Absolute Destiny Game

"Fellow Daoists," Xiao Jie humbly inquired, "I wonder what this 'True Immortal Realm' entails? Regarding the cultivation of immortals, what are the specific stages of division?"

Lin Xuance replied, "According to ancient texts and the oral account of predecessors, the stages of immortals from low to high are roughly divided into seven layers: Scattered Immortal Realm, True Immortal Realm, Earth Immortal Realm, Heavenly Immortal Realm, Profound Immortal Realm, Golden Immortal Realm, and the Legendary Daluo Golden Immortal Realm. Daoist friend, having just ascended to the Immortal Realm, your Immortal Body is newly formed, and your Immortal Yuan is not yet stable; you are likely in the First Level 'Scattered Immortal Realm.' To advance in realms, one must continuously refine Immortal Yuan, comprehend the Heaven and Earth Laws, accumulate cultivation, or consume Heaven and Earth Spiritual Essence, undergo tribulations to refine the heart, thereby enabling the sublimation of the Immortal Soul and transformation of the Immortal Body, gradually breaking through bottlenecks."

He paused, then added, "However, if one possesses profound expertise in a particular field, forming a unique 'Dao,' sometimes the realm requirement to practice certain related Immortal Laws can be reduced."

Xiao Jie curiously pressed on, "Then I wonder, fellow Daoists, what realm are you currently in? Would it be convenient to tell me?"

"Hahaha, what's inconvenient about that?" The Martial Arts Immortal laughed heartily, "The few of us here have cultivated arduously for several millennia, and now all linger in the Second Level 'True Immortal Realm.' Among the immortals, the one with the deepest cultivation must be Daoist Shen Jizi, who has reached the Fourth Level 'Heavenly Immortal Realm,' considered the first in our Gu Yun State's Immortal Realm."

Xiao Jie was stirred and thought of the higher realms: "Then, the Profound Immortal Realm, Golden Immortal Realm, and even the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm... Do they only exist in legends? Has no one ever reached them in the past?"

"This... indeed, as far as we know. For nearly ten thousand years, neither Gu Yun State nor the surrounding known regions have had an immortal reach such realms." Miao Fa Yuanjun spoke with a tone of uncertainty.

"Then how did fellow Daoists know the existence of these latter realms?" Xiao Jie keenly grasped the key point.

"This..."

The four were struck dumb upon hearing this, looking at each other, faces filled with puzzled contemplation, and for a moment, none could provide a definite answer. It was as if these realm divisions were instinctively accepted knowledge, yet their origins had long been blurred by time.

"The ancient texts are fragmentary, the inheritance intermittent, perhaps... it originated from a much older era?" Su Moyan speculated with some uncertainty.

Watching their reactions, Xiao Jie roughly gathered his thoughts. The later realms might not be achievable on the current "map," highly likely needing entry into that so-called "Ancient Land: Grand Thousand World" expansion pack, offering chances to access and elevate oneself in newer, higher-tier maps?

In this world, Shen Jizi, as the unique Heavenly Immortal, already stands as the power ceiling of the entire Jiuzhou World.

Considering this, Xiao Jie temporarily set aside his doubts about higher realms. For him now, aiming too high holds no meaning; enhancing one's strength steadfastly is the key. Since practicing profound Immortal Laws is temporarily out of reach, focusing on what is attainable is paramount.

He decided to attempt cultivation on whatever he could learn.

He continued to browse through the remaining books.

The "Heavenly Escape Sword Technique" and "Xuangang Body Refining Technique," were equally profound and obscure, involving countless Sword Qi nurturing, Immortal Yuan body tempering skills beyond his current understanding. Xiao Jie did not forcibly pursue them, only skimmed before putting them aside.

However, the "Dark and Mysterious Record," had mixed content. The author of this book is said to be a rare "Ghost Immortal," with spells mostly related to the Netherworld, souls, and Yin Evil Power. Some basic techniques on avoiding miasma, communicating with the Netherworld, commanding low-level ghosts were understandable to him; but later sections involving advanced Ghost Path, Soul Refining, and communicating with the Nine Nether Origin turned into a Heavenly Book filled with specialized terms and eerie laws, evidently requiring specific Ghost Immortal inheritance or profound study of Netherworld laws for cultivation.

"It seems, to practice truly powerful high-level Immortal techniques, quickly enhancing one's Immortal Rank realm is necessary." Xiao Jie pondered, "And such enhancement likely relates to 'Profession Advanced'? Just unsure how exactly to proceed."

Nonetheless, he recalled Lin Xuance's earlier words—if one has a clear specialized direction, requirements for learning related Immortal Laws can be reduced. His inclination toward the "Ten Thousand Transformations Immortal" path centered on the Path of Transformation. Perhaps therein he could proceed more smoothly?

Specialization correlates with a player's "Professional Core Skills," presumably. His core skills involve Demon Transformation and Transformation, so perhaps profound transformation type Immortal Laws might be attempted now?

Thinking of this, he looked again at Su Moyan, asking, "Su Daoist friend, I wonder if in this Scripture Pavilion, there are books specifically discussing the Path of Transformation and Transformation Magic? Or are there detailed knowledge books and illustrated texts about demon beasts and Divine Beasts worldwide?"

"Yes, indeed," Su Moyan nodded immediately, "Books in this category are mostly prepared for those pursuing the path of Demon Immortal, spirit cultivators, or Immortals skilled in Transformation Techniques. Although not as abundant as those on Five Elements or Daoist Skills, there are some fine selections."

