Wan Dao (lore)

((SETTING: ((SET IN A CHINESE FANTASY, WUXIA, MEDIEVAL TIME UNIVERSE.)) CURRENTLY IN A IN THE 5TH ERA, ??? YEAR))

1. [World - 5th era, 53 year

Wan Dao - A Magical World in the Godsgrave Universe

Wan Dao consists of five continents:

• Northern Plains
• Eastern Sea
• Southern Desert
• Western Border
• Central Continent

This world is inhabited by countless diverse creatures and features extraordinary locations. The regions are separated by Regional Walls, making travel between them difficult due to each region's unique Heaven and Earth Qi. The higher a being's Rank or Cultivation, the harder it is to cross the Regional Wall (exceptions: Ranks 9 and 10, who can move freely as they suppress the local Heaven and Earth Qi).

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Northern Plains

• Area: ~4,500,000,000 km2
• Description: Vast grasslands and pastures where inhabitants live in tribes, raising livestock and frequently warring with each other. Due to the harsh environment, cultivators from the Northern Plains are generally stronger than those from other regions.
• Unique Features:
  • Originally had no mountains until immortal cultivators created them.
  • Every 10 years, a Great Blizzard engulfs the region for months, bringing deadly snow monsters.

Locations

• Cities: Inkman City
• Areas: Tai Qiu, Crazed Demon Cave, Flower Forest Forbidden Land
• Lakes: Crescent Lake, Mirror Lake
• Grasslands: Poison Grassland
• Mountains: Ku Mu Mountain
• Small Regions: Yu Tian, Cao Fu, Tian Chuan, Meng Qiu, Du Jiao, Guan Xi, Qing An
• Underground: Earth Trench
• Valleys: Hong Yan Valley, Warm Pond Valley, Onion Valley, Luo Po Valley
• Blessed Lands: Imperial Court Blessed Land, Lang Ya Blessed Land, Snowy Mountain Blessed Land
• Other: Demon Blood Hill, Crimson Reed Marsh, Absolute Ice Battlefield, Feng Bo Cliff, Dragon Elephant Plain, Myriad Bean Garden, Become Dragon Mound, Blood Plain, Bone Burial Field, Jade Light Pit, Great Mud Pit, Autumn Blade Plain

Organizations

• Tribes: Bai Zu Tribe, Bei Tribe, Chai Tribe, Chang Tribe, Chanyu Tribe, Chu Tribe, Dong Fang Tribe, Fang Tribe, Fei Tribe, Ge Tribe, Gong Tribe, Gu Tribe/Northern Plains, Guan Tribe, Hei Tribe, Hua Tribe, Huo Tribe, Liu Tribe, Lou Tribe, Lui Tribe, Ma Tribe, Murong Tribe, Nian Er Tribe, Nu Er Tribe, Qiao Tribe, Tai Bai Tribe, Tang Tribe, Yan Tribe, Yao Tribe, Ye Lui Tribe, Yuan Tribe, Zhao Tribe
• Other Organizations: Zombie Alliance

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Eastern Sea

• Area: ~3,430,000,000 km2
• Description: A vast archipelago with hundreds of thousands of islands. The richest in resources, attracting cultivators from other regions. Also has the highest number of demonic cultivators.
• Unique Events:
  • Every 15 years, an Earth Tide causes tsunamis and weakens nearby Regional Walls (exceeds Rank 8 power).
  • Strongest clans have underwater caravans.

Locations

• Plains: Ascending Heaven Plain
• Islands: Tian Jing Island
• Seas: Air Bubble Sea, Glass Sea, Icy Sea, Shark Sea, Elegant Splendorous Sea, Flourishing Bumpy Sea, Poetic Emotion Sea, Rainbow Sea, Boundless Forest Sea, Mermen Sea, Private Sea, Web Eye Sea, Seven Sea, Twin Polar Sea, Adversity Sea, Yellow Spring Sea, Bee Sea, Flower Sea, Turbulent Flow Sea, Thousand Illusion Sea, Black Soul Sea, Rainbow Aurora Sea, Ice Flow Sea Area
• Blessed Lands: Blue Dragon Whale Grotto-Heaven, Hai Shi Blessed Land, Yu Lu Blessed Land

