The endless darkness of space stretched in every direction as Lan Hai and Ji Shen traveled through the silent void, leaving Earth’s orbit farther and farther behind.
Lan Hai slowly turned around and looked back one last time.
The pain of losing his entire family still weighed heavily on his heart, yet seeing the blue planet from so far away left him speechless.
It looked peaceful… beautiful… almost unreal.
“Master was right,” Lan Hai thought to himself.
“The universe is far greater than I ever imagined.”
Ji Shen broke the silence.
Ji Shen: “What are you looking at, Lan Hai?”
Lan Hai took a deep breath before replying.
His eyes never left the distant blue planet.
Lan Hai: “Master, I’m just looking at Earth. It looks so peaceful and beautiful from up here… I just wish it was actually that peaceful on the inside.”
Ji Shen turned around and looked at Earth as well.
A helpless sigh escaped his lips.
Ji Shen: “You’re right. But places only stay beautiful until the Demons show up.”
The moment Lan Hai heard the word ‘Demons,’ the hatred buried deep inside his heart surged once again.
His fists tightened as his desire for revenge grew even stronger.
Lan Hai: “Master, how long until we reach your planet? I don’t want to waste any more time.”
Ji Shen looked ahead into the endless sea of stars.
Ji Shen: “We will enter my galaxy by tomorrow. My galaxy has countless planets, and people live on almost all of them.”
Lan Hai’s heart was still filled with grief, but his determination to destroy his enemies burned even brighter.
Lan Hai: “Master, when will my training begin? When can I finally step onto the path of cultivation?”
Ji Shen stopped in midair and carefully examined Lan Hai’s body.
After a moment, he frowned slightly.
Ji Shen: “Looking at your body… we need to remove all the impurities first. You can’t begin cultivating without doing that.”
Lan Hai blinked in confusion.
Lan Hai: “Impurities?”
Ji Shen nodded.
Ji Shen: “Yes. If you had been born on my planet, where the air is filled with Spiritual Energy, or if your parents had been powerful cultivators, your body would already be ready. But your parents were ordinary mortals.”
He paused before continuing.
Ji Shen: “If I force Spiritual Energy into your body right now, it won’t be able to withstand the pressure. Your muscles and bones are far too weak compared to someone born on a cultivation planet. Your body would literally tear apart.”
Lan Hai’s expression darkened.
The excitement in his eyes disappeared.
Lan Hai: “Then… how long will it take?”
Ji Shen placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
Ji Shen: “Lan Hai, I know you want to become stronger as quickly as possible to achieve your goal. But cultivation isn’t as simple as you think.”
He looked toward the endless stars with calm eyes.
Ji Shen: “I am currently in the Sovereign Realm, the absolute peak of our galaxy. Yet even I don’t believe I’ve reached the end of cultivation.”
His gaze returned to Lan Hai.
Ji Shen: “Before you begin cultivating, you must first understand what cultivation truly is… and how far this path can lead.”
Lan Hai respectfully nodded.
Lan Hai: “Master… please teach me.”
Ji Shen’s voice suddenly became deep and powerful, echoing through the endless darkness of space.
Ji Shen: “Lan Hai, what you think of as strength is only an illusion. Do you think cultivation is simply about swinging a sword and killing your enemies?”
He slowly shook his head.
Ji Shen: “No.”
His eyes drifted toward the countless stars scattered across the universe.
Ji Shen: “Everything in existence—the heavens, the stars, the planets, and every living being—is bound by the Laws of the Universe. Heaven wants everything that is born to one day die and return to dust.”
Ji Shen’s expression gradually turned solemn.
Ji Shen: “Cultivation is nothing but a rebellion against those very Laws of Heaven.”
Lan Hai stood there silently, listening to every word.
Ji Shen: “The logic is simple. We gather the scattered Cosmic Energy of the universe and make it our own. First, we turn our bodies into strong vessels capable of holding that immense power.”
He slowly clenched his fist.
Ji Shen: “Then we use that power to bend the laws of space, time, and the elements to our own will.”
A powerful determination flashed across Lan Hai’s eyes.
Ji Shen: “Every realm you break through is another step toward freedom from death. As long as you breathe like an ordinary human, you remain a slave to Heaven.” New chapters come out on novelping.com first.
Ji Shen’s voice echoed like thunder through the silent void.
Ji Shen: “But the day you completely control this power and hold the Laws of the Universe in your own hands…”
He paused for a brief moment before continuing.
Ji Shen: “…you will stop being a human.”
His eyes shone with absolute confidence.
Ji Shen: “You will become an Immortal God.”
A chill ran down Lan Hai’s spine.
At that moment, everything he believed about strength completely changed.
He finally understood that cultivation wasn’t just about becoming stronger…
It was a path to challenge Heaven itself.
Ji Shen continued calmly,
Ji Shen: “In our galaxy, there are a total of 10 Major Realms, and each Major Realm contains 9 smaller stages.”
