Cultivation

Cultivation, also referred to as the 'Heaven's Path' Chapter 32, Kun Juni PoV - First mention by unnamed soldier of the Imperial Commonwealth.
Chapter 41, Jun Sana PoV - Mention by unnamed Hall Spirit of the ruined St Roberta's Academy, is one of the many methods of gaining power in the wide setting of Memories of the Fall. It can generally be regarded as the traditional 'Xianxia' or 'Wuxia' method. The below is, broadly speaking, taken primarily from the Glossary and from Chapter 0Chapter 0, Jun Arai PoV, in-universe attribution to 'A Discussion on Cultivation: Its History and Methods Within Eastern Azure'..
== Cultivation Methods or 'Archetypes' ==
The world in which the story begins, Eastern Azure Great World, is broadly aware of six cultivation 'archetypes': spiritual cultivation, body refinement, martial cultivation, soul cultivation, dharma cultivation and physical cultivation. 
The first two archetypes, are often grouped together because they shore up each other's weaknesses quite nicely, are spiritual cultivation and body refinement. To the common folk of Eastern Azure, both of these methods are believed to have originated on the central 'Imperial' and southern 'Argent Gate' continents. Both methods involve drawing in natural energy – called 'qi' within the protagonists' initial frame of reference because this is nominally a Xianxia – using a 'cultivation law' through the body's meridian systems, to refine it within the body and using it to empower the self. 
There are, technically speaking, three more methods of cultivation aside from these six.
*Physiques, not to be confused with physical cultivation despite the somewhat confusing term 'Physique Law' that is involved in that method, are also called God Physiques, Constitutions and a few other names. They are primarily a thing of higher worlds, but there are individuals born and raised in mortal realms – members of branches of Heavenly Clans, or those with other connections in very high places, or with some great destiny or fortuitous event – who might have one. The exact nature and behaviour of a Physique varies greatly, but in general they combine elements of spiritual, martial and physical cultivation—they can include soul cultivation, but it's not a guarantee—in a more holistic way than would otherwise be possible.
*Qi Beasts, spirit vegetation and spirit herbs all have their own methods of cultivation, which 'cultivators' can't or don't replicate. The details are unknown, varied and almost entirely irrelevant from a reader's perspective beyond just being aware of their general existence.
*Treasure cultivation refers to an inanimate object gaining spiritual awareness and perceiving some aspect of a Dao. This is different to a pre-existing spirit being placed into an object, but we have no details on how or why it occurs. No properly confirmed examples of this exist, but it can be speculated with reasonable certainty that the four Hermetic Ancestors of the Shu PavilionChapter 36, Huang JiLao PoVChapter 24, Dun Lian Jing PoVChapter 83, Cang Di PoVChapter 34, Cang Di PoV are of this nature.
== Steps and Supreme Steps ==
Each 'supreme step' is generally taken to be a collection of cultivation realms where progression broadly same. There are Five Supreme crossing tribulations associated with the peak of each of these super realms for spiritual cultivators. Following are supreme steps as defined in story.
# Mortal Step: Cultivation from Foundation Establishment to Dao seeking realm is considered mortal step. The main focus of this step is founding and refining Intent, progression through this step is simple and largely known to all.
# Immortal Step: Cultivation from Immortal to Ancient Immortal realm is considered immortal step. The main focus of this step is refining Principle, progression through this step can very widely depending of personal comprehension.
# Dao Step: Cultivation from Dao Immortal to Dao Ascendant is considered Dao step. The main focus of this step is founding and refining Laws.
# Venerate Step: Cultivation from World Venerate to Venerate Emperor is considered venerate step.
# Divine Step: Cultivation from Lesser Divinity onwards is considered divine step.
== Cultivation Pacing ==
In direct contrast to the below chart which speaks towards the most prestigious ages to reach stages of cultivation, the optimal path is slower, and focuses on gaining accumulation. This is because the faster you advance through the realms, the more ‘set’ your mental processes became. The two important thresholds are Nascent Soul and Immortal. At Nascent Soul, body and soul swap primacy so bodies may be shaped towards the soul’s form. At Immortal, bodies are remade in the image of the soul the moment the cultivator ascends. This locks the cultivator at that age in many respects. 
