The Great Secret of Exiled Immortal Revealed 14: The Difference Between God and Immortal (Heavenly Dao Xiao Hua)

[Content Summary] Gods have a strict hierarchical system; they are concepts of faith, collectives within a system, and are related to faith and sacrifice. Immortals, on the other hand, are individuals related to self-cultivation and perfection. Gods hold divine positions, similar to civil servants in a government, while Immortals are like drifters, free-roaming scattered immortals.

I wrote a piece titled "Mortal Cultivation That Can Be Mimicked, Exiled Immortal That Cannot Be Copied," which was placed on Qidian Reading by Dianniang. It has caused quite a bit of controversy. One of my allies on the platform @'d me, saying he couldn't understand what a "God" is and what an "Immortal" is, and why Gods are more powerful than Immortals. Here's what I have to say to my ally – as you wish, "Immortals are more powerful than Gods. From now on, please refer to your great Gods as Great Immortals, assuming you won't be flamed to death!" Alright, enough of this jest. This article will discuss the "differences between Gods and Immortals."

Many people have been misled by "Investiture of the Gods," believing that only when "mortals or Immortals" die and are enfeoffed do they become Gods, thus implying that the power of "Immortals" is superior to that of "Gods." This is not the case. The origin and composition of "Gods" are far more complex than those of "Immortals." The "Gods" in "Investiture of the Gods" are merely one type of origin. The power levels of "Gods" and "Immortals" cannot be compared. Below, I will discuss the origins of Gods.

I. The Concept and Origin of Gods

The character for "God" (神), based on its ancient script, depicts a kneeling person worshipping lightning. Lightning, in the eyes of ancient people, possessed mysterious and unfathomable power. Facing such heavenly might, humans would worship it with trepidation and faith. Therefore, "Gods," in addition to great abilities, possess the power of sacrifice and faith.

1. Origin of Gods 1: Innate Natural Gods, born before the separation of heaven and earth, also known as innate Saints. Examples include Pangu, who opened the heavens and earth, and the Three Pure Ones, who manifested from a single Qi, among other innate true Saints.

2. Origin of Gods 2: Embodiments of certain natural phenomena or natural forces: Sun God, Moon God, Thunder God, Rain God, Wind God, Mountain God, River God, etc.

3. Origin of Gods 3: Remnants of primitive totems: For example, Frog God, Snake God, Gu God, etc.

4. Origin of Gods 4: Gods of humans and ghosts from ancestor worship: Historical figures who contributed greatly to the nation and its people were posthumously enfeoffed as Gods; for example, Kou Zhun was enfeoffed as King Yama, and Yuchi Gong and Qin Shubao were enfeoffed as Door Gods. Filial sons were enfeoffed as City Gods, Earth Gods, etc.

5. Origin of Gods 5: Ancient people believed the human body, like the Heavenly Dao, was full of mysteries: The internal organs of the human body were also enfeoffed as Gods: Five Viscera Gods, Heart God, etc.

In summary, the origins of Gods are roughly these five types. The complexity of their origins leads to varying levels of power. The strong can open heavens and earth and move mountains and seas, while the weak might only be slightly more powerful than Ghost Soldiers. Regardless of their origin, it is evident that Gods have a strict institutional system, each performing their duties in their designated positions, enjoying incense offerings, and possessing merit. From the above five types, it can be seen that "Gods," as stated in "Exiled Immortal," are "not cultivated. Gods who cultivate are merely Virtual Gods."

II. The Concept and Origin of Immortals

"Immortal" (仙), an ancient variant of "僊," is a pictophonetic character depicting a person climbing a tree to retrieve a bird's nest, later extended to mean a person in the mountains. "Immortal" actually carries religious connotations, initially related to Taoism. After Buddhism was introduced to China, "Buddha" was also referred to as "Great Immortal."

"Immortals" are essentially those who cultivate and perfect themselves, thereby achieving immortality. Immortals include Heavenly Immortals, Earth Immortals, Human Immortals, Ghost Immortals, and Demon Immortals. In a narrow sense, Immortals refer only to Heavenly Immortals.

1. Passive attainment of immortality – Humans, animals, plants, etc., absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and the essence of the sun and moon, for example, Sun Wukong; or being enlightened by Immortals, as with some of the Eight Immortals.

2. Active attainment of immortality: "Anyone with nine orifices can cultivate to become an Immortal." It's like how Sun Wukong's Golden Cudgel weighs thirteen thousand five hundred catties. The number "thirteen thousand five hundred" has an extraordinary origin. The "Huangdi Neijing" states, "A person breathes thirteen thousand five hundred times in a day and night." Zhang Boduan of the Song Dynasty, in his "Four Hundred Word Golden Elixir," states that to form a fetus, one must diligently cultivate. "Greatly, one forms a fetus of thirteen thousand five hundred breaths a day; minutely, one circulates Qi eighty-four thousand li in twelve hours." Those who actively cultivate Immortality mostly practice orthodox Taoist magic, and a few fortunate individuals can achieve immortality through cultivation.

In conclusion, "Gods" possess a strict system, each in their position performing their duties. They are a system within a belief structure. "Immortals," on the other hand, are a concept, relatively loose and free. In other words, a God is always an Immortal, but an Immortal is not necessarily a God. Immortals are a necessary stage to becoming a God. For an Immortal to become a God, they must possess merit and the faith of believers, have a divine position, be officially recognized, and be enfeoffed.