This world has witnessed the rise and fall of many cultivation systems across different eras.
Though their philosophies, methods, and appearances differ, all paths ultimately seek transcendence—whether through harmony, domination, enlightenment, or corruption.
What follows is a reference compendium of the known major cultivation paths.
I. Martial Cultivation Systems
1. Martial Cultivation (Old Jiangu Era)
An ancient and now mostly obsolete system originating from the Old Jiangu Era.
Practitioners focused purely on physical refinement, battlefield experience, and combat mastery, with little emphasis on internal energy or manipulation of nature.
Ranks:
Grade 9
Grade 8
Grade 7
Grade 6
Grade 5
Grade 4
Grade 3
Grade 2
Grade 1
Notes:
Extremely demanding on the body
No lifespan extension
Rarely practiced in the modern era
2. Martial Cultivation (New Jiangu System)
A refined martial system that integrates external body tempering and internal strength refinement, forming the foundation of modern martial practice.
Outer Strength Realm
Bronze (Early)
Iron (Mid)
Steel
Inner Strength Realm
Amber (Early)
Jade (Mid)
Sapphire (Late)
Semi-Master Realm
Emerald (Early)
Crystal (Mid)
Diamond (Late)
Master Realm
Ruby (Initial Stage)
Obsidian (Final Stage)
Grandmaster Realm
Early
Mid
Late
Supreme Master Realm
??? (Undiscovered)
II. Immortal Cultivation Path
3. Immortal Cultivation – First Step (Human Path)
The orthodox path of harmonizing with Heaven and comprehending any of the 108 Laws of Existence.
Qi Refining
Tier 1 – Tier 13
Foundation Establishment
Early
Mid
Late
False Core (Peak)
Core Formation
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
Nascent Soul
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
Law Acquisition / Deity Kindling
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
Void Refinement / Domain Manifestation
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
Body Integration / Spirit Union
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
Mortal Shedding
Early
Mid
Late
Grand Ascension
4. Immortal Cultivation – Second Step
Earth Immortal
Heaven Immortal
Golden Immortal
True Immortal
Grand Immortal
Immortal Emperor
5. Immortal Cultivation – Third Step
1st Path Saint
2nd Path Saint
3rd Path Saint
4th Path Saint
5th Path Saint
6th Path Saint
6. Fourth Step (Immortal Apex)
Law Embodiment / Godhood Awakening
Universal Alignment – God Growing
True Godhood
III. Spirit Beast Cultivation Path
Spirit Beast Awakening – First Step
Bloodline/ Essence(law) Awakening
Tier 1 – Tier 9
Spirit Core / Demon Core Formation
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
Core Refinement
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
Beast Soul Birth
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
Law Awakening
Domain Manifestation
Form–Soul Unification
Spirit Transcendence
Second Step
(To be defined)
Third Step
(To be defined)
IV. Ghost Path (Shura / Deva)
A path of death, will, and spiritual extremity, divided between Yin (Shura) and Yang (Deva) manifestations.
First Tier Shura / Deva
Will Manifestation/Tempering
Anchoring
Yin Corporeal / Yang Ethereal
True Spirit Birth
Path Alignment
Domain Manifestation
Incarnation
Ascension
Second Tier Shura / Deva
(To be defined)
Third Tier Shura / Deva
(To be defined)
V. Devil Cultivation Path
Path of Ruin, Desire, and Sovereignty
Core Principle
Immortal Cultivators harmonize with Heaven
Devil Cultivators force reality to submit
Laws are devoured, enslaved, or corrupted
3. Devil Cultivation – First Step
Qi Refining
Tier 1 – Tier 13
Foundation Establishment
Early
Mid
Late
False Core (Peak)
Core Formation
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
Nascent Soul
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
Law Corruption / Devil Authority
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
Abyss Refinement
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
Flesh–Devil Unity
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
Mortal Severance
Early
Mid
Late
Grand Descent
4. Devil Cultivation – Second Step
Abyss Devil
Infernal Devil
Sovereign Devil
Eternal Devil
Grand Devil
Devil Emperor
5. Devil Cultivation – Third Step
First Ruin Saint
Second Ruin Saint
Third Ruin Saint
Fourth Ruin Saint
Fifth Ruin Saint
Sixth Ruin Saint
6. Devil Cultivation – Fourth Step
Grand Law Devouring
Universal Corruption
True Devil God
VI. Buddhist / Mind Cultivation Path
1. Mind Path – First Step (Samsaric Cultivation)
Buddhist cultivators rival Immortal Cultivators in power,
yet remain bound to reincarnation until first enlightenment i.e until first bhumi.
