Cultivation Stages

Once a Human is able to sense and absorb Spiritual Qi into their body, they'll be able to embark upon the path of Cultivation. As in modern times natural Spiritual Qi is far sparser, to ancient times, it is nigh impossible for those without Spiritual Roots to do so. Spiritual Roots are attuned to one (possibly more, but unconfirmed) of the five main elements: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth. Alternatively one may be blessed by a special kind of Spiritual Root, such as Qu Chen's Primordial Heavenly Spiritual Root, greatly supporting their path of ascension. Beyond this, one may also possess a special Constitution or Bloodline, as Baili Ji does.

To go from beeing a Mortal to ascending to the Celestial (Immortal) Realm, one must first perserve through the 6 major Cultivation Stages.

### Heavenly Tribulation

Most common are the Wind, Fire, Thunder and Lightning Tribulations but the Internal Demon Tribulation, triggered by a Cultivator's obsessions and lingering thoughts, is the most dangerous. Failing to overcome this Tribulation means the end of ones path and the destruction of body and mind. As this type of Tribulation only occurs to Cultivators above the Nascent Soul Stage, it is common to have long prepared for its effects by severing ones connection to the mortal world and tempering ones Dao Heart.

Amongst these Internal Demon Tribulations, there are also special exceptions which may occur to Cultivators even below the Nascent Soul Stage. These are namely the Tribulation of Killings, Soul Dissolution and the Youth Tribulation unique to Demonic Cultivators (Spiritual Beasts, that have taken Human Form and follow their Cultivation path). These may be caused by a Cultivator's Luck (Fate), Karma or Internal Demon Pledge (Pledging upon ones Dao Heart and breaking said promise) amongst other things. These types of Tribulations are devious and near impossible to resist, frequently ending in the destruction of body and soul. Only Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators and above ay abandon their Body in hopes of another chance(, though it seems implied, they'd have to start their cultivation path over.)

## Cultivation

Cultivators are much different from mortals, perhaps not in appearance, though they tend to look unblemished and refined, but certainly in morals, worldview and behaviour. No more is this disconnect however more pronounced than in the soul's reincarnation. The death of a mortal usually does not pose the end but merely another beginning. For a Cultivator, death holds a very different meaning. Should they die, they will have no hope of reincarnation. They await only nothingness.

### Spiritual Beasts - Demonic Beasts

Gains an animal, plant or even object its Divnine Consciousness - by chance or through outside factors as for example through the wise preachings of a sage - they will be able to practice Tu-Na and embark on the path. Spiritual Beasts that kill and consume Humans (which are of great benifit to their Cultivation), accrue Karmic debt, like human Cultivators. Their Spiritual Qi turns, tainted by Malicious Qi, into Demonic Qi.

(Such Karmic Debt accrued by domnesticated Spiritual Beasts, falls under the responsibility of their holders.)

Advanced forms of these Beasts are known as Ausspicious Beasts and Missfortune Beasts.

### Karmic Debt

As Spiritual Beasts accumulate such by killing and even consuming humans, so do Cultivators for hunting Spiritual and even Demonic Beasts. Accumulating too much taints ones Spiritual Qi and transform one into a Demonic Cultivator. (Not to be confused with Demonic Cultivators, which have transformed from Spiritual Beasts, commonly known as Demons)

Grading of Demonic Beasts
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6

Some mythical beeings such as Dragons posses innate abilities equaling those of Elder-Cultivators. They may, as shown at the example of the Dragon Princess, forfeit these nature given abilities and embark on the path of Human Cultivators instead.

### Lifespan

Attaining a certain level of cultivation will extend ones lifespan according to the above table, but rare treasures, such as the the Fruits of the Kunlun Tree (gifted to the Chen Emperor in chapter 1), are also able to do so. Other ways would be the practice of according exercises.

Cultivators are said to be able to live for centuries or even millenia, indicating that Cang Wuzi's age (More than 1000 years) may not represent the limit of a Cultivator's possible lifespan.