"Not all are born equal in the path of cultivation. Some are born blessed by the heavens, while others must claw their way from the mud- tooth, nail, and soul."
1. Spiritual Roots – The Foundation of Potential
Spiritual Roots are the innate conduits through which cultivators absorb and circulate Qi. They define one's affinity to elements, cultivation speed, and even fate.
Types of Spiritual Roots:
1. Heaven-Grade Root (Mythical)
Extremely rare. A single one may only be born once in an era.
Grants rapid comprehension, near-limitless Qi absorption, and often carries an inborn Heavenly Dao Alignment.
Often hunted by major sects -- or feared.
2. Earth-Grade Root (Elite)
Possessed by top geniuses of empires and sects.
Balanced in cultivation speed and affinity. Often capable of dual cultivation paths (sword & alchemy, for example).
Some Earth-Grade Roots evolve under pressure.
3. Human-Grade Root (Common)
Standard spiritual root.
Average cultivation speed. Easily stagnates.
Can be refined artificially through pills, pain, and perseverance -- or sometimes mutated.
4. Broken or Crippled Root (Low-Tier)
Fragmented or incomplete root.
Considered trash by sects.
However… some legends speak of those with broken roots rising far beyond the heavens -- by forging their own Path.
5. Chaos Root (Unranked / Forbidden)
A root that contains no specific element -- or all of them.
Can absorb multiple energies but cannot harmonize with them.
Dangerous. Highly unstable.
Many with this root either die young or become something… unrecognizable.
2. Elemental Affinities – The Power Within
A cultivator's elemental affinity defines their core abilities. These are aligned with their Spiritual Root, but some can develop multiple or hybrid affinities.
Base Elements:
Fire – Offensive, destructive, fast-burning techniques.
Water – Healing, flexibility, adaptability.
Wood – Growth, regeneration, control.
Earth – Defense, raw strength, stability.
Wind – Speed, evasion, slicing attacks.
Lightning - Burst damage, paralysis, divine judgment.
Darkness – Stealth, corruption, soul-drain.
Light – Healing, purification, anti-demonic force.
Rare / Hybrid Affinities:
Ice (Water + Wind)
Lava (Fire + Earth)
Poison (Wood + Darkness)
Void (??? — Tied to hidden realms)
Time/Space (??? -- Forbidden/Unknown origins)
Blood (Cursed lineage or demonic inheritance)
☆Cultivators can train to awaken secondary affinities, but only those with exceptional roots or fateful encounters can control hybrids or rare elements.
"In this world, potential means nothing without the will to wield it. A broken root may still shatter the heavens if the will behind it is sharp enough."