Card Cultivation: Free Mode & Difficulty Update Strategy Guide

Complete beta guide for Free Mode, difficulty tiers, and new Nascent Soul content, with practical recommendations for both beginners and hardcore players.

Published: 2026-04-29Updated: 2026-04-29

Author's Note: Game Status

Many players criticized the launch version for bugs and rough optimization, and those concerns were understandable.

At the same time, the development team has continued shipping patches at a high pace. The game is still improving, and this guide is written with that evolving state in mind.

I. Free Mode

Cultivate Your Own Way

The April 28 beta update introduces the long-awaited Free Mode.
Story Freedom: No more mandatory main quest lines. You are not locked into fixed progression and can shape your own route.
Roleplay Potential: Start as a Wealthy Scion (high starting capital) or Child of Destiny (random Life-Bound Treasure in Qi Refining).
Total Customization: Adjust starting attributes, talents, treasures, and "Heavens' Will" options to build your own scenario.

II. Difficulty Tiers

From Beginner to True Immortal

The game now provides four difficulty levels with clearly different pressure curves.
Experience / Normal: Best for first-time players learning interactions across 1000+ cards and core progression flow.
True Immortal Mode: Planting Peerless Spiritual Herbs is forbidden, enemy scaling is much harsher, and cross-realm damage penalties are severe.
Focus Mode Required: There is no shortcut in True Immortal. It is designed for veterans who already understand advanced card economies and risk control.

III. Nascent Soul Content

First Reveal

Realm cap is now raised to Nascent Soul.
New Arts: Nascent Soul-specific cultivation methods are now available.
Tier Upgrades: Treasures, spirit beasts, and puppets can now be developed into higher-end Nascent Soul builds.

FAQ

Can I change difficulty during a playthrough?

No. Difficulty is locked after you confirm your starting traits and opening setup.

How do I access Free Mode right now?

Switch to the "Public Beta" branch from the game properties in Steam. The official stable push is expected later.

Is "True Immortal Mode" suitable for new players?

No. Beginners should start from lower tiers first, then move up after they can reliably manage deck tempo and resource conversion.