Last Updated 9/17/2025
Unborn (No Qi) ---> Qi Gathering ---> Qi Condensation ---> Foundation Establishment ---> Core Formation ---> Astral Manifestation ---> Divine Transfiguration.
Only at Core Formation right now.
1. Qi Gathering Realm (1–9): In this initial stage, it's not one to be seen with as much, it happens usually when a person is born, It's the realm that one person stays at when they're non-cultivators, while it helps with staying proper in body and gives naturally longer lives, those in this realm (Those which aren't are usually either - Dead, Punished by that of a high ranking Cultivator, or infested with Fungus.) The Qi Gathering Realm, as it's name suggests is where Qi gathers into the body, exploring the blood, cells, organs and bones, enhancing it to the point ones body is naturally used to the flow of Qi, most life forms have adapted to allowing it inside them. And for those who haven't... They're fossils.
2. Qi Condensation Realm (1–9): This is the starting level, usually what people call a White Belt, such as in Martial Arts, albeit those in this realm already have almost ten years of experience fighting and training. Their bodies refined into a perfected stance, though only a beginner, they're able to fight on par with those at the Foundation, be it in hand-to-hand combat, if they boost their own body enough. Once the perfected stance is reached, does Qi begin to condense, like blood, it flows around, almost like a second life source. Once the Qi is condensed, the practitioner will finally be able to release it as output of the Qi.
3. Foundation Establishment (1–9): The cultivator begins to build a base, one that holds all their qi. From this, the Foundation has three possible outcomes. Along with this, Qi finally begins to passively flow into one's body if they're in a region that completely fits them, depending on the path it changes, For Void-Born, ones who cultivate alone, or that in rainforests, caves, or secluded areas, Earth Natural which grow in Qi the more they train within nature, not destroying, but attacking while purposefully making sure no parts of the nature is damaged. The three Foundations one could have are A Perfected Foundation - Usually, what occurs when one doesn't become overconfident, or cocky, growing stronger. A perfected foundation also has less than a 1% Chance of ever failing or being destroyed due to its stability, like a pyramid. The other one is a Shattered Foundation, also known as a False Foundation. Which is what happens when someone doesn't focus and instead laxes, acting like a step like this isn't the start of their Cultivation Journey, and that it isn't delicate. Lastly, the rarest of them is (You can call this one a Legendary Trait) aPseudo-Core Foundation. A foundation that acts partially like a core, providing a leap in strength far beyond what one could typically achieve. Being able to stay on par with an Astral Formation (Or Manifestation's) base attacks.
Note that I didn't list Pseudo-Core Foundation because it's something rare enough to be considered akin to winning the lottery. 20 times in a row.
4. Core Formation (1–9): The Qi, finally forming into a Core, if it were a False Foundation then it would need to be refined to a Perfected Foundation, and if it were a Pseudo-Core Foundation then it'd take less time, generally half the about of Stages (Instead of 9, those with this type of Foundation would need 4-5 Stages). Finally, once at Core Formation, it usually takes 4 years (Within the World) or 55 years on Earth. From this realm, all organs, including Nerves and Arteries, will be absorbed into the Core, transforming into a sleek orb at the center of gravity. From that, Qi transforms and sheds itself, becoming Pure Qi, and on rare occasions, it even gives off Mana (though in tiny amounts), which, although unusable, significantly boosts one's power. Along with this, the Pure Qi allows those in Core formation to regenerate from practically any attack as long as their Core is left intact, meaning even if the last speck of physical matter is destroyed, as long as the Core stands without being affected, they cannot die, albeit it's still agonizing and doesn't mean they can't feel pain.
Void Born usually have invisible cores, which show no sign of even existing, bypassing all forms of detection, X-ray, or even Qi Sense (or Mana Sense). Even if one is stronger, it allows them to spy and watch and not get caught easily by higher-ranking individuals.
Dual Core: A Dual core is what happens when two cores, be they next to each other, appear, giving rise to a duality in Qi. One Core holds all the Pure Qi, while the other has the Impure Qi and filters it out. The Dual Cores are highly stable, and can be combined with what the Void Born have. But it cannot be mixed with a Shattered Core. A Dual Core makes one extremely powerful and even harder to kill, Though this is extremely rare, they can exist beside each other, or one could look tiny inside another one, existing in the microscopic level even when it could intense amount of Qi, which is such that if both cores destroyed in that manner that it could explode outwards equal to the level of the cultivator or even stronger.
(Mutation) Shattered Cores are cores that generally do not fully protect the Soul (For Astral Manifestation), which makes the Cultivator or Practitioner more prone to being hurt when attacked. It also only gives half the regenerative ability, meaning the Core, even now, could be destroyed by that of a lower level. Still, it also explodes outwards, though not as potent as Dual cores. On the other hand, those with Shattered Cores are magnitudes more substantial than the normal Core Formation Practitioner, giving them the edge. It's more of a mutation.
Note - Yes, those are Core Formations that can travel to space. While the difference in stats between a Foundation Establishment and a Core Formation is significant, a Foundation Establishment can beat a Core Formation, depending on its preparation and skill level. At the same time, usually Core Formation wins due to their higher experience (Go figure), of over 70 years of training. Outwitting those of a higher level is still incredibly respected, showing you're able to stand against even those of higher 'status.'
Note 2 - On the other hand, Pills, something I needed to talk about, They don't simply give a insane boost in power making you billions or hundreds of times stronger, nor does meditating make you stronger, meditation is more to regulate Qi, like Yoga, Fighting is what makes you stronger, against more powerful opponents you grow faster, but still need a fighting chance, since Adrenaline breaks through any suppression in this world and causes you to flee if the opponent is that strong and shows it. Pills also only make you grow after the fight is over, and they only accelerate your cultivation, like a slight boost after fighting.
Note 3 - Additionally, after Core Formation, Cultivators no longer require food, water, or sleep. This is because Pure Qi automatically replenishes this as long as they don't get too low on Pure Qi, as losing all of it generally means you lose cultivation in its entirety, unless you start from Scratch. Go figure.
That's all for right now. Bye!!! Will be updated once Kaida reaches a higher realm. You can figure out those realms from hints given and shows of power from other characters anyway. :D