Organizations

• Clans: Ba Clan/Eastern Sea, Cai Clan, Hua Clan, Li Clan, Nan Gong Clan, Ni Clan/Eastern Sea, Qing Yue Clan, Qiu Clan, Shen Clan, Song Clan, Su Clan, Tang Clan (Eastern Sea), Xia Clan/Eastern Sea, Xie Clan
• Tribes: Gu Tribe/Eastern Seas
• Other Organizations: Merman Imperial Court

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Southern Desert

• Area: ~3,900,000,000 km2
• Description: A scorching wasteland with dunes and sparse mountains. Settlements exist around oases—once an oasis dies, people must relocate.
• Nickname: Desert of Immortals (mortals struggle to survive here).
• Deadly Zone: Impassable Dunes—even Rank 8 masters cannot survive.

Locations

• Deserts: Anti-Sound Desert, Green Ghost Desert, Myriad Ore Desert, Myriad Statue Desert, Translocation Desert, Tremor Desert, Wolf Desert
• Oases: Sha Jing Oasis, Zhou Xi Oasis
• Underground: Blazing Glory Pit

Organizations

• Clans: Dong Clan, Fang Clan, Gong Clan, Huang Clan/Western Desert, Lin Clan (Western Desert), Mo Clan, Qin Clan, Shi Clan, Sun Clan (Western Desert), Tang Clan (Western Desert), Tian Clan, Tuoba Clan, Wan Clan/Western Desert, Xiao Clan/Western Desert, Zuo Qin Clan, Yi Clan (secret super force)
• Tribes: Lan Clan
• Other Organizations: Past Super Forces (Che Clan Western Desert, Qing Clan), Zombie Alliance

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Western Border

• Area: ~2,800,000,000 km2
• Description: A mountainous region with over 130,000 peaks, inhabited by bloodline-linked clans.
• Famous Features:
  • Three Great Rivers: Red Dragon River, Jade Dragon River, and Yellow Dragon River (which divide the region).
  • The Yellow Dragon River resembles the character "几" when viewed from above.

Locations

• Lakes: Wedding Dress Lake
• Mountains: Qing Mao Mountain, Jue Bi Mountain, Huang Guo Mountain, Gui Bei Mountain, Xuan Ming Mountain, Lei Ci Mountain, Jiang Mountain, Wan Cheng Mountain, Bai Gu Mountain, Zi You Mountain, Fei Hou Mountain, Huang Jin Mountain, Hun Mu Mountain, Ju Yu Mountain, Fang Zhuan Mountain, Xiao Yue Mountain, Bai Hu Mountain, Xiang Ya Mountain, Mu Bei Mountain, Zhao Ze Mountain, Yi Tian Mountain, Shuang Jiang Mountain, Xue Lei Mountain, Qian Ku Mountain, Ju Ren Mountain, Lu Zao Mountain, Shang Liang Mountain, Ju Feng Mountain, Bai Shou Mountain, San Cha Mountain, Leng Zhan Mountain, Fei Lai Mountain, Huo Tan Mountain, Nan Mountain, Xi Yang Mountain, Tie Mu Mountain, Wu Mountain, Tung Oil Mountain, Headless Mountain, Pine Tail Mountain, Light Mountain, Xuan Ci Mountain, Rotten Mud Mountain, Five Regional Mountain Range, Sun Crown Mountain, Silent Flow Mountain, Jade Pot Mountain, Qing Yang Mountain, Divine Wind Mountain, Bear Mountain, Yue Hua Mountain, Lin Chi Mountain, Da Peng Mountain, Myriad Snake Mountain, Wu Yi Mountain, Human Smoke Mountain, Ghost Hand Mountain
• Underground: Plunder Shadow Earth Trench
• Rivers: Yellow Dragon River, Luchuan River, Jade Dragon River, Red Dragon River
• Valleys: Moon Bowl
• Blessed Lands: Life and Death Blessed Land, Living Treasure Blessed Land
• Other: Spring Sun Mountain Range, Frosty Peak, Phoenix Peak, Black Demon Pit, Blood Tide Pit, Empty Origin Pit, Golden Cloud Canyon, Inspiration Cocoon Cave, Poisonous Waterfall, Corpse Emperor Yu Ding Tian, Human Smoke Mountain Range

