- Location
- USA
I am going to have to drop sorry, IRL needs me and some other stuff has come up that I want to work on. Sorry about just taking the slot and drooping.
Disciples of Red Dew Sect (Cultivation Riot Quest)
- Thread starter Arcanestomper
- Start date
- Original Fantasy
Turn 10: Keeping Thoughts
- Location
- Israel
New omake for a new turn, also tournemant arc!!.
Diary Entry - 17th of the New Moon, 10 months since joining
So, I heard from from one of the seniors that diaries are good for keeping thoughts. I'm not entirely sure what "keeping thoughts" means, but it sounds important. Maybe it's like keeping your favorite snacks hidden away so no one else can eat them? Or perhaps it's like storing shiny rocks you find on the path for later? Well, whatever it is, I thought I'd give it a try. Maybe writing things down will help me remember them better. Anyway, today was quite eventful!
First I've worked hard on my training lately, and I can definitely feel myself improving. The seniors had thoughts me the has been teaching me some new techniques, and I've been practicing diligently every day. My strikes are becoming more precise, and I'm getting better at controlling my qi. Even Brother White llama mask said he noticed a difference in my form! It's exciting to see my hard work paying off.
Then, I finally learned whats a tournament is !. It's this big gathering where cultivators from different sects come together to compete in various contests. At first, I wasn't sure what all the fuss was about, but after Brother Jiang Chen explained it to me, I realized how exciting it could be. It's a chance to showcase our skills and learn from others, all while having fun! I can't wait to participate and show everyone what I've learned. Who knows, maybe I'll even win a prize!
So afterwards, I was talking to the llamas like I usually do, trying to help them out, you know? They always have lots to say, and they're pretty clever. Anyway, I guess the Inner Disciples thought I was up to no good or something. Next thing I know, I'm tied up in some kind of qi rope, with a bag over my head! It was like being stuck in a llama fur blanket, oddly cozy but also not fun at all.
Then, they dragged me to this weird room with throne-like chairs and these Inner Disciples wearing llama masks. It was like something out of a story! They started accusing me of all sorts of stuff, calling me an intruder and a thief. I tried to explain that I was just trying to help, but they didn't seem to buy it. I thought I was done for, but then they finally let me speak.
Turns out, they believed me! The one in the middle even recognized me from helping fix up the llama pen. They were impressed that I could understand llamas, and they actually seemed excited about it. Who knew my llama skills would come in handy like this? They even let me explain my origins, and they were all ears. I guess it's true what they say—everyone loves a good llama whisperer!
So, that was my day. Crazy, right? But hey, at least I got out of it without being thrown to any groupers,anyway theres apparently a practice tournament ? , i gotta go join it should be really really fun!,
So, I heard from from one of the seniors that diaries are good for keeping thoughts. I'm not entirely sure what "keeping thoughts" means, but it sounds important. Maybe it's like keeping your favorite snacks hidden away so no one else can eat them? Or perhaps it's like storing shiny rocks you find on the path for later? Well, whatever it is, I thought I'd give it a try. Maybe writing things down will help me remember them better. Anyway, today was quite eventful!
First I've worked hard on my training lately, and I can definitely feel myself improving. The seniors had thoughts me the has been teaching me some new techniques, and I've been practicing diligently every day. My strikes are becoming more precise, and I'm getting better at controlling my qi. Even Brother White llama mask said he noticed a difference in my form! It's exciting to see my hard work paying off.
Then, I finally learned whats a tournament is !. It's this big gathering where cultivators from different sects come together to compete in various contests. At first, I wasn't sure what all the fuss was about, but after Brother Jiang Chen explained it to me, I realized how exciting it could be. It's a chance to showcase our skills and learn from others, all while having fun! I can't wait to participate and show everyone what I've learned. Who knows, maybe I'll even win a prize!
So afterwards, I was talking to the llamas like I usually do, trying to help them out, you know? They always have lots to say, and they're pretty clever. Anyway, I guess the Inner Disciples thought I was up to no good or something. Next thing I know, I'm tied up in some kind of qi rope, with a bag over my head! It was like being stuck in a llama fur blanket, oddly cozy but also not fun at all.
Then, they dragged me to this weird room with throne-like chairs and these Inner Disciples wearing llama masks. It was like something out of a story! They started accusing me of all sorts of stuff, calling me an intruder and a thief. I tried to explain that I was just trying to help, but they didn't seem to buy it. I thought I was done for, but then they finally let me speak.
Turns out, they believed me! The one in the middle even recognized me from helping fix up the llama pen. They were impressed that I could understand llamas, and they actually seemed excited about it. Who knew my llama skills would come in handy like this? They even let me explain my origins, and they were all ears. I guess it's true what they say—everyone loves a good llama whisperer!
