Mingyao walked into her room, lit a lamp, and sat down. She carefully unfurled the cloth to reveal two books. Picking up the first, she opened it and began to read.
An Introduction to Martial and Immortal Cultivation.
She gave a light chuckle. "As if I need lessons on martial cultivation," she murmured.
She was tempted to skip ahead—after all, she was already familiar with martial cultivation. But then she recalled the scene with Chen Yichen. She knew little of the old Jiangu, and perhaps this book held insights she had yet to uncover.
She leaned closer and began…
Martial cultivation begins with tempering the body—both flesh and bone. One first learns basic stances, building durability, endurance, and stamina to support the practice of martial techniques. Whether wielding a sword, halberd, spear, or any other weapon, this foundation is cultivated in most military ranks.
The words painted a vivid picture: soldiers under the scorching sun, fists pounding wooden posts, knuckles split and bleeding, bones hardening to tempered steel.
This stage is called Outer Strength, the strength of bronze, then iron, then steel. It is the training of soldiers, the power of flesh alone...
Her lips curved. "So far, nothing new."
This stage is called Outer Strength, the strength of bronze, then iron, then steel. It is the training of soldiers, the power of flesh alone, for the practitioner has not yet begun cultivating inner energy. Instead, they are forging the body itself for combat. Outer Strength progresses through three tiers: Bronze , Iron , Steel.
Once the body has been sufficiently tempered, one may advance to Inner Cultivation, where the twelve meridians are gradually unlocked to allow the flow of qi. At this stage, martial arts focus on cultivating the four pillars: yi, jing, shen, and qi.
Mingyao's eyes traced every line. Her heart beat faster.
Yi—this is intention, your will. It guides every action, from speaking and eating to directing Qi. A weak Yi makes even the strongest strike falter, for without will, Jing—the raw force of the body—cannot be properly directed. Conversely, a strong Yi can harness Fa-Jing, channeling power to strike without ever touching, shaping force as if bending reality itself.
Jing is power. A punch is a basic expression of Jing, while Fa-Jing is far more complex. Imagine the body as a forge: Qi is the flowing flame, and Jing is the hammer's blow, transforming steel to swords. Yet even such power alone is not enough; Jing becomes the furnace of the practitioner's body, channeling Qi into strikes that can rend stone and shape the world.
She exhaled slowly.
Shen is the spirit, the soul, and the mental force, god-like in its power. At advanced levels, cultivators can draw upon Shen instead of Qi, generating Jing and Yi solely from the depths of their spirit.
Qi, the internal energy flowing through the twelve meridians, is the bridge between body and soul. Cultivated through meditation, patience, and constant practice, its circulation refines the body and mind, opening the practitioner to higher levels of martial prowess
The descriptions came alive in her mind. Yi was her determination when she stood tall before an enemy. Jing was the thunder in her strikes. Shen—Shen was the presence she had felt in her aunt, crushing her without even raising a hand and qi is the energy behind them all.
Mingyao's lips parted slightly. Yi. Jing. Shen. Qi. Four pillars.
Her fingers trembled against the paper.
The book continued.
The stages of Inner Strength are as much spiritual as they are physical, progressing through Early, Mid, and Late—known as Amber, Jade, and Sapphire. As Qi flows through the twelve meridians, they are gradually unblocked and opened, refining the practitioner's control over Yi, Jing, Shen, and Qi. By the time a cultivator reaches Sapphire, their meridians flow freely and their four pillars are harmonized, allowing them to attempt the threshold of Semi-Master.
At Semi-Master, the Dantian awakens, becoming a reservoir of internal energy that can be stored, accumulated, and wielded to enhance both body and martial skill almost intuitively. Cultivation at this stage progresses from Emerald to Crystal to Diamond, each step further deepening the harmony between body, spirit, and energy. Only those with true spirit roots may advance beyond; without them, progress halts. Few dare gamble with pseudo roots, for failure brings ruin.
Yet the rare Heaven-and-Earth physiques break this law. Such dragons tread where tigers dare not.
Mingyao's lips thinned. "Spirit roots…"
Her mind reeled as the book unfurled the higher realms:
Those who ascend become Masters, stepping into a realm where martial skill meets the supernatural. They can manipulate the five elements, variations and even hybrids —fire, ice, lightning, darkness, living vines.
Mastery is divided into two stages: Ruby, the initial stage, and Obsidian, the final stage. Only Obsidian Masters may attempt to ascend to Grandmaster, a process that requires surviving a false tribulation usually of Lightning—a trial imposed not by the heavens but by outside forces, injecting lower spirit-origin energy, known as True Spirit Qi, into the cultivator.
