[Grounded realism, no golden finger] [Ordinary mortal protagonist] [Across time and space] [Spell-based cultivation, not hand-to-hand combat]
Cao Bupi was swallowed by a flying whale, then disdainfully spat out, and thus transmigrated. Later, he went to the Qianfan Sect for help, only to discover that immortals were nothing like he had imagined.
This is a grounded, realistic story. He won’t stumble upon a treasure, find a fragment of a cultivation manual, or get a System. None of these fated shortcuts will appear. He must rely on himself for everything.
A slow-burn, realistic tale: he starts in the Qi Refining stage, then advances step by step, relying on his mortal abilities to search for and set foot on the Heavenly Ravine.
Cultivation realms: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and so on.
It's a touching story. The protagonist's character has not yet been developed. Come on!