"Zeroth Layer? There's a layer like that?" Han Xuhan was flabbergasted.
Just today, he had gotten to hear Elder Ning's introductory lecture and Elder Kong Ye's practical guidance for a beginner. If such a minor realm existed in cultivating Mystic Arts, why would they never mention it?
What's more, in the story he had read before transmigrating, Mu Ran was cultivating his body on the Martial Path. How did he discover such a mystery in the Mystic Arts?
"Indeed. There really is a Zeroth layer. It's just that it isn't possible to tap into this layer in all Mystic Arts, especially the orthodox ones that are known all across the world.
"The more obscure a Mystic Art is, the bigger the chances are that one could reach it. All you need to do is to follow the guidance etched in this sheepskin."
Han Xuhan took a deeper look at the complex calculation charts, formulae, and qi channeling diagrams in it. He still couldn't quite bring himself to fully trust this unknown source.
"Boss, are you sure about this?"
"Of course, I am. I am cultivating this myself! I'm very close to reaching the first layer of a Mystic Art I got from outside," Mu Ran said confidently.
No wonder Elder Kong Ye grouped you with us! Your cultivation simply wasn't good
"Is this method really unknown all over the world? None of the Elders-"
"Tch~" Mu Ran let out a dissatisfied sound and raised a hand to silence Han Xuhan.
"Underling, if we were to count the number of people in this world who know of this secret Zeroth layer, my penis would be enough to keep the count."
"...What?"
"Sigh...you're so slow, underling. It means only I know this secret! Wasn't it obvious? See, I've got only one penis-"
"Yes, yes, of course. That much I understand, boss."
Han Xuhan understood more than that. He understood that Mu Ran was trying to overcompensate to enhance his 'masculine' image. Up till now, Han Xuhan had assumed that his brash and dismissive behavior with everyone was due to his protagonist-template personality.
Now, he could see the truth clearly. His crossdressing boss was just going overboard with the pretentious manliness!
Completely oblivious to Han Xuhan's complicated gaze, Mu Ran lazily spoke at his own pace.
"For most cultivation techniques in the Crimson Snow sect, the cycling of qi has its own unique characteristic, separating them from other sects. All of the powerful, top-tier sects have their own uniqueness.
"The main purpose of cycling qi is to refine it for specific actions. Generally, all refined qi unlocks the cultivation potential of our body, guiding us toward the door of the first layer of a technique.
"When the cycle is repeated enough times, perfected and saturated, the technique leaves its mark on the practitioner's body and soul. Every rookie's spiritual world is born from this phase.
"However, the Zeroth layer completely deviates from this path. It is an extraordinary layer that is invisible even in the spiritual world of a practitioner. Sensing it is next to impossible, unless you cultivate your spiritual sensitivity specifically for such delicate tasks.
"Having a Zeroth Layer as your foundation also removes the hidden problems and weaknesses of your spiritual world to some extent, thus taking your cultivation of any Mystic Art to the very peak of perfection. It gives you an absolute advantage over any cultivator in the same layer and even some above your cultivation base!
"With this layer in the center, a complete cycle can be created with the other known layers of the technique, thus making one's foundation truly complete!
If Mu Ran's description of the Zeroth Layer method could be compared to a sales pitch, then Han Xuhan would give it a solid 8 out of 10. His previous misgivings were more or less gone now.
And now that he had a deeper insight into this subject, he understood what he was dealing with. This was just another tactic made by crafty authors who wanted to build hype around the protagonist's cultivation technique!
My enemy is at the peak of the tenth layer of his super badass killing technique? Hahaha! Well, I'm not bragging, but I have cultivated my super badass killing technique to the tenth layer too, except, there is one extra layer in those ten layers! Now eat my 3% stronger nutbuster kick!
Perhaps the look of surprised understanding on his face wasn't satisfying enough, because Mu Ran snorted and continued speaking.
From introducing Han Xuhan to the concept of sensing and drawing in qi, to explaining what meridians were and how a cultivator could take shortcuts in channeling qi into these meridians in their body, to the effects and aftereffects of completing a qi cycle, Han Xuhan got a thorough understanding of the process.
"Boss, you're an amazing teacher, I must say. I doubt even the Elders know so many shortcuts and esoteric concepts!" He expressed his amazement sincerely.
What was talent? This 'guy' right here embodied it all, in Xuhan's eyes. If Xuanyuan Zhou was a genius, then Mu Ran surely deserved the title of a prodigy!
How can a rookie who has barely begun his journey as a cultivator be so knowledgeable? It was almost like standing in front of a great master with centuries of experience in cultivation.
"Hehe, underling, I told you so~ I, Mu Ran, will grow to be an unrivalled existence in the world of cultivation. Being my lackey means having your path to the dao painted in gold and draped with roses!"
Han Xuhan immediately regretted praising his boss so highly. As he tried to excuse himself using the existence of the thickening fog outside, Mu Ran shouted from behind.
"Now that you know why spirit stones are useful for cultivation as a beginner, how about you leave behind a handful for your boss?"
Han Xuhan was brought to the point of tears for the second time in the day.