Stellar Transformations Glossary Page

B

Behind Closed Doors (闭关) [Bi Guan] –

Martial artists who want to practise their martial skills in seclusion often do this. There are some reasons, the common ones being:

They do not want anyone else to steal the techniques that they are practising, or

The martial skills that they are practising has reached a critical juncture, and they cannot be disturbed while they are practising it. Should they be disturbed while in the midst of practising, the consequences are either their own death or sustaining serious injuries due to loss of energy control, or submitting to the Heart Devil and entering into a berserk mental state, attacking anything near them, and that will eventually end in their death or sustaining serious injuries.

 

Blood Contract (血之契约) [Xue Zhi Qi Yue] –

Special items, weapons and equipment can be bound by blood to a particular person. When an item comes into contact with a person’s blood, it can be bound to that person, and that person will then be able to hide and keep that item within his body, thus easily preventing theft.

 

D

Dantian (丹田) –

A point of location within a person, that which energy is pooled together at.

 

Demons (妖) [Yao] –

Mythical creatures are categorized as Demons. They are also known as Divine Beasts. There are three domain levels for Demons in the Ascendant Realms. Each domain level for the Demons consists of a total of nine tiers.

Starting from the lowest domain level: Heavenly Demon, Demon King, Demon Emperor.

 

Devils (魔) [Mo] –

There are three domain levels for Devils in the Ascendant Realms.

Starting from the lowest domain level: Heavenly Devil, Devil King, Devil Emperor. Each domain level for the Devils consists of a total of nine tiers.

Depending on their path in Modao, their titles will also be different respectively. For example, an extremely strong person practising the Blood Devil Modao in the domain level of Devil King might be called a Blood Devil King.

 

Divine Beast (神兽) [Shen Shou] –

Mythical creatures that are categorized as Demons. There are three types of Divine Beasts: Avian Divine Beasts, Bestial Divine Beasts, and Scaled Divine Beasts.

Divine Beasts are divided into four classes. Starting from the lowest tier: Low Class, Middle Class, High Class, and Super Divine Beasts.

High Class and Super Divine Class Divine Beasts possess hereditary memories which contain secret skills and techniques.

 

Domain Level (境界) [Jing Jie] –

Martial cultivation is separated into a series of important stages of practise, and those important stages are referred to as domain levels.

In the Mortal Realm, Xiuzhen Practitioners will usually experience the following order of domain levels: Houtian stage, Xiantian stage, Jindan stage, Yuanying stage, Dongxu stage, Kongming stage, Dujie stage, and Dacheng stage. On attaining Dacheng stage, after a period of time, the Xiuzhen Practitioner will Ascend into the Ascendant Realms.

Xiuzhen Practitioners who have their physical bodies destroyed and scattered into pieces during their Six of Nine Heavenly Tribulations or Nine of Nine Heavenly Tribulations are known as Loose Practitioners and have to experience a total of Twelve Heavenly Tribulations. After a typical Loose Practitioner completes his or her Twelfth Heavenly Tribulation, he or she will Ascend to the Ascendant Realms and begin practising as either a Devil King, Demon King, or Golden Immortal, depending on his or her method of martial cultivation.

In the Ascendant Realms, Xiuzhen Practitioners will usually experience three domain levels, but each domain level consists of nine tiers. Each tier of practise increases the martial capabilities of the Xiuzhen Practitioner by a significant level.

For Xiumo Practitioners, they will experience the following order of domain levels: Heavenly Devil, Devil King, Devil Emperor.

For Xiuyao Practitioners, they will experience the following order of domain levels: Heavenly Demon, Demon King, Demon Emperor.

For Xiuxian Practitioners, they will experience the following order of domain levels: Heavenly Immortal, Golden Immortal, Mystic Immortal.

A practitioner of the Stellar Transformations do not follow the same stages of practise as typical Xiuzhen Practitioners.

