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The yaoguai of the Qingcheng court have, over the years, devised their own way for rating and comparing the powers of those they might encounter. The current system was devised in the late 14th century by the scholar Wèi Chùjī and later refined in 1772 by Zhāng Yǔkòu.

The original system only used three categories - greater powers, that were vast in scope, middle powers, that were ordinary in scope but great in power, and lesser powers, that were limited in both scope and power. The revision of 1772 expanded the greater powers into two subcategories, one for “transcendental” powers of almost unimaginable scope; the middle powers into three distinct classes, and the lower powers once again into two subcategories.

Greater Powers
The greater powers are defined primarily by scope. When employing their powers, they can affect incredibly large areas or numerous individuals at once, with comparative ease. It is for this reason that they are considered to be the most powerful.

Dàtiānjiāng
The uppermost category refers primarily to individuals capable of exerting power on a planetary scale. Possessing both vast reserves of innate power and particularly wide-reaching applications, they generally represent the pinnacle of power as currently understood. Individuals of this rank are automatically accorded a great deal of respect, and are generally regarded with great reverence.

Xiǎotiānjiāng
The second category refers to those who wield great power on a large scale, or accurately and effectively control powerful concepts. They are generally yaoguai sages, old masters, or particularly powerful individuals that stand out from their peers for some reason.

Middle Powers
The so-called middle powers cover three distinct categories separated by distinctions of both potential and scope. They cover most varieties of conceptual and supernatural power, held distinct from the lower categories mostly by virtue of being impossible to learn without assistance. Most yaoguai would be classified under this heading.

Dàzhìdìjiāng
The greatest of the middle powers refers to those who have highly focused power and are capable of using it effectively and rapidly. While they may not be capable of the vast effects or broad scope of the greater powers, they are not limited by specific circumstances and are capable of employing their power for a variety of uses.

Zhōngdìzhǔzhě
The median category covers those individuals who show either great potential or significant development in their capabilities, but wield powers that are either restricted in some manner, or that only function in specific circumstances or for specific purposes.

Xiǎodìxiàshì
The lower middle category generally covers those with significant, yet nonspecific power, who do not qualify for any of the other categories. Most varieties of magician fall under this category, as do animal youkai who have not developed unique powers.

Lesser Powers
The lesser powers are defined by all of their capability being possible to teach to another, without any special power or attributes being required in order to learn them. They generally represent the basics of supernatural power.

Dàguǐzhìrén
This category generally covers the peaks of human accomplishment, or young and relatively inexperienced yaoguai, typically having either no, or extremely limited, conceptial use of their power.

Xiǎoguǐrén
Average individuals bound by physical laws or practicing low level magic or martial skills.