Chinesecultivation-ranks
Chinese Cultivation Ranks & Realms Glossary for Manhua
Cultivation ranks are the backbone of xianxia and xuanhuan manhua, defining character progression and power levels. Understanding these intricate systems is crucial for readers to grasp the narrative stakes and for translators to accurately convey the hierarchy and abilities of characters. These terms describe the various stages a cultivator achieves through spiritual training, often accompanied by significant changes in strength, lifespan, and mystical abilities. Mastering this vocabulary unlocks a deeper appreciation for the genre's rich world-building.
30 Terms
Chinese| Term | Romanization | Literal Meaning | Usage | Example | Translation Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 炼气期 | Liànqì Qī | Qi Refining Stage | The initial stage of cultivation where practitioners gather and refine spiritual energy (Qi) into their Dantian, strengthening their body and foundation. Often the lowest rank. | A new protagonist, having just awakened their spiritual roots, is depicted sitting in meditation with faint aura lines around them, the text bubble indicating they have entered the 'Qi Refining Stage'. | Commonly translated as 'Qi Condensation Stage', 'Qi Gathering Stage', or 'Qi Refining Realm'. Often abbreviated to 'Qi Refining'. |
| 筑基期 | Zhùjī Qī | Foundation Establishment Stage | The stage following Qi Refining, where cultivators solidify their spiritual foundation, forming a 'Dao Foundation'. This often grants a significant boost in strength and a longer lifespan. | After consuming a rare spiritual herb, a character's Dantian glows brightly, and they feel a surge of power, realizing they have broken through to the 'Foundation Establishment Stage'. | Frequently translated as 'Foundation Establishment Realm' or simply 'Foundation Stage'. |
| 结丹期 | Jiédān Qī | Core Formation Stage | Cultivators condense their spiritual energy and Dao Foundation into a 'Golden Core' within their Dantian, vastly increasing their power, spiritual sense, and typically granting flight. | An elder is shown effortlessly flying through the sky, unleashing powerful spells, while a younger disciple remarks in awe about their 'Core Formation Stage' power. | Commonly rendered as 'Golden Core Stage', 'Core Formation Realm', or 'Core Formation'. Some use 'Nascant Soul' erroneously here. |
| 元婴期 | Yuányīng Qī | Nascent Soul Stage | The Golden Core evolves into a 'Nascent Soul', a miniature spiritual body resembling the cultivator, which can leave the physical body. This grants near-immortality and enhanced control over spiritual energy. | A powerful patriarch sits in meditation, and a translucent, miniature version of himself floats above his head, signifying his 'Nascent Soul Stage'. | Translated as 'Nascent Soul Realm', 'Nascent Soul Stage', or 'Soul Formation'. Sometimes 'Spirit Infant Stage'. |
| 化神期 | Huàshén Qī | Soul Transformation Stage | The Nascent Soul transforms and integrates with the physical body, leading to a profound connection with the Dao and a significant leap in power, often allowing for domain-like abilities. | A grandmaster effortlessly manipulates the environment around them, causing mountains to shake and rivers to freeze, attributed to their power in the 'Soul Transformation Stage'. | Rendered as 'Spirit Transformation Stage', 'Soul Transformation Realm', or 'God Transformation Stage'. |
| 炼虚期 | Liànxū Qī | Void Refinement Stage | Cultivators refine their connection to the void, becoming semi-ethereal and gaining deeper insights into spatial manipulation and cosmic laws. Often the stage before truly transcending mortality. | An ancient expert appears and disappears at will, seemingly phasing through solid objects, demonstrating the abilities of a 'Void Refinement Stage' cultivator. | Translators use 'Void Refining Stage', 'Void Integration Stage', or 'Refining Void Realm'. |
| 合体期 | Hétǐ Qī | Body Integration Stage | The physical body, spirit, and Dao completely merge into a unified entity, granting immense power, resilience, and a near-perfect understanding of their cultivated Dao. | Two rival sect leaders clash, their bodies emanating overwhelming pressure and their every move creating spatial distortions, a clear sign of 'Body Integration Stage' combatants. | Commonly translated as 'Integration Stage', 'Body Fusion Stage', or 'Fusion Realm'. |