Mind Awakening
1st – 8th Thought Cycle
Consciousness Stabilization
Early
Mid
Late
Illusory Mind Palace (Peak)
Wisdom Condensation
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
Spirit Insight Birth
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
Dharma Comprehension
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
Mind Realm Manifestation
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
Body–Mind Harmony (Arhat)
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
2. Buddhist Path – Second Step (Transcendent Bhūmis)
First Bhūmi- Very joyous (Bodhisattva Vow)
Second Bhūmi – Stainless Mind
Third Bhūmi – Luminous Insight
Fourth Bhūmi – Blazing Wisdom
Fifth Bhūmi – Difficult to Conquer
Sixth Bhūmi – Manifest Presence
3. Buddhist Path – Third Step
Seventh Bhūmi – Far-Traveling
Eighth Bhūmi – Immovable
Ninth Bhūmi – Perfect Wisdom
Tenth Bhūmi – Cloud of Doctrine
4. Buddhist Path Apex
Dharma Embodiment
Universal Compassion Alignment
Buddha / Enlightened One
VII. Gu Cultivation Path
(Path of Insects, Fate, and Living Laws)
Core Philosophy
"Others cultivate themselves.
Gu Masters cultivate the world—by feeding it to insects."
Gu Cultivation is a heterodox path that externalizes cultivation into living vessels known as Gu—spirits that embody fragments of laws, concepts, instincts, or phenomena.
Unlike Immortal or Devil cultivators, Gu Masters do not harmonize with Heaven nor dominate it directly.
Instead, they outsource transcendence to Gu.
This path is feared because:
Power is modular, unpredictable, and explosive
Advancement often requires sacrifice, taboo materials, or karmic cost
Gu can betray, consume, or replace their masters
Fundamental Laws of Gu Cultivation
One Gu, One Authority
Each Gu represents a single concept (Fire, Luck, Bone, Lies, Time-Delay, Hunger, etc.).
Gu Are Alive
They must be fed—on qi, blood, lifespan, karma, emotions, laws, or other Gu.
No Free Power
Every Gu use exacts a price. Stronger Gu demand non-renewable resources.
Gu Cultivation System
1. Mortal Gu Path – First Step
Gu Awakening
Discovery or inheritance of a Vital Gu
Failure rate is high; rejection often leads to death or insanity
Gu Nurturing Realm
Gu are fed and stabilized within the body.
Stages:
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
Gu Refinement Realm
The Gu Master begins refining Gu using materials, corpses, spirits, or other Gu.
Stages:
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
Gu Palace Formation
Stages:
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
Gu King Realm
Stages:
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
Gu Domain Manifestation
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
Mortal Shedding – Gu Ascension
The Gu Master abandons human limits.
Stages:
Early
Mid
Late
Peak
Result:
Body becomes a Gu-compatible vessel
Lifespan becomes dependent on Gu survival
Immortal Gu Path – Second Step
Gu Immortal
Requirements:
At least one Immortal Gu
A stable Gu Domain
Massive sacrificial cost
Ranks:
Earth Gu Immortal
Heaven Gu Immortal
Golden Gu Immortal
True Gu Immortal
Grand Gu Immortal
Gu Immortal Sovereign
Notes:
Immortal Gu are irreplaceable
Losing one often cripples or kills the master
Saint Gu Path – Third Step
Gu Saints
Titles:
First Gu Saint
Second Gu Saint
…
Sixth Gu Saint
Author's Note
This chapter serves as a living reference.
Cultivation systems, realm names, and transitions may evolve as the world's lore deepens.