Those who succeed receive an Ascendance Token, formed from their primordial soul, an external manifestation of their Shen and innate Master abilities. This token is typically untouchable by others, unless one wields soul manipulation or holds a law or authority capable of interfering with it.
Mingyao took a deep breath, the memory of her aunt ripping the Grandmaster Token from her body still vivid in her mind. "Is she adept with soul manipulation? And what are these laws she's talking about? Must one really go through these false tribulations to ascend to Grandmaster?"
Her knuckles whitened on the page. "And why did I suffer three tribulations?" Many questions swirled through her thoughts, and various emotions swelled her heart. She closed her eyes. Slowly, she inhaled, forcing herself to calm down and continued reading.
Once a cultivator reaches the Grandmaster realm, they progress through three stages: Early, Mid, and Late, with the final stage also referred to as Peak. The abilities of the token grow in tandem with the cultivation level of its master.
At the Early stage, known as Token Awakening, the practitioner's abilities are enhanced by 20%, strengthening everything they are already capable of. The token also enables the creation of soul-binding contracts—martial or otherwise—with consequences ranging from soul shackles to death. In dire situations, it can act as a shield, allowing the cultivator to escape by merging with it.
The next stage, Mid Grandmaster, also called Token Amplification, allows the token to manifest and expand a master's martial domain. This creates a battlefield of one's element, extending their will over a radius of forty to sixty zhang (roughly 140 to 200 meters). Fire becomes inferno, ice becomes glacier, and the laws bound to the Grandmaster's innate abilities are amplified within this space. Beyond the elemental domain, a Grandmaster can project their Shen, using it to intimidate, crush foes with spirit alone, or for teaching purposes. All abilities from the previous stage are retained and further strengthened.
At the threshold of Late Grandmaster, known as Threshold Grazing, the token undergoes its final refinement, dramatically enhancing all previous abilities. At this stage, a cultivator can choose to further refine the token to advance into the Supreme Master or Martial Dao Master, or use it to reshape the Dantian in preparation for immortal cultivation and ascent to Foundation Establishment.
Mingyao's mind reeled as she read. Her master had taught her the fundamentals of martial cultivation, but nothing like this. The Grandmaster Token was far more powerful and versatile than she had ever imagined.
Her thoughts returned, reluctantly, to the false tribulation. If what she had endured truly was a false tribulation, then why was she to be subjected to three of them? She took a calming breath, quieting her racing mind, and continued reading.
Immortal cultivation is an entirely different path from martial cultivation. Where martial cultivation focuses on the body—on strength, endurance, and the mastery of physical techniques—immortal cultivation is spiritual, a journey of the soul as much as the body. To step onto this path, a practitioner first needs a spirit root. Without it, the gates of immortal cultivation remain firmly closed.
The journey itself begins with Qi Refining, a delicate and exacting process. This stage is divided into thirteen tiers, each building upon the last, gradually guiding the practitioner from Qi Awakening all the way to the Foundation Threshold. Unlike the physical rigor of martial training, Qi Refining relies primarily on meditation, the slow, deliberate cultivation of the internal energies that eventually allow the soul to transcend the limits of the mortal body.
Tier One — Qi Awakening
The first stirrings of immortal practice awaken as a body clogged with mortal filth begins to expel its first impurities.The twelve meridians are unclogged through strenuous effort, and faint trickles of Qi can finally be sensed in the environment. Meditation feels awkward and clumsy, with Qi slips away like water through trembling hands. Aches, fatigue, and the body's rejection of foreign energy accompany this early stage of transformation.
Mingyao imagined it vividly: sweat-soaked robes, a young novice coughing blackened phlegm as their body fought change. Her brows knit. So immortality begins with weakness, not strength.
Tier 2 Qi Gathering.
At this stage, the practitioner truly begins to gather Qi, drawing it into the body at will for the first time. They feel it circulate along hidden currents, and their breath gradually aligns with the subtle flow of energy. It gathers like a puff of clouds. Control is still rudimentary, with Qi slipping away easily if focus falters, yet the meridians begin to toughen, laying the vital foundation for all further cultivation.
Tier 3 Qi Circulation.
Qi now flows steadily through the body, no longer dispersing so quickly. A faint warmth spreads through the chest or abdomen as the practitioner senses the first hints of their innate spiritual root—fire, water, metal, or another affinity. Stamina improves, clarity of thought sharpens, and resistance to illness strengthens
Tier 4 Dantian Formation
The Dantian—the spiritual energy core in the lower abdomen—begins to form. Qi no longer drifts aimlessly but the clouds gathers at a focal point, creating a faint "pool" or spark within the practitioner's center.
