LRAB Chapter 565: Cultivation Methods and Levels
Chapter 565: Cultivation Methods and Levels
The second type is demon cultivators.
Awakening: A newly awakened beast, instinctively absorbing and exhaling moonlight. Corresponds to the Qi Refining stage in immortal cultivation.
Qi Gathering: The individual begins conscious cultivation, a demonic core condenses within their body, their size increases, and they develop minor supernatural abilities. This corresponds to the Foundation Establishment stage in immortal cultivation.
Transformation: The first time one undergoes the Heavenly Tribulation, they transform into human form; three out of ten survive. This corresponds to the Golden Core stage in immortal cultivation.
Condensing Core: Condensing one's natal demon core, enabling one to rule a mountain. Corresponds to the Nascent Soul stage in immortal cultivation.
Demon King: His bloodline has reverted to its ancestral form, possessing the innate supernatural powers of ancient ferocious beasts. This corresponds to the Nascent Soul stage in immortal cultivation.
Celestial Demon: Having undergone the Nine-Nine Heavenly Tribulation, one's bloodline completely reverts to its ancestral form, enabling one to transform into an ancient true body. This corresponds to the Tribulation Transcending stage in immortal cultivation.
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The third type is ghost cultivators.
Wandering Soul: A recently deceased ghost, in a daze. Corresponds to the Qi Refining stage in immortal cultivation.
Ghost Soldier: After regaining their sanity and refining their ghostly form, they are recruited by the Underworld. This corresponds to the Foundation Establishment stage in cultivation.
Ghost General: Armor formed from Yin energy, opening a ghost realm; any mortal who steps inside will die instantly. Corresponds to the Golden Core stage in immortal cultivation.
Ghost King: Establishes a ghost kingdom, commands ghost soldiers, and can walk under the blazing sun. Corresponds to the Nascent Soul stage in immortal cultivation.
Ghost Immortal: Passing the Ghost Immortal Tribulation, shedding the ghostly form, and realizing the path of immortality. Corresponds to the Nascent Soul stage in immortal cultivation.
Ghost Emperor: The supreme ruler of the ghost realm, capable of rivaling even the Immortal Emperor. Corresponds to the Tribulation Transcending stage in immortal cultivation.
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The fourth type is demonic cultivation.
Mortal Demon: Newly introduced demonic seed, resulting in a surge of power but prone to loss of control. Corresponds to the Qi Refining stage in immortal cultivation.
Demonic Soldier: Possesses complete mastery of the basic uses of demonic seeds, revealing demonic runes during combat. Corresponds to the Foundation Establishment stage in cultivation.
Human-Demon: Possesses perfect control over the demonic seed, can disguise themselves as righteous, and rises through satisfying desires. Corresponds to the Golden Core stage in immortal cultivation.
Earth Demon: The demonic seed merges with the primordial spirit, opening a demonic realm that pollutes the true essence. Corresponds to the Nascent Soul stage in immortal cultivation.
The Heavenly Demon: When the three elements unite, it triggers inner demons, causing the righteous path to go astray during its tribulation. It corresponds to the Nascent Soul stage in immortal cultivation.
Demon Lord: Created the laws of demonic cultivation, standing on equal footing with righteous powerhouses. Corresponds to the tribulation stage in immortal cultivation.
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III. The Buddhist System (Independent)
Novice monk: Newly ordained monk, chanting scriptures for the deceased. Corresponds to the Qi Refining stage in cultivation.
Bhikkhu: Fully ordained, protected by the Buddha's light. Corresponds to the foundation-building stage in cultivation.
Master: The Buddha's light shines everywhere, the lion roars. This corresponds to the Golden Core stage of immortal cultivation.
Zen Master: Enlightenment grants supernatural powers, such as the ability to read minds and know past lives. This corresponds to the Nascent Soul stage in immortal cultivation.
Elder: Subduing dragons and tigers, his relics will be preserved after death. This corresponds to the Nascent Soul stage in immortal cultivation.
The patriarch: Founded the sect, enlightened mortals, and foresaw his own death. This corresponds to the tribulation stage in immortal cultivation.
Listening to the system's detailed explanation, Zhang Lei finally understood. He had originally planned to cultivate Taoist arts, but now it seemed completely unnecessary. Having the strongest cultivation system, he naturally wanted to cultivate traditional immortal arts.
After listening to the introduction of various cultivation paths and levels, Zhang Lei couldn't wait to learn about the combat power corresponding to different cultivation realms.