Organizations

• Clans: Ba Clan/Southern Border, Bai Clan (Qing Mao Mountain), Chai Clan, Che Clan, Chen Clan, Chi Clan, Da Fang Clan, Fei Clan, Gu Yue Clan, Hou Clan, Huang Clan/Southern Border, Jia Clan, Jin Clan, Ju Clan, Lei Clan, Li Clan, Lin Clan, Luo Clan, Ni Clan/Southern Border, Qi Clan, Qiao Clan, Shang Clan, Tie Clan, Tu Clan, Wu Clan, Xia Clan/Southern Border, Xiao Clan/Southern Border, Xiong Clan, Yang Clan, Yao Clan, Yi Clan, Yu Clan, Yun Clan, Zhou Clan (Destroyed)
• Other Organizations: Zombie Alliance, Shadow Sect

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Central Continent

• Area: ~50,000,000 km2 (smallest but most powerful)
• Description: The strongest region, ruled by 10 Great Ancient Sects, who serve as auxiliary forces of the Heavenly Court.
• Environment: Extremely rich in primordial energy.

Locations

• Regions: Land of Bu Bai, Reincarnation Battlefield
• Islands: Profound Ice Island
• Mountains: Fei He Mountain, Tian Ti Mountain, Five Virtues Mountain, Hairy Foot Mountain, True Yang Mountain Range, Xuanwu Mountain Range
• Underground: Earth Abyss, An Zu Earth Trench
• Rivers: Falling Heavenly River, Pot River
• Valleys: Ming Tang Valley, Broken Sword Valley
• Other: Heavenly Pool, Hidden Dragon Cave

Organizations

• Clans: Meng Clan (dream realm)
• Sects: Heavenly Court, Ancient Soul Sect, Black Heaven Temple, Combat Immortal Sect, Heaven's Envy Manor, Heavenly Lotus Sect, Immortal Crane Sect, Myriad Dragon Dock, Spirit Affinity House, Spirit Butterfly Valley, Wind Cloud Manor
• Other Organizations: Defy

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Immemorial Nine Heavens

During the Immemorial Antiquity Era, The world of Cultivators had nine heavens in the sky, it was called "Immemorial Nine Heavens". Immemorial Nine Heavens consisted of White Heaven, Red Heaven, Orange Heaven, Yellow Heaven, Green Heaven, Azure Heaven, Blue Heaven, Purple Heaven, and Black Heaven. The Immemorial Nine Heavens were a part of the large world of Cultivators. The Immemorial Nine Heavens were nine different worlds. Originally, the Immemorial Nine Heavens would take turns to loom over the five regions at set intervals. The sky of the Immemorial Antiquity Era was connected to the ground.

World of Heaven The Immemorial Nine Heavens had plentiful resources but were also danger zones. The benefits there were accompanied by risks.

Astral Qi Astral Qi was the heaven qi found up in the nine heavens. The Immemorial Nine Heavens had the "Heavenly Wind Qi Wall" or also known as "thick wall of astral qi / Astral Qi Wall", only very strong Immortals could force their way in and explore the nine heavens.

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Legendary Locations

• Lou Po Valley

Luo Po Valley is a place that is mainly used for refining the soul of a cultivator. Luo Po Valley's terrain was complex like a maze. Inside Luo Po Valley, there is the "Bewilderment Fog" that can loosen the soul, there is also the "Luo Po Wind" that can cut the soul. After the torture and trials, the soul of the cultivator will become more refined and condensed. Luo Po Valley is a legendary place recorded in the legends of the First Human.

Heavenly Demon Thieving Sky left behind his inheritance in Luo Po Valley. The rumor say his inheritance in Luo Po Valley contain Rank 9 defensive immortal killer move "Ghostly Concealment".

• The Door of Life and Death

The Door of Life and Death is a forbidden ground not inferior to the River of Time, there is an extremely wide area inside, reflecting the five regions of the main world.

Legend says that behind the Door of Life and Death holds the secrets of life and death, if a person can comprehend it completely, they would be able to control life and death itself.

The Door of Life and Death was a big deal, it was recorded in legends of the First Human, a secret forbidden land in ancient times. It was similar to the "River of Time" and "Ordinary Abyss".

After Fate Dao Gift was broken by Heavently Demon Red Lotus, souls in the World were no longer sucked directly into the Door of Life and Death, thus zombies were born.

• Dang Hun Mountain

Dang Hun Mountain was like crystal, it is tall and large, like a mountain. Its appearance was half-translucent, like illusions, and it was pink throughout, emitting the colors like a scene from dreams. Dang Hun Palace is a place where the owner of Dang Hun Mountain stay in.

Dang Hun Mountain's power could suppress and shook souls, it was the death grounds of all living beings. As long as any living creature enters the range of Dang Hun Mountain, their soul would receive a shock. The closer they get to the peak of Dang Hun Mountain, the stronger the force of the shock would be. Many living beings don't have strong souls and their soul would often scatter when they reach halfway up the mountain.

Dang Hun Mountain was not only a death ground, it also place best at strengthening soul. When the souls of living beings break into pieces on the mountain, scattering and fusing with the mountain, as a result, it would produces a Gutstone, and inside Gutstone there will be Guts Dao Gift. The uses of Guts Dao Gift is to strengthen a Master's soul.

• River of Time

The River of Time is a secluded domain of heaven and earth that exists in Gu world, unceasingly flowing through the past, the present, and the future. In legends it is hailed as the river that supports the Gu world’s time flow and circulation, connecting the beginning and the end. Its irrigation, allowing the world to operate normally and changes to take place, for things to be born, for things to grow and prosper, and for things to wither away and die in an endless cycle. Without it, everything would be as still as a painting. Everything in the world is like a fish in this river that is carried by its currents and tides, following its flow downwards. It is also known as a forbidden area in the Great Dao, in which mortals are not allowed to traverse it.

• Ordinary Abyss

Ordinary Abyss' appearance is based on the perception of those within it. Those who dislike it will see it as foul place, while those who like it will think it is a heaven.

• Reverse Flow River

Reverse Flow River was a secluded domain of heaven and earth.

The Reverse Flow River was not ordinary, it has an incredibly large number of Dao Marks, and has its own rules. Humans aspired to move up the social ladder, while water flowed downwards due to gravity. As long as one falls into Reverse Flow River, even Rank 8 great experts cannot use any Dao Gift. ]

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2. [

Races: Humans, Spiritual Beings

Humans

Humans were the most ordinary and weakest race initially, but after mastering Qi, they gradually became the dominant life form in Wan Dao.

Spiritual Beings

Beings of diverse races—from worms to demons and sacred entities, from insects to mythical creatures.

• Do not reincarnate—their souls dissolve upon death.
• Can visit their domain in an astral form.]

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3. [

Dao Gift

• Dao Gift is the essence of heaven and earth, the fundamental truth of the world itself. It manifests as a Dao Mark on a creature or object, granting it unique properties.

Righteous Sects' Tradition

• In Righteous Sects, children undergo a Qi Sensitivity Test at age 9. Those who pass are sent to their sect’s academy to study Cultivation.
• At 18, a cultivator chooses their Life Dao Gift, which determines their future path. Changing one’s Life Dao Gift is extremely difficult—it becomes imprinted in their aperture.

Ranks and Limitations

• Dao Gifts follow a 10-Rank system (1–10). Higher ranks grant greater power.
• A cultivator cannot use a Dao Gift above their own rank without paying a severe price.

Killer Moves

• Killer Moves are combinations of Dao Gifts that produce unique effects when used together (e.g., special attacks, defenses, or traits). Example:
  • Dao Gift: Flame Tongues +
  • Dao Gift: Blade +
  • Dao Gift: Eastern Winds = → A blazing sword wreathed in fire.

Creation and Refinement

• Dao Gifts can be created or upgraded in rank. This art is practiced by masters of the Path of Refinement. ]

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4. [

Human Cultivation

Humans possess and can utilize Qi. In Righteous Clans, at age 18 they choose their Life Dao Gift which determines their future path. Changing one's Life Dao Gift is extremely difficult.

