True immortality is fundamentally distinct from all the cultivation realms beneath it. Spells cast by cultivators in lower realms are derived from those created by cultivators who have attained the realm of true immortality. It could be said that all spells—no matter how shallow or seemingly useless—ultimately trace their origins to immortals.
To better grasp this concept, it is essential to understand how spells function.
Spells are classified into different grades: low, mid, high, top, human, heavenly, immortal, and golden.
Low, mid, high, and top-grade spells are inspired by immortal-grade spells. That said, they are incomplete and flawed approximations, often riddled with limitations. Despite this, they are still widely used by cultivators below the Ethereal Mastery Realm.
These spells may appear formidable from the perspective of ordinary, low-grade cultivators. However, in the grand scheme of the cultivation world, they are weak and unreliable. Their flaws become glaringly obvious when measured against higher-grade spells.
Human-grade spells represent a significant improvement. These spells are also inspired by immortal-grade spells, though compared to even top-grade spells, Human-grade spells are much more reliable and effective. Although they still fall short of actual immortal-grade spells, they have much greater power than their lower-grade counterparts. Cultivators who reach the realms of Ethereal Mastery or Ultimate Convergence are often privileged enough to utilize spells of this grade.
On the other hand, Heavenly-grade spells are based on golden-grade spells and embody a much higher level of sophistication. Technically, heavenly-grade spells are not inherently weaker than immortal-grade spells; in fact, some exceptional heavenly-grade spells surpass less remarkable immortal-grade spells in power. However, as a general rule, immortal-grade spells are considered superior.
Immortal-grade spells represent a level of might that is far beyond most heavenly-grade spells, except for a rare few exceptional cases. These spells are highly refined and extraordinarily powerful, embodying principles of complete laws. To cast an immortal-grade spell, a cultivator must possess an intimate understanding of specific complete laws.
Golden-grade spells occupy an entirely different realm of existence. These spells are based on universal laws; their power is beyond the comprehension of most cultivators. To cast such spells, a cultivator must wield and comprehend specific universal laws.
In summary, the various grades of spells can be categorized by their connection to universal or complete laws:
Low, mid, high, and top-grade spells are imitations of spells based on complete laws. Human-grade spells are closer approximations of spells based on complete laws but remain limited in scope. Heavenly-grade spells are inspired by universal laws, but most of them are weaker than immortal-grade spells. Immortal-grade spells are unique and depend on a cultivator's mastery of complete laws. Golden-grade spells, the most powerful of all, directly stem from universal laws.
A true immortal cultivator must invent their own spells derived from the specific complete laws they have mastered. Attempting to cast spells based on someone else's ideas would significantly weaken their effectiveness. This individuality sets true immortals apart from lower realms, as their power is uniquely tailored to their comprehension of the laws.
...
Wu Jian had long since gathered all the resources and insights required to break through to the realm of true immortality. The gap between the peak of the Transcendent Being Realm and the true immortality realm is monumental. To successfully make this leap, a cultivator must amass vast resources. It is said that hundreds of millions of immortal jades are necessary for this breakthrough, as they provide the energy and stability required for the transformation.
The journey to true immortality is not just one of power but of profound understanding. Only those who have prepared themselves thoroughly in both mind and resources can hope to cross this threshold and attain a level of existence beyond the comprehension of ordinary cultivators.
The Infinite Dao Sect operates in a decentralized manner, allowing its members considerable autonomy. However, the sect is far from neglectful, particularly when it comes to supporting its members who are on the verge of breaking through to true immortality. When Wu Jian informed the sect of her imminent attempt to transcend, they responded generously, providing him with a conditional loan of 800 million immortal jades and a trove of rare treasures designed to aid in breakthroughs.
The terms were straightforward: if Wu Jian succeeded in breaking through, she would be indebted to the sect and required to complete ten tasks as repayment. If she failed, however, the debt would be wiped clean and forgotten—no strings attached. This lenient policy reflects the harsh reality of attempting to break through to true immortality: failure almost always results in death or such severe and irreversible damage to one's cultivation that recovery is impossible.
Supporting members in their breakthroughs is an economically sound investment for the Infinite Dao Sect. The value of ten tasks completed by a true immortal cultivator far outweighs the cost of an 800-million immortal jade loan. True immortals are mighty, capable of accomplishing feats that would take legions of lower-level cultivators millions of years to achieve. This makes their contributions to the sect invaluable.
The tasks assigned by the Infinite Dao Sect fall into three categories based on their difficulty and risk level:
Safe Tasks:
These tasks are the least risky, often involving long-term commitments such as guarding resources, maintaining sect properties, or researching techniques. They can take up to ten billion years to complete. For immortals, whose lifespans are virtually infinite, this extended timeline is not a significant drawback. Moderately Dangerous Tasks:
These tasks are riskier but more time-efficient. Examples might include battling rogue cultivators, retrieving rare resources, or exploring hazardous regions. These assignments typically take up to 1 million years to complete. Dangerous Tasks:
The riskiest of all, these tasks carry the threat of death but are designed to be completed within a single year. Dangerous tasks might involve fighting powerful enemies, entering unstable secret realms, or resolving high-stakes conflicts. Due to their life-threatening nature, only a handful of sect members are willing to undertake them.
