Volume 1: The Storm of the Six Academies （ Prologue）

"The Chinese land, with its beautiful mountains and rivers, has been home to countless magical legends for thousands of years.

Throughout the ages, tales of immortality and eternal life have captivated people's hearts.

Since ancient times, all mortals face death. Yet, humanity detests death and loves life, and the belief in the underworld adds fear to the mix.

Thus, the idea of immortality arose, leading people to seek the path to eternal life, despite their inherently mortal nature.

Humans, though physically inferior, sought immortality fervently. Countless wise minds devoted their lives to the pursuit, delving deeply into the art of cultivation.

While true immortality remains elusive, some cultivators, through understanding the ways of the world, wield formidable powers even as mortals. They harness the strength of various mystical treasures and artifacts, capable of shaking the heavens and the earth with their might.

Some esteemed cultivators are rumored to have lived for thousands of years without succumbing to death.

This pursuit of immortality sparked a craze for cultivation, giving rise to numerous cultivation sects across the land over thousands of years, each with its own wonders.

The vast land of China, expansive and boundless, holds within it myriad miracles.

The Central Plains, particularly fertile and abundant, house the majority of the population, while the wildlands to the east, south, west, and north, are treacherous with dangerous mountains and waters, harboring countless unknown demons and monsters. Among the Blackwater and Whitestone Mountains, they cultivate their forms, seeking transformation into humanoid beings and breaking the boundaries of the Three Realms and Five Elements.

Hence, within the mystical expanse of China, where gods, Buddhas, Taoism, demons, monsters, and ghosts coexist, everything and everyone find their place, seen or unseen.

However, these mystical beings, primarily focused on cultivation, often remain hidden in the midst of the landscape, unknown to most.

After millennia of evolution, countless cultivation sects exist across the land, yet only a few are widely known.

For nearly five centuries, a popular verse has echoed across the land: 'Five factions of immortals, Buddhas, Taoists, demons, and sorcery gather, alongside six courts of monsters, spirits, and ghosts.'

These two lines roughly describe the cultivation sects of the land.

The 'five factions of immortals, Buddhas, Taoists, demons, and sorcery' refer to the five major factions within the cultivation world, including the four factions of immortals, Buddhas, Taoists, and demons.

Leading the pack, the faction of immortals refers to the Immortal Sword Sect, acclaimed as the foremost faction in the land, specializing in cultivating immortal swords.

The second, the faction of Buddhas, signifies the Myriad Buddha Sect, shrouded in mystery within the Buddhist domain.

The third, the faction of Taoists, represents the Wayless Taoist Sect, the origin of Daoism.

The fourth, the faction of demons, comprises two places: the Demonic Cult and the Demon God Sect, the most wicked factions in the realm.

Though divided between good and evil, these factions primarily seek longevity, seldom concerning themselves with worldly affairs, operating discreetly.

Meanwhile, the 'six courts of monsters, spirits, and ghosts' denote six institutions located in six distinct regions of China, commanding substantial influence.

These courts prioritize involvement in worldly affairs for peacekeeping, slaying demons and ghosts to maintain stability.

Leading among them is the Heavenly Sword Court, situated atop Mount Taixuan, boasting a history of two thousand years and reigning supreme in the world of cultivation.

The second-ranked Buddhist Bodhi Academy, rumored to lie deep within Mount Jiuhua, remains shrouded in secrecy.

This academy, exceptionally mysterious, graduates exceptional talents who possess unparalleled prowess, each renowned for their extraordinary abilities.

Ranked third is the Daoist Garden, a prominent stronghold of Daoist cultivation situated below Mount Tian Cang. Originating as a branch of the Wayless Taoist Sect, it boasts a history spanning nearly three thousand years, derived from the lineage of Guang Chengzi. For two hundred years, it has remained detached from worldly affairs.

Ranked fourth is the Confucian Garden, said to be a place of cultivation for Confucian scholars and an exceedingly rare location in the world.

Given the scholarly nature of Confucianism, which opposes mystical notions, their involvement in cultivation remains perplexing. Yet, their existence in the famous city of Luoyang is well-known.

Ranked fifth is the Phoenix Academy, reportedly a women-centric institution specializing in cultivation.

Established over a millennium ago, this academy has produced numerous renowned female cultivators, earning unparalleled prestige and leaving an indelible mark in the world of cultivation.

This unique sect, exclusively for women, has secured its place among the top six institutions.

