Realm Setting (Contains Spoilers)

Since the Golden Cores are based on the Five Elements, I have slightly simplified their titles to make it easier to identify which element each one corresponds to.

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Qi Refinement Realm

The Qi Refinement Realm consists of ten levels. The first three are the Early Stage, the next three form the Mid Stage, and the following three make up the Late Stage. The tenth level is known as the peak stage.

True Qi cultivation methods are vital for progress. These methods are divided into nine grades and thirty-six tiers.

Cultivators’ methods below the seventh grade have no hope of achieving Foundation Establishment, while those using techniques below the third grade have no chance of forming a Golden Core.

Foundation Establishment Realm

The Foundation Establishment Realm is divided into the Early, Mid, Late, and Peak Stages.

The cultivation of a Foundation Establishment True Person consists of paving the way towards a Golden Core Fruition Attainment. This is known as the Dao Path.

It requires selecting two from the Ten Heavenly Stems and two from the Twelve Earthly Branches. Gathering all four is considered the completion of the Dao Path.

Gather one, and you reach mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

Gather three, and you reach late-stage Foundation Establishment.

Gather four, and you reach peak Foundation Establishment.

Information on the Golden Core Fruition Attainment:

The Ten Heavenly Stems: Yanfeng (Jia), Zhanmeng (Yi), Rouzhao (Bing), Qiangyu (Ding), Zhuyong (Wu), Tuwei (Ji), Shangzhang (Geng), Chongguang (Xin), Xuanyi (Ren), Zhaoyang (Gui)

The Twelve Earthly Branches: Shetige (Yin), Chanyan (Mao), Zhixu (Chen), Dahuangluo (Si), Dunzang (Wu), Xieqia (Wei), Tuntan (Shen), Zuo’e (You), Yanmao (Xu), Dayuanxian (Hai), Kundun (Zi), Chifennuo (Chou)

There are only thirty Golden Core Fruition Attainments in total, corresponding to the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches as follows:

Jia Zi, Yi Chou correspond to Abyssal Metal

Bing Yin, Ding Mao correspond to Furnace Fire

Wu Chen, Ji Si correspond to Great Forest Wood

Geng Wu, Xin Wei correspond to Roadside Earth

Ren Shen, Gui You correspond to Sword Edge Metal

Jia Xu, Yi Hai correspond to Mountaintop Fire

Bing Zi, Ding Chou correspond to Valley Water

Wu Yin, Ji Mao correspond to Rampart Earth

Geng Chen, Xin Si correspond to White Wax Metal

Ren Wu, Gui Wei correspond to Willow Wood

Jia Shen, Yi You correspond to Spring Water

Bing Xu, Ding Hai correspond to Rooftop Earth

Wu Zi, Ji Chou correspond to Thunderbolt Fire

Geng Yin, Xin Mao correspond to Pine Wood

Ren Chen, Gui Si correspond to Long Flowing Water

Jia Wu, Yi Wei correspond to Dust Veiled Metal

Bing Shen, Ding You correspond to Molten Fire

Wu Xu, Ji Hai correspond to Plains Wood

Geng Zi, Xin Chou correspond to Wall Top Earth

Ren Yin, Gui Mao correspond to Gilded Metal

Jia Chen, Yi Si correspond to Overturned Lamp Fire

Bing Wu, Ding Wei correspond to Heavenly River Water

Wu Shen, Ji You correspond to Great Post Earth

Geng Xu, Xin Hai correspond to Ornament Metal

Ren Zi, Gui Chou correspond to Mulberry Wood

Jia Yin, Yi Mao correspond to Great Creek Water

Bing Chen, Ding Si correspond to Shifting Earth

Wu Wu, Ji Wei correspond to Heavenly Fire

Geng Shen, Xin You correspond to Pomegranate Wood

Ren Xu, Gui Hai correspond to Great Ocean Water

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