The 10th Rank? (2)

"Mommy, do you think there is an 11th rank?" Xiao Ling said, bending her head back to look up and smile at Xin Xia. 

"I'm not sure, the 10th rank seems possible. That seems fair to assume. After all, I hadn't said it before but, When I broke through to the 9th rank, there were no chains that bound me. Nor was there a barrier that felt restrictive of further advancement. Why do you ask, little cutie." Xin Xia said, giving Xiao Ling a kiss on the forehead. 

"Because, I don't think an 11th rank is possible either. The strength a 10th rank would have is already massive. And is likely the true last rank before the Limitless Heaven Realm that daddy and all my Spirit Siblings are in. If we followed the massive improvement that the Open heaven realm follows each rank, then an 11th rank would have already been at least as strong as a Limitless Heaven Realm using the rule of 3s with a total of 12 worlds." Xiao Ling explained, in a rough manner trying to help stop the confusion. 

"Now that I hear it… Little Xiao Ling may be right. Does anyone here know what realm those disciples of the Supreme Master were in? The ones we met when the Supreme Master broke through to the rule of tens." The 9th rank that had thought about there being an 11th rank asked. 

"I know, but I hope you won't feel pressured by it. Those adorable disciples were born with super rare constitutions and were raised and trained by Lei Jin, their entire lives." Zi Rong said, explaining that there was definitely something different about them. 

"Don't worry, I'm sure that everyone here will be fine. After all, the little Xiao siblings are all in the same realm but much further along." Ling Shi giggled, light heartedly. "Those cuties were in the Limitless Heaven realm rule of 3s somewhere around 12 worlds each in their Inner Domains." She said, answering the other person's question. 

"So they really were in that realm… But how did they get there? If the 10th rank is the final step before that realm and we only just now learned of it… They couldn't have managed it so many years ago could they?" A 9th rank asked, confused and rightfully so.

"Not all paths must be the same. Those disciples took a very different path and were closely watched by Lei Jin. I can't tell you the specifics of how or what the methods used were. All I can say is that only a total of 8 people had the proper constitutions needed. But only those four remained under Lei Jin's guidance from the beginning till now. And even the four who left to join our army now, are incapable of performing the same method. It is likely that if anyone tried to replicate it they would die." XIn Xia explained.

"So then, this 10th rank is really just a different path that might give one the qualifications to enter the Limitless Heaven realm." Yang Kai said, with a soft glance at Xiao Dan who had wandered over and was staring at him. 

"Uncle Yang is super smart! Uncle Yang understood what daddy's thoughts were! Though… we can't confirm it until someone actually reaches the 10th rank. And… something else, I forgot what it was that daddy had said to Xiao Ling and Xiao Dan." Xiao Dan said with a big smile at first and then a confused look appeared as she tried to think about what it was. 

"Ahahaha, perhaps it's not just reaching the 10th rank that needs to happen. But someone must reach the Limitless Heaven Realm through this path before it can be confirmed." Yang Kai said with a smile and patted Xiao Dan's head gently. 

"That's what it was! Daddy was right, he knew that Uncle Yang would figure that out." Xiao Dan said, giggling a little. 

"Well then, let us all work on improving our cultivations to the peak of the 9th rank. Only then would we have the qualifications to break through to the 10th rank." Yang Kai said, removing his hand from patting Xiao Dan's head, as Xiao Dan then ran over to give one of her mommies a hug. 

"Remember to focus on your cultivation but, don't forget to instruct your disciples here in the Army. If any questions arise during their practice we must answer them within 6 years. Thus giving us 5 years of uninterrupted cultivation. Every 50 years we should gather once more to discuss our insights with each other." Azure Heart said, clapping her hands once.

"Good, with the realization that the 10th rank is possible, we really do need to be more diligent in our practice. Though, I'm curious how such a thing would happen." Liang Changming said, just as he was about to leave. 

"Seniors, please wait a moment. I am afraid I must ask for 9 of you to assist me in an endeavor. I can't say what it is just yet but, if it works… We might just be able to realize the 10th rank. At the very least we will generate some insight on it." Yang Kai said, a little nervous. 

"I'll aid you, I think I have a similar idea as Junior Yang. Though, as of now, assuming it to bring anything more than some minor insights seems to be a bit… Overconfident." Han Qiu agreed, motioning her hand forward. 8 more said they would join in the efforts as well. 

With the 9th ranks having finished their meeting they all spread out to do their own thing. A few people noticed that Lei Jin had a smirk on his face after the meeting had finished. A pleased smirk.

"The 9th ranks have not let me down. With them working on their own way to emulate what I had given them, I can now freely focus on stabilizing my situation. The center of my World Array indeed has a 10th Rank Universe World. It's been several hundred years since it finished. It hasn't fully stabilized just yet but it is certainly very close." Lei Jin thought to himself. 

The Army continued to cultivate diligently. And many new good seeds began to appear in the Small Universes of the High Rank Open Heavens. Thus adding more might to the Army.