Glossary

Chinese Names/Characters:

• Ai ya: (哎呀 Āiyā）: Damn!
• Gongzi:（公子，Gōngzǐ）An honorific used to address a young nobleman.
• Guniang: (姑娘Gūniáng）A term used to address a young woman.
• Hai: （海，Hǎi） ocean
• Sun Lan (孙岚, Sūn lán): The surname Sun typically means grandson. Lan means mist or haze.
• Hu Mingyu: (胡明玉，Húmíngyù): The surname Hu was historically used to refer to peoples of non-Chinese origins, including ethnic peoples and nomadic groups. In spoken Chinese, it can sometimes mean reckless. Mingyu means bright jade.
• Yun: （云，Yún）cloud

Chinese Cultivation Terminology:

Many definitions were referenced from Immortal Mountain

• Cultivation base:  (修为 xiūwéi) – the amount of refined Qi energy within a cultivator.
• Cultivator: (修者 xiūzhě) (修士 xiūshì) (修仙者 xiūxiānzhě) – someone who trains in mystical arts to gain power and often immortality. Cultivating often involves meditation and the cultivation of Qi.
• Mo: (魔 mó) – Evil spirits or creatures, similar to demons and devils.
• Nascent soul: (元婴 yuányīng) – An advanced stage of cultivation. The Soul is a miniature person inside the Dantian (the region inside the body where Qi is most concentrated).
• Qi: (气) – the vital energy which exists in all things.
• Rogue cultivator: (散修 sǎnxiū) –Independent cultivators unaffiliated with any cultivating organizations.
• Sect: (宗 zōng) (派 pài) – an organization dedicated to the practice of cultivation and/or martial arts. Typically led by a Sect Leader (掌门) or Patriarch (老祖). With the help of Sect Elders (老), they instruct Disciples (弟子) in the proper methods of cultivation or training. There is practically always a strict hierarchy amongst members of a Sect, and respect for the elder generations is demanded.
• Tu Na breathing: (吐纳 tùnà) – A special form of breathing which expels chaotic Qi and welcomes the Qi of the natural world into the body.
• Xian: (仙 xiān) – immortal beings who received their powers through Taoist cultivation. There are several types, such as the Celestial Immortals (天仙) and Earth Immortals (地仙).
• Xianxia (仙侠 xiānxiá) – A genre of Chinese fiction which commonly features immortals, cultivation, magic, demons, and ghosts. Heavily inspired by Daoism.