Focused breathing exercises greatly improve Qi intake, and the practitioner can begin performing low-level spells, such as manipulating fire or water. Though small compared to legendary feats, these abilities are miraculous to mortals, allowing them to light candles without touching them or ripple water in jars with a mere thought.
Tier 5 Body Tempering.
The body subtly restructures itself to accommodate energy flow. Increased lung capacity, better circulation, and slight strengthening of muscles/bones. The practitioner's endurance improves significantly. Meditation sessions last longer without fatigue.
Tier 6 Qi Channeling Stage.
Qi moves more smoothly, flowing without obstruction. The practitioner can now guide Qi consciously to different parts of the body. Early attempts at basic Qi techniques. This is the stage where actual "cultivation combat" begins to show faint practicality.
Tier 7 Dantian Solidification Stage.
The Dantian stabilizes, becoming a true reservoir of Qi. Energy loss is minimal; leaks are rare. A practitioner at this level can store and release bursts of Qi deliberately. The body begins to naturally draw in Qi even without conscious effort.
Tier 8 Physical Enhancement.
The practitioner's body undergoes visible changes: stronger bones, denser muscles, healthier skin. Natural resilience to toxins, disease, and fatigue increases. Physical performance (speed, strength, reflexes) surpasses normal mortals. At this point, they can easily defeat a trained but non-cultivating warrior.
Tier 9 Spirit Sensing.
The mind sharpens, and awareness of Qi fluctuations in the environment emerges. The practitioner can sense other cultivators faintly. They begin to notice spiritual veins, nodes, or areas rich in Qi. Mental resilience improves, increasing resistance to illusions or emotional disturbances. This is the beginning of the development of divine sense.
Tier 10 Pulse of Refinement.
The practitioner's Qi circulation reaches a higher order of refinement. They are now capable of balancing both physical and spiritual growth. Body and soul start to synchronize with their growing reservoir. A clear divide appears between low-level practitioners and true cultivators.
Tier 11 Qi Command.
Control over Qi becomes far more sophisticated. Practitioners can split Qi into multiple flows, manipulate density, or regulate output. Capable of minor combat techniques, energy-infused strikes, or protective barriers. Cultivators at this stage are considered true entry-level martial adepts of immortal cultivation.
Tier 12 Great Circulation Stage.
The Dantian swells with Qi, approaching its limit.The body feels both heavy (from condensed energy) and light (from refinement). The practitioner experiences bottlenecks, requiring insight or breakthroughs to advance. Energy within feels almost unstable — like a storm contained in a vessel.
Tier 13 Foundation Threshold.
The practitioner's body and spirit have reached their maximum potential for Qi Refining.The Dantian is fully developed, capable of holding vast amounts of energy. At this stage, a cultivator prepares for the Foundation Establishment realm, where their Qi evolves into true spiritual power. Breakthrough requires external aid (treasures, elixirs, enlightenment) or an internal epiphany.
Mingyao leaned back, a long breath spilling past her lips.
"Compared to martial cultivation, Qi Refining seemed almost fragile, demanding an patience that tested the mind more than the body. Why bother?" she thought. "Wouldn't it be simpler to just master martial cultivation and move on?"
Then she noticed a subtle truth: a Grandmaster often required the guidance—or interference—of others to ascend, while Qi Refining relied entirely on oneself. The realization unsettled her. What would the difference be between ascending as a Grandmaster and stepping into the Foundation Threshold? The paths were similar in some ways, yet fundamentally different, hinting that the method of cultivation could shape the journey ahead. Martial cultivation honed the body, perfect for combat, while Qi Refining nurtured the soul, granting resilience to illness and the fortitude of immortality.
Her heart quickened. It was as though she had glimpsed an entirely new world, one hidden in plain sight. She turned back to the book, and her eyes fell on a folded letter, carefully pressed between the pages.
"Hope you enjoyed my notes. This information is not known to many and is very valuable; you are lucky to have it. You must have many questions, but calm yourself and look at the other book. You have five days to cultivate, remember? The spirit stones I have provided you should be very helpful. Good luck, and level up."
Mingyao's gaze shifted to the other book. Its title, The Nethermoon Crossing Method, was etched boldly across the cover. She whispered the words slowly, tasting them on her tongue: Nethermoon Crossing Method… What could it mean?
She reached for it, but just as her fingers brushed the cover, she felt her Qi deplete. Almost instinctively, her spirit treasure activated. She was about to rise when, in suddenly…