I'd say it's the reverse, almost. The benefits are slanted towards the long term because it's a station we can't reasonably expect to claw our way up through politics to achieve if we turn down the offer now.
The short term benefits are inconclusive and speculative. Remember that the only explicitly promised resources are for establishing our house. Nobody has said a single thing about resources in the sect. Obviously we can expect something, but it's not what anyone we've talked to has focused on in terms of resources.
Given that she gave us a robe literally better than anything we could conceivably buy before taking into account it's flight ability, just for taking her side in what she admitted is just a war-game, I find it highly unlikely that she wouldn't give us more goodies if we joined her formally.
Keep in mind that being critical of Cai isn't necessarily a reliable marker of how one might vote. I have a healthy skepticism of her ideals, their integrity when faced with reality, the external political reality's readiness for them, and Ling Qi's enthusiasm in enforcing and advancing said ideals, but I may very well vote in favor of being Cai's vassal.
My main objection to voting for Cai at the moment is that Ling Qi still isn't friends with her yet. Though really, I can't expect that to happen with only a single minor action.
Nah, the other group just wants to hear the unspoken option. I wouldn't even call them anti-Cai because iirc, most of them support Cai as well. They're just annoyed at a faction that's anti-anything but Cai and that supports so through anti-votes. But whatever, anti-anything but Cai group like to slant things.
I have to admit that the Cai option is the most unattractive one to me, especially from an RP perspective one. A key aspect of what makes Ling Qi an interesting character, at least in my opinion, is her main motivation which is to have the freedom to make her own choice. Joining Cai as such a close ally means in my eyes giving up a lot of that freedom and accepting that our wishes and choices will forever be subordinate to at the very least Cais and her mothers.
Added to that is that I personally couldn't really care less about the power and influence such an path gives us since that is not why I read this quest or why do prefer it over most "real" xianxia novels, at least from a narrative standpoint. I read this because I like the character Ling Qui, the challenges she overcomes or fails at and the friends, of which I far prefer Meihzen, Han Jian and the fire lady over Cai, and enemies she makes along the way as well as her entertaining and somewhat unique perspective on people/society.
Cai's critics have been very vocal and intent on having the last word- but yeah, it's mostly been or two people. The pro-Cai faction, in turn, seem to see no point in arguing at length over a vote that isn't due for weeks and will probabpy go their way. At least, that's how I feel. I can see how that would lead a superficial view to think the critics are 'winning' even though the opposite is probably true.
I don't think anyone is anti-Cai that I can tell. Pretty much anyone vary from pro-Cai to pro-Cai-but-want-to-check-things-first. There is a few weird arguments where some people try to be Anti-everything-but-cai, but has there been anyone who have expressed wanting to vote against Cai rather than being careful about what she would actually give?
That's my main source of hesitation. I was looking forward to some years of relative political unalignment. This is chopping 6-9 (if we push it) years off of settling down. A lot of skills and contacts I was anticipating building in that time. In terms of personal competence, there's going to be a drastic difference at the time of base building if we go the Cai route. The resources we'd have to be given to make up for that are enormous, and if it's partially in the form of personnel, which I'd think it would have to be to some degree, then we're saddle with even more people probably wholly uncritical of Cai. I don't like that, and I don't like being given subordinates/allies either. Even if those sisters are cute!
The immobility also... itches. We can't really _go_ places often if we're the head of our household on the border lands. I want my adventures, dammit.
The big advantage of Cai is that she has to show she is incredible if she wants to have any chance at all at staying the heir, and then inheriting once her mother is dead/gone.
I don't see why a bond of friendship is any more stifling to personal freedom than being a vassal with relatively little oversight. A lack of multiple bosses, accountability, dope resources, dosh fo daiz, and only being on call for people we actually feel obligated to.
Like, long-term, a favor for a friend in need would be just as much a shackle for Li as an oath swearing vassalage to a relatively hands-off administrator like Cai.
It just so happens that Cai also likes our friends, so that just ups our freedom to weigh in for their benefit even more. Freedom from responsibility and freedom of agency are two very different things. It's less about the ties that bind, and more about avoiding the millstones around your neck.
Millstones like shitty bosses. No bosses. Being hunted down due to interfactional meddling. Flagging cultivation due to lacking resources. Being bullied by some asshole who has a backer yoh cant dislodge.
So when a White ranked Cultivator dies do they explode into a destructive surge of QI?
Or do they leave behind a corpse that can be used to make highly potent drugs?
"Fan Yu, sound the place out," Han Jian ordered, examining the wide cave mouth they all stood before. Han Fang stood at his back, expression placid, while the shorter Fan Yu stepped ahead, boots crunching on the smaller bones half buried in the dirt.
