Vile Evil Hides Under The Veil Ranking System [Do not read before CH 53]

Warning: Spoilers ahead. Continue at your own risk!

Be advised that this section contains spoilers for the story. If you wish to remain surprised, please skip this page.

Reading this entry is not mandatory to follow the narrative. Relevant details regarding power levels and the world's mechanics will be introduced naturally within the plot as they become necessary.

This supplement is exclusively for those interested in the technical power structure and world-building background.

The information provided here becomes pertinent only from Volume 02 onward. It is highly recommended that readers complete Volume 01 before proceeding, as these details may lack context or spoil the experience otherwise.

******************************

Guide to Base Stats:

HP—Represents Health Points. This value tracks the physical condition and vitality of a ranker.

MP—Represents Mana Points. This measures the total volume of mana held within a ranker’s core.

STR—Represents Strength. This quantifies the physical power and raw muscle force of a ranker.

AGI—Represents Agility. This measures a ranker’s speed in both movement and combat execution.

INT—Represents Intelligence. This quantifies the mental capacity required for strategic thinking, spellcasting, and cognitive tasks.

BTP—BTP stands for Base Total Points. It is the sum of all numerical base stats. This figure provides a general overview of a ranker's overall strength and their standing in the cultivation journey. It is always expressed as a whole number.

Base Total Points (BTP) Formula: HP + MP + STR + AGI + INT

Typically, a rankless adult possesses a value of 1 in every base stat. Consequently, the average BTP for an ordinary person ranges between 4 and 5.

These stats vary based on age, gender, chosen path, and lifestyle. They can also be temporarily or permanently altered by using specific potions, artefacts, or other external buffs and de-buffs.

**************************************

Stat Examples:

Average Statistics for a Rankless Adult Male:

HP- 1.4/1.5 MP- 0/ 0 STR- 1.5 AGI- 0.9 INT- 1.1 BTP~ 5

Average Statistics for an Initial Stage F-Rank Female:

HP- 1.7/1.8 MP- 2.5/ 3 STR- 1.8 AGI- 2.5 INT- 2.3 BTP~ 11

*************************************************

The Ranking System:

Before a rankless individual can officially begin their Cultivation journey, they must successfully navigate three preliminary steps. The first requirement is the ability to sense mana.

During the second step, the individual must draw mana into their body to form a mana core. The final step involves the activation of that core to utilize its energy. Only upon completing this third step does one truly enter the F-Rank.

A mana core progresses through three distinct phases that signify stages within a specific rank. For instance, an F-Rank mana core is established just below the navel once the second step is cleared. In the third step, the primary Meridians open, allowing the practitioner to circulate energy from their Cultivation.

An F-Rank core begins in the "vapour phase," marking the Initial stage of the rank. Once the core transitions into a "liquid phase," the ranker is considered to be in the Mid stage. Finally, when the core reaches the "solid phase," the ranker has attained the Upper stage.

To achieve a rank up, the current core must be shattered from within, allowing a higher tier of mana to condense in its place. Following a successful breakthrough, a new mana core forms, beginning once again in the vapour phase.

However, this new vapour phase will be of the E-Rank tier. The core must cycle through the same three phases until it reaches its limit. Upon hitting saturation, it undergoes another internal implosion to pave the way for the subsequent rank.

An F-Rank core only attracts mana of the corresponding tier, a rule that applies to all higher ranks. As one ascends, the density and quantity of mana required for progress increase significantly. This is why high-level entities find it increasingly difficult to achieve a breakthrough.

BTP ranges for each rank are determined by averaging the stats of various rankers across different demographics and paths. Thus, every rank has a defined minimum (initial) and maximum (upper) BTP value.

Rank | Title | Requirement | BTP Range F-Rank | Novice | Elemental Activation | BTP 10-30 E-Rank | Ace | Elemental Stabilization | BTP 40-70 D-Rank | Adapt | Elemental Condensation | BTP 90-200 C-Rank | Expert | Core Elementalism | BTP 250-600 B-Rank | Master | Core Evolution | BTP 700-1500 A-Rank | Grandmaster | Core Revolution | BTP 1800-4000 S-Rank | Sage | Sage Transformation | BTP Undefined

The three internal stages are classified as: Vapour-phase: Initial-stage Liquid-phase: Mid-stage Solid-phase: Upper-stage

******************************************

Bottlenecks:

A statistical gap exists between the maximum BTP of one rank and the minimum BTP of the next. For example, F-Rank ends at 30 BTP, while E-Rank starts at 50 BTP. This 20-point gap is known as a "bottleneck" between F and E ranks.

As a ranker climbs higher, these bottlenecks grow exponentially, making the journey toward the peak of Cultivation more arduous with every step.

**********************************************

Potions:

Potions are categorized according to the rank of the user they are intended for, following the F, E, D, C, B, A, and S hierarchy.

Within each rank, potions are further graded by a five-star system. A five-star potion possesses far greater potency and efficacy than a one-star potion of the same rank.

1-star: Initial grade 2-star: Mid grade 3-star: Upper grade 4-star: Peak grade 5-star: Supreme grade

The rank classifications are: F-Rank | Novice Potion | 1-5 Stars E-Rank | Ace Potion | 1-5 Stars D-Rank | Adapt Potion | 1-5 Stars C-Rank | Expert Potion | 1-5 Stars B-Rank | Master Potion | 1-5 Stars A-Rank | Grandmaster Potion | 1-5 Stars S-Rank | Sage Potion | 1-5 Stars

*****

A potion is only safe for a practitioner of the matching rank. An F-Rank entity can consume any F-Rank potion regardless of its star rating. However, attempting to use even a 1-star E-Rank potion would result in catastrophic consequences for an F-Rank user.

*************************************************

Artefacts:

Artefacts follow the same ranking structure as practitioners, spanning from F-Rank to S-Rank.

Each rank is divided into five levels of quality, denoted by stars. Higher star counts indicate superior power and attributes.

1-star: Initial grade 2-star: Mid grade 3-star: Upper grade 4-star: Peak grade 5-star: Supreme grade

The rank classifications are: F-Rank | Novice Artefact | 1-5 Stars E-Rank | Ace Artefact | 1-5 Stars D-Rank | Adapt Artefact | 1-5 Stars C-Rank | Expert Artefact | 1-5 Stars B-Rank | Master Artefact | 1-5 Stars A-Rank | Grandmaster Artefact | 1-5 Stars S-Rank | Sage Artefact | 1-5 Stars

******

An artefact must match the user's rank to be used safely. While an F-Rank cultivator can wield any star-grade F-Rank tool, attempting to utilize an E-Rank artefact without the proper Foundation would lead to severe backlash.

******************************

Spells:

Magical techniques and spells are also ranked from F to S to align with a ranker's core capacity.

Every spell rank is split into five distinct grades. A five-star version of a spell is significantly more powerful than its lower-star variations.

1-star: Initial grade 2-star: Mid grade 3-star: Upper grade 4-star: Peak grade 5-star: Supreme grade

The rank classifications are: F-Rank | Novice Spell | 1-5 Stars E-Rank | Ace Spell | 1-5 Stars D-Rank | Adapt Spell | 1-5 Stars C-Rank | Expert Spell | 1-5 Stars B-Rank | Master Spell | 1-5 Stars A-Rank | Grandmaster Spell | 1-5 Stars S-Rank | Sage Spell | 1-5 Stars

****

The usage of spells is restricted by rank. A person at the F-Rank can master any star-level F-Rank spell. However, trying to manifest an E-Rank spell before reaching the appropriate rank will result in severe physical and spiritual damage.