In the Mortal Realm, the stages of domain levels for the Stellar Transformations are in the order as follows: Nebula stage, Meteor stage, Stellar Core stage, Planet stage, Dujie stage, and the Stellar stage.

 

E

Elemental Energy (元气) [Yuan Qi] –

A type of material energy.

 

Elixir (丹) [Dan] –

Elixirs are typically in the form of pills. Different elixirs have different effects when consumed.

For Xiuzhen Practitioners and Xiumo Practitioners, when they achieve the stage of Jindan in their level of martial cultivation, the internal energies within their body will solidify and form a Jindan at their Dantian. The Jindan is referred to as Golden Elixir, and represents the essence and energies of a Xiuzhen or Xiumo Practitioner’s cultivation. It can be used as nourishment to further another Xiuzhen Practitioner’s martial cultivation. When the Practitioner achieves the stage of Yuanying in their level of martial cultivation, the Jindan will transform into a Yuanying.

For Xiuyao Practitioners, when they achieve the equivalent stage of Jindan in their level of martial cultivation, the internal energies within their body will solidify and form a Neidan at their Dantian. The Neidan is referred to as Internal Elixir, and represents the essence and energies of a Xiuyao Practitioner’s cultivation. It can be used as nourishment to further another Xiuzhen Practitioner’s martial cultivation. When the Xiuyao Practitioner achieves the stage of Yuanying in their level of martial cultivation, the Neidan will transform into a Yuanying.

 

H

Heavenly Tribulations (重劫) [Zhong Jie] –

Trials that which martial Practitioners will encounter at key phases of their martial cultivation periods in the Mortal Realm. All Loose Practitioners have Twelve Heavenly Tribulations. For Xiuzhen Practitioners who have not lost their physical bodies, they will encounter the following:

Xiantian Stage: Three of Nine Heavenly Tribulations

Yuanying Stage: Six of Nine Heavenly Tribulations

Middle Phase Dujie Stage: Nine of Nine Heavenly Tribulations

 

I

Immortals (仙) [Xian] –

There are three domain levels of Immortality in the Ascendant Realms.

Starting from the lowest domain level: Heavenly Immortal, Golden Immortal, Mystic Immortal. Each level of Immortality consists of a total of nine tiers.

 

J

Jindan (金丹) –

Golden Elixir. Also a stage of martial cultivation, which is after Xiantian stage and before Yuanying stage.

For Xiuzhen Practitioners and Xiumo Practitioners, when they achieve the stage of Jindan in their level of martial cultivation, the internal energies within their body will solidify and form a Jindan at their Dantian. The Jindan is referred to as Golden Elixir, and represents the essence and energies of a Xiuzhen or Xiumo Practitioner’s cultivation. It can be used as nourishment to further another Xiuzhen Practitioner’s martial cultivation. When the Practitioner achieves the stage of Yuanying in their level of martial cultivation, the Jindan will transform into a Yuanying.

 

L

Large Transfer (大挪移) [Da Nuo Yi] –

The advanced form of the Teleportation technique, which only Practitioners of the Golden Immortal, Demon King, or Devil King domain levels or equivalent, and above, can perform.

 

Loose Demons (散妖) [San Yao] –

While in the Mortal Realm, Demons who had attained at least the Yuanying stage in their martial cultivation, and had their physical bodies scattered into pieces during their Six of Nine Heavenly Tribulations or Nine of Nine Heavenly Tribulations, but managed to preserve their Yuanying in the process become Loose Demons.

These Loose Demons, in turn, have Twelve Heavenly Tribulations. Loose Demons of the First, Second and Third Tribulation have varying degrees of power. Loose Demons of the Fourth Tribulation typically have the same capabilities as a First Tier Heavenly Demon, and respectively, Loose Demons of the Twelfth Tribulation typically have the same capabilities as a Ninth Tier Heavenly Demon. When Loose Demons overcome their Twelfth Tribulation, they will ascend and become Demon Kings.