Ranked last, in the sixth position, lies the unique and distinct Yiyuan Academy situated in the Qin Chuan region of Western Shu.

Unlike other institutions primarily focused on cultivation, Yiyuan emphasizes self-cultivation as its core, with cultivation as a supplement and learning as the foundation.

Accepting two categories of disciples—regular scholars studying the classical texts and aspiring cultivators learning secret cultivation techniques—Yiyuan accommodates both ordinary scholars and genuine cultivators dedicated to protecting peace by exterminating demons and monsters.

Thus, not all members of Yiyuan are cultivators, nor do they all possess mystical abilities.

Apart from the legends surrounding these five factions and six courts, there exists another legend among a select few accomplished cultivators.

It pertains to the 'Realm of Heaven and Human,' spanning three places across seven realms.

The 'human' refers to the mortal realm, synonymous with the cultivation world, the largest and most populous among the seven realms.

While countless cultivators reside within this realm, their collective power, if united, would represent the most formidable force in the heavens and earth. Yet, due to inter-sect conflicts and deep-rooted grudges, their influence remains scattered and dispersed rather than unified.

Beyond the mortal cultivation world, the most mysterious aspect—the 'Heaven'—comprises three enigmatic spaces situated high above the clouds.

Among them, the most elusive is the 'Nine Heavens Void Realm.'

It is said that upon reaching the pinnacle of cultivation, surpassing nine heavenly tribulations, achieving Dao and ascending to become celestial beings, cultivators reside in this realm.

Legend has it that they can coexist with the heavens and earth, enjoying eternal life. However, despite millennia of speculation, no one has verified this, and it remains uncertain.

Ranked second is the 'Realm of Clouds and Law,' reportedly inhabited by experts with skills akin to celestial beings, unable to avoid tribulations and hence achieving earthly ascension. They are considered earth immortals, dwelling in this realm.

This space is said to allow entry to wandering immortals and prohibit access to those with insufficient strength.

The 'Realm of Clouds and Law' is believed to exist atop the elusive Piaomiao Peak, shrouded in mystery, as its exact location remains unknown.

Lastly, the 'Realm of Heaven's Capital' purportedly resides at the pinnacle of the Tian Du Peak, atop a millennia-old divine tree.

Regrettably, few have glimpsed this sacred tree, shrouding the 'Realm of Heaven's Capital' in exceptional mystery.

Legend has it that this realm houses various spiritual cultivators who, having achieved great enlightenment, reside there like

 heavenly beings, freed from concerns about life and death, a dream destination for spiritual cultivators.

It stands as a remarkably unique existence, a place countless spiritual cultivators yearn for, where wonders abound.

The remaining 'domain' refers to three distinct spaces situated beneath the earth, said to parallel the mortal realm, albeit considerably confined.

These three realms—the 'Demon Domain,' 'Ghost Domain,' and 'Hundred Beasts and Demons Domain'—exist within the earth but are comparatively small compared to the mortal realm.

The 'Demon Domain' is believed to have an entrance beneath the 'Corpse-Hidden River,' extremely perilous and inhabited by formidable demons, causing great chaos and bloodshed upon three historical incursions into the mortal realm. It provoked outrage among cultivation experts, prompting their joint efforts to expel the demonic leaders and seal off the passage.

Hence, the accounts of the 'Demon Domain' are well-documented.

The 'Ghost Domain,' reportedly located within the Fengdu Ghost City, boasts a concealed entrance.

Teeming with vengeful spirits and malevolent ghosts, this realm remains terrifying, and even cultivators entering it face significant risks. It stands as the most malevolent and feared territory throughout history.

Lastly, the 'Hundred Beasts and Demons Domain' serves as the gathering place for all manner of beasts and monsters, home to numerous powerful creatures with advanced cultivation. They rarely interact with the mortal realm.

Supposedly, the entrance to this space lies within the second-ranked enigmatic cavern—the Mirage Beast Cave—yet information about it remains exceedingly scarce and, consequently, shrouded in unparalleled mystery.

These seven realms, primarily centered around the mortal world, are individual spaces, relatively confined compared to the mortal realm.

Each exists as an extension of the mortal realm, separated by a barrier, creating unique spaces governed by different laws and principles.

China, vast and magnificent, nurtures countless wonders. This tale begins in the Qin Chuan region of Western Shu, within the distinctive Yiyuan Academy. Its unfolding shook the seven realms, leaving behind numerous legends for posterity."