Background

In the world of (placeholder.name) there are a number of small countries. These small countries are ruled for a few (10) generations before the rulers of the countries become outlaw martial artists take over and start their own government. The exeptions to this are The Republic of (placeholder2.name) and the proud nation of (placeholder3.name), both of which have established traditions allowing the ruler(s) to be replaced, by election and a once a year tournament respectively. There is also the (placeholder4.name) Empire, which maintains order through constant conquest.

The martial arts community in the world is barren, with most martial arts being passed down for no more than a few generations before being exterminated by a coalition of rival clans and sects.

The flying divide: When every strike sends either party flying, most techniques beyond a certain undetermined level have countermeasures for this.

Weapons: weapons beyond a certain grade must be made by infusing a piece of material with qi. This slows the cultivation progress dependant on the weapons size and requirements. Must also be redesigned completely upon the comprehension of incompatible laws. Rare after sage warrior.

Medicine: Most mortal medicine is ineffective on sages, only returning to prominence with immortals. Pre-immortal medicine slows the purification process if taken at any point in life.

Animals: Goes all the way up to ascendant artist relatively easily. Upon reaching this bottleneck, intelligence increases until they can start to comprehend laws. Animals at this level are spirit beasts and can be taught to talk and escaped talking spirit beasts tend to lead native animals as a tyrant.

Formations: at the level of sages become relevant. Sage masters can bridge the gap from immortal with a good enough formation.

Demons: byproduct of sages going insane, created at expense of sages life, has all of the comprehended laws, cannot advance due to the shedding of part of the mind. Devils are advanced demons formed from immortals going insane. Devils can advance unlike demons, albeit slowly. Devils may attempt to create subordinates by driving sages/weaker immortals insane, but otherwise slaughter indiscriminately

Cultivation ranks:

strong man (just a normal exercise routine can get you here)

warrior (infused with qi, but can't use it beyond a passive buff)

martial artist (can manipulate the distribution of qi to change traits)

acsendant candidate (can utilize qi outside of the body, but at most can move pebbles, limit of worlds society's tolerence)

acsendant (can sense world through qi, limit of society)

ascendant warrior (can borrow the qi of the world and infuse it into their attacks, boosts strength moderately before entering dangerous territory, can be used externally for just as much power. Very real possibility in the world, but knowing this most clans and sects kill anyone suspended to be able to reach this level, does not currently exist)

ascendant artist (can sculpt qi into shapes at will, most techniques used in other novels must be executed at this level or above)

late ascendant (body purifying itself, actually weaker than an ascendant warrior, systematically exterminated in all worlds by rivals)

Early sage (healing from purification, strength anywhere from ascendant candidate to ascendant artist. extended lifespan. Killed on sight)

sage (can utilize the full passive might of the world, has to comprehend natural laws (of physics) to advance, every law increases strength, but compatible laws do so more, comprehension beyond a certain point not yet useable)

sage warrior (takes already comprehended laws and tries to compile them into an advanced law, may have to comprehend another law to succeed)

advanced sage (comprehended an advanced law, allowing basic laws under the advanced law to make progress. diminishing returns on comprehension)

grand sage (has almost comprehended all basic and advanced laws, directly or indirectly, glows faintly, major bottleneck as the mind must be trained to go further)

immortal xth dan (has comprehended all laws of the xth grade into the xth grand law, from which x+1 laws are developed, ageless), advanced immortal xth dan ( start of x+1 law development)

warrior immortal xth dan (advanced x+1 law development)

grand immortal xth dan (near completion of x+1 grand law completion)