My Epic Obsession: Why A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality Gives Me The Ultimate Goosebumps

There are “good” shows, and then there are the shows that sink their hooks deep into your soul, giving you literal, repeatable chills every time you revisit a key scene. For me, that show is the donghua masterpiece, A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality.

This isn’t just another cultivation story; it’s a personal journey that feels deeply rewarding. While the animation is spectacular (truly one of the best 3D adaptations out there), the real magic lies in watching Han Li—the ultimate cautious underdog—work, plan, and finally dominate.

The Moments That Gave Me Life (and Goosebumps)

Every journey in this series feels earned, and the payoffs are monumental. Here are a few moments that I still can’t get out of my head:

1. The Nascent Soul Ascension

I mean, come on. This moment defines the word “epic.” After years of meticulously planning, consuming the right resources, and battling through near-death experiences, Han Li finally achieves Nascent Soul status. The sheer visual spectacle of his transformation, the raw power radiating off him, and the final realization that our cautious mortal has become a world-changing powerhouse? Instant, absolute goosebumps. That scene alone is reason enough to recommend the series to anyone.

2. The Core Attraction: Entering Core Formation

This is where I put the “personal” in this post! When Han Li emerges from his seclusion after achieving Core Formation, I swear, the animators knew exactly what they were doing. The shift in his aura, the newfound confidence, and yes—that completely unnecessary but much-appreciated shot of him with his bare chest? 🔥 Beyond hot. It was the perfect visual representation of his physical and spiritual peak. It gave Han Li this grounded, rugged intensity that elevates him above typical, untouched Xianxia heroes.

3. The Unstoppable Grand Elder Han

I live for the moments when Han Li’s quiet accumulation of power finally bursts forth in displays of status and dominance. His return to the Fallen Cloud Sect and being introduced as their new Grand Elder was just chef’s kiss. It’s not about being flashy, it’s about walking into a room and the entire hierarchy shifting to acknowledge the force of nature that Han Li has become through his own grit and skill. It’s an underdog story climaxed perfectly.

4. Coming Home and the Weight of Revenge

Despite his god-like power, Han Li never completely forgets his roots or his grudges. The moments where he annihilated the Fu Family—the people who had once wronged him and his friends—were deeply satisfying. Even more moving was his return to his humble hometown to meet his family’s descendants. It’s a quiet, beautiful scene that reminds you that beneath the cultivation robes, he’s still the young man who started the journey.

Why It’s Still Worth Watching: My Final Recommendation

If the deliberate pacing of the early episodes has ever deterred you, please—push through! The foundational work done there is what makes these later, explosive moments so incredibly rewarding. It’s a story about patience, strategy, and the fact that a “mortal” can, through sheer effort and intelligence, ascend to the heavens.

It’s personal, it’s thrilling, and it’s arguably the most satisfying cultivation journey ever put to screen.

Have you had a similar goosebump moment in this series? Tell me which scene made your jaw drop!

Last Updated on November 30, 2025 by Yu Alexius