So, that was my day. Crazy, right? But hey, at least I got out of it without being thrown to any groupers,anyway theres apparently a practice tournament ? , i gotta go join it should be really really fun!,
Spiritual Meals are available for spirit stones at the market instead of merit now.
Alright thanks for letting me know.
@Zedalb
That means you're up.
Turn 10: Anticipation
Anticipation: A Jiang Chen Omake
Jiang Chen seemed to carry an excitement within him, as he went about his usual task for the Sect. In every errand, a fervour could be seen, every sweep of a brush, the carrying of goods, even his mundane interactions with his fellow disciples seemed to be charged in the wake of this new energy, the normally quiet disciple actually engaging in brief conversation. Indeed, in the mind of Jiang Chen, all was well, as the first of many battles was upon him: The Practice Tournament.
Although simply preparation in the face of the upcoming Intersect Tournament, the Practice Tournament was finally a chance for Jiang Chen to demonstrate the skills he had dedicated the previous months to learning, bringing his passion for the sword to full fruition! And indeed, among the disciples of the Red Dew Sect, few wielded their techniques as well as Jiang Chen did, nor were equipped with such fine blades. Perhaps Loutou, the strange Llama-loving disciple, or that Time user, Ryan, or some other such foreign name, who had dedicated almost all of his time to his technique, to the point he possessed the weakest Cultivation base among the disciples of his generation, would pose a threat in terms of skill, but Jiang Chen remained confident in his own swordsmanship.
While Jiang Chen was exhilarated at the prospect of finally being able to wield his sword techniques against live human opponents, as they were designed for, rather than the myriad beasts of the woods or the controlled practice sessions with his Seniors and Elders, another temptation that drew him to the Tournament was the mysterious prize on offer. While the true identity of the prize was a mystery, the looming shadow of the Intersect Tournament made every trick for strengthening oneself a boon, and had prompted the Elders to bring out their finer treasures for the disciples. Even were he merely to place third, Jiang Chen was confident he would find the prize satisfying, and he was not one to settle for merely third place.
And so, on Jiang Chen went, running errands, training, discussing the finer points of swordsmanship, on and on he went, tireless, relentless, all in the hopes that, in the coming tournament, he could finally display the dominance he sought. And then, with the prize, he could seek to refine himself further, and spread his name among the sects in the Intersect Tournament. All for the dream, and the Path.
(Hoping for more Sword Insights, Hand in the Sky.)
Jiang Chen seemed to carry an excitement within him, as he went about his usual task for the Sect. In every errand, a fervour could be seen, every sweep of a brush, the carrying of goods, even his mundane interactions with his fellow disciples seemed to be charged in the wake of this new energy, the normally quiet disciple actually engaging in brief conversation. Indeed, in the mind of Jiang Chen, all was well, as the first of many battles was upon him: The Practice Tournament.
Although simply preparation in the face of the upcoming Intersect Tournament, the Practice Tournament was finally a chance for Jiang Chen to demonstrate the skills he had dedicated the previous months to learning, bringing his passion for the sword to full fruition! And indeed, among the disciples of the Red Dew Sect, few wielded their techniques as well as Jiang Chen did, nor were equipped with such fine blades. Perhaps Loutou, the strange Llama-loving disciple, or that Time user, Ryan, or some other such foreign name, who had dedicated almost all of his time to his technique, to the point he possessed the weakest Cultivation base among the disciples of his generation, would pose a threat in terms of skill, but Jiang Chen remained confident in his own swordsmanship.
While Jiang Chen was exhilarated at the prospect of finally being able to wield his sword techniques against live human opponents, as they were designed for, rather than the myriad beasts of the woods or the controlled practice sessions with his Seniors and Elders, another temptation that drew him to the Tournament was the mysterious prize on offer. While the true identity of the prize was a mystery, the looming shadow of the Intersect Tournament made every trick for strengthening oneself a boon, and had prompted the Elders to bring out their finer treasures for the disciples. Even were he merely to place third, Jiang Chen was confident he would find the prize satisfying, and he was not one to settle for merely third place.
And so, on Jiang Chen went, running errands, training, discussing the finer points of swordsmanship, on and on he went, tireless, relentless, all in the hopes that, in the coming tournament, he could finally display the dominance he sought. And then, with the prize, he could seek to refine himself further, and spread his name among the sects in the Intersect Tournament. All for the dream, and the Path.
(Hoping for more Sword Insights, Hand in the Sky.)
Turn 10: Zao Zao
Zedalb
I just started a Patreon!
