fee.

Sui Wenyan shrugged her shoulder. "It's just 40,000 gold coins."

"That's not just."

Looking at the fact that there were a lot of people running about Mercenary Association, he knew that they were all trying to find money. For most people, this was an astronomical sum.