Chapter 6: Morning Revelations and Hidden Truths

Chapter 6: Morning Revelations and Hidden Truths

The morning sun filtered gently through the latticed windows of Ming Yue's residence, casting a warm glow over the meticulously arranged breakfast spread. The scent of freshly brewed tea mingled with the aroma of steamed buns and savory congee, creating an inviting atmosphere. Xuan Yu sat across from Ming Yue, feeling a mix of curiosity and anticipation.

Ming Yue looked at Xuan Yu with a thoughtful expression. "Xuan Yu, I realized you might not be familiar with the cultivation realms in our world. Let me explain to you. There are Seven Mortal Spirit Realms which each consisting of 9 levels."

Xuan Yu nodded, eager to learn more about this world and how it compared to his past experiences.

The Seven Mortal Spirit Realms

1. Elementary Spirit Realm

- Description : The foundation of cultivation. At this level, one learns to sense and absorb spiritual energy from the environment.

- Achievement : Through meditation and basic energy control exercises, a cultivator opens their first meridian and begins to accumulate spiritual energy.

- Lifespan : 100 years per stage.

- Details : This stage involves basic breathing techniques and the initial opening of the body's meridians. Cultivators at this stage are akin to newborns, taking their first steps into the vast world of spiritual cultivation.

2. Profound Spirit Realm

- Description : Cultivators refine their spiritual energy, increasing its potency and density.

- Achievement : Requires opening additional meridians and mastering more advanced energy techniques.

- Lifespan : 200 years per stage.

- Details : At this realm, cultivators learn to control and manipulate their spiritual energy with greater precision, allowing for more powerful techniques and spells. The connection between body and spirit deepens.

3. True Spirit Realm

- Description.: A deeper connection with the spiritual energy, allowing for more powerful techniques and spells.

- Achievement : Cultivators at this stage learn to integrate spiritual energy with their physical bodies, enhancing strength and resilience.

- Lifespan : 300 years per stage.

- Details : This realm signifies a cultivator's deeper understanding of their own potential, bridging the gap between mortal limitations and spiritual possibilities.

4. Earth Spirit Realm

- Description : Cultivators gain control over elemental forces, allowing them to manipulate the environment.

- Achievement : Requires understanding and harmonizing with the natural elements, and opening the Earth Gate.

- Lifespan : 400 years per stage.

- Details : Mastery over elements such as fire, water, earth, and wind becomes possible. Cultivators start to influence their surroundings, bending nature to their will.

5. Heavenly Spirit Realm

- Description : Cultivators attain a level of power where they can influence the heavens and communicate with higher entities.

- Achievement : Requires opening the Heaven Gate and mastering heavenly laws.

- Lifespan : 500 years per stage.

- Details : This realm is marked by the ability to transcend earthly limitations, gaining insights into the workings of the universe and its celestial mechanics.

6. Sovereign Spirit Realm

- Description : Cultivators become sovereigns of their own destiny, with the ability to shape reality to their will.

- Achievement : Requires the integration of all meridians and gates, achieving a perfect harmony of body, mind, and spirit.

- Lifespan : 800 years per stage.

- Details : Cultivators here can impose their will upon the world around them, often regarded as forces of nature themselves, commanding respect and fear.

7. Divine Spirit Realm

- Description : The pinnacle of mortal cultivation. Cultivators in this realm are revered as near-divine beings.

- Achievement : Requires a profound understanding of the Dao and the ability to transcend ordinary limitations.

- Lifespan : 1000 years per stage.

- Details : At this ultimate mortal stage, the distinction between man and deity blurs. Cultivators possess immense power and are often venerated as living gods.

Xuan Yu listened intently, absorbing the information while maintaining a calm exterior. "And this world? Where are we exactly?" he asked, his voice steady.

Ming Yue smiled. "We are in the Star Ascension World, a vast realm divided into five continents: Eastern, Western, Northern, Southern, and Central Continent. These continents are connected by teleportation formations, but only the emperors of the respective continents and elite sects have access to them."

Xuan Yu nodded thoughtfully. "And the highest cultivation realm in this world?"

"The highest known cultivation realm here is the Divine Spirit Realm," Ming Yue explained. "But ancient records suggest there are realms beyond it. For example, our First Matriarch Yu Yan is at the 8th level of the Divine Spirit Realm. The Second Matriarch Yin Mei and the Third Matriarch Ye Ling are both at the 7th level. Our sect, Dao Harmony Palace, is the most powerful sect in the Northern Continent and ranks second in the entire Star Ascension World. The first position belongs to the Supreme Sword Sect from the Central Continent."

Xuan Yu digested this information, understanding the immense power and prestige of the Dao Harmony Palace. He realised that the cultivation realms were the same to that his world indicating that this world was most likely one of the worlds connected to the Myriad Heavens World. Despite his broader knowledge of cultivation realms, he remained silent, not wanting to reveal too much and attract unnecessary attention. He deduced that the Star Ascension World was likely a non-fractured world, connected to upper realms. This conclusion stemmed from the ancient records mentioning realms beyond the Divine Spirit Realm.

As they continued their walk toward the Medicine Hall, Xuan Yu's mind drifted back to the Heaven's Charmer Imprisonment War. This catastrophic conflict, led by the Celestial Monarch and other cultivators to capture him, had resulted in the destruction of thousands of worlds. Many became fractured, cut off from the upper realms. Xuan Yu suspected the Star Ascension World had been one such world, fragmented but still connected in some way. Despite the war's devastation, he felt no guilt. He believed the Grand Dao, the supreme force governing the universe, could have intervened if it had wanted to. The fact it hadn't meant there was some benefit, perhaps for both upper and lower realms.

As they neared the Medicine Hall, a sense of peace settled over Xuan Yu. The hall was surrounded by lush gardens filled with medicinal herbs and rare plants, some of which he recognized from his previous life. The structure itself was an architectural marvel, with intricately carved wooden pillars and delicate lattices that allowed natural light to flood the interior.

Inside, shelves upon shelves of ancient scrolls and jars filled with rare herbs lined the walls. The scent of medicinal concoctions hung in the air, a testament to the hall's purpose and history.

Somewhere in the Southern Continent,

A stunningly beautiful woman with long flowing hair the color of the midnight sky and eyes that glowed like twin stars opened her eyes. Her presence exuded a majestic aura, and her delicate features were a blend of ethereal beauty and formidable strength.

She whispered in a melodious voice, "Finally, he has arrived."