The Immortal Sea is not a Sea

The Immortal Sea is not a Sea . . . 

The eternal sea stretched out endlessly before him, its boundless expanse an uncharted realm of wonder and possibility.

Three years had come and gone since Qin Wentian and his steadfast comrades embarked on their journey across the majestic ocean. They had weathered storms and navigated treacherous waters, but now, Qin Wentian lay in profound stillness upon his boat. His heart was tranquil, as if the cares of the world had slipped away, leaving behind only the gentle lull of the waves.

This immortal sea mirrored the path of his cultivation—a ceaseless, unfathomable expanse with no discernible end. It was akin to the human body, a vessel for limitless potential. No one could ascertain the true extent of their capabilities, for Qin Wentian, like others on this journey, continued to absorb the immortal energy that surged around him, fortifying his very essence.

In this boundless sea, fellow cultivators pursued a similar aspiration. None knew when their immortal foundations would absorb enough divine law energy from the immortal sea, allowing them to cross over to the other side.

Qin Wentian reclined on his vessel for what felt like an eternity, embracing idleness with contentment. He would occasionally open his eyes, gazing at the cerulean expanse above, a smile of serenity gracing his lips. In these moments of tranquility, his heart was devoid of desire, and it was a blissful sensation to relinquish all else and savor the stillness.

Then, in a sudden burst of wonder, a peculiar sensation enveloped Qin Wentian. It was as if he were ensconced within an enigmatic energy, and before him materialized a projection of a location within the sacred academy itself. Qin Wentian sensed, with certainty, that he could step into this realm without hindrance. It seemed that he had reached a point where he could cross to the other shore, should he so choose.

"The sacred academy's projection is unlike the one shown to the monk," Qin Wentian mused. His projection emanated an aura of tranquility and ordinariness.

"If there are no desires in one's heart, there is no impetus to cultivate. But what does this mean? How did I reach the other shore? What mysteries does the sacred academy's inner sanctum hold?" Contemplation crossed his features, but he ultimately shook his head, as if to dispel these thoughts. He closed his eyes, simply continuing to bask in the present.

Slowly, the projection faded until it vanished entirely. Qin Wentian had, to everyone's surprise, foregone the opportunity to cross to the other shore, opting instead to validate his own musings. It appeared he was right, as a path to the sacred academy unfolded before him.

True renunciation of all desires was a daunting feat. In his heart, he yearned for strength, for the pursuit of growth through cultivation. How could he abandon this ambition so readily? Everyone sailing these immortal waters shared the same yearning. Qin Wentian's ability to manifest the sacred academy indicated a transcendence of his initial state of mind.

"Why did you choose to abstain?" A voice resonated in Qin Wentian's mind, as melodious as the harmonies of the Great Dao.

Qin Wentian's heart trembled briefly before regaining its composure. He fixed his gaze upon the boundless sea, and his words flowed like a gentle current, "I seek to cultivate and uncover the path to the academy. My aim is not merely to enter; I aspire to transcend."

There was no reply. The voice, having posed its question, receded into the void, as if it had never existed.

Still, Qin Wentian remained adrift upon the immortal sea, his smile undiminished. He felt invigorated, his self-doubt dispelled. He now knew the course he must follow, and his purpose burned brighter than ever. For he had discovered what he was meant to do in this boundless realm of wonder and potential.

As Qin Wentian closed his eyes, a celestial radiance enveloped his entire body, bathing him in the resplendent glow of immortal light. The boundless energy of the immortal sea surged into him, infusing every fiber of his being with a thrilling vitality. His luminous aura intensified with each passing moment.

Suddenly, with a thunderous "BANG!" the humble little boat that had carried him was shattered into countless fragments. Qin Wentian found himself reclining on the surface of the immortal sea, utterly relinquishing control of his body to the whims of nature. Despite this, he remained buoyant, floating effortlessly atop the unfathomable depths.

