The Tribute System defines the relationship between the Mortal Realm and the Heavens. Every thousand years, each of the Four Great Sects must present their achievements before the Heavens and their Gods. They must hand over refined essence, artifacts they forged, or the greatest disciples they nurtured for ascension.

  Failure to meet these standards repeatedly, or to hand in subpar resources over and over again, results in divine punishment: sects may lose their standing, their territories, and sometimes their very existence. In this way, the Gods demand progress as tribute... Nothing else is accepted. Many historians argue that this system is not divine at all but a manipulation perpetuated by higher sects or maybe even by the Gods to maintain supremacy, but whatever the truth is, no one dares test it openly.

  The Four Great Sects dominate the Mortal Realm, their influence forming the pillars of cultivation society, managing their vast lands by proxy, through their own subordinate sects and their subordinates.

  Proud, martial, and unrelenting, the Golden Radiance Sect exalts physical mastery and conquest above all else. The sect’s philosophy holds that power proves everything and weakness is the greatest sin.

  Elegant but very much calculating, the Azure Sky Pavilion members are masters of formation arrays and group combat. They prize intellect as much as skill, and every disciple is trained to think several moves ahead of their enemies.

  Their core tenets are steeped in alchemy, toxins, and medicine as they are just as much healers as poisoners, studying both sides of the same coin.

  Once the strongest, now a reclusive, failing sect. Their cultivation techniques delve into the manipulation of the soul, and they are currently eyed by every one of the others, ready for their fall and the rise of a new fourth.

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  The Mortal Realm stretches across the breadth of known existence, and the Realm itself is governed in practice by the Four Great Sects, each controlling vast territories and vassal sects beneath them. The land itself, the countless mortals are then governed by the empires, kingdoms, and clans that live in the Sects' territories. In this pyramid-like existence, everyone rises and falls within someone else's shadow, only working to meet the tithe collected by the Greats every decade. Those who are not aligned to a sect live at the mercy of either beasts or cultivators stronger than themselves.

  A mid-tier sect within the territory of the Obsidian Moon Sect, the Hollow Song Sect is known for its spiritual cultivation, heavy use of beast symbiosis, and illusion arts. Its headquarters is set between five high peaks connected by lush valleys and thick forests.

  Outer Disciple Collectives

  Representative: Bren Taar

  Group Type: Resource & Defense Collective (Outer Disciples)

  

  
• Nature: Large outer disciple collective (~100+ members)


  
• Specialization:
  
    
  
  
    
  • Defensive cultivation
  
  
    
  • Quarry work and CC mining
  
  
    
  
  
    


  
• Structure:
  
    
  
  
    
  • Collective ownership of refined resources
  
  
    
  • Strong internal protection, intimidation-based deterrence
  
  
    
  
  
    


  
• Reputation:
  
    
  
  
    
  • Organized, powerful, difficult to oppose openly
  
  
    
  
  
    


  

  Representative: (Cal'Fia)

  Group Type: Combat-oriented hunting faction

  

  
• Nature: Aggressive combat and hunting group


  
• Specialization:
  
    
  
  
    
  • Beast hunting
  
  
    
  • Field combat
  
  
    
  • Physical cultivation through constant battles
  
  
    
  
  
    


  
• Structure:
  
    
  
  
    
  • Loud, thrill-seeking, organizing hunts of beasts
  
  
    
  • Competitive mentality within their members and with other groups
  
  
    
  
  
    


  
• Reputation:
  
    
  
  
    
  • Loosely organized but powerful
  
  
    
  
  
    


  

  Representative: Toban

  Group Type: Information & Influence Network

  

  
• Nature: Intermediary power broker


  
• Specialization:
  
    
  
  
    
  • Trades in information, influence, and introductions
  
  
    
  • Acts as a neutral third party in disputes and deals
  
  
    
  
  
    


  
• Structure:
  
    
  
  
    
  • Mostly Unknown
  
  
    
  • Independent agents, separated into loose cells
  
  
    
  
  
    


  
• Reputation:
  
    
  
  
    
  • Merchants in all but name
  
  
    
  • No free gifts, despite appearances
  
  
    
  
  
    


  

  Known as the Circle of Foundation, it concerns the body and its capacity to hold power and deal with essence. Progress through the stages typically spans years, but it can't be rushed as it transforms a mortal into someone who will achieve feats no normal man can ever dream of. This is why attempting it before one's body has matured is a death sentence. Most geniuses who start out too early ruin their bodies, never to realize their true potential, and suffer until their moment of death.

  The first stage, where the cultivator strengthens their skeleton through training, essence infusion via breathing techniques, and medicinal baths. The goal is to make the bones into energy vessels, so the marrow starts converting it naturally and distributing it via the bloodstream.

