[center][h3][color=gray]登三终极峰[/color][/h3][h1]Ascend the Three Supreme Peaks[/h1][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/873323135649320971/1002973660690255953/ascend.png[/img]

[color=gray][@Zeroth] x [@miztli][/color][/center][hr][hr][indent][indent][h3]z u i g a o  m o u n t a i n  s e c t[/h3][/indent][/indent][hr][indent][indent][indent][indent][color=silver][b]最高山派, "Supreme" Mountain Sect[/b][hr]Characterized by its three most prominent peaks, Zuigao Mountain Sect is the world's most prominent cultivation sect. It is notoriously difficult to get accepted into; bribes or heavenly interventions are no stranger to the stories of the disciples studying here.
Zuigao Mountain Sect boasts a vast curriculum, stretching across the three peaks of the mountain & culminating into "paths."

[hider=Locations][hider=Lower Mountain, The Path to the Sect]
[img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/935994562026016780/1000016956147105852/unknown.png[/img]
Zuigao Mountain looms in the midst of a great range, covering the eastern provinces of [b]The Kingdom of Longhu[/b]. One of the larger nations on a great super-continent, Longhu has a long history as the central seat of the [b]Wulin[/b], a mystic "otherworld" of Martial Artists and Cultivators. Its eastern borders are the closest to ancient and powerful natural landmarks--great forests, canyons, and of course the mountains. Within these places are Spirit Beasts, long-lost ruins, and other such things that attract many Cultivators.

At Zuigao's base, plains give way to hills which soon give way to moss-covered cliffs and thick woods. The Zuigao Sect Road is a path of over three thousand steps up the mountain, interspersed by narrow ledges, rickety wooden bridges, and perilous climbs. Just making one's way up this road to knock at the Sect's gates is proof of one's strength and commitment, and could be considered proof of acceptance into the Sect's Outer Disciples.
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[hider=Lower Peak: Outer Disciple Training Ground]
[img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/935994562026016780/1000017249857441872/unknown.png[/img]
When the Zuigao Sect was first founded, these were its original buildings and courtyards. As the Sect grew in power and influence, and expanded upward into the other two peaks, these older structures became the domain of its Outer Disciples. These "students" are really more like servants--the first few hours of every day are spent doing chores, splitting firewood, drawing water, and so forth. Their training really only consists of standard classes for their education and demonstrations of the basic martial arts in the Sect--they do not even have access to the true Cultivation Arts. Instead, they begin their cultivation with regular breathing and meditation exercises, to simply "gather" Qi within their bodies by drawing it from the rich ambient energy of the mountains.

Outer Elders, those who became too old to become Inner Disciples--even though they might have become quite strong as Cultivators--are given reign by the Sect to instruct, discipline, and organize the Outer Disciples. Every year, an Exam is held to determine which of the newest generation will be allowed to enter the Main Sect as Inner Disciples and learn the true arts of the Three Supreme Peaks. To qualify for this Exam, Outer Disciples must either perform a fitting task selected by the Elders, or reach the 7th Rank of the Training Foundation Realm through their own efforts--and it is expected that they will actually be of a higher rank than that before truly joining the Inner Court.
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[hider=Middle Peak, Sect's Central Grounds]
[img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/935994562026016780/1000018042077593650/unknown.png[/img]
The "true body" of the Zuigao Sect, where Inner Disciples and many of the Junior and Senior Masters live and train. To truly be considered an Inner Disciple, one must Breakthrough the bottleneck of the Training Foundation Realm and enter the Qi Condensation Realm. At this point, they will be taught one of the three Cultivation Methods of the Zuigao Sect, depending on their own suitability. Until they rise higher in rank, Inner Disciples will devote the vast majority of their time to training--receiving instruction from Junior Masters, performing various exercises, and Cultivating in relative isolation among themselves. But once an Inner Disciple proves themselves worthy, they gain the right to take on Missions from the Sect regarding various affairs within the Wulin. To simultaneously prove their strength, and maintain their position within the political sphere of the martial arts world, Inner Disciples may be sent on quests to defeat Spirit Beasts, to escort allies of the Sect to different locations, or even to fight with lower ranked, evil martial artists.

