Forge of Destiny(Xianxia Quest)
- Thread starter yrsillar
- Start date
- Original Fantasy
- Location
- Third planet from the star named Sol
- Pronouns
- He/They
[X] Retreat to the safety of the lecture hall
Yrsillar uses two dice systems for the game. The first is used for challenges and is a modified version of the standard d10 success rolls, where any roll that is 7+ counts as 1 success, with different tasks having different success requirements (for example climbing a tree takes one success while climbing a smooth wall takes three successes). The difference is that the system we're using treats 10s as a singular success instead of two which is more common. The second is a roll-under system used for cultivation, with any number at or below your Talent rating counting as a success. Therefore the higher your talent, the more likely that you'll succeed. When we get rerolls in a cultivation, that's because of specific arts we have which reroll certain results for additional successes.
Dude's a frieking perfectionist. either it's perfect 10 or it fails. Kinda fits
Side note: i still have no idea how rolls are determined to be successful or not: Rolls as high as "6" ends as a failure here , why ?
Yrsillar uses two dice systems for the game. The first is used for challenges and is a modified version of the standard d10 success rolls, where any roll that is 7+ counts as 1 success, with different tasks having different success requirements (for example climbing a tree takes one success while climbing a smooth wall takes three successes). The difference is that the system we're using treats 10s as a singular success instead of two which is more common. The second is a roll-under system used for cultivation, with any number at or below your Talent rating counting as a success. Therefore the higher your talent, the more likely that you'll succeed. When we get rerolls in a cultivation, that's because of specific arts we have which reroll certain results for additional successes.
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The Sandman
So Zetta Slowpoke
- Location
- Wherever I am, which isn't where I'm not
Also, it would be a way to propitiate the Grinning Moon even when there's no good targets around for burglary or pranks. Like, for example, when we're doing our time in the Imperial Army.
EDIT: On the general subject of Meizhen/Cai bonding, I expect it's over their mutual agreement that Sun Liling can get fucked with a rusty spork.
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Good for you, Fan Yu. You're Mid 2nd realm in something!
Edit: Wait, is it not the usual comparative roll? Just counting stages?
Also, wow, Xiulan, Dex 6. Nice.
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[X] Retreat to the safety of the lecture hall
- Location
- Cyberspace
Heh... to be honest, I could see a "Grinning Moon Eight Phase Ceremony" benefit down the road being something like "gain Larceny dice to cultivation", with the thematic reason being the cultivator 'stealing' the extra energy. Or phantom "yellow/green" stone benefit depending on aforementioned Larceny score for the same reason.
Seems flavorful enough as a benefit (and thus more interesting than "gain X dice, increase X as the cultivation art advances")
Seems flavorful enough as a benefit (and thus more interesting than "gain X dice, increase X as the cultivation art advances")
[X] Retreat to the safety of the Lecture Hall.
-[X] Keep an ear out for Meizhen while you do so. If she needs help, then do so.
I seriously doubt we'll come across her, or if we did, that she would need help, but I like having it there just in case.
As to not helping Cai, not only did she signal for us to go, but honestly? If her control gets broken to a degree, I'm still fine with that. We can finally officially form the Ling Qi faction as one all of its own then. Sure, it would officially be the Bai faction for now, but I'm pretty sure she would be perfectly happy to let us be the one to actually run things, as she's not exactly much of a charismatic leader type. Ling Qi on the other hand, has the natural quester-built charisma that makes leading groups go so well. (I theorize that questers like charismatic characters so much because so many of us lack charisma in real life. I know I'm not naturally charismatic, what little charisma I have is self taught.)
Still, I think even if Cai takes a hit here, her rule will be damaged at most, certainly not broken. After all, the rebellion has been mostly suppressed, and it's only another of the seeming ring-leaders really left. Even if Cai's reputation takes a hit here, the other faction will take a greater one, no matter the result, I suspect.
I mean, really, what does it say about them? They can beat Cai if they ambush her while she's exhausted and performing a holding action to buy time for her injured forces to retreat? That's a really badge of honor, and such a glorious boost for their reputations. After all, everyone knows that beating a weakened opponent when they're having to focus on protecting others is that mark of a great leader.
