Main Text Preface

In the primordial era, the world was shrouded in chaos and desolation, with little sign of life. The ancient deities, Emperor Pangu and the goddess Nuwa, arrived here from distant stars, unable to return. Thus, these two divine beings wielded their immense powers to create heaven and earth, and from their efforts, oceans and forests, mountains and valleys, came into being. Nuwa, moved by the cold emptiness of this land, used her great magic to bring forth a multitude of living beings, filling the world with vitality and prosperity. Among these, the most intelligent were called the "Human Race." Humans, endowed with keen minds, were adept at creation and labor, and their ability to thrive was unmatched.

Plants and beasts, drawing upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, cultivated themselves into humanoid forms, becoming the "Demon Race." The demons enjoyed long lifespans, though their cultivation was arduous and their numbers few. Under the unified guidance of the ancient deities, both humans and demons coexisted peacefully.

Nuwa, seeing that humans suffered from illness, disaster, and short lives, established palaces atop Mount Shu, where she taught the divine arts of immortal cultivation. She instructed humans in unlocking their spiritual veins, practicing the immortal path, and channeling true energy to prolong life. From this, great immortal sages such as Emperor Yan, Emperor Huang, and Emperor Jun emerged, alongside distinguished demon cultivators led by the House of Xuanyuan.

Demons, by absorbing the essence of heaven and earth, sun and moon, gained intelligence and longevity. Though the path of cultivation was difficult for humans, their early wisdom and extraordinary comprehension enabled them to extend their lives through immortal arts, and many powerful cultivators arose. In ancient times, the Immortal Sect of Mount Shu welcomed cultivators from the divine, demon, and human races, and the realm of cultivation flourished as never before.

As time passed, a branch of the divine descendants separated, forming the Demon Race, who reveled in war. Gradually, the demons assimilated the demon race, establishing an independent empire in Qingqiu, the Demon Realm.

The Demon Race coveted the vast territories of the humans, waging brutal wars to seize their lands and sought to unify all realms, enslaving humanity. Over the ages, the divine lineage waned, leaving only the clan of Emperor Fuxi.

Emperor Fuxi, saddened by the suffering and devastation of humanity, gathered the elite cultivators to wage a bitter struggle against the Demon Race for centuries. At last, a branch of demons was driven into the desolate sands of the western wilderness and sealed away.

In a legendary battle lasting seven days and nights, Emperor Fuxi confronted the Demon Emperor Xuanyuan Heartless. Fuxi, sacrificing his own soul, consecrated the ancient artifact, the Divine Farmer’s Cauldron, destroying Xuanyuan’s physical form and imprisoning his soul within the Cauldron, which was then sealed beneath Jade Pearl Peak of Kunlun Mountain. It is said that Fuxi left a trace of his soul to return to heaven and earth, and his immortal blood became the roaring Black Sea, surging down from Kunlun’s heights.

Thus, the ancient divine race vanished from the world, never to be seen again.

Ancient instructions decreed: the Immortal Sect of Mount Shu must lead humanity in cultivation, safeguard earthly peace, and guard Kunlun Mountain for generations without neglect. Time rushed on; the world’s powers rose and fell, and the Immortal Sect itself endured countless cycles of decline and resurgence. A hundred thousand years passed in a blink, and humanity gradually prospered, forming nations and vast family clans.

In this era, the legendary Demon Race no longer existed, only humans remained. Any demons who achieved cultivation were hunted down by immortal practitioners. Now, the greatest aspiration of humanity was to cultivate immortality, vanquish demons and evil.

Immortal cultivation for mortals was divided into four stages: Mortal Body, Void Ascension, Celestial Immortal, and Divine Immortal.

The Mortal Body referred to those who had not unlocked their spiritual veins or begun any cultivation, which was the state into which all were born. Mortal bodies had the weakest resistance to the world, subject to natural birth, aging, sickness, and death, with short lifespans.

Void Ascension marked the initial stage, in which the spiritual veins were unlocked and the mortal body refined. This stage was divided into two phases: Mortal Void and Spiritual Void. Mortal Void indicated that the spiritual veins had been opened and the necessary conditions for cultivation met, allowing entry into immortal practice at any time. Spiritual Void meant the practitioner could absorb spiritual energy from heaven and earth, transforming it into personal power. Both phases were indispensable to the path of cultivation, and through spiritual refinement, the body became stronger, resistance heightened, and lifespan extended far beyond the mortal body.

Celestial Immortal signified not only the conversion of spiritual energy into personal power, but also the ability to wield external mediums—such as swordflight, or channeling spiritual power into tools: paintings, swords, blades, fans, and so forth—using their unique properties for great offensive power.

Celestial Immortal was divided into twelve levels. Each level represented a deeper mastery of spiritual energy, stronger spiritual veins, greater combat ability, and longer life. With the aid of elixirs, all aspects of power and longevity could be further enhanced. The longest-lived cultivator recorded in history reached over eight hundred years.

In this era, as spiritual energy from heaven and earth grew ever thinner, most cultivators’ powers were concentrated within the Celestial Immortal stage, ranging from the first to the twelfth level. Very few broke through to the Divine Immortal stage.

Divine Immortal, according to ancient texts, was also divided into twelve levels, based on combat ability. Divine Immortal cultivators could defy external forces, fly through the void without aid, and harness all forms of energy—solar, storm, lightning—as their own, transforming them into the most powerful attacks.

Besides cultivators, there also arose a group of alchemists who supported the cultivation of immortals. Alchemy demanded abundant spiritual energy, as well as exceptional immortal power and understanding.

An alchemist must first be an outstanding cultivator to even attempt the art. The ancient alchemy methods, made ever more difficult by the dwindling spiritual energy, meant that even the most powerful alchemists of this era barely reached the sixth rank. None had yet broken through to the seventh, the legendary rank capable of forging elixirs that defy fate.

In the east of the Divine Continent, there lies a wondrous mountain range, stretching thousands upon thousands of miles, crossing countless nations. Verdant forests cloak the peaks, clouds and mist swirl year-round, snow piles atop summits, and exotic beasts roam where mortals cannot tread. At the crest of these mountains, deep within the sea of clouds and fog, stands the most renowned immortal sect in all the world: the Immortal Sect of Mount Shu.

Since ancient times, immortals have emerged from Mount Shu. In this era, all mortals honor cultivation, and to enter Mount Shu and learn the immortal arts, defending all living things, is the highest goal and glory. Aside from the famed Mount Shu, there are also the mysterious Nether Sect in the west, the Jade Maiden Sect in the south, and others.

In the mundane world of the Divine Continent, there are four great empires: the Phoenix Imperial Realm in the east, Loulan Empire in the west, Turkic Empire in the north, and Peacock Empire in the south, each ruling their own vast domains, with countless smaller nations between. There are also four mysterious and ancient clans: the Mei Clan, Mo Clan, Jiang Clan, and Murong Clan.

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