Cultivation

In this world, there are multiple forms/ways of cultivation for humans and daemons. Humans can learn internal martial arts, either by cultivating their inner force or true Qi. To add on, Humans can also learn external martial arts, cultivating their bodies. Daemons cultivate naturally and increase in strength as time progresses. Daemons are unable to learn martial arts, both internal and external.

## True Qi Cultivation

True Qi Cultivation is a form of internal martial arts. People who practice True Qi cultivation are known as Qi Practitioners. Due to its strength and power, True Qi Cultivation is extremely sought after, but due to its high demand for talent, not many people succeed in practicing it. As a result, commoners and people with less resources turn to cultivating Inner Force.

True Qi Cultivation divided into ten layers.

The path of practicing Qi was about opening the eight extraordinary meridian channels, which are the Yang Heel meridian, the Yin Heel meridian, the Yang Linking meridian, the Yin Linking meridian, the Girdle meridian, the Penetrating meridian, the Conception meridian, and the Governing meridian.

The eight extraordinary meridians did not directly connect to the internal organs, nor did they link the outside with the inside, which was why they were called the extraordinary meridians. Every single one of them covered the entire body, connecting several major acupuncture points. With each one opened, their True Qi would grow slightly stronger, and that was a layer. Completely opening all eight extraordinary meridians would be reaching the ninth layer.

Reaching the tenth layer would be even more difficult. It required the complete opening of the twelve standard meridians, which were the three yin meridians of the arm, the three yang meridians of the arm, the three yin meridians of the leg, and the three yang meridians of the leg. These twelve standard meridians criss-crossed with one another, linking the hands and feet to the internal organs and five elements. It was extremely easy to suffer from Qi deviation and injure the organs, but once one broke through, they would be able to reach the tenth layer, the realm of completion, reaching the peak of Qi Practitioners.

Daoism split cultivation into four major realms—Refining Essence into Qi, Refining Qi into Soul, Forging Soul back into the Void, and Merging the Void with the Dao. The first major realm is qi practitioner to nascent soul. The second is nascent soul to origin soul (human immortal). The third is true immortal, at this stage one will have an infinite lifespan. The forth is great emperors, bodhisattvas and great sages, at this stage one is unable to be killed and can only be suppressed or sealed.

## Inner Force Cultivation

Cultivating Inner Force is similar to cultivating True Qi but doesn't require one to have any innate talent. As long as someone is not an idiot and was willing to put in the effort, they could develop inner force.

The internal martial arts that ordinary people practiced were equivalent to simplified versions of Qi practicing methods, lowering the need for talent and making it easier to achieve. As a result, basically everyone could practice it. However, the inner force developed through this process would never be as great as True Qi. And, as they never truly opened their meridians, the inner force would be restricted to the meridians; it could not nourish the organs or be released externally.

However, as long as they cultivated their inner force to the limit and subsequently broke through, they could convert it into True Qi and become a Qi Practitioner, which was commonly known as innate masters.

*Note: Sometimes, it would be very difficult to distinguish if a person was at the first-rate or the second-rate because the martial arts they practiced were different, so their abilities would differ drastically. The paths they took differed as well.*

## Body Cultivation

Body Cultivation is a form of external martial arts. People who practice body cultivation are known as Body Practitioners. Although Body Practitioners are extremely powerful at the beginning, they have no real future. Progressing in body cultivation is extremely hard and many die before they see the light of a higher realm. As a result, not many people participate in body cultivation.

## Daemon Cultivation

Compared to the cultivation methods of humans, Daemon cultivation is much more mindless. All they had to do was inhale and exhale Spiritual Qi of the world or ingest spiritual medicines and pills so that their Daemon Qi would constantly grow. Once they reached a certain level, they would condense a daemon core automatically. The cultivation that came after that would be the same as before, constantly gathering Daemon Qi in the Daemon Core. Upon reaching another certain level, there would be a crackle of heavenly lightning. If they survived, they would become Daemon Generals. If they failed, they would be burnt to a crisp. It was as simple as that.