The realms of transcendental cultivation can be divided into three great stages:

  The Trainee Transcendence Realm

  The Supernatural Transcendence Realm

  The Legendary Transcendence Realm

  The Trainee Transcendence Realm is divided into three stages, each containing three levels—for a total of nine levels.

  The Supernatural Transcendence Realm marks the true beginning of magical power.

  When supernatural power awakens and condenses within the ethereal body, an Ethereal Space is formed—and from it, magical abilities are born.

  The Ethereal Space itself is the foundation of magic.

  Whatever type of Ethereal Space one condenses determines the type of magical power one may possess.

  Some living beings are born with an innate Ethereal Space within their bodies. From the very beginning, they display extraordinary superiority and are capable of wielding magical powers naturally.

  ---

  The Transcendent Realm

  Anyone seeking self-cultivation must first pass through the Trainee Transcendence Realm.

  As the name suggests, it is the process of transforming ethereal essence into vital energy.

  This so-called “ethereal energy” is, in truth, essence and potential.

  It is the foundation of life itself—the source of bodily vitality and the human soul.

  Thus, one must temper the physical body, stimulate its latent potential, and refine its form. This process is known as transcending the mortal state.

  When the true energy within the body reaches full permeation—flowing through energy channels, connecting with the spirit and soul—the mind becomes clear and enlightened, enabling the casting of spells and magic.

  Yurael muttered as he sat cross-legged:

  > “The Trainee Transcendence Realm is essentially body refinement.

  My current body is undergoing a kind of nirvana—this is equivalent to tempering.”

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  His eyes lit up as realization struck him.

  Although it was called the Transcendent Realm, very few truly escaped their mortal form.

  Those who genuinely surpassed the ordinary were legendary talents.

  For most cultivators, it was enough to refine the body, unlock potential, and generate sufficient vital energy.

  The Trainee Realm consists of three stages, each with three levels. Most trainees could only cultivate up to Stage One, Level Three.

  Even with exceptional talent, weak techniques, inferior bloodlines, low-quality potions, or reliance on low-level demonic beasts would limit one’s potential.

  If the foundation was shallow, only an empty shell would remain.

  Still, they had already surpassed ordinary people entirely.

  If the Transcendent Realm represented leaving behind the mortal body, then the Supernatural Transcendence Realm marked the beginning of condensing and manifesting supernatural power.

  ---

  The Opening of the Sea of Consciousness

  Yurael murmured softly:

  > “I can feel the soul within my body changing…

  It’s shifting from something intangible into something solid—

  As if it’s condensing, preparing to leave the flesh.”

  > “It needs to open the supernatural Sea of Spirit.”

  This growth brought him immense joy.

  A power he had never experienced before surged within him.

  His mental strength increased wildly—so much so that he felt he might burst apart.

  Boom!!

  A violent roar exploded inside his mind, like thunder splitting his consciousness.

  His will trembled violently, and everything turned blank.

  Then—

  A sphere of golden light suddenly appeared between his brows, releasing an invisible pressure that swept outward in all directions.

  The emptiness lasted for a full fifteen minutes before he finally recovered.

  When he came back to himself, his mouth hung open in disbelief.

  > “I’ve actually opened the Sea of Consciousness Talent Aperture… How is that possible?!”

  Between his brows, at the location of the Sea of Consciousness, supernatural power had awakened.

  This was no ordinary ability—it was the fundamental supernatural aperture: the Sea of Consciousness.

  It was the most important life aperture in the human body.

  It was the seat of spiritual will.

  Once awakened, it was known as spiritual power.

  Mental supernatural abilities were strange and formidable—telekinesis, illusions, and other spiritual-attribute powers all fell within its domain.

  In the past, opening a complete Sea of Consciousness was nearly impossible.

  What people usually awakened were derivative abilities, such as:

  Soul Power

  Divine Thought

  Illusion Power

  Though related to the Sea of Consciousness, they were incomplete offshoots—mutations of its full potential.

  But a fully opened Sea of Consciousness generated pure spiritual power.

  Only those who reached a sufficiently high realm of spirit and will could break the shackles and open it directly.

  It was a life aperture of inexhaustible potential, opened either through spiritual-attribute materials or overwhelming spiritual will.

  ---

  Within the Sea of Consciousness

  His awareness sank deep into his mind.

  He found himself in a chaotic gray region, its boundaries impossible to measure.

  At its center—

  A golden ocean appeared.

  Though called an ocean, it was more like a pool.

  Golden mist rose from its surface.

  It was spiritual power—visible to the naked eye.

  This was the life aperture: the Sea of Consciousness.

  Now he could store his mental power and clearly observe its growth and consumption.

  He murmured in awe:

  > “It truly deserves to be the fundamental supernatural power…

  I can now control my mental force at will.”

  > “This feeling… it’s as if my entire soul has transcended.”

  His memory and spiritual strength increased dramatically.

  His mind was clearer than ever before.

  He could feel cold air entering directly into his consciousness, merging into the Sea of Consciousness.

  With every breath, new spiritual power was drawn in.

  Within moments, the golden sea was filled.

  But it could hold no more.

  The Sea of Consciousness now had a radius of three feet.

  If he wished to contain more spiritual power, he would need to expand it.

  Yet it had only just been opened—its structure was unstable.

  Expanding recklessly might damage it.

  > “I can’t expand it rashly.”

  > “Stability first. I must not lose everything for short-term gain.”

  His original mental strength had already been extraordinary.

  Now that it had transformed into true spiritual power—combined with the condensation of his soul—it became astonishingly potent.

  But he soon realized something critical.

  Spiritual meditation consumed mental energy.

  After only half an hour of practice, he felt severe mental exhaustion. His brain throbbed painfully.

  If he continued recklessly, he might suffer nervous collapse—

  Or even sudden death from overusing his mind.