He was cocooned in the radiant embrace of the law energy, as if he were encased in a protective shell of pure essence. The gentle undulations of the waves cradled his form, but Qin Wentian paid them no heed. His focus was singular, his mind immersed in the sacred act of cultivation.

Time flowed by like the inexorable currents of the immortal sea, and on countless occasions, Qin Wentian sensed that he possessed the power to summon the projection of the sacred academy at will. Yet, he disregarded these fleeting urges, choosing instead to maintain his serene drift upon the sea. He continued to absorb the inexhaustible law energy, allowing his body to undergo a profound transformation while his immortal foundation grew ever more formidable.

On this particular day, Qin Wentian's immortal foundation expanded, its radiant brilliance intensifying. Waves of immortal might surged forth, as the boundless law energy of the sea streamed into him, harmonizing with the familiar attribute energies he wielded.

In that very moment, an awe-inspiring spectacle unfolded around Qin Wentian. From his very being, colossal waves emanated, accompanied by a deafening symphony of thunderous roars. The surging energy poured into him, the law energy of the immortal sea serving as sustenance to propel him to greater heights.

Advancement in the immortal foundation realm was an arduous undertaking. Each level-up required an accumulation of power from the previous tier, rendering progress increasingly difficult with each step. The duration required to ascend to higher levels could be exponentially longer. Thus, the path of cultivation within the immortal foundation realm was marked by formidable challenges.

To attain the second level, one might expend two hundred years; the third, four hundred; the fourth, eight hundred; and the fifth, a staggering one thousand six hundred years. Some even labored for over twenty thousand years to reach the elusive ninth level.

Only a select few, those who cultivated supreme immortal foundations of king or emperor-grade, or the legendary saint-grade, could transcend the norm and tread a different path.

Time flowed inexorably on, within the timeless expanse of the immortal sea. In a remote corner of this boundless realm, a radiant luminescence pierced the depths. Rising from the depths, it took the form of Qin Wentian.

Before him, the projection of yet another location within the sacred academy materialized, beckoning to him with an irresistible force. All he had to do was take the step, and he could enter that sacred space at will.

However, Qin Wentian did not hastily heed the call of the projection. Instead, he cast a fleeting glance at it and allowed a serene smile to grace his countenance. He remained rooted to his spot, a steadfast observer, until the ethereal image vanished once more.

"Why did you not enter?" The same enigmatic voice, which had resonated in the depths of his mind earlier, echoed once more. Amidst the vast expanse of the boundless ocean, Qin Wentian appeared minuscule and insignificant, as if a single colossal wave could engulf him entirely.

Yet, at that very moment, Qin Wentian stood with an unwavering posture, his gaze resolute and unyielding. A gentle smile played upon his lips as he gazed forward with calm determination.

"I have a question," Qin Wentian uttered, as though addressing the boundless void itself.

For a protracted silence, no response greeted his query. But then, as if emerging from the primordial depths, a voice spoke, "What is your question?"

The widening of Qin Wentian's smile confirmed his convictions. "If the Great Dao exists within the immortal sea, can this sea still be called a sea?" he inquired.

Once more, a profound stillness enveloped the expanse. Yet suddenly, an unfathomable tempest erupted over the immortal sea. Thunderous roars reverberated as colossal waves surged, each crashing with the force of a tsunami. A towering wave approached Qin Wentian, halting before him and assuming a menacing, demonic form. An aura of malevolence saturated the atmosphere as the monstrous entity opened its maw, preparing to engulf Qin Wentian whole.

In the face of this terrifying spectacle, Qin Wentian remained resolute, standing firm. At the very brink of the demon's jaws closing upon him, the colossal creature halted its advance, its form shifting into that of an immense fish. Its titanic body loomed before Qin Wentian, its cold eyes fixed upon him.

"The immortal sea may house the essence of the Great Dao, but why is it not a sea?" Qin Wentian inquired, his demeanor unwavering. It was as though he had already pierced the veil of reality.

