Two numbers, both starting at 100:

• Qi, the reserve that techniques spend.
• Qi Max, its capacity. It is also your level of cultivation: it decides your stage and realm.

The reserve refills

• 5 % of Qi Max per minute outside combat mode, 2 % in combat mode
• 40 % per minute while meditating
• Landing strikes and perfect parries (with an art's passive), and kills

Qi Max grows from

• Meditation with a full reserve
• Techniques: 5 % of the Qi you spend
• Kills: 5 % of the kill's Qi reward
• First victories over bosses
• Elixirs and inner-world missions