Principle

Biodata

Nature

A Principle is an individual's refined and enduring Dao foundation: a logically self-consistent expression of their unique understanding, rather than a merely borrowed law or title. A cultivator seeking Cosmic Truth must first grasp Truth—the sole true self across infinite possibilities—after which their Principle can follow naturally. 297 298

Two Great Powers may possess similar Dao, but their Principles cannot be completely identical. Hermes's Primordial aspect, for example, must shed the imprints of Infinity and Beauty in order to develop a genuinely distinct Primordial Dao. 321

Role in Cultivation

Star Lord Path

The Star Lord path requires a practitioner to establish a self-contained philosophical system unique to themselves. Through Nine Revolutions Void Refinement, they temper that system amid the collision of void and reality until it becomes an indelible Principle. 537

• A Life Star's Dimension Ascension allows its owner to become a Star Lord and begin exerting influence over their own Heavenly Mandate. 474
• The Questioning Heart Finger establishes a Dao foundation by exposing and testing one's true heart. 66 67
• The Ascension Path provides the subsequent route of practice, enabling Star Lords to draw upon resources across dimensions without being constrained by external things. 66 67
• A sufficiently developed practitioner may attain Star Masterhood and make their Principle an eternal rule within a world. 67 210

Star Masters and Heavenly Dao

A Star Master of even a minor world or World Bubble can turn their Principle into that world's laws and act as its Heavenly Dao. They can then continually perfect the Principle while developing the worlds and “stars” under their rule. 210

At higher levels, a Principle may become woven into the foundations of many worlds. Hermes's Dao, Principle, and existence have become components of the matter, energy, and rules of worlds across the Endless Heavens, allowing his presence to be sensed through their underlying structure. 430

Principles in Practice

Relation to Truth

Truth takes precedence over Principle in the process of attaining Cosmic Truth. The crucial task is to preserve and establish the sole true self across the river of time; an existence that grasps this can borrow the false to cultivate the true and reverse cause and effect. 298

A Principle without this foundation may be incomplete regardless of how grand its laws appear. Hermes criticizes cultivators who prioritize impressive-sounding “Dao rules” over the essential pursuit of Truth. 297 298

Multiversal Significance

• When Pure Beauty merged into the Tree Sea Multiverse, its influence began coloring the Multiverse's matter, energy, and laws with Hermes's character. 211
• Young Star Masters are described as casting their Principles across the infinite multiverse. 491
• A mature Principle can become an indelible natural law of a Great Universe, shining from the High Heavens onto reality. 537
• The creation of a self-sustaining Multiverse through a logically complete Principle is considered an achievement potentially comparable to Primordial Heavenly Venerate's. 353