- Location
- Washington
[X] Instruction from a Senior Disciple: Red Dew Technique (Free)
Cultivation: Lungs
Cultivation: Lungs
Zao Zao knows that one thing above all others is true. That he is playing the roll of a background character. Dutiful and hard working but invisible. His clothes are the uniform worn with no blemishes or embellishments. His hair is cut to be the absolute average of men within the sect. He makes no friends or enemies as he lives a monk like existence. It is an act. One day he will rule the sect and raise it to new heights upon his back. Today is not that day. Today is one day closer to it though.
He simply works on mastering the Red Dew Technique. It is all he does aside from, eat, sleep, shower and cultivate. He has no hobbies or love interests. He undertakes instruction listening intently and then practices privately when instruction is over. Few in the sect would even recognize him by name. Which is for the moment exactly what he wants. He has faith that the red dew sect can raise him to be more. Yet for now he understands the importance of mastering the simple things. His foundation will one day hold a mountain atop it, so it must be a solid foundation.
His father was a carpenter of no particular skill or fame. Yet as he practices the technique he cannot help but be reminded of his father speaking of measuring twice and cutting once. Clean, simple, accurate cuts were the basis of all good carpentry. If you could not cut things well nothing else would ever fit together. He didn't really understand the importance as a child. Now he thinks that there may have been wisdom in that simple man who raised him.
He almost misses being something other than the protagonist.
He simply works on mastering the Red Dew Technique. It is all he does aside from, eat, sleep, shower and cultivate. He has no hobbies or love interests. He undertakes instruction listening intently and then practices privately when instruction is over. Few in the sect would even recognize him by name. Which is for the moment exactly what he wants. He has faith that the red dew sect can raise him to be more. Yet for now he understands the importance of mastering the simple things. His foundation will one day hold a mountain atop it, so it must be a solid foundation.
His father was a carpenter of no particular skill or fame. Yet as he practices the technique he cannot help but be reminded of his father speaking of measuring twice and cutting once. Clean, simple, accurate cuts were the basis of all good carpentry. If you could not cut things well nothing else would ever fit together. He didn't really understand the importance as a child. Now he thinks that there may have been wisdom in that simple man who raised him.
He almost misses being something other than the protagonist.
Turn 10: A Letter Home (2)
Omake - A Letter Home (2)
My Dearest Mother,
I'm so glad to hear that you, the family and the farm are doing well. I have here enclosed 2000 more Taels and I trust you will put them to good use again.
Life at the Sect has been going great. Training and missions keep me busy, my contributions are well rewarded and my rewards hard earned. One of the similarities to my upbringing, for which I can never thank you and Father enough. It has prepared me for all the hardships I have encountered away from home.
I will not lie - 'hardships' is an appropriate term. Even the festivals, here, are incredibly intense! I have seen, felt and done extraordinary things in my stay at the Red Dew Sect, but some of them have been quite challenging on many fronts. I have come out of them unscathed physically, maybe, but they've taken their toll in other ways. Although my spiritual training has been related more to my inner energy than my inner thoughts, I have enough introspection to feel it when my mind is close to fraying. I'm happy to say, though, I have come back from that brink every time - and stronger than ever.
My friendship with Yong Jiahao and the other disciples has been a source of comfort - perhaps inevitable since a sense of solidarity in the face of these hardships was almost guaranteed to develop - but I've also found solace in the competence and power of the Sect leadership. I am certain they will not lead me astray.
Perhaps I shouldn't saddle you with these heavy thoughts in my few letters, but you've raised me to be a forthright man who knows he can confide in you and who knows you're too confident in my resourcefulness and resilience to worry overmuch.
I am good and will be better!
With heartfelt affection,
Wu Ji Nin
My Dearest Mother,
I'm so glad to hear that you, the family and the farm are doing well. I have here enclosed 2000 more Taels and I trust you will put them to good use again.
Life at the Sect has been going great. Training and missions keep me busy, my contributions are well rewarded and my rewards hard earned. One of the similarities to my upbringing, for which I can never thank you and Father enough. It has prepared me for all the hardships I have encountered away from home.
I will not lie - 'hardships' is an appropriate term. Even the festivals, here, are incredibly intense! I have seen, felt and done extraordinary things in my stay at the Red Dew Sect, but some of them have been quite challenging on many fronts. I have come out of them unscathed physically, maybe, but they've taken their toll in other ways. Although my spiritual training has been related more to my inner energy than my inner thoughts, I have enough introspection to feel it when my mind is close to fraying. I'm happy to say, though, I have come back from that brink every time - and stronger than ever.
My friendship with Yong Jiahao and the other disciples has been a source of comfort - perhaps inevitable since a sense of solidarity in the face of these hardships was almost guaranteed to develop - but I've also found solace in the competence and power of the Sect leadership. I am certain they will not lead me astray.
Perhaps I shouldn't saddle you with these heavy thoughts in my few letters, but you've raised me to be a forthright man who knows he can confide in you and who knows you're too confident in my resourcefulness and resilience to worry overmuch.
