Spiritual Energy

**Spiritual Energy** is the supernatural energy source used to perform advanced martial art techniques. It is called by many names in many cultures such as **Qi**, **Chi**, or **Chakra**.

## Overview

In traditional Chinese culture, ***qi***, also ***ki*** or ***ch'i*** in Wade–Giles romanization, is believed to be a vital force forming part of any living entity. Literally meaning "vapor", "air", or "breath", the word *qi* is often translated as "vital energy", "vital force", "material energy", or simply as "energy".

*Qi* is the central underlying principle in Chinese traditional medicine and in Chinese martial arts. The practice of cultivating and balancing *qi* is called *qigong*. Believers in *qi* describe it as a vital force, the flow of which must be unimpeded for health. In modern contexts, *qi* is a pseudoscientific, unverified concept, and is unrelated to the concept of energy used in science (vital energy itself being an abandoned scientific notion).

The historian of medicine in China Paul U. Unschuld adds that there "is no evidence of a concept of 'energy' -- either in the strictly physical sense or even in the more colloquial sense -- anywhere in Chinese medical theory."

## Summary

Spiritual energy is the supernatural energy source derived from one's life-force. While most unknown and/or inaccurately represented in western media, it is a crucial part in eastern culture, especially in East and South-East Asian countries.

Despite being a mystical force, it is commonly practiced by the majority of martial artists in the Asian underground, mundane and secretly supernatural alike, though only the latter are capable of utilizing the special energy to its maximum magical potential.

## Characteristics

Spiritual energy is considered a type of "purified" magical energy. It is a tangible energy inside every living being, with its major focus being in the center of the body. By drawing it out, an individual is able to manipulate it and use it outside the body. It can be used for many martial art techniques, though because of the physical limits to the strength of the body itself, it is necessary to increase one's spiritual energy to overcome this barrier and become stronger.

Usually, the more concentrated the masses are, the more time the user requires to draw it out by powering it up. When fighters gather their spiritual energy, they are able to gain an enhanced condition and can increase the power of their attacks to inflict greater damage to opponents. Normally the more spiritual energy gathered, the harder it is to control, so spiritual energy control is also important. Their spiritual energy can be lost when the user sustains injuries. Maintaining proper balance between the body and spirit is important in utilizing spiritual energy, and the more properly balanced they are, the more energy they can manipulation.

The amount of spiritual energy a martial artist possesses varies depending on the individual. Usually, non-trained individuals have very little spiritual energy, even if they possess a large amount of magical energy or arcane skills. Training can increase the amount of spiritual energy greatly, though overall, the amount of spiritual energy one possesses is dependent on their vigor, courage, and mental clarity.

Despite being known as a subcategory type of magical energy, spiritual energy is considered to have little to no similarities with actual magic, to the point where mundane scientists are able to identify it as bioelectricity using modern technology. In China and many other Asian countries, spiritual energy is a crucial part of their culture, the underlying principle of traditional medicine and martial arts. The Chinese practice of *qigong* is a common method of cultivating and balancing spiritual energy for mundanes.

## Trivia

* Many *wuxia*-level techniques can only be achieved if they are performed using spiritual energy in tandem with magical energy.