Crossing Over: The Strongest Mage

Cultivation is divided into two types: external and internal cultivation. External cultivation refers to training the dantian to increase one's true energy and improve cultivation levels, while internal cultivation focuses on refining the soul. The cultivation of the soul is especially important for cultivators, but you have neglected to practice it. As your cultivation level increases, the power of the soul becomes even more crucial. Controlling flying swords, mastering artifact refinement, and sensing the myriad things in the world—all of these require the power of the soul."

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior," Yan Huo cupped his hands in gratitude.

"Senior, how long does it take for a cultivator to become an immortal? Are there immortals in this world apart from us cultivators?" Yan Huo asked.

"Cultivation realms are divided as follows: the Entry Stage, the Stable Dao Stage, the Pill Condensation Stage, the Golden Core Stage, the Nascent Soul Stage, the Void Stage, the Empty Void Stage, the Tribulation Crossing Stage, the Great Completion Stage, and the Ascension Stage. Each realm is divided into early, middle, and late stages.

Each stage seems difficult to breakthrough. To enter the Nascent Soul Stage, one must endure the small heavenly tribulation. The road to cultivation is fraught with tribulations. Once a cultivator reaches the Golden Core Stage, their lifespan increases by a thousand years. Nascent Soul cultivators can live an additional five thousand years. After reaching the later stage of the Golden Core, the cultivator will undergo the "Three Nine Small Heavenly Tribulation." Only after surviving this tribulation can they reach the Nascent Soul Stage.

Once reaching the late stage of the Empty Void Stage, at the critical point, the cultivator will trigger the "Six Nine Great Heavenly Tribulation." Only after surviving this will they be able to enter the Tribulation Crossing Stage.

At that time, the Nascent Soul can merge with the soul, achieving immortality. After reaching the Great Completion Stage, the cultivator must undergo the Nine Nine Heavy Tribulation. These three major tribulations block the path at three critical points. Very few cultivators will ultimately succeed in attaining immortality."

Chongyangzi sighed.

"There are many spiritual tools in the cultivation world, most of which are flying swords, but there are also other exotic weapons. These are all called spiritual tools. Spiritual tools are divided into four grades: inferior, medium, superior, and supreme. As for spiritual pills, they are pills with various effects. During the Tribulation Crossing stage, the consumption of true essence is most severe, so taking spiritual pills is the best way to replenish it.

Spiritual pills are also divided into four grades: inferior, medium, superior, and supreme. To cross the Nine Nine Heavy Tribulation and become an immortal, one needs extraordinary talent, supreme spiritual tools for protection, and spiritual pills. However, how can an ordinary person obtain supreme spiritual tools or vast quantities of spiritual pills? Supreme spiritual pills and spiritual tools are extremely rare, but they are incredibly helpful for those undergoing the tribulation."

"In the cultivation world, cultivators may fight to the death over rare treasures of heaven and earth. Some battles, even for valuable minerals, can ignite wars between cultivators.

Cultivator battles, especially those between powerful cultivators in the Void Stage or Empty Void Stage, can stir up waves in the seas and destroy the world. Spiritual treasures, spiritual pills, and flying swords... all can drive cultivators mad. These things are all for increasing the chances of successfully crossing the tribulation."

"Cultivation is a defiance against the heavens, and thus, one must endure heavenly tribulations. Only after experiencing countless tribulations will one reach the Great Completion Stage and ascend to become an immortal. Unfortunately, the Six Nine Great Heavenly Tribulation is too terrifying, and not everyone will encounter it."

"Many masters who reach the late Nascent Soul stage live for thousands of years, but in the end, they die without any breakthroughs, unable to face the Six Nine Great Heavenly Tribulation." Yan Huo remained outwardly calm, but his heart was in turmoil.

"Thousands of years?" Yan Huo asked, stunned.

"The terror of the Nine Nine Heavy Tribulations! Even a Great Completion expert possesses the power to destroy the world, but under the Nine Nine Heavy Tribulation, not even one out of ten may survive. Even their souls will be shattered, unable to reincarnate."

"Shattered souls? Unable to reincarnate?" Yan Huo was completely shocked. He could not fathom that the path to immortality was so difficult.

"Senior, does that mean that everyone who crosses the tribulation to become an immortal ascends? Where do they go?" Yan Huo asked.

"Hehe! Of course, they ascend to the Immortal Realm," Chongyangzi replied with a smile.

"Is there really no immortal in this world?" Yan Huo asked in disbelief.

"Absolutely none. If one could become an immortal, who would want to stay in the mortal realm? Furthermore, the Immortal Realm does not allow immortals to descend at will," Chongyangzi said, his gaze wavering slightly as if he was hiding something. Yan Huo, lost in despair, did not notice.

"This is it. It seems the only way for me is to cultivate and become an immortal. Hmph! If I become an immortal, no one will stop me from descending to save Xiuning. Just wait and see."

"By the way, Senior, do immortals have a way to bring the dead back to life?" Yan Huo asked.

"Bring the dead back to life?" Chongyangzi thought for a moment. "That's hard to say. The powers of an immortal are beyond our understanding. The answer to your question might only come from an immortal, as my true self was just a cultivator."

"Do you know where your true self went, Senior?" Yan Huo asked.

"Did he undergo the tribulation?" Yan Huo guessed.

"Yes! And it was the Nine Nine Heavy Tribulation," Chongyangzi confirmed.

"Ah! Senior, your true self reached the Great Completion stage!" Yan Huo exclaimed.

"Yes! My true self practiced for over five thousand years, and five hundred years ago, he sensed it was time for him to face the tribulation. So, he returned to his hometown to take one last look. He was unsure whether he would survive the Nine Nine Heavy Tribulation. There was still one unfulfilled wish in his heart, but he couldn't fulfill it himself. So, he took two disciples here to help him complete it. Unfortunately, my true self never expected that the two disciples he took in five hundred years ago, while cultivating, couldn't resist the temptations of the world.

From what you just told me, I suspect that the two cultivators who helped the previous imperial dynasty and were defeated by you one hundred and fifty years ago were these disciples. Fortunately, before they died, they remembered my true self's instructions and handed the Golden Jade Diagram to the world. Otherwise, you wouldn't have come here."

"But didn't someone come here one hundred and fifty years ago?" Yan Huo asked curiously.

"You mean that person? Heh! He couldn't even pass the little fox's test, how could he have reached the stone tower?" Chongyangzi laughed.

"Little fox? Senior, are you saying that little fox was a test for me?" Yan Huo asked.

"Yes! That little fox was saved by my true self when he came to this mountain five hundred years ago. It has been with him ever since. Now, it has completed its task, since you have seen me. When you leave, take it with you. Perhaps it will help you in the future."