I am good and will be better!
With heartfelt affection,
Wu Ji Nin
@Bylba
Lung Doji gets Storm Lungs
@_Plague Doctor_
@HousePet
@Shadowolf235
@Abyssius
Riyadh, Pan Tingfeng, Daiki Inoue, and Liang Xinyue get Passionate Heart
@rush99999
@SeptimusMagisto
@Synergy
@wrecksalot
@CoreBrute
@CausalityCircle
I don't see rolls for your last tempered organs.
@Zedalb
You can roll twice. Once for eyes and once for lungs.
All the disciples have achieved Tempered Lungs. So new disciples will have them as well. Zao Zao got lucky in when they got in.
Lung Doji gets Storm Lungs
@_Plague Doctor_
@HousePet
@Shadowolf235
@Abyssius
Riyadh, Pan Tingfeng, Daiki Inoue, and Liang Xinyue get Passionate Heart
@rush99999
@SeptimusMagisto
@Synergy
@wrecksalot
@CoreBrute
@CausalityCircle
I don't see rolls for your last tempered organs.
@Zedalb
You can roll twice. Once for eyes and once for lungs.
All the disciples have achieved Tempered Lungs. So new disciples will have them as well. Zao Zao got lucky in when they got in.
- Location
- some computer lab
Rolling for my tempered organ now
- Location
- UK
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Last edited:
So do I need to rool?
I have you down as having already rolled.
Ok then wait for next update
LinkOnScepter
The One who Strangles Concepts to death
- Location
- Interwebs
Damn, I missed the update. Hold on.
Oh...NVM.
Oh...NVM.
@Floom
@moon-llama
@Guest99
@Zedalb
@Epic Bygones
Wuyin: 2 Insights Path of Elements
Luòtuó: 2 Insights Path of Improvement
Jiang Chen : 2 Insights Path of Sword
Zao Zao: 2 Insights Path of Meticulousness
Wu Ji Nin: 2 Insights Path of Community
I've got all the results done. I just need to write the descriptions tomorrow and I'll post the turn.
@moon-llama
@Guest99
@Zedalb
@Epic Bygones
Wuyin: 2 Insights Path of Elements
Luòtuó: 2 Insights Path of Improvement
Jiang Chen : 2 Insights Path of Sword
Zao Zao: 2 Insights Path of Meticulousness
Wu Ji Nin: 2 Insights Path of Community
I've got all the results done. I just need to write the descriptions tomorrow and I'll post the turn.
Turn 10 Preliminary Cultivation
| Hawk "Primal Monkey" Cyr | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: 9/10 |
| Lung Doji | Tempered Heart: 7/9 |
| Hanyi Huoshui | Tempered Heart: 3/9 |
| Wu Ji Nin | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: Done |
| Li | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: 0/10 |
| Riyadh | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: 5/10 |
| Jin Mei | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: 5/10 |
| Changjian Meinu | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: Done |
| Wuyin | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: Done |
| Hong Xing | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: 8/10 |
| Gu Jin | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: Done |
| Luòtuó | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: Done |
| Liao Chuanli | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: Done |
| Bái Yǔ | Tempered Heart: 5/9 |
| Feng Shou | Tempered Heart: 8/9 |
| Xìngyùn xīng | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: Done |
| Pan Tingfeng | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: Done |
| Zise Ren | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: Done |
| Cai Delan | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: 5/10 |
| Daiki Inoue | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: 3/10 |
| Gan Jia | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: Done |
| Liang Xinyue | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: 7/10 |
| Ding Dong | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: 1/10 |
| Jang Hui | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: 4/10 |
| Yu Siyuan | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: 2/10 |
| Jian Ke | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: 8/10 |
| Maggot Gravedirt | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: Done |
| Jiang Chen | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: 2/10 |
| Liu Jin | Tempered Heart: Done, Tempered Stomach: 0/10 |
| June Peng | Tempered Heart: 7/9 |
| Tan Bo | Tempered Heart: 6/9 |
| Chen De | Tempered Heart: 4/9 |
| Cheng Nan | Tempered Heart: 5/9 |
| Zhōusān | Tempered Heart: 2/9 |
| Zao Zao | Tempered Heart: 2/9 |
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Let's see if I get Heart
EDIT: YESSSSSSSS
EDIT: YESSSSSSSS
Rolling now stupid comment rules
By coming to elder Nianzu for assistance you absolve him of all liability if you should end up crippled or exploding from an overuse of Qi.
Oops. Sorry. This turn was wild.
Turn 10: Results
@Expecting Me
@KreenWarrior
@SeptimusMagisto
A fair few intrepid disciples venture into the Ancient Devil forest to explore the ruin found over winter. They are led by some of the sect's most promising seeds, Tan Bo, Zise Ren, and Jin Mei. This particular ruin is located underground and after venturing inside the disciples find an expansive labyrinth that seems to go on forever.
