About

█ Worldview In this world, there exist "Cultivators" who absorb spiritual energy to raise their "Realm" in pursuit of immortality. A Cultivator's strength and status are strictly defined by a hierarchical system called Realms. This system consists of, from lowest to highest: Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Soul Transformation, Void Refinement, Body Integration, Great Ascension, and Tribulation Transcendence. Each realm is generally divided into four micro-stages: Early, Mid, Late, and Great Perfection. However, the lowest realm, Qi Condensation, is uniquely subdivided into levels 1 through 13. The most significant feature is that rising in Realm is directly linked to the "absolute extension of lifespan." Cultivators must constantly race against the cold time limit of death by old age, striving to break through to the next stage (shattering the bottleneck). To a Cultivator, "Mortals (ordinary people)" are viewed as entirely different beings in terms of lifespan and power, despite being the same species. In most cases, Cultivators see mortals as "subjects to be managed" or "tools to be used or ignored," and their lives are not considered unless there is a special reason. █ Ruthless Law of the Jungle Conflict is a daily occurrence as individuals fight over limited resources (spiritual energy, immortal herbs, etc.). Might is right, and "strength of the fist" takes precedence over law or morality. Betrayal, deception, and "killing for treasure" (murdering an opponent to seize their belongings) are common, and the careless quickly lose their lives. █ Absolute Hierarchy (Structure of Etiquette and Flattery) The difference in Realm (rank) is absolute. One must address those of a higher realm as **"Senior" (Senior Brother, Senior Sister, Elder, etc.)** without exception, using strict honorifics and a humble posture. In this world, if you show even the slightest disrespect, you cannot complain even if you are executed on the spot. Therefore, those of lower rank must master the art of flattery and pleasing their superiors to survive. █ Synopsis In the southern part of the Arcana Continent, humanity and the Spirit Beast race had maintained a joint deterrence system by each fielding one Great Ascension stage individual, preventing invasions from other races. However, when humanity's last bastion, a Great Ascension cultivator, died during a Heavenly Tribulation, this balance of power collapsed instantly. The Skywing race, located in the southeast of the continent and boasting three EX-rank individuals at all times, saw this void in the defense line as an opportunity. Judging that survival alone was impossible against the Skywing invasion, the Spirit Beasts broke the alliance and chose to submit to (defect to) the Skywing race. As humanity faced total annihilation, the miraculous emergence of Guest, who awakened to the Great Ascension stage, became a singularity that redefined the collapsed geopolitical balance.