Ascender

Biodata

Power Progression

Ascension

Ascension is the process through which an ordinary person’s consciousness transcends the Silver Sea and a soul is forged, permanently changing their state of being. 707

• A soul allows an individual to retain consciousness in Hell; a person without one would mutate under Abyssal Sediment exposure. 253
• Ascension remains rare, difficult to control, and often depends on opportunity rather than preparation alone. 253 310
• The process is associated with painful trials and a near-death rebirth. Those with strong convictions, clear goals, or persistence are statistically more likely to endure it, though survivor bias affects such observations. 456
• Ascendants are not automatically defined by violence or criminality. They may pursue ordinary professions, personal ideals, exploration, military service, or lineage work. 34 455

Holy Marks and Lineages

Holy Marks are the foundation of an Ascender’s advancement, abilities, and long-term path. Each lineage offers distinct Holy Marks, omens, and routes of sublimation. 80 83

• A Holy Mark’s lineage heavily shapes an Ascender’s combat role, talents, and available advancement routes. 83
• Changing lineages—or even changing routes within the same lineage—requires severing and merging aspects of the soul at enormous cost. 83
• Incompatible Holy Marks and souls can hinder Soul Ability growth; severe incompatibility during Third-Tier fusion can result in self-destruction or transformation into an Erosion Species. 498
• Major lineages can provide structured advancement support. The Dongxia Lineage alone publicly maintains more than fourteen complete routes, including combat, defense, support, and logistics specialties. 83
• The Heavenly Kingdom Lineage originally planned nine paths of sublimation, with Twilight, Eternal, Heavenly Inquiry, Divine Marrow, Maintenance, Change, Origin, Paradise, and a hidden path among them; the Paradise Path remained incomplete. 977

Physical Changes

Following ascension, the soul influences the body through a secondary developmental period. 35

• The body gradually approaches or exceeds normal human limits, often accompanied by intense hunger and accelerated growth. 35 54
• Development may enhance muscle, joints, tendons, bones, reflexes, organ capacity, and sensory perception. 54
• Individual development is specialized rather than uniform. Huai Shi’s development, for example, prioritized perception, speed, agility, and sensory acuity over excessive muscular strength. 54
• At Third Tier, etherization allows the body to increasingly resemble a legendary creature rather than an ordinary human. 117 458
• Before completing higher-tier origin-essence transformation, Ascendants remain vulnerable to extreme environments such as vacuum, radiation, and severe temperature changes. 858

Soul Abilities

Soul Abilities are powers derived from an Ascender’s soul rather than solely from their Holy Mark.

• Moon Phase-class abilities commonly affect souls, including mind control, consciousness alteration, and mental restoration. 9
• Soul Abilities can be standardized and installed in artificial military units, including Swift, Explosive, Hover Field, and Emotional Impact. 1506
• A Soul Ability’s growth can be restricted when the Ascender’s Holy Mark is incompatible with their soul. 498

Artificial Ascendants

Ascendants can be produced or modified through artificial means, though such programs carry substantial risks.

• The Fountain of Life project created the Ascendant Legion through artificial ascension; the Red Glove was one of its products. 104
• The Creator’s Will produced citizens with standardized blank-slate souls that possessed the structure of Ascendants. 384
• During the approach of Dawn, artificial Ascendants were equipped with Artificial Souls and Holy Marks before advancing toward Hell in Legion formations. 1601
• War-grade artificial Ascendants can receive standardized Soul Abilities as battlefield equipment. 1506

Regulation and Secrecy

Ascenders are subject to strict control in the current realm due to the danger their powers can pose to ordinary people.

• Crimes committed by Ascendants receive increased sentences, and Ascendant incarceration is designated to border regions. 41
• The Special Affairs Department exists to prevent Ascendants from persecuting ordinary people and can suppress them through coordinated military force. 41
• The Three Great Blockades make it increasingly difficult for Ascendants to cause disruption within the current realm. 51
• Knowledge concerning Ascendants and phenomena beyond the current realm is subject to cognitive lockdown; ordinary witnesses generally dismiss or forget what they have seen. 960

Trivia

• The Astronomical Society uses alchemical terminology—Mercury, Gold-class, Aether, Star Seedling, and Philosopher’s Stone—to classify Holy Mark stages. 80
• Ascendant skills can be measured by the Book of Destiny, though numerical levels do not necessarily reflect the full gap between individuals. 7
• Fourth-Tier status is generally considered the minimum threshold for an Ascendant to receive a rank-based Myriad Worlds Card through their own achievements. 306