Cultivation

Though the process (cultivation method) itself varies and the effects can display a range of efficacy a few things will never change, as one cultivates they're able to gather and harness more energy and use that energy to purify and alter their forms. Even the strongest mortal warrior has less strength, speed, durability, vitality, and other physical attributes than even the lowest level cultivator - even if that cultivator started out as a frail youth. Likewise, though some scholars can be praised to the heavens they're actual mental acuity, senses, ability to process information, and intelligence (not to mention the wisdom gained over an increased lifespan) pale in comparison even to the "lowly" beast that has awakened sentience and embarked upon the path of cultivation. Even the most sickly invalid can become immortal, given the proper combination of talent, persistence, and chance. In short, once one embarks upon the path of cultivation they leave mortals behind in every way - except, perhaps, morally.

Cultivation Levels

Divided in two ways, stage and rank, Cultivation Levels are (usually) what determines how far one has advanced in Cultivation and by extent how powerful they are. Be it one's personal Cultivation Method, the cultivation of one of the Natural Physiques, Divine Abilities, or Spells they're divided into Early, Mid, Late, and Peak stages within each rank. Ranks, however, are determined by many things - the aforementioned components are usually divided into Initial, Success, and Completion based on how well you've mastered them but each race has their own categories for the overall cultivation levels within the group - for example, Humans are categorized as such:

• Qi Condensation

• Foundation Establishment

• Core Formation

• Nascent Soul

Longevity

As one cultivates into higher cultivation levels their longevity increases, as reflected in their Life Wheel. Some cultivation methods focus more on the increased lifespan, others less, but on average it's an exponential growth - double what it was before. For example, using the most basic categorization of cultivation levels a Human which normally lives between 60 and 100 years would instead live:

• ~200 Years at Qi Condensation

• ~400 Years at Foundation Establishment

• ~800 Years at Core Formation

Power

Though harder to quantify than longevity, with much greater variation due to the fact that each cultivation method focuses on different things primarily (such as body refinement, qi refinement, alchemy, etc.) each cultivator nonetheless grows far more powerful than previously. Even the lowest Qi Condensation cultivator upon embarking upon the path of Cultivation is at least twice as capable than the average mortal - and their primary focus will always be even more powerful than that. As one increases in stage and rank they become even more powerful over time and a Peak stage cultivator of the same rank will be roughly twice as strong as they were when they were in the Low stage of that rank while each increase between Ranks often multiplies one's might by tenfold.

Divine Sense

Divine Sense, or Spiritual Sense, is an extrasensory ability cultivators gain once they reach the equivalent of a Human's Core Formation rank of cultivation level. This allows one to "see" everything within the range of their Divine Sense, but with the added benefit of essentially being every sense combined and then some as well as being one of the primary components and requirements for success within Alchemy, Formations, and other such auxiliary unorthodox cultivation methods. The range, and the detail with which one can see using their Divine Sense is primarily determined by the strength of their soul but can be increased in several ways - the easiest being by just cultivating to a higher rank while the rarest spirit treasures can directly increase one's Divine Sense, though such chances can only be hoped for and not sought.

Quality

Be it the Cultivation Method one pursues, one's Divine Abilities, or one's Natural Physiques some are innately better than others - maybe the Cultivation Method was created by a complete novice or the Divine Ability by one of the primordial Godfiends therefor they've been ranked based upon their quality. This ranking system is simple and easy categorization of Mortal, Earth, and Heaven but which rank they belong to depends highly upon how powerful it is and to what heights it can reach.

• Mortal rank is the lowest, either not very powerful or very limited... nonetheless Mortal rank is the most common. In fact Na'Conairí of Ihmisen Keh'to is an incomplete cultivation method which would rank at Mortal level.

• Earth Rank grant someone a significant advantage over others and are uncommon. The Conairí of Maitre Na'Daoine, Cosán Na'Tālamēla, when it is first created is considered an Earth ranked Cultivation Method since it only allows one to cultivate up to Immortal level - though it does improve to heaven ranked later.

• Heaven ranked, however is the peak - either insanely powerful from the beginning or granting a smooth path to become so. Sadly not only are they extremely rare but also just as extremely difficult to cultivate.