Cultivators are divided into 10 Ranks, each corresponding to their Realm:

1. Young Soul (Qi Manipulation) / Novice

   • Learns to sense and control Qi
   • Forms a Qi Core, then expands and detonates it to create a miniature dimension in their soul - the aperture
   • Barely stronger than an average mortal
   • Peak destructive capability: Slightly above normal human

2. Celestial Wanderer (Soul Sea Formation) / Advanced

   • Begins forming a Sea of Soul from Qi within their aperture
   • Converts Qi into Qi Water to fill the sea
   • Peak capability: Can defeat multiple elite mortals; can destroy a one-story house

3. Dao Elder (Soul Sea Reinforcement) / Expert

   • Expands aperture and constructs Qi Walls to contain the Sea of Soul
   • Failure risks catastrophic Qi backlash
   • Peak capability: Can single-handedly conquer a small village

4. Qi Conqueror (Sea Ascension) / Master

   • Integrates their Dao Gift into the reinforced Sea of Soul
   • Mortal world peak: Capable of threatening small cities
   • Typical clan elder level

5. Transcendent Soul (Immortal Land Formation) / Demi-Saint

   • Forms Immortal Land within expanded aperture
   • Gains extended lifespan as aperture becomes immortal
   • Potential: Large city-level destruction

6. Immortal/Demon Lord (Immortal Land Expansion) / Saint

   • Survives 3 Earthly and 2 Heavenly Tribulations
   • Maximizes Immortal Land size
   • Destructive power: Small mountain scale

7. True Sovereign (Immortal Land Ascension) / Sovereign

   • Endures 4 Heavenly Tribulations and 2 Great Sorrows
   • Elevates Immortal Land to Heavenly Grotto
   • Power: Can destroy large mountains

8. Transcendent Emperor (Heaven Formation) / Emperor

   • Creates Heavens within the Heavenly Grotto
   • Establishes day/night cycle in the Grotto
   • Survives 3 Great Sorrows and 1 Myriad Sorrows
   • Combat scale: Island-level destruction (aerial battles required)

9. Heavenly Immortal/Demon (Heaven Reinforcement) / Angel

   • Comprehends world truths to strengthen Heavens
   • Endures 2 Myriad Sorrows and 1 Chaotic Catastrophe
   • Must surpass Wan Dao world by absorbing a Rank 10 Heavenly Grotto
   • Power: Continent-level destruction (ignores Regional Walls)

10. Immortal/Demon Venerable (Heavenly Supremacy) / God

• The absolute pinnacle (only one can exist per world)
• Wan Dao world becomes part of their Heavenly Grotto
• Capability: World-ending power

Progression Stages Between Realms

• Minor Stage
• Middle Stage
• High Stage
• Peak Stage

Blessed Land

Upon ascension (Rank 5), a cultivator's aperture becomes an Immortal Aperture containing a Blessed Land:

• Exists in separate space with time dilation (e.g., 1:30 time ratio)
• Qi density dozens of times greater than external world
• Topography reflects cultivator's mortal experiences
• Can be absorbed after owner's death
• Must be anchored during tribulations

Heavenly Grotto (Rank 8+):

• Blessed Land undergoes qualitative transformation
• Contains numerous Dao Gifts
• Can only be fully manifested in the Nine Heavens during tribulations ]

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5. [

Evolution of Spiritual Beings

Spiritual beings encompass diverse races—from worms to demons and sacred entities. They may possess intelligence or exist as mindless entities.

Key Traits

• Unlike humans, they cannot use Qi. Instead, they wield Cursed Energy—their unique power source.
• No reincarnation cycle—their souls dissolve upon death.
• Can astrally project to visit their domain.

Core System (10 Cores)

• Each core alters their true form (e.g., a kitsune gains an additional tail per core).
• Size and minor physical traits evolve with each core.

Power Growth

• Methods:
  1. Devouring other spiritual beings.
  2. Symbiotic contracts with humans (may consume their partner for energy, but at a cost to their soul).
• Maximum Life Fusion: Can reincarnate with their human partner. If the human dies, the spiritual being perishes and enters the human’s reincarnation cycle.

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10 Ranks = 10 Cores

1. Beast
2. Monster
3. Abomination
4. Curse
5. Horror
6. Fallen
7. Demon
8. Devil
9. Tyrant
10. Titan

• Destructive potential mirrors equivalent human cultivator ranks.

Rank Advancement

• Simpler than human cultivation: Accumulate Cursed Energy over time.
  • Natural progression: 1,000 years per core.
  • Accelerated: Devouring other spiritual beings.
• Contract Bonus:
  • Residing in a cultivator’s Blessed Land or Heavenly Grotto (exploits time dilation for faster growth).
• Limitation: Cannot surpass Rank 9 alone. To reach Rank 10, must bond with a cultivator.

Contract Risks

• Consuming a partner grants energy but corrupts the spiritual being’s soul.
• Life-Fused pairs: Death of the cultivator kills the spiritual being. ]

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6 [

Great People

• Dark Side God Demon Venerable The 8th Heavenly Rank 9 in history Emerged during late Late Antiquity Era (Fourth Timeline Era) Ascended to Rank 10 through unknown means during Era transition Founder of the Path of Fate

• Heavenly Immortal True Sun The 7th Heavenly Rank 9 in history Emerged mid-Late Antiquity Era (Fourth Timeline Era) Third Ruler of the Heavenly Court Founder of the Path of Lucks

• Heavenly Immortal Star Constellation The 3rd Heavenly Rank 9 in history Emerged late Remote Antiquity Era (Second Timeline Era) Second Ruler of the Heavenly Court Founder of the Path of Wisdom and Path of Stars

• Heavenly Immortal Great Dreams The 1st Heavenly Rank 9 in history Emerged early Remote Antiquity Era (Second Timeline Era) Creator of the Heavenly Court (enduring for 3+ million years) Founder of the Path of Dreams

• Heavenly Demon Thieving Sky The 6th Heavenly Rank 9 in history Emerged early Late Antiquity Era (Fourth Timeline Era) Creator of the Path of Theft

• Great Wish Immortal Venerable The 2nd Heavenly Rank 9 in history Emerged mid-Remote Antiquity Era (Second Timeline Era) Vanished mysteriously at era's end, presumed dead until Fourth Era's conclusion Achieved Rank 10 ascension during Era transition by unknown means Founder of the Path of Wish

• Heavenly Demon Reckless Savage The 4th Heavenly Rank 9 in history Emerged mid-Olden Antiquity Era (Third Timeline Era) Creator of the Path of Strength and Path of Transformation

• Heavenly Demon Red Lotus The 5th Heavenly Rank 9 in history Emerged late Olden Antiquity Era (Third Timeline Era) Creator of the Path of Time ]