Most of it is derelict and except for a few spirit beasts making their lairs in the abandoned corridors mostly safe for the disciples. However a few are not. Tan Bo finds this out the hard way when he triggers a working trap formation that throws him into a wall hard enough to break bones.
Fortunately Jin Mei is able to identify which traps are still active through her divination, and Zise Ren finds a path forward by tracking some of the spirit wolves that have wandered into the ruin. At the end of the trapped section the disciples find a large chamber with a number of still active artifacts. And even more intriguingly a large sealed door that none of them can open.
Tan Bo: 105 Spirit Stones, Injured
Zise Ren: 120 Spirit Stones
Jin Mei: 90 Spirit Stones
@Uber_Fail_Dinesh
@wrecksalot
@szymonmolitoris2
@Guest99
@moon-llama
@CoreBrute
@Abyssius
@Worm_that_Walks
@rush99999
@Vanestus
Of course most of the sect's disciples are interested in only one thing this month, and that's the tournament being held to evaluate the disciples standing and prowess. Most of the initial fights are held in the tournament in Roaring Furnace city, and everyone is very impressed by the safety formations.
They turn lethal blows into survivable hits while still leaving most of the force in place.Only a few hundred disciples take any serious injuries, and of those only the most incompetent of all die. No great loss for the sect.
Once the lesser disciples are weeded out the final few matches are held in the volcano arena. This is the first that most of the disciples have seen it and the stark obsidian ring held suspended over the roiling lava is quite intimidating. Fortunately the formations work to suppress the heat and soon the watchers are far more interested in what is happening on the ring than below it.
To no one's surprises the sect's geniuses have dominated the selections despite their youth. All are impressive, but five truly stand out. The first is Liao Chuanli who displays a solid foundation as well as a an impressive grasp of his chosen technique. The next is Jian Ke who has a solid iron body and an excellent grasp of the Red Dew technique. Unfortunately Liao Chuanli is heavily injured in an unfortunate match up with Luòtuó, and Jian Ke is defeated by Liang Xinyue whose ash techniques allow him to quickly defeat all his opponents.
Or at least almost all. Liang Xinyue only ends up as the third place as he is defeated by Maggot Gravedirt whose body is pure gold and nearly untouchable by mere peasants. Nearly however is not enough when he faces the champion of the tournament Luòtuó who defeats him with a rapid flurry of slashes from his gleaming sword.
There is some grumbling from the disciples that Luòtuó won because said sword was Perfect, but given no equipment restrictions were in place they kept their grumblings quiet. Not least because everyone involved was awarded a small stipend regardless. For their part the elders seem satisfied that with his spirit of pure gold and exemplary grasp of the Red Dew Technique he won't fail the sect in the far grander tournament being planned.
1st: Luòtuó: 150 Spirit Stones
2nd: Maggot Gravedirt: 120 Spirit Stones
3rd: Liang Xinyue: 120 Spirit Stones
Jian Ke: 120 Spirit Stones
Liao Chuanli: 120 Spirit Stones, Injured
Li: 105 Spirit Stones, Injured
Hong Xing: 90 Spirit Stones
Jiang Chen: 90 Spirit Stones, Injured
Cheng Nan: 60 Spirit Stones
Hanyi Huoshui: 60 Spirit Stones
@CedeTheBees
@DiscordOxymoron
@dingdonghadron
Elder Mei leads a journey to the Five Herbs Garden sect. With an elder guiding them and the road established the trip is safer this time. Which isn't the same as safe as poor Yu Siyuan finds out when a spider pops out of a trapdoor in the cobblestones and drags him into its lair. Fortunately Elder Mei is able to extract him before he is poisoned too badly, and everyone enjoys the spider leg roast that night.
Once at the Five Garden Sect there is quite a bit of mingling between the disciples of the Red Dew and Five Herbs. Gan Jia soon wows the other disciples with their extensive herb knowledge. But the Changjian sisters are the real stars with their exotic lunar blades, music, and gifts of Red Dew specialties.
Gan Jia: 120 Spirit Stones
Changjian Meinu: 120 Spirit Stones, +2 Rep 5 Herb Garden
Yu Siyuan: 90 Spirit Stones, Injured
@Bylba
@Epic Bygones
@LinkOnScepter
Patrolling the barony is by contrast far less exciting. The disciples are mostly called on to clear landslides and fix buildings that collapsed over winter. However they also act as mobile enforcers and judges to catch and deal with criminals before they form into larger bandit groups.
Lung Doji, Wu Ji Nin, and Hawk Cyr are the best at this as they lead a roving band of disciples that quickly and efficiently identifies the guilty by simple dint of asking dead victims who killed them. Once new of this gets out the rate of murders in the barony plummets significantly.
