Dear Diary,
As I delve deeper into the cultivation manuals gifted to me, I find myself lost in nostalgic memories of when I first discovered these profound truths. The knowledge I gained provided insights into the intricacies of mana manipulation and the classification of strength among mana users. Let me share with you the wisdom I've acquired.
Within every living being, there exists a physical body, a mental body, and a mana body. The physical body is self-explanatory, serving as the tangible vessel that we inhabit. The mana body, on the other hand, is an ethereal replica of our physical form, coexisting in the same space. As we grow older, our mana body expands if necessary and becomes denser as its mana capacity increases.
The mental body, akin to the physical and mana bodies, is an exact replica of our physical form. Its primary function is to act as a conduit between the mana body and the physical body. Through training, the mental body becomes capable of generating and storing energy—an amalgamation of the physical world's energies and the mystical energies of mana.
Now, let's explore how strength is classified among mana users. Emitters, in particular, are classified based on two factors: the amount of mana they can utilize from within themselves and their ability to control mana from outside sources. Experts have the remarkable ability to calculate the amount and origin of mana being utilized, as well as the internal mana limit of an individual.
Emitters are awarded Star ranks for every 10% increment of their total mana that they can release and control from external sources. Initially, these ranks are referred to as Basic Star ranks. However, when an emitter achieves rank 10 in either category, they are bestowed with the title of a Full Star Rank, commonly known as a Star. Beyond this point, only Full Stars are granted to emitters. For instance, if an emitter can control 200% of the mana around them relative to their total mana, they would possess at least 2 full stars. It is worth noting that some exceptional individuals can learn to attain Full Stars by outputting more mana than they naturally possess.
Controllers, on the other hand, have a unique classification system known as Knots. While anyone sufficiently trained can perform actions similar to those of a controller, only a true controller can form a Knot within themselves. A Knot is a complex manipulation of the mana body, resembling a knot but made with mana. By creating a knot, a controller moves a portion of their mana body outside of their physical form, allowing them to control the shape and size of the knot. However, failure to create a knot may result in the loss of the mana involved in the attempt.
It is important to note that knots pose challenges for most cultivation methods, as they exist externally to the practitioner's body, mind, and soul. The number of knots formed determines the controller's rank, representing their mastery of this technique. Initially, some criticized the rank system for being solely based on the number of knots, but recent discoveries indicate that when the mana body recovers, the knot retains a percentage of the total mana relative to the mana body's size. For example, if a knot represents 10% of the mana body's size, it will always contain a maximum amount of mana equal to 10% of the total mana in the mana body, as long as their sizes remain unchanged.
Moving on to cultivators, their path is an entirely different endeavor. Cultivation encompasses three distinct types: Body Cultivation, Mind Cultivation, and Soul Cultivation. Body cultivation employs mana to strengthen the physical body, enhancing its toughness, strength, flexibility, and other desired attributes. Mind cultivation focuses on training the mind body, enhancing mental faculties such as memory retention and information processing. Soul cultivation is the art of refining the mana body, making it more efficient in utilizing mana and increasing its overall capacity. Additionally, as one progresses in soul cultivation, their soul gradually merges with the mana body, offering benefits such as increased resilience and regenerative capabilities. Furthermore, some practitioners even employ fragments of their soul to cast spells or create magical items, as it serves as a natural healing mechanism for the soul.
It is important to highlight that cultivation is not a passive endeavor. Cultivators must actively utilize their cultivation techniques to harness their true strength. Those who specialize in a single type of cultivation are classified based on ranks 1 to 10, which indicate the degree to which they can surpass their natural limits. For example, a body cultivator who can lift 200 kg with the aid of cultivation, compared to their natural capacity of 100kg, would be deemed a Rank 1 Body Cultivator. This ranking system applies to each cultivation type individually, reflecting the practitioner's mastery in that specific area. However, practitioners who excel in all three cultivation types simultaneously are known as True Cultivators.
Before I continue it is important to explain what exactly is cultivation. Cultivation is the act of circulating mana inside one's bodies in a certain way and fortifying them. If done right, the cultivation technique will create an ethereal circulatory system that once pumped with mana will strengthen the body in question as well as protect it from any harm that the amount of power it is currently using could cause.
