Mystic

**Mystics** (玄道者 *Xuán Dào Zhě*) refers to all beings that naturally possess and can harness supernatural powers, whether they be humans, monsters or demons. Their abilities are granted by the **spiritual energy** (灵气 *Líng Qì*) within them, with the most basic ability for human mystics being the ability to see the true form of monsters and demons.

## Overview

### Races

#### Humans

Main Article: *Humans*

While most normal humans are born without spiritual energy, there is an extremely low chance for a normal human to be born with it. These types of mystics are known as **Spiriters** (灵气者 *Líng Qì Zhě*). Other than the basic ability to see the true form of monsters and demons, the powers granted to them are comparably weaker. Most of their abilities include above-average physical abilities and low levels of extrasensory perception such as penetration vision, foresight, or night vision.

#### Monsters

Main Article: *Monsters*
Monsters are born from plants or animals in the Human World that have gained and cultivated their spiritual energy over many years, eventually allowing them to assume human forms and acquire human-like sapience. A monster's physical traits from their true form also carries over to their human form, with plant monsters and prey animal monsters being physically weaker compared to predator animal monsters. Monsters are also capable of interbreeding with humans and producing human-monster hybrid offsprings, with the child inheriting monster-like traits from their monster parent.

#### Demons

Main Article: *Demons*
Demons from the Underworld universally possess spiritual energy and thus can all be considered mystics. They are a different species of creatures that exist in another dimension. On average, demons possess greater physical strength and aptitude for magic than humans.

### History

Mystics have existed since time immemorial.

### Profession

Most human mystics hold passive attitudes towards human society, preferring to dedicate their time cultivating their powers rather than mingle with mortal affairs.

#### Guardians

**Guardians** (御史 *Yù Shǐ*) are mystics secretly trained and employed by the government of China under the supervision of the Department of Night to govern monsters in the human world. However, the Department of Night only formally recruits guardians from orthodox pedigrees, such as the main families/sects of the Three Great Guardian Clans. Due to the abrupt changes in the world in the past hundred years that caused more monsters to appear during the day, the Chinese government has enlisted some mystics from the Three Great Guardian Clans' branch families/sects and assigned them positions in government departments and agencies, such as police departments, to assist the Department of Night in managing monster-related incidents. These mystics are known as "**wild guardians**" (野生御史 *Yě Shēng Yù Shǐ*) and do not full under the Department of Night's jurisdiction.

#### Evil Cultivators

Human Mystics who use their supernatural powers for evil and malicious deeds such as killing are known as **evil cultivators** (邪修 *Xié Xiū*). Along with unruly monsters and demons, evil cultivators pose a major threat to humans, and guardians are granted equal authority to arrest or execute them.

## Mystic Families

Numerous clans of mystics exist in the mystic community. The Three Great Guardian Clans hold the most influence due to the powerful techniques that are passed down in the families for generations, as well as their paramount contribution to the demon lord's defeat in 1860. Their influence is so great that many offshoots were born from them, forming many branch families (or sects in the case of the Untitled Sage Clan). Mystics from the main families/sects are known to regard branch families/sects with superiority, and this has resulted in internal conflicts among the clans. The Nightwatcher Clan's internal conflict almost caused the eradication of its branch families, resulting in it becoming a sensitive topic. A civil war occurred within the Untitled Sage Clan in the past that led to inventions of new talisman.