Interlude: Cultivation
With the MC ending up in the “far east” in Volume 4. Figured here would be a good place to set the stage.
My cultivation settings borrow heavily, especially names, from the amazing Immortal Mountain website.
Warning: I do not speak nor write chinese. So for those who do? I apologize ahead of time for however many brain cells die trying to make sense of this. My advice is to not too.
Lore wise the linguistic similarities between chinese and yanese are due to the old empire’s founder being isekaied from china. His language overwrote the local tongue but it shifted in different directions over time.
Power wise I see cultivation in AFW falling between wuxia and xianxia. Cultivators can end up being able to fly. But they are not able to split a mountain in two with a super secret fortuitous encounter sword move.
Hmm… Darn, no table of contents option.
Welp, here we go.
The biggest event in the last thousand years for the continent of Anyango was the Erwangzhian, War of Two Princes. Luyan was once a united empire. A monolithic state under one emperor. The nation’s fortunes waxed and waned over thousands of years but the imperial family was the bedrock on which it stood.
Letting it survive even the apocalyptic Wizard Wars.
With the old order of the world wiped away and all of Luyan’s rivals reduced to so much rubble. The yanese entered a golden age. Until a rift between the children of the Yuhuang (玉皇) Jade Emperor, brought that age to an end.
The first and second son. Once great allies. Became rivals in love for the same woman. Who was, at the time, a famous dual-cultivator.
As their conflict deepened it affected the rest of the Yuchao (玉朝) Jade Court. Dividing the bureaucracy between them. A war began behind the scenes. Spreading chaos throughout the government.
Assassinations and corruption became so out of control that distant branches of the imperial clan began ruling their local territories directly. Soon even the armies and sects began infighting.
The Yuhuang’s death was the final straw. Both sons accused the other of assassinating their father. And began openly fighting in the imperial capital itself. The battle escalated as each side pulled in more and more forces.
By the end, the largest city in the world had been reduced to an undead infested ruin. And the province around it transformed into a cursed wasteland.
Millions of people. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers. And tens of thousands of cultivators. Dead. Both princes had also fallen.
While the dual-cultivator that started it all? Vanished. Some scholars claim the conflict was part of her dao and she used it to achieve immortality. Others state she died. Just another casualty among the millions.
With the heart of the empire destroyed, the surviving branches of the imperial family didn’t bother trying to create a new one. Instead fighting over the remains. Picking the corpse clean until only bones remained.
Restoring the old empire has become a widespread but seemingly impossible dream.
The mainland for "cultivators" on Ipra is Anyango. The continent is larger than North America but smaller than Africa.
The “Land of the Yan” takes up about a third of the continent. Luyan is around the same size as modern China, including Tibet. However, the yanese people are not united. And the region is divided into numerous competing successor states. Most of these new nations’ rulers are related to the old imperial Tiang family.
Ruins of the old imperial capital. Filled with undead who are said to have been cursed by the Tiandi, to defend the city and refight the ancient battle over and over again.
Mythical city believed by many to be built on the peaks of the towering mountains behind the old imperial capital's ruins.
Said to be the capital of immortals and home of the Tiandi (天帝) Celestial Emperor.
Nation created by a militant branch of the imperial family, the Beyu Tiang, who focused on fighting the northern barbarian tribes and demon clans. After the War of Two Princes, they swept through the surrounding provinces. Soon becoming one of the largest successor states.
An alliance of nations on their southern border keeps Yangxu in check. As does a similarly large and militant state on their western border.
Larger than Texas or France. Southern and coastal areas are fertile. Northern and inland areas are, mostly, infertile. Some northern clans are still nomadic.
Capital of Yangxu with a population of two hundred fifty thousand. A very organized city with straight roads, right angles, etc…
Yangxu's main port with a population of five hundred thousand. A very disorganized city with no straight roads, all curves, etc…
Wall built by the first emperor to protect northern Luyan from barbarians and demons. Most of it is within Yangxu's borders.
Relatively small, this merchant focused coastal kingdom is the trading hub of eastern Luyan. Said to control the alliance against Yangxu from behind the scenes. Formed when merchants united to overthrow the local branch of Tiang.
One of the few Luyan nations not controlled by the Tiang. Called the country of rivers. Rice is grown just about everywhere.
