Immortals and Gods

Immortals and Gods is a long xianxia novel by He Buyu, written after his Seeking the Immortal Path. It began serialization on Qidian Chinese Network on December 16, 2012, and was completed on July 28, 2013, totaling 419 chapters and about 1.239 million characters, divided into five volumes: Storm in the Mystic Sect, Holy Maiden of the Demon Sect, Ancient Dharma Formula, Storm in the Demon Sea, and Elegy of the Setting Sun. The story takes place in the final era of a world shaped by immortals and gods. Protagonist Mu Yi is a youth from a fishing village on Cold Crow Island, of humble birth, who trains his meridians diligently at Lone Finger Peak every dawn and later enters a sect to cultivate. He has no astonishing talent and no shortcut to instant success; he relies on an unyielding stubbornness and experience honed through repeated crises, rising from an outer disciple to become embroiled in the conflict between the Mystic Sect and the Demon Sect and personally experiencing the demon island expedition, the struggle for the Sacred Fire True Formula, the storm in the demon sea, and other events. The author designs a cultivation system of the "Twelve Proper Meridians," weaving realm advancement together with character growth, sect politics, and shifts in regional powers. The book does not pursue the pure thrill of monster-slaying and leveling; it emphasizes world-building and the portrayal of supporting characters. Centered on the theme "As heaven maintains vigor, the gentleman strives unceasingly," the work keeps asking what "the Dao is ruthless" and "immortal and imperishable" actually mean; after the protagonist comprehends reincarnation and ascends to the top of the three realms, his understanding of "eternity" changes, and the ending settles on the confrontation with the Corpse God Demon Lord and the closure of "Elegy of the Setting Sun." The inquiry into the meaning of immortals, gods, and humans is the hidden thread running through the whole book.