Ling Qi watched them from beside Gu Xiulan, the two of them both hanging a few steps back from the boys. As Fan Yu crouched and dug is fingers into the dirt, Gu Xiulan cleared her throat, drawing her attention back to the scarred girls veiled face. She even managed to hide her wince this time. Gu Xiulan's qi was a raging, devouring bonfire and a fireworks display all in one, a primal scream for attention and adoration.
"So, I understand that you have been quite busy," her friend said quietly, giving her a sidelong look as she watched the boys work. "But I would appreciate it if you could find some time in the near future," Han Jian glanced back at them as Xiulan spoke, but looked to be deliberately not listening in. He was fully late second realm now though, so she was sure he could if he wanted to.
"Sorry Gu Xiulan," Ling Qi replied apologetically. "I'll try to make some time."
The girl gave her a considering look from behind her veil, and then sighed, sending the cloth hanging over her face fluttering. "I would appreciate it. The personal matter which I have mentioned to you several times has come up."
Ling Qi furrowed her brows, what was Xiulan talking about? They hadn't… her eyes widened a moment later and she shot her friend a slightly alarmed look. A member of Xiulan's family was here to talk to her? She opened her mouth to reply, but at that moment Fan Yu spoke up.
"There is only one main path," he said gruffly, brushing the dirt off of his hands, the rest are dead ends, nothing wider than a meter or two. Nothing moving either," he continued, reporting matter of factly. "Main path goes beyond my range."
She would give Fan Yu that, his earth scouting art was pretty useful when it came to not wasting time, and his range had gotten better since he had finally clawed his way up to mid yellow. She glanced back at Xiulan, who merely raised an eyebrow at her.
...She would worry about that later.
Han Fang and Fan Yu took point as they entered the cave, while Han Jian and Heijin took up the center and she and Xiulan made up the rear rank. Ling Qi briefly considered offering to scout ahead herself… but if she was being honest, she felt a little bad for Fan Yu at this point. She didn't want to take his role, not when remaining unseen would even really help, given their goals. Xiulan's spirit fluttered overhead, providing light.
Things proceeded without trouble as they went deeper, with only the sound of crunching gravel and bone under their feet as the group remained in semi-professional silence. They paused every few minutes for Fan Yu to check ahead, as they proceeded, passing narrow branching tunnels. Ling Qi took a quick peek down the larger ones, but so far there was little of value. A few patches of rare moss or fungal growths useful for medicine found its way into their pouches and rings, and they continued on.
Of course, that didn't last.
"There is something blocking me," Fan Yu said, scowling as he rested his hands on the stone. "Another hundred meters on, beyond the curve in the tunnel. Everything grows hazy."
Han Jian frowned, cupping his chin thoughtfully. "What does it feel like?"
"Like a sheet has been thrown over everything," Fan Yu grumbled, standing. "I can feel the outlines, but none of the details."
"Mm, well it is not as if you could be expected to push through even the passive resistance of a strong beast," Xiulan said idly, twirling a strand of hair on her unburned finger. "Han Jian, perhaps more active scouting might be effective?"
Fan Yu lowered his head, and Ling Qi saw one of his fists clench. Han Jian simply gave Xiulan a reproachful look. She stared back, unabashed. Her friend was growing more defiant and openly rude. Han Jian didn't tell her off though, instead letting out a calming breath. "Ling Qi, please take Heijin and check ahead, don't go too far. There's no sense in taking unnecessary risks."
Ling Qi glanced at her friend, then nodded, stepping forward. "Sure, I'll just be a moment," he didn't meet Fan Yu's eyes, he wouldn't appreciate sympathy.
"Hmph, as if there is any risk at all with I, Heijin along," the young tiger grumbled as he fell in beside her, his side brushing her leg. Ling Qi rolled her eyes and lowered her hand to his head, scratching the little, big cat behind the ears.
They moved out past Han Fang, who gave them an encouraging nod and adjusted his grip on his hammer, and moved past the curve of the tunnel, skulking silently along. More stone greeted them, but as they followed the increasingly twisty path, the tunnel grew more verdant. Hard stone was replaced by squishy growths of green-white fungus, patches of the stuff growing wider and more prevalent until the two of them were stalking through a disturbingly organic tunnel.
Ling Qi stopped as she saw at the edge of her vision the tunnel dropping down and opening up into a wide chamber. This was far enough, the fungus gave off a strong feeling of wood qi, so that was likely the source of Fan Yu's troubles, Ling Qi could barely feel the earth qi that had drawn them here in the first place.
Heijin moved past her, and Ling Qi frowned, reaching down to grasp the collar talisman around his neck. She shook her head, mouthing 'stop'.
He tried to pull away from her, his greater strength almost making her stumble. Even as he ignored her. That was when Ling Qi noticed it, a slight sparkling in the air and an odd taste to the air. There was something in the air. Ling Qi flared her qi, activating the first technique of her defensive arts, and flooded Heijin with a surge of wood qi.
