The Cultivation Stages represent the levels of strength held by each practitioner in the world of martial arts. These levels are achieved through rigorous training and the use of specific medicinal substances to reach higher levels. In the ancient world of Chinese martial arts, there are 12 different cultivation levels.
Each level generally uses the term “Dou.” However, what does the word “Dou” actually mean in this context? Linguistically, “Dou” can be interpreted as to fight, battle, or combat. It refers to the energy or power used in combat or martial practice.
Terms like “Dou Zhi Qi” (斗之气) or “Dou Zhe” (斗者) are often used in ancient Chinese martial arts stories to describe cultivation levels or strength in the martial arts world.
There is no data to confirm the authenticity of the ancient Chinese martial arts cultivation levels; many consider them to be myths or terms used in novels. However, when viewed in the context of modern martial arts levels, these elements may not be mere myths.
Taking a cue from the belt levels in Taekwondo, which start with basic levels like 10 Gup, 9 Gup, 8 Gup, and go up to the highest 1 Gup or Black Belt.
The cultivation levels/realms in Ancient Chinese Martial Arts:
1. Dou Zhi Qi/Dou Disciple (斗之气): The initial stage where one becomes familiar with and understands Dou Qi. At this stage, one possesses Qi that can be developed depending on its quantity.
2. Dou Zhe/Dou Practitioner (斗者): At this stage, a Dou practitioner can truly utilize and control Dou Qi energy in combat.
3. Dou Shi/Dou Master (斗师): After reaching this stage, a practitioner can use Dou Qi to form protective layers around their body, making it more resilient to attacks.
4. Da Dou Shi/Dou Grandmaster (大斗师): At this level, a practitioner can use Dou Qi to form weapons or “armor,” providing higher defense.
5. Dou Ling/Dou Spirit (斗灵): At this stage, one’s Dou Qi is strong enough to form weapons from crystallized Dou Qi.
6. Dou Wang/Dou King (斗王): Upon reaching this stage, a practitioner can form wings made of Dou Qi and draw in Dou Qi from their surroundings.
7. Dou Huang/Dou Emperor (斗皇): This level is the point where a practitioner becomes exceptionally powerful. A Dou Huang can harness large amounts of Dou Qi from their surroundings.
8. Dou Zong/Dou Ancestor (斗宗): A Dou Zong has the ability to use mysterious ‘Spatial Power’ and even create space that can be entered.
9. Dou Zun/Dou Venerate (斗尊): A Dou Zun possesses nearly perfect knowledge of ‘Spatial Power’ and can create wormholes in space-time.
10. Ban Sheng/Half Saint (半圣): This is a transitional stage towards higher cultivation levels, necessary to enter the highly powerful Dou Sheng class.
11. Dou Sheng/Dou Saint (斗圣): Dou Sheng is the top tier in the hierarchy of fighters. They possess incredible strength and can defeat many Ban Sheng.
12. Dou Di/Dou God (斗帝): Dou Di is the highest rank in ancient martial arts, equivalent to a Heavenly Sovereign, and according to some sources, those who reach the Dou Di level can have a lifespan 2 to 3 times longer than that of an ordinary human.
These levels reflect significant levels of strength in the world of ancient Chinese martial arts. This article is an accumulation of various folklore sources, ancient and modern novels, and animations derived from manhwa plotlines.*
