[SYSTEM BOOT SEQUENCE... COMPLETE.]
[USER AUTHENTICATION: HOST (JIANG CHEN).]
[ACCESS LEVEL: ADMINISTRATOR.]
[SUBJECT: THE LAWS OF THE MORTAL DUST PLANE.]
I. THE FUNDAMENTAL DIVERGENCE: CULTIVATION
In the grand architecture of the Mortal Dust Realm, power is not created; it is borrowed. This is the fundamental law that governs all life—except yours.
1. The Standard Path: The "Vessel" Theory
For 99.9% of existence, cultivation is the act of turning the body into a container for Qi (Universal Energy).
* The Dantian (The Tank): Located beneath the navel, this organ acts as a storage battery.
* The Method: Cultivators breathe in ambient Qi, filter it through their meridians, and store it.
* The Reliance: A cultivator is only as strong as their remaining Qi.
* Scenario: A Foundation Establishment Elder can fly and crush boulders with a wave of their hand.
* The Flaw: If you drain their Qi (or seal their meridians), they revert to the physiology of a mortal. A knife to the throat will kill them just as easily as it kills a peasant.
* Summary: They are Mages. Glass cannons dependent on mana.
2. The Anomaly: The "Void" Path (Jiang Chen)
You possess the [Heavenly Devourer System]. You are not a Vessel; you are a Leak in the fabric of reality. Your Dantian is a shattered abyss that cannot hold gas.
* The Method (Mass Conversion): When you consume energy (Spirit Stones, Pills, Artifacts, Flesh), the System does not store it. It shreds the energy and collapses it into Biological Mass.
* The Result (Density): You do not "level up" in the traditional sense. You are undergoing a constant, violent reconstruction.
* Bone Density: Your skeleton is being rewritten with carbon-lattice structures denser than steel.
* Muscle Fiber: Your muscles do not grow larger; they grow tighter. A single strand of your muscle fiber has the tensile strength of a suspension bridge cable.
* The Reality: You are Magically Inert. You cannot cast spells. You cannot fly on swords.
* Scenario: An enemy shoots a Fireball.
* Normal Defense: Use a Qi Shield to deflect it.
* Void Defense: You take the hit. Your skin is too dense to burn. You walk through the fire and tear the caster's head off.
* Summary: You are a Physics Glitch. A juggernaut that generates force through mass times acceleration.
II. THE HIERARCHY OF POWER (VOLUME 1)
The Mortal Dust Realm is the "mud" of the universe. It is the lowest plane, governed by the laws of gravity and mortality.
1. Qi Condensation Realm (The Foundation)
The process of opening the body to the universe.
* Layers 1–3 (Body Tempering): Slightly stronger than a mortal. Can lift ~300 lbs.
* Layers 4–6 (Spirit Awakening): The ability to manifest external Qi (dim glows, minor telekinesis). Skin becomes resistant to normal iron weapons.
* Layers 7–9 (The Peak): The limit of mortality. Speed surpasses the human eye. Can shatter boulders.
* Host Metric: At Layer 4, your grip strength is approx. 4,000 PSI (enough to crush a human skull like a grape).
2. Foundation Establishment Realm (The Ascent)
The gas in the Dantian is compressed into liquid.
* Capabilities: True flight (riding objects). Longevity increases to ~200 years. The "Spiritual Sense" (radar) awakens, allowing them to see 360 degrees without eyes.
* Threat Level: One Foundation Establishment cultivator can slaughter an army of 10,000 mortals.
* Host Metric: To fight this, you must evolve your [Agility] to break the sound barrier.
3. Golden Core Realm (The Monarchs)
The liquid Qi is solidified into a spinning core.
* Capabilities: They no longer need to eat or sleep. They generate their own gravity. Their attacks can level small mountains.
* Threat Level: Tactical Nuke. If a Golden Core detonates, the fallout destroys everything within 50 miles.
4. Nascent Soul Realm (The Immortals)
The Core cracks open, and a "Spiritual Infant" (Soul) is born.
* Capabilities: If their body is destroyed, the Soul can escape and possess a new body. They are nearly impossible to kill permanently.
* Threat Level: Natural Disaster.
III. CONSTITUTIONS & PHYSIOLOGY
1. Standard Constitutions (The RNG Lottery)
Some humans are born with "Cheats"—special body types that grant affinities.
* Solar Yang Body: 10x Fire Qi absorption. Immune to heat.
* Lunar Yin Body: 10x Ice/Spirit absorption. Natural healing.
* Sword Bone: Born with a skeleton that naturally emits sharp Qi.
2. The Void Constitution (The Curse)
Your body is currently labeled: [Status: COMPROMISED].
You do not have a "Constitution" in the traditional sense. You have an Infestation.
* Regeneration Failure: You do not heal.
* Normal: A cut heals in days.
* Void: A cut stays open forever unless you consume energy (EV). You must pay to repair your vessel.
* Gravitational Anomaly: As your density increases, your weight skyrockets.
* Current State: You weigh ~250 lbs (Normal).
* Future State: At higher evolutions, you will weigh tons while maintaining a human size. You will have to constantly control your footfalls to avoid cracking the floorboards.
* Temperature: Your body temperature is unnaturally low. You are cold to the touch because your cells are absorbing ambient heat (entropy).
3. The Sync Rate (The Doomsday Clock)
This is the most critical metric in your UI. It measures the percentage of your soul that has been overwritten by Apeiron (The Void Serpent).
* 0% – 1% (The Host): You are human. The System is a tool.
* 5% – 20% (The Hybrid): Physical mutations occur. Vertical pupils. Black blood. The ability to unhinge your jaw.
* 50% (The Avatar): The "Puppet Protocol" activates. The Serpent can force your body to move against your will to preserve itself.
* 90% (The Twilight): You lose your memories. Your personality fades.
* 100% (The Ascension): [FATAL ERROR]. Jiang Chen ceases to exist. The Serpent incarnates into reality using your body as its cocoon.
IV. SKILLS, TECHNIQUES, & THE "TECH TREE"
In this world, knowledge is graded by its complexity and connection to the Dao (Natural Laws).
1. Technique Grades (Manuals)
* Yellow Grade: Common. Basic breathing exercises. (e.g., Stone Fist, Spark Igniter).
* Black Grade: Uncommon. The backbone of Sect power. (e.g., Splitting Wind Sword, Shadow Step).
* Earth Grade: Rare. Only for Elders. Can manipulate weather/terrain. (e.g., Thunderclap Palm, Mountain Collapsing Kick).
* Heaven Grade: Legendary. Wars are started over these scrolls.
* Divine Grade: Myths.
2. The Host's "Skill" System (Evolution)
You cannot learn manuals. You lack the Qi to activate them. Instead, you unlock Biological Functions that mimic techniques.
* Passive Skills (Mutations): Always on.
* Example: [Iron Skin]. A cultivator casts "Iron Shirt" (lasts 5 minutes). You grow Iron Skin (Permanent).
* Example: [Void Sight]. You don't use Spiritual Sense. Your eyes mutate to perceive the electromagnetic spectrum.
* Active Skills (Expenditure):
* Example: [Devour]. A grapple move that drains the target's mass/energy directly into your system.
* Example: [Overclock]. Burning your own HP to temporarily boost stats by 200%.
* Skill Acquisition: You do not study. You Eat.
* Want poison resistance? Eat poison -> Unlock [Venom Heart].
* Want fire resistance? Eat lava/fire cores -> Unlock [Thermal Plating].
V. THE ECONOMY: PILLS, HERBS, & ARTIFACTS
1. Alchemy (The Food Chain)
Alchemists turn herbs into pills to remove impurities and boost absorption.
* Tier 1 – Tier 3: Mortal/Spirit Realm use.
* Tier 4 – Tier 6: Golden Core use.
* Tier 7 – Tier 9: Immortal use.
Toxicity (The Erythema):
Every pill has "Pill Poison." Normal cultivators can only eat 3-5 pills a month before their blood becomes toxic.
Host Advantage: You are a garbage disposal. You can eat 100 pills in a minute. The System converts the toxicity into Acid Energy or excretes it as black vapor.
2. Artifacts (Weapons)
* Mortal Grade: Standard steel. Useless against Qi.
* Spirit Grade (Low/Mid/High): Made of spirit metals. Can conduct Qi.
* Host View: "Crunchy." Good source of trace minerals for bone reinforcement.
* Earth Grade: Contains a "Artifact Spirit" (semi-sentient). Can change size.
* Heaven Grade: Fully sentient. Can fight on its own.
3. Currency
* Spirit Stones: Crystallized Qi found in mines.
* Low Grade: Standard currency. (~10 EV).
* Mid Grade: Worth 100 Low. (~1,000 EV).
* High Grade: Worth 100 Mid. (~100,000 EV).
* Best Grade: Strategic resource for nations.
The Economic Loop:
* Kill Enemy.
* Loot Spirit Stones.
* Choice: Buy a sword (External Power) OR Eat the stones (Internal Power).
* System Recommendation: EAT.
VI. THE MYSTIC CLOUD SECT (LOCAL MAP)
You are currently infiltrated in the Mystic Cloud Sect, a Low-Tier Sect on the edge of the Grand Wilderness.
Social Hierarchy
* Servant Disciples (The Slaves): 50,000+. No cultivation talent. They farm, clean, and die.
* Outer Court (The Mob): 10,000+. Qi Condensation Layers 1–6. They fight for scraps. Life expectancy is low.
* Inner Court (The Elite): 500+. Layers 7–9. Provided with servants, private caves, and pills.
* Core Disciples (The Heirs): ~10. Foundation Establishment. The future Sect Leaders.
* Elders (The Management):
* Outer Elders: Failed cultivators (Peak Qi Condensation). Bitter, corrupt, dangerous.
* Discipline Hall: The Police.
* Alchemy Hall: The Bank.
* The Patriarch (The Boss): Golden Core Realm. The nuclear deterrent.
VII. SYSTEM PROTOCOLS & UI EXPLANATION
The Interface
Your visual overlay (The HUD) is invisible to others.
* [EV (Evolution Points)]: Your XP bar. Gained by killing (soul harvest) or eating (mass conversion).
* [Sync Rate]: Your corruption level.
* [Status]:
* Healthy: 100% Functionality.
* Injured: Regeneration halted. Requires fuel.
* Hungering: Metabolism spiking. Stats reduced by 20%. Host must consume calories immediately.
Camouflage (The False Host)
How do you hide among wizards when you have no magic?
* [Aura Simulation Module]: The System emits a fake frequency that mimics Qi Condensation Layer 4.
* Limitations:
* It is a hologram. If someone touches your wrist to check your pulse, they will feel the cold, heavy sludge moving through your veins instead of blood.
* If you fight, the mask slips. You cannot fake a Fireball. You must kill witne
sses or fake using "Body Tempering" techniques.
[DATABASE ENTRY COMPLETE.]
[ADVICE TO HOST: TRUST NO ONE. EAT EVERYTHING.]
[CLOSING ARCHIVE...]