Capital of Haiguo with a population of one million.
A city of canals where boats are more common than wagons. Known as the city where you can find everything and buy anything, or anyone.
“Dungeons” exist in Anyango too and are treated the same way. Regularly harvested for qi infused materials if they can be safely managed. Raided and their Shenxin (深心) Deep Heart destroyed if they cannot.
During the War of Two Princes, some daoists and sects chose to hide instead of pick a side. Others sought to preserve their treasures.
With high ambient qi allowing obscuring and defensive formations to effectively run forever. Shenjing were a popular destination.
Some sects chose to move into dungeons entirely. Most eventually collapsed due to high ambient qi making qi deviation more common and harder to cure.
Their treasures? Adding to the riches waiting in the deep dark.
At different points in the past, particular shenjing were partially taken over by great masters. Their shenxin guided to create challenges or trials for that master’s students.
And while those great masters are long gone. The dungeons continue to maintain those creations. Now used by sects for their own disciples.
Building block of Luyan society. Consists of multiple generations related, paternally, by blood. Some so small they only have a couple of families, parents plus children. Others have dozens of families and “branches,” related distantly or maternally.
The Tiang clan grew with Luyan. Spreading until branch families existed in every corner of the empire. After the war, it split into dozens of smaller clans.
The first emperor created the first sect, the Yulongong. A society intended to help members share cultivation resources, protect each other from enemies, develop arts, improve techniques, and pass them on to new generations. It proved so successful that the idea spread across Luyan and beyond.
The largest sects have thousands of members. The smallest? Not even ten. Before the War of Two Princes, the imperial census had hundreds of sects catalogued. However, many were destroyed during the war and many were founded after it. So no one knows how many there are today.
Sects are divided into four types based on their beliefs and practices. Orthodox Righteous, Heretical Demonic, Orthodox Demonic, and Heretical Righteous.
This is their “public” face. What’s going on behind the scenes may be much darker, or lighter. Plus, within larger sects, deviant factions may operate covertly.
The labels were intended to help the sects understand each other. All it really did was instigate more sect conflicts as the righteous and demonics allied against each other.
The demonics survivors either founded new sects pretending to not be demonic or fled to the fringes of Luyan. Some even left the empire.
Refers to their arts and practices being "normal." In line with the ethics and morals of yanese society at large. Sacrificial, intentionally harming the cultivator or victim, cultivation arts are forbidden.
Martial arts tend to be balanced or defensive in nature.
Most sects are considered Orthodox.
Refers to their methods and practices being "abnormal." Not in line with the ethics and morals of yanese society at large. Sacrificial, intentionally harming the cultivator or victim, cultivation arts are allowed.
Dual-cultivating arts are considered heretical.
Martial arts tend to be offensive in nature.
Few sects are considered Heretical.
Righteous sects do not condone "evil" techniques, like human cauldrons. These sects believe in the rule of law. Even if those laws are classist or tyrannical. Justice, even if it's unfair, is valued highly.
Most sects are considered Righteous.
Demonic sects do condone "evil" techniques, like human cauldrons. These sects believe anything goes. Might makes right. And justice is only for the strong.
Only sects in remote areas will admit to being Demonic. Any that say, or are proved, to be? May find themselves targeted by other sects and even states.
A branch of the first sect that survived the Erwangzhian. Largest sect in Yangxu. Focuses on supporting Yangxu. Considered an Orthodox Righteous sect.
Every member of the Beyu Tiang clan joins the sect at 8 years of age. One of the clan has always served as Zhangmen.
Divides its elders into four groups and disciples into three groups. A massive sect with thousands of outer disciples. Hundreds of inner disciples. And tens of core disciples.
Known for its unusual recruiting practices.
Founded after the War of Two Princes. Focused on protecting northeastern Luyan from the demon clans. Considered a Heretical Righteous sect.
A medium sized sect with hundreds of members. And the Beyulongong’s biggest rival within Yangxu.
Founded during the old empire to defend against sea raiders. Strongest sect in Haiguo. Considered a Heretical Righteous sect but rumored to actually be Heretical Demonic.
A medium sized sect with hundreds of members and has close alliances with several other medium and small sects.
Rumored to control Haiguo from behind the scenes.
A hidden sect believed to be mostly made up of beggars. Luyan's elite information brokers. Has agents across the world, though most are in Luyan. Considers itself a neutral party.
