Seal

Biodata

Power Progression

Cultivation Mechanics

Position in the martial path

External Force cultivation tempers the skin, flesh, sinews, bones, and physical strength, while Internal Force cultivates true qi through breathing and circulation. High-level Internal Force practitioners can harm enemies from a distance. 7

A Seal is formed after an External Force martial artist accumulates sufficient breath energy in the dantian. There are nine Seals; each additional Seal increases the practitioner's strength, and completing all nine allows one to glimpse the next realm. 38

Formation

A Seal is created by gathering scattered energy from throughout the body, repeatedly compressing and refining it in the dantian until it transforms into an indestructible Martial Dao Mark. 60

• Forming a Seal is considered the first life-or-death hurdle of martial cultivation. 60
• A secret technique is normally needed to guide the energy and protect the mind during the process. 60
• Failed sealing can damage the meridians and destroy cultivation; a complete loss of control can collapse the dantian and cause death. 60
• Lu Chen forms his first Seal without a protective secret technique, surviving due to his exceptional physique and attributes. 60 61

Protective qi

Before forming a Seal, an External Force practitioner's energy remains scattered. A First-Seal martial artist condenses that energy into a seed within the dantian, allowing it to rapidly cover the body like invisible armor. 43

• Protective qi can absorb or deflect attacks that would otherwise strike the body directly. 42
• A Sealed martial artist can shift their energy from full-body defense into concentrated offensive power. 61
• Lu Chen can coat his entire body in qi or gather it around both hands like gauntlets after reaching the First Seal. 61
• Compressing all available qi into a tiny area produces much greater destructive power but risks damaging the user's body. 61

Advancement through combat

Life-and-death combat can accelerate Seal formation because an External Force martial artist's breath energy becomes fiercer through fighting. 38

Natural aptitude still affects progression: Zhou Lan remains at the First Seal despite cultivation, while Su Xiaoxiao reaches seven Seals at a young age through talent and repeated life-or-death battles. 38

Transition to Internal Force

After all nine Seals are formed, an inner core can condense in the dantian, marking entry into the Internal Force realm. If nurtured and hatched, that inner core can produce a Yin Beast within the practitioner. 115

Notable Seal Users