 

Loose Devils (散魔) [San Mo] –

While in the Mortal Realm, Devils who had attained at least the Yuanying stage in their martial cultivation, and had their physical bodies scattered into pieces during their Six of Nine Heavenly Tribulations or Nine of Nine Heavenly Tribulations, but managed to preserve their Yuanying in the process become Loose Devils.

These Loose Devils, in turn, have twelve Heavenly Tribulations. Loose Devils of the First, Second and Third Tribulation have varying degrees of power. Loose Devils of the Fourth Tribulation typically have the same capabilities as a First Tier Heavenly Devil, and respectively, Loose Devils of the Twelfth Tribulation typically have the same capabilities as a Ninth Tier Heavenly Devil. When Loose Devils overcome their Twelfth Tribulation, they will ascend and become Devil Kings.

 

Loose Immortals (散仙) [San Xian] –

While in the Mortal Realm, Immortals who had attained at least the Yuanying stage in their martial cultivation, and had their physical bodies scattered into pieces during their Six of Nine Heavenly Tribulations or Nine of Nine Heavenly Tribulations, but managed to preserve their Yuanying in the process become Loose Immortals.

These Loose Immortals, in turn, have twelve Heavenly Tribulations. Loose Immortals of the First, Second and Third Tribulation have varying degrees of power. Loose Immortals of the Fourth Tribulation typically have the same capabilities as a First Tier Heavenly Immortal, and respectively, Loose Immortals of the Twelfth Tribulation typically have the same capabilities as a Ninth Tier Heavenly Immortal. When Loose Immortals overcome their Twelfth Tribulation, they will ascend and become Golden Immortals.

 

Loose Practitioners (散修) [San Xiu] –

Loose Demons, Loose Devils and Loose Immortals are called Loose Practitioners in general.

 

M

Meridian Channels (经脉) [Jin Mai] –

The meridian system is a traditional Chinese medicine belief about a path through which the life-energy known as “qi” flows. The meridian network is typically divided into two categories, meridian channels and the associated vessels. There are a total of twelve meridian channels.

 

Modao (魔道) –

Translates to ‘Way of the Devil’. The path of martial cultivation generally used by Devils. All Xiumo Practitioners follow this path. Although consisting of many smaller branching paths, the three largest branching paths of Modao in the Devil Realm are the Black Devil Modao, Blood Devil Modao, and Asura Modao.

 

N

Natural Elixir of Rebirth (生生造化丹) [Sheng Sheng Zao Hua Dan] –

Elixir that is created by combining Elemental Life Force with any basic medicinal elixir. The Natural Elixir of Rebirth completely restores the martial powers of a person within the time of a single breath.

The character ‘生’ refers to rebirth, while ‘造化’ refers to the great powers of nature, or the powers of the Heavens and Earth. The characters forming the phrase ‘生生造化’ refers to ‘relying on the great and natural powers of the Heavens and Earth to grant a second life’. The explanation can be referred from the novel [Emperor of War, Chapter 18].

 

Neidan (内丹) –

Internal Elixir.

For Xiuyao Practitioners, when they achieve the equivalent stage of Jindan in their level of martial cultivation, the internal energies within their body will solidify and form a Neidan at their Dantian. The Neidan is referred to as Internal Elixir, and represents the essence and energies of a Xiuyao Practitioner’s cultivation. It can be used as nourishment to further another Xiuzhen Practitioner’s martial cultivation. When the Xiuyao Practitioner achieves the stage of Yuanying in their level of martial cultivation, the Neidan will transform into a Yuanying.

 

P

Peng (鹏) –

A Peng is a giant bird that is transformed from a Kun (鲲), which is a giant fish. Although fundamentally different mythical creatures, Pengs are commonly likened to the Roc or Garuda, while the Kun likened to the Leviathan. In the novel, the speed of the Golden-Winged Giant Peng is extremely fast amongst Super Divine Beasts.

