Xu Yi continued, "But how does one break through to the Yang Fish Realm? Forgive my bluntness, but I've never met a senior in the Yang Fish Realm. Surely our mighty Southern Pole Sect has had such seniors before?" He knew that couldn't be the case. Even the Chaotic Abyss Sea had Immeasurable Elder, a Yang Fish Realm cultivator.
Zhang Daohan gave a scornful laugh. "All right. You're indeed qualified to know more now. Why do we cultivate? To seek the Great Dao? That's far too difficult—so difficult that hardly any cultivator dares dream of making it their goal. To live for ten thousand years and endure through reincarnation is enough."
"Cultivating to the Yang Fish Realm is enough to preserve one's consciousness through reincarnation. And reaching the Divine Diagram Realm grants a lifespan of ten thousand years, allowing one to reincarnate with a saintly body and cultivate anew. Cultivators at that level are considered to have attained the Dao. Unless they go looking for death, they're practically another form of immortality."
"Reaching the Divine Diagram Realm qualifies one to receive an immortal rank. But there's still a gap between being qualified and actually receiving one. Even so, it's enough to show how exalted Divine Diagram cultivators are. Our Central Continent lies in the Southern Territory, which has seven continents. Since the beginning of recorded history, only a few hundred Divine Diagram Great Powers have received immortal ranks."
Xu Yi pondered. "How are these immortal ranks defined? Are there different grades?" After cultivating for more than a century, this was the first time he'd felt that becoming a god and attaining immortality was within reach. To become a true immortal, impervious to all tribulations—how exhilarating that would be.
Zhang Daohan said, "Immortals have nine grades and fall into four categories: