Qi Refining Realm

Biodata

Power Progression

Cultivation Framework

• A martial artist enters the Qi Refining Realm after opening all 108 acupoints during the Body Tempering Realm and drawing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into the body. 1 15
• The breakthrough converts inner qi into true qi and substantially strengthens the cultivator's physical body. 15
• Qi Refining cultivation centers on opening the Twelve Standard Meridians and Eight Extraordinary Meridians, for a total of twenty meridians. Every two opened meridians count as one level. 18
• Opening and linking the Ren and Du Meridians with the 108 acupoints creates a Greater Celestial Circuit, enabling advancement to the True Essence Realm. 18
• To enter the True Essence Realm, a cultivator must complete the required meridian openings and compress true qi until it liquefies into true essence; the process is dangerous if the true-qi vortex loses control. 55 174
• True essence is at least ten times stronger in both quality and power than true qi. 55
• Second-grade demonic beasts correspond to the Qi Refining Realm; third-grade demonic beasts correspond to the True Essence Realm. 7

Characteristics

True Qi

Upon entering the realm, a cultivator's inner qi becomes true qi. True qi can drive martial arts at far greater power; Ye Yun's techniques became at least three times stronger after his breakthrough. 15

• Enables the cultivation of attribute-based techniques. 15
• Can be channeled into attacks, movement techniques, and defenses. 15 25
• Is depleted through combat and may require pills or spirit medicines to restore. 26
• A cultivation method's mastery improves the speed at which spiritual energy is refined and converted into true qi. 91
• True qi normally cannot be released outside the body until the True Essence Realm. Frostheart is an exceptional weapon that enables Ye Yun's transformed true qi to manifest externally while he remains in the Qi Refining Realm. 80

Physical Tempering

The spiritual energy drawn in during a breakthrough repeatedly tears apart and repairs the body, strengthening flesh and blood. 15 27

• Breakthroughs expel bodily impurities as black, foul-smelling filth. 15
• Higher cultivation improves resistance to harsh climates, though extreme cold can still require true qi to resist. 18 21
• Qi Refining practitioners can hold their breath underwater for approximately thirty minutes. 22
• Repeated breakthroughs can markedly increase physical strength alongside true qi; Ye Yun's Ninth Level breakthrough raises his physical strength by around 30%. 91

Attribute Techniques

Qi Refining cultivators can use true qi to develop elemental effects. Ice Profound Force, for example, produces icy true qi that can enter an opponent's body and freeze internal organs. 15 19

• Ice Profound Force's cold can penetrate a target without visibly damaging its exterior, destroying its internal structure from within. 21
• Its true qi can refine the Cold Spring's frigid qi, increasing cultivation speed for a compatible user. 21
• The technique is dangerous: failing to form a true-qi vortex in the dantian can freeze its user into a block of ice. 20
• Frostheart's Zero-Degree Ice Seal can freeze enemies struck by its true-qi attacks; at Ye Yun's then-current strength, cultivators at the Fourth Heaven and below could be frozen outright without a protective treasure. 80

Martial Force

Martial-force comprehension is distinct from cultivation level and can substantially increase a Qi Refining practitioner's combat power.

• The Fist Force Realm has four stages: Initiation, Minor Accomplishment, Major Accomplishment, and Perfection. These respectively allow the user to mobilize the power of heaven and earth within fifty meters, five hundred meters, one kilometer, and five kilometers. 42
• Ye Yun uses the Selfless Realm to gain insights into Fist Force, eventually reaching Fist Force Initiation while still within the Qi Refining Realm. 101
• At Half-Step Fist Force, Ye Yun can use gathered heaven-and-earth power without true qi to produce force comparable to that of a Sixth Layer Qi Refining martial artist. 101

Qi Deviation

Qi deviation is a dangerous condition in which a cultivator loses control of their qi, potentially producing a drastic and unstable change in aura and disposition. 95

• Emotional obsession, jealousy, and loss of composure can contribute to qi deviation, as demonstrated by Wang Baifeng during his battle with Ye Yun. 95
• The Iceheart Formula is a secret art that keeps the mind clear, resists inner demons, and reduces the risk of qi deviation. 30

Cultivation Resources

• Aperture-Opening Pill — A second-grade pill that assists a Body Tempering cultivator in opening the final acupoint and entering the Qi Refining Realm. 10 15
• Human Origin Pill — A difficult-to-refine second-grade pill that raises a Qi Refining cultivator by one minor realm; each person can benefit from it only once. 32
• Monster Crystal Core — Can be refined to replenish energy and aid breakthroughs, as Ye Yun does before reaching the Fifth Layer. 27
• Earth-Origin Milk — A second-grade high-quality spirit medicine that restores true qi; one drop can fully replenish a First Layer Qi Refining cultivator. 26
• Spirit Stones — Minerals containing condensed spiritual qi. Using one increases cultivation speed by at least 50%, while matching Attribute Spirit Stones are even more effective. 38 39
• Spirit Origin Fruit — A rare spirit medicine with no medicinal side effects that can provide immense spiritual energy for opening meridians and advancing through the Qi Refining Realm. 85
• Qi-Enhancing Pill — A pill that supplements cultivation by providing spiritual energy that can be refined into true qi. 91
• Cold Spring — A dangerous natural source of frigid qi. Compatible ice-attribute cultivators can refine its cold qi to accelerate their cultivation. 21
• Iceheart Lotus Platform — A spiritual treasure that gathers spiritual energy, roughly doubles its density around the user, and increases comprehension by about 30%. 22
• Essence Condensation Pill — A pill that assists the transition beyond the Qi Refining Realm by helping a cultivator safely liquefy true qi into true essence. 55

Relationship to Purple Extreme Sect

• Reaching the Qi Refining Realm is the first requirement for an outer disciple to attempt the Purple Extreme Sect's inner disciple assessment. 15
• Ye Yun has become an inner disciple by the time he settles in his cave dwelling near Great Sun Peak. 18
• The lowest-ranked member of the sect's Hundred Strong Ranking is stated to possess Fifth Heaven Qi Refining cultivation. 17
• Ye Yun enters the Hundred Strong Ranking after reaching the Fifth Layer and is ranked ninety-fifth by the time he fights Wang Baifeng at the Ninth Level. 40 95
• By the Great Dynasty Tournament qualification selection, Ye Yun holds fifth place on the Hundred Strong Ranking, automatically securing a tournament place. 102
• Inner disciples must accept and complete a Mission Hall assignment every two months after their initial three-month grace period. 23