Mortal: Fifteenth Realm Sword Cultivator

Zhuang Huayi forced a smile, but what she was really thinking was not this matter.

"Mr. Lu, since this world and this place are collectively referred to as the Human Realm, there must be other, even more expansive places existing here, right?"

Lu Jianghe, still without reservation, explained in a soft voice: "That's right. Due to the limitations of the Heavenly Dao rules and the relatively weak spatial barriers in the human realm, cultivators who reach the Nascent Soul stage are already at the pinnacle of this realm, with no further possibility of advancement. To attain the Great Dao of Immortality, one must break through the realm and ascend."

"After breaking through the boundary, there are many planes to reach. With our human realm as the anchor point, cultivators who break through the boundary and ascend are usually guided to the spirit realm."

"In the Spirit Realm, the human race is just one of the myriad races. Cultivators start from the Nascent Soul stage, progressing to the Void Refining stage, the Body Integration stage, and even higher realms. There, cultivators have long lifespans, almost infinite. However, the Heavenly Dao is clear: every thousand years or so, a tribulation of lightning will descend. Those who can overcome it continue to live freely, while those who cannot will die and their souls will be scattered."

"This is the law of the Great Dao. After all, if the number of people on the mountaintop only increases and never decreases, like an old bookworm who is always hungry and never vomits, it would be a 'malignant tumor' for any world. This ebb and flow would ultimately lead to the destruction of the world. Therefore, those who can truly enjoy eternity and live a long and prosperous life are ultimately only a very few."

Zhuang Huayi listened quietly to these words, then asked, "If one ascends to the Spirit Realm and cultivates to the highest level there, will one attain eternal life?"

Lu Jianghe smiled lightly, "That's naturally impossible. The Spirit Realm isn't the end of cultivation. The highest realm in this realm is the Mahayana cultivator. For such beings, although their lifespan is almost infinite, a heavenly tribulation will descend every three thousand years. Ordinary people can only withstand four or five of these tribulations at most. Even those with extraordinary talent, who use various methods to plunder the heavens and earth, can only endure a dozen or so more. In the end, they can only live for a few hundred thousand years at most, which is their limit. Ultimately, they cannot escape the fate of their primordial spirit disintegrating and their physical body returning to the world."

"Above the Spirit Realm lies the Immortal Realm, where cultivators' lifespans can easily reach a million years. However, to truly attain immortality, one must reach the final two realms, which are close to the end of the Great Dao. But these are all too far off; for now, you only need a general understanding."

He put down his teacup and continued, "As for now, Fellow Daoist Zhuang should focus on cultivating in this realm. It's not too late to talk about other things after you ascend to the Spirit Realm."

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Huayi was somewhat stunned, struggling to process the news that far exceeded her expectations.

The human realm, the spirit realm, the immortal realm...

One floor higher than the next, seemingly without end.

This is far beyond the limits of her previous understanding.

She was overwhelmed with awe, as if she were glimpsing the true vastness of the world for the first time.

"Incredible..."

She murmured to herself.

Leaving aside the ethereal Immortal Realm, even in the Spirit Realm alone, if one is fortunate enough to advance to the Divine Transformation stage and ascend to heaven, one can enjoy a lifespan of thousands or even tens of thousands of years.

If I could...

However, the thought was quickly suppressed by a deeper sense of clarity.

A self-deprecating bitter smile appeared on Zhuang Huayi's lips.

Considering her own aptitude, the Nascent Soul stage might be the end of her path, as for the Divine Transformation stage?

Ultimately, it was all just a mirage, a pipe dream.

Being able to cultivate peacefully to the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm in this mortal world is already considered quite a good fortune for oneself.

Lu Jianghe watched as Zhuang Huayi's expression shifted from a moment of shock and disbelief to a firm resolve, and he couldn't help but nod in approval.

This woman has a rather resilient character.

When ordinary cultivators suddenly hear that the world is so vast and there are infinitely higher realms above, they will probably feel dizzy and disoriented, to the point that their Dao heart is broken, as if a huge hole has been smashed open, and they will become unrealistic and their foundation will be shaken.

Zhuang Huayi was able to quickly regain her composure, and this dedication to "striving for excellence" and focusing on the present moment is truly commendable.

Lu Jianghe pondered that if everything went smoothly, according to his calculations, after refining the true demonic energy suppressed in the three places, the spiritual energy of the human realm might slowly recover in about a thousand years.

At that time, those in the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm are expected to enter the late stage, and those in the late stage will also have the opportunity to glimpse the Divine Transformation realm and then ascend to the Spirit Realm.

But this is only a possibility within the "budget," and things can change unexpectedly.

However, his real concerns went far beyond that.

He harbored a grander idea: to elevate the entire human realm to heaven.

Such a heaven-defying act could only be accomplished by those with extraordinary supernatural powers.

Lu Jianghe knew that even with his peak Immortal Realm cultivation, he probably wouldn't be able to support such a powerful force that could control the universe.

The amount of Taoist magic and energy it requires is enormous.

Perhaps, only by reaching the Ascension Realm and incorporating the inner world into the laws of Heaven can one possibly "stuff" the entire "pond" of the human realm into the spirit realm, cleave the heavens with a single sword strike, and forcefully pierce through the two realms.

The reason why such a shocking idea came to mind was...

The root cause lies in Lu Jianghe's deep-seated worry that if he cannot achieve a profound and mysterious harmony of mind and spirit, he cannot attain a certain level of harmony with the Dao.

Then he can only choose the worst option.

