Cultivation Clan

> No matter how big or how small, there were as many cultivation clans as stars in a night sky.
>
>

## Cultivation Clan

### Location

China

**Cultivation Clans** (玄门世家, *Xuánmén shìjiā*) form the major community of cultivators in the world of *Jian Kang He Qing Zhu*.

## Opening Notes

In most cultivation novels, cultivation is carried out in sects or schools (门派, *ménpài*) where people pay their respects to a master in the hopes of being taken in as a disciple.

The cultivation world of *Jian Kang He Qing Zhu*, by contrast, organizes clans by bloodline and extended families (氏, *shì*). The cultivation clans thus observe the Dishu system of inheritance.

## Clans

Of the many clans formed, the most prominent were the "Six Great Clans."

### Six Great Clans

* Minsheng Dai Clan
* Shaoxing Zhu Clan
* Luzhi Tao Clan
* Huqiu Lai Clan
* Nienfeng Qian Clan
* Sanxing Wu Clan

## History

### Origins

Several hundred years before the novel's setting, Wen Mao, the founder of the Qishan Wen Clan, suggested changing from the school-based sect system to a bloodline-based clan system.Template:RefzhTemplate:RefTemplate:Ref

Inspired by Wen Mao, cultivation clans connected by blood ties rose "as if they were bamboo shoots after a spring rain." Nearly every slightly-famous cultivator chose to found their own clan,Template:Ref including Lan An, who founded the Gusu Lan Clan.Template:Ref

Most clans are situated at flourishing cities that can be conveniently accessed or spiritual grounds with beautiful scenery. Because of this, non-cultivators in remote locations suffer from lack of protection. The later construction of the watchtowers somewhat mitigates this.Template:Ref

Of the great generation of clan and sect founders, only one cultivator remains alive at the start of the novel: Baoshan Sanren, who chooses to seclude herself away on a celestial mountain, adhering to the original school-based sect system.Template:Ref

### Sunshot Campaign

During Wei Wuxian's youth, the cultivation world tires of the Qishan Wen Clan's tyranny, leading to the Sunshot Campaign that ends with the annihilation of the Qishan Wen Clan. Only four great clans remain.Template:Ref

### Downfall of the Qinghe Nie Clan

After the death of Nie Mingjue, there are said to be only three great clansTemplate:Ref left due to the perceived incompetence of Clan Leader Nie Huaisang.Template:Ref However, their fallen position may change after Nie Huaisang begins to reveal his hidden capabilities towards the end of the Novel.Template:Ref

## Chief Cultivator

In the aftermath of the Sunshot Campaign, Jin Guangshan suggests creating the position of Chief Cultivator (仙督,Template:Refzh *Xiāndū*), the nominal leader of the cultivation word, to preside over major matters and influence the various clans.Template:Ref

The ambitious Jin Guangshan seeks to become Chief Cultivator himself, though many, including Nie Mingjue and He Su, oppose him.Template:RefTemplate:Ref However, Jin Guangshan's sudden death brings an abrupt end to his plans. His son Jin Guangyao then inherits the Lanling Jin Clan and the title of Chief Cultivator.Template:Ref After the downfall of Jin Guangyao at the end of the Novel, the position of Chief Cultivator is vacant. According to author Mo Xiang Tong Xiu, Nie Huaisang is most likely to take over the position.

### Web Series Divergence

The role of the Chief Cultivator pre-dates the start of the series, with Wen Ruohan having taken up the position. Lan Qiren comments that Wen Ruohan has been acting more perversely since taking up the role. The Web Series concludes with Lan Wangji's appointment as Chief Cultivator and Nie Huaisang's declaration that he has no desire to meddle in affairs not his own.

## Practices

### Cultivation Path

Each cultivation clan tends to follow the path of cultivation determined by their founder. For example, the Huqiu Lai Clan's expertise in healing stems from Lai Fen's occupation as a medic. Likewise, the Qinghe Nie Clan's expertise in the saber comes from their founder's occupation as a butcher. To abandon the founder’s ideals and start a new cultivation path is considered a betrayal of one's ancestors.

### Discipline Whips

Each clan has a type of discipline whip to punish disciples of their clan who commit significant mistakes.

### Discussion Conferences

Discussion conferences are symposiums hosted by individual clans to discuss important matters in the cultivation world.

### Ghost-Hunting Techniques

All of the major clans specialize in various methods of gaining information and searching for material on ghosts, such as the Gusu Lan Clan's Inquiry and Wei Wuxian's Empathy.

### List of Young Masters

Apparently, a list of best-looking young masters among the cultivation clans was created in Wei Wuxian's youth. This list was famous enough to still be invoked by children thirteen years after his demise. The known rankings on the list are:

* 1. Lan XichenTemplate:Ref
* 2. Lan WangjiTemplate:Ref
* 3. Jin ZixuanTemplate:Ref
* 4. Wei WuxianTemplate:Ref
* 5. Jiang ChengTemplate:Ref
* 7. Nie MingjueTemplate:Ref

### Soul-Calming Ceremonies

The children of more prominent clans participate in regular soul-calming ceremonies while growing up. The effect was that when they died, there was only a minuscule chance of becoming a ferocious Ghost.

### Sword Techniques

Most clans seem to have their own unique fighting techniques.
Template:References

1. ↑ Author Interview
2. ↑ Web Series, Episode 4
3. ↑ Web Series, Episode 50