Chapter 2357 - 2086: Yu Unites the Lords at Tushan, Ten Thousand States Present Jade and Silk

The divine power named Demon God of Great Black Heaven infused into Taishi Ci’s body was returned after leaving the coverage of Fusang without being refined.

Nevertheless, as Taishi Ci was already among those closest to the breakthrough level, naturally, after receiving an inner qi equal to his own, he successfully entered another realm.

Although the power was returned after leaving Fusang, the insights remained, which is why Zhang Fei was astonished at Taishi Ci’s achievement.

Similarly, Taishi Ci roughly understood why Xu Sheng, Mi Fang, and Cai Mao experienced fluctuations in the Inner Qi Manifestation stage.

In simple terms, it’s the gap in foundational accumulation. If Taishi Ci’s accumulation were sufficient, he could remain at the breakthrough level even after the external boost disappeared, but his foundation was lacking, so he fell back.

Similarly, Xu Sheng’s accumulation in Qi Refining to Gang was sufficient. With the external boost, he entered Inner Qi Manifestation, and even after losing the external power, he could exhibit the expected strength through solid accumulation and sudden outburst.

This external power is basically a chance. If your foundation is robust enough to take this step but cannot due to certain reasons, the external stimulus can trigger the foundation to autonomously overcome the barrier.

Regarding whether this method of crossing the barrier has issues, Taishi Ci tends to think there are none. At most, it lacks the determination between life and death, deep inner qi immersion, and body integration, which would inhibit instant further breakthroughs to a higher Inner Qi Manifestation level.

Though Taishi Ci noticed some downsides, allowing Qi Refining to Gang masters to experience Inner Qi Manifestation rank and thus seize the opportunity to truly ascend to this height outweighs compensable flaws.

Taishi Ci has an estimation in mind of how many Inner Qi Manifestations there are in the Central Plains, excluding certain elusive martial artists and those killed over accumulation waves over the years, leaving about thirty immortals and genuinely three or four dozen military generals.

Three or four dozen generals, though it sounds like a lot, considering the population base of the Han Dynasty, even after the Yellow Turban Rebellion and years of warfare, numbers still reach 45 million.

Meaning less than one Inner Qi Manifestation general surfaces per million persons, which is an exceptionally low rate.

Inner Qi Manifestation has strong and weak levels, which Taishi Ci understands, yet based on what he sees, it’s as if he hasn’t encountered Inner Qi Manifestation below mid-stage rank in Central Plains.

Almost all Inner Qi Manifestation generals break through directly into mid-level, with some bursting forth after accumulation into Inner Qi Manifestation Perfection stage, swiftly reaching Ultimate Inner Qi Manifestation.

Simply, Taishi Ci’s impression of Central Plains is that Inner Qi Manifestation stage masters below Perfection count less than five, while Ultimate Inner Qi Manifestation masters outnumber those in Perfection.

From biology, sociology, and mathematical sketches, this situation defies science; without foundational accumulation, the so-called top tier is theoretically just a castle in the sky.

Nevertheless, this is an undeniable reality on Han Dynasty’s side.

The generals of Han Dynasty either stubbornly remain at Qi Refining to Gang or breakthrough on the battlefield through sudden determination, or explode into a massive burst after accumulating immensely.

Upon breakthrough, except for a few, most immediately cross into Inner Qi Manifestation Perfection.

This sudden leap that brings disparity suffices for the breakthrough-self to quickly reach the ability to confront hundreds of pre-breakthrough selves without Cloud Qi suppression.

Simply put, Le Jin succeeded in breaking through to Inner Qi Manifestation, steadily reaching Perfection and still getting stronger, while Cao Hong and Cao Ren remained stuck at their previous peak of Qi Refining to Gang, causing great disparity.

This reality almost roars at Taishi Ci, confirming certain accumulations among Han Dynasty’s Qi Refining to Gang masters since the Yellow Turban Era are extremely terrifying, essentially needing just a key to unlock potential.

Fusang’s blessing appears to Taishi Ci as a potential unlocking key, with hundreds or even thousands at the peak of Qi Refining to Gang, and if even one out of fifty possesses such eligibility, it suffices!

Each additional Inner Qi Manifestation rank master contributes to the country’s assets, reinforcing comprehensive national strength on a foundational level.

A master stuck at the peak of Qi Refining to Gang, still striving and fighting for over ten years, given the key to unlock the door, can burst forth to cross the Inner Qi Manifestation barrier’s confinement momentarily.

This is the intelligence Taishi Ci intends to disclose, though just an experience, it’s crucial information for those like Cao Hong, Cao Ren, Yu Jin, and Huang Gai, trapped at this level for decades.