Immortals

"And before I knew it, we were separated and merged with other squads in order to complete other missions. I was unable to assist in the coming battles held on that planet. Luckily enough, the battlefront quickly moved on over to another sector the federation had managed to expand towards and occupy. I remember coming back to visit that same planet, a mewling recruit no more."

The son and father duo arrived in front of a small, rustic cabin nestled among the trees. The cabin was constructed of rough-hewn logs, with a sloping, shingled roof accompanied by a small porch jutting out from the front.

"I was a proper captain, having achieved steel-rank, I- "

"Dad, you're naming all of these ranks but you never really told me how strong they really get or what difference there is amongst them, other than the obvious fact each is stronger. I really don't know much else."

Taken aback, Rodrick took a moment to remember that he did in-fact never teach his son anything about the cultivation path, other than training his son as a force of habit and to provide him the opportunity to make that choice. Thinking back on his initial desire for his son to choose a more passive role, as a civilian engineer, Rodrick failed to account for his own son's desires that may differ from his.

Reflecting on his past, youthful self, he remembered just as hot blooded and passionate as every other teenager in his circle.

Taking a brief moment to rearrange his thoughts, Rodrick stated:

"You are right son, and I shall rectify my mistake by explaining to you now, so listen carefully. Although you will be reminded of it again by the guardians stationed at the forge. As they are the ones to properly integrate potential up and coming cultivators into the federation's ranks."

"The first three. Well, technically four cultivation ranks which are classified as the 'mortal' ranks are: Rank 0 - 'mortal', Rank 1 - 'Copper', Rank 2 - 'Iron', and lastly Rank 3 - 'Steel'."

Contemplating upon this discovery, Cedric eagerly finds himself confused, asking his father:

"Why are they called the mortal ranks?, clearly mortal is stated to be the initial rank everyone is born with!".

*Sigh. Rodrick is once again reminded that despite his son always coming up with a new way to surprise even him, a battle hardened veteran. With outstanding talents his son always displayed in the way of the sword, soaking up all of his father's teachings like a sponge.

The child is still just that, a child. Impatient, and always quick to come up with half an answer before listening to the very end. Reminding him much of his mother, Celeste. She always had that quality in her, despite being an excellent archer and the best scout Rodrick has ever witnessed in battle.

She too, was always impatient to hastily come up with her own assumptions.

"Ow"

Smacking his son on the head, Rodrick said:

"Patience, son. I am yet to be finished explaining, there is a lot to take in. So, this time. Hear me out without interrupting."

And so he continued speaking, ignoring Cedric's glare, while blowing him a raspberry.

"Until you reach the fourth rank, your body still relies on its organs to survive. At the fourth rank, also called 'Silver' rank, You start becoming more in tune with the laws of this world, shedding your impurities and mortal coil. You are reborn into a body, now without inner organs besides your brain.

Able to think faster, move better, and obtaining a body aligned to an element best aligned with your path. My path is of the fire affinity, and is called 'The Tumultuous lava path'. I have gained a body immune to fire attacks, able to harden and turn into liquid magma."

"At the sixth rank, the brain also disappears, becoming a part of your body, forming a complex circuitry in your body that is able to think, much like you do now."

"Yet, able to continue functioning even with your head being severed. Just remember that regrowth from that stage onwards stems from your head. Some talents and passive abilities can circumvent and ignore the natural laws of the universe, treating your head just like any other severed appendage. Instead, regrowing your body from the point at which your core resides, which is often found in most cultivator's abdomem."

Continuing on with his previous explanation: "Ranks 4 through 6 are classified under the spirit body category. They are named, respectively: Silver, Gold, Titanium."

"I myself am at the peak stage of Gold-rank. We shall discuss stages in-depth after I am finished explaining."

"Following the first six ranks are Palladium, Tungsten, and Reconstruction, which are ranked 7 through 9, respectively. Of those in the federation, there are only six rank 9 cultivators. They make up the 'Council', and each cover different roles in the federation, as it's leadership."

"Starting from the seventh rank, cultivators are granted the title: 'Immortal'. And are completely different beings from those such as you and I. Firstly, they cannot die. At least, not in any way that is known to the public."

"Do you mean they are invincible? Do they keep on getting old forever?" Cedric asked, his curiosity piqued.

Rodrick chuckled and shook his head. "No, my boy. They are not invincible, and age quickly loses its meaning for them. It only signifies how talented they are, the younger they are when they advance. It's a way the federation uses to separately classify monsters from geniuses, to your average cultivator."

Cedric looked puzzled. "So what makes them different?"

The father replied, "They have achieved a level of cultivation that grants them an undying body, a level of power beyond anything we can imagine. They are beings that are beyond the scope of our understanding, beyond the limits of mortality. To put it simply, they are immortals."

"Immortals are best described as undying. Unaffected by the passage of time, they can regenerate even if their remains are scattered across a hundred-thousand planets, although it may take some time to fully reform their bodies."

"And age quickly loses it's relevancy as you advance on your path. Only signifying how talented cultivators are the younger they are when they advance, it's a way the federation uses to separately classify monsters from geniuses, to your average cultivator."

Seeing the now fervent gaze with which his son listened to his explanation, Rodrick sighed. Thinking to himself 'Unfortunately. My ascent, can only be described as wishful thinking at this point'.