If an Inner Disciple is lucky enough to be chosen by a Senior Master--or perhaps even a Sect Elder!--they will become a Core Disciple. Core Disciples are expected to learn directly at the feat of their Master, and will be initiated into secretive techniques and receive more dedicated training resources to perfect themselves and their Cultivation. Such people will be expected to carry the Sect on into the future, and once they become Masters in their own right they will take on duties of teaching lesser Disciples. 
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[hider=Deep Within Sect Central Grounds: Sacred Meditation Hall]
[img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/935994562026016780/1000018561915420722/unknown.png[/img]
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[hider=An Inner Disciple Training with Claw Gauntlets]
[img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/935994562026016780/1000018913402290207/unknown.png[/img]
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[hider=A Junior Master Meditates on Sect Scriptures]
[img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/935994562026016780/1000019267531583610/yasha_asura_s_wrath_drawn_by_yufy__sample-47072d8fd83b9e65f4fc21a7b73872d6.jpg[/img]
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[hider=Mountain Peak: Core Disciples and Masters Only]
[img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/935994562026016780/1000019484721020948/unknown.png[/img]
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[hider=Within the Peak: Ancestral Master's Spirit Realm]
[img]https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/935994562026016780/1000019898300379147/unknown.png?width=1213&height=609[/img]
[/hider][/hider][hider=Zuigao Mountain Peak's Teachings // Three Paths]
[u][b]Martial Art Styles:[/b][/u][list]
[*][b]Dragon Slaying Tiger Fist[/b]
The Dragon Slaying Tiger Fist defies nature and simultaneously embraces it. A Dragon is said to be a divine being, a demigod of thunderstorms and monsoons. Though many artworks and poetic imagery display it as a rival with a Tiger, it is only in the sense that one is king of mundane beasts, and the other king of supernatural creatures. A mortal creature could never really match up to something that could breathe lightning or summon floods. So the mortal creature must surpass its limits. To obtain claws capable of tearing out a dragon's throat, the practitioner of Dragon Slaying Tiger Fist pushes their body beyond the realm of humanity. It is a Hard Style, External Martial Art that makes use of iron-body conditioning, explosive and powerful movements, and a fiercely aggressive personality to dominate all opponents. (In the non-fictional world, it could be compared to a hybrid art of Traditional Okinawan Karate, Chinese Bajiquan, and the various Tiger Kung Fu systems. It incorporates stand-up grappling, rooted stances, and prefers powerful linear techniques when striking.)
[*][b]Phoenix Feather Flame Fist[/b]
Compared to the Tiger's aggression, the Phoenix is a creature of harmony. But just as the Fenghuang is born from the Sun, an attitude of warmth and passion should flow out of one's self to ensure their prosperity. This doesn't mean that this martial art teaches an endless kindness--merely that one's mindset and goals should turn their actions towards positive karma, so that the universe will respond in like manner. The flexibility of both mind and body to deal with any attacker, and the fiery heart to defeat evil--these are vital for a practitioner of Phoenix Feather Flame Fist. As an Internal, Soft Style martial art, where Dragon Slaying Tiger Fist would harden the muscles, this art instead stretches them. Things like doing the splits, bending over backwards and grabbing your own ankles, and other such things are easy for these practitioners. They use their hands like a bird's wings, smoothly deflecting enemy attacks. Their feat are like talons and beaks, using fast and precise kicks to hit the opponent in their weak spots and pierce defenses. They are able to leap high in the air, run up walls, and perform various acrobatic feats. At higher levels, they incorporate more Qi into their techniques, even using projectiles of energy. (Non-fictional comparison, a hybrid of Tae Kwon Do, Northern Shaolin, and various Crane Style Kung Fu.)[/list][hr]
[u][b]Weapon Styles (Three Holy Beasts Art)[/b][/u]:[list]
[*][b]Stone Lion (Shishi/Fu Dog) Claws[/b] - [url=https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/935994562026016780/999177248026411070/unknown.png?width=947&height=609]Clawed gauntlets and boots.[/url] Either worn 1 at a time, in pairs of each (gloves or boots) or all 4 together. Pairs well with martial arts, or holding another weapon while still wearing the gauntlets. 