For those who ascend to Immortal in their mid-teens, cultivators aren't eternal children, but their minds are more resistant to development. This is why the minor generation jump was held to be 100 to become immortal. The optimal path then is for cultivators to reach Nascent Soul in their late teens to early twenties and then focus on building accumulation for the next sixty to seventy years to breakthrough before they reach 100.Chapter 24 (non-rewrite)
== Cultivation 'Realms' - [INCOMPLETE] ==
This applies for spiritual cultivators, body refiners, martial cultivators, physical cultivators, and maybe soul cultivators, but it is unclear in that regard. Dharma cultivation is a complete unknown in this regard. 
Spiritual Cultivation
(General) 	Physical Cultivation 	Circle
(Aertha Majoris)	Advancement
(Shard/AM)	Star Rank/Grade
(Hunter Bureau)	General Social Role in Eastern Azure
Foundation Establishment 	Containment Realm 	First 	First 	0 	Mortals. Containment Realm is a bit of a grey area, as may have been apparent in Chapter 35.
Qi Condensation 	Physical Refinement 	Second 	Second 	1 	The usual realm for those under the age of twelve if they have started cultivating a spiritual law. Above the age of twelve, anyone at this realm is likely a common cultivator in a rural region – meaning poor spirit roots, minimal access to resources etc – or an entry-level disciple in local village sects and the like.
Qi Refinement 	Physical Foundation 	Second 	Second 	2 	The usual realm for those aged between twelve and fourteen if they have started cultivating a spiritual laws. Common cultivators in rural areas may never pass this realm, for the same reasons as above. Outer disciples of small sects are often at this realm.
Core FormationOr Golden Core(Intent Foundation) 	Mantra Seed Formation 	Third 	Third 	3 	Reaching this realm before the age of fifteen marks you as a 'promising junior', but most people with a not-garbage spirit root and access to resources will get here in their twenties.
This is the first real threshold of social advancement, the barrier for those slightly older to be considered a local expert in a small village or a minor official in some places/instances.
This is also the realm at which smaller sects may promote you from outer disciple to full disciple status.
Soul Foundation 	Body Tempering 	Fourth 	Fourth 	4 	Promising juniors with good spirit roots and/or access to good laws, between the ages of fifteen and eighteen.
Socially, this is the realm of the heads of small families and local experts in village regions. It is also the realm at which the Hunter Bureau considers you eligible for any sort of official rank, and small local sects consider you eligible as an inner disciple.
Nascent Soul(Primordial Soul)(Opening Realm) 	Soul Meridians 	Fourth 	Fourth 	5 	Promising juniors with good spirit roots and/or access to good laws, between the ages of fifteen and eighteen.
Socially, this is the realm of the heads of small families and, for the slightly older, elder-level local experts in village regions. It is also the realm of inner local sect disciples, or outer disciples in a mid- or higher ranked sect, unless you're very influential and can get higher status that way.
Severing Origins(Fate Severing)(Mortal Reflection) 	Mortal Boundary 	Fourth 	Fourth 	6 	As with Nascent Soul
This is the realm that many people fall into the 'older generation' at, failing to break through before one hundred years of age.
Dao SeekingOr Quasi-Immortal(Path Seeking)(Seeking Principle)(False Immortal)	Unity Physique 	Fifth 	Fifth-Sixth	7 	Exceptional juniors if below the age of sixteen or seventeen.
For seniors; heads of small families, elders in local influences/pavilions etc, famous local experts, ancestors in many families. Occasionally heads of villages or even sect masters in local sects. Also Outer Sect Elders in lower-ranked sects.
Immortal(Spiritual Immortal)(Martial Immortal)(Heart Source) 	Mantra Immortal 	Sixth 	Sixth 	8 	Exceptional juniors below the age of twenty - usually people don't break through to Immortal before eighteen. MUST cross to Immortal before one hundred to 'stay' in your current generation.
The standard for admitting full disciples into mid-tier or higher influences.
If older - Village leaders, local pavilion and sect leaders, famous local experts, leaders of local militia forces, elites of local clan forces, etc.
This is the realm which is considered the 'standard' for proper social standing within a Great World. Any cultivator at the Immortal rank may be addressed as Sir or Fairy.
Chosen Immortal(Earthly Immortal) 	 	Sixth 	 	9 	Leading juniors below the age of forty (but generally over twenty)
If older - leaders of small regional influences, elders of regional influences, senior Bureau officials, older veterans. ancestors in many lesser families. leaders of very weak noble branch clans and so on.
Golden Immortal(Peerless Immortal)(Great Immortal)(Elder Immortal) 	 	Seventh 	 	10	Geniuses within a 'Younger generation'.