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True Cultivators must achieve equal proficiency in body, mind, and soul cultivation before advancing to the next stage. Once accomplished, they are no longer restricted to the limitations of the Ki Gathering Stage, the initial stage of cultivation described in the ancient texts, where practitioners consolidate their mana and refine their bodies. Instead, True Cultivators can surpass the limitations of Rank 10 and continue their cultivation journey.
Upon surpassing the Ki Gathering Stage, cultivators enter the Ki Condensation Stage. In this stage, the three bodies—physical, mind, and mana—begin to merge, their energies harmonizing into a cohesive whole. Any energy produced or utilized by the bodies that does not leave the body is transformed in liquid mana, which is just a denser form of mana resembling water if touched in its pure form outside of the body. Ranks in the Ki Condensation Stage are granted when practitioners can exert 1000% or more power compared to their normal capabilities. Upon mastering this stage the practitioner can advance to the Core Creation Stage.
Entering the Core Creation Stage marks a significant milestone for cultivators. At this stage, the practitioner's physical body becomes the sole remaining entity, while the mind and mana bodies condense into a core within the practitioner's body. This core, nestled at the center of his body, houses the practitioner's soul and serves as a generator of mana. Ranks in this stage are granted based on the practitioner's ability to exert a certain percentage of their core's generated mana. Each rank signifies a 10000% increase in power compared to their natural abilities. Knots can still be created at this stage, although doing so comes at the cost of depleting a portion of the soul.
The subsequent stage is the Fusion Core Stage, where the core fuses with the soul and transcends its physical nature. Ranks in this stage are determined by the practitioner's ability to actively utilize a percentage of the mana generated by the core before it dissipates and blends with natural mana. Upon being able to wield 10% of the core's generated mana at any given moment, practitioners achieve a new rank. While knot creation remains possible and the recovery of the soul increases the maximum available mana one has once the soul fully heals, at this point it becomes irrelevant to any decent cultivator.
As the practitioner enters the Immortal Body Stage, the physical body fuses with the core, and the soul achieves complete harmony with it. At this stage, practitioners gain the ability to manifest their physical body or transcend into an ethereal state, where their soul roams freely. In this state, they attain near-immortality, as even a trace of their soul can regenerate their physical form and any piece of the soul will have the entirety of the practitioner's being. To progress in this stage and earn ranks, practitioners must comprehend, manipulate, control, and even create aspects of existence itself. These ranks are granted by the universe itself, signifying the practitioner's mastery over various facets of reality. Multiple aspects can be focused on simultaneously, and ranks are awarded independently for each mastered aspect. Once a practitioner reaches rank 10 in any aspect, they can proceed to the next stage. Additionally, practitioners in this stage lose the ability to create knots, and any existing knots vanish upon entering the Immortal Body Stage.
Beyond the Immortal Body Stage lies the Immortal Stage, where practitioners become interconnected with the universe. Even if their existence is erased, their soul will reemerge wherever mana exists. The Transcendent Stage follows, allowing practitioners to create pocket universes within themselves. Finally, the Saint Stage grants practitioners the power to generate complete parallel universes alongside their original one. These stages remain shrouded in mystery, and little information is available on how to progress or attain ranks within them.
It is vital to remember that cultivation progression often requires traversing tribulations. As practitioners advance from the Ki Condensation Stage and move toward subsequent stages, they experience a period of profound trial. During this time, they fall into a coma that lasts several minutes in the outside world while enduring visions of their worst fears and unimaginable pain. This tribulation tests their determination and resolves any remaining karma. The duration of this trial can vary from days to years within the practitioner's mind, but if they persist and withstand the tribulation, they advance to the next stage. The exact criteria for tribulation severity remains speculative, although many believe it is influenced by the practitioner's accumulated karma.
Lastly, let's not forget the formidable potential of Emitters and Controllers. Both paths offer direct routes to power, unhindered by the complexities of cultivation stages. Emitters gauge their strength based on the percentage of mana they can utilize from within and their ability to control external mana sources. Controllers, on the other hand, manipulate mana directly and achieve strength through their control over vast quantities of mana. With their distinct paths, Emitters and Controllers can match cultivators in terms of power, even in later stages.
As I reflect on the profound wisdom contained within these cultivation manuals, I am humbled by the vastness of the universe and the intricate mechanisms that govern the pursuit of power. Each cultivation path presents unique challenges and rewards, and the journey toward mastery requires unwavering dedication and resilience. I shall continue my exploration and seek further enlightenment to push the boundaries of my own cultivation.
Until we meet again, Mia