Void Refinement Realm
Trampling Misfortune, I Seek Immortality in Chaotic Times
Biodata
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Void Refinement Realm (炼虚境) |
| Classification | Major cultivation realm of the Spirit Realm |
| Preceded by | Spirit Transformation Realm |
| Succeeded by | Body Integration Realm |
| First Appearance | 781 |
Power Progression
| Stage / Realm / Level | Chapter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Void Refinement Realm, Layer One | 1465 1472 1474 | Chen Changming breaks through in body cultivation after six years of secluded cultivation, moving away from his cave to undergo tribulation. His body-tempering art grants physical strength far beyond ordinary cultivators of the same level. |
| Void Refinement Realm, Layer Two | 1536 | Chen Changming breaks through after more than ten years of cultivation. He assesses that he can contend with ordinary tenth-layer Void Refinement cultivators. |
| Void Refinement Realm, Layer Three | 1567 | Chen Changming undergoes a Lesser Heavenly Tribulation consisting of lightning, heart-demon, and origin-energy phases. |
| Void Refinement Realm, Layer Four | 1630 | Chen Changming refines immortal medicine through the Immortal Furnace Body-Forging Art and reaches the fourth layer. |
| Void Refinement Realm, Layer Five — body cultivation | 1781 | Chen Changming is confirmed at the fifth layer while refining Mahayana Realm Dragon Blood. After two drops, he estimates that a third will bring him to the sixth layer and leaves the Snow Bamboo Sect to face the expected tribulation elsewhere. |
| Void Refinement Realm, Layer One — spiritual cultivation | 1761 | Separately from his body cultivation, Chen Changming breaks through the major-realm barrier with the aid of the Nine-Colored Immortal Spirit Flower and prepares to undergo a Great Heavenly Tribulation. |
| Void Refinement Realm, Layer Six — body cultivation | 1787 1824 | Chen Changming breaks through in a remote cave in Cold Light Province and prepares to face a Lesser Heavenly Tribulation. His sixth-layer body cultivation is subsequently confirmed when the Cold Abyss Secret Realm's suppression lifts. |
| Void Refinement Realm, Layer Two — spiritual cultivation | 1813 1824 | The Heaven-Devouring Toad's absorption of the Green Toad fragment helps Chen Changming advance his Dao cultivation to the second layer. His body cultivation remains at the sixth layer as he resumes cultivating toward the seventh. |
| Void Refinement Realm, Layer Ten — Gu Huaibei | 1842 | After True Person Xue Yan's bloody light enters her body, Gu Huaibei's cultivation rapidly rises through the realm, reaching the tenth layer within ten breaths. Her aura continues growing, but a further major-realm breakthrough is not yet confirmed. |
Realm Hierarchy
| Position | Realm | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lower realm | Spirit Transformation Realm | In the Human Realm, a cultivator who breaks through from the tenth layer of Spirit Transformation into Void Refinement must undergo heavenly tribulation; successfully passing it ordinarily brings ascension to the Spirit Realm under the Heavenly Dao's will. 1118 1231 1232 1239 1240 |
| Current realm | Void Refinement Realm | The realm has ten layers and forms much of Azure Wave Continent's cultivator backbone. 1401 1613 |
| Higher realm | Body Integration Realm | Peak tenth-layer cultivators seek this breakthrough with the aid of a Void Transformation Pill, which assists law comprehension. 1401 |
Spirit Realm demonic beasts enter the Void Refinement Realm after Level Thirteen. Unlike beasts in the Human Realm, they ordinarily must reach this realm and undergo tribulation before they can take human form. 1318 1337
Beasts also use broader stage classifications within the realm. A middle-stage Void Refinement beast is normally equivalent in cultivation to a human cultivator at the sixth or seventh layer. Exceptional tribulation rewards can produce unusually large advances: after surviving nine waves and the fusion of two tribulations, Little Four receives Heavenly Earth Origin Qi and Lawlight and rises directly to the middle stage. 1501
Cultivation