If older - leaders of regional influences, elders of regional influences, senior Bureau officials, Military officers etc older veterans. ancestors in many smaller families. leaders of weak noble branch clans and so on.
Ancient Immortal(True Immortal)(Peerless Golden Immortal) 	 	Seventh 	 	11	Exceptional geniuses within a current generation.
If older - leaders of small provincial influences, elders of provincial influences, senior Bureau officials, older veterans. ancestors in many lesser families, leaders of noble branch clans and so on.
Dao Immortal(Heavenly Immortal)(Dao Aspirant) 	 	Eighth 	 	12	Generally ancestors of mid-level sects or founders, elders or protectors in bigger sects. Some super genius existences who have exceeded the current generation, proper Bureau Elders etc.
Dao Lord(Dao Sage)(Dao Seed Immortal) 	Dao BonesDao FleshDao Breath	Ninth 	 	13	Generally sect leaders of big sects, or many old ancestors. Some minor elders in hegemonic sects, leaders of branch sects etc. Regional Bureau leaders, Military Generals with Imperial Authority, Regional Authority leaders like Dukes.
Dao Sovereign(Sovereign Immortal) 	Dao Cloak 	Tenth 	 	14	Many old ancestors in large and hegemonic sects, Supreme Regional Military officials, continentally famous recluses.
Dao Eternal(Soulfire Immortal) 	Dao Flame 	Eleventh	 	15	Same as Sovereign; some old ancestors, Hegemonic Sect leaders, a few reclusive old monsters etc.
Dao Ascendant(Transcendent Immortal) 	 	Twelfth 	 	 	Great World Emperors, Hegemonic Sect Ancestors and some reclusive old monsters/sacred beasts.
== Beyond Confines of Great Worlds ==
Beyond the Dao Step lies the Venerate Step, which traditionally exceeds the realm of Great Worlds like Eastern Azure entirely.
=== 'World' Venerates and 'Dao' Venerates ===
These two parallel realms are generally views as one.
World Venerate is the most common version and involves opening an inner world and attuning it to your truth, creating a true inner world out of your Dao seed that incorporates all your accumulation. This method also leaves behind a trace of your accumulation on the world you break through on. With the right accumulation you can also form a stronger link. Great Realm Emperors are usually World venerates or quasi world venerates who have attuned their truth and accumulation to a Great World directly during their breakthrough to Dao Ascencion or World Venerate.
Dao Venerate is much less common - an inner world is also opened, but rather than your accumulation forming a 'world' it becomes a flame/spark rather than just a swirling sea of primordial power. This is only possible with two main criteria:
#Break through in a supreme world
#Possess a principle that has been proven and a Dao seed that has been acknowledged
In most cases, the distinction is poorly made and few Dao Venerates openly acknowledge their status.
Cultivators at this realm are generally World Envoys, notable figures in Heavenly Clans or trans-realm powers, or journeying Elders. Some very old Sect Founders tend to be World/Dao Venerates who have not attuned themselves to a great world.
=== 'Celestial' Venerates ===
Breakthrough to Celestial Venerate from World Venerate is achieved in a celestial fascimile of Core Formation. The primordial inner world is formed into a 'star' which now anchors the inner world. This is why they are also sometimes called Celestial Star Venerates. This realm is the Venerate Step analogue of the Immortal Realm.
The number and quality of stars is very variable, commonly the peak of Celestial Venerate is reached with 12 stars, however it is possible to acquire more.
Celestial Venerates might be elders of lesser Heavenly Clans, or senior officials in trans-realm powers.
=== 'Heavenly' Venerates ===
To reach this realm you must fuse your truths with your stars to truly found your own Dao. Commonly called Heavenly Venerates, some older influences call those at this realm Heavenly Dao Venerates. This is the Venerate Step analogue of Dao Immortal.
Heavenly Venerates tend to occupy posts and roles of senior officials in Starfield Authorities, founders of Hegemonic, but non-heavenly clans', or the 'At-large' Elders of established Heavenly clans. Wherever and whenever they are seen, great events are sure to follow in their wake.
=== The Higher Realms — Revered Venerates and Beyond ===
Little is known of realms beyond that of Heavenly Venerate. According to the glossary, the next realms have the titles of:
* Mantled Venerate & Sovereign Venerate
* Venerate Emperor (Imperial Venerate or Revered Venerate)
* Lesser Divinity
*Greater Divinity
==References==
Category:Cultivation
Category:Meta
Category:General Knowledge