The tiger cub immediately stopped, shaking himself violently. His eyes widened, and he let out a low bone rattling snarl of affronted pride. Ling Qi caught his eye before the wind around him could kick up any further though, and shook her head violently.
Heijin was reluctant, glaring down the hall, but acquiesced after a few more ear scratches. It seemed that they had still gone unnoticed, her own art use lost in the ambient qi of the cavern. Ling Qi only allowed herself to relax when she was back among her companions though. She quickly explained what she had seen, along with Heijin, who more reluctantly described the odd allure he had fallen under, a desire to reach the warm, safe cavern ahead.
Han Jian glanced down the tunnel thoughtfully as they finished explaining, glancing to Fan Yu and Gu Xiulan. "It sounds a bit like an Ash Maw, don't you think?"
Fan Yu grunted an agreement, squinting down the hall. "It would make sense. The haze had the rotten feel of yin wood."
"I suppose," Xiulan replied, flicking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Weaker obviously, or we would already be in the creature's stomach."
"Someone mind filling me in?" LIng Qi spoke up, arching her eyebrow.
"Indeed, tell us of the beast that we may slay it for this insult," Heijin added haughtily, irritably brushing at his nose with his paw.
Han Jian blinked, turning to her, and shot a wry look to Heijin. "Ling Qi I can understand, but… were you not paying attention Heijin?" The tiger cub looked away, maintaining his haughty air. "It's a sort of carnivorous plant native to Golden Fields," Han Jian let it go, turning to explain things to Ling Qi. "They disguise themselves as small oases and lure reluctant prey with a sort of spiritual scent."
"They are Grade four beasts, and their digestive fluids are worth a hundred of yellow stones per milliliter," Gu Xiulan added, reciting the fact in a disinterested manner. "Due to its properties as a fertilizer."
"This is not the same though," Fan Yu said crossing his arms. He looked pleased to be contributing. "You said there was some manner of powder in the air."
"Yeah, and the stuff on the walls was fungus," Ling Qi agreed. "A plant would need sun, right?" She had read that somewhere.
Han Jian nodded. "Right, probably something local that uses the same tactics," he agreed. "I feel like we can handle this, does anyone disagree?" He asked, looking them over. Ling Qi simply crossed her arms and looked back. She had ignored its scent easily enough, it couldn;t be that strong.
Fan Yu looked a bit concerned, but one glance at Xiulan silenced whatever objection he might have had. No one else seemed too worried. Han Jian nodded again, drawing himself up as he unsheathed his sword. "Alright then, take a moment and enhance yourselves then. There's no point in going in unprepared. Ling Qi, can you use your mist? The qi drain effect you have should be useful against this kind of opponent."
Ling Qi considered, toying with her flute. "I can, I'll need something to target for that though, and I couldn't feel it in the tunnel."
"That should not be a problem in the center," Xiulan scoffed. "Once I have started burning it, whatever concealment it is using will fall."
There was no need for further words after that. Wind sprang up around Han Fang, and his biceps bulged as he charged himself with thunder and wind qi. Fan Yu's skin darkened, turning the color of stone, and the temperature in the tunnel flared as strands of flame blazed up around Xiulan.
Her mist rolled out as well, engulfing them all in its confines, even as Ling Qi flooded her limbs with dark qi, preparing to move quickly. Heijin's eyes glowed in the dark as he swelled in size, his head now reaching Ling Qi's waist. Han Jian was last, a golden banner unfurling over his shoulders, shining even in her mist. "Steel your minds and advance."
His words rang with unusual weight, and Ling Qi felt his qi whispering along her channels enhancing her spiritual defenses. They moved quickly after that, no longer maintaining a careful pace. Ling Qi felt her friends activating other techniques as they advanced into the 'beast's' lair, and she herself enhanced her own defenses further, calling on the serenity of Argent Mirror, and filling the mist with hunting shadows.
It was a good thing that she did, as they crashed through into the more heavily organic tunnel, she felt a sudden wrenching feeling in her gut as the dull decaying qi around her spasmed in response to their intrusion. Stringy white growths tore from the walls, tendrils of spongy fungal growth the size of thick tree limbs attempting to bar their way and push them back.
Fan Yu and Han Fang held though, the taller boys hammer ripping one in twain with a thunderous burst while Fan Yu at least held under their battering. Ling Qi's shadow constructs tore at rootlets and tendrils, keeping them from creeping up around her feet. Her eyes watered as Gu Xiulan's blinding blue flames lanced down the tunnel, reducing many of the obstructing growths to ash. Heijin darted forward through the gaps she made like a golden blur, shredding tendrils as they struggled to grow and regenerate.
