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Beginner Guide (Core Concepts)

In the beginning, all things were one.

Heaven and Earth formed from chaos, and Qi began to flow—soft as mist, vast as oceans. It breathed life into mountains, rivers, beasts, stars, and the souls of men.

But life was fleeting.

Mortals were bound by birth, aging, sickness, and death—four tribulations none could escape. Yet among them, there were those unwilling to surrender to fate. They stood beneath the heavens and roared in defiance. They sought not to worship the heaven and Earth, but to become it.

They wished to live longer, to grow stronger, to see farther. They wished to fly upon the clouds, to split mountains with a wave, to grasp thunder in their palms—and in time, they pursued what the ancients called cultivation.

Thus was born the Path of Cultivation.

Cultivation is the practice of tempering the body, refining the soul, and harmonizing with the world's natural energy—Qi

Qi is the lifeblood of the world. It flows through all things—the air, the land, the stars, and every living being. It is not mere energy, but the breath of existence, the will of the heavens made manifest.

To cultivate is to absorb Qi, refine it within one's body, and ascend beyond mortal limits.

Qi can be drawn from many sources. Spirit stones mined from ancient veins, mist-shrouded mountains, sunken abyssal lakes, or even seized from defeated foes. Some cultivate in battlefields, others in tranquil caves. But without Qi, there is no cultivation.

Qi flows through meridians—invisible spiritual channels in the body. At the core of the human vessel lies the dantian, a reservoir where Qi is stored and cycled. A blocked or shattered meridian spells ruin; a cracked dantian is the end of the path.

To control Qi is to control life and death.

Not all may walk the path.

The first divide between mortals and cultivators lies in the spirit root. These mystical cores determine one's affinity with Qi. Without one, no effort, talent, or wealth can ignite the spark of cultivation.

Spirit roots come in five grades:

Yellow-grade: Common and impure, riddled with flaws. Like trying to store water in a cracked bowl, progress is painfully slow. Most with Yellow roots never surpass Foundation Establishment.

Human-grade: Passable. Less flawed, more responsive to Qi. A cultivator with persistence may reach Core Formation.

Earth-grade: Rare and treasured. Strong affinity with one or two elements. With proper guidance, such cultivators may reach the Nascent Soul realm and become sect pillars.

Heaven-grade: Unblemished, naturally attuned to the higher laws. Their cultivation is swift, their breakthroughs easier. Reaching Divine Transformation is not a dream—but a destiny.

Divine-grade: The stuff of legends. Qi gathers around them of its own accord. The heavens favor their every step. It is said the Dao seeks them, not the other way around. Their presence reshapes fate.

Yet spirit roots can be tampered with. Tempered by treasures, severed by enemies, or stolen through heretical arts. In the dark underbellies of the cultivation world, some seek to claim another's root for themselves.

Qi without a vessel is chaos.

The first step in cultivation is body tempering. Muscles are broken and reforged. Bones are hardened like steel. Organs are strengthened until they can endure the strain of channeling spiritual energy.

At its peak, a tempered body can withstand blade and flame, crush stone with bare hands, and sprint through lightning storms.

Only then may the foundation be laid.

Foundation Establishment is the most critical stage. Here, a cultivator sets the tone for their entire path. A weak foundation is like building a tower on sand—sooner or later, it will collapse.

A solid foundation allows one to soar through realms others dare not dream of.

Each step in cultivation is a climb up an invisible mountain.

But no height is gained without risk.

Breakthroughs are moments of transformation—when one challenges the limits of their body, mind, or soul. At these moments, Heavenly Tribulations descend. They are the judgment of the heavens, punishing hubris and testing resolve.

Lightning may tear the sky. Illusions may prey upon hidden fears. A single misstep leads to death—or worse.

Some cultivate in isolation, locking themselves away in closed-door cultivation for days, years, or even centuries. Others face breakthrough on the battlefield, at the edge of a blade.

To survive, cultivators rely on ancient tools:

Flying swords: Treasured weapons that slash across the skies, sometimes developing sentience after centuries of bloodshed.

Spirit stones: Crystals rich in Qi, used for cultivation, trade, and powering artifacts.

Talismans: Runes drawn with spirit ink, capable of unleashing destructive or protective forces in an instant.

Pills: Alchemical creations that restore Qi, heal injuries, or aid in breaking bottlenecks.

Cultivators rarely walk alone.

Sects are schools of cultivation, structured by rank. Outer disciples handle chores. Inner disciples study core techniques. Elders teach, guard, and scheme. The sect master holds absolute authority.

Clans pass on ancient legacies, sometimes with divine bloodlines or secret arts. Their loyalties run deeper than any sect, but they are often entangled in bitter rivalries and blood feuds.

Beyond that, there are many paths:

Demon Path: Devours, corrupts, and destroys. Its followers gain power swiftly—but at a price. They are feared, hunted, and often hated.

Buddha Path: Cultivates peace, karma, and enlightenment. They shine with Buddha Light and wield compassion as weapon and shield.

Formation Path: Masters of arrays and runes. Their traps can flatten cities, and their formations protect sects for centuries.

Beast Taming Path: Bonds with spirit beasts. These creatures grow alongside their masters, sharing strengths and burdens.

Artifact Refiners: Forgers of divine tools. A single crafted weapon may shift the fate of nations.

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