Granted, I might be looking at the situation from the wrong point of view. Perhaps the chip in Cai's pristine regime would be more of an issue that it seems to me. Sure, it will tell people that she can be beat, if everyone who is dissatisfied with the state of things bands together. That might result in more flaring up of violence. That's probably the main thought for Ling Qi behind staying. Well, that and the benefits of being allied with the main power block.
Still, I think even if more of those who are unhappy with the state of the outer sect band together as a result of this, those who like the new status quo might rise up in its defense as well. After all, I'm sure there are more people who enjoy the order being imposed that are currently by-standers as well. If things go that way, we could potentially see an honest divide in the ranks form, which could make for a fun setting as well.
Well, that's my thought process for all this. I admit I don't often follow most of the discussion between updates (just skimming most of it, and focusing on things that catch my attention), so if there's things I missed or failed to pick up on, feel free to mention them to me.
-[X] Keep an ear out for Meizhen while you do so. If she needs help, then do so.
I seriously doubt we'll come across her, or if we did, that she would need help, but I like having it there just in case.
As to not helping Cai, not only did she signal for us to go, but honestly? If her control gets broken to a degree, I'm still fine with that. We can finally officially form the Ling Qi faction as one all of its own then. Sure, it would officially be the Bai faction for now, but I'm pretty sure she would be perfectly happy to let us be the one to actually run things, as she's not exactly much of a charismatic leader type. Ling Qi on the other hand, has the natural quester-built charisma that makes leading groups go so well. (I theorize that questers like charismatic characters so much because so many of us lack charisma in real life. I know I'm not naturally charismatic, what little charisma I have is self taught.)
Still, I think even if Cai takes a hit here, her rule will be damaged at most, certainly not broken. After all, the rebellion has been mostly suppressed, and it's only another of the seeming ring-leaders really left. Even if Cai's reputation takes a hit here, the other faction will take a greater one, no matter the result, I suspect.
I mean, really, what does it say about them? They can beat Cai if they ambush her while she's exhausted and performing a holding action to buy time for her injured forces to retreat? That's a really badge of honor, and such a glorious boost for their reputations. After all, everyone knows that beating a weakened opponent when they're having to focus on protecting others is that mark of a great leader.
Granted, I might be looking at the situation from the wrong point of view. Perhaps the chip in Cai's pristine regime would be more of an issue that it seems to me. Sure, it will tell people that she can be beat, if everyone who is dissatisfied with the state of things bands together. That might result in more flaring up of violence. That's probably the main thought for Ling Qi behind staying. Well, that and the benefits of being allied with the main power block.
Still, I think even if more of those who are unhappy with the state of the outer sect band together as a result of this, those who like the new status quo might rise up in its defense as well. After all, I'm sure there are more people who enjoy the order being imposed that are currently by-standers as well. If things go that way, we could potentially see an honest divide in the ranks form, which could make for a fun setting as well.
Well, that's my thought process for all this. I admit I don't often follow most of the discussion between updates (just skimming most of it, and focusing on things that catch my attention), so if there's things I missed or failed to pick up on, feel free to mention them to me.
You certainly convinced me.
[X] Retreat to the safety of the lecture hall
- Location
- Vicksburg, MS
[X] Retreat to the safety of the lecture hall
If the Lady herself wants us to retreat then let's do so by all means. Every indication is that we're running on empty and we don't know either how Meizhen is or what in the world they have planned. This would seem a less than ideal time to dig in our heels.
If the Lady herself wants us to retreat then let's do so by all means. Every indication is that we're running on empty and we don't know either how Meizhen is or what in the world they have planned. This would seem a less than ideal time to dig in our heels.
Despite voting to retreat as well, I would like to note that we are NOT running on empty; we still have more than 1/2 of our max reserves currently at 23/41 Qi (it is written as 23/50, but 9 Qi is locked to Zhengui). And we still have most of our health.
The problem isn't that we can't fight, but that Cai is telling us not to, and that two of our friends are running on empty.
[X] Retreat to the safety of the Lecture Hall.
We need to preserve whats left of our forces for there to be any semblance of a Cai faction in the aftermath - regardless of whether Cai wins or loses this encounter.
