Lessee... interesting story bonus; that kind of incentivizes Arts that use Spine a decent amount, don't it?
I note that Gu is... a little uncomfortable with Ling Qi's advancement; it might be best not to rub it in too much, however happy breakthroughs make you, Ling Qi. Definitely some jealousy, although Ling Qi being quick to point out that many have helped her (including Gu herself). And she's not the only one of Ling Qi's allies who're a little miffed.
And apparently yes, Ling Qi's cultivation speed is quite attention-getting. I would strongly suggest that she de-emphasize cultivation in favor of things that are... somewhat less attention-getting for a bit. Before, I suggested that future plans only look to push up another level in either when her Arts require it... and that spending some time focusing on Formations might be warranted. On the other hand, as shown by reputational change, her speed could continue to attract approval (and perhaps assistance) from the sect as a whole - certainly, attempts to actually maim or kill her are probably less likely to occur now (mostly out of caution).
Speaking of progress - Argent Soul is coming along nicely; three weeks of similar progress and she's got it. The 'base' Yellow Spirit Stone gives +5 - I wonder if that means that using two means +15 and three means +25? Or perhaps the second and third stone's addition isn't always "double base effect". Forgotten Vale Melody's a week away as well, very nice.
And, of course, Ling Qi *would* succeed first time for Silver as well. Convenient... but eye-catching - and I don't feel the rest of her stats might stand similar expectations (so she should try to avoid fighting cultivation peers). Just as Spirit gave a bonus based on Qi, Physique gives bonuses based on meridian count. I wonder if Ling Qi could find out at least a ballpark of how many meridians and how much qi she'd need to get bonuses at the next tier of breakthroughs... because those should be a goal for sure. A physical dot should probably go to Dexterity; the extra health is welcome, along with the faster healing. And... the cultivation boost - *very* nice.
Attributes are coming along reasonably well - nothing Mental this week though. Politics and Persuasion has leaped forward; now that Ling Qi is part of that mess, that might be very important. Still, on the whole, Ling Qi is improving nicely on the social side.
The reputational changes... "Watched" is probably good on the whole, although it does mean that Ling Qi thieving in the dark is more likely to be noted by the Elders (note Xuan's words of advice at the meeting). The Outer Disciples' wariness has changed to "consideration", which probably means she's not going to be maliciously attacked by those she hasn't already made enemies of (minus a couple of treacherous weasels, perhaps). Up-front challenges are probably more likely too.
Now... the meeting. All the big players are there; interesting that Huang Da's antipathy of Ji Rong is greater than his desire for Ling Qi. Not sure how it might be used yet, if it can. Oh, and Kang doesn't like Ji Rong either, and the latter isn't afraid of the former. And we find Ji Rong's crime - killing a mid-red as a mortal... that's *impressive*.
Oh, and Sun Liling is grumbly because Bai Meizhen found a diamond in the rough - but doesn't really seem to have any antipathy to Ling Qi herself. Xuan's a formations expert - intriguing.
[X][stat] Dexterity
On plans... I want those tokens investigated *this week*. Advancing Argent Soul and Forgotten Vale Melody would be a good idea, I think. I also would appreciate a plan that has Ling Qi study formations in the archives - give her some practical uses and give us some idea of what she might be able to do with the subject. Searching for a new technique isn't a bad idea - although Ling Qi does have plenty of things to advance (SCS, FVM, AS) for actions so it's not critical just yet. Quests for sect points isn't a bad idea either - second floor access widens the range of possible new techniques, private tutoring is tasty, etc etc.