  Essence begins circulating through the body’s marrow channels, purging impurities, and finally starts to circulate essence through the body, allowing the cultivator free access to it.

  Essence now permeates the bloodstream, granting momentary bursts of supernatural strength and speed. The cultivator may experience elemental reactions for the first time, which may include sparks, condensation, or heat waves during exertion, the slow awakening of their future element. It is volatile, dangerous, and exhilarating, but this is why many die here, consumed by their own blood.

  At this stage, muscles and tendons are torn and reforged through repeated Essence surges, soaked in their element. The cultivator’s body begins to display unnatural resilience and prepares the cultivator to become more than a mortal. Those who rush this stage often deform or cripple themselves permanently. Proper pacing demands both patience and self-awareness to shed the mortal coil because when successful, the mortal body ceases to age normally.

  The culmination of the First Circle. Their previously already manifesting elemental affinity takes full form. This moment determines one’s destiny because awakening an uncommon element brings prestige but also unique challenges in the future.

  Upon awakening and surviving the ordeal, cultivators enter the second great circle, where they learn to harmonize with their innate element rather than merely wield it subconsciously. Their element most of the type shape their personality: fire cultivators grow passionate and aggressive, wind users perceptive and elusive. Most training involves direct control over their elemental currents. More to be revealed later.

  More to come later.

  The nature of a cultivator’s element shapes every future choice.

  

  
• Common Elements
  
    
  
  
    
  • Fire – Strength through passion and aggression.
  
  
    
  • Water – Adaptation, healing, and patience.
  
  
    
  • Earth – Stability, endurance, and defense.
  
  
    
  • Wind – Speed, perception, and subtlety.
  
  
    
  • Lightning – Instinct, intensity, and volatility.
  
  
    
  
  
    


  
• Rare Elements
  
    
  
  
    
  • Shadow – Stealth, fear, secrecy.
  
  
    
  • Sound/Resonance – Sensory feats, illusions, control.
  
  
    
  • Void – Teleportation, drain skills, nullification.
  
  
    
  
  
    


  

  Rare elements can manifest in many unique ways; these are just examples.

  Cultivation Crystals, often called Essence Stones or CC, are the currency of the cultivation world. They serve three functions: trade, cultivation, and as tribute. Their value depends on both grade and purity.

  

  
1. Ash-Shard – dull gray shards used for barter or minor chores. Worthless for training.


  
2. Ember-Crystal – faint red glow; common among outer disciples. Fuels low-tier techniques.


  
3. Flame-Crystal – strong orange glow; used by inner disciples to stabilize Essence flow.


  
4. Sun-Crystal – amber-gold; valuable trade commodity, often used for artifacts.


  
5. Verdant-Crystal – radiant green color; used in formations.


  
6. Azure-Crystal – blue colored light; given to important disciples, used in breakthroughs.


  
7. Amethyst-Crystal – violet-colored; rare and counts as elite material.


  
8. Heavenly Core – near-mythical; crystallized ones are always offered as tributes said to be solely given to the gods.
   
     


  

  Purity is determined by the clarity of light when Essence is infused. Crystals with internal flaws or fractures may explode during use.

  Disciples use crystals during meditation to absorb Essence directly from them. Some dissolve fragments in special ways, while others embed them in weapons or use them up in cultivation chambers. Improper absorption leads to poisoning or even death.

  A Spirit Beast Contract is a spiritual binding formed between a cultivator and a Spirit Beast (or higher being). Contracts link the two together on differing levels as they are not uniform; their nature depends on consent, power balance, and intent at the moment of formation.

  The Gold Standard

  A willing, symbiotic bond formed through mutual consent.

  

  
• Both parties agree freely.
  
    


  
• Spirits are linked without domination.
  
    


  
• Allows deep emotional and spiritual resonance.
  
    


  
• Enables:
  
    
  
  
    
  • Shared perception and emotional understanding
    
      
  
  
    
  • Essence circulation feedback
    
      
  
  
    
  • Summoning and dismissal of the Spirit Beast
    
      
  
  
    
  • Accelerated growth for both parties through shared experience
  
  
    
  
  
    


  
• Greatly increases the chance of a Spirit Beast reaching human form.
  
    


  
• Either party may dissolve the contract willingly.
  
    


  

  Criteria:

  

  
• Spirit Beasts do not accept weak or short-sighted partners.


  
• Requires trust, strength, and long-term compatibility.
  
    


  

  Control with Potential

  A contract is formed when a stronger cultivator subdues or overpowers a Spirit Beast and imposes a bond.