We'd also need them in preparation for the retaliation against such treachery.
We need to preserve whats left of our forces for there to be any semblance of a Cai faction in the aftermath - regardless of whether Cai wins or loses this encounter.
We'd also need them in preparation for the retaliation against such treachery.
[X] Retreat to the safety of the lecture hall
I'd be in favor of sally out to support Cai once the wounded are relatively secure.
Might want to check on who hasn't hit their med limit for today and see how many ppl we can get back into the field in a hurry.
Also, very glad we managed to slip the noose.
I'd be in favor of sally out to support Cai once the wounded are relatively secure.
Might want to check on who hasn't hit their med limit for today and see how many ppl we can get back into the field in a hurry.
Also, very glad we managed to slip the noose.
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- Location
- Vicksburg, MS
Say what you will, but when we have barely over half our available qi after already using medicine in the day and we're up against a whole mess of scary dudes with wiped out friends I think it's appropriate to say that we are collectively running on empty. Qi's fighting style is extremely qi-intensive on its own, let alone while including friends.
Who cares if she can fight on her own when we've specialized as support, all friends are flagging, and we are up against a bunch of non-pushover folks? It's a distinction without a difference.
TheLastOne
Person of impeccable tastes (for destruction)
Inserted tally
Kai Merah
Hound Hearted Hedonist
- Location
- Somewhere in the corners of my imagination
[x] Retreat to the safety of the lecture hall
We're only about 200 metres from the hall. Once we make sure Xiulan is safe, we can dash back out and try to help Cai. It should probably only take a single turn to get the wounded safe, maybe two turns at max. Cai and Guangli can hold out for two turns, even assuming they don't have some massive AOE attack prepared to crush the rebels. With FSA, our max range with our bow is 180 metres, so we'd just need to dash 20 metres, and then we can try out our Meteor Shower machine gun style to lay down the hurt.
We're only about 200 metres from the hall. Once we make sure Xiulan is safe, we can dash back out and try to help Cai. It should probably only take a single turn to get the wounded safe, maybe two turns at max. Cai and Guangli can hold out for two turns, even assuming they don't have some massive AOE attack prepared to crush the rebels. With FSA, our max range with our bow is 180 metres, so we'd just need to dash 20 metres, and then we can try out our Meteor Shower machine gun style to lay down the hurt.
Definitely an element is that Cai already won when we rescued her enforcers from being individually beaten down. The institution had been proven to be effective and successful at protecting its members, the leader had trashed the leader of the opposite number.
At this point being personally defeated is for Cai an inconvenience at worst, a backhanded victory otherwise.
At this point being personally defeated is for Cai an inconvenience at worst, a backhanded victory otherwise.
The Run
- Location
- United States of America
So, ever had a muse that had a manic desire to get out? That's what happened with this omake. I had a thought, you know what would be interesting to see, how a member of the little bigrade saw the whole run through the forest. Then, because my muse wouldn't let me leave it alone, I added and edited it so that it was from a reminiscing perspective, like telling the story to grandchildren. I hope you have a good time reading it! As always, don't be afraid to offer critiques and criticisms.
The Run
I heard my grandchildren pound their little feet in an attempt to beat each other to my study. Sighing, I rolled up the scroll I had been reading in its case and placed it on the counter top of my desk.
"Grandfather!" The first through the door exclaimed with eager enthusiasm. My other unruly grandchildren stumbled through the door as well, all pouting mighty that they had been beaten here.
"Now, now, grandchildren. I know for certain that your parents have been attempting to teach better manners than that." I warmly said to these children in front of me.
They all looked at each other and shuffled their feet in chagrin before the leader of the rabble remembered the reason why they had barged into the office.
"But Grandpa, you promised that the next time we saw you, you would tell us another story about the Argent Sect you went to! All we wanted was to hear another story!"
I sighed good naturedly, "That very well may be, and I would be remiss to not tell a story after promising you lot a story. However, that does not excuse poor manners on your parts. I shall tell you a story, and then we will go find your parents to figure out proper chastisement for your lack of manners."
