[Auxiliary Chapter: The Compendium of the Fourfold World II]
> "In the beginning, balance was all. The four energies—Qi, Mana, Prana, and Nether—rose like pillars of creation, shaping existence and the destinies of men. This record, once sealed within the Celestial Vault, now lies open for those who dare to seek forbidden truths."
—Archivist Shen Mu, Former HeavenKeeper Scribe (Mochen).
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I. THE FOUR ENERGY SYSTEMS
1. Qi – The Vital Force
A life energy flowing through the meridians of the body.
Used in martial cultivation, elemental manipulation, and physical refinement.
Practitioners are called Cultivators.
Title of Mastery: Wusheng – Martial Saint
2. Mana – The Arcane Essence
Drawn from the environment and soul, used to cast spells and wield the elements.
Practitioners are known as Mana Weavers.
Title of Mastery: Linghuang – Spirit Emperor
3. Prana – The Breath of the Spirit
A spiritual energy tied to life, healing, and the soul.
Enables psychic awareness, soul projection, and restoration.
Practitioners are called Prana Menders.
Title of Mastery: Minghun – Luminous Soul
4. Nether – The Shadow Beyond
A dangerous and volatile energy rooted in death, the void, and corruption.
Used in necromancy, soul-binding, illusions, and shadow manipulation.
Practitioners are called Netherborn.
Title of Mastery: Yingzun – Shadow Lord
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II. The Shenzes
The collective term for all individuals attuned to any energy system. They walk paths of power but are divided by their affinity.
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III. EarthKeepers
The pinnacle of mastery within one system. EarthKeepers guard their domain and command multiple high-tier skills. Their presence determines the balance in mortal territories.
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IV. HeavenKeepers
Beings who have transcended a single path. Masters of at least two systems, they serve as enforcers of divine order and stewards of balance. Their authority rivals that of kings.
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V. The Duality
A transcendent entity (or perhaps two souls in one form), embodying all four energies. It is the cosmic judge who banished the infected to the island of Yanzhou.
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VI. The Forbidden Scroll
Written by Mochen, the First One who defied the laws of energy.
The scroll allows its bearer to copy any skill from any energy system, regardless of affinity. It is both salvation—and damnation.
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VII. The Xuji
Victims of the Hereditary Silence—a plague that robs one of energy and memory, passed from parent to child.
Exiled to the cursed island of Yanzhou, the Xuji live forgotten, waiting for death—or deliverance.
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VIII. Yanzhou
An island shrouded in mist and time, isolated from the world.
Home of the cursed bloodlines, erased memories, and the place where the story begins again.
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IX. The Celestial Realms
The Mortal Domain (Renjie)
The main world where most Shenzes live, train, and wage war. The balance between the four energy systems is maintained through power struggles, cultivation, and ancient customs.
The Heaven Domain (Tianjie)
A divine realm home to the HeavenKeepers and the seat of the Duality. The laws of energy are absolute, and ascension to this realm is rare and feared.
The Nether Veil (Yinmian)
A shadow realm suspended between life and death. Nether energy flows freely here. It is whispered that fallen cultivators and cursed souls wander this place eternally.
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X. Energy Tiers (Cultivation Stages)
These are the universal ranks of progression for all energy systems, though each system may flavor them differently:
1. Initiate (Kaishi) – Awakens the core energy.
2. Disciple (Tudi) – Refines the flow and stabilizes energy.
3. Path-Seeker (Xundao) – Forms and controls the first skill.
4. Core Form (Jindan) – Condenses a personal essence or core.
5. Ascendant (Shengzhe) – Begins to transcend mortal limitations.
6. Keeper Rank (Dizhe) – Equivalent to EarthKeeper level.
7. Celestial Lord (Tianzun) – Equivalent to HeavenKeeper level.
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XI. Forbidden Arts and Taboo Techniques
Soul Harvesting (Caihun Fa) – A forbidden Nether technique that steals and stores souls.
Elemental Overload (Zinghua Zhifa) – Dangerous Mana fusion pushing beyond natural limits.
Qi Reversal Technique (Nifan Jue) – Forces another's Qi backward, causing internal collapse.
Prana Echo (Shenyin) – Allows the user to relive the memories of someone near death.
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XII. Factions and Cults
Notable groups that dominate different energy paths:
Crimson Fang Sect (Xueya Men) – Netherborn assassins shrouded in silence and death.
Azure Lotus Temple (Canglian Si) – Prana Menders who devote themselves to healing and insight.
Ember Sky Clan (Yanxiao Zu) – Fiery Qi warriors seeking martial perfection.
Tower of Aether (Lingta) – Scholarly Mana Weavers obsessed with magical evolution
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XIII. Relics and Legendary Weapons
Voidbrand Halberd (Kongyin Ji) – Forged from cursed Nether crystal, it bleeds shadows when swung.
Soulbell Pendant (Lingzhong Pei) – Rings when a soul is near death.
Heartsurge Lotus (Xinliu Lian) – Prana artifact capable of rapid healing and glimpses of fate.
Phoenix Fang Gauntlets (Fengya Hushou) – Ignite with inner Qi, enhancing physical strikes.
Mirror of Echoes (Fuying Jing) – A Mana mirror that reflects spells of equal or lesser power.
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XIV. The Energy Convergence Prophecy (Sihun Yuyan)
A lost prophecy speaks of a child born among the Xuji, stripped of power yet destined to master all. He will either tear down the fourfold balance or rebuild it anew. Marked by a soul that flickers with all four energies, his fate will decide the world's future.
XVI. Spirit Beasts (Lingshou)
Creatures born from pure energy, often tied to one of the four systems.
Qi Beasts: Dragons, White Tigers, Flame Hounds
Mana Beasts: Arcane Griffins, Icefoxes, Storm Wyrms
Prana Beasts: Spirit Deer, Lotus Cranes, Mind Owls
Nether Beasts: Shade Serpents, Wraith Lions, Bone Crows.
Taming or forming a Soul Pact (Hunyin) with a Spirit Beast is a prestigious feat among elite Shenzes.
(This is the most common ability/similarity amongst Shenzes irrespective of their energy system. Beast Taming is common.)
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XVII. Forbidden Locations
Places sealed off by HeavenKeepers due to extreme danger or secrets:
The Veinless Abyss (Wumai Yuan): A pit where no energy flows.
Shrine of the Mochen: Supposed resting place of the Forbidden Scroll's author.
Temple of Fractured Time (Poshi Miao): A Mana-Prana anomaly where memory and future collide.
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XVIII. Cultivation Affinities (Xingzhi)
While most Shenzes are attuned to one system, rare individuals possess special affinities:
Dual Affinity: Can train two systems. Only HeavenKeepers qualify.
Null Affinity: Found in Xuji—energyless but with potential for external powers.(Scroll-Bearer)
Omni Affinity: Theoretical. The Duality and the Scroll-Bearer may be the only examples.
> "The bloodline is cursed. The systems are fractured. And yet, within the forgotten, lies the power to end it all."