WELCOME TO THE RICE FIELD JUNIOR! DO NOT COURT DEATH!

Welcome to the Murim, or Jianghu, whichever you prefer. Here you will encounter all kinds of individuals as you roam 16th century China, underneath the Ming Dynasty.

From Martial Masters, to Alchemists, and perhaps even normal people...as normal as one may get in the Murim.

Most of the important figures you will encounter will be cultivators, martial artists trained in the spiritual art of cultivation. Their cultivation arts range from conventional sword techniques, to fantastical (and impractical) physical arts, or even poison arts.

They are all similar, yet also different. However, all martial artists share the same progression, the same realms they must break through. They are as follows:

• Third Rate Warrior: The first and lowest realm. Here you are able to break stone with your bare hands, shatter wood with your hand, run as fast as an olympic sprinter. Most martial artists stop at this realm, fortunately.

• Second Rate Warrior: The Second Realm. Here you are able to smash through walls with your body, and bend metal while being able to run as fast as a horse. Perhaps 40% of Martial Artists reach this realm. Only a quarter of those that do reach this milestone advance further. Even the newest Second Rate can beat 10 Third Rate Warriors.

• First Rate Warrior: The Third and final Basic Realm. This is when you are able to shatter non-Qi enhanced swords with your bare hands, when non-cultivators are unable to hurt you through conventional means. To the normal human you are as fast as a car, and as strong as something only fifteen times your size should be. Only a tenth of all Martial Artists reach this realm. Even 10 Second Rates isn't guaranteed victory against a Third Rate.

These three realms are known as the three Basic Realms, cultivators in these realms are Basic Martial Artists. From here we have the Master Realms, which are as follows:

• Peak Master: You have reached the peak of human performance, basically immortal to normal people. You are capable of shattering steel with your hands, throw boulders like they are balls, and outrun most cars. At this point, your sect may consider you an Elder. It takes 10 normal First Rates to (sometimes) beat a Peak Master.

• Supreme Peak Master: You are on the verge of shattering human limits and moving into the territory of the supernatural. Your body may at times feel strange, or foreign as you prepare for metamorphosis (if you reach the next realm). You are strong enough to throw boulders like pebbles, or fast enough to compete with trains. It would take 5 Peak Masters to compete with you. The majority of the smaller sects' masters are at this realm.

Beyond these realms lie the vary outliers of the Martial Arts world. These Martial Artists are on such a level that they are to a Basic Martial Artist as a Basic Martial Artist is to a normal human. The next three realms are reserved for the absolute peak of the Murim. They are the four Spirit Realms.

• Transcendent Master: Once you reach this realm, you face metamorphosis, body reformation. Your body reaches it's peak physical condition, burning all excess fat, reversing age and removing disease. At this realm you can throw entire buildings, leave marks in the very mountains with your attacks. To the average person, your speed is so great that by the time they hear you run, you are already long gone. It would take 10 Supreme Peaks to challenge you.

• Mind and Body Unity Master: You have pushed passed the limits of Transcendence and even physical limitations. Swords, or any weapon for that matter, become less useful as now you are capable of manifesting weapons with your mind alone. Your attacks may cleave the heavens, splitting the clouds, or sever mountains. Even 10 Transcendents may not be enough.

• Life and Death Master: You stand at the very peak of what Martial Arts may achieve. To say you could destroy a city in one normal, unprepared attack, would not be an exaggeration. No one can truly rival you, except for that small percentile of all Martial Artists who stand in the same realm as you.

To push beyond these realms is foolishness...or ambition. Once you reach the peak of the Life and Death Realm...you shall face tribulations. Either you will die, a fiery, thunder filled and pathetic death... or you will be banished from this world, uplifted into the Upper Realms as an Immortal.

Be careful as you traverse the Jianghu, as you may make one mistake...and face the wrath of the heavens.

P.S. You need to become a cultivator before you're 10-ish. Once you reach puberty, unlocking your Qi becomes fatal.