Kalen sat in quiet contemplation at the base of a massive waterfall, the roar of the crashing water drowning out all other sounds. He had come here to think, to solidify the plan that was taking shape in his mind. The Abyssal Sect and its remnants had to be destroyed, but to face them, Kalen knew he would need more than just his newfound balance between icefire and Abyssal power.
He needed to understand the greater path of cultivation—a path that stretched far beyond what he had already achieved. His strength had grown, but it was still nothing compared to the true titans of the world. And if he was to face them, he needed to understand every facet of the cultivation world in detail.
**"It's time to fully grasp the levels of power,"** Kalen muttered to himself. His mind drifted back to the teachings he'd absorbed from the Abyssal Sect’s archives, combined with his own insights.
---
### **The System of Cultivation: The Ascension of the Soul and Body**
Cultivation was not merely a path of gathering energy or gaining power—it was a transformation of the soul, body, and mind. To ascend was to break the shackles of mortality and reach a state of near-divinity. Below, Kalen began to piece together the levels of cultivation that lay before him.
#### **1. Qi Gathering Realm**
- **Focus**: The foundation of all cultivation. This realm is about absorbing the energy (Qi) from the world and refining it within one's body.
- **Purpose**: Strengthening the meridians, organs, and physical body to handle the influx of energy.
- **Stages**:
- **Early**: Basic absorption and refinement of Qi.
- **Middle**: Greater capacity to hold and circulate Qi.
- **Peak**: Perfect control over one's own Qi flow, allowing for extended battles or techniques.
This was the realm every cultivator began in, the initial stage of growth. Kalen had long surpassed this level, but the foundations he'd laid here were crucial for everything that followed.
#### **2. Foundation Establishment Realm**
- **Focus**: Building a stable base of power and refining the Qi within the body into a purer form.
- **Purpose**: Establishing the "foundation" of one's cultivation. This involves creating a solid connection between the physical body and spiritual energy, allowing a cultivator to use more advanced techniques.
- **Stages**:
- **Early**: Beginning to form a stable dantian.
- **Middle**: Enhancing the strength of one's dantian and meridians.
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
- **Peak**: The dantian becomes like a reservoir of energy, allowing for the use of more advanced techniques and deeper insights into the nature of Qi.
Kalen's battle with the Black Sect had forced him to advance rapidly through this realm. His mastery of icefire had required an incredibly stable foundation, and the Abyssal energy had only accelerated his growth.
#### **3. Core Formation Realm**
- **Focus**: The merging of one's Qi into a central core of energy that radiates power. This core is what allows cultivators to transcend normal human limits.
- **Purpose**: Creating a solid, condensed core of energy that can be called upon for tremendous feats. This realm marks the beginning of a cultivator's journey into true power.
- **Stages**:
- **Early**: Forming the core by compressing the refined Qi in the dantian.
- **Middle**: Strengthening the core, allowing it to store greater amounts of energy.
- **Peak**: The core becomes an almost indestructible source of power, allowing the cultivator to unleash devastating techniques.
This was where Kalen currently stood—a Core Formation cultivator, but with the added complexity of the Abyss and icefire Qi in harmony within him. His core was different from others; it pulsed with both destruction and creation, a volatile balance that gave him unparalleled strength but also immense risk.
#### **4. Nascent Soul Realm**
- **Focus**: The birth of the Nascent Soul—a reflection of the cultivator’s inner self, formed from the core. This stage involves the merging of body, soul, and Qi into a more spiritual form.
- **Purpose**: At this level, the cultivator transcends the limitations of the physical body. They can interact with spiritual forces on a deeper level, and their attacks become imbued with their soul’s intent.
- **Stages**:
- **Early**: The Nascent Soul is fragile and newly formed.
- **Middle**: The Nascent Soul grows stronger, allowing the cultivator to project their will and Qi outward.
- **Peak**: The Nascent Soul becomes a powerful entity in its own right, granting the cultivator near-immortality in terms of lifespan and strength.
Kalen had glimpsed this stage in his battles. The Abyssal Sect’s most powerful members had been Nascent Soul cultivators, able to call upon vast reserves of power. But he knew that this level was just the beginning of the true path to immortality.
#### **5. Soul Sea Realm**
- **Focus**: The cultivator expands the Nascent Soul into a vast "Soul Sea"—a limitless ocean of energy and spiritual power within themselves.
- **Purpose**: This stage grants a cultivator incredible power over the spiritual world. They can commune with spirits, control the elements, and their mastery over Qi becomes nearly divine. Their techniques gain immense range and destructive potential.
- **Stages**:
- **Early**: The Soul Sea begins to form, giving the cultivator control over a vast amount of spiritual power.
- **Middle**: The Soul Sea deepens, expanding the cultivator’s abilities to affect the world around them.
- **Peak**: The Soul Sea becomes endless, and the cultivator’s techniques are capable of reshaping landscapes, controlling weather, or summoning spiritual phenomena.
#### **6. Void Transformation Realm**
- **Focus**: The cultivation of the void—the ability to merge with the world around oneself and become one with the laws of existence.
- **Purpose**: At this stage, the cultivator learns to manipulate space, time, and reality. They can traverse vast distances in the blink of an eye, hide themselves from the fabric of reality, and wield power that rivals the gods.
- **Stages**:
- **Early**: The cultivator begins to perceive and manipulate the fabric of space and time.
- **Middle**: Mastery over the void allows for near-instantaneous movement and attacks that defy reality.
- **Peak**: The cultivator becomes a being of pure energy, able to transcend the physical world entirely.
---
Kalen paused, his mind turning over these levels of cultivation. He had already come so far, but he was still at the beginning of a much larger journey. To survive the battles ahead, to destroy the remnants of the Abyssal Sect and fend off those who hunted him, he would need to push beyond his current limits. The Core Formation Realm was a significant milestone, but the Nascent Soul and beyond were where true power lay.
He stood up, the roar of the waterfall fading into the background. His path was clear. He had to push toward the Nascent Soul Realm and beyond, all while balancing the two forces within him. The icefire and Abyss were not obstacles—they were his keys to unlocking greater heights.
---
The next chapter of his journey had begun. The remnants of the Abyss would not wait, and the hunters would come soon. But Kalen was ready. With each step forward, he could feel the energy within him growing, and the path to ascension stretching out before him.
**"I’ll reach the Nascent Soul Realm soon,"** he whispered, determination flaring in his eyes. **"And when I do, the Abyss will truly be under my control."**