"What's the difference between people from the Celestial Realm and immortals?"
Qi Tian didn't understand, asking if there was a distinction between immortals and celestial beings.
"There is a difference."
The Qi practitioner explained, "Ten thousand years ago, this world was divided into three realms: Earth, Human, and Celestial. The Earth Realm was the largest, representing the cycle of reincarnation for all three realms and encompassing the entire universe. The Human Realm was second, with the most living beings, though they were the most fragile. The Celestial Realm was the smallest, but its inhabitants, the celestial beings, were the most extraordinary. Nuwa, who created humanity, was, in a sense, a celestial being."
The Qi practitioner continued.
"That's incredible! Are you going to tell me that celestial beings are beings like Pangu, Nuwa, and Hongjun, the Sages?" Qi Tian felt like he was listening to a strange myth.
"Essentially," the Qi practitioner nodded. "But the difference is that Sages can be innate or acquired, while celestial beings are only innate." He clarified, "Those who become Sages later are not considered celestial beings, only Sages."
"I see. Celestial beings are a naturally born race," Qi Tian grasped it quickly. "They are born more powerful than most beings, right? Are only Sages comparable to them?"
"Not necessarily."
The Qi practitioner shook his head. "As you said, celestial beings are a race, just like humans. There are strong and weak among them, but they are the most suited for the Celestial Realm."
"That's good... If that's the case, you said you sensed a celestial gate opening in the south. Does that mean someone has ascended to the Celestial Realm?" Qi Tian blinked. He had cultivated in the Artifact Sect for many years, and his master had once said that if the Hundred Refinements Divine Machine was cultivated to its peak, one could ascend to immortality in their physical body. However, he had always dismissed it as mere encouragement to motivate his cultivation. Ascension seemed too mystical, and he wasn't a cultivator. Now, looking back, he realized his thinking had been too conservative. The Qi practitioners, a lineage between cultivation and ancient martial arts in the inner realm, cultivators... it seemed likely that these three cultivation systems would eventually converge, leading to ascension to the Celestial Realm.
"Impossible."
The Qi practitioner immediately negated the idea of ascension to the Celestial Realm.
"Is it because the current spiritual energy is too thin for anyone to ascend?" Qi Tian was curious why the Qi practitioner was so absolute.
"No, even with thin spiritual energy, there are peak individuals in the current cultivation world, and the Inner Realm's Celestial Master Sect has an Earthly Immortal. If there were no restrictions, exceptional talents like them, along with us Qi practitioners, would have long since entered the Celestial Realm." The Qi practitioner shook his head. His spectral form suddenly turned to "look" at Qi Tian. This action caused Qi Tian's body to tense instinctively, sensing a shift in the atmosphere.
"Do you know why they have never entered the Celestial Realm?"
"No."
Qi Tian honestly shook his head and then mumbled, "My master didn't reach the peak you mentioned?"
"I know of the Artifact Sect, but their path is different. Reaching the peak involves more than just cultivation; you should understand this better than I do," the Qi practitioner said, his tone changing slightly. He continued with a hint of melancholy, "Ten thousand years ago, we joined forces and sealed the celestial gates leading to the Celestial Realm."