Members are free to choose which category of tasks they wish to undertake. No one is ever forced to accept dangerous tasks, and most immortals, valuing their long lifespans, prefer to opt for safe tasks. After all, what is ten billion years to an immortal? For those less risk-averse, moderately dangerous tasks offer a balance between risk and time efficiency.
Few immortals are willing to take on dangerous tasks, given the substantial threat to their lives.
Interestingly, the distribution of available tasks within the sect mirrors the preferences of its members. The overwhelming majority of tasks fall into the safe category, with fewer moderately dangerous tasks and a rare sprinkling of dangerous ones. This balance means that there is usually an adequate match between the sect's needs and its members' willingness to take risks.
From an economic perspective, the Infinite Dao Sect's system is a masterstroke of long-term investment. While supporting a single cultivator with hundreds of millions of immortal jade is a significant expenditure, the potential rewards are immense. Even if 99% of those supported fail in their breakthrough to true immortality, the 1% who succeed more than justify the costs. A single true immortal's ten completed tasks often provide returns that far exceed the initial investment.
Moreover, the sect's lenient terms for failure—waiving all debts—further encourage its members to attempt breaking through, potentially increasing the number of immortals in the sect.
For the Infinite Dao Sect, cultivating and supporting future true immortals is not merely an act of generosity—it is a calculated strategy that secures its strength and dominance for eons to come.
Most sects provide significant assistance to their members who are attempting to break through to the true immortality realm. Without such support, it would be nearly impossible for any individual to gather the colossal resources required, particularly the vast quantities of immortal jades required. This reality underscores why the backing of a major sect is almost essential for those aspiring to transcend to true immortality. The process is resource-intensive and difficult, making collective support a cornerstone of success.
The Infinite Dao Sect offers a range of programs designed to benefit its members and foster growth across all cultivation levels. Wu Jian had previously considered participating in several of these initiatives, such as open knowledge-sharing between branches, disciple exchange programs, and the sect-wide lottery system.
Among these, the lottery stands out as a profitable venture for the sect. Each branch organizes large lotteries with millions of immortal jade as the prize, open to participants from all cultivation levels. The entry requirement is straightforward: tickets. These lotteries attract countless disciples, from novices to seasoned elders, and generate annual profits in the tens of millions of immortal crystals. However, the revenue is distributed across numerous branches of the sect. For example, the Taiqing Branch receives no more than a modest thousand immortal jades per year as its share.
Even with billions and trillions of cultivators purchasing tickets, the total revenue rarely exceeds tens of millions of immortal jades annually. The main reason is that True immortals avoid participating, as they know the futility of relying on luck. From their perspective, lotteries are terrible long-term investments designed to favour the house. While it's true that some participants might strike it rich, the majority will inevitably lose their investment.
...
Armed with the resources provided by the sect, Wu Jian made her attempt without hesitation.
She melted 100 million immortal jade in a decisive moment, knowing full well the risks involved. A moment later, the pressure increased to an unimaginable degree, threatening to crush her body completely. This overwhelming force was not only a test of her determination but a vital prerequisite for achieving true immortality. Just as a diamond can only be forged under immense pressure, so too must a cultivator endure unimaginable strain to reach this pinnacle of existence.
Wu Jian's body bore the brunt of the ordeal. Her clothes disintegrated into dust, her bones began to crack audibly, and she was forced to her knees as blood streamed from her seven orifices.
Her strong foundation, built over years of cultivation, was her saving grace. Even as her body sustained immense damage, her vital organs remained intact. Wu Jian had prepared for this moment meticulously. Before attempting her breakthrough, she rigorously tested her physical limits to ensure she could endure the pressure. Many cultivators fail at this stage, realizing too late that their bodies are too weak. For some, this realization leads to years of rebuilding their foundation or, in extreme cases, dissolving their cultivation entirely and starting from scratch.
Even with her preparations, Wu Jian knew there were no guarantees. Failure—or worse, death—remained a very real possibility.
As the pressure mounted, Wu Jian's body began to change. Her skin radiated an intense silver light, a promising sign of her progress toward true immortality.
"It's happening!" she thought excitedly. However, her optimism was short-lived as she noticed cracks forming across her body.
"Why are there cracks? My body should be able to withstand this!" Panic flickered in her mind, but she quickly regained control. These cracks were an ominous sign, but fortunately, she had prepared remedies in advance. Reaching into her storage space, she retrieved rare medicines: some were swallowed, while others were applied directly to her skin. Among them was a silver cream provided by the sect, which rapidly healed the cracks and stabilized her body. Relieved, Wu Jian observed as her body gradually adapted to the pressure. After several minutes, the pain lessened, and she managed to sit upright.
"Now comes the critical part," she thought, bracing herself. It was time to begin absorbing immortal aura into her meridians. This stage was by far the most dangerous. The immense pressure, while essential, posed an even greater threat during this phase. Opening her meridians prematurely or improperly could cause them to rupture, leading to a catastrophic explosion. Yet there was no alternative. To achieve true immortality, Wu Jian had to absorb the aura of hundreds of millions of immortal jades under extreme pressure. Attempting to do so gradually or under lower pressure would fail to expand her meridians sufficiently, leaving her unprepared for the constant influx of immortal aura required for true immortality.
Wu Jian closed her eyes and steadied her mind, entering a state of absolute focus. Slowly, she began the delicate process of opening her meridians. Each movement required precision, and even the slightest mistake could spell disaster.