Lung Doji: 75 Spirit Stones
Wu Ji Nin: 120 Spirit Stones
Hawk "Primal Monkey" Cyr: 105 Spirit Stones
@Jaguar2234
@alexthealright
@Shadowolf235
@fluxeal
@SootCube
The horsemen are allowed into Elder Cheng's private pagoda and led in meditation by the esteemed elder. He gives them lectures on the nature of the Dao that are specifically tuned to the path each one wants to walk, and they all benefit greatly. Some of them benefit a bit too much and their spirits suffer irregularities as the Qi races through them, but fortunately the elder is able to quickly fix their qi flows before any permanent damage is done.
Elder Cheng is also willing to answer personal questions. He advises Liu JIn to consider whether he truly wishes to unleash an elemental spirit more closely. They are all after not human. It is not some pretty girl trapped in the sword, but a thing of snow and frost. Not evil, but not good either.
About the Ancient Devil Forest Elder Cheng tells Gu JIn that it is very literally in the name. The plants and beasts of the forest are tainted by the presence of the ancient devil. Or rather by the seal that keeps it suppressed. The ancients did not wish the seal to be disturbed. So they altered the very qi flows of the forest to bring in excessive amounts of fire and earth to unbalance the area ever so slightly and encourage everything living there to be extra aggressive.
By the end of the lecture each of the disciples has improved by such leaps that their spiritual organs are gleaming and they are quite literally in the process of breaking through to Forged Soldier. Elder Cheng deems their foundations a bit too unstable however and places seals on them to temporarily suppress their Qi. Though he tells them they'll probably break through soon regardless.
Liu Jin: 1 Sword Enlightenment, Suppressing Breakthrough
Cai Delan: 1 Awareness Enlightenment, Suppressing Breakthrough
Daiki Inoue: 1 Scholarly Enlightenment, Suppressing Breakthrough
Xìngyùn xīng: 1 Whims of Fate Enlightenment, Suppressing Breakthrough
Gu Jin: 1 Harvest Enlightenment, Suppressing Breakthrough
@Zedalb
Fortunately despite the excitement of the tournament there are still senior disciples giving out lectures. Zao Zao is able to attend a Red Dew School lecture and makes good progress.
Zao Zao: Red Dew School 2/3
@LordEdric
With the aid of a few of his fellow disciples Ding Dong is able to narrow down the location of the Elder of the Forge to a fairly unassuming patch of land. This might dissuade other people, but Ding Dong is certain the pavilion is in the empty lot. Just hidden by some kind of formation. He just needs to find a way to get through.
Ding Dong: Blacksmith Elder Pavilion 2/3
@Oseanman
Bái Yǔ goes to the haunted mansion on the outskirts of the city. And it is indeed quite haunted. Something bloody and terrible happened here and more than once. Bái Yǔ finds a pit of bones buried in the back courtyard and shortly afterwards is assaulted by a howling ghost. Fortunately he is more than prepared and quickly pins the ghost in place with a burst of qi before chanting his exorcism techniques.
It's actually a rather simple exorcism, all things considered. But far beyond mortal capabilities. Bái Yǔ feels good about his actions, and so do the heavens.
Bái Yǔ: +7 Virtue
@_Plague Doctor_
Riaydh keeps working on literally shattering time. After a few failures to control his time properly he notices that some of the senior disciples have set up containment arrays around his normal training ground.
Riyadh: Shatter Time 2/3
@HousePet
Pan Tingfeng is well known in the kitchens and it doesn't take much persuasion for one of the senior cooks to let him work on his own new recipe. He gets to work steaming and rolling with a gusto and after a week or two of experimentation manages to perfect his Midwinter Coals enough that its almost a technique.
Pan Tingfeng: 6 Spiritual Meals, Red Dew Specialties 1/3
@Floom
Wuyin works with Tien some more and soon the shadow panther cub is almost inseparable from the young cultivator. She follows Wuyin everywhere and helps when she can. A bit too much at times, but fortunately she doesn't cause any serious problems. Or scratch Wuyin up enough to need another trip to the infirmary.
Wuyin: Shadow Panther Rep 8/10
@Poofs
Following a treasure map of dubious authenticity would probably put most disciples off. But June Peng is determined. He follows the map in a twisting route around the sect that leads him back to exactly where he started. He almost throws the map away in disgust until he notices a large stone pillar that wasn't there before.
Examining it he finds that the pillar has another set of instructions engraved on it. It's more work, but this feels much more solid than a random treasure map to June Peng.
