Immortality is not simple.

First step: Strengthening one’s mortal container. The bones are the first to be ground down and then remade, repeatedly until the toughness is like that of the highest grade Earthly metals. The most painful part of strengthening is remaking paltry organs people are born with into vessels worthy of housing spiritual energy. It is important to note, dear student, that undergoing organ refinement without tough bones is suicidal.

Shrill screams and cries of men sounded out from the courtyard. The family mansion was on fire, fresh blood had been spilt on the rocky ground, and empty eyes stared at the ever darkening night, awaiting their seemingly inevitable death to cold steel.

Now equipped with barely acceptable organs, the final part of the first step is to finally tear apart all of the muscles and ligaments in the human body to completely finish rebuilding the body. Eyes to see the finest of details from miles away, ears that will pick up the faint heartbeat of opponents, arms that can carry weight in the tons, and legs that can scale mountains in seconds.

The noise from the chaotic battle in the courtyard was only interrupted by the steady march of cruel men as they stepped in unwaveringly and unceasingly into what once was a dignified courtyard. Powerful elites that had once shaken the world lay by the side of the remains of the gate, their eyes lifeless and blank unlike the stained ground they rested on. A weak cough splattered the ground with blood as one of these men grasped on to a sliver of strength. Only to be rudely ended by the thrusts of several determined spears.

The second step: Spiritual enhancement. One must carefully absorb energy from any external source through the pores of their skin into one of the 72 spiritual paths in the human soul. Through the accumulation of energy, a weak mortal can take another step towards Immortality by developing a Ki center. Constantly absorbing and distributing energy throughout their body, it is possible to reach the peak and be eligible to partake in advancing to the next step.

The inhabitants of the elegant mansion had been worried, but now there was complete panic. All traces of calm and order vanished into smoke as servants and relatives alike scurried around gathering valuables. Petty arguments would start as they fought over the ownership of some pricey object, only to end as they realized their lives were in danger. Walls were torn down by not only enemies but terrified civilians as they streamed out of the mansion. Lying in wait for them in the undergrowth behind the mansion were enemy experts, their actions swift and merciless. No one would be escaping under their vigilant observance.

The development of the Ki center is the keystone to the establishment of a Spiritual Soul. One can increase their pool of Ki energy, heighten their Spiritual sense to spread across kilometers, and exert their presence upon their foes.

In a hidden room, a group of people were huddled together. Lying on a bed was a beautiful woman under a great deal of pain. Her small hand white as snow seemed to be swallowed in the grasp of her husband, yet her nails torn into his hand. Despite this, he made no sound as she cried out in pain. Some other elders nervously stood on the side of the room as midwives and the few loyal servants left scurried around.

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The third step: Consolidating Spiritual Equipment. Once the foundation of a Spiritual Soul has been firmly established, people go further by accumulating their spiritual energy into an external object in the form of armor and weapons. Through this, they prepare themselves with the means to defend themselves.

She heaved as a servant girl carried the child for her to see. Although he was crying, she spotted glimpses of beautiful violet eyes beneath the tears. His complexion was healthy despite just arriving in this world, tears staining his rosy cheeks as they slid down. She imploringly looked at the line of elders, who stiffened before monetarily exiting the room. As the servants said their final farewells, the door closed and all was quiet. Even the child seemed to have calmed down and looked at her with a spark of intelligence hidden in its eyes.

With a mature Spiritual Soul and the proper means to defend it, the fourth step can be undertaken: Becoming boundless. The restraint of the body is removed as one attunes himself with nature, allowing for the soul to be reborn as something difficult to truly be erased. A part will always linger elsewhere in nature.

Her footsteps could barely be heard over the clamor outside as she scurried towards the cellar below. Through a hidden door, she entered a passageway that expanded into a vast network of hidden tunnels. Despite their secrecy, she could hear the faint voices and footsteps of men echoing from some branches of the system of tunnels. She felt her heartbeat race as she picked what seemed to be the safest route as she ran as softly as possible, shrouding her and her son’s life forces as they moved undetected.

With each step towards Immortality, the details become more obscure and difficult to find and understand. The fifth step involves obtaining the means of true flight restrained only by the size of one’s pool of spiritual energy.

He had only seen his son for a few seconds before he kissed the two goodbye. Gloom and sorrow arose in his chest as he saw bright lights shine temporarily in the sky before they faded away. A nearby town had begun celebrating the lunar year, yet he found no joy in his heart. The sound of the fireworks couldn't even be heard over the roar of the flames eating up his mansion. Beautiful wings erupted from his back as he leapt from his mansion, prepared buy time in exchange for his life. His only regret was not being able to personally ensure his family’s safety.

In the final step of Immortality, the Spiritual Soul undergoes Purification. Through directly absorbing power from the stars in the heavens, one can increase their Spiritual Soul and lifeforce. The potential lifespan is virtually infinite as there will always be stars in the night sky.

She felt her body grow cold as blood seeped out from her wounds. Beautiful violet eyes stared each other until one pair finally lost the strength to continue. The panicking villager fumbled as he tried to grasped her hand, but it weakly slid out of his hand.

“Take him and leave,” she whispered, and became still as the last sliver of life left her body. The villager shed a tear as he took off with the child in his arms, unwilling to let this couple’s efforts be in futile. If anyone had deserved a happy ending, it was them.