It is common for sects to spy on each other. Usually done by members pretending to not have a sect and joining another one.
Normally they begin as fresh disciples and slowly work their way up the ranks. The smarter ones try not to stand out. More easily done in larger sects.
It is not uncommon for such spies to become double agents. Voluntarily or, if caught, not.
Spies should not be confused with Pengxue (朋学) Allied Students. It is not uncommon for friendly sects to loan disciples temporarily. They spend a few years “broadening their horizons” before returning to their home sect.
Sometimes their identity is kept secret and they use a fake name. Though some of the elders will know their real identity.
The larger a sect is? The more it needs bureaucracy to support it. These offices, departments, or “halls,” each have their own responsibilities. Their own administrative turf. Such as the Treasury Hall handling the sect’s wealth. Or the Justice Hall enforcing the sect’s rules on its members.
Each hall has its own elder in charge of it. And depending on the hall, may greatly add to the elder’s influence.
When a cultivator joins a sect. Chances are they will spend the rest of their lives there. Following the immortal way until they succeed or die. Clubs came about to give disciples a way to expand their skills while supporting the sect.
Interested in calligraphy? Then join the Shufazu (书法社) Calligraphy Club. Interested in the sword but your sect teaches the spear? Join the sword club. Blacksmithing? Join that club. Alchemy? Club. Prostitutes? Find a brothel ya sicko.
Psst… we rent a wagon on Thursdays. The password is “men of culture.”
Trade clubs like blacksmithing, alchemy, gardening, etc… also support the sect with what they produce. Some clubs, like alchemy, have skill requirements. If you are unable to meet their standards. You will be kicked out of the club.
Of course the larger the sect? The greater the variety of clubs available.
Basically sects within sects. Disciples in larger sects may form groups so they can more directly support each other. Usually required to have elder approval before forming. May be able to have their own quarters. Separate from general disciple housing. Or possibly some sort of “clubhouse” to meet in.
Usually the strongest, and often oldest, member of the sect.
Some sects prefer this title instead of zhangmen.
A female sect leader may use this title instead of zhangmen. The few female only sects prefer this title.
Instructors and trainers who teach the sect’s beliefs and arts. The larger sects may divide elders into Hexin, Neimen, and Waiwei ranks.
If the sect is large enough. There may be this rank above Lao.
If a sect has Core Disciples. These may exist to teach them.
More talented and skilled elders to train more talented and skilled disciples. Though there may be exceptions.
The least talented and skilled elders. Though there may be exceptions.
Students learning a sect’s beliefs and arts. Sects may divide their disciples into different groups.
The largest sects may have “Core” Disciples. These are the sect's most talented and advanced disciples. Receiving the best techniques and resources.
The more gifted, talented, and connected, disciples receive more resources and in larger sects may be formed into a separate group.
The least talented, skilled, and poorest students receive the least resources. Larger sects separate them into their own group.
Some sects have this rank for disciples who have not yet qualified to become disciples. Either waiting on the examination or temporarily unable to take the test for some reason.
Anyango’s version of the Adventurers Guild. An international organization that accepts commissions to perform certain tasks from just about anyone. As long as the price is right.
The way many sanxiu, some clans, small sects and adventuring non-cultivators make a living.
Qi is mana with a different name. Its life energy, astral juice, spiritual voltage, physic’s cheat code, etc, etc… Covering the world like an ocean with its own shallows, trenches, currents, whirlpools, and riptides. Existing in both the material and astral planes.
Qi’s natural state is like pure water. Tasteless and odorless. However, as it flows and is used it picks up bits of its environment. Influenced by the physical and spiritual worlds.
This begins giving qi a scent and taste. The most common versions are the five elements. Mu (wood), Huo (fire), Tu (earth), Jin (metal), and Shui (water). However, there are many others. Even death has its own qi.
Over the millennia this has affected people too. One person’s spirit root might be friendlier to wood qi. Another’s friendlier to fire qi. Even entire bloodlines may favor a particular version of qi.
Arts and techniques were also often developed with a particular type of qi in mind. So work best with that one.
Basic element.
Advanced element. Wood overcomes Earth with Wind.
Basic element.
Advanced element. Fire overcomes Metal with Lightning
Basic element.
