Cultivation is not a single path but a collection of methods — diverse techniques through which a cultivator refines themselves, strengthens their body, and increases their power. In many novels, different sects, clans, or individuals specialize in particular methods, giving rise to unique fighting styles and philosophies.
Below, we will explore the most common cultivation methods, their functions, and their narrative significance.
1. Meditation & Breathing Techniques (内功 / 气功)
The most fundamental method of cultivation is quiet meditation, often combined with special breathing patterns. By entering a state of stillness, cultivators absorb qi from the environment, guide it through their meridians, and store it in their dantian.
Purpose: Refining qi, cleansing impurities, stabilizing foundations.
Methods:
Seated Meditation: The classic cross-legged posture, focusing inward.
Breathing Arts: Special techniques that harmonize breathing with qi circulation.
Visualization: Imagining flames, rivers, or stars to guide energy flow.
Narrative Use: Breakthroughs often occur during meditation, sometimes interrupted by enemies or inner demons.
This practice reflects Daoist philosophy: stillness and harmony with nature reveal deeper truths.
2. Martial Techniques (武技)
Cultivation is not only internal. Many cultivators train in martial arts, enhancing them with qi to unleash devastating techniques.
Types:
Palm & Fist Arts: Powerful strikes that can shatter stone.
Movement Arts: Speed, agility, footwork techniques like "Cloud-Stepping."
Weapon Arts: Sword, spear, saber, bow — each with unique techniques.
Qi Enhancement: Martial techniques infused with qi gain explosive force, cutting mountains or splitting rivers.
Narrative Use: Martial duels showcase differences in training, talent, and comprehension of the Dao.
Over time, martial techniques can evolve into Dao arts, transcending mere physical combat and embodying universal truths.
3. Alchemy (炼丹)
Alchemy is the art of refining herbs, minerals, and spiritual materials into pills or elixirs. It is one of the most important supporting methods in cultivation worlds.
Purpose:
Pills accelerate breakthroughs.
Healing elixirs restore wounds or damaged meridians.
Special pills enhance physique or resistance.
Tools: Alchemy furnaces, flames (sometimes spiritual in nature), and rare herbs.
Risks: Failure may lead to explosions or poison. In many stories, pill fragrance itself can attract cultivators from miles away.
Narrative Use: Protagonists often gain fame by becoming master alchemists, giving them resources and status.
Alchemy reflects the theme of transformation — raw materials refined into purer forms, just like cultivation itself.
4. Weapon Forging & Artifact Refinement (炼器)
Cultivators often rely on magical weapons and artifacts that grow with them. Refinement is the process of forging such items and binding them to one's soul.
Spirit Weapons: Swords, spears, staves, or even needles infused with qi. They can fly, grow, or unleash devastating attacks.
Living Artifacts: Weapons that develop intelligence, becoming companions.
Armor & Treasures: Defensive robes, flying swords, storage rings, or protective talismans.
Narrative Use: Battles often involve not just cultivator vs. cultivator, but artifact vs. artifact.
Weapon refinement is tied to craftsmanship, creativity, and personal Dao — a sword forged with sincerity may surpass even divine treasures.
5. Formations & Arrays (阵法)
Formations are arrangements of qi patterns, talismans, or artifacts that manipulate energy in an area. They can be defensive, offensive, or supportive.
Types:
Defensive Arrays: Shields, barriers, or protective domes.
Killing Formations: Concentrated attacks, traps, or illusions.
Concealment Arrays: Hide locations from enemies.
Gathering Arrays: Concentrate qi for cultivation.
Complexity: Some formations require multiple cultivators working in unison; others can be triggered by a single master.
Narrative Use: Formations often guard sects, treasures, or ancient ruins. Clever protagonists may break or subvert them to gain advantage.
Formations embody wisdom and teamwork — power not just from raw strength, but from intellect and strategy.
6. Beast Taming (驭兽)
Some cultivators specialize in taming spirit beasts, forging bonds with powerful creatures.
Purpose: Spirit beasts serve as mounts, protectors, or companions.
Types:
Mount Beasts: Flying swords are useful, but riding a dragon is cooler.
Battle Beasts: Ferocious creatures fight alongside cultivators.
Contracted Spirits: Beasts bound to the soul, sharing life and death.
Narrative Use: Spirit beasts add variety to battles and highlight the vastness of the world.
This method reflects harmony with nature — instead of conquering beasts, cultivators may form spiritual contracts, blending strengths.
7. Dual Cultivation (双修)
A controversial but recurring method, dual cultivation involves two individuals sharing yin and yang energies to advance.
Purpose: Balance energies, accelerate breakthroughs, strengthen both partners.
Types:
Sacred Dual Cultivation: Spiritual union, emphasizing harmony.
Demonic Dual Cultivation: Exploitative, draining one partner's energy.
Risks: Imbalance may cause qi deviation or damage.
Narrative Use: Often treated as taboo, leading to scandal or temptation.
Dual cultivation symbolizes the yin-yang balance — unity of opposites bringing harmony or disaster.
8. Special/Unique Paths
Some novels feature rare or forbidden cultivation methods that defy convention.
Blood Cultivation: Using blood essence to strengthen body and soul.
Demonic Cultivation: Harnessing resentment, evil qi, or forbidden techniques.
Elemental Cultivation: Focusing exclusively on one element (fire, lightning, wood, etc.).
Body Refinement: Ignoring qi entirely, relying on tempering flesh to godlike levels.
System Cultivation: In transmigration/system novels, protagonists may have a "cheat system" guiding progress.
Such unique paths set protagonists apart from ordinary cultivators, giving them an edge while emphasizing individuality.
9. Comprehension & Enlightenment
Not all cultivation is physical. Many methods focus on comprehending the Dao through enlightenment.
Meditative Epiphanies: Insights gained while observing nature — rivers, fire, stars.
Combat Comprehension: Enlightenment born from life-or-death battles.
Dreams & Illusions: Dao comprehension while trapped in spiritual trials.
Narrative Role: These moments often mark major turning points, allowing protagonists to leap ahead of peers.
Enlightenment is unpredictable. Some spend centuries without progress; others glimpse truth in a single heartbeat.
🌟 Why Cultivation Methods Matter
Cultivation methods do more than explain power-ups — they shape character identity, sect culture, and the story's tone.
A swordsman walks the Sword Dao.
An alchemist is respected across nations for their pills.
A demonic cultivator is feared and hunted.
A formation master controls battlefields through strategy.
They are the flavors of cultivation, turning a simple power system into a diverse, colorful universe.
✨ In Summary
Cultivation methods are the tools and techniques through which cultivators refine themselves and interact with their world. From meditation to alchemy, swordplay to soul refinement, they reflect not only martial power but also philosophy: harmony with nature, rebellion against heaven, and the endless pursuit of transcendence.
Every method carries risk, and every method reflects a worldview. In the end, the methods chosen by a cultivator define their path — their Dao — as much as their power.