  

  
• The beast is compelled, not enslaved.
  
    


  
• The cultivator gains authority and limited control.
  
    


  
• The Spirit Beast retains free thought and emotions.
  
    


  
• Benefits are reduced compared to a Mutual Contract.
  
    


  
• Carries risks:
  
    
  
  
    
  • If the beast grows stronger, it may break the contract.
    
      
  
  
    
  • Long-term resentment can destabilize the bond.
    
      
  
  
    
  
  
    


  

  Wth time, trust, and shared survival, a Binding Contract can evolve into a Mutual Contract.

  Common Use Cases:

  

  
• Aggressive or low-spirituality Spirit Beasts
  
    


  
• Or when beasts are incapable of understanding mutual intent initially


  

  Total Domination

  A contract where the cultivator overwrites the beast’s will entirely.

  

  
• The Spirit Beast loses autonomy.
  
    


  
• Pain, coercion, and Essence suppression are used.
  
    


  
• The beast is treated as a tool or consumable resource.
  
    


  
• Often paired with:
  
    
  
  
    
  • Forced sacrifice
    
      
  
  
    
  • Essence extraction
    
      
  
  
    
  • Disposable combat use
  
  
    
  
  
    


  

  The Mark of Failure

  A rare and dangerous anomaly where the cultivator submits to the Spirit Beast.

  

  
• Typically occurs when:
  
    
  
  
    
  • A Binding Contract is reversed by a stronger beast
    
      
  
  
    
  • A Spirit surpasses its master dramatically
    
      
  
  
    
  
  
    


  
• The cultivator becomes subordinate.
  
    


  
• In extreme cases, the cultivator may become:
  
    
  
  
    
  • A thrall
    
      
  
  
    
  • A servant
    
      
  
  
    
  • Or a slave
  
  
    
  
  
    


  

  Considered a great humiliation and cautionary tale.

  In the Mortal Realm, animals, plants, and even crafted artifacts possess the latent potential to develop intelligence and eventually take human form. This transformation depends on the accumulation and refinement of spirituality (Essence), whether gained naturally over time or deliberately cultivated. While artifacts may need active intervention by cultivators, plants and animals evolve organically, driven by instinct, environment, and the strength of the Essence in the region.

  Ordinary creatures with no true cultivation.

  

  
• Intelligence is instinctual and limited.
  
    


  
• Unable to consciously absorb or refine Essence.
  
    


  
• Still influenced by spiritually rich environments, which may strengthen their bodies or instincts slightly.
  
    


  
• Most wildlife belongs to this category.
  
    


  

  Examples include common forest animals, mundane livestock, and predators.

  Animals that have accumulated enough spirituality to reach human-level intelligence.

  

  
• Can understand human speech (though they may not speak).
  
    


  
• Retain animal forms and instincts, but with heightened awareness and reasoning.
  
    


  
• Capable of instinctive Essence use (enhanced strength, speed, senses, or innate abilities).
  
    


  
• Emotional depth develops; bonds, fear, pride, and loyalty become fully formed.
  
    


  
• Strength varies widely depending on species, age, and environment.
  
    


  

  At this stage, Spirit Beasts are highly valuable and often targeted by cultivators. They are also the earliest stage at which contracts may be formed.

  Fully awakened beings capable of assuming human or hybrid forms.

  

  
• Intelligence often matches or sometimes even surpasses that of humans.
  
    


  
• Can consciously cultivate using human techniques.
  
    


  
• Gain access to structured cultivation paths.
  
    


  
• Power level is heavily influenced by the strength of their original animal form.
  
    


  
• Exceptional Spirits may rival or exceed Elders upon transformation.
  
    


  

  Once transformed, Spirits advance identically to humans, progressing through cultivation stages without restriction.

  

  
• Transformation is not guaranteed; many Spirit Beasts die before reaching it.
  
    


  
• Trauma, rushed advancement, or forced evolution can cripple future potential.
  
    


  
• The transition to Spirit form is irreversible.
  
    


  
• A Spirit’s personality and talents strongly reflect their original nature.


  

  Unknown at the moment.

  They make up the main decision-making force within the Sect and make sure the Sect Master's vision and orders are implemented.

  Elder Yan

  She stands as one of the four Grand Elders of the Hollow Song Sect. She is one of the youngest of the Grand Elders, but also one of the latest, great talents in the Sect's history, taking her only two-hundred years to rise to the position she holds at the current position.

  Elder Lin

  He is the oldest of the active Grand Elders, and he is the voice of caution and mediation during the council’s debates, ensuring that the sect’s growth does not outpace its stability.