Forcibly aligning with the "advantage of location".

He transformed the entire human realm, and even the spirit realm, into a part of his own little world.

This might help him forcefully break through the threshold of the fourteenth realm.

If we continue down this path...

As for those so-called "Dao Ancestors" who sit high above the Immortal Realm, their very existence can serve as the "anchor" and "support" for his new path.

Taking this as an opportunity, we can continue to emulate this method, regard the entire immortal realm as a greater "advantageous location", and try to refine it on a grand scale.

Lu Jianghe wants to follow the old path of the founders of the three religions...

To unite the human realm, the spirit realm, and the immortal realm into one.

When it comes to the "Pixiu," the celestial being that only eats and never vomits.

Because no one is competing with him for the right path, given enough time, he can achieve his goal gradually, like water dripping through stone or sand accumulating to form a tower, through persistent effort.

Compared to this, what Lu Jianghe yearns for even more is to become a truly pure, unrestrained sword cultivator who can truly roam freely between heaven and earth.

After reaching the Fourteenth Stage of Dao Integration, one might be able to follow that mysterious intuition and return to the Vast World.

As for whether the Dao Ancestors residing in the Immortal Realm will become an obstacle in this process.

Once you can reach the Ascension Realm, nothing is worth fearing.

Even if you can't win a fight, you can still run away.

Because those who have ascended to the Ascension Realm have already attained great longevity, becoming immortal beings who live as long as heaven and earth, and are free from heavenly tribulations.

Zhuang Huayi stood up. "Sir, I'm going into seclusion."

Lu Jianghe nodded, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

It is common for cultivators to go into seclusion.

He had been in seclusion all along, but now that he was protecting them, it was just right.

Just then, a streak of light suddenly appeared on the horizon.

A gentle breeze swept by, accompanied by a sharp, crisp sound, and the flowing light instantly solidified into form.

It was none other than Shi Songpo, the law enforcement elder of the Star Palace.

Upon meeting, he bowed deeply to Lu Jianghe, his posture extremely respectful.

"I never expected that you, senior, would be a Nascent Soul stage cultivator like the two saints. I was blind and negligent in my previous actions. I hope you will forgive me and not take offense."

Lu Jianghe stood up, waved his hand casually, and said, "Alright, alright, stop with the formalities. Why be so formal? To be honest, if we're talking about building relationships, I'm probably not as familiar with you as I am with your two Holy Lords."

Upon hearing this, Shi Songpo's shoulders trembled slightly, and as he stroked his beard, the restraint on his face immediately dissipated.

"Can I drink alcohol?"

Lu Jianghe chuckled: "What kind of question is that?"

Shi Songpo then pulled out two palm-sized, emerald-green, crystal-clear wine flasks from his wide sleeves.

"Try this."

As Shi Songpo spoke, he threw it over.

He then uncorked it and took a sip.

Lu Jianghe caught the wine pot; it was slightly cool to the touch.

He opened it in the same way, and an extremely strong and mellow aroma of wine, with a hint of grass and wood fragrance, instantly rushed into his nostrils.

Without hesitation, he drank the wine, and his face instantly turned slightly red.

A hint of surprise flashed in Lu Jianghe's eyes, and he couldn't help but praise.

"Good wine."

Upon seeing this, Shi Songpo laughed heartily, his laughter tinged with smugness: "This is 'Heart-Burning Dew,' brewed from the essence of earth's lung fire and the grass of the cold pool. Ordinary cultivators cannot afford to drink it."

have to say.

Although the human realm lacks top-tier cultivators in combat power, its winemaking skills are truly exquisite and unique.

Just one bite is enough to allow an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator to break through their bottleneck, saving them years of arduous cultivation.

Compared to the bland, watery Green Bamboo Wine at the shop of the second-in-command of the Sword Qi Great Wall, it tastes so much better.

After that, neither of them spoke again, but silently drank from their wine jugs.

After drinking almost all of his wine, Shi Songpo finally spoke up: "Now, the Grand Elder is in charge of the Star Palace. My lineage also needs to stay in the Holy Temple and cannot be away for long. The reason I was able to come here is because I sensed some unusual activity earlier and came to put my mind at ease."

Lu Jianghe put down the wine pot. "Jin Kui has already come, and then the two saints also came. With such a series of commotions, it's probably impossible to keep it a secret."

Upon hearing this, Shi Songpo immediately became serious and said, "The Grand Elder has a distinguished status and naturally knows many people. As for the Twin Saints... they haven't shown their faces for hundreds of years. Apart from us Nascent Soul stage elders, it would be difficult for others to recognize them. However, even so, this place will inevitably be disturbed by some ignorant people in the future. Should I spread the word?"

Lu Jianghe didn't stand on ceremony and nodded, saying, "Then I'll have to trouble Fellow Daoist Shi."

Shi Songpo quickly waved his hand, his tone deliberately apprehensive.

"I dare not accept such a title. Only a senior of the Grand Elder's level should accept such a title. I would rather not."

Seeing his fearful and apprehensive expression, Lu Jianghe clicked his tongue lightly.

Shi Songpo didn't mind at all; instead, a look of relief and ease appeared on his face.

Immediately, a flash of spiritual light appeared around him, and he vanished without a trace.

That old guy.

Ultimately, their levels of understanding are vastly different.

If he were just an ordinary mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, Shi Songpo believed he could manage to get by and even maintain some semblance of dignity by relying on his status as a Star Palace Elder.

But this one is a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, just like the Twin Saints of the Star Palace.