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7. [

Paths and Mastery

Paths

1. Path of Soul - A path in which cultivators strengthen and elevate their soul. Due to the requirement of consuming souls, it is mostly cultivated in secret. There are other paths that require soul path cultivation to exhibit their full potential, like enslavement path or wisdom path. Soul path attacks are specifically targeted at the soul and not primarily against a foe's body, and as such soul path defenses are targeted to protect the soul from injury.
2. Path of Luck - A mysterious path that is used to influence the ethereal luck. Users of this path strife to increase their luck (or those close to them) and decrease the luck mainly of their enemies.
3. Path of Time - One of the first two paths (the other being space path) to be cultivated by Masters, a wondrous path with which time can be manipulated. Reversing, halting or accelerating time is possible but due to its nature, one needs to have a high enough attainment to use it offensively. This path is closely related to how fast the time in one's aperture flows after immortal ascension. If utilized correctly users can decelerate or even temporarily halt the time in an immortal aperture. Therefore cultivators of time path are sought out to help to delay one's tribulations.
4. Path of Refinement - A path that excels at refining materials and Dao Gift. Cultivators of this path have an easier time refining or reverse-refining Dao Gift. It is a highly regarded path but due to it being costly to refine Dao Gift it's one of the paths that's harder to cultivate and increase attainment in.
5. Path of Ice - A path that uses ice.
6. Path of Snow - A path that uses snow.
7. Path of Wish - Note: Nothing specific is known about this path yet.
8. Path of Fate - Note: Nothing specific is known about this path yet.
9. Path of Wisdom - A path that greatly relies upon one's mind to generate thoughts and make deductions. Wisdom path Masters specialize in different kinds of deductions which means, for example, one can be better at deducing Dao Gift recipes than deducing an enemy's whereabouts. Users that cultivate wisdom path are scarce and mostly reclusive, instead of openly fighting they rely on creating schemes for their enemies to fall in. The scarcity is mostly due to the lack of complete inheritances as well as strict control and reluctance to trade inheritances away. The central aspects of wisdom path are thoughts, wills, and emotions, and therefore this path's methods include expendable wills that can be infused into other people, which can unconsciously influence their target's thoughts and emotions. The wills can store memories or information and can be retrieved. Its sub-paths are focused on emotions.
10. Path of Stars - A path that uses 'stars'.
11. Path of Blood - A path that has low cultivation requirements and excels in attack power. It is despised and restricted by the righteous path (although most righteous forces secretly research it) and even demonic path cultivators are wary of blood path cultivators. With a high enough notoriety blood path cultivators may even be pursued by the Heavenly Court.
12. Path of the Sword - A path that excels at single target damage through cutting and piercing. It is hailed as one of the five strongest paths regarding it's offensive capabilities in the current era.
13. Path of Bones - A path where cultivators use "external bones" in the form of bone path Dao Gift to practice different actions or their own bones by changing their shape and structure.
14. Path of Clouds - A path that uses clouds.
15. Path of Wind - A path that uses wind and air currents.
16. Path of Earth - A path that uses elements like rocks, earth, and mud.
17. Path of Dreams - A mysterious path that is emerging more and more in the current era. Cultivators of this path explore dream realms in which they can refine dream path Dao Gift. High ranking Masters dreams allow the cultivator to obtain attainment levels quickly and in vast amounts, something that would normally take them decades worth of effort, if not more.
18. Path of Strength - A declining path yet is found to be cultivated by many on the side. It has low requirements and relies mainly on strengthening the body or temporarily and explosively emulating the strength of beasts through the usage of Dao Gift.
19. Path of Transformation - A path that uses transformations to change into another creature/being. It is a path with low entry requirements in which cultivators use Dao Gift's to transform into beasts with the beast's corresponding dao marks. In this state, they also experience the typical amplification from the converted dao marks. A major drawback is that after each transformation the dao marks need to be cleansed off, which takes time and effort both of which are limited during a fight. There are also other applications of transformation path like turning into different people, this can help in surveillance, intelligence work and setting up ambushes. Cultivators of this path have to take precautions as to not disregard the time limit of their specific transformation if ignored this can lead to a permanent transformation into whatever they are transformed too currently. Most notable examples are transforming into a zombie, a tree spirit or a beast.
20. Path of Theft - A unique path that helps its users to take hold of others' possessions.
21. Path of Space - One of the first two paths (the other being time path) to be cultivated by Masters, a peculiar path that specializes mostly in travel through space. The most notable is by bending space or teleportation. This path is also closely related to how much space one's aperture might gain after immortal ascension. Immortals proficient enough in this path can also manipulate the space of apertures and are sought after by others to expand the space of their immortal apertures.
22. Path of Rules - An abstract path that uses rules (also known) as laws of nature.
23. Path of Restrictions - Rule path's sub-path which is concerned with rules that restrict others in various ways.
24. Path of Emotions - Emotion path can create all sorts of emotions, for example, to bolster the fighting spirit of allies or creating feelings of inhibitions in attacking the emotion path Master.
25. Path of Enslavement - A path that mostly uses beasts, plants or (variant-) humans, to fight for the Master. The more beasts the user has to control the higher the required soul foundation is. The user can enslave higher ranking beasts such as beast kings and indirectly control a high number of lower-ranked beasts without using their soul's capacity. Due to the high maintenance and costs of the beasts, not many cultivate this path even in a righteous clan/tribe/sect more than one might already be a financial burden.
26. Path of Cosmos - Note: Nothing specific is known about this path yet.
27. Path of Humanity - An unfathomable and ancient path that specializes in the creation of human vessels, aspects of humans and human-life itself.
28. Path of Heaven - A profound path of heaven itself and its encompassing aspects.
29. Path of Illusions - A path that uses illusions to misguide and confuse the enemy.
30. Path of Information - A path that is mainly used for creating agreements for cooperation or other means like transactions. Cultivators of this path may have to cultivate another path to compensate for the low battle strength of information path. With high enough attainment users of this path may be able to break agreements.
31. Path of Light - A path that uses light. (There are 'different' kinds of light that can create remarkable effects, like the light of the immemorial era).
32. Path of Lightning - A highly destructive path that uses lightning.
33. Path of Darkness - A path that mainly uses shadows and darkness.
34. Path of Shadows - Minor path seemingly related to illusions.[10] It encompasses both light and dark path.
35. Path of Qi - A once declining but now flourishing path that uses the numerous types of formless qi.
36. Path of Poison - A path that uses poisons and venoms.
37. Path of Sound - A minor path that uses sound transmission. Sound path has the advantage that its effects could travel easily, with relatively little conflict of dao marks.
38. Path of Wood - A path that uses plants, trees, and other forms of vegetation.
39. Path of Water - A path that uses water and liquids closely related to water.
40. Path of Blade - A path that allows one to create blade lights to attack enemies. Nothing else is known so far about this path other than the heavy marks left in a segment of the River of Time by the rank 8 experts from the Late Antiquity Era.
41. Path of Fire - A path that uses fire.
42. Path of Formation - A path that could be said to encompass all other paths and is therefore considered the most complicated path. Its specialty is mostly to create persistent Dao Gift formations that create a specific effect when used, for example, a battle formation to suppress foes, or a teleportation formation to travel far distances. Due to the need of having to have high attainment in other paths to use this path effectively, not many experts of this path exist and their number is only second to wisdom path cultivators in rarity.
43. Path of Killing - A brand new path created in Great Era centered around slaughter and killing.
44. Path of Metal - A path that uses metals and possesses high defensive capabilities.