Advanced element. Earth overcomes Water with Stone.
Basic element.
Advanced element. Metal overcomes Wood with Lava
Basic element.
Advanced element. Water overcomes Fire with Ice.
Linggen are the “roots,” of your meridians and dantians. Influencing how quickly, and what kind of, qi enters your body naturally. Also commonly believed to determine your cultivation limits and may be used by sects to discriminate against those with poorer roots.
Every spirit root has one or more elements. Single element roots are best because they don’t have any conflicts between elements. Single advanced elements are better than single basic elements. This also influences which qi types are easier for you to use.
The best spirit roots have no element. Xu (虚) Void linggen have no elemental affiliation. Though after thousands of years, void roots are very rare.
There are difficult techniques and rare medicines that may improve your spirit root or change its elements.
Physiques are similar to spirit roots except affecting the material body instead of astral spirit. Every living thing has a physique. However, most have little to no impact on cultivation or capability. Rarely, an advanced physique will appear that provides benefits. Like an advanced Yin or Yang physique.
Mostly these can and are ignored.
The polluting of a person’s qi. Caused by high ambient qi, improper cultivation, and dangerous medicines. Can cause cultivators to mutate into monsters or go on rampages. May require extended cultivation sessions and rare medicines to clean.
Also known as Qijing (气晶) Qi Crystals. Are qi condensed into translucent crystals. Deposits only form in areas with very high ambient qi. Such as dungeons or near ley lines. Divided into several grades and used as a cultivation resource, for currency, and in crafting magic items.
A more condensed version of the Spirit Stone that may form in monsters exposed to high ambient qi over prolonged periods. Like in dungeons. Primarily used as a cultivation resource and for crafting magic items.
As far as how common qi is? That’s pretty much in line with humans elsewhere. Around one in a thousand have enough qi capacity to become “cultivators.” At least in general. As in, among the “lower classes.”
Where it's different is among the “upper classes.” Unlike in Tourin or Aquecia, where the ratio is close to one in ten. In Luyan it's more like one in one. Why? The biggest reason is the lower numbers of upper classes.
In Tourin, one in a few hundred has some sort of "lord" status. In Luyan? It's more like one in a few thousand. And the ratio is similar for “geniuses,” too. Only a couple out of a hundred cultivators have the potential to reach the highest realms.
Another difference between Luyan and Tourin is qi capacity. In Luyan, every cultivation art includes techniques to increase the size and density of dantians.
Tourin schools focus on improving the size and purity of their mana reservoirs instead.
So, with the right arts and medicines, even mediocre daoists can significantly improve their qi capacity.
The same rules apply to non-humans. The longer the lifespan? The more common qi is. With elves having as many as one in a hundred. While the short lived beastkin can have as few as one in ten thousand.
The act of improving your spiritual and physical strength through particular techniques and medicines.
While the dragons taught the yanese cultivation. It was the first emperor who revealed the dao and showed the way to immortality.
Anyone cultivating is said to be following the dao so is considered a daoist.
Another name for daoists.
The sectless. Daoists who either left their sect, got kicked out, or never had one. Either self taught or apprenticed to a “hidden master.”
Have many disadvantages compared to sect members. But also have fewer restrictions.
A daoist with high ranking cultivation. A title normally only used for Core Formation and above.
Advancement along Xiandao is divided into several large levels, realms, and small levels, stages.
Realms exist because what needs to be done to continue advancing towards immortality changes significantly at different points. What you need to do to progress through zhuji, foundation establishment, is very different compared to what you need to do in jiedan, core formation. The realm right after zhuji.
There are nine known “mortal” realms and three rumored “immortal” realms. Documented encounters with supposed immortals show they are very tight lipped about immortality.
Usually first through third small levels. Yi, Er, San.
Often fourth through sixth small levels. Si, Wu, Liu.
Mostly seventh through ninth small levels. Qi, Ba, Jiu.
Typically end of the ninth small level. Only way to advance is to break through to the next realm.
Incomplete break through to the next realm. Can mean break through partially failed and daoist is “stuck” here. Or just that cultivator has not finished breaking through yet.
Named with the realm they are going too, not from.
There are nine mortal realms on the Immortal Way.
Gathering and using qi can damage the body and spirit. Tempering the body and flushing its “impurities,” black stinky oily sweat/tears/bile/vomit, first is crucial. So is accomplished in this realm.
