Tao (Jigokuraku - Hell's Paradise)

==Summary==
Tao (タオ) is the life-force that exists within all things in the world, whether living, non-living, spiritual, or anything in-between. The ability to manipulate Tao is the ability to touch upon the very origins of creationChapter 29, as all things that exist stem from an endless flow of TaoChapter 56. Being able to utilize the Tao within oneself allows one to access superhuman powers beyond that of any human.
==Tao Attributes and Affinities==
There are 5 separate Types of Tao, and 2 Tao affinities that one can be born with.
The 5 attributes include Wood (木), Fire (火), Earth (土), Metal (金), and Water (水)Chapter 44, which are intertwined in a web of mutual influence, with differing attributes of Tao being capable of hindering or boosting other Tao attributes.
*Wood attribute boosts Fire and hinders the Earth.
*Fire attribute boosts Earth and hinders Metal.
*Earth attribute boosts Metal and hinders Water.
*Metal attribute boosts Water and hinders Wood.
*Water attribute boosts Wood and hinders Fire.
Intertwined with the Tao attributes are the dual affinities of the energy, that being of Yin and Yang. These two opposing affinities represent themselves in all things. Through the use of Bōchū Jutsu (房中術), one is able to manipulate the ebb and flow of these two dual Chi's, and as such can elevate the power of their TaoChapter 33.
==Tao Manipulation==
The use of Tao is dictated by one's natural talent in its useChapter 37, and can grant several abilities even with unconscious use of its power.Basic Proficiency
*Superhuman Physical Characteristics (The use of Tao, even with minimal to no skill in it, transforms one's body and grants them superhuman strengthChapter 31)
*Accelerated Development (One's Tao fluctuates based on their ability to "embrace weakness" and control the waves of their emotions, and doing this can continuously boost the size of their TaoChapter 34)
*Extrasensory Perception & Pressure Points (Even unconscious, untrained uses of Tao allow one to see the depth of an enemy's life force, and target their weak spots effectivelyChapter 57. They can also see people through physical obstructions via their TaoChapter 94)
*Precognition (Proficient users of Tao can see the intent behind one's attacks, and predict their movementsChapter 61)
*Energy Manipulation & Damage Boost (Tao can be gathered around oneself in the form of energy, and projected as invisible energy attacks. The use of this technique is known as the Distant StrikeChapter 38)
*Conditional Regeneration Negation (High-Mid - Opposing Tao attributes are toxic to one anotherChapter 39 and negate healing. This hinders even the regeneration of the Tensen, who can regenerateChapter 18 from extremely grievous wounds in an instantChapter 19)
*Conditional Healing (Compatible Tao attributes are capable of restoring each otherChapter 51)
*Conceptual Manipulation (Type 1), Law Manipulation, Life Manipulation, Soul Manipulation (Tao is the source of all that is physical and spiritual, and the ability to tap into Tao is the ability to manipulate the very laws of existence. Attacks infused with Tao, or overuse of one's own Tao, can cause heavy physical and spiritual damageChapter 41)Mid-High Level Proficiency
*Limited Invisibility (Proficient users of Tao can suppress their Tao to erase the entirety of their presenceChapter 60)
*Attack Reflection (Tao can be used to unravel things by interfering with its Tao, as well as redirection of objects and attacks via manipulation of its Tao)Tensen PhysiologyThe Lord Tensen are beings that are formed out of a different form of Tao called Flower Tao (花タオ) or Plant Tao (植物のタオ)Chapter 53. The Tensen have transcended normal human limitations, making them basically immortal. They possess such a supreme mastery of Tao, that their proficiency goes far beyond the limits of what a mere human could possibly achieve, allowing them to wield all of Tao's basic abilities on a far higher level.
*Longevity, Immortality & Regeneration (Type 2 & 3 - High-Mid - The Tensen are undying and forever young and undying, granting enhanced regeneration)
*Partial Inorganic Physiology (Type 1 - The Tensen are made primarily from Plant Tao)
*Body Control & Biological Manipulation (The Tensen can freely change their genderChapter 16, allowing them to change their Yin-Yang affinities freely. By injecting someone with Flower Tao, they can transform them into a Flower HumanChapter 40. Can transformChapter 24 into Kishikai formsChapter 65)
*Absorption (The Tensen can absorb Tao and make it their ownChapter 54)
*Flight (With their superior Tao manipulation, the Tensen can create footholds in the air)
*Matter Manipulation (The Tensen have such advanced Tao manipulation, they can freely manipulate the physical composition of inorganic objects with minimal difficultyChapter 64. This allows them to even fashion weapons such as spikes from the environment around themChapter 70)
*Elemental Manipulation (The Tensen can utilize their Tao to control elements, such as lightningChapter 83)
*Illusion Creation (The TensenChapter 80 can create illusionsChapter 114)
==Weaknesses of Tao==
Tao has several weaknesses if used improperly. Overuse of Tao can cause heavy spiritual and physical damageChapter 35, which can effect one's memory, even effecting the Tensen with their enhanced lifespan. Although, this can be rectified through an interaction between two compatible Tao attributes.
Tao sensing can be easily circumvented by a large difference in physical abilityChapter 105, though this is only an exploitable weakness should one's emotional state be in disarrayChapter 122.
Things such as talking or uneven breathing or emotional state can disrupt the flow of one's Tao, dulling the effectiveness of their technique.
Tao circulates through one's "Tanden", and destroying it can nullify all use of one's Tao, potentially killing them. Though, if one is unable to negate the natural regeneration of Tao, any wounds to the Tanden can simply be healed.
==References==
Category:Verse-specific Powers and Abilities
Category:Jigokuraku