Cultivation

Cultivation, also referred to as the 'Heaven's Path' , 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 0.

**Warning:** this page contains significant spoilers!

## 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 Pavilion 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.

1. **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.
2. **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.
3. **Dao Step:** Cultivation from Dao Immortal to Dao Ascendant is considered Dao step. The main focus of this step is founding and refining Laws.
4. **Venerate Step:** Cultivation from World Venerate to Venerate Emperor is considered venerate step.
5. **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.

## 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.

## **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:

1. Break through in a supreme world
2. 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

1. ↑ 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
2. ↑ Chapter 0, Jun Arai PoV, in-universe attribution to 'A Discussion on Cultivation: Its History and Methods Within Eastern Azure'.
3. ↑ Chapter 36, Huang JiLao PoV
4. ↑ Chapter 24, Dun Lian Jing PoV
5. ↑ Chapter 83, Cang Di PoV
6. ↑ Chapter 34, Cang Di PoV
7. ↑ Chapter 24 (non-rewrite)