| 大乘期 | Dàchéng Qī | Great Ascension Stage | The final stage before transcending to a higher realm or achieving true immortality. Cultivators are at the peak of their current world's power, facing heavenly tribulations. | A venerable patriarch stands defiantly against bolts of lightning raining from the heavens, preparing to ascend, having reached the 'Great Ascension Stage'. | Translated as 'Mahayana Stage', 'Grand Ascension Stage', or 'Ascension Realm'. |
| 渡劫期 | Dùjié Qī | Tribulation Transcending Stage | A specific stage or period within or after Great Ascension where the cultivator faces a 'Heavenly Tribulation' – a trial from the heavens, usually lightning, to test their worthiness for ascension. | Dark clouds gather ominously above a lone figure on a mountain peak, and the surrounding cultivators whisper that they are undergoing 'Tribulation Transcending'. | Rendered as 'Tribulation Stage', 'Transcending Tribulation Stage', or 'Heavenly Tribulation Realm'. |
| 散仙 | Sǎnxian | Loose Immortal / Rogue Immortal | A cultivator who failed their ascension tribulation but managed to survive, often losing their physical body and existing as a spirit, powerful but without the full status of a true immortal. | An ancient, disembodied voice provides guidance, revealing themselves to be a 'Loose Immortal' who survived a failed tribulation millennia ago. | Commonly translated as 'Rogue Immortal', 'Free Immortal', or 'Dispersed Immortal'. |
| 仙人 | Xiānrén | Immortal Person / Immortal | A being who has successfully ascended beyond the mortal realm, gaining true immortality and residing in the immortal realms. They possess vast cosmic power. | A celestial being descends from the heavens, radiating divine light and effortlessly resolving a conflict, revered as a true 'Immortal'. | Simply 'Immortal' or sometimes 'Celestial'. |
| 金仙 | Jīnxiān | Golden Immortal | A higher rank among Immortals, typically signifying profound power and a deep understanding of the Great Dao. They command significant authority in the immortal realms. | An Immortal Emperor's decree is carried out by his 'Golden Immortal' generals, who possess formidable might, far surpassing regular immortals. | Translated as 'Golden Immortal'. |
| 大罗金仙 | Dàluó Jīnxiān | Grand Unity Golden Immortal / Great Overarching Golden Immortal | An even higher and rarer rank of Immortal, possessing cosmic-level power, often capable of creating and destroying worlds, and holding immense authority. | The protagonist faces an ancient entity who casually wipes out galaxies, later revealed to be a 'Grand Unity Golden Immortal' from primordial times. | Translated as 'Grand Unity Golden Immortal', 'Great Luo Golden Immortal', or 'Da Luo Immortal'. |
| 仙帝 | Xiāndì | Immortal Emperor | The supreme ruler or most powerful being within an immortal realm or across multiple realms, embodying absolute authority and unparalleled power. | News spreads across the myriad realms that the 'Immortal Emperor' has issued a new decree, causing all forces to tremble and comply. | Translated as 'Immortal Emperor'. |
| 神王 | Shénwáng | God King | A supreme being, often ruling over a divine realm or pantheon of gods, possessing power beyond even Immortal Emperors in some settings. | The protagonist is summoned to the celestial palace where the majestic 'God King' sits on a throne of stars, commanding the heavens. | Translated as 'God King'. |
| 至尊 | Zhìzūn | Supreme / Most Honored | A general term for an entity of ultimate power, often a peak rank that transcends even Immortal Emperors or God Kings, sometimes referring to a unique existence. | Whispers of an ancient, unparalleled existence known only as 'The Supreme' circulate, said to be capable of reshaping reality itself. | Commonly translated as 'Supreme Being', 'Revered One', or 'Exalted One'. |
| 圣人 | Shèngrén | Saint / Sage | A being of profound wisdom and immense power, often associated with a specific Dao or cosmic law. Their existence is often tied to the very fabric of the universe. | A revered figure, who once preached the true meaning of the Dao, is referred to as a 'Saint' whose teachings still resonate through the ages. | Translated as 'Saint', 'Sage', or 'Holy One'. |
| 准帝 | Zhǔndì | Quasi-Emperor / Potential Emperor | A cultivator who is extremely close to becoming an Immortal Emperor but hasn't fully achieved that status. They possess near-emperor level power but lack the full authority or final breakthrough. | A character, having fought numerous 'Quasi-Emperors' throughout their journey, understands the immense gap even between them and a true Immortal Emperor. | Translated as 'Quasi-Emperor', 'Half-Step Emperor', or 'Would-Be Emperor'. |
