The human body in Murim is more than flesh and blood — it is a living vessel for Qi, woven with invisible channels called meridians. Through these meridians, Qi flows like rivers across the land, nourishing organs, strengthening muscles, and powering martial techniques.
Cultivators must not only refine Qi in the dantian but also circulate it through their meridians. A blocked or damaged meridian can cripple a warrior, while an open and purified network grants near-supernatural mastery.
Correspond to major organs (heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, stomach, intestines, gallbladder, bladder, pericardium, triple burner, governing/conception vessels).
These are the main rivers of Qi, carrying energy to sustain the body.
Martial artists train to reinforce these channels so that Qi can flow faster, amplifying strength and speed.
Secondary reservoirs that store excess Qi and connect the primaries.
Often opened at later cultivation stages.
Legendary techniques often rely on these hidden vessels — for example, Wudang’s Taiji forms circulate Qi through the Governing Vessel for seamless redirection.
361 traditional acupoints dot the meridians. These are gateways where Qi can be accessed, strengthened, or disrupted.
Martial artists target acupoints in combat to paralyze opponents or cut off Qi flow.
Cultivators meditate on acupoints to refine Qi or unlock bottlenecks.
The Qi core, located below the navel.
Qi is inhaled through breathing, condensed in the dantian, and then circulated outward through meridians.
As cultivators grow, the dantian deepens — from a small pool at Body Refinement to a vast ocean at Immortal stages.
Damage to the dantian is catastrophic: Qi leaks uncontrollably, cultivation crumbles, and the person may never fight again.
Mechanics:
Dantian = Qi Pool. Expands with level progression.
If dantian is damaged (critical strike, deviation), Qi Pool shrinks until healed.
Qi flows in cycles, harmonizing with the body’s natural rhythm.
Qi flows in a loop around the torso (governing + conception vessels).
First goal of a cultivator: establish this cycle to stabilize Qi.
Practiced through breathing exercises.
Qi flows through all twelve primary meridians.
Grants full control of body: strength, agility, reflexes.
Marks entry into higher realms of cultivation (Foundation & Core Formation).
Advanced cultivators harmonize Qi with external elements (fire, water, wood, metal, earth).
Techniques gain elemental properties.
Example: Shaolin monks circulate fire Qi for flame-imbued fists.
Qi does not always flow smoothly. Cultivators must constantly purge impurities.
Blockages: Caused by injury, poison, or poor cultivation. Leads to stagnation, weakness, or pain.
Overflow: Excess Qi from pills or reckless breakthroughs bursts meridians, causing deviation.
Reversed Flow: If Qi flows backward, it tears through acupoints, crippling or killing the cultivator.
Mechanics:
When players suffer critical hits, DM may declare “meridian strike” → CON save or lose Qi Pool points until healed.
During breakthroughs, failure may block meridians → player cannot use certain techniques until treated.
Enhancement:
By circulating Qi through arms/legs, cultivators enhance strength, speed, and durability.
Example: Emei disciples circulate Qi to steady balance for precise swordplay.
Weapon Conduction:
Qi flows into weapons, extending intent outward.
Sword Qi slices enemies without contact; arrows fly faster than sound.
Acupoint Strikes:
Martial artists strike specific points to disrupt Qi flow:
Paralysis, unconsciousness, blindness, or blocked Qi channels.
Requires precision and sect knowledge.
Mechanics:
Spend 1 Qi, make an unarmed strike → if hit, target makes CON save. Fail = lose action/technique for 1 round.
Meditation: Over time, impurities clear.
Qi Transmission: Masters transfer their own Qi to heal disciples’ blockages.
Alchemy: Pills and elixirs repair damaged meridians.
Dangerous Methods: Some sects (Tangmen, Wanderer’s Valley) use poisons to burn blockages away, risking permanent scars.
Mechanics:
Short Rest: recover Qi (breathing).
Long Rest: heal 1 blocked meridian.
Magic/Alchemy: Instant recovery at resource cost.
Each cultivation stage corresponds to meridian development:
Body Refinement (Lv. 1–4): Meridians unopened, body toughening.
Qi Refinement (Lv. 5–8): First meridians open, Small Circulation established.
Foundation (Lv. 9–10): Great Circulation begins, dantian stabilizes.
Core Formation (Lv. 11–12): Extraordinary meridians unlock, techniques evolve.
Nascent Soul (Lv. 13–14): Spirit projection flows through meridians.
Soul Ascension (Lv. 15–16): Meridians resonate with heaven/earth Qi.
Transcendence (Lv. 17–18): Dao flows through every channel, shaping battlefield.
Immortal Realm (Lv. 19–20): Meridians radiate Qi endlessly; body becomes eternal vessel.
DM narration should highlight Qi flow:
“Your Qi surges into your legs, propelling you forward like a thunderclap.”
“He strikes your chest — your meridians spasm, Qi staggers, and your next technique fails.”
“The assassin’s needle pierces your acupoint. Your arm goes numb, your sword heavy as stone.”
Dantian = Qi Pool (expanded per stage).
Meridians = Ability Unlocks (open new channels, gain new abilities).
Acupoints = Weak Points (targeted strikes can disable).
Blockages = Debuffs (reduce Qi Pool, lock techniques).
Restoration = Downtime Quests (masters, alchemy, meditation).
Meridians create tension:
A hero crippled by a severed meridian must quest for a cure.
A villain who mastered hidden vessels can unleash forbidden techniques.
Training arcs revolve around opening new gates — meditation under waterfalls, acupuncture by masters, or survival in Qi-rich storms.
They also create tactical combat drama: a fight isn’t just about HP — it’s about who can control Qi flow, disrupt the enemy, and protect their own meridians.