Like an unnamed routine, the cultivation Clans would test the knowledge and power of their disciples. Be that among clans or within clans. The competition next month was that very unnamed routine. On the basis of their cultivation level, the disciples compete with each other in designed combats.
There were essentially 12 levels on the pathway to ascension, in the cultivation realm. 6 of them were the stages before one formed a core, be that demonic or spritual. And the rest 6 were cultivated after forming a core. The more of these level one advances, the more their power increases and the more they are able to use their dantian. Bai LiHua, had only barely surfaced the 7th level after forming a core almost 3 years ago. It shows how difficult leveling up becomes, after a core is formed.