June Peng: Treasure Map Followed 1/3
@KreenWarrior
@SeptimusMagisto
A fair few intrepid disciples venture into the Ancient Devil forest to explore the ruin found over winter. They are led by some of the sect's most promising seeds, Tan Bo, Zise Ren, and Jin Mei. This particular ruin is located underground and after venturing inside the disciples find an expansive labyrinth that seems to go on forever.
Most of it is derelict and except for a few spirit beasts making their lairs in the abandoned corridors mostly safe for the disciples. However a few are not. Tan Bo finds this out the hard way when he triggers a working trap formation that throws him into a wall hard enough to break bones.
Fortunately Jin Mei is able to identify which traps are still active through her divination, and Zise Ren finds a path forward by tracking some of the spirit wolves that have wandered into the ruin. At the end of the trapped section the disciples find a large chamber with a number of still active artifacts. And even more intriguingly a large sealed door that none of them can open.
Tan Bo: 105 Spirit Stones, Injured
Zise Ren: 120 Spirit Stones
Jin Mei: 90 Spirit Stones
@Uber_Fail_Dinesh
@wrecksalot
@szymonmolitoris2
@Guest99
@moon-llama
@CoreBrute
@Abyssius
@Worm_that_Walks
@rush99999
@Vanestus
Of course most of the sect's disciples are interested in only one thing this month, and that's the tournament being held to evaluate the disciples standing and prowess. Most of the initial fights are held in the tournament in Roaring Furnace city, and everyone is very impressed by the safety formations.
They turn lethal blows into survivable hits while still leaving most of the force in place.Only a few hundred disciples take any serious injuries, and of those only the most incompetent of all die. No great loss for the sect.
Once the lesser disciples are weeded out the final few matches are held in the volcano arena. This is the first that most of the disciples have seen it and the stark obsidian ring held suspended over the roiling lava is quite intimidating. Fortunately the formations work to suppress the heat and soon the watchers are far more interested in what is happening on the ring than below it.
To no one's surprises the sect's geniuses have dominated the selections despite their youth. All are impressive, but five truly stand out. The first is Liao Chuanli who displays a solid foundation as well as a an impressive grasp of his chosen technique. The next is Jian Ke who has a solid iron body and an excellent grasp of the Red Dew technique. Unfortunately Liao Chuanli is heavily injured in an unfortunate match up with Luòtuó, and Jian Ke is defeated by Liang Xinyue whose ash techniques allow him to quickly defeat all his opponents.
Or at least almost all. Liang Xinyue only ends up as the third place as he is defeated by Maggot Gravedirt whose body is pure gold and nearly untouchable by mere peasants. Nearly however is not enough when he faces the champion of the tournament Luòtuó who defeats him with a rapid flurry of slashes from his gleaming sword.
There is some grumbling from the disciples that Luòtuó won because said sword was Perfect, but given no equipment restrictions were in place they kept their grumblings quiet. Not least because everyone involved was awarded a small stipend regardless. For their part the elders seem satisfied that with his spirit of pure gold and exemplary grasp of the Red Dew Technique he won't fail the sect in the far grander tournament being planned.
1st: Luòtuó: 150 Spirit Stones
2nd: Maggot Gravedirt: 120 Spirit Stones
3rd: Liang Xinyue: 120 Spirit Stones
Jian Ke: 120 Spirit Stones
Liao Chuanli: 120 Spirit Stones, Injured
Li: 105 Spirit Stones, Injured
Hong Xing: 90 Spirit Stones
Jiang Chen: 90 Spirit Stones, Injured
Cheng Nan: 60 Spirit Stones
Hanyi Huoshui: 60 Spirit Stones
@CedeTheBees
@DiscordOxymoron
@dingdonghadron
Elder Mei leads a journey to the Five Herbs Garden sect. With an elder guiding them and the road established the trip is safer this time. Which isn't the same as safe as poor Yu Siyuan finds out when a spider pops out of a trapdoor in the cobblestones and drags him into its lair. Fortunately Elder Mei is able to extract him before he is poisoned too badly, and everyone enjoys the spider leg roast that night.
Once at the Five Garden Sect there is quite a bit of mingling between the disciples of the Red Dew and Five Herbs. Gan Jia soon wows the other disciples with their extensive herb knowledge. But the Changjian sisters are the real stars with their exotic lunar blades, music, and gifts of Red Dew specialties.
Gan Jia: 120 Spirit Stones
Changjian Meinu: 120 Spirit Stones, +2 Rep 5 Herb Garden
Yu Siyuan: 90 Spirit Stones, Injured
@Bylba
@Epic Bygones
@LinkOnScepter
Patrolling the barony is by contrast far less exciting. The disciples are mostly called on to clear landslides and fix buildings that collapsed over winter. However they also act as mobile enforcers and judges to catch and deal with criminals before they form into larger bandit groups.