Ji Shen continued,
Ji Shen: “The first realm is Body Tempering. This is where every cultivator begins their journey. They temper their skin, muscles, bones, organs, and blood until their body becomes strong enough to withstand the immense pressure of Cosmic Energy. By the end of this realm, ordinary weapons can no longer inflict serious damage.”
Lan Hai silently memorized every word.
He finally understood why Ji Shen had said his body wasn’t ready for cultivation.
Ji Shen: “The second realm is Energy Condenser. At this stage, a cultivator absorbs the Cosmic Energy of the universe and condenses it inside the Dantian. This becomes the true foundation of cultivation. Without a strong foundation, reaching higher realms is almost impossible.”
Lan Hai nodded thoughtfully.
Every explanation was opening the door to a completely new world.
Ji Shen: “The third realm is Pulse Resonance. At this stage, a cultivator synchronizes the Spiritual Energy within their body with the natural frequency of the universe. This greatly increases the stability, efficiency, and destructive power of every technique. When both frequencies become one, the cultivator’s attack power multiplies many times over.”
Lan Hai couldn’t help but take a deep breath.
Every realm sounded far more mysterious than the last.
Ji Shen: “The fourth realm is Mortal Severance. At this stage, a cultivator completely transcends the limitations of ordinary mortals. Their body is sustained entirely by Spiritual Energy, freeing them from the need for food, water, sleep, or even breathing. They are no longer bound by gravity and can freely fly through the sky using Spiritual Energy alone.”
Lan Hai stood frozen in shock.
Just reaching the fourth realm was enough to surpass everything he had once believed was possible.
Ji Shen continued without stopping.
Ji Shen: “The fifth realm is the Five Element Realm. At this stage, a cultivator comprehends and gains control over the Five Fundamental Elements—Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, and Lightning. Mastering these elements is the first step toward understanding the natural laws of the universe.”
Lan Hai’s eyes lit up with excitement.
The more he learned about cultivation, the more he realized how limitless this path truly was.
Ji Shen: “The sixth realm is Void Attunement. After mastering the Five Elements, a cultivator begins resonating with the Void itself. They gain the ability to perceive spatial distortions and manipulate space on a small scale, allowing them to warp, distort, and bend the surrounding space.”
Lan Hai imagined someone twisting space with a single thought.
The scene alone was enough to leave him speechless.
Ji Shen: “The seventh realm is the Earth Profound Realm. At this stage, a cultivator forms a deep connection with the planetary core, gaining control over gravity and the immense Spiritual Energy of the land itself. Every attack carries the overwhelming force of an entire world.”
Lan Hai quietly swallowed.
Every new realm sounded more unbelievable than the last.
Ji Shen: “The eighth realm is the Sky Profound Realm. A cultivator’s speed reaches an incredible level, allowing them to travel at supersonic speeds while greatly enhancing their perception and mobility.”
Lan Hai could already imagine himself crossing endless skies in the blink of an eye.
Ji Shen: “The ninth realm is the Heaven Profound Realm. At this stage, a cultivator begins to comprehend the Laws of Heaven. Their lifespan increases greatly, and they gradually gain the ability to sense and understand the fundamental principles that govern the world.”
Ji Shen paused for a brief moment before continuing.
Ji Shen: “The tenth and final realm of our galaxy is the Sovereign Profound Realm. A cultivator ascends to the rank of a true Sovereign. Their understanding of the Heavenly Laws becomes so profound that a single strike can destroy worlds, and their mere presence is enough to make entire planets tremble.”
Lan Hai stood there in complete silence.
Before meeting Ji Shen, he had believed that becoming the strongest person on Earth was an impossible dream.
But now, he realized that Earth was nothing more than a tiny drop in the endless ocean of the universe.
His eyes slowly filled with determination.
Lan Hai: “Master… one day, I will reach the Sovereign Realm.”
A faint smile appeared on Ji Shen’s face.
Ji Shen: “No… your destination should never be the Sovereign Realm.”
Lan Hai looked at him in confusion.
Lan Hai: “Then… what lies beyond it?”
Ji Shen took a deep breath before speaking again.
Ji Shen: “But even though I am a Sovereign, it doesn’t mean I am invincible. From what I’ve heard, there are three hidden realms above the Sovereign Realm.”
Lan Hai’s eyes widened.
A deep sadness appeared on Ji Shen’s face.
Ji Shen: “I wanted to… but I have too many responsibilities. The Demons constantly attack our continent, and there is no one else in my sect powerful enough to stop them. A long time ago, we had a Grand Elder named Han Fu Ji. He actually reached the 11th Realm, but…”
Lan Hai couldn’t help but interrupt.
Lan Hai: “But what happened, Master?”
Ji Shen let out a long sigh.
Ji Shen: “When he returned to our galaxy with the power of the 11th Realm, his energy was so destructive that the galaxy’s laws started breaking. According to the rules of the universe, if a cultivator above the 10th Realm enters a galaxy, the Galaxy Guardian will fight them to stop them. If they had fought, our entire planet would have been wiped out.”
Lan Hai gasped in shock.
Lan Hai: “Then where is he now?”
