The Great Yong dynasty had stood for three hundred years, built on the principle that “spirit veins determine rank” and governed by a three-tier order of Heaven, Earth, and Mortal.
Heaven tier: The imperial family and Yonghe Immortal Manor shared power, monopolizing the source of spirit veins and secret realms. They wore gilt Heavenly Seals, which let them command spiritual energy and decide who lived or died.
Earth tier: Aristocratic clans and disciples of the Immortal Manor depended on the Heaven tier. They held bronze land deeds and enjoyed access to some spirit vein resources, generally serving the Heaven tier.
Mortal tier: Miners, servants, and their ilk had their spirit veins sealed by those in power. Forbidden to cultivate, they were treated as “spirit vein materials” and ruled by the Heaven and Earth tiers.
It was said that the previous dynasty had possessed the Classic of the Mortal Path, which recorded a way for those of the Mortal tier to draw in spiritual energy and break free of the hierarchy. But the text had long been lost, leaving behind only the legend that “spirit veins are not ordained by Heaven.”