[*][b]Pixiu (Sort-of Gryphon) Wing Swords[/b] - [url=https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/935994562026016780/1002914156275585075/unknown.png]Dao sabers[/url] that can either be used 1 at a time or dual wielding 2. Pairs well with the Phoenix Feather's style. 
[*][b]Qilin (Sort-of Unicorn) Horn Spear[/b] - [url=https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/935994562026016780/1002915784814776380/unknown.png?width=914&height=609]A great spear[/url] (up to 10 feet long) that is only used by itself, and has the most extensive list of techniques and strategies. If someone specializes in this, it's almost an entire style unto itself, without need to pair with anything else. By default the spear's tip is a regular straight blade, but some students choose to use a different style head such as a halberd, a cross spear, etc. Its techniques can also be applied to staves and some clubs.[/list][hr]
[u][b]Cultivation Arts[/b][/u]:[list]
[*][b]Four Beasts Gateway Method[/b]
Most Cultivators have to seek out "sacred land" to get the most out of Cultivating--a place that has high natural energy, usually somewhere near a vein of energy in the earth, or at the top of a mountain, and so on. But this method, using Feng Shui based on the Four Sacred Cardinal Animals, the Four Seasons, and so on creates an "artificial" sacred land. Essentially, special items are placed in a special way to "redirect" all the natural Qi in an area to a single location, where the Cultivator waits to absorb it. A feedback loop is created and amplified within their body to make the Qi even more powerful. However, the danger of this method is that the current can become too strong, and the Qi might grow faster than the Cultivator can contain it. Those who aren't blessed with great control of their Qi, or a body that has a naturally high capacity to contain the energy, will struggle with this method. At worst, they might explode or something horrible. (See the insane game, [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJxM3POU92w]Amazing Cultivation Simulator[/url].)
[*][b]Heavenly Riches Method[/b]
Cultivators usually circulate their energy through the various meridians of the body, but when it comes time to project that energy as a technique--such as, say, a shockwave through the palms--or to disable that energy inside an enemy's body, they use Acupoints--roughly 500 differently points all over the body, like nerve clusters for Qi. This method teaches the student to both absorb and vent Qi through those same Acupoints--allowing them to take in much larger quantities of Qi than their body can naturally hold, and vent the excess when needed. They will gain proficiency with Qi Projection techniques faster as well, because they are constantly learning the same skills to manipulate their Acupoints. However, they run the risk of wasting too much of their own Qi when doing this, and their speed at developing internal techniques--which collect Qi inside the body without letting it leak out--is much slower than normal.
[*][b]Eightfold Spirit Forging Method[/b]
Qi is passed through the Cosmic Orbit, a common feature of many cultivation styles, but instead of a continuous circuit, the user forms “pools” of Qi within the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. Each of these pools undergoes a purification process before passing the Qi on to the next pool. Once a “current” is established, the pool itself will form a “sub circulation” of Qi, allowing circulation and purification to take place simultaneously. Large amounts of Qi can’t be taken in all at once, but a given amount of Qi unique to each user can be purified to a much higher state, faster than other methods. Unlike the other two methods which require particular talents, the Eightfold Method may be more or less suited for anyone based on their individual needs and preferences.[/list]
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[/color][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][indent][indent][center][h3]s t o r y[/h3][/center][/indent][/indent][hr][indent][indent][indent][indent][color=silver]Feng Tai has no recollection of his past, seemingly born a peasant boy. Yan Huiyin is a young miss, daughter of wealthy merchants. Despite their circumstances, both are now outer disciples of the world's greatest cultivation sect. Within them both burns a twin flame that yearns to achieve immortality and... Ascend the Three Supreme Peaks![/color][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][indent][indent][right][h3]s u r r o u n d i n g  a r e a s[/h3][/right][/indent][/indent][hr][indent][indent][indent][indent][color=silver][b]灵兽林, Spiritual Beast Forest[/b][hr]The Spiritual Beast Forest located quite a ways away from Zuigao. Spiritual Heart Fruits are known to ripen at a specific time of year and present its qi-infused seed near the time of Zuigao's promotion exams. Low-threat spirit beasts are known to wander the forest & attack intruders. Tread with caution.
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