  Elder Mei

  Practical to the core, she distrusts outsiders and often argues that secrecy is the Hollow Song Sect’s greatest defense, and her voice is the counterweight to Elder Yan’s political openness.

  Elder Baat

  Brash and aggressive, but with a great heart, Elder Baat is one of the best fighters the Hollow Song Sect has, and especially amongst the Grand Elders, when it comes to pure, physical power.

  Unknown at the moment. The High Elders typically serve as the bridge between the Grand Elders and the martial elders of the sect.

  They are the main force within a Sect, not only when it comes to a Sect's influence on their territory, but also in training the next generation.

  Elder Thane

  Elder Thane is mostly responsible for training Outer Disciples in martial ways and making sure to offer training for everyone who joined the Sect, hosting official classes.

  Elder Delia Veldan

  A senior elder of the Hollow Song Sect responsible for spirit beasts, spiritual bonds, and ascendant non-human cultivators. She was originally a Moonhorn Cloudbovine, being Grand Elder Lin's Spirit Beast before becoming an Elder of the Sect.

  Unknown at the moment. Guardians act as protectors of the sect; many times, they are sworn to the sect but may not have been disciples of it in the past.

  Core disciples represent the pinnacle of active student ranks, often chosen for direct mentorship under high elders or even grand elders. Their duties extend beyond the sect walls, frequently involving missions in the outer provinces.

  Kyrae

  A personal disciple of Elder Yan, Kyrae is calm, observant, and methodical, and she mostly operates with a high degree of autonomy, reflecting Elder Yan’s trust in her discretion and judgment.

  Inner Disciples are talented individuals who managed to shine amongst the many Outer Disciples, becoming part of those who receive the full support of the Sect in realizing their fullest potential.

  Dui

  Dui serves as a liaison between the inner disciples and the new outer disciples. He is responsible for managing orientation, discipline, and reporting incidents to the elders.

  Seloryn Veyra

  Known among the inner disciples as the Silver Flute, she is a formidable combatant, yet she carries herself with grace, teasing, and quiet manipulation, among many other qualities.

  Ruben

  A disciple who is mostly present in the inner disciples' mission hall.

  Every newly accepted disciple starts amongst the Outer Disciples, because even amongst talented people, if they can't capitalize on their talent, it is best to learn that early. Those who never make it into the Inner Disciples will not take away essential resources from those who really matter.

  Siu

  The MC. Once discovered as a young talent, taken care of by a responsible Elder, saving him from destroying himself, before he was ready.

  Neya

  A soft-spoken girl from the village of Windermere and Siu's roommate at the start. Though timid, she possesses a quiet intuition for Essence, sensing fluctuations others overlook.

  Tian

  Lean, brash, and quick to challenge authority, Tian has trained under mortal commanders before joining the sect. He approaches cultivation as warfare, and although he is brash, he has a weird sense of honor.

  Lorean

  Noble-born and thus she had her wind affinity already identified within her, Lorean values power and takes everything as a give-and-take situation.

  Nue Toah

  Tall, muscular, and domineering, Nue Toah has long been known amongst the outer disciples through her intimidation and manipulation. Although the latter is not really a covert one, it is achieved through sheer strength and violence.

  Milli

  A red-haired outer disciple assigned to the Mission Hall, Milli serves as one of the primary clerks responsible for issuing and recording sect assignments.

  Nilli

  A red-haired outer disciple and Mission Hall clerk, Nilli operates in tandem with her twin sister Milli.

  Toban

  An outer disciple who is pretty much known for being an information dealer, yet in reality, he is the head of one of the biggest Outer Disciple groups, the Golden Scroll Association. However, not even most of their members know that Toban is the one leading them.

  Bren Taar

  Leader of the Stone Ward Collection, one of the major disciple organizations amongst the Outer Disciples. He is a strong and proud disciple, with a tinge of an inferiority complex, coming from a humble background.

  Cal'Fia

  Leader of the Ember Circle disciple group, focusing on combat and beast hunting, she is a strong-willed woman with a knack for fighting. Later on, her group recruited Tian into their circle.

  Arya

  A spirit beast, from the fox-tribe. She was saved by Siu as a fledgling and became his first contracted spirit beast and partner.

  Harrik

  Stone Ward Collection member, part of the six core members of the Icecrown Stag's hunt. Role: Brawler.

  Jarek

  Part of the six core members of the Icecrown Stag's hunt. Role: Breaker.

  Kae'Lin

  Part of the six core members of the Icecrown Stag's hunt. Role: Damage Dealer

  Ryn

  Part of the six core members of the Icecrown Stag's hunt. Role: Scout

  Rinmei

  Part of the six core members of the Icecrown Stag's hunt and the leader of the six. Role: Healer