Advancement
Void Refinement Realm advancement demands substantial time and resources. Even gifted cultivators on Azure Wave Continent may need at least fifty years to advance a single minor layer, while later layers require still greater accumulation. 1487 1536
| Resource | Function |
|---|---|
| Purple Thunder Pill | Primary advancement medicine through the seventh layer of the Void Refinement Realm. 1401 |
| Purple Celestial Pill | Replaces Purple Thunder Pills from the seventh layer through the tenth layer, after the latter's effectiveness declines. 1401 |
| Void Transformation Pill | Used at the peak of the tenth layer to improve comprehension of laws and the chance of entering the Body Integration Realm. 1401 |
| Jade Origin Spirit Fluid | Treats injuries, repairs spiritual veins, and stabilizes a cultivator's foundation. 1401 |
| Azure Billow Spirit Liquid | Nourishes high-grade spiritual materials needed for Void Refinement pills; without it, their medicinal efficacy may be greatly reduced. 1401 |
| Nine-Colored Immortal Spirit Flower | Enables Chen Changming's spiritual cultivation to cross the major-realm barrier into the first layer despite the difficulty created by his rapid, pill-assisted progress. 1761 |
| Mahayana Realm Dragon Blood | A potent body-refining resource. While at the fifth layer, Chen Changming estimates that refining three drops will advance his body cultivation to the sixth. 1710 1781 |
| Mystic Dragon Blood Ginseng | Assists Chen Changming's body refinement and contributes to his relatively rapid advancement from the first layer to the second. 1536 |
| Immortality Herb | Its potent medicinal power allows Chen Changming to advance from the third layer to the fourth after twenty days of refinement through the Immortal Furnace Body-Forging Art. 1630 |
| Void Crystal Marrow | Contains void-law power and can assist comprehension of spatial laws. Liu Chengfeng seeks it while stalled at the tenth layer to prepare for a breakthrough into the Body Integration Realm. 1435 1436 |
| Green Toad fragment | Its absorption by the Heaven-Devouring Toad helps advance Chen Changming's Dao cultivation to the second layer. 1813 |
Purple Celestial Pills can occasionally be purchased from major pill pavilions and merchant associations, but Void Transformation Pills are far scarcer because their required materials are exceptionally rare. Even pill pavilions can refine only a few batches each year, leaving many talented cultivators unable to advance beyond the peak of Void Refinement. Other medicines used within the realm stabilize the Dao heart, strengthen spiritual sense, or briefly increase combat power. 1401
Rapid advancement in the preceding realm can complicate entry into Void Refinement. Chen Changming notes that reliance on Spirit Transformation Pills makes the major-realm breakthrough many times harder, leaving nine out of ten ordinary pill-dependent cultivators trapped at the threshold. The Nine-Colored Immortal Spirit Flower allows him to overcome this obstacle, though its complete absorption brings him only to the first layer rather than the second. 1760 1761
Chen Changming's progress illustrates the distinction between body and spiritual cultivation within the same realm: his body cultivation was already at the fifth layer when his spiritual cultivation reached the first. He had previously concentrated on body refinement but resumed advancing his spiritual cultivation in part to strengthen the healing arts he hoped to use for Chu Qiushui. 1759 1761 1781
His two cultivation paths subsequently reach the sixth and second layers respectively. After the Heaven-Devouring Toad absorbs the Green Toad fragment, Chen anticipates that his Dao cultivation will continue rising without requiring the same deliberate effort, allowing him to concentrate on tempering his body toward the seventh layer. This seventh-layer breakthrough has not yet occurred when his cultivation is restored within the Cold Abyss Secret Realm. 1813 1824
Lesser Heavenly Tribulations
A documented breakthrough to the third layer triggers a Lesser Heavenly Tribulation. Chen Changming's tribulation comprised three waves:
- Lightning Tribulation
