In every universe throughout the omniverse, there is ambient Qi.
In the lower universes, ambient Qi is generally referred to as World Qi.
The higher the universe, the higher the ambient density of Qi.
Living beings absorb World Qi and refine it into Internal Qi to strengthen themselves and extend their lifespans.
There are many different ways to do this, from simply breathing and eating, to more complex methods like Cultivation Techniques.
There are 3 basic types of Internal Qi living beings use, Spirit Qi, Martial Qi, and Soul Qi.
Spirit Qi is circulated through the meridians and is stored in the dantian.
Martial Qi circulates through the blood and is stored in the heart.
Soul Qi circulates through the nerves and is stored in the Soul Sea, typically located in the brain.
Human Cultivation Realms:
The most common human cultivation system is divided into Grand Realms, Major Realms, and Minor Realms with Grand Realms being the broadest category and Minor Realms being the narrowest.
Being in a higher Realm doesn't necessarily make you stronger than someone in a lower Realm. There are many factors affecting 'strength', such as size, build, training, technique, etc.
The Grand Mortal Realm (aka the Four Mortal Realms or just the Mortal Realm):
In this Grand Realm, humans are typically referred to as Practitioners rather than Cultivators as it is seen primarily as a preparatory phase before true cultivation begins.
Divided into 4 Major Realms, each of which is divided into 10 Minor Realms known as Steps.
Body Tempering Realm: Average lifespan: 75 years
Vein Opening Realm: Average lifespan: 90 years
Core Formation Realm: 110 years
Sea Establishment Realm: 120 years
All humans are born at the First Step Body Tempering Realm.
Lifespan varies widely from place to place, situation to situation.
Awakening:
This is the process by which Mortal Realm Practitioners step onto the true path of cultivation and become full-fledged Cultivators.
The Grand Spirit Realm (aka the Five Spirit Realms or just the Spirit Realms):
Divided in 5 Major Realms, each divided into 4 Minor Realms known as Ranks.
Specifically, Low, Mid, High, and Peak-Rank.
Further divided into 3 different Cultivation Systems (Spirit, Martial, and Soul), which can all be cultivated separately, but are generally at least someone interconnected.
ie: One can have a higher Spirit Cultivation than Martial Cultivation or Soul Cultivation, but the gap is normally not too large when using conventional cultivation methods.
Spirit/Martial/Soul Initiate Realm: 300 years
Adept Realm: 500 years
Elite Realm: 800 years
Master Realm: 1,300 years
Grandmaster Realm: 2,000 years
Cultivation Techniques and Arts:
'Cultivation Techniques' is the broadest term used to describe any formal Technique or Art which is used to cultivate Qi, whether it be Spirit Qi, Martial Qi, or Soul Qi.
The Grade of a Technique essentially indicates what maximum Realm one can achieve by cultivating it. (There are, of course, exceptions)
Formal Naming Convention for Techniques:
____-Rank ______ Grade Tier _____
Example: Mid-Rank Mortal Grade Tier Two Technique
Colloquial Naming Convention:
____-Rank (Tier) (Grade)
Example: Mid-Rank 2 Mortal Art
Sometimes, when it's obvious, the Mortal or SpiritGrade descriptor will also be omitted, ie: Peak-Rank 2 Technique
Human Cultivation Realm Equivalences:
Four Mortal Realms:
All Mortal Realm Cultivation Techniques are 'Mortal Grade'
Low-Rank -> Stages 1-3
Mid-Rank -> Stages 4-6
High-Rank -> Stages 7-9
Peak-Rank -> Stage 10
Tier One-> Body Tempering
Tier Two -> Vein Opening
Tier Three -> Core Formation
Tier Four -> Sea Establishment
Five Spirit Realms:
All Spirit Realm Cultivation Techniques are 'Spirit Grade'
Low-Rank -> Low Rank etc...
Fifth Order -> Spirit/Martial/Soul Initiate
Sixth Order -> Adept
Seventh Order -> Elite
Eighth Order -> Master
Ninth Order -> Grandmaster
More Realms will be added later.
Fuller, more details explanations will be provided throughout the story and the chapters with those descriptions will be noted here for reference.