Zhang Lei continued, "System, which cultivation method is more powerful? What are the limitations and weaknesses of each cultivation system? What are its strengths? At lower levels, can one defeat cultivators who cultivate immortality? How are the combat strengths of demonic cultivators, monster cultivators, ghost cultivators, and Buddhist cultivators ranked?"
System: "Ding—Comparison of combat power and analysis of advantages and disadvantages of various systems"
First, let's talk about the general principle: there is no absolutely strongest one; it depends on the environment, the level of the opponent, and the opponent's strength.
1. Martial arts (body training)
Strengths:
At lower levels, martial arts are incredibly powerful. Martial artists in the Body Tempering and Inner Strength stages often win against Qi Refining stage cultivators of the same level. Why? Because Qi Refining stage cultivators need time to cast spells; before they can even form a fireball, the martial artist has already punched them in the face. Strong physique, fast reflexes, and ruthless punches make them unbeatable in close combat.
Even at the intermediate level, martial artists in the Qi Refining stage and the Divine Realm can still hold their own against cultivators in the Foundation Establishment stage and the Golden Core stage. Once their protective Qi is activated, low-level spells cannot penetrate it, and they can simply rush in and unleash a barrage of blows.
Shortcomings:
The inability to fly is its biggest weakness. While cultivators can fly on swords once they reach the Foundation Establishment stage, martial artists can only briefly tread the air once they reach the Divine Realm, and even then, they can't fly for long. If they encounter a cultivator who can fly a kite, the martial artist can jump around on the ground while the cultivator throws spells from the sky, eventually being worn down and killed.
There are no ranged attacks. The qi can be released, but only within a distance of three to five zhang (approximately 10-15 meters), which is nothing compared to a cultivator's flying sword that can travel thousands of miles to take someone's head.
The upper limit is low. At most, a Martial Saint is equivalent to the Nascent Soul stage to the early Deity Transformation stage; there's no way to go higher. This is because martial arts don't cultivate true essence or primordial spirit, so one cannot break through the tribulation stage.
Special advantages:
In places where spiritual energy is scarce or sealed, martial arts are virtually invincible. Cultivators without spiritual energy are useless, while martial artists can still fight using their physical bodies and blood. Within a spirit-sealing formation, a Divine Realm martial artist can tear apart several cultivators of the same level.
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II. Orthodox Immortal Cultivation
Strengths:
Most comprehensive, with no weaknesses. Capable of both melee and ranged combat, able to attack, run, heal, and control. Can fly, burrow underground, form formations, and refine pills and weapons. Has the longest lifespan and the highest potential, capable of cultivating all the way to the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm.
There are many methods. If you can't win a fight, you can run away; if you can't run away, you can set up an array; if the array breaks, you can call for help; if you can't call for help, you can throw magic weapons. There are always ways to do it.
Shortcomings:
They depend on spiritual energy. In places where spiritual energy is scarce, a cultivator's strength plummets. In places where spiritual energy is completely absent, a cultivator is nothing but trash.
The early stages are relatively weak. A cultivator in the Qi Refining stage cannot defeat a martial artist or demon cultivator of the same level in a one-on-one fight. Before they can even cast a fireball, the opponent is already right in their face.
Advantage level:
After the Golden Core stage, they begin to exert their power; in the Nascent Soul stage, they rise to prominence; and above the Deity Transformation stage, they basically crush other systems (at the same level).
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III. Demon Cultivator
Strengths:
Their physical bodies are incredibly strong, making them the strongest in close combat among their peers. Demon cultivators don't wear armor; their own fur and scales serve as their best protection. They possess great strength, speed, and regenerative abilities.
They have long lifespans. Monsters naturally live long lives, often hundreds or even thousands of years.
They possess innate talents. For example, the phoenix can undergo rebirth, and the dragon can summon wind and rain—these are skills that human cultivators cannot learn.
Shortcomings:
The Transformation Tribulation is extremely dangerous. Out of ten demon cultivators, fewer than three can survive it and transform into human form. Those who fail die or become half-human, half-demon monsters.
Cultivation is slow. It's inherently difficult for demonic beasts to develop intelligence; it can take hundreds of years to go from spiritual awakening to Qi gathering. Human cultivators can reach the Golden Core stage in a few decades, while demonic beasts need hundreds of years.
They are countered. Buddhist and Taoist spells deal extra damage to demon cultivators, and lightning magic is a natural counter to them.
Advantage level:
The Golden Core stage (Transformation) to the Nascent Soul stage (Condensation) is the peak period, during which one is virtually invincible in close combat with other cultivators of the same level. After reaching the Deity Transformation stage, human cultivators begin to unleash their power through law-based attacks, and the physical advantages of demon cultivators are gradually caught up.
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