The five immortals: heaven, earth, divine, human, and ghost
"Human Immortal...?" He had seen this term in books before, but the books he was currently reading described the word "immortal" in a very veiled way.
It only vaguely stated that immortals are divided into five categories. "Heaven, Earth, Gods, Humans, and Ghosts".
However, he didn't really know the difference between them. Lin Yu only knew that "Heavenly Immortal" was the highest level of immortal, living as long as the heavens.
But if asked to point out the subtle differences between these five types of immortals, he really couldn't bring himself to say it.
Seeing the confusion in Lin Yu's eyes, the middle Heavenly Master slowed his speech and patiently explained, "You should have seen the five categories of immortals—'Heaven, Earth, Man, Ghost, and God'—in ancient texts, but you may not know that each of these five immortals is vastly different."
As he spoke, he flicked his fingertips, and the wisp of pale golden spiritual energy instantly transformed into five floating phantoms, arranged from top to bottom, corresponding exactly to the five types of immortal positions.
Lin Yu nodded hurriedly. "This disciple only knows the name, but not its specific meaning. I hope the Ancestor will explain it in detail."
The Heavenly Master on the left added, "The 'Five Immortals'—Heaven, Earth, Gods, Humans, and Ghosts—that you've seen in ancient texts are the universally recognized order of Dao attainment in the cultivation world. However, the depth of their meaning is often obscured in ordinary texts. Today, I will explain it to you in detail, which can be considered as pointing you in the right direction for cultivation."
The Heavenly Master in the center flicked his finger, and the wisp of pale golden spiritual energy transformed into five illusory figures that floated in the air, arranged from top to bottom. "These five immortals appear to originate from the same source, but in reality, their realms are worlds apart."
"The most basic of these are the Ghost Immortal, who are mostly cultivators who did not attain enlightenment in their lifetime but continue their cultivation as souls after death. These are called Ghost Immortal. People often think that Ghost Immortal are the lowest level of immortals, but don't forget that the Great Emperor of Fengdu, as the progenitor of Ghost Immortal, possessed profound magical power, and even the Heavenly Venerable had to give him some respect."
"Above that are the Human Immortal, who are essentially still within the realm of humanity, but can achieve longevity, living for hundreds or even thousands of years."
"Above that are the Earth Immortal. Earth Immortal have broken free from the shackles of life and death and achieved immortality, but without permission, they cannot enter the Heavenly Realm and can only move on land."
"Divine Immortal are cultivated from Earth Immortal, requiring the attainment of the Three Flowers Gather at the Crown and the Five Ki Converge on the Origin, allowing the Yang Spirit to exist independently of the physical body. These immortals can travel the world without a physical body and possess supernatural abilities such as Thousand-Li Eyes and Wind-Following Ears. Many individuals with profound merit were granted divine status through this level..."
"The highest rank of Heavenly Immortal requires cultivating Pure Yang Leakless Body and achieving oneness with the Dao."
"These immortals hold a revered position, possessing residences or blessed lands in the Heavenly Court. They govern the laws of heaven and earth, and both their physical bodies and Primordial Spirit have attained the Great Dao. They can freely enter and exit the Three Realms. The Three Pure Ones and the Jade Emperor represent the pinnacle of Heavenly Immortal."
Lin Yu listened intently, his gaze following the Heavenly Master's finger as it moved among the five illusory figures. His previously vague understanding of "immortals" finally became clear.
At the same time, Lin Yu couldn't help but compare his own realm with the "immortal" described by his ancestor.
He found that he seemed to have many similarities with others.
For example, Divine Immortal need to cultivate to the point of "Three Flowers Gather at the Crown and Five Ki Converge on the Origin". When they reach the Refining Ki into Spirit and condensing the Primordial Spirit, they have actually succeeded in their cultivation.
For example, the Heavenly Immortal's Pure Yang Leakless Body —isn't that exactly what he's doing?
Lin Yu became increasingly shocked as he thought about it.
If that's the case, then he's already on the path to immortality.
In fact, Lin Yu was also misled by the novels he read in his previous life. He thought that becoming an immortal was about breaking through one realm at a time, and that once one realm was perfected, one would move on to the next.