Having said that, he raised his hand again, beckoning several times toward the upper layer of the Book Storage Pavilion. Instantly, from a certain area on the Seventh Layer, three tomes adorned with various radiances flew gently out.

"This 'Ten Thousand Demons Record' comprehensively documents the forms, habits, abilities, and weaknesses of myriad known demons across the Nine States, illustrated with texts and pictures, making it a treasure for recognizing and subduing demons."

"This 'Thousand Illusion Transformation Technique' was authored by an ancient Earth Immortal who excelled in the path of transformation, providing detailed elaboration on the essence, key points, and taboos of transformation techniques, recording various high-level transformation Immortal techniques and their corresponding true form illustrations."

"Also in this 'Divine Marvel Scripture', it emphasizes documenting the legends and descriptions of primordial exotic beasts and ancient divine beasts born and nurtured by heaven and earth, possessing great divine powers, though not directly a cultivation method, it broadens one's horizons and assists in comprehending their divine charm."

Xiao Jie took these three books over, immediately eager to start reading them.

Indeed, the reading experience this time was entirely different! Especially with the 'Thousand Illusion Transformation Technique', the principles of transformation discussed in it, the foundational theories and energy operating methods, were consistent with his already skilled demon transformation abilities, Essence Soul Transformation, and the numerous transformation experiences gained through absorption from Demon Kings. Many aspects could verify each other! Now, upon looking at this Immortal Transformation Technique, it was instantly eye-opening, feeling a sense of clarity and cross-reference.

"So that's how it is! The so-called Immortal Transformation Technique is essentially this... thoroughly transparent!" Xiao Jie's eyes shone with excitement.

The book elaborated that transforming into ordinary beasts and birds only requires observing their form, understanding their state, and simulating their physical structure with Immortal Spirit Qi, which is relatively simple.

However, to transform into those possessing extraordinary power or even wielding portions of law authority, such as 'Immortal Beasts', 'Divine Beasts', or 'Holy Beasts', it not only requires 'observing their form', but also 'knowing their nature, understanding their principles, recognizing their essence, integrating their charm, and grasping their true meaning.' Profoundly understanding their power source and law symbolization is necessary to transform into a form truly possessing parts of their powers, rather than merely a hollow shell with their appearance.

Xiao Jie couldn't suppress his inner eagerness to try, so he immediately attempted according to the most basic transformation techniques described in the book.

He started by immersing his mind, visualizing a common sparrow, and the Immortal Spirit Qi circulated accordingly, covering his body. With a flash of light, his body rapidly shrank, and his clothes transformed to fit, turning into a gray-brown, lively sparrow, flapping its wings and soaring swiftly between shelves, emitting clear chirps.

With another thought, he landed on the ground, visualized a mouse, and transformed into a gray-haired little mouse, swiftly darting under the bookshelf, experiencing a completely different perspective and world. Not satisfied, he turned into a lazy tabby cat, stretching lazily and licking his paws, feeling the flexibility and balance of feline animals. Each transformation deepened his understanding of the theories in the 'Thousand Illusion Transformation Technique', and the circulation of Immortal Spirit Qi during transformation became increasingly smooth and fluent.

"Haha, this transformation technique is indeed endlessly enjoyable and greatly compatible with me!" Xiao Jie reverted to human form, with a face full of joy.

Having gained such insights, not only did he master the abilities to transform into various beasts, birds, fish, and insects, but the powerful demon beast transformation abilities he previously mastered no longer had any time limits, and his understanding of these powerful demon beasts' capabilities became deeper.

Especially the Demon Dragon Transformation, which originally could only be used as a big move, now could be transformed anytime, anywhere.

Though Immortals are undying and indestructible, as a newly born Independent Immortal, if he were to truly face an opponent, he still has to rely on traditional skills. In future confrontations and battles, leveling up would be much more efficient using the Demon Dragon form.

He looked through 'Divine Marvel Scripture' again, discovering a variety of powerful Divine Beasts and Immortal Beasts illustrations and ability descriptions.

Xiao Jie grew increasingly excited as he read, realizing that the extraordinary abilities of these Divine Beasts, Immortal Beasts, and even Holy Beasts rivaled even the high-level Immortal techniques of Immortals. Additionally, many innate abilities and primordial powers were hard to grasp even for Immortals.

If he could learn a few of them, he would become formidable in the future.

After this exploration and comparison, he had firmly made up his mind.

He chose the advancement path of 'Ten Thousand Transformations Immortal'! Not only was this route most suited to his talents and interests, it also offered immense tactical flexibility and development potential.

He raised his gaze to the towering top of the Scripture Pavilion, which seemed to lead to the vault of heaven of endless knowledge, knowing that up there many true expositions, supreme methods, and lost secret records might still be preserved. Unfortunately, he had the pressing matter of resurrecting his teammate to attend to, so he had to wait for the next visit to explore slowly.

As for cultivating those profound and powerful offensive Immortal techniques... let's wait until his realm elevates, or he earns enough 'Cause and Effect Points' to consider them.

Now, it's time to leave this Mountain and Sea Painting Realm, set off for the Netherworld, and fulfill the promise of resurrecting his teammate. Simultaneously, he should aim to reach Level 40 to officially complete the first professional advancement as an Immortal!