Lung Doji, Wu Ji Nin, and Hawk Cyr are the best at this as they lead a roving band of disciples that quickly and efficiently identifies the guilty by simple dint of asking dead victims who killed them. Once new of this gets out the rate of murders in the barony plummets significantly.
Lung Doji: 75 Spirit Stones
Wu Ji Nin: 120 Spirit Stones
Hawk "Primal Monkey" Cyr: 105 Spirit Stones
@Jaguar2234
@alexthealright
@Shadowolf235
@fluxeal
@SootCube
The horsemen are allowed into Elder Cheng's private pagoda and led in meditation by the esteemed elder. He gives them lectures on the nature of the Dao that are specifically tuned to the path each one wants to walk, and they all benefit greatly. Some of them benefit a bit too much and their spirits suffer irregularities as the Qi races through them, but fortunately the elder is able to quickly fix their qi flows before any permanent damage is done.
Elder Cheng is also willing to answer personal questions. He advises Liu JIn to consider whether he truly wishes to unleash an elemental spirit more closely. They are all after not human. It is not some pretty girl trapped in the sword, but a thing of snow and frost. Not evil, but not good either.
About the Ancient Devil Forest Elder Cheng tells Gu JIn that it is very literally in the name. The plants and beasts of the forest are tainted by the presence of the ancient devil. Or rather by the seal that keeps it suppressed. The ancients did not wish the seal to be disturbed. So they altered the very qi flows of the forest to bring in excessive amounts of fire and earth to unbalance the area ever so slightly and encourage everything living there to be extra aggressive.
By the end of the lecture each of the disciples has improved by such leaps that their spiritual organs are gleaming and they are quite literally in the process of breaking through to Forged Soldier. Elder Cheng deems their foundations a bit too unstable however and places seals on them to temporarily suppress their Qi. Though he tells them they'll probably break through soon regardless.
Liu Jin: 1 Sword Enlightenment, Suppressing Breakthrough
Cai Delan: 1 Awareness Enlightenment, Suppressing Breakthrough
Daiki Inoue: 1 Scholarly Enlightenment, Suppressing Breakthrough
Xìngyùn xīng: 1 Whims of Fate Enlightenment, Suppressing Breakthrough
Gu Jin: 1 Harvest Enlightenment, Suppressing Breakthrough
@Zedalb
Fortunately despite the excitement of the tournament there are still senior disciples giving out lectures. Zao Zao is able to attend a Red Dew School lecture and makes good progress.
Zao Zao: Red Dew School 2/3
@LordEdric
With the aid of a few of his fellow disciples Ding Dong is able to narrow down the location of the Elder of the Forge to a fairly unassuming patch of land. This might dissuade other people, but Ding Dong is certain the pavilion is in the empty lot. Just hidden by some kind of formation. He just needs to find a way to get through.
Ding Dong: Blacksmith Elder Pavilion 2/3
@Oseanman
Bái Yǔ goes to the haunted mansion on the outskirts of the city. And it is indeed quite haunted. Something bloody and terrible happened here and more than once. Bái Yǔ finds a pit of bones buried in the back courtyard and shortly afterwards is assaulted by a howling ghost. Fortunately he is more than prepared and quickly pins the ghost in place with a burst of qi before chanting his exorcism techniques.
It's actually a rather simple exorcism, all things considered. But far beyond mortal capabilities. Bái Yǔ feels good about his actions, and so do the heavens.
Bái Yǔ: +7 Virtue
@_Plague Doctor_
Riaydh keeps working on literally shattering time. After a few failures to control his time properly he notices that some of the senior disciples have set up containment arrays around his normal training ground.
Riyadh: Shatter Time 2/3
@HousePet
Pan Tingfeng is well known in the kitchens and it doesn't take much persuasion for one of the senior cooks to let him work on his own new recipe. He gets to work steaming and rolling with a gusto and after a week or two of experimentation manages to perfect his Midwinter Coals enough that its almost a technique.
Pan Tingfeng: 6 Spiritual Meals, Red Dew Specialties 1/3
@Floom
Wuyin works with Tien some more and soon the shadow panther cub is almost inseparable from the young cultivator. She follows Wuyin everywhere and helps when she can. A bit too much at times, but fortunately she doesn't cause any serious problems. Or scratch Wuyin up enough to need another trip to the infirmary.
Wuyin: Shadow Panther Rep 8/10
@Poofs
Following a treasure map of dubious authenticity would probably put most disciples off. But June Peng is determined. He follows the map in a twisting route around the sect that leads him back to exactly where he started. He almost throws the map away in disgust until he notices a large stone pillar that wasn't there before.
Examining it he finds that the pillar has another set of instructions engraved on it. It's more work, but this feels much more solid than a random treasure map to June Peng.
June Peng: Treasure Map Followed 1/3
