Wu Tian's steps were light as he walked the well-trodden path toward the Ethereal Moon Sect. The Mortal Realm was vastly different from the Sealed World. The air was denser with Qi, the people stronger, and the very laws of nature seemed grander.
Though his immediate goal was to join the sect, he needed to understand this world first. The knowledge contained within the book in his mind only hinted at its vastness, but now that he was here, he had to learn it firsthand.
The Regions of the Mortal RealmThrough interactions with merchants, wandering cultivators, and innkeepers along his journey, Wu Tian pieced together a broader understanding of this new world.
The Mortal Realm was divided into five great regions, each distinct in culture, resources, and power:
The Celestial West: Home to the largest and most powerful sects, known for their sky-reaching palaces and ancient cultivation legacies. Many of the world's strongest cultivators resided here.
The Infernal South: A harsh, chaotic land filled with demonic cultivators, rogue martial artists, and forbidden techniques. Survival here meant embracing brutality.
The Boundless East: A land of scholars, alchemists, and spiritual beasts. Many renowned alchemical sects and the grand Alchemy Guild were based here.
The Frozen North: A desolate but resource-rich land filled with extreme climate conditions. It was home to frost cultivators, ice-wielding sects, and formidable ancient beasts.
The Central Divine Plains: The heart of the Mortal Realm. It was home to the Capital City, where all races, sects, and powerful figures converged for trade, politics, and competitions.
Wu Tian realized that the Mortal Realm was far more dangerous and complex than he had anticipated. He would need to tread carefully.
The Races and Creatures of the Mortal RealmUnlike the Sealed World, where humans reigned supreme, the Mortal Realm was a land of diverse beings.
Humans: The most dominant race, ruling over sects, kingdoms, and dynasties. They excelled in cultivation, warfare, and alchemy.
Demi-Humans: Beings with mixed human and beast lineage. Some had the agility of panthers, the wings of eagles, or the strength of bears.
Beast Clans: Intelligent spirit beasts who had formed their own civilizations. Some allied with humans, while others saw them as prey.
The Fey Tribes: Ethereal beings that lived in secluded forests, capable of wielding the natural elements with ease.
Ancient Titans: Rare and long-lived beings with immense physical power, rumored to have once warred against the gods.
Humans did not rule alone. The different races coexisted, but tensions flared frequently. Sect battles, territorial disputes, and political struggles shaped the world.
Wu Tian made a mental note: He needed to see the Capital City.
The Capital City – Where All Paths ConvergeThe most important place in the Mortal Realm was undoubtedly the Grand Capital. It was the meeting ground of all powerful factions, where cultivators from different sects, merchants, royals, and beast clans gathered to trade, compete, and forge alliances.
The city was also home to:
The Alchemy Guild Headquarters, where the highest-ranked alchemists refined pills that could extend lifespans and boost cultivation.
The Arena of Legends, where powerful warriors fought for fame, riches, and opportunities.
The Heavenly Library, which held ancient techniques and forbidden knowledge.
The Grand Tournament, a prestigious event where sects and warriors competed for dominance.
If Wu Tian wanted to rise in this world, he would eventually have to make his way to the Capital City.
But first, he needed to lay low and focus on cultivation.
A Sect as CoverWith all this knowledge, Wu Tian reaffirmed his plan.
Joining a sect would give him resources, shelter, and time to adapt. The Ethereal Moon Sect wasn't the most powerful, but it would serve as a stepping stone.
At the same time, he would continue his alchemical pursuits in secret.
Money was power. He would sell pills under a false name, gather wealth, and remain unnoticed until the time was right.
Wu Tian smirked.
His journey had just begun, and the Mortal Realm was his playground.