In this stage, cultivators reform their collapsed core into a Nascent Soul (元婴), hence the name for this stage. By undergoing this transformation, the cultivators have to pass a Heart Demon Tribulation that tests their mettle and resolve. If one fails the tribulation, the Nascent Soul scatters, as does ones mind or soul. Lucky ones live on as mad lunatics, while the unfortunate ones die. However, upon successfully condensing the Nascent Soul, ones lifespan dramatically increases, and proportionally, the magical power and the strength of the physical body. Most cultivators of this stage are either renowned grand elders of sects, or a Dao reserve of a sect. These cultivators rarely involve themselves in trivial sect affairs, and most immerse themselves into further cultivation or adventures. Very few vagrant Nascent Soul cultivators exist, as most powers attempt to rope in such powerful figures with equally powerful incentives. During wars or skirmishes, battles between Nascent Soul cultivators are rarely deadly, as most who arrive at this stage are very self-motivated and would rather flee than have a battle to the death. One of the more powerful abilities of Nascent Soul cultivators is the ability to escape death should their physical body perish. Not only is the Nascent Soul fast and nimble, it can enter another suitable body, should the original host one perish.
Once a "core" has reached sufficient density, it can be forcefully collapsed and molded to form a "Nascent Soul". A cultivator reaches the Nascent Soul stage upon successful formation of a Nascent Soul. Under rare circumstances, an individual may form more than one Nascent Soul. Progression through the Nascent Soul stage involves absorbing spiritual energy to refine the Nascent Soul. Like the previous stages, there are 3 groups: Early, Middle and Late Nascent Soul Cultivators.There is the exception of those one step into Nascent Soul who may be able to release a power roughly around that of a Nascent Soul cultivator.
One ability of this stage is to separate Nascent Soul from a cultivators mortal body. As a nascent soul is refined, it reduces it's dependency on the Mortal body. In later stages of Nascent Soul, the mortal body can be destroyed while the cultivator survives through their Nascent Soul. However, destruction of the mortal body (cultivation vessel) prevents further growth. It is possible to possess another body should it be given to them or they forcefully take over a new body. However, doing so will weaken the Nascent Soul, and future growth is still limited.
Cultivators at this stage are considered ancestors or grand elders within sects, and can live up to two thousand years at most, more should they use special methods. Nascent Soul cultivators form the basis and majority of strength within a middle level sect. Loss of Nascent Soul ancestors can result in extinction of a sect. A single ancestor can single-handedly wipe out an enemy sect without a Nascent Soul ancestor. War between sects or factions with Nascent Soul cultivators rarely result in battle between cultivators of this stage.
Nascent Soul cultivators are mostly motivated by self-interest. They will not involve themselves in conflict unless there are rewards.
Appearance[]
Nascent Soul looks like a two-inch tall naked infant. It has a soft and delicate skin and a face of cultivator.[1]
Stages[]
The Nascent Soul level can be divided into 9 stages.[?]
Early Nascent Soul[]
One begins their Nascent Soul cultivation with a small Nascent Soul that even in earliest stages can easily expand ones spiritual sense vast distances. Generally unbeatable by even the strongest Core Formation cultivators.
Middle Nascent Soul[]
By continuously strengthening the Nascent Soul, ones spiritual sense increases, as does the magical power. Cultivators of this stage are experts that few trifle with in the cultivation world and are shown immense respect.
Late Nascent Soul[]
Further strengthening of the Nascent Soul proportionally increases the spiritual sense and magical power, where one can easily dominate everyone of Early stage or below. Such cultivators are few and far in between, often touted as powerhouses of entire factions.
Peak Nascent Soul[]
By improving the Nascent soul even more and reaching the peak limits of what a mortal soul can hold, these cultivators are unrivaled under the Deity Transformation stage. They occupy the peak echelons of power and can shake entire nations. Their magical power is vast and the spiritual sense is equally potent.
Quasi-Nascent Cultivators[]
Although some cheat their way into the Nascent Soul cultivation level by merging and assimilating a Spirit Nascent while in their Core Formation cultivation, they are essentially stuck in the Early Nascent Soul stage. Furthermore, their magical power is slightly weaker, as is their spiritual sense. The original lifespan constriction of a maximum of 600 years for Core Formation cultivators remains as well. As such, while theoretically one can become a force above all Core Formation cultivators, it comes at a great cost as failure rates are high and material costs to raise Spirit Nascent hosts and finding compatible cultivators are astronomical.
Links and References[]
- ↑ Ch. 487