Deciding to change scenes, the group went to White Beard Tavern. A real hidden gem and coincidentally where Dane has a room. They sat at one of the wall tables. To talk more on Dane questions.
"Between Sword Initiates up to Sword Elites the difference is combat skill, experience, swordplay. However, the difference between Sword Elite and Masters. Is Sword Qi" Darren laced his fingers as he expressed this.
Dane squinted at that.. Sword Qi? "What is Sword Qi?" He asked. Has he heard rumors about this, maybe? But he didn't quite know if they were true. Even remotely.
Hearing about Sword Qi now changed that perspective.
Sophia, knowledgeable on the matter, interjected. "It's as far as we know some type of will imposed on the world. Magic can't replicate it nor can Blood Qi. It's a very difficult mastery but it's the pinnacle beyond Sword Elites. If one cannot manifest Sword Qi and use that they are not masters."
"Okay… how does one impose their will on the world? I thought that was impossible?" Dane asked.
"Only impossible if you want to believe that" Grace finally spoke up. "My guess is it's more than just Will. Perhaps also the harmony of the body, mind and soul. So synced in every action, that it creates a loop. And that loop allows one to manifest Sword Qi" Grace kicked her boots up on the table. "Regardless its harder said than done"
"Theory aside, that is the distinction." Sammy interjected. "Masters are worlds apart from Sword Elites. They are their own ball park and rather conservative about that. Given there is rarely, if ever news on their feats." Sammy said informatively.
"Okay… so masters are worlds apart with this mysterious power. How about Blood Qi? I've never heard of that." He said. He has been hearing them mention that but he has never seen what that is. Nor are there any rumors on it. Dane figure the should stop relying on rumors.
"Oh really? Huh" Darren said, surprised. He gave a glance to Sophia. "its inner energy. Martial strength as is mentioned amongst sword ranks. It allows the human body to achieve greater outputs without harm. Even allowing the use of techniques, even some that seem fantastical."
Dane found this rather interesting. Could he gain another trait of power if he uses blood qi?
"What are the ranks?" He had to ask. It sounded like it was a part of a system. Akin to swordplay.
"Well its a cultivated martial strength so it has nine stages. Initiate, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, True Martial, Third rate, Second rate, First rate, Martial lord." Darren listed them off.
"For example–" Sophia started "Darren is a novice, Sammy and Grace are intermediate, and I am Advanced. Each cultivated Martial Rank gives that person greater feats above what a normal person can do. For example without your magic you were getting almost bodied by Darren. That's Darren with Novice Blood qi. He did use it much against you, its a passive use at that Rank." She explained.
Grace interjected. "Dont jump the curb Sophia. Gotta explain a little about each stage." She said her gaze landed on Dane. "Initiate has slightly enhanced reflexes, strength speed. Akin to you using your magic to enhance yourself, that's Initiate.
Novice is the same as Initiate only that you're slightly stronger. It's Intermediate where things change up abit. At intermediate you're at least one point five times stronger, faster, durable than the average person. Still within the range where a normal swordsman who doesn't practice Blood Qi can still win.
Advanced is a sort of exponential change. To cultivate body where you purge the impurities, open the median nodes in your body and undergo a full body shift. To put it lightly Dane if you fought Sophia. Even without her armor, and Sword you'd lose the moment he stepped in the ring."
Dane blinked at that. "Wha… really? So fast?" He said. Grace smirked at that "even if you attacked her with your sword she could probably bare hand slap that aside with some minor injuries. Otherwise yea your toast."
"Beyond advanced is True Martial. Which i hear is a large leap as well its the gap, the line, the distinction between lower and higher levels. And where Blood qi undergoes an interesting change. That's in the future though." Grace waved dismissively, she was done on the topic. She wasn't all that aware of what was beyond True Martial. Well like what each rank does. Names don't say much either.
"So… Can I learn this? It sounds like a great way to gain strength" Dane asked excitedly. "Oh yes you can after all you're a sword Initiate" Darren said patting him on the back.