Countless conjectures raced through his mind as he sought answers.

Finally, enlightenment washed over Qin Wentian. He perceived that this sea was, in essence, a manifestation of the celestial law energy of the Great Dao itself.

The immortal sea was no mere sea; it was the Dao itself.

"You possess remarkable insight," the greater demon conceded, as if acknowledging the veracity of Qin Wentian's revelation. Having witnessed Qin Wentian's understanding, the greater demon saw no reason to deny it.

"Nevertheless, you employed two attempts to confirm it, squandering precious time. Why did you not enter during your initial opportunity?" the greater demon probed further. "If your goal was to enter the sacred academy for cultivation, why would you willingly waste time amidst this sea?"

"This sea harbors formidable celestial laws. To forgo the chance to cultivate them would be a regrettable oversight. Once within the sacred academy, opportunities to comprehend such profound forces may become scarce. I ascended to the third level of the immortal foundation in a mere four years. What, then, would you deem a waste of time?" Qin Wentian replied with a genial smile.

"Your capacity for comprehension is indeed exceptional," the greater demon acknowledged once more. "Yet, even so, why did you decline entry into the academy when the projection appeared for the second time? Do you intend to persist in unraveling the law energy of this immortal sea?"

Qin Wentian's head shook with a mix of awe and disbelief. He realized that while the practice on the immortal sea undoubtedly contributed to his breakthrough to the third level of the immortal foundation, the lion's share of his success was owed to his extensive tenure at the peak of the second level. His foundation was as solid as the bedrock of creation itself. It would have been an improbable feat to vault directly into the fourth level of the immortal foundation merely by deciphering the esoteric laws within this celestial expanse.

"What do you mean? Am I not already within the sacred academy?" Qin Wentian's voice rang out, imbued with a sense of conviction. As his words echoed, an unsettling tremor coursed through the greater demon, momentarily freezing it in its tracks.

A cacophonous roar of waves crashing filled the air as the greater demon dissipated into nothingness, restoring calm to the immortal sea once more.

Qin Wentian, however, stood there upon the surface of the sea, gradually realizing that the panorama before him was undergoing a breathtaking transformation. The boundless ocean was shifting, solidifying into terra firma beneath his very feet. He cast his gaze downward, discovering that the once aqueous surface had become solid ground.

In the span of a heartbeat, the entirety of his surroundings dissolved. Qin Wentian now stood upon this new, immutable ground, while the concept of the immortal sea vanished like a wisp of smoke in the wind.

The immortal sea's boundlessness was a mere illusion—it had never existed in reality.

Inhaling deeply, Qin Wentian couldn't suppress a gleam of satisfaction that danced in his eyes. In truth, his earlier confidence had concealed a degree of uncertainty. His conjecture had been daring, almost audacious. But he firmly believed that the immortal sea was nothing more than a mirage, an intricate illusion woven from the fabric of heavenly laws.

And now, his audacious conjecture had been validated. He found himself alone on this newfound terrain, where silence stretched endlessly in all directions, devoid of any signs of life.

"Where am I?" Qin Wentian furrowed his brow, perplexed. Was this truly the sacred academy? The eerie absence of life left him with unsettling questions, a sense that mysteries lay concealed within these desolate expanses.

"Weren't you brimming with confidence earlier?" The voice resurfaced within Qin Wentian's thoughts. He glanced around, cursing inwardly. Was the greater demon toying with him? Nevertheless, he held firm to his conviction that his conjecture had been correct. From the very outset, the enigmatic figure had declared that there were myriad paths to traverse the immortal sea, each leading to distinct destinations aligned with one's Dao.

His own path, he realized, was one of seeking truth. He saw through the veil of illusions, penetrating the void itself to reach this destination. Perhaps, he pondered, his path was singular, hence the absence of others in his immediate surroundings.