Qi-Refinement

This realm represents the transformation of a mortal into a cultivator. The first step of the standardised cultivation system.

In essence it enables the permanent storage of "Spiritual Energy" by converting the ordinary "Mortal Body" into a "Cultivation Body". This proccess also increases the strength, endurance/resilience and senses of the body.

Generally speaking a "Cultivator" will absorb "True Qi" circulate it through their body and weave it into whatever bodypart is currently beeing refined.

Speaking in detail, the "Cultivator" will use his "Vital Qi" as a guide to attract and guide the "True Qi" throughout his body. This is neccessary as "True Qi" is a foreign form of "Qi", comparable to air. To guide it to certain bodyparts the intermittend "Vital Qi" is required. At around 15 years the amount of "Vital Qi" is at its peak, which makes this the perfect time to start "Cultivation". Nonetheless, starting years or even decades later is only remotly worse.

This realm is generally divided into 9 stages and the peak. Though it is also sometimes divided into only 4 stages, namely the early, mid, late and peak it is rarer.

### Early-Stage

#### 1 Stage - Skin Refinement

The skin is strengthened, greatly increasing its resilience. With skin beeing the by far greatest organ and it representing the biggest space of contact between the body and the outside world it also greatly decreases the speed at which "Vital Qi" dissipates, granting resilience to sickness and a maximal lifespan *(100 years).*

*(No real danger)*

##### Comparison:

3-Rate Martial-Artist

2-3 Soldiers

#### 2 Stage - Muscle Refinement

The muscles are strengthend increasing the resilience of tze body in general, its endurance and strength overall. Generally speaking its the biggest increase in strength and resilience a "Cultivator" will experience in the "Qi-Refinement" stages.

*(Almost no danger. Sideffects of rushed refinement can be permanent pain, which may be fixed at any time)*

##### Comparison:

2-Rate Martial-Artist Aquired-Stage

5-8 Soldiers

#### 3 Stage - Bone Refinement

It increases the resilience of the body.

*(Mistakes pose little to no danger. Permanent dissability is unlikely but possible)*

##### Comparison:

2-Rate Martial-Artist Peak-Stage

10 Soldiers

### Mid*(dle)*-Stage - Organ Refinement

#### 4 Stage - Outer-Organ Refinement

###### Touch

Increased senses. Increased reactions *(slightly)*

###### Ear

Increased resilience of the ear and sense of hearing.

###### Eye

Increased resilience and sharpness. Ability to see "Qi" of all sorts and with that the previlent "True-Qi-Sea"

Faster reaction and sharpened senses as well as the loss of several weakpoints.

*(Mistakes may lead to mostly temporary but also possibly permanent loss of certain senses)*

##### Comparison:

1-Rate Martial-Artist

20-25 Soldiers

#### 5 Stage - Inner-Organ Refinement

Strengthened resilience for all inner organs and increased stamina after lung-refinement.

*(Relativly dangerous. Mistakes may lead to severe imparement or death)*

##### Comparison:

1-Rate Martial Artist *(experienced)*

25-30 Soldiers

#### 6 Stage - Vital-Organ Refinement

###### Hearth

Increases Stamina and recovery.

*(Mistakes lead to death)*

###### Brain

Accelerates thoughts, creates a photographic memory.

*(Mistakes lead to memory loss and/or mental imparement. Death can also happen)*

##### Comparison:

Peak-Rate Martial-Artist

40 Soldiers

### Late-Stage - Dantian Refinement

#### 7 - 9 Stage

Improved circulation of "Vital Qi", which can be used to strengthen certain bodyparts.

Improved circulation of "True Qi". Only after completing the 7 stage - completly refining the dantian once - does one have the capability of transforming "True Qi" into "Spiritual Energy". Normally only those who have completed the 9 stage, succeed at the transformation though.

*(Those which injure their Dantian wil fall back to the 6-Stage and become "crippled", barring any future cultivation)*

##### Comparison:

Transcendend Martial-Artists *- at 9 Stage*

40 - 50 Soldiers

### Peak-Stage

Those having completed the 9-Stage and attempting to create their first strand of "Spiritual Energy"

To advance one must refine a single strand of "Spiritual Energy". This is done by infusing "True Qi" into the Dantian, circulating it within and then storing the newly formed "Spiritual Energy" within the body *(only possible with "Cultivation-Body")*

A single circulation is known as a "Cultivation-Cycle". To successfully transform a strand of "True Qi" several cycles are needed. The required number can be redused by either perfecting the refinement of the "Dantian" *(7-9 Stage)* or through experience.

Just like "Vital Qi", "True Qi" will quickly begin to dissipate after entering the body. The fact of it beeing a foreign substance only accelerates this process. The refinement of the body slows down the dissipation of "Qi" in general and the "Dantian-Refinement" reduces the amount of cycles needed. After entering the body the "True Qi" will nonetheless beginn to dissipate and if it completly does so before a single strand has been transformed, the breakthrough is a failure.

Generally speaking, the "Breakthrough" is completly danger free and can barely be called as such. What divides those of the next realm and those not is only a single strand of "Spiritual Energy".

*(By wrapping the "True Qi" with "Spiritual Energy" the dissipation can be further prolonged. This can only be done by those in the "Foundation-Establishment-Realm" and can not be done by others because of the transformation process taking place within the Dantian)*