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The Path Unending (A Cultivation Quest)

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The bureaucrat reaches behind him and unstraps the testing treasure's keg from the saddle. He maneuvers it until the cask sits in his lap and peers down at it, a frown deep on his features. "I have been trained in the use of His treasures since my entry to the bureaucracy," Clerk Ni states. "From proctoring tests to measuring the treasure to ensuring its safe transit, there is nothing I have not vigorously prepared for. And when I read the treasure's emanations, it tells me that something is wrong."

Daiyu looks as if she would like to snort but restrains herself. "So… the imperial treasures can see the future? That seems like a useful skill."

Clerk Ni sends a poisonous glance Daiyu's way and answers, "It is nothing so fantastical. The anam that comes from the testing treasure is responsive above all else, and it has as much in common with the energy you draw upon as the wind does with the water. That is what makes it so useful; even the meanest neophyte would be able to draw upon it if given enough time."

"That same responsiveness makes it sensitive to any changes in the ambient anam," the clerk continues. "When there is something out of the ordinary, it responds- and I can tell."

He looks past the waystone towards where Haiyang Gui lies. "And something out of the ordinary is nearby. We should-"
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This bit from the Beestige village is interesting, given the ambient anam fluctuations in the Wake. Maybe we could convince Ni to take a reading?
 
Triage said:
Liyu is looking extremely suspicious here. Like they're working with the Kukuni instead of another prisoner. Maybe she made a deal with it in exchange for living forever with her friends.

Looks like the leading plans don't include Mei using the Twilight Horizon so we're losing out on our only ally who can share intel on a different POV between loops. This vastly reduces the intel per loop and seems like an unfortunate oversight.
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I'm not sure that they are working with the Kukuni, but she does seem more aware than some of the other people stuck in the loop. And just because you are aware of the loop doesn't mean you can't be a prisoner as well.

Her and the Headsman both seemed to recognize the fact that Zhi was aware of the loop. Or at least they expected Zhi to be "wiped" like the Weaver after talking to her. That Zhi is still around is an oddity to them. That they seem surprised does make it seem more likely that they have a better understanding of the loop though and possibly additional information.
 
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    • Scheduled vote count started by Vesvius on Mar 28, 2025 at 8:32 PM, finished with 104 posts and 29 votes.
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    • My ongoing theory is that triggering the loop consumes a life from the loop to power it, given how energy intensive it likely is. We are on a timer to address the issue before everyone is taken. Also would explain why there are more old people amd children than regular adults, the kukuni went for those with more energy in them first, and now it's having to use multiple targets at once to trigger the effect, the weaver and the dog.
     
    Quick note: I'm outlining now, and I can't really work one of the [SMALL] votes in without it turning forced and clunky. But since it's a logical question and info that's good to have, I'm just answering it outright here and in discord.

    Suggestion: Check memories to determine if the loop is the same length each time. If the loop is the same length each time, about when we think the loop is coming to a close, try to get to a place with a broad view and see what's happening.
    Result: The loop has had a few different run times so far. The first two were of similar, but not identical length (the second was shorter, for the record). The last one was shorter by a non-negligible amount of time.
     
    Vesvius said:
    [] A Twelve-Foot long silk tapestry depicting the dramatic story behind the reigns of the Emperor-In-Tides. (8 Bronze Talents)
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    I have the feeling that if we'd voted to purchase this back at the Twelve Winds, it would have given some vague hint at what exactly happened in Shoubiao's Wake. Emperor-In-Tides' actions caused something here, and it might've been recorded. Even then, the tapestry likely wouldn't have been worth the Talents anyway.
     
    Vesvius said:
    To his eyes, it is nothing special. It is a ramshackle well, one lovingly tended, but still worn and aged. The stones that comprise its body are held together by mud, moss, and determination, and the hood that keeps the water within free from detritus sags with exhaustion. But to Ko Lonu's sixth sense, it is vital.

    After a few moments spent sending the local beauty away, Ko Lonu produces a small stone orb inscribed with hundreds of glyphs. An exercise of anam causes the charm to hover in mid air, green light flashing as it records its surroundings. It makes note of the environment, of the people, of the fluctuations of anam, and of course, of Ko Lonu himself.

    "The anam bleed has begun," the disciple states without preamble. "The locals claim that it has been a healing font for nearly seven generations, but judging by the strength of the ambient anam, I would estimate it truly began after about three. The growth rate is fairly minimal; it is recommended that other villages are relocated here to reinforce the belief. With such motions, the well would be stable in perhaps fifty years. Without them, it will take several more generations."
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    Wild theory # I've long lost count: is Shoubiao's Wake a Wonder? Perhaps a Time Wonder? or maybe a nascent one rather than a realized one. it could explain how the kukuni has been acting through ambient anam rather than directly.
     