They all looked down at the ground and just sighed resignedly, "Yes Grandfather"
"Now, sit down you rascals and let me tell you a story. Hmm… not my arrival, that has already been told. Certainly not my first fight either, I just told that story last time you visited. Ah! I know just the story for you lot. A terribly exciting run through the woods while I was in the outer Sect. So, there I was during a huge fight between Princess Sun and Lady Cai, and as a supporter of Lady Cai I was naturally embroiled into the whole mess. The story starts, however, after my fight and it was when I first met Miss Ling..."
I was exhausted. I had just beaten my opponent after encountering him in the woods around the outer sect. Leaning against the tree, I pressed my hand against the seeping red stain that was spreading out from my side. The wound wasn't particularly painful, but I was still going to get it healed when I got back to the sect. Peering out into the woods I didn't notice anyone in the direction of the sect, and I figured that I might be able to make a dash and get to the lecture hall before I had to fight another challenger.
While I was debating the merits of that option, soft music began creeping through the woods. I don't know how long I was aware of the music before noticing it, but when I did terror seized me. I knew of only one person who played music like that in the outer sect, and if Miss Ling had turned against Lady Cai, then there was no way I would be making it out of these woods without losing something. It was then that I saw it, the barreling mists charging straight for me.
I will admit, I completely froze in panic. I had heard the rumors of course. How the mists she produced from her flute were dark and unnatural. How a hunger lurked within them that would never be satisfied and always thirsted for more. Those rumors, I will tell you now, did no justice to the sight that filled my vision. Curling tendrils of mist wisping away from the main bank that seemed to gobble up all the light they touched. How the light and dark played with each other, almost jovially, creating an eerie sensation that what you were looking at was deeper than it actually was and colored just enough that every sense was confused about where the mist ended and the dark, lurking hunger began. Then I heard the shout from a fellow cultivator named Gu Xiulan. The shout that demanded I follow and keep up with the party.
Immediately I joined the group. What else was I to do? It was obvious in hindsight that they were a rescue party that Lady Cai had sent out to recover cultivators who had been fighting on her behalf, but the reason I joined was much simpler. If they both had deserted Lady Cai then I was doomed already, and so I had nothing left to lose, but if they were working with Lady Cai then they were my best bet at escaping this mess with my dignity intact.
So I jumped into the mists and started trying to keep up with the pace set by Miss Ling. For a moment I was afraid my paranoia had been correct, that Miss Ling had deserted Lady Cai, for the mists offered no safety in their embrace. I heard the lonely, haunting melody in full force and my sight was obscured by the fog and the hunger that lurked within. Suddenly though, the mists swarmed me and it seemed that they greeted me as kin, as one of it. The mist parted before my vision, as though a veil had been torn from my eyes and I could clearly see all that the mist encompassed. And not a moment too soon I'll say. I was just able to avoid a tree that suddenly appeared before me, a tree that I would not have had time to dodge should my sight have remained shrouded by the mists.
And so there I was, running along in the group that was lead by Miss Ling. There were four of us at the time, and the pace that was set was brutal. Trees blurred past our vision as we raced over the forest towards the central plaza of the Outer Sect. We had a long way to go, and I knew that others not so favorable to Lady Cai would attempt to stop us from reaching safety amongst the lecture halls of the plaza. I moved towards the group, where I saw Miss Ling running at the front of the group, Gu Xiulan right behind Miss Ling, and another cultivator I knew as Fan Yu taking a position to the right of Xiulan. Naturally, I moved towards the left of the group and took up a position on the left flank of Gu Xiulan in order to respond to directives from Gu Xiulan appropriately. Suddenly, I sensed another two cultivators that our group was headed straight towards. I was about to choke out a warning when Miss Ling accelerated slightly and jumped straight over a short rampart that was between us and landed on the enemy cultivator's head, knocking him out cold.
It was at this moment that I knew with a rock solid certainty that the pace Miss Ling had set would not be slowed. Not for terrain, not for enemies, and I was afraid not for allies either. That fear, however, proved unfounded as I noticed that Miss Ling had decreased her speed after her acceleration. Apparently, Miss Ling had been trying to walk the thin razor wire of setting a brutal enough pace to outrun the enemies while at the same time being slow enough for the rest of the party to keep up. I had a rush of gratification at that decision, but then a bucket of cold dread drenched me. That razor wire she was attempting to walk didn't exist, our opponents outnumbered us, were in better shape than us, and had been planning this. They would catch up to us and we would most likely have to fight them off before we reached sanctuary.
