There are a total of nine major realms in cultivation.
The Lower Three Realms focus on cultivating oneself: Foundation Establishment, Condensing Tao, and Golden Core, laying a solid foundation step by step.
The Middle Three Realms focus on the Great Tao of Heaven and Earth, borrowing the power of Heaven and Earth.
Only after reaching Refining Void in the Upper Three Realms can one truly be considered a Cultivator, with hope of capturing a sliver of chance to become Immortal, and the opportunity to leap out of this world to other 'worlds'.
But how could the Heaven and Earth that nurtured you allow this?
Thus.
The Cultivator's final trial is also known as the Heaven and Earth Tribulation.
This tribulation originates from the Heaven and Earth that nurtured you.
The intensity of this tribulation is determined by your causal ties with this Heaven and Earth.
