The Path of Ascension (Institution)

The Path of Ascension is an institution of the The Empire designed to produce Ascenders. It places multiple restrictions and limitations on cultivators. Making them delve higher and faster in order to push them to greater power.

## Ascenders

Ascenders(also called Pathers) are usually the most powerful individuals of their rank in the Empire, often capable of fighting up several ranks. The reason for the existence of the Path is to find talent capable of completing such strict requirements.

Every Great Power has its own counterpart to the Ascenders. The Young Masters from the Sects. The Heroes from the Guilds. The Alphas from the Monster Collective. The Slayers from the Federation. The Gladiators from the Republic. The Chosen from The Corporations. The Knights/Legends from the Clans.

Ascenders are military assets to the Great Powers. Duke Waters, the Empires current Ascender is capable of fighting enemies many Tiers above him easily. In a deal with the other great powers which limited the assassination attempts on the upcoming Ascenders Light and Shadow, it was agreed that Duke Waters would be treated as if he were Tier 35 and could not delve Rifts to increase his Tier.

## Restrictions

### Assistance

Individuals on the Path are heavily restricted in how much assistance they can receive. They cannot receive any resources or training without paying for it with their own funds. They cannot team up with anyone above their own Tier or stronger than them.

### The Curve

The primary restriction on Pathers, and the reason most fall off of the Path, is The Curve.

The Curve places a time limit on Pathers. If they do not reach certain Tiers by certain ages they fall off the Path. It means that to keep up with the Essence needs of Tiering up, Ascenders must delve Rifts several Tiers above them.

It is expected for a Tier 10 Pather to be able to delve up a tier. Most people remain unable to delve above their tier, but it is expected from Pathers to do so. Light & Shadow were shown to be easily beating Tier 23 opponents at Tier 21.

## Assistance and Perks

Pathers are given priority on many things related to delving, such as first call on delving slots and teleporters and access to special events such as Pather Wars. They are also exempted from taxes while on the Path.

Legally and socially, Pathers are under the personal protection of the Emperor. Interference with the path and those on it is not tolerated and is dealt with swiftly and harshly.

The Empire organizes special events specifically to provide experience and training to their Ascenders, such as Vassal wars and regular tournaments at specific Tiers.

When one goes further on the Path, they also gain rewards. This is done for every 5 tiers the Pather pushes. They gain a reward at t5, t10, t15, t20 and finally completion of the Path. The sponsor of a Pather also gets rewards at this Tier, increasing the further the sponsored person pushes along. The sponsors for Duke Waters managed to gain an entire planet to govern themselves, given anonymously. People that wish to sponsor somebody else on the Path need to be only Tier 5. Their ability to recommend may be revoked if too many people they sponsor have failed to reach the Tier 5 mark. If one wants to sponsor somebody with a Detrimental talent, they needed to be Tier 15 at least.

In Matt's case, his t10 reward was mana concentration bottles.

Once they reach a certain level, usually Tier 10, promising Pathers receive several benefits:

* Access to a special marketplace
* A manager and trainer to set up opportunities for them to improve themselves, and make sure the Path is sufficiently challenging

## Organization

The Path Management office is located on the Empire's capital world. Their job is to insure the integrity of the Path and punish those who attempt to interfere with it or cheat while on it. They also assign managers to especially promising Pathers. They answer to the Emperor and his royals.

## Current Ascenders

Duke Waters

Maya (Grand Shaper of the Republic)

The Last Line  (Mastermind, Lifegiver, Deadlord, Greathammer. Legends of the Clans)

Light and Shadow (expected)

## Past Ascenders in rough Chronological Order

Damien Duskblade  (First Ascender Ever/technically predates the path)

Girish Lightfoot (First Empire Ascender)

Doom and Gloom (Omari and Kaya, Second Empire Ascenders)

Victor E. Diamond  (Ninth Empire Ascender)

The Cosmos (One member was known as North Star. Ascenders prior to Lila Worldwalker).

Eclavorn  (First Alpha of the Monster Collective)

Lila Worldwalker (Empire Ascender before Duke Waters)

1. ↑ Chapter 163
2. ↑ Chapter 278
3. ↑ Chapter 4
4. ↑ Chapter 247
5. ↑ Chapter 278
6. ↑ Chapter 275
7. ↑ Chapter 278
8. ↑ Chapter 278
9. ↑ Chapter 148