These nine realms do not represent cultivation level. Cultivation is divided into six stages: Qi Gathering, Spirit Condensation, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Divine Separation, and Tribulation Crossing. Tribulation Crossing is the peak; to break through, one must undergo the heavenly tribulation. If successful, the body becomes immortal; if not, both body and soul are annihilated.

There is a will of heaven in the unseen world. At the very moment William Carter was extinguished, the Hundred Lifetimes Divine Lotus actually evolved on its own into an immortal artifact.

The difference between an immortal artifact and an ordinary magical treasure, aside from its world-destroying power, lies mainly in the fact that an immortal artifact possesses its own sentience. Even if not actively wielded, it will automatically protect its master.

However, where the light that enveloped William Carter's last trace of consciousness ultimately went, no one knows.

The cultivation world suffered heavy losses from this catastrophe. Fortunately, the 'great demon' William Carter was eliminated, and the cultivation world returned to its former peace. However, many legendary treasures and ancient texts lost their inheritance because of this event.

Meanwhile, the East Sea became a forbidden zone for humans. Any ships or planes passing through vanished without exception, turning it into another Bermuda Triangle.

The art of deceiving the heavens and crossing the sea was arranged by thousands of cultivators working together. Even after thousands of years, it is unlikely to disappear.

Chapter 0002: Reincarnation

Eastern Continent——

On the Northern Desert Plains, there are no nations, only thousands of family factions of various sizes.

Among them, the three most powerful clans are the The Carter Family, The Thompson Family, and Cooper clans, with the The Carter Family standing at the top. In recent decades, they have shown signs of surpassing the other two.

The current head of the The Carter Family, Henry Carter, is not only shrewd and tough, but also exceptionally powerful, known as the number one expert of the Northern Desert.

Not only is Henry Carter himself outstanding, but his children are also remarkable. His eldest son, David Carter, is only twenty years old, and among the younger generation, aside from his own siblings, he has few rivals.

The second son, Charles Carter, is the Grand General of the Baiyun Empire in the Southern Frontier, and is known within the empire as the unparalleled general.

The third daughter, Alice Carter, though only a tutor at Canaan Academy, is the strongest among the siblings and is hailed as a magical genius seen only once in a century.

The fourth daughter, Olivia Carter, is only five years old, yet her talent surpasses even Alice Carter. Although she has not yet practiced magic, she has already been tested and her magical power has reached Tier 2, Grade 1. Some with mediocre talent can only reach Tier 2 in their entire lives, but Olivia Carter has already reached it at just five years old.

Many powerful magicians have expressed to Henry Carter their desire to take Olivia Carter as a disciple, but Henry Carter has always refused on the grounds that Olivia Carter is too young.

Inside the main courtyard of the The Carter Family, Henry Carter was anxiously waiting outside the delivery room, with David Carter accompanying his father.

Several times Henry Carter wanted to rush into the delivery room, but each time David Carter held him back.

“Dad, this is already Mom’s fifth child, she’ll be fine.” David Carter comforted him.

Henry Carter said anxiously, “Why is the fifth one so hard to deliver? It’s been a whole day and night, even harder than the four of you combined.”

Dark clouds filled the sky, and a clap of thunder echoed across the entire Northern Desert Plains.

At that moment, the cry of a newborn came from the delivery room. Henry Carter's expression brightened, and ignoring David Carter's attempts to stop him, he pushed open the door and rushed inside.

At the bedside, a beautiful woman looked weak, while a maid was holding a crying baby. Henry Carter's face immediately lit up with joy.

“Finally, it’s out.” Henry Carter snatched the baby into his arms, and with his other hand impatiently opened the baby’s swaddling clothes. His smile grew even wider: “A son, another son! Yue Ru… you’re amazing.”

Emily Cooper smiled faintly, “Now that you have a son, you don’t care about your wife anymore.”

Henry Carter grinned and immediately sat by the bedside, his mouth almost unable to close: “I want both my son and my wife, both, haha…”

“Huh, the fifth child has a strange mark on his chest. It looks like a cloud, but also like a lotus flower.” Henry Carter looked curiously at the fifth child’s chest.

“That’s a birthmark. It will gradually fade as he grows up.”

“Let’s give the fifth child a name.” Emily Cooper said softly.

“I’m just a rough man, what good name could I come up with? Yue Ru, you name him.” Henry Carter said evasively.

Emily Cooper hesitated in her heart, then slowly said, “Since the fifth child has a cloud on his chest, let’s name him William Carter.”

William Carter opened his eyes, looking blankly at the middle-aged couple before him: “What’s happening to me?”

William Carter wanted to speak, but only the cry of a baby came out. His mind went blank.

William Carter struggled to raise both hands, looking at his lotus-root-like arms, his body completely powerless, and the people before him seemed enormous: “Could it be that I’ve been reincarnated?”

“It really does seem like reincarnation. But why is my Dao heart still here? Huh… my Dao heart is complete.”

“Mother…” William Carter suddenly turned to look at Emily Cooper on the bed, his heart stirred: “So that’s it, I finally understand…”

William Carter cried out in his heart: “So what my Dao heart lacked was this mortal bond.”

The Dao heart is like the waxing and waning of the moon, a comprehension of the ultimate principles of heaven and earth. The Dao heart one chooses also determines future achievements and cultivation.

For example, William Carter's Dao heart cultivates mortal bonds. Each insight into mortal bonds is a thread of Dao heart. After thousands of years and countless lifetimes, William Carter's Dao heart has already reached great perfection.