| 天尊 | Tiānzūn | Heavenly Venerate | A title for a supreme being, often a god or an ancient, powerful entity, whose authority and power are recognized across the heavens. | The protagonist seeks an audience with the enigmatic 'Heavenly Venerate' to learn ancient secrets about the universe. | Translated as 'Heavenly Venerate', 'Celestial Exalted', or 'Heavenly Sovereign'. |
| 道祖 | Dàozǔ | Dao Ancestor | The progenitor or ultimate master of a specific Dao or cultivation path, whose existence often predates many realms. A figure of legendary status. | An ancient scripture speaks of the 'Dao Ancestor' who first pioneered the path of sword cultivation, inspiring countless generations. | Translated as 'Dao Ancestor' or 'Ancestor of the Dao'. |
| 祖境 | Zǔjìng | Ancestor Realm | A peak realm of power, often one of the highest achievable in a particular cultivation system, signifying mastery over a vast domain or concept. | The grand finale sees the protagonist finally breaking through to the mythical 'Ancestor Realm', becoming a primordial force. | Translated as 'Ancestor Realm' or 'Progenitor Realm'. |
| 神境 | Shénjìng | God Realm / Divine Realm | A realm of cultivation where practitioners achieve god-like abilities, often involving control over fundamental elements or concepts, and possessing divine power. | After arduous training and facing heavenly trials, the protagonist finally ascends into the 'God Realm', shedding their mortal coil. | Translated as 'God Realm', 'Divine Realm', or 'Deity Realm'. |
| 帝君 | Dìjūn | Emperor Lord / Sovereign Lord | A title similar to Immortal Emperor, often signifying a ruler or extremely powerful being in higher realms, sometimes used interchangeably with Xian Di. | The realm was once unified under the benevolent rule of the 'Emperor Lord', whose wisdom and power were unmatched. | Translated as 'Emperor Lord', 'Sovereign Lord', or 'Monarch'. |
| 天神 | Tiānshén | Heavenly God | A divine being residing in the heavens, usually part of a celestial hierarchy, possessing significant power and often overseeing aspects of the mortal or immortal realms. | A 'Heavenly God' descends to punish a mortal who dared to defy the celestial laws, unleashing divine lightning. | Translated as 'Heavenly God' or 'Celestial God'. |
| 真仙 | Zhēnxiān | True Immortal | Often the first definitive rank of a proper immortal after ascension, distinguishing them from mortals or failed ascendants (Sanxian). | Upon successfully passing his tribulation, the protagonist felt the true essence of the Dao flow through him, becoming a 'True Immortal'. | Translated as 'True Immortal'. |
| 玄仙 | Xuánxiān | Profound Immortal / Mystic Immortal | A higher rank of immortal, typically above True Immortals, possessing deeper understanding of profound laws and wielding greater mystic powers. | The sect leader, a renowned 'Profound Immortal', effortlessly repelled an invasion force with a single wave of his hand. | Translated as 'Profound Immortal' or 'Mystic Immortal'. |
| 太乙金仙 | Tàiyǐ Jīnxiān | Grand Unity Golden Immortal (variant) | An advanced rank of Golden Immortal, often signifying a master of unique Dao paths and having a very high position in the immortal hierarchy. | Only a few 'Grand Unity Golden Immortals' were present at the grand assembly of the Immortal Court, showcasing their rarity and power. | Translated as 'Grand Unity Golden Immortal' or 'Taiyi Golden Immortal'. |
| 主宰境 | Zhǔzǎi Jìng | Dominator Realm / Master Realm | A realm of ultimate power, often implying complete control or mastery over a vast domain, reality, or even multiple universes. Usually at the very apex. | Legends speak of beings who reached the 'Dominator Realm', capable of creating and destroying entire cosmos with a thought. | Translated as 'Dominator Realm', 'Master Realm', or 'Sovereign Realm'. |
| 创世境 | Chuàngshì Jìng | Creation Realm / Genesis Realm | The absolute pinnacle of cultivation, where one gains the power to create worlds, new laws, or even entire universes. Often considered the realm of true gods or primordial beings. | After countless eons, the protagonist finally broke through the final barrier, achieving the 'Creation Realm' and reshaping reality. | Translated as 'Creation Realm', 'Genesis Realm', or 'Creator Realm'. |
| 凡人 | Fánrén | Mortal Person | A normal human without any cultivation, at the very bottom of the power scale. Often used to highlight the difference in power and lifespan compared to cultivators. | The ancient cultivator sighed, looking at the bustling city below, thinking how fragile the lives of 'mortals' were. | Translated as 'Mortal' or 'Commoner'. |
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