- Heart Demon Tribulation
- Descent of origin energy and spiritual radiance after surviving the prior waves 1567
For Chen, whose body had already been tempered far beyond his realm, the tribulation provided little additional physical refinement. 1567 His anticipated sixth-layer breakthrough is expected to create a disturbance noticeable across a vast area, making concealment difficult. 1721 1725
Under the Spirit Realm's rules, cultivators face Lesser Heavenly Tribulations upon reaching the third, sixth, and ninth minor layers. A breakthrough from the peak of the tenth layer into the next major realm instead brings a Great Heavenly Tribulation. Chen leaves the Snow Bamboo Sect before refining the Dragon Blood he expects to take his body cultivation to the sixth layer, intending to undergo the resulting tribulation in a remote place. 1760 1781 His separate breakthrough to the first layer in spiritual cultivation likewise brings a Great Heavenly Tribulation. 1761
The expected sixth-layer breakthrough subsequently occurs in a remote northern cave in Cold Light Province. Its aura draws the attention of Steel Sword Elder and An Xin, who have followed the Iron Sword Token's trail. Chen Changming emerges as dark clouds and lightning gather for the Lesser Heavenly Tribulation. 1787
The Great Heavenly Tribulation accompanying entry into Void Refinement is substantially stronger than Spirit Transformation tribulations. During Chen's spiritual breakthrough, its lightning is described as more than ten times as powerful as what he faced in the preceding realm. His already-advanced body cultivation lets him withstand it easily; the observing Ghost Dao cultivator recognizes his dual cultivation when even the fourth lightning wave fails to injure him. 1761 1762
Combat Significance
Void Refinement cultivators possess overwhelming power over lower realms. A ninth-layer cultivator's released pressure can immobilize lower-level Void Refinement cultivators, while most cultivators below the tenth layer have little standing in contests within the War God Temple. 1590 1576
However, cultivation layer does not fully determine combat strength:
- Chen Changming, while identified as a first-layer Void Refinement body cultivator, defeats a fourth-layer opponent with a single slap due to his exceptional body-tempering art. 1474
- After entering the first layer, Chen assesses that he can easily defeat seventh-layer cultivators without the Pagoda-Lifting Heavenly Art and can challenge eighth- or ninth-layer experts by combining it with his demonic-heart method. 1467
- At the second layer, Chen judges that he can defeat ordinary tenth-layer cultivators, though veteran peak cultivators may still match him through superior foundations, experience, and techniques. 1536
- At the third layer, his body cultivation and accumulated methods allow him to contend with tenth-layer Void Refinement cultivators, though he remains cautious of exceptional Spirit Realm geniuses. 1589
- His third-layer strength overwhelms the ninth-layer Wei Wujiang, whose attacks and protective spiritual light fail against Chen's fists. Chen subsequently claims to be a tenth-layer body cultivator, rather than revealing his actual cultivation. 1591
- A Void Refinement body cultivator is especially dangerous at close range; opponents rely on distance, defensive treasures, and formations to avoid being overwhelmed. 1627
- Chen's concealed strength continues to confound opponents: while he appears to be at the first layer, he breaks the defense of an Iron Sword Token said to withstand an eighth-layer cultivator's strike and kills its third-layer wielder. 1784
- His sixth-layer body-cultivation aura surprises An Xin, whose scrying had correctly identified only his first-layer spiritual cultivation. Steel Sword Elder, a third-layer Body Integration sword cultivator, immediately retreats farther away after considering Chen's body-cultivation strength. 1787
The gap to the Body Integration Realm remains substantial for ordinary practitioners. At the third layer of Void Refinement body cultivation, Chen withstands an attack from the Body Integration cultivator Jade Sword True Person but is injured and must heal himself. 1569
