The sun was still low, casting golden light across the courtyard as I stood before my grandfather. His back was straight, his presence as unshakable as the mountains that surrounded our clan.
Today marked the beginning of my true journey.
He held a wooden staff in one hand, not to fight—but to teach. With a faint smile, he gestured for me to sit across from him on the stone platform.
"Before you learn how to fight," he said, voice calm and steady, "you must understand what you're fighting for—and what you must overcome."
He tapped the staff gently against the ground.
"The first thing you must learn… is what martial arts truly are."
I blinked. "A way to fight?"
My grandfather chuckled. "To some, yes. But martial arts is a path. A philosophy. A mountain. And depending on who you are, the meaning changes."
He turned his eyes toward the horizon.
"To one person, martial arts may be the path to protect their loved ones. To another, a way to seek glory. To someone else, it might be revenge."
I nodded slowly, listening.
"But on the ground level," he continued, "you can simply say this—martial arts make you more than an ordinary person."
He stepped onto the training platform and raised his voice with clarity, as if reciting ancient scripture.
"Every martial artist begins by choosing between two paths: the Physical Training Technique or the Internal Body Training Technique."
He gave me a pointed look.
"In this world, physical training is rarely practiced by men. Our bodies are not built the same as women's in this society. The physical path favors brute strength, external combat, and body fortification."
I remained quiet, understanding what he meant.
"We will take the Internal Training route," he said. "That path focuses on internal energy, breath control, and qi circulation."
He tapped the ground again.
"Now listen carefully. Every martial artist, regardless of path, must break through the same stages. These are known as the Martial Walls."
I leaned forward slightly, eager to absorb every word.
Third-Class Martial Artist
"The first wall," he said, "is the beginning."
"At this level, you become slightly stronger than an ordinary person. You can run faster, jump higher, endure more pain. It's your first step into the martial world."
Second-Class Martial Artist
"Once you break through, you become a second-class martial artist. Here, you can control internal energy—qi—and become ten times stronger than an ordinary man."
My eyes widened. That much of a leap?
He nodded, as if reading my thoughts.
First-Class Martial Artist
"At this stage," he said, "you gain access to martial essence—the soul of the martial techniques you practice. You are ten times stronger than a second-class martial artist."
I raised my hand. "Grandfather… what exactly is martial essence?"
He smiled, clearly pleased by the question.
"Good. You're thinking."
"Martial essence," he said, "is the power drawn from the technique itself. Every martial art form has its own spirit, its own intent. The more refined and profound your technique, the more essence it holds."
He added, "You can often judge a martial artist's level by the quality of their techniques. Some use third-class martial arts, while others train in first-class martial arts. The art you practice defines the strength you can command."
He then drew a diagram on the ground with his staff, showing three small lines beneath each stage.
"Each realm is divided into three levels—Initial, Middle, and Peak. Only after reaching Peak can you attempt to ascend to the next stage."
I took a deep breath. "How many stages are there?"
Grandfather's eyes gleamed as he continued.
Master Stage (Zongshi Jing)
"At the Master Stage, you can fully utilize both your internal energy and martial essence. Your power becomes refined and battle-tested."
"In this realm, you may even be qualified to establish your own sect in the jianghu."
The idea stirred something inside me.
A sect… of my own?
Grandmaster Stage ( Da Zongshi Jing)
"Here," he said, "you gain the ability to manifest Weapon Qi—the soul of your chosen weapon."
"Sword users will summon Sword Qi. Sabers, Saber Qi. Spearmen, Spear Qi."
"Your attacks will no longer rely solely on physical form or energy—but intention. A single slash filled with sword intent can split boulders."
Unrestrained Realm ( Xiaoyao Jing)
"In this realm, the limits of the human body no longer bind you. You can leap across rooftops. Run for days without tiring. Some no longer need food or sleep—only internal energy to sustain them."
"You become something… more."
Void Realm / Enlightenment Stage (Kongming Jing)
"They call this the stage of heaven and earth. In this realm, you begin to understand the laws of the world itself. Some call it the Void, others call it Enlightenment."
"At this level, you can perform Void Step—walking through the air as if it were ground beneath your feet."
My heart pounded.
To walk on air… like the legendary martial gods of old.
Transcendent Realm (Chaofan Jing)
"At this stage," my grandfather said slowly, "you break the barrier of age. You can live for over 200 years. Your body no longer decays like a mortal's. Your power transcends logic."
"Flying across clouds… commanding forces that ordinary warriors can't begin to imagine."
"One transcendent warrior can defeat a hundred from the Unrestrained Realm."
My jaw dropped. "A hundred?!"
He nodded. "Such is the leap between realms."
I stared at him, breath caught in my throat.
"Is that… the final stage?"
He paused.
Then his voice dropped to a whisper.
"No. There is one more."
He turned to the fading sun as if he were peering into time itself.
"It is a legend, spoken only in whispers. They call it the Immortal Stage ( Xian Jing). The realm where one leaves the cycle of birth and death. Where a human becomes… immortal."
I swallowed hard.
"Have you seen anyone reach it?"
He shook his head. "I've only heard stories. No one knows if it truly exists."
The sun had dipped below the mountains. The sky had turned crimson.
My grandfather smiled and tapped his staff against the stone one last time.
"That's enough for today. Go rest, Rin. Tomorrow, we begin your true training."
As we walked back toward the manor, my heart burned with new fire.
One day… I would climb those martial walls.
And I would reach the top.
No matter how high.