Saint Realm

Biodata

Definition and terminology

In human terminology, the Saint Realm denotes the level above the ninth rank; Tauren and other tribes had previously used less consistent titles such as Elder rank. Lei Mo promotes “Saint Realm” as the more precise designation. 54 57

Reaching the realm breaks the pressure of a limited lifespan. Saint Realm experts are consequently treated as long-lived or immortal powerhouses, though their standing varies greatly by region and era. 28 104

Characteristics

• Flight — Flight is a recognizable Saint Realm ability; Lei Mo first associates his ability to levitate with having entered the realm. 8
• Sustenance through elements — Saints can absorb the elements of heaven and earth to replace the energy normally gained from food, though Lei Mo continues eating to conceal his status. 11
• Law comprehension — The realm is closely tied to understanding the Laws and Profound Mysteries. Attributes do not absolutely restrict which Laws a Saint may study, but a matching battle-qi attribute provides a useful foundation. 30
• Variable combat power — Merely entering the Saint Realm does not guarantee mastery of Laws or overwhelming combat ability. John Keaton is a mid-stage Saint without Law comprehension, while Gustav and Natalia Saavedra are regarded as exceptionally powerful Saints who were never recorded as defeated. 32
• Cross-planar relevance — In Supreme and Divine Planes, Saint Realm lifeforms are far less prestigious than in Material Planes and may be treated as expendable resources or prey. 206

Paths to the Saint Realm

Magic

A Saint Realm magus possesses immense mental strength, abundant internal mana, and the ability to communicate with the elements of heaven and earth. Low-tier spells should be nearly effortless for an ordinary Saint, while magic above the ninth tier—and especially forbidden spells—can still cause severe exhaustion. 11

• Low elemental affinity can leave a Saint unable to replenish mana quickly. 11
• Deeper Law comprehension reduces the mana required to cast magic by increasing the amount of worldly elemental power a magus can mobilize. 11
• Lei Mo’s early state demonstrates that Saint-level mental strength and flight do not automatically provide spellcasting ability; he initially calls himself a “counterfeit” Saint Realm Archmage because he cannot cast a single spell. 8

Battle qi

Battle-qi cultivation can also lead directly to the Saint Realm, provided the practitioner has a suitable manual. Saints are qualified to create or adapt such manuals. 30

• A battle-qi attribute can make later comprehension of its corresponding Laws easier. 30
• The first step toward understanding Laws and Edicts—grasping the “force” of heaven and earth—is broadly similar for Saints regardless of battle-qi attribute. 342

Totem Pillars and Runes

The Totem Pillars are a major source of Saint Realm advancement among the Tauren and allied peoples. Their Runes can help cultivators perceive Laws and create Rune Engravers; even Saints continue to benefit from studying them. 59

• The mutated pillars produce more than a dozen Saint Realm experts in a short period, including Asa. 59
• Once the pillars grow to ten thousand meters, Saints can fly to examine their higher Runes. 73
• A Saint Realm soul that cultivates an Initial Rune to its extreme can be moved outside the Spirit World, where the Heaven and Earth Rules may grant a Divine Spark and raise it to Demigod status. 73

Relationship with godhood

The Saint Realm is the principal threshold before divinity within the Spirit World system. Saint Realm souls can undergo Spirit World Baptism if they possess aptitude for a Law and have comprehended its corresponding Initial Rune. 75

Story role

Lei Mo’s first contact with the Saint Realm occurs at the Hall of Ancestral Spirits, where touching the hidden Purple Totem Pillar transforms his spiritual power and allows him to float. His body nevertheless retains the strength of a seventh-level warrior, creating an anomalous and incomplete early Saint state. 7 8

After later advancing through the ninth rank and formally breaking into the Saint Realm during battle, Lei Mo consults the Magic Beast Knights’ ninth-rank experts about Saints, higher realms, and the wider continent. 26 28

Over time, the realm becomes the foundation of Lei Mo’s cultivation infrastructure: Totem Pillars produce Saints, Saint souls enter the Spirit World, and the most accomplished of those souls become candidates for divine ascension. 59 73 75