This Secret Technique divided a cultivator’s aptitude into several tiers, each with a different upper limit.

From lowest to highest, these seven tiers were: Low-Grade, Middle Lower, Middle Grade, Middle Upper, High-Grade, Upper Upper, and Top Grade.

Low-Grade aptitude usually belonged to Five Spirit Roots Cultivators. Their comprehension was extremely poor, and their conversion of Spiritual Qi was unsatisfactory. Without some special opportunity, their life’s achievements would likely end at the Late-stage Qi Refining, making it difficult to even consolidate a Dao Foundation.

Middle Lower aptitude was generally for Four Spirit Roots or Five Spirit Roots Cultivators. Their comprehension was passable, but their absorption and conversion of Spiritual Qi were higher. With the aid of a Foundation Establishment Pill, they had a chance to break through to Foundation Establishment before their vitality began to decline at age sixty.

Middle Grade aptitude typically belonged to Three Spirit Roots Cultivators. They could master Techniques relatively quickly. If they had a compatible Heart Method, the Spiritual Qi they absorbed could be efficiently converted into Spiritual Power. Their chances of breaking through to Foundation Establishment were high, and with the right opportunities, they could even aspire to the Purple Mansion Realm.

The biggest difference between Middle Upper and Middle Grade aptitude was superior comprehension; Spirit Roots were no longer a major factor. They had a greater chance of breaking through to the Purple Mansion Realm and could go even further, with the Golden Core Realm being a tangible possibility.

Those with High-Grade aptitude all had a chance at reaching the Golden Core. However, the focus was more on comprehension and temperament, while Spirit Roots were less important—unless one was a Celestial Spirit Root cultivator.

For those with Upper Upper aptitude, barring any accidents, reaching the Golden Core Realm was a sure thing. As long as they encountered the right opportunities, their future would be limitless.

As for those with Top Grade aptitude, their future achievements were impossible to predict.

Of course, all of this was just a reference. There were many uncontrollable factors, and the evaluation could change at different stages of life.

However, its value couldn’t be ignored. For a family in particular, it could help unearth a cultivator’s full potential and prevent talent from being wasted.

Thinking of this, Song Changsheng suddenly felt a bit eager to see which tier his own aptitude would fall into.

By conventional standards, his Water and Fire Dual Spirit Roots would only be considered average.

’If I factor in my superior comprehension, I wonder if I could reach High-Grade aptitude?’

No sooner said than done. Song Changsheng slowly placed his right hand over his Baihui Acupoint. A Spiritual Light flickered, and his own condition was laid bare before him.

The final evaluation was Middle Upper.

Song Changsheng was calm about this result. He had always had a clear understanding of his own aptitude. Without the Daoist Scripture and his many opportunities, his achievements would likely have stopped at the Purple Mansion Realm.

’But will my future achievements truly stop at the Purple Mansion?’

He didn’t think so. Given his current cultivation speed, the number of people in the entire Daqi Cultivation World who surpassed him could be counted on one hand.

Ten years ago, this was something he wouldn’t have even dared to imagine.

’But isn’t this the very meaning of cultivation?’

To contend with the heavens, to contend with the earth, to contend with man.

’I don’t believe in heaven, and I certainly don’t believe in fate!’

"I wonder what kind of evaluation Qingxi and Qingxing would get with their aptitude?" Song Changsheng murmured, rubbing his chin. He decided to have them try it after they finished their meditation.

Just then, his gaze fell upon the sleeping Little Lingyun, and he couldn’t help but frown.

With a POP, he pulled the baby’s thumb out of his mouth and grumbled, "Did this little guy never sleep in his past life? He’s been out for so long he hasn’t woken up. The beast milk I prepared is going to spoil."

If Song Lingyun could speak, he would surely have lodged a tearful complaint against Song Changsheng. ’Is it that I can’t wake up? Is it that I don’t want to drink beast milk?’

’I fainted from hunger, okay?’

This baby’s life is so hard, ending up with such an unreliable "father."

Song Changsheng put away the Tai Chi Diagram, carried Little Lingyun out of the meditation chamber, and returned the key to a Celestial Sword Sect disciple on duty outside. Then he asked, "How many more days are left for meditation?"

"There are still two days left. Most of the fellow cultivators who came to the Sword Stele Forest to observe have already gone down the mountain."

"It’s already been three days..."

Song Changsheng was startled. He originally thought his seclusion had only lasted a dozen or so ancient hours, but three whole days had passed.

’Doesn’t that mean Lingyun has been hungry for three days?’

Realizing his mistake, Song Changsheng scrambled to fix it. After a frantic flurry of activity, Little Lingyun was fed and full, and he fell sound asleep once more.

Song Changsheng quietly wiped a bead of cold sweat from his forehead, warning himself never to make such a mistake again.

When he returned to the Sword Stele Forest, Song Qingxi immediately ran up to him, pouting. "Where did you go? I couldn’t find you anywhere! I’ve been sitting here bored all day."

"I had a small insight, so I went into seclusion in a meditation chamber for a few days. How did you two do?"

Song Qingxi, eager for praise, quickly said, "I comprehended a Tier Two Sword Technique."

"Excellent. Xi’Er is so smart." Song Changsheng patted the little girl’s soft head encouragingly, then turned his gaze to Song Qingxing, who was holding the Traceless Sword.

Song Qingxing raised his head slightly and said indifferently, "I gained some insight."

Seeing that all three of them had made gains, Chi Huo Old Ghost suddenly felt his face flush with embarrassment. Although he had followed his instincts and found a Tier Three Sword Technique that suited him, he had meditated on it for days without any results.

He had no choice but to give up and switch to meditating on the Wordless Stele. In the end, after several days, all he had comprehended was a predecessor’s cultivation notes—and they were from the Foundation Establishment Stage, completely useless to him.

’Compared to them, I seem pretty useless.’

Fortunately, Song Changsheng didn’t even think to ask him. Seeing that the two juniors had both made progress, he nodded in satisfaction. "It seems this trip was well worth it. Since we’re all finished, let’s prepare to return to the family. With the Demon Race invading from the Hundred Thousand Mountains in full force, I’m still worried about things back home."