Qiao

Qiao, or Bridges, are practiced by Energetic Immortals and She. Qiao are techniques and abilities which revolve around the manipulation of Chi. Chi is special among energy sources due to it's discrete nature. Whereas other ideas of energy encompass many ideas under a singular umbrella (Such as Gnosis including an entire range of dynamic and spiritual energies, which might be touched by any number of separate concepts), Chi is understood in specific capacities and qualities. There is Yin Chi, Yang Chi, Wuji Chi, various Elemental Chi forms like Fire or Lightning, as well as more particularized forms of Chi like Golden Chi and Demon Chi.

This discrete and particular nature of Chi leads to the Qiao having their own particularities, with various Qiao requiring a specific form of Chi to be used. Chi, regardless of form, exists in a space between the Spirit Wilds, or Middle Umbra, and the Underworld, or Low Umbra, with different forms taking different qualities from each, as well as being touched by specific beings which live in one or both of the realms, or between them. As such, Qiao are dynamic but structured; The growth promoted by the Spirit Wilds is tempered and limited by the Underworld, leading to a great deal of variation laid atop a hardly-changing framework.

Bridges are divided into three categories called Pathways; The Pathway of the Body (Sometimes called Shintai, or Godbody Bridges), the Pathway of the Soul, and the Pathway of Chi. The Pathway of the Body reflects the use of Chi using the body as a conduit, with the Pathway of the Soul reflecting the use of Chi through the soul, of course. The Pathway of Chi reflects the use of ambient Chi, or as many She would say it, it reflects the use of the world itself as a conduit.