This world is something that values strength above all else.Be it intellectual strength or physical,both could be cultivated.
Apart from cultivation,martial arts had the same value as cultivation.The more profound the martial techniques are,the higher strength you had.In some cases,martial techniques would be the reason someone was strong,despite his cultivation not being much.
That is to say,there should be a optimal ratio between the two.
Here are the cultivation Stages as follows:
Qi Genesis Arc(3 stages)
Qi Refining Arc(3 stages)
Qi Condensation Arc(3 stages)
-------------------------------
After the initial cultivation stages,one could finally cultivate properly.By finishing the first 3 arcs,one would have ensured the proper flow of qi inside the body,and could exert internal qi.
Martial arts relied on both types of qi,either external or internal.In fact your cultivation would be useless if you could not find a suitable martial technique.If cultivation was the soul,the martial arts would be the vessel or body.
Now the next stages are as follows:
Beginner Arc(9 stages)
Intermediate Arc(9 stages)
Advanced Arc(9 stages)
Qi Ascension Arc(9 stages)
(Ordinary qi inside body converts to natural qi)
Ordinary Mortal Arc(9 stages)
Earthly Mortal Arc(9 stages)
True Mortal Arc(9 stages)
Vessel Transformation Arc(9 stages)
Soul Transformation Arc(9 stages)
2nd Qi Ascension Arc(9 stages)
(Natural qi inside body converts to Transcendental qi)
Ordinary Transcendent Arc(9 stages)
Earthly Transcendent Arc(9 stages)
True Transcendent Arc(9 stages)
Lawless Planetary Arc(9 stages)
Planetary Ascension Arc(9 stages)
(From this point on,one could travel beyond own planet,in the vast space of the Mortal Realm.)
This is all for the current cultivation stages.More will be released later on.
For intellectual cultivation,you would need a martial art and could cultivate mental power normally.This had no necessary stages,and the density of the mental qi and intent was enough to gauge their intellectual strength.