    Some_guy_161 said:
    I have the feeling that if we'd voted to purchase this back at the Twelve Winds, it would have given some vague hint at what exactly happened in Shoubiao's Wake. Emperor-In-Tides' actions caused something here, and it might've been recorded. Even then, the tapestry likely wouldn't have been worth the Talents anyway.
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    Well, it depends if we could have also gained additional rewards at this village, or at least hints at them. I think any help solving this would have been nice in hindsight, especially if it would have only costed us a few of our bronze talents. We could have still bought everything we got, so it's bit like we would have missed out elsewhere. Kind of makes me wonder what hidden rewards other stuff might have gotten us.
     
    Lucius Domitius said:
    Well, it depends if we could have also gained additional rewards at this village, or at least hints at them. I think any help solving this would have been nice in hindsight, especially if it would have only costed us a few of our bronze talents. We could have still bought everything we got, so it's bit like we would have missed out elsewhere. Kind of makes me wonder what hidden rewards other stuff might have gotten us.
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    There were a bunch of cool flavor items that likely would have had some sort of benefit.

    Vesvius said:
    [] A gorgeously illuminated scroll that tells the tale The Crow and the Candle, a beloved children's story across the Empire. (5 Bronze Talents)
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    I kind of wanted to get this as a gift for Zhi's mother; it was his favorite story as a kid.
    Vesvius said:
    [] A bronze music box said to be forged by the divine. When it plays, its sweet song sounds different to all who hear it and can bring tears to even the stoniest countenance. (1 Silver Talent)
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    People noticed that this was likely intended as a social link gift for Fa.

    Vesvius said:
    [] A beautifully painted silken fan that bears the image of a beautiful woman handing an object to a small child. It once belonged to the favored courtesan of the Lord of Locust Galley, and heralded many songs of beauty and caustic insults alike. (1 Silver Talent)
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    Possible peace offering for Mo?


    Vesvius said:
    [] A solid jade teapot said to have been owned by the legendary Sage of Tranquil Dreams. It does not seem to possess any unusual properties, but it is said to have absorbed the very essence of countless tea ceremonies. (1 Silver Talent, 5 Bronze Talents)
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    Something for Shouxi? I'm not sure if it's canon that he likes tea or if it's something I just put in omakes.


    I'm not sure on the others, but some of them might have been interesting:
    Vesvius said:
    [] A Phoenix Pendant carved from a single ruby. It is exquisitely crafted, and is believed to be a ward against evil spirits. (6 Bronze Talents)
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    Vesvius said:
    [] A hairpin carved from moonstone in the shape of a lotus blossom. It is said to bring tranquility to whomever wears it. (6 Bronze Talents)
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    Vesvius said:
    [] A pair of Shadeskin Boots made from the hide of a Wind-Aspected Spirit Beast. Though the beast's power was unable to be harnessed, the boots themselves are exceptionally light and comfortable. (9 Bronze Talents)
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    Guys, another thing for the next loop, we can use the Stallion's Enclosed Garden inside the village, and we can focus on searching Kukuni, it will cost us 1 Mental box though
     
    Corvo Montés said:
    Guys, another thing for the next loop, we can use the Stallion's Enclosed Garden inside the village, and we can focus on searching Kukuni, it will cost us 1 Mental box though
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    Using SEG doesn't always cost mental stress, only when we use it for exploration, because then we dip in and out for hours while we explore and hone in on something. We've used it multiple times with no mental stress and I expect this village is small enough we could do without it.

    I'm not opposed, though sixth sense has been kind of unreliable here. I suspect there's some sort of cloak or other concealing effect on the entire area.

    In other ways of testing anam, I posted the bit about the Treasure's sensitivity to ambient anam that might be insightful. We also have the starlight collector, which might be repurposed, and New Moon, which specifically harnesses ambient anam for its effects. Any of those might shed some light on the way ambient anam here is behaving.
     
    Been a while but I come back during an interesting arc. Time is a wierd soup.

    P.S. in the Character Sheet under Stallion's Enclosed Garden the second insight is missing (from Chapter 258. The Duty of a Caretaker)
     
    Thinking on it a bit and the thing that stands out the most to me is the dog. Maybe using Warhound's Cry to try and communicate while shutting off all the physical senses except hearing would do something. Idk. Can't directly connect it to the poem which is the biggest hint we've gotten so far.
     
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