In this realm you gather and concentrate qi in your lower dantian. Then use that qi to open your twelve primary meridians.
Comprehending the three “origins.” Visualized as building them within your first dantian. As pillars in most arts. Usually nine but could be three, a dozen, or even more.
Breaking through from Zhuji to Jiedan triggers a daoist’s first heavenly tribulation. The Will of Heaven is that everything is born and everything dies. The Immortal Way fights back against this law so the heavens try to stop the cultivator.
The tribulation can take many forms. Lightning, fire, illusion, etc… Failing the trial can injure or even kill the daoist. Even success can still leave serious injuries.
Opening your middle dantian and building a "core" in it occurs here. The "foundation" in your lower dantian supports it. Often visualized as building a cauldron. Making the pot, legs, handles, lid, etc… Once the core is ignited, the cultivator's body begins actively producing qi, instead of just passively absorbing it.
There is so much qi that pushing it into an object, like a sword, can make it fly. Even with the cultivator standing on it. The speed is not very fast, altitude not that high, and range is not very far. But its still flying.
Linking the middle dantian to the lower dantian and opening the eight Qijingmai (奇经脉) Extraordinary Meridians happens over nine small levels here. Major increase in the quantity of qi circulating through the body.
Over nine stages your qi reaches “critical mass.” Becoming so dense that it can be a “solid” in the material plane. Lingyu (领域) Domains require this ability.
Breaking through from Huaqi to Yuanying triggers a daoist’s second heavenly tribulation.
Raise comprehension of the "origins" and use them to build a version of yourself within the lower dantian. Also opening your upper dantian. The peak of the small levels is achieved when the inner you awakens.
The qi used for the construction is so dense that you can also use it to fly. No longer needing an object as a focus.
Surpassing limits. Physical and spiritual. Connecting the upper dantian with the middle dantian, lower dantian, and meridians. Requiring further meridian enhancements. Prepares the body for more "primal" kinds of qi. Like celestial.
The body has hundreds of acupoints. An astral organ. Each opened acupoint increases the rate of qi absorption.
The end for known cultivation arts. Breaking through to immortality requires creating your own version of the immortal dao and internalizing it. Holy Sword Dao, Hard Light Dao, Green Life Dao, Corn Dao, etc, etc… And gathering enough primal qi to fuel it. This is when you also convert your body to primal qi.
Breaking through from Chengxian to Dixian triggers a daoist’s third and deadliest heavenly tribulation.
There are three rumored realms after achieving immortality. There may be more.
The lowest level of immortal and the one most often encountered by mortals. While no longer needing to eat or drink, they still enjoy the taste. Only comes to the mortal world when tasked to by the Tianting (天庭) Celestial Court.
Always supposed to disguise themselves but some are downright terrible at it. Not permitted to speak about the immortal world but some have revealed a little information when tricked into it or drunk.
Though what's learned may be unreliable or even contradictory. Some tidbits are:
Immortals can still cultivate to become even stronger. Though they are following their own dao now so it's more difficult.
The immortal world is ruled by the Tiandi from his city, Tiangong.
Immortals sometimes fight with the servants of gods while on missions. As in, angels and devils.
The Tianting is even more bureaucratic than mortal governments and can tie you up in red tape forever if you get on their bad side.
Immortals are forbidden from interfering in mortal affairs and will be imprisoned if caught doing so.
The immortal prison is a terrifying place where you can be isolated, alone, for years, decades, even centuries. It is also a qi dead zone.
Hardly ever encountered in the mortal world. If a shenxian is involved? Something has gone very wrong. Believed to be the nobles of the immortal world.
The supposed cultivation realm of the Tiandi.
The gongfa are sets of techniques based around a common theme. Improving the body. Improving the spirit. Fighting with fists. Fighting with legs using motions inspired by watching cranes. Etc, etc, ad nauseum.
Generally divided into different categories. Cultivation Arts, Martial Arts, Movement Arts, etc… Because of how detailed their requirements can be. It is extremely rare for a cultivation art, as an example, to include martial or movement techniques.
They are also divided by their relation to cultivation stages. Each realm requires different techniques to progress through it since each has different goals. A Jiedan cultivation art only has techniques and exercises up to that level. In this case Core Formation. And certain martial techniques may only be possible at particular realms of cultivation.