Ordinarily, a Void Refinement cultivator can scarcely injure a Body Integration opponent, let alone kill one. Exceptional beasts or dual cultivators who cross this gap therefore provoke considerable disbelief. 1762 1794 Former Body Integration cultivators who lower their cultivation also remain unusually dangerous: Vajra Master's body retains part of its former strength despite his reduction to the tenth layer of Void Refinement. 1593
Possession of a powerful treasure does not necessarily allow a Void Refinement cultivator to unleash its full abilities. Chen Changming can use the Golden Dragon Horn's inherent hardness and sharpness as a close-combat weapon, but he estimates that properly activating this Profound-Heaven Spirit Treasure requires cultivation around the tenth layer of Body Integration. 1725
Body Cultivation
The Immortal Furnace Body-Forging Art can be cultivated from the Spirit Transformation Realm through the Void Refinement Realm. It was created by the Ancient Human Clan as an advancement of the Heavenly Furnace Body-Forging Art and produces physical strength surpassing that of same-level cultivators and Demon Race members. 781
Its users refine medicinal power directly into flesh, bones, marrow, organs, and viscera through an illusory immortal furnace and violet flames. 1630
Notable supplementary body-cultivation methods include:
- Pagoda-Lifting Heavenly Art — Enhances bodily power through successive stages, including Four Arms and Six Arms. 1421
- Indestructible Demonic Heart — One of Chen Changming's principal combat methods when confronting stronger Void Refinement opponents. 1303
- Immortal Furnace Body-Forging Art — Chen's core body-refining foundation throughout the realm. 1536
Cultivating both body and spiritual arts requires substantially more time and resources than pursuing either path alone, making successful dual cultivators rare in the Spirit Realm. 1762
Body-refining strength must be distinguished from actual cultivation. Before entering Void Refinement, Chen Changming already possesses combat power comparable to its practitioners: at the ninth layer of Spirit Transformation body cultivation, he judges that he can easily kill fifth-layer Void Refinement opponents, and at the tenth layer he can defeat sixth-layer opponents, though their escape speed makes killing them difficult. His actual body-cultivation breakthrough into Void Refinement occurs later. 1397 1465
Known Practitioners and Beings
| Individual / Being | Realm / Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chen Changming | Sixth-layer Void Refinement body cultivator; second-layer Void Refinement Dao cultivator | A dual cultivator whose body cultivation greatly exceeds his displayed spiritual cultivation and grants him the strength to challenge higher-layer opponents. 1384 1536 His body cultivation is confirmed at the fifth layer, while his spiritual cultivation separately reaches the first. 1761 1781 He subsequently reaches the sixth layer in body cultivation and the second layer in Dao cultivation. 1787 1813 1824 |
| Vajra Master | Tenth-layer Void Refinement body cultivator | Formerly a first-layer Fusion Realm cultivator who lowered his cultivation to enter the Great Void Grotto-Heaven and seek immortal medicine to extend his lifespan. His body retains part of its former strength. 1593 |
| Limitless Wanderer | Tenth-layer Void Refinement Dao cultivator | Vajra Master's long-standing rival; likewise formerly a first-layer Fusion Realm cultivator who lowered his realm to seek life-extending immortal medicine in the Great Void Grotto-Heaven. 1593 |
| Little Wolf | Initial Void Refinement Realm Silver Moon Heavenly Wolf | Breaks through from upper Level Thirteen after consuming the Star Marrow Wolfheart Fruit. 1424 |
| Snow Feather Ice Sparrow | Initial Void Refinement Realm Beast | Breaks through in Vast Mountain after benefiting from the Spirit Realm's dense spiritual energy. 1626 |
| Elder Mo Gan | Third-layer Void Refinement cultivator | An elder of the Decaying Essence Hall who seeks revenge against Chen Changming and is killed by him. 1326 |
