Thanks for bringing that to my attention, I did forget to add some explanatory text in the appendix. Cultivation methods set their required quality like any other panoply item (except for the fine/poor wrinkle discussed in the section on breakthroughs), based on their edges:flaws balance, linked techniques, etc. Then, you slap a +3 tax on top. The examples in the appendix don't include the +3 modifier (because of minor realms).
As for clock size, it's just based on vibes. Assume the default is an 8-clock: adjust that up for more powerful or time-intensive cultivation methods, adjust it down for more materials-intensive ones or ones with bigger drawbacks/harsher flaws.
I'm glad you're excited about the game overall though! I hope you have fun, and please let me know how it goes! ^___^