Now, as I have told you lot many times before, I was not afraid of a good scrap. The problem with the upcoming battle, however, was that I was running dangerously low on qi. A few more techniques and I would be out and would become a sitting duck to the enemies pursuing us. I knew my job though, as long as I had qi, I would whip out blades of air to deter the enemy. So that was what I was going to do, protect the left flank of this little party until I was unable to do so.
That time was coming much quicker than I had anticipated, unfortunately. I could feel on the edges of my senses two enemies quickly gaining on us. Gu Xiulan barked out a shift in the formation we had assumed which placed her and me on the same flank in order to blast the two cowards away from us. We were marginally successful. My blade of wind found its mark and so did gu Xiulan's fireball but it did little damage to them. The more important part was that their two arrows missed our group by at least 5 meters and that our blasts made them stop and stumble, allowing us to get a lead on them again.
Now, kids, that didn't mean that they were done with trying to stop us. The harassment kept on coming, and the closer we got to the plaza the more fervently they tried to stop us. A darn lucky arrow took out a guy that we had picked up and had shifted in front of me in the formation, never did remember that guys name… shame. Ah well, where was I? Oh yes, back to when the unlucky member of our party got hit by an arrow in the calf and couldn't run anymore. The pace wasn't going to break though, but I wasn't about to leave a member of our little group behind, and so I picked him up in between one stride and the next and communicated the loss to Gu Xuilan. I was plum out of qi by that point, and she knew it, so in order to make sure the left flank had someone to protect it she had us switch positions.
So there I was, in the middle of the group of Lady Cai supporters who had been gathered in the forest and we were on the road leading to the Plaza by now. This only met that the resistance became even fiercer and that attacks came with even greater frequency. We eventually made it to the edge of the plaza, but there were three people blocking the way and at least four people behind us. From past experience during this run, I knew that Miss Ling was not going to be slowing down for a mere three cultivators and so I was consigned to simply try and dodge their attacks. However, a thrum of power came out of Miss Ling and energy entered me, empowering me and bolstering my flagging endurance. And it was right as the three opponents entered the mists that the tune Miss Ling played changed slightly. The lonely, haunting melody was still there, but another aspect of it came to life. The hunger.
The mists swirled around us like an angry storm, an unstoppable personification of hunger and want. Shapes that I had seen in the corner of my eye coalesced into reality. Monstrous beasts that tore and clawed at the three who stood in our way. Impossible creatures that defied identification launched themselves forward, and our opponents were not ready. Miss Ling dodged the first one with practiced ease and as he turned to confront her, I body checked him to the ground.
Can you imagine his face? He had just been attacked by a creature of nightmare and in his efforts to confront the leader of our pack, he unbalanced himself enough for a slim stick of a boy, carrying another boy bridal style, to place his shoulder into his body and drive him to the ground. I will always remember that face, the pure outraged confusion as I kept up the stride Miss Ling had set and left him behind. The other members of our group had done similar things and we were able to break through that blockade without much trouble.
It was then that I noticed that Lady Cai and her assistant, Gan Guangli had arrived to assist us. Delaying the pursuers that were hounding our tail. Knowing that I had little to nothing to contribute to the fight, I made a mad dash for the Lecture hall with a couple of others. Glancing back I noticed that Miss Ling, Gu Xuilan, Fan Yu, and another had stayed behind for a few moments before….
The Run
I heard my grandchildren pound their little feet in an attempt to beat each other to my study. Sighing, I rolled up the scroll I had been reading in its case and placed it on the counter top of my desk.
"Grandfather!" The first through the door exclaimed with eager enthusiasm. My other unruly grandchildren stumbled through the door as well, all pouting mighty that they had been beaten here.
"Now, now, grandchildren. I know for certain that your parents have been attempting to teach better manners than that." I warmly said to these children in front of me.