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Mastery

| # | Realm | Information | |---|--------|------------| | 1 | Ordinary | Equivalent to mortal Masters in their main Path. Most mortal Masters never surpass this level in their lifetime. | | 2 | Quasi-Master | Typically geniuses or highly experienced mortal Masters. | | 3 | Master | Comparable to Rank 6 Immortals in their Path. Extremely rare—only about five in a million reach this level. Mastery turns techniques into an art form, requiring either innate talent or lifelong dedication. Grants intuitive understanding of the Path. (e.g., a Master of the Transformation Path can balance three types of Dao Marks.) | | 4 | Quasi-Grandmaster | Elite among Rank 6 Immortals. | | 5 | Grandmaster | Matches Rank 7 Immortals. Requires centuries of study. A Grandmaster can mimic other Paths' traits through deep comprehension of their own. | | 6 | Quasi-Great Grandmaster | Rarer than Grandmasters; typically Rank 7 elites or some Rank 8s. | | 7 | Great Grandmaster | Equivalent to Rank 8 Immortals. Demands millennia of accumulation. Allows manipulation of natural Dao Marks and near-complete mastery of the Path. | | 8 | Quasi-Supreme Grandmaster | Few emerge even over thousands of years. | | 9 | Supreme Grandmaster | Matches Rank 9 Immortals. Achievable only through transcendent talent. Supreme Grandmasters innovate beyond worldly limits, uncovering hidden truths of their Path. At this level, one can refine all natural Dao Marks of their Path to become a Dao Lord, turning the world itself into their "killer move." Hypothetically, they may create self-sustaining techniques that bypass immortal essence requirements. | ]

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Inheritance

An inheritance (or legacy) is a broad term encompassing various assets and knowledge passed down, including:

1. Resources & Materials

• Refinement Materials
• Immortal Aperture(s)
• Blessed Land(s)
• Grotto-Heaven(s)

2. Dao Gifts & Immortal Dao Gifts

• Dao Gifts
• Immortal Dao Gifts

3. Knowledge

• True Meaning
• Cultivation Knowledge
• Dao Gift Recipes

4. Techniques

• Killer Moves
• Dao Gift Formations
• Dao Gift House

5. Other Inheritances

• The Creator’s Will
• Miscellaneous Items
• Properties & Land
• Servants ]

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Eras

1. Immemorial Antiquity Era – The first Era, where no humans existed until the emergence of a new life form: "Humans."

2. Remote Antiquity Era – The second Era of deep antiquity, existing three million years ago.

   • During this era, Heavenly Immortal Great Dreams founded the Heavenly Court—an organization of righteous cultivators.
   • Membership was restricted to Rank 8 and above.
   • Their duty was to enforce the Will of Heaven.

3. Olden Antiquity Era – The third Era, existing one million years ago.

4. Late Antiquity Era – The fourth Era, existing three hundred thousand years ago.

5. Current Era – The fifth and present Era, which began ??? years ago. ]

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