| Void Refinement Heavenly Demons | Heavenly Demon elite forces | Resemble human cultivators, wear black demonic armor, bear purple demonic-core marks, and possess highly oppressive auras. 1383 |
| Wen Xiaoyu | Second-layer Void Refinement alchemist | A pill master at the Myriad Medicine Pavilion who recognizes the significance of Chen Changming's requested herbs. 1726 1728 |
| Chen Chuan | First-layer Void Refinement cultivator | A Snow Bamboo Sect inner disciple whose identity Chen Changming assumes to evade the Elder Council. 1779 1780 |
| Little Four | Middle-stage Void Refinement Beast | One of Chen Changming's beast companions; its strength is assessed as comparable to his following its breakthrough. 1501 |
| Ghostface Butterfly | Early-stage Void Refinement Beast | Awakens Void Imprisonment upon entering the realm, allowing it to control patterns of the void and restrain surrounding space. It accompanies Chen Changming under his Chen Chuan identity. 1802 1809 |
| Gu Huaibei | Tenth-layer Void Refinement cultivator | Her cultivation rises rapidly after True Person Xue Yan's bloody light enters her body, reaching the tenth layer within ten breaths and continuing to grow. 1842 |
| Qiu Zhenyun | Newly advanced Void Refinement cultivator | Breaks through from the peak of Spirit Transformation at Flying Immortal Mountain's Flying Immortal Platform before an audience gathered to observe his tribulation and ascension. 1239 1240 |
| Liu Hanshu | Ninth-layer Void Refinement cultivator | After Chen Changming restores her strength, she easily kills the fourth- and fifth-layer cultivators pursuing her. 1330 |
| Liu Chengfeng | Tenth-layer Void Refinement cultivator | Has remained at the tenth layer for years and seeks Void Crystal Marrow to comprehend spatial laws in preparation for Body Integration. 1436 1437 |
| Wei Wujiang | Ninth-layer Void Refinement cultivator | Attempts to assert authority over lower-layer entrants to the Great Void Grotto-Heaven but is defeated by Chen Changming and flees. 1590 1591 |
| Marsh Wasteland Dark Bat | High-stage Void Refinement Beast | Competes with Liu Hanshu over a Rootless Flower and later teaches Chen Changming about the realm's medicines and cultivation resources. 1327 1401 |
Locations and Opportunities
- Great Void Grotto-Heaven — A secret realm created by an ancient Mahayana Realm cultivator; human Void Refinement cultivators may enter when it opens once every thousand years. 1573 Its creator used it to lure such cultivators in and harvest their lifespans. 1613
- War God Temple — Located within the Great Void Grotto-Heaven and accessible through a War God Fragment Map. It is considered lethal for entrants below the tenth layer of the Void Refinement Realm. 1573 1576 Nearly all cultivators gathered outside it are at the tenth layer, with only a handful below that level. 1597
- Azure Billow Royal City — A major Spirit Realm human stronghold where Void Refinement cultivators serve in forces such as the Vermilion Bird Guard and confront Demon Race incursions. 1383 1384
- Snow Bamboo Sect's Ninth Spiritual Medicine Valley — A quiet guard posting assigned to the first-layer inner disciple Chen Chuan. Chen Changming assumes his identity and uses the posting as cover while refining Dragon Blood, leaving the sect before his anticipated sixth-layer body-cultivation tribulation. 1779 1780 1781 He later returns to cultivate there and advances his Dao cultivation to the second layer. 1813
- Remote northern cave in Cold Light Province — The site of Chen Changming's sixth-layer body-cultivation breakthrough. Steel Sword Elder and An Xin trace him there as the resulting Lesser Heavenly Tribulation gathers. 1787
- Cold Abyss Secret Realm — Its laws suppress entering Void Refinement cultivators to the first layer, removing the usual cultivation advantage of higher-layer entrants. This restriction informs a plan to surround and kill Chen Changming, disguised as Chen Chuan, with nine high-level Void Refinement cultivators. 1809 1818 After the Yin-Yang Tree withers, the suppression suddenly vanishes, restoring Chen's second-layer Dao cultivation and sixth-layer body cultivation as well as his opponents' cultivation. 1824