Renegade Immortal
Original: 仙逆 (Xian Ni)
Author: Er Gen
Summary: Against The Heavens narrates the tale of Wang Lin, a youth of unremarkable talent, rejected by the Heng Yue Sect. Unwilling to accept his fate, he resolves to tread the arduous path of cultivation himself. On his journey, Wang Lin faces countless dangers, confronts innumerable powerful enemies, and matures step by step. He seeks enlightenment while incessantly unraveling the mysteries of his own being, gradually lifting the veil that conceals his origins. Ultimately, Wang Lin ascends to become a supreme powerhouse.
Throughout this process, he savors the full spectrum of emotions – love, friendship – and confronts countless life-or-death situations. Yet, Wang Lin always steadfastly maintains his original intentions, resolutely pursuing ever-higher realms of cultivation. With his extraordinary intellect, he advances step by step to the pinnacle, establishing his own renown, echoing throughout the entire cultivation world.
Cultivation Realms
The path of cultivation is fraught with hardship, divided into many major steps, each harboring unfathomable secrets:
First Step: Seven Foundation Realms
The path of cultivation commences with seven fundamental realms, laying the foundation for cultivators: Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Spirit Transformation, Soul Transformation, and finally, Questioning Heavens.
However, there exist special circumstances, cultivating to the Extreme Realm, a realm representing extreme power. After the Extreme Realm, the Water Realm opens, symbolizing boundless creative force, followed by the Dao Realm, signifying imperishable and everlasting might.
Second Step: Illusion-Reality Duality, Shattering Nirvana Trilogy
In this step, cultivators comprehend the duality of Illusion and Reality, the intertwining of Yin and Yang, encompassing Yin Illusion and Yang Reality. Subsequently, they overcome the Shattering Nirvana Trilogy:
Peeking Nirvana: The initial realm, glimpsing the workings of the heavens.
Purifying Nirvana: Purifying one’s origins, cleansing away impurities.
Shattering Nirvana: Breaking through limitations, nirvana reborn.
On the path of the second step, cultivators must confront the Five Declines of Heaven and Man, a cataclysmic tribulation. Each time a Decline is overcome, one’s cultivation and strength advance significantly. However, this tribulation is exceedingly perilous; failure signifies the annihilation of both form and spirit, reduced to ashes.
Third Step: Four Great Emptiness Realms
Having transcended Shattering Nirvana, cultivators enter the Four Great Emptiness Realms:
Empty Nirvana: The beginning of Emptiness, comprehending nothingness.
Empty Spirit: The gateway of Emptiness, intersecting with reality.
Empty Profound: The great Dao of Emptiness, infinitely profound.
Empty Tribulation: The pinnacle of Emptiness, touching upon the truth.
Titles on the Immortal Astral Continent:
On the Immortal Astral Continent, cultivators of the Empty Tribulation realm are revered as Grand Sovereigns.
Golden Sovereign: Late-stage peak Empty Tribulation, nearing completion but not yet attained.
Heavenly Sovereign (Illusory Heavenly Sovereign): Complete Empty Tribulation but not yet attained Grand Heavenly Sovereign.
Medicine Heavenly Sovereign: A realm between Heavenly Sovereign and Grand Heavenly Sovereign, surpassing Heavenly Sovereign.
Grand Heavenly Sovereign: The highest realm of the third step, wielding control over all laws.
Fourth Step: The Path of Treading the Heavens
The final step, Treading the Heavens, is the path of conquering nine Bridges of Treading the Heavens, each bridge representing a level, a trial, and a transformation.
Grading of Magical Treasures:
Magical treasures, powerful aids to cultivators, are divided into five levels:
Spirit, Profound: Used by cultivators of the first step.
Immortal: Reserved for cultivators of the second step.
Empty, Sub-Empty Nirvana: Shattering Nirvana cultivators can use Empty-grade magical treasures, or those lying between Empty and Nirvana (Sub-Empty Nirvana).
Later, in Er Gen’s other novels, there are also steps 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and finally step 10, called the Ancient Desolate Heaven. This is a path of cultivation fraught with thorns, but also containing countless opportunities, awaiting those cultivators who are steadfast and courageous to explore.