Ji Shen lowered his head.
Ji Shen: “He died on the battlefield.”
Lan Hai stared at him in disbelief.
Lan Hai: “Even after becoming that powerful?!”
Ji Shen slowly nodded.
Ji Shen: “To protect our planet and sect, he always suppressed his cultivation to the 9th Level so he could stay on the planet. But one day, after stepping beyond the planet’s boundary, he was ambushed by seven Demon Emperors. Even though he was badly injured, he managed to kill two of them before disappearing. No one knows whether he is still alive or where he is. Ever since then, our planet has been in chaos.”
A cold smile appeared on Ji Shen’s face.
Ji Shen: “But during my last battle with the Demons, I slaughtered their Demon General and his entire army. They probably won’t dare to come near our continent for a while.”
Lan Hai thought for a moment before asking,
Lan Hai: “Master, you said humans, demons, and immortals all live together on your planet?”
Ji Shen nodded.
Ji Shen: “Yes. Just like on your Earth, everyone lives on the same world. The only difference is that these demons want to conquer human territories to strengthen their dark power.”
Lan Hai nodded thoughtfully.
Lan Hai: “Master, how many continents are there on your planet?”
Ji Shen: “There are a total of eight continents, just like the different countries on Earth. Out of those, five continents belong to the Righteous Factions, while three continents are controlled by the Demon Factions.”
Ji Shen began introducing them one by one.
Ji Shen: “The Grand Azure Continent is where my Sword Sect is located. It is filled with powerful Sword Cultivators and disciples. Even an ordinary disciple there can kill a Demon Commander with a single sword slash.”
Ji Shen: “The Vajra Bodhi Continent is ruled by the Vajra Immortal, Bodhi Sage. It is a harsh, mountainous land where even the rocks have become as tough as metal because of his endless meditation. They belong to the Righteous Path, but they never interfere in other people’s affairs.”
Ji Shen: “The Divine Flame Continent is ruled by Sovereign Zhu Que, a Ninth-Level Alchemy Master. It has the highest population because no one dares to attack it. If anyone dares to offend them, they stop supplying medicinal pills to that continent, making it almost impossible for their strongest cultivators to break through.”
Ji Shen: “The Xuan Wu Formation Continent is ruled by Sovereign Xuan Hai. It is home to the greatest Formation Masters, and humans live peacefully alongside them.”
Ji Shen: “The Yin-Yang Continent is ruled by Sovereign Xu Taiji. Every cultivator there is a master of the spear and halberd.”
Ji Shen paused, and his expression turned serious.
Ji Shen: “The remaining three continents belong to the Demons.”
Ji Shen’s expression turned cold as he continued.
Ji Shen: “The sixth is the Blood-Sea Continent, ruled by the Demon Sovereign Xue He. Rivers of real blood flow across that land because the demon race uses the blood of humans and other cultivators to strengthen their cultivation.”
Lan Hai felt a chill run down his spine.
Just imagining such a place made him uncomfortable.
Ji Shen: “The seventh is the Devourer Continent, ruled by Sovereign Jiu You. He is one of the most dangerous Demon Sovereigns. His people absorb the souls and cultivation of other cultivators. Even the Righteous Continents fear them.”
Lan Hai silently memorized every name.
He knew he would eventually face these enemies one day.
Ji Shen: “The eighth is the Asura Continent, ruled by the Asura Sovereign Mu Luo. It is the strongest continent on the planet. They never pick fights without reason, because if they truly go to war, no one has the courage to stand against them. Mu Luo himself is so powerful that he can fight an entire continent alone. He is truly a One-Man Army.”
Lan Hai thought about it for a moment before asking,
Lan Hai: “If he’s that powerful, why doesn’t he rule the entire planet?”
Ji Shen slowly shook his head.
Ji Shen: “No… Mu Luo isn’t an evil demon. He inherited the Asura God’s legacy. On his continent, humans and demons live together peacefully. There is no discrimination. Demons marry humans, humans marry demons, and every race lives together there—Demons, Humans, Monsters, and even Angels. Even the Angels choose to stay on Mu Luo’s good side so their own lands remain safe.”
Lan Hai stood there in complete shock.
Lan Hai: “So… Mu Luo is a demon with righteous principles?”
Ji Shen smiled faintly.
Ji Shen: “Exactly.”
Lan Hai took a deep breath.
Lan Hai: “There are some terrifyingly powerful people out there, Master.”
A strange light suddenly appeared in Ji Shen’s eyes.
He looked toward the endless stars, and a trace of respect filled his voice.
Ji Shen: “But there was once a man who ruled all eight continents alone. Humans, Demons, and Angels… every race respected him equally. His power was so absolute that if he merely released his aura, a Peak Sovereign would die from the pressure alone. Even the Guardians of different galaxies were once trained by him.”
Lan Hai’s heart skipped a beat.
Lan Hai: “Who was he, Master?”
A proud smile appeared on Ji Shen’s face as he slowly spoke the greatest name in history.
Ji Shen: “He was… The Sword God, Ruo Tian.”