In the True Martial Realm, the cultivation level of a low-grade Alchemist or Artifact Refiner was at least at the Desolate Level Realm because only a Desolate Level Martial Artist could externalize True Yuan to ignite and shape fire, which are the most basic prerequisites for Alchemy and Artifact Refining.
Whereas a mid-grade Alchemist or Artifact Refiner usually possessed a cultivation level at the Vast Level Realm, otherwise they couldn't control Essence Energy with greater precision to enhance the quality of Elixirs or Spiritual Artifacts.
From this, Hong Qitian deduced that although the fellow called Bai Fang had concealed his cultivation level, he must be a Vast Level Martial Artist.
However, Hong Qitian didn't believe that Bai Fang's strength could contend with his own.