They all looked at each other and shuffled their feet in chagrin before the leader of the rabble remembered the reason why they had barged into the office.
"But Grandpa, you promised that the next time we saw you, you would tell us another story about the Argent Sect you went to! All we wanted was to hear another story!"
I sighed good naturedly, "That very well may be, and I would be remiss to not tell a story after promising you lot a story. However, that does not excuse poor manners on your parts. I shall tell you a story, and then we will go find your parents to figure out proper chastisement for your lack of manners."
They all looked down at the ground and just sighed resignedly, "Yes Grandfather"
"Now, sit down you rascals and let me tell you a story. Hmm… not my arrival, that has already been told. Certainly not my first fight either, I just told that story last time you visited. Ah! I know just the story for you lot. A terribly exciting run through the woods while I was in the outer Sect. So, there I was during a huge fight between Princess Sun and Lady Cai, and as a supporter of Lady Cai I was naturally embroiled into the whole mess. The story starts, however, after my fight and it was when I first met Miss Ling..."
I was exhausted. I had just beaten my opponent after encountering him in the woods around the outer sect. Leaning against the tree, I pressed my hand against the seeping red stain that was spreading out from my side. The wound wasn't particularly painful, but I was still going to get it healed when I got back to the sect. Peering out into the woods I didn't notice anyone in the direction of the sect, and I figured that I might be able to make a dash and get to the lecture hall before I had to fight another challenger.
While I was debating the merits of that option, soft music began creeping through the woods. I don't know how long I was aware of the music before noticing it, but when I did terror seized me. I knew of only one person who played music like that in the outer sect, and if Miss Ling had turned against Lady Cai, then there was no way I would be making it out of these woods without losing something. It was then that I saw it, the barreling mists charging straight for me.
I will admit, I completely froze in panic. I had heard the rumors of course. How the mists she produced from her flute were dark and unnatural. How a hunger lurked within them that would never be satisfied and always thirsted for more. Those rumors, I will tell you now, did no justice to the sight that filled my vision. Curling tendrils of mist wisping away from the main bank that seemed to gobble up all the light they touched. How the light and dark played with each other, almost jovially, creating an eerie sensation that what you were looking at was deeper than it actually was and colored just enough that every sense was confused about where the mist ended and the dark, lurking hunger began. Then I heard the shout from a fellow cultivator named Gu Xiulan. The shout that demanded I follow and keep up with the party.
Immediately I joined the group. What else was I to do? It was obvious in hindsight that they were a rescue party that Lady Cai had sent out to recover cultivators who had been fighting on her behalf, but the reason I joined was much simpler. If they both had deserted Lady Cai then I was doomed already, and so I had nothing left to lose, but if they were working with Lady Cai then they were my best bet at escaping this mess with my dignity intact.
So I jumped into the mists and started trying to keep up with the pace set by Miss Ling. For a moment I was afraid my paranoia had been correct, that Miss Ling had deserted Lady Cai, for the mists offered no safety in their embrace. I heard the lonely, haunting melody in full force and my sight was obscured by the fog and the hunger that lurked within. Suddenly though, the mists swarmed me and it seemed that they greeted me as kin, as one of it. The mist parted before my vision, as though a veil had been torn from my eyes and I could clearly see all that the mist encompassed. And not a moment too soon I'll say. I was just able to avoid a tree that suddenly appeared before me, a tree that I would not have had time to dodge should my sight have remained shrouded by the mists.
And so there I was, running along in the group that was lead by Miss Ling. There were four of us at the time, and the pace that was set was brutal. Trees blurred past our vision as we raced over the forest towards the central plaza of the Outer Sect. We had a long way to go, and I knew that others not so favorable to Lady Cai would attempt to stop us from reaching safety amongst the lecture halls of the plaza. I moved towards the group, where I saw Miss Ling running at the front of the group, Gu Xiulan right behind Miss Ling, and another cultivator I knew as Fan Yu taking a position to the right of Xiulan. Naturally, I moved towards the left of the group and took up a position on the left flank of Gu Xiulan in order to respond to directives from Gu Xiulan appropriately. Suddenly, I sensed another two cultivators that our group was headed straight towards. I was about to choke out a warning when Miss Ling accelerated slightly and jumped straight over a short rampart that was between us and landed on the enemy cultivator's head, knocking him out cold.