It's like filling a bucket; then you switch to a bigger one to keep filling it.
Lin Yu had always thought this way, so he never found it strange and continued to fill his body with Spiritual Power.
Hearing what the patriarch said, Lin Yu instantly realized that he had been cultivating incorrectly again.
His condition last time wasn't the kind of "Corpse Liberation Immortal" he understood; it was Divine Immortal.
It turns out he already met the standards for becoming an immortal, and he became Divine Immortal with just one attempt.
Fortunately, when he achieved perfect Primordial Spirit last time, he didn't impulsively abandon his physical body.
If one had forced a breakthrough by following that feeling of ascension back then, given the current state of the Dharma-ending Age where the Heavenly Path is severed...
It's likely that they'll just have attained the Immortal Dao, but because no Heavenly Court will accept them, they'll stagnate in the mortal realm and become Ghost Immortal.
It's like getting a job as a civil servant, only to find there was no interview, and all that work was for nothing.
Thinking of this, Lin Yu felt a cold sweat break out on his back.
Before Lin Yu could finish his thought, the illusory image of spiritual energy at the ancestor's fingertips swayed gently, finally settling on the illusory image of the "Divine Immortal": "We old men, back then, also touched the threshold of Divine Immortal in our cultivation, having already mastered the Three Flowers Gather at the Crown and the Five Ki Converge on the Origin at the Origin."
"Logically, there should be Heavenly Court to receive you and bestow upon you celestial status and official position, but in this Dharma-ending Age, the Heavenly Path has been severed, so where would such a reception come from?"
"In the end, he only received the title of 'Talisman-Ordained Heavenly Master,' which doesn't make him a true Divine Immortal. He doesn't have an official position recognized by the Heavenly Court. When his lifespan ends, he can only go to the Underworld to take up a post. He can rely on the merits he accumulated in the first half of his life by subduing Ghost Immortal to become a ghost immortal. It's better than being trapped in the mortal world as an unregistered Human Immortal." At this moment, the Heavenly Master on the left continued, but his tone was full of melancholy.
In ancient times, receiving such a title would almost certainly lead to becoming Divine Immortal, but here, it only allows one to use the title of Heavenly Master to manipulate the power of heaven and earth.
It's a pity I can't become an immortal.
That's why the three Heavenly Master kept their plans to wait. If the plan to Slay the Dragon and Dispel the Sha succeeded, they might have a chance to become immortals.
However, things went wrong, and the opportunity that was within their grasp turned into a disaster.
The Heavenly Master on the left looked at Lin Yu with a solemn expression. "You are stronger than us. Although we cannot see through your cultivation level, judging from your Primordial Spirit, you are probably no weaker than us."
"You are still young. You can try the Heavenly Immortal realm of celestial immortals. This realm is not bound by heavenly rules, and after becoming an immortal, one can live a carefree life."
Lin Yu was shocked to hear this, and finally understood why the three Heavenly Master valued him so highly.
They saw in themselves the hope of achieving immortality that they had failed to realize back then.
Lin Yu quickly stood up and bowed. "This disciple dares not disappoint the patriarch's expectations."
"But the human world is in imminent danger, and it's too early to talk about becoming an immortal. Only when the human world is at peace can we discuss other things."
The three Heavenly Master exchanged a smile, their eyes filled with satisfaction.
The Heavenly Master in the middle nodded. "It's better that you think this way than anything else. Don't worry, even if the sky falls, we old guys will hold it up for you. Just focus on your cultivation."
After that, he took out a token with the word "Mao" engraved on it from his sleeve. "With this token, you can freely enter and exit each hall and consult the classics. If there is anything you don't understand about cultivation, you can go and check it out on your own."
Lin Yu accepted the token with both hands. The token was cool to the touch, and the runes on it faintly exuded spiritual energy. He quickly bowed and said, "Disciple thanks the Ancestor for his trust."
When Lin Yu walked out of the Heavenly Master Hall, Uncle Nine was already waiting in the corridor. Seeing the token in his hand, Uncle Nine exclaimed in surprise, "This is the Heavenly Master Token of Maoshan! The founders actually gave it to you?"