On the highest point of the Eternal Retribution Cliff in the Immortal Realm, one old master and his disciple—a handsome young man with heavenly features—sat across from each other.
The old master emitted an ancient aura that shook the entire surrounding area, and the young disciple matched his aura.
"Zheng, since you ascended to the Immortal Realm, you have been by my side for a century. And now, you are at my level—the peak of the Immortal God Realm," the old master said, his gaze filled with joy as he looked at his young disciple, who was surrounded by an aura destined to surpass his own.
{[Cultivation Stages (Mortal Realm):Qi Cultivation StageCore Formation StageSoul Formation StageBody Integration StageTribulation Passing Stage
After transcending the Tribulation Passing Stage, a practitioner ascends to the Immortal Realm.]
[Cultivation Stages (Immortal Realm):True Immortal StageHeaven Immortal StageImmortal God StageSaint Level
Each stage is sub-divided into early, mid, and peak.]}
Zheng slightly bowed his head. "It was only possible because of Master's great teachings, and I am truly grateful to you, Master," he said in a calm voice.
The old master stroked his long beard, his face slightly frowning. "I have been at the peak of the Immortal God Realm ever since I met you, and I am still at the same stage. Now, I have nothing left to teach you anymore. I'm afraid this is where we part ways."
Zheng was shocked by his master's words, but he stayed calm and respected his master's wishes.
"Master, I will walk forward carrying your teachings with me."
The old master turned to look at Zheng's face and smiled.
"Zheng, you have great potential. You can even ascend to the Saint Level and become a legendary master," he said with confidence in his voice.
"As per the legends, a legendary master must walk among mortals to ascend to the Saint Level. I want you to follow that path and reach the Saint Level. That will be my final guidance to you."
Zheng stared at his old master with wide eyes.
"Master, what do you mea—"
Before he could finish speaking or fully understand what his old master meant, a bright light engulfed his vision.
Immediately after being blinded by the light, Zheng felt his entire body become lighter, and his master's voice gradually faded from his mind. He snapped his eyes open, only to find himself standing in the middle of a place he did not recognize.
"Where in the name of heaven am I?" Zheng muttered.
He suddenly remembered his old master's words—that he had to walk among mortals to ascend to the Saint Level.
As Zheng was grasping the situation, a loud shout pierced through the buzzing crowd.
"Somebody! Catch that man!!"
A middle-aged man dashed through the crowd, avoiding one person after another, and suddenly bumped into Zheng.
"I'm sorry," the middle-aged man said, brushing the dirt off Zheng's clothes.
"Hey, can you help me?" Zheng asked, holding onto the man's hand.
Seeing a group of men dressed in black robes approaching them, the middle-aged man tried to run again but could not shake Zheng's grip.
"See, mister, I really have to go," the middle-aged man pleaded.
But Zheng did not let him go. "Sir, I'll compensate you later. Just tell me your address. I'll come find you, but I really, really need to go now."
As the first man wearing a black robe reached them, Zheng casually punched him while his other hand held onto the middle-aged man.
"Oh, shit," the middle-aged man exclaimed as he dragged Zheng along with him. "We have to run now, mister!"
Zheng decided to leave with the middle-aged man first and study the place later. After some time, they managed to shake off their pursuers.
The middle-aged man, who introduced himself as Li, looked at Zheng and asked, "What's your name?"
"Zheng," he replied in a calm tone.
Li nodded and no longer looked at him as he casually asked, "What kind of help do you need from me?"
Zheng's face turned pale as he said, "I don't know anything about this place, and I need somewhere to cultivate."
"Haha… you're a cultivator too?" Li laughed and invited Zheng to his sect. "I'm at the mid Core Formation Stage, and I'm one of the strongest in the Soaring Sea Sect. Our sect doesn't have many cultivators, but we'll welcome you."
After a short conversation, Zheng followed Li to the Soaring Sea Sect.
"Hey, look! It's Brother Li!! But who's that man with him?" the Soaring Sea Sect disciples whispered among themselves as Li and Zheng walked through the sect, calmly talking to each other.
"Brother Li, are you alright? We heard you were being chased by the Heavenly Sword Sect," the disciples gathered around them.
"Don't worry, I'm fine," Li replied. Despite their concern, he continued bragging to his fellow disciples, completely forgetting that he had brought Zheng to their sect.
"Brother Li, I told you not to mess with the Heavenly Sword Sect," a beautiful voice cut through the murmuring crowd.
From the midst of the gathering, a young woman in her mid-twenties with an angelic appearance stepped forward.
The surrounding disciples were mesmerized by her beauty, some even admitting that they had joined the Soaring Sea Sect just to catch a glimpse of her.
"What were you thinking, Brother Li?" the young woman said, standing in front of him.
"Ah… it's nothing," Li replied. "Let me introduce someone to you. This is Zheng. He wants to join our sect."
Without providing any further explanation, Li pulled Zheng beside her.
"Welcome to our sect. I'm Yang Yue. My grandfather founded this sect, and my father is the current sect leader," she greeted Zheng warmly.
"And I'm Zheng. I was looking for a place to cultivate. Thank you for having me," he said, looking around the sect and taking mental notes of the surroundings and the disciples.
Suddenly, the sect gate was violently kicked open.
The same group from the Heavenly Sword Sect stormed in, led by a muscular man wearing a black robe.
"WHERE IS THAT BASTARD—LI?!"