Before Jin was born, the planet Detrox had long been governed by unseen forces, powers that shaped existence.
Elementalists wielded these forces, bending nature itself to their will. Fire, the essence of destruction and rebirth, incinerated all in its path and granted strength in the face of adversity. Water, the lifeblood of creation, could heal, drown, or shape the tides of fate. Wind, the whisper of freedom, gave speed, agility, and command over storms that raged across the heavens. Earth, the foundation of stability, provided unmatched resilience and control over mountains, forests, and the very ground beneath one's feet.
But there were rarer elements, whispered only in legend. Lightning, raw and untamed, capable of striking with divine wrath. Ice, the frozen grip of death and preservation, manipulating the balance of life itself. Shadow, the force of secrecy and deception, bending the veil between reality and the unknown. Light, the most elusive of all, wielded only by those who could peer into the truth of existence.
Cultivation was the key to mastering these forces, divided into three paths; Elemental Cultivation, Body Cultivation, and Soul Cultivation.
Elemental Cultivation granted mastery over the forces of nature, allowing practitioners to wield fire, water, wind, earth, and other elements to shape the world around them.
Body Cultivation focused on refining the physical form, forging warriors whose strength could rival mountains and whose endurance could defy time itself.
Soul Cultivation delved into the depths of consciousness, unlocking the secrets of existence, perception, and the ability to transcend mortal limitations.
Each path had nine realms, beginning at the basics and ascending toward absolute mastery.
The Mortal Realm was the foundation, where all cultivators began. Ordinary men and women with no connection to power, living their lives unaware of the vast forces beyond their reach. Yet within them lay a dormant spark, waiting for the moment of awakening.
Beyond mortality was the Initiate Realm, where individuals first touched the energy of their chosen path. Elementalists connected to their first element, Body cultivators strengthened their physical forms, and Soul cultivators began expanding their consciousness.
The Adept Realm followed, where discipline shaped ability. Elementalists refined their control, shaping their elements with precision. Body cultivators shattered human limits, gaining strength beyond natural comprehension. Soul cultivators sharpened their awareness, unlocking hidden truths within the universe.
After the Adept Realm came the Refinement Realm, where cultivators purified their techniques, eliminating weaknesses and honing their abilities to perfection. Elementalists balanced raw power with control, Body cultivators tempered their endurance with efficiency, and Soul cultivators deepened their understanding of existence.
The Grandmaster Realm followed, marking the highest level ever reached on planet Detrox. Here, cultivators stood at the peak of their craft, their mastery undisputed. However, they remained bound to their world, unable to break free from the constraints of their reality.
Then came the Zenith Realm, where a select few shattered the limits of their planet. At this level, practitioners unlocked the ability to traverse the vast universe, stepping beyond Detrox and venturing into the unknown.
The Master Realm followed, where power became second nature. Elementalists wielded their forces effortlessly, commanding storms and shaping landscapes. Body cultivators became unstoppable warriors, their resilience unmatched. Soul cultivators could manipulate perception itself, transcending ordinary understanding.
The eighth stage, the Ascendant Realm, marked the threshold between mortality and something greater. Those who reached this level no longer lived as mere beings, they became their power. Elementalists merged with the forces they commanded. Body cultivators defied natural limitations. Soul cultivators bent reality itself.
But beyond the Ascendant Realm lay the Transcendent Realm, the ultimate frontier. Here, practitioners reached heights unseen, stepping beyond the limits of their world and unlocking the secrets of existence itself.
Yet on planet Detrox, none had ever managed to ascend beyond the Grandmaster Realm.
Until the birth of Jin.