An original “Ninefold Heavenly Gate” cultivation realm. Each time a gate is broken through, the cultivator must shatter their bones and be reborn. It corresponds to traditional cultivation realms, but is far more brutal.
Hidden premise: After ascending, all cultivators become puppets of the “Outer Heavenly Evil Gods.” (The ultimate foreshadowing.)
Central conflict:
On the surface: The protagonist seeks revenge and strives to reach the summit of the immortal path.
The truth: The immortal realm is actually a cage where all living beings are kept captive. (Hinted at in Chapter Three, revealed in the final arc.)