It was at this moment that I knew with a rock solid certainty that the pace Miss Ling had set would not be slowed. Not for terrain, not for enemies, and I was afraid not for allies either. That fear, however, proved unfounded as I noticed that Miss Ling had decreased her speed after her acceleration. Apparently, Miss Ling had been trying to walk the thin razor wire of setting a brutal enough pace to outrun the enemies while at the same time being slow enough for the rest of the party to keep up. I had a rush of gratification at that decision, but then a bucket of cold dread drenched me. That razor wire she was attempting to walk didn't exist, our opponents outnumbered us, were in better shape than us, and had been planning this. They would catch up to us and we would most likely have to fight them off before we reached sanctuary.
Now, as I have told you lot many times before, I was not afraid of a good scrap. The problem with the upcoming battle, however, was that I was running dangerously low on qi. A few more techniques and I would be out and would become a sitting duck to the enemies pursuing us. I knew my job though, as long as I had qi, I would whip out blades of air to deter the enemy. So that was what I was going to do, protect the left flank of this little party until I was unable to do so.
That time was coming much quicker than I had anticipated, unfortunately. I could feel on the edges of my senses two enemies quickly gaining on us. Gu Xiulan barked out a shift in the formation we had assumed which placed her and me on the same flank in order to blast the two cowards away from us. We were marginally successful. My blade of wind found its mark and so did gu Xiulan's fireball but it did little damage to them. The more important part was that their two arrows missed our group by at least 5 meters and that our blasts made them stop and stumble, allowing us to get a lead on them again.
Now, kids, that didn't mean that they were done with trying to stop us. The harassment kept on coming, and the closer we got to the plaza the more fervently they tried to stop us. A darn lucky arrow took out a guy that we had picked up and had shifted in front of me in the formation, never did remember that guys name… shame. Ah well, where was I? Oh yes, back to when the unlucky member of our party got hit by an arrow in the calf and couldn't run anymore. The pace wasn't going to break though, but I wasn't about to leave a member of our little group behind, and so I picked him up in between one stride and the next and communicated the loss to Gu Xuilan. I was plum out of qi by that point, and she knew it, so in order to make sure the left flank had someone to protect it she had us switch positions.
So there I was, in the middle of the group of Lady Cai supporters who had been gathered in the forest and we were on the road leading to the Plaza by now. This only met that the resistance became even fiercer and that attacks came with even greater frequency. We eventually made it to the edge of the plaza, but there were three people blocking the way and at least four people behind us. From past experience during this run, I knew that Miss Ling was not going to be slowing down for a mere three cultivators and so I was consigned to simply try and dodge their attacks. However, a thrum of power came out of Miss Ling and energy entered me, empowering me and bolstering my flagging endurance. And it was right as the three opponents entered the mists that the tune Miss Ling played changed slightly. The lonely, haunting melody was still there, but another aspect of it came to life. The hunger.
The mists swirled around us like an angry storm, an unstoppable personification of hunger and want. Shapes that I had seen in the corner of my eye coalesced into reality. Monstrous beasts that tore and clawed at the three who stood in our way. Impossible creatures that defied identification launched themselves forward, and our opponents were not ready. Miss Ling dodged the first one with practiced ease and as he turned to confront her, I body checked him to the ground.
Can you imagine his face? He had just been attacked by a creature of nightmare and in his efforts to confront the leader of our pack, he unbalanced himself enough for a slim stick of a boy, carrying another boy bridal style, to place his shoulder into his body and drive him to the ground. I will always remember that face, the pure outraged confusion as I kept up the stride Miss Ling had set and left him behind. The other members of our group had done similar things and we were able to break through that blockade without much trouble.
It was then that I noticed that Lady Cai and her assistant, Gan Guangli had arrived to assist us. Delaying the pursuers that were hounding our tail. Knowing that I had little to nothing to contribute to the fight, I made a mad dash for the Lecture hall with a couple of others. Glancing back I noticed that Miss Ling, Gu Xuilan, Fan Yu, and another had stayed behind for a few moments before….
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