Fire and Water: Cultivation Stages

Qi Condensing and Refining

· The body absorbs and gathers Qi then refines it to use at the cultivator's own energy

· 9 Stages

Foundation Building

· Learning how to regulate the absorbed and refined Qi in the meridians to build and stabilize foundation

· 9 Stages

Core Formation

· Body building and strengthening, forging of the 'golden core'

· Soul tampering in preparation of developing the cultivator's 'sea of consciousness' and developing a 'martial spirit'

· If a cultivator is not born with 'spiritual roots' awakening the spiritual roots during this stage is possible by consuming a beast core of a legendary spiritual beast or a demonic beast of the same tier

· Stages: Early, Intermediate, High and Peak

Martial Spirit Realm

· Strengthening 'spiritual sense' and forming a 'sea of consciousness'

· Developing a 'Martial Spirit'

· If the cultivator has an 'elemental affinity' and awakened 'spiritual roots' learning to combine the martial spirit with the elements is possible to create a new technique, unique to the cultivator

· Stages: Martial Warrior, Martial King, Martial Emperor

· Sub-stages: Early, Intermediate, High and Peak (i.e. Late stage of Martial Warrior, Peak stage of Martial Emperor)

Transcendence Realm

· Considered as the first step towards immortality

· In order to breakthrough to this realm one needs 'insight' and receive a bout of heavenly tribulation

· Shedding of the mortal body (reformation of skeleton) and ridding the body of impurities (blood cleansing)

· Stages: 1st Sky (3 lightning tribulations), 2nd Sky (5 lightning tribulations), 3rd Sky (7 lightning tribulations)

Celestial/Divine Realm

· 'Insight' about heaven and earth and forming a divine body and soul

· Stages: Immortal (9 heavenly tribulations), Celestial (12 heavenly tribulations), Demigod (15 heavenly tribulations)

Note: True godhood can only be obtained through inheritance of godheads left by 'true gods' unless the cultivator hails from the bloodline of 'true gods' and awakened an 'immortal vein'