The world changed the day the Great Cataclysm struck. From the skies rained energy storms, twisting the very fabric of nature. Beasts and plants mutated into monstrous entities, surging forth in devastating tides that razed cities and tore apart civilizations. In the wake of the chaos, humanity managed to evolve on the brink of extinction.
A new power emerged- Core. The fusion of ancient martial arts and newfound energies, allows humans to harness the mutated forces within the world. Those who survived the tides cultivated their strength bodies and spirits, rising as warriors capable of holding back the dark flood.
As a result, humanity got a chance to reign on Earth, but alas, it lost 80% of Earth to the powerful mutated beast and unknown danger caused by the cataclysm. To protect the rest of the people who survived the cataclysm, safe zones were created with strong, thick walls and powerful weapons guarding the walls.
The government appoints a city lord in each safe zone to protect these zones and his role is to ensure the smooth functioning of the whole city to produce resources. They were in a constant state of war with mutated beasts and unknown dangers.
The status of martial artists completely changed after this event. In the heart of Ironclad City, where skyscrapers touched the clouds and mystic energy thrummed through the streets, the Cai Clan reigned as one of the most powerful families. Cultivators from the clan wielded strength drawn from their core, an organ that can refine a form of universal energy capable of shaping the body and mind in a more evolved form.
After years of research and constant experiments, researchers were finally able to make a breakthrough. After countless dissecting of the mutated beast to find out how were they able to exert such monstrous strength. Finally, scientist's efforts bear fruitful results called primal energy. This energy was capable of changing the entire structure of the beast's body, but humans were incapable of harnessing this energy.
The answer was obvious, the weak body of humans cannot withstand such power, or forcefully injecting this energy results in the exploding of the body.
Humanity had no choice but to find a way to use this power or else perish from the mutated beast's constant assault. In such a situation - hope was provided by a certain scientist who came from a martial artist family. He made a theory that ancient martial artists were capable of harnessing similar energy and draw strength from their dantian.
Many researchers were shocked by this and wanted to say such things are impossible, but they have no way to refute it. Because they already witnessed something similar.
He suggests with their technology and accessing all information of ancient martial artists from text, manuals, or ancient records. They can create something that acts engine for this unknown fuel.
By hearing his claims the government and military gave their full support and disclosed this information to all families that had long martial arts history. Because- the military was losing their ability to fight these monsters which shows how serious the situation was. The old martial arts family gives their full support to scientists and provides all kinds of information that helps to achieve the goal. Thus, Core was created by combining all the technology and martial arts records of the old era.
This core can be planted in the center of the body. Not only it can absorb primal energy in the surroundings, but also strengthens the human body; when it absorbs a certain amount of energy. The stored energy in the core can be used as a kind of fuel to increase the ability of the human body.
But it also drains energy quickly as well puts a lot of stress on the body. After the first batch of soldiers had successfully planted core in their body. Humanity was finally able to gain a foothold in this cruel world. The martial family was rewarded by core transplantation for helping in creating "Core."
Unexpectedly, these families were able to overcome the flaw of energy consumption and reduce stress on the body by several folds. Due to their help, the core was created and the government gave them a chance for transplant as their reward. The techniques that their ancestors used for combat helped them gain complete control of primal energy rather than using this energy to strengthen their bodies. They channel this energy into their conventional weapons to gain powerful combat.
This completely changed the era; a new era came called martial arts. Their status was raised equal to kings; the new generation was looking forward to becoming like them. Every martial artist family had their own combat techniques which increased their combat arts.
These family promote their techniques to the world. Those who join their family can learn these techniques and make them stronger. Many people were tempted by this and joined their family for strength. This results in birth of clans, an independent organization which recruits people, work as a mercenary and claim lands for more resources.
At the age of thirteen, Cai Ren was hailed as the youngest prodigy of the clan, his talent in cultivation surpassing all others. While most cultivators remain at the stage of feeling primal energy in their body. He can perform martial arts by channeling energy into his techniques.
But talent breeds jealousy of others. His elder half-brother, Cai Lin. harbored a festering envy caused by the talent of his youngest half-brother. Everyone in the society can obtain a "Core transplant" at the age of sixteen, however, children from clans can obtain "Core transplantation" at the age of ten. This creates a gap between those who have background and those who have no background.
One evening, under the pretense of Ren's birthday celebration, Cai Ren's food was laced with a rare poison capable of corroding dantian cores. Unaware of being poisoned by the dawn, the prodigy's foundation lay shattered. His cultivation was crippled beyond repair.
When the family elders discovered his condition, they chose to protect Cai Lin, unwilling to disgrace the family name. Even though they were fully aware the one who did was Cai Lin, this caused to anger surge in Cai Ren for being betrayed by his half-elder brother. Cai Ren's parents, bound by political ties turned their back on him- because he was now a cripple with no value.
Betrayed. Forgotten. Exiled.
Abandoned by his own family to seek revenge by any means necessary. Cai Ren wandered the fringes of Ironclad City for three years, seeking forbidden means to restore his dantian. Desperation became his only companion.
Until that night, when fate placed the Venomheart Totem in his hands.
Modern Cultivation Ranks (Human Strength Stages):
Martial Apprentice
Martial Expert
Martial Master
Martial Grandmaster
Martial Lord
Martial King
Martial Emperor
Martial Saint
These ranks had four stages - early stage, advanced stage, later stage, and peak stage. With each increase in stage, they started to differentiate even being in the same ranks. For example - An advanced stage of cultivator of any rank needs ten of apprentice stage of the same rank to hold him. As the stage increases numbers also multiply by ten to hold them in bay.
Mutated Beast Ranks:
Common Grade
Elite Grade
Bronze Grade
Iron Grade
Steel Grade
Silver Grade
Gold Grade
Platinum Grade
These beasts had the same four stages: early stage, advanced stage, later stage, and peak stage. However, their strength is completely different twenty cultivators of the same rank with the below stages are needed. The number is multiplied by ten with each increase in stage.
Weapon Grade:
Common Grade
Rare Grade
Epic Grade
Legendary Grade
Currency and System Mechanics:
* Venom Points - Earned by defeating enemies, absorbing venom, and completing system quests, used to unlock venom-based skills and enhance cultivation.
* Apex Coins - Rare currency in the system used to upgrade traits, refine weapons, and purchase forbidden skills. They can only be obtained through high-level missions or elite monster kills.
* Venom Cultivation - The system enables Cai Ren to cultivate all forms of venom, absorbing traits from different species and evolving them into new abilities.
* Currency (Common in Society) - Credits an electronic type of currency used by everyone after the cataclysm.
* Quests & Evolution Trials: To evolve the scorpion or the Cai Ren, the system issues Evolution Trials. These are high-stakes battles or puzzles requiring strategic use of the scorpion's venom abilities.
* Skill Trees: Each scorpion evolution unlocks venom types - e.g., corrosive, petrifying, paralytic, acidic, or explosive.
Apex Scorpion God's Legacy:
Unique Cultivation System: "Venom Apex Body Path"
* Immortal Weapon body: Unlike traditional cultivators who refine primal energy and channel it into their weapon, Cai Ren's path focuses on enhancing muscle fibers, bones, and organs to monstrous levels.
* Scorpion Avatar: At higher stages, Cai Ren can manifest a scorpion-shaped battle avatar or fuse parts of the scorpion (tail, claws, exoskeleton) directly into his body.
* Weapon Manifestation: Cai Ren's scorpion avatar can transform into venom-coated weapons, evolving with him. Higher evolutions enable the weapon to shift mid-battle.