 

 

Q

Qilin (麒麟) [Qi Lin] –

A Qilin is a mythical hooved chimerical creature said to appear with the imminent arrival or passing of a sage or illustrious ruler.

 

[1]

 

S

Seven Stars Sword Verse (七星剑决) [Qi Xing Jian Jue] –

A Sword Immortal Sword Verse of the Immortal Realm, which is based off the seven stars in the Big Dipper asterism: Alkaid, Mizar, Alioth, Megrez, Dubhe, Phecda, Merak.

 

Soul Jade Slip (灵魂玉简) [Ling Hun Yu Jian] –

A small piece of jade that is spiritually connected to a person’s soul. If that person is to die, that person’s Soul Jade Slip will crack to symbolise that the person died.

 

Sound Transfer (传音) [Chuan Yin] –

A technique which sends sound directly into the mind of another individual, several individuals, or over long distances.

 

Spiritual Awareness (灵识) [Ling Shi] –

A technique by which a person uses his spiritual powers to sense, in an attempt to seek out knowledge, of either another person’s level of spiritual power, or the spiritual energies within a targeted area. If the target’s level of spiritual power is stronger than the person sensing, then the skill user will have failed to gain the knowledge of the target’s level. It can also be used for communication purposes.

 

Spiritual Energy (灵气) [Ling Qi] –

A type of immaterial energy.

 

Stellar Transformations (星辰变) [Xing Chen Bian] –

The Stellar Transformations is a set of incomplete martial cultivation techniques.

In the Mortal Realm, the stages of domain levels are in the order as follows: Nebula stage, Meteor stage, Stellar Core stage, Planet stage, Dujie stage, and the Stellar stage.

 

Sundering The Heavens Diagrams (破天图) [Po Tian Tu] –

A single piece of artwork consisting of a set of diagrams drawn by Sword Immortal Ni Yang that teaches the owner a sword tecnhique. There are a total of three pieces that, when combined, reveals the location of Ni Yang’s realm.

 

T

Talisman (令) [Ling] –

A talisman is typically made of a rectangular piece of talisman paper the size of a palm, inlaid with Chinese characters and patterns written or drawn in ink or blood. It can be used for various purposes, ranging from having offensive Verses sealed in it, to communication usage.

 

Transmission Talisman (传讯令) [Chuan Xun Ling] –

A talisman that is used for communication purposes.

 

X

Xiandao (仙道) –

Translated as ‘Way of the Immortals’. The path of martial cultivation generally used by Immortals. All Xiuxian Practitioners follow this path.

 

Xiumo (修魔) –

A method of cultivating martial powers used by Devils. Martial experts who use Xiumo as their martial cultivating method are called Xiumo Practitioners, and are generally evil and bloodthirsty. All Xiumo Practitioners follow the Modao.

 

Xiuxian (修仙) –

A method of cultivating martial powers used by Immortals. Martial experts who use Xiuxian as their martial cultivating method are called Xiuxian Practitioners, and are generally self-righteous. All Xiuxian Practitioners follow the Xiandao.

 

Xiuzhen (修真) –

The method of cultivating martial powers are generally called Xiuzhen. Martial experts who use Xiuzhen as their martial cultivating method are called Xiuzhen Practitioners. Xiuxian, Xiumo, and Xiuyao are three different paths of cultivating martial powers. They are generally referred to as Xiuzhen.

 

V

Verse (诀) [Jue] –

One of the two components in a martial skill. A martial skill usually consist of both a Verse and a Movement. A Verse is a formula that teaches the flow and release of energy in a body. A Movement is a series of physical actions. Both are required in order to learn a martial skill, as they complement each other. For example, the first part of the Verse complements the first step in the Movement, in order to control the flow of energy for that step in that part of the martial skill.

 

References:

[1] Autumnal Qilin by KatePfeilschiefter, http://www.deviantart.com/art/Autumnal-Qilin-329743178