Gongqu, incomplete art, are arts missing techniques for certain levels. Like a Chaoti Cultivation Art missing techniques for the Juqi and Ninling realms. The War of Two Princes did a great deal of damage to the daoist community. Causing many gongfa to become gongqu.
The higher the art’s level? The likelier it is to have missing techniques. A common goal for an art's practitioners is to find its missing techniques.
A technique is a part of an art. Like a particular kind of punch for a martial art. Or a certain way to connect the middle dantian for a cultivation art.
The simpler arts only have one shu per realm. The more advanced ones have multiple techniques per realm. These may be done in any order or have to be performed in a specific sequence.
It is very rare for a shu to become shuqu, an incomplete technique.
As techniques are parts of arts. Exercises are parts of techniques. As an example a punch may involve raising the arm, clenching the fist, extending the arm, twisting the fist, and retrieving the arm. Each of those is a specific xi.
They are rarely available separately except in cultivation arts. Since cultivation techniques tend to involve fewer xi. With how simple they are it is almost impossible for them to become incomplete.
Meditating. Lots and lots of mediating. Most focus on “spiritual” enlightenment over “physical” cultivation. Though there are some exceptions.
The premier cultivation art used by the Yulongong.
Focuses on “spiritual” enlightenment through “physical” cultivation with other people. Olivia Newton-Johning that shit. Humping to heaven.
The art supposedly used by the woman who caused the War of Two Princes. Versions of this art’s Miji (秘笈) Manual, some more authentic than others, are popular with young upper class female cultivators. Though they are rarely, if ever, correctly practiced.
Think Fifty Shades of Grey, cultivator edition.
Unarmed style martial art used by the first emperor. Focuses on strikes and takedowns using punches, hands, kicks, feet, and sweeps.
A defensive art concentrating on redirects, takedowns, and counters.
Armed style martial art used by the first emperor. Focuses on Jian style swords but suitable for Dao style sabers too.
Techniques for dual wielding swords and sabers.
Bow based martial art.
Revolves around spears and poleaxes.
Outer alchemy techniques mostly using qi created flames.
Cultivation is difficult and mistakes can cripple progress. Easing the difficulty and fixing mistakes is accomplished with a mix of magic and chemistry called Alchemy. Creating danyao (丹药) elixirs and yaowan (药丸) pills that can improve qi collection, focus, regeneration, etc…
The most potent medicines can help a daoist breakthrough to the next stage or even the next realm. Alchemy’s biggest limitation is the rarity of ingredients and difficulty in making pills and elixirs. The greatest taking years to produce.
A practitioner of alchemy. Due to their value to daoists they are always treated with respect and courtesy.
The effectiveness and difficulty of a recipe are divided up into “Nianji,” grades. A recipe using relatively common ingredients like spirit grass would be considered a much lower grade than one relying on exceedingly rare moon grass.
Results of following a recipe are further broken down into “Ceng,” tiers. Depending on its quality.
Round coins with square holes in the middle. The basic currency of Luyan. Value based on weight but standard coin is one qian. Around a tenth of an ounce. Less than four grams. United States wise that’s heavier than a dime but lighter than a nickel.
Coins are not pure copper. Instead a copper alloy mixed with lead, nickel, or other metals depending on what's available.
Value wise a few tongqian can buy a simple small meal with maybe a little meat and a cup of the cheapest tea.
Because of how little copper coins are worth. And how rare silver and gold coins are. It became common practice to carry them in large amounts. Instead of bags, yanese prefer strings. So coins started to be made with holes so they could be strung together.
The standard “string money” has one thousand copper coins.
Silver coins are also round with square holes in them but much rarer than copper.
Silver ingots weighing a uniform amount are usually used instead of coins for larger transactions.
Gold coins are the same size as silver but even rarer.
Gold ingots are rare and only seen among the wealthiest merchants and clans.
Also known as Qijing (气晶) Qi Crystals. Often used as currency by daoists. Quality refers to the density of qi in the stone. Can be estimated by how brightly the crystal glows.
Even the lowest quality spirit stones are worth several gold coins.
Chi = 0.25m/0.82ft
Bu = 1.5m/4.92ft
Li = 540m/1,771.2ft