Novels2Search
Art of Mortality
Chapter 8: Mortal's Path

Chapter 8: Mortal's Path

The Beginning of the cultivation system created by the First Paragon starts with the Mortal's Path. This is the path all cultivators must take.

When cultivators start cultivating, they have to first overcome the limitations of their mortal bodies. To do that, they have to cultivate the 9 mortal realms called the 9 shackles of a mortal. These 9 realms belong to the mortal path.

Cultivators from clans with special bloodline can find it easy to break through the shackles and their progress in the mortal path will be many many times faster than cultivators with mortal origin or no special bloodline.

The 9 realms are:

1. Physical Essence

2. Body Metamorphosis

3. Shell Shattering

The first three shackles are known as '3 Shackles of the Body'.

4. Qi Accumulation

5. Energy Foundation

6. Aura Formation

These 3 shackles are known as '3 Shackles of the Spirit'. After that comes:

7. Dao Vision

8. Dao Communication

9. Spiritual Phantom

These 3 shackles are known as '3 Shackles of the Mind'.

Finally, Breaking through all these shackles, the journey through the mortal path is complete. With this, one can transcend their mortality and obtain the goal of all cultivators: "The Realm of Heavenly Wisdom".

Reaching the Heavenly Wisdom realm is something very few cultivators can even hope to achieve. It takes hundreds of years to reach the Heavenly Wisdom realm from the peak of the Spiritual Phantom realm. Even the fastest and most talented among cultivators cannot achieve Heavenly Wisdom without being in the peak of the Spiritual Phantom realm for at least 30 years. Achieving Heavenly Wisdom takes a lot of dao comprehension and wisdom.

The fastest person ever to reach the Heavenly Wisdom realm took 13 years at the peak of the Spiritual Phantom realm, and he was the 9th Paragon. Very few people in all of history have even come close to being that fast. Although, no one knows how long it took the First Paragon to achieve the realm of Heavenly Wisdom, as he was the one who created this cultivation system and no one else had any knowledge about it back then. But, according to ancient texts from that era, judging by his growth rate of power, he at least took 10 years to reach Heavenly Wisdom after breaking through the 9th mortal shackle. But whether he took more than 13 years or less was not known, so most people still agree upon the 9th Paragon being the fastest one.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

"So, this was the world of cultivation you wanted to know about. What do you think?", Snow finally finished her narration.

"Everything is new to me, so I can't think much from it. But if you ask my opinion, hearing your explanation, I think the human race is in danger."

"You are right. The human race is indeed in danger. As I've said, all the other races are eyeing us with caution, waiting for an opportunity. But it won't be easy. The First Paragon laid a deep foundation for our race, and the Ninth Paragon was also one of us. The Ninth Paragon has left many protective measures for our race.", said Snow.

"So, we don't have to worry about anything then?", Edward asked.

"Not really. The protective measures won't last forever, and if one of the other major races ends up producing a peerless cultivator, the protective measures would be useless then. So, in the end, those protective measures can only buy us some time.", Snow explained.

"Then how do we make sure that there will be a peerless cultivator among us?", Edward asked.

"There is no way to make sure. We can only keep trying to find ways.", Snow replied with a deep sigh.

Edward felt like there was more to that, but he didn't ask. Some things are not to be asked before the time is appropriate.

"So, do you still want to become a cultivator?", Snow asked.

"Definitely", Edward replied, with determination in his eyes.

"Ok then." As soon as she said that, a paper scroll appeared in her hand out of nowhere.

"How did you do that?", Edward was shocked.

"See this ring in my finger? It is a Spatial Ring. There is a small independent empty space inside the ring. Cultivators can store things inside that space. My Sea of Consciousness was mostly sealed till yesterday so I couldn't use it before. Now the seal is gone, I can use it again."

"OH! How magical and convenient! By the way, what is in the paper scroll you took out just now?", Edward was quite amazed seeing this ring-like spiritual item.

"It is the introduction and cultivation guide for the first three realms. With this manual, you can learn about cultivation until the Shell Shattering realm. After that, you need to manage the rest on your own, as I cannot give you the manuals belonging to my clan. You will get in trouble if I do that", said Snow.

"Ok, I understand.", Edward replied.

With this, Edward finally started his journey on the path of cultivation.