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3y ago |
HiImThinkTwice |
A brief introduction to the wonderful world of Xianxia (For readers and writers!) |
So you're new to Progression Fantasy and you've discovered Xianxia. Or maybe you saw the funny word and thought you'd click this thread. Either way, congrats! Its a heck of a ride. Whether you're a reader, a writer, or a happy-go-lucky passer-by in this (short) introduction I'll be happy to try and give you an overview... |
Full disclosure, I wrote this writeup as a comment for another post and then realised it could be its own post. So I'm putting it here for anyone curious. |
Now then, let's dive in! |
Xianxia? I don't even think that's a word. |
But it is! |
Xianxia, for the most part, is a genre that focuses on an MC living in a society where people seek immortality. The genre has its roots in Chinese mythology and society, but it isn't 100% necessary to know their mythology or society in order to understand and enjoy the fictions. I would say that if you want to go in bl... |
But there are a few key aspects of the genre that are fun to know beforehand. And it can be a tiny bit confusing if you don't. |
A system? I don't even know them! |
Every Xianxia book has a system of progression. This is because the aim of many MCs and the societies focused on in Xianxia novels is to reach immortality or get stronger. For the sake of not being confused with the popular LitRPG genre, let's call these systems 'Xianxia progression systems. At their heart they are exa... |
A Xianxia progression system will almost always focus on two aspects: Cultivation, and the dao. The stages of progression are usually labelled in stages or realms. |
E.g: first realm, second realm, third realm, etc. |
Or alternatively, they can have named stages; |
E.g: spiritual stage, foundational stage, core stage, nascent soul stage, etc |
LitRPG Comparison: These stages are essentially levels. As the mc goes up a stage, they are levelling up directly in multiple ways. |
The important thing to remember isn't the names, but the fact that these stages progress upwards and that each stage is stronger than the last in important ways. Think of these realms as a ladder. Each step upwards is stronger than the one before them. I mean, that would be a pretty crappy ladder, but ultimately the go... |
All of these stages are reached through the sole method of training in the progression system; Cultivation. |
Cultivate? I can't even procreate! |
Cultivation: Most Xianxias will focus on cultivation, aka the training method used by Xianxia MCs. Why? Because cultivation is how people achieve immortality in Xianxias. More importantly, cultivation is how people progress in this type of fantasy. |
But what is cultivation exactly? What do people cultivate? And how does it help them achieve immortality? And what happens after immortality? |
Cultivation is the improvement of a persons body, soul, or inner self/mental self in order to reach the progression stages mentioned before. Progression fantasy stories tend to focus on the improvement of body and soul because it's easier to show progress in those areas. Enlightenment, training, or meditation are all w... |
LitRPG Comparison: Cultivation is training needed to get the experience points required for levelling up. You cultivate to gain levels (reached higher stages in Xianxia). The main difference is that cultivating also provides minor powerups between each stages. So it still matters for strength even if the MC hasn't rise... |
The main energy source cultivated to improve a person's chances at immortality in a Xianxia novel is Qi (life energy). |
You've got to the Qi to my heart! Please give it back, I'm dying. |
Qi! Wow, that's a strange word, but it'll become your best friend. But what is this mysterious substance that is used to empower gods and immortals and tears apart the heavens and the earth? |
Qi is mana. There. I said it. Fight me. |
It is also the Xianxia equivalent of experience points. More Qi = more progress in the experience bar to the next level. |
To elaborate, qi is the energy used to strengthen the MC in a variety of ways and is used to power their progress toward immortality. It is everywhere in the world in different amounts (like mana), though usually an MC starts off in an area with low qi. MCs cultivate this energy like a plant, growing the amount that is... |
This energy is the lifeblood of the progress part of Xianxia novels, but it isn't the only aspect of progression. |
To truly understand Xianxia, we have to talk about the Dao. |
Dao? I said I wanted to eat bao! |
'Dao' means 'path'. The Dao is the Path. |
What path? |
The path to enlightenment and immortality! Okay, I know that isn't very clear. So let me be a maid for a second and clear that right up for you. |
There is a philosophy in Xianxia novels that there is a path to immortality, and that by following this path the MC can achieve immortality. This path is called the Dao. Any MC that receives or achieves any sort of progress in a Xianxia fiction is already on the path to immortality, aka the Dao. (Hint: Its all of them)... |
The path (Dao) is usually taught to the MC and others in the Xianxia world by sects aka schools. These schools usually focus on a single aspect of the path to power, e.g elemental paths such as fire and water could be seen as Dao's of fire and water. The deeper the understanding a character has of these aspects of powe... |
However, not everyone follows the same path (Dao). Some believe that power is gained through symbols, others through forgiveness. As their understanding of a single aspect of the universe (whether that be fire, water, air, hunger, darkness, space, etc) improves, so too does their dao. This is because they are improving... |
Essentially, the Dao is the universe, and the Dao is also the understanding the characters have of that universe. It is the joy and beauty in the world, and its wonders and majesty. It is every dark corner of the human heart and every wicked thought that has touched our minds. It grants power beyond imagination, and ye... |
But for all those fine people who would like me to describe it in LitRPG terms... |
Dao's are classes. Like, not a school class, I mean a video game [Class]. Path of Fire? More like [Fire mage]. Dao of Punching? More like [Monk class]. Dao of singing? [Bard]. You get the drift. Any path of power or progression picked by the MC is a Dao. It is also their [Class]. If you see someone in a Xianxia book an... |
However, its not that simple. The Dao is also another Xianxia progression system in itself, and by understanding it more the MC can level up their [Class] and grow more powerful. Think of it like an evolving [Class] that grows more powerful as people understand it better. Regardless of how high or low level an MC is in... |
Achieve immortality? I thought you said immorality! Welp, I'm going to jail. |
But why go through all the trouble of cultivation and Dao understanding? Well, if stages are levels, cultivation is training, qi is experience, and the Dao is the MC's [Class] then immortality is the end game. Every Xianxia world has immortality as the end goal. Cultivators strive to achieve it, and mortals admire thos... |
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