Chapter 26: Ranks

"It’s also the rank one has to reach before the Elders allow anyone to leave our Solar System," she said as Ben nodded.

"Beyond that, we have Epic, Legendary, Mythical, and several higher realms that you don’t need to worry about yet."

Ben looked at the display.

"So the cultivation ranks and ability ranks aren’t exactly the same?"

"Correct."

Amanda changed the display.

"Once an innate ability reaches the level associated with Epic-grade potential, we usually stop using the normal ability ranks and begin using specialized ranks."

A new list appeared.

Planetary

High Planetary

Lunar

Solar

Stellar

Galactic

Universal

Cosmic

Ben looked at the list.

"So Planetary is roughly equivalent to Epic?"

"Yes."

"High Planetary is above Planetary, followed by Lunar and Solar."

"Then Stellar, Galactic, Universal, and Cosmic."

Ben nodded slowly.

"Then what would a Cosmic-level ability be capable of?"

Amanda smiled slightly.

"At the highest levels of mastery, a Cosmic-level ability could possess power far beyond a single universe. But don’t worry about that yet."

Ben nodded.

"I’ll focus on Planetary for now."

Maya chuckled.

"That’s probably a good idea."

Ben looked back at the display.

"So my registered ability is Planetary because it’s the lowest possible evaluation for the Death Flames of the Cerberus bloodline?"

Amanda nodded.

"Exactly. The Death Flames possessed by the Cerberus race have extremely high potential. Since your ability originates from that bloodline, registering it as Planetary is believable."

"And it also gives you plenty of room to improve without attracting unnecessary attention."

Ben nodded.

"I understand."

He looked at the training arena in front of him.

"Then I guess I should start working on that potential."

Amanda smiled.

"That’s what these next three months are for."

She dismissed the holographic display.

"First, we’ll test your celestial energy control."

"After that, we’ll teach you basic celestial arts, sword techniques, movement techniques, and proper combat methods."

"And once you have a solid foundation, Morbius will teach you how to use Death Flames."

Ben glanced toward his storage ring.

"Sounds like a good plan."

Amanda nodded.

"Then let’s begin with the basics."

Amanda then looked toward Maya, who was standing nearby.

"Go and get his room ready. While you’re doing that, I’ll start his training."

Maya nodded.

"Alright."

She walked over to Ben and gave him a small peck before leaving.

Amanda then turned back toward Ben and took a thick book from a nearby shelf.

"Since you’re already at the Ninth Stage of the Grey Realm, we’ll start with your physical foundation."

She handed the book to him.

"This is a body cultivation art called Supreme Celestial Art."

Ben looked at the title.

"Body cultivation?"

Amanda nodded.

"It’s a special cultivation art that uses celestial energy to strengthen the body."

"It teaches you how to circulate celestial energy through specific pathways inside your body while gradually strengthening your muscles, bones, organs, blood, and internal energy channels."

Ben opened the book and began reading the first few pages.

"The entire technique is divided into one thousand layers."

"Each layer strengthens your body to a higher degree. As you progress, you can also introduce different elemental essences and special energies into your cultivation."

"Those energies will gradually merge with your body and make it stronger."

Ben nodded as he continued reading.

"So the stronger my cultivation becomes, the stronger my physical body becomes as well?"

"Exactly."

Amanda pointed toward another section of the book.

"However, don’t expect the process to be easy."

"Why?"

"Because your body has to adapt to every increase in strength."

"The process can be extremely painful, especially when you first begin."

Ben looked at her.

"How painful are we talking about?"

Amanda smiled.

"Painful enough that most beginners need several sessions before they become comfortable with it."

Ben sighed.

"Great."

Amanda continued explaining.

"Fortunately, you won’t need to worry about mastering the entire technique before entering the academy."

"Most academies teach body cultivation arts of this level, and you’ll probably spend several years improving it."

Ben nodded.

"That makes sense."

"The Supreme Celestial Art is also useful because it doesn’t only increase your physical strength."

"It can improve your stamina, recovery speed, resistance, regeneration, and overall physical condition."

Ben’s eyes lit up.

"Regeneration too?"

Amanda nodded.

"Yes. As you advance through the layers, your body’s ability to recover from injuries will become stronger."

"At the higher levels, the technique can even allow the body to regenerate lost limbs, provided you have enough celestial energy and your cultivation is sufficiently high."

Ben looked at the book again with renewed interest.

"Then this technique is definitely worth learning."

"Of course it is."

Amanda pointed toward the training platform.

"Go ahead and follow the first exercise described in the book."

Ben nodded and stepped onto the platform.

He sat down and opened the book to the first page of the cultivation method. He carefully followed the instructions and began circulating his celestial energy through his body.

After a few moments, he frowned.

"Is this teaching me how to reverse the flow of my celestial energy?"

Amanda nodded.

"Exactly."

Ben continued following the instructions.

Although he didn’t know much about celestial energy yet, he had already experienced its flow inside his body. The Supreme Celestial Art required him to circulate that energy in an unusual pattern while moving his body in specific ways.

"According to the technique, I have to move my body while circulating the energy in the opposite direction."

"Correct," Amanda said. "The combination of movement and energy circulation will put controlled stress on your body."

"That stress will cause minor injuries throughout your muscles, bones, and internal organs. The celestial energy will then repair those injuries while strengthening your body."

Ben understood the basic principle.

"So I’m basically damaging my body and then letting it rebuild itself stronger."

"That’s one way to describe it."

Amanda nodded.

"But you have to follow the technique exactly. If you circulate the energy incorrectly, you could seriously injure yourself."

Ben became more focused and carefully read the next section.

"You also said something about cycles."

Amanda pointed at the book.

"Yes. You can’t stop halfway through the process."

"Each layer requires twelve complete cycles."

"Twelve?"