Ling Qi, feeling that they had the damage in hand, simply called on the wind to guide everyone's movements as she maintained her melody. Han Jian did the same, his banner unfurling further as tracers of light like a tiger's stripes began to form on his skin and armor. Ling Qi felt a rush of heat as his own qi, wind and earth together, bolstered her own.
All around them, the tunnel came alive, and they advanced regardless. Early Silver, Mid Silver, Late Silver, the fungal growths qi grew more resilient the closer they pushed to the cavern at the end of the tunnel, fighting back more fiercely and desperately. Gradually it slowed them, but it could not stop them. Gu Xiulan's intense flames scorched it down to the earth and cut off any hope of regrowth regardless.
They reached the entrance of the cavern.
A once serene pool of water lay beyond, with a great towering white growth in its center, a bulbous, cancerous thing that trembled and writhed, thousands of rootlets writhing up from the water even as the organic coating on the walls rippled violently with the creature's pain and fury. For the first time, Ling Qi felt a hint of worry as whatever ability kept her from reading the beast failed. Third realm, if quite early, perhaps even a bit beyond. The air shimmered, and she felt something like a hammer had smashed directly into her thoughts.
It would be nice she thought, to simply lie down, to rest. A little sip from the cool, clear water would be even better…
It didn't last. Silver light flared from her eyes, and she rejected the control, drawing a sort of horrible squealing screech from the pillar of fungal flesh in the center of the room, as she retaliated by drowning it in a cold, cloying elegy. The others fared a bit less well. Fan Yu stumbled, looking lost, and there was confusion in Xiulan's eyes, her flames briefly guttering.
"Do not be enraptured!" Han Jian shouted, his voice briefly rising above her melody. Her friends shuddered, their eyes clearing, and Xiulan's hair whipped violently around her head as she stared down the beast in fury.
Han Fang and Heijin had not even been slowed though. The two of them struck like thunderbolts, rootlets failing to grasp at their wind shrouded forms. Han Fang's hammer tore a great gobbet of flesh free from the pillar, and tore a crater with the following thunderclap, while Heijin's claws tore jagged rents in a rising spiral around the pillar as the wind carried him briefly into the air.
It may have been their superior in cultivation, but it was no match for all five of them in direct combat. It was messy, and unpleasant, but the creature eventually died, torn apart by their combined fury.
Sadly, that seemed to be the end of the cave, but it was not exactly in vain. They were able to dig out a fairly large cache of beast cores out of the fungus, they yet undigested remains of its victims. Including several low ranking grade three cores, and the beasts own, of which there were multiple.
Gained Grade Three Core: Water, Yin attribute
Gained Grade three Core: Wood, Yin Attribute
Gained 85 Red Spirit Stones
39/30 Second Second attained
Additional Leg Meridian required for Third Rumble. Special action required for third rumble
9 overflow to physical
43/180
The early form of the Sects physical enhancement and movement arts, combining the flexibility of wind with the sudden force of thunder. Fills the user with the strength of the great seasonal squalls which beat down upon the Wall year after year.
Passives
+2 dice on defense against all physical attacks
DV of all melee weapons increased by 1
+3 Speed
+1 Initiative
Rumbling Squall: oo
Cost 4 qi
Instant
Cloaks the user's body in powerful winds, granting them armor 1 and three additional dice on physical defense. In addition upon a successful melee attack, the user's target must make a three success stamina check or be deafened. Lasts three turns, but may be renewed for an additional 4 qi(irreducible) if the user chooses.
Thunderous Retort: ooo
Cost 5 qi
Instant
A powerful blow, charged with the speed of a storm's wind and the power of a thunderclap, which punishes those who fail to strike the user. The user falls into a defensive stance, concentrating their qi on countering their foes. Melee attacks which miss the user trigger a counterattack. This counter uses the users standard physical attack dice, with a bonus of three, and one point of bonus damage on successful hits. The user may counter a maximum of three attacks per activation, or, if unused the effect fades after three turns.
The rest of their weeks training and explorations were less exciting, though Ling Qi found herself very rapidly mastering the portion of Argent Storm that Han Jian had shared with her, easily mastering the opening exercises and advancing to the next stage of mastery. With three Argent arts active, Ling Qi felt slightly strange, like she was on the verge of something.
However, for the first time she had failed to open a meridian, the sharp, searing pain in her spine had been a surprise, and briefly stunned her, though thankfully the medicinal power of the pills she had consumed quickly ameliorated the problem. Still, it meant that she had to leave Argent Storm inactive once training was complete.
Rerolling 8
3 10 2 5 9 8 8 4. 4 successes. 41 total
54/30. Second Flow Attained
Passives
The user and allies within thirty meters gain +2 dice on physical attacks
The multiple attacker penalty increases by one for the user and all allies within thirty meters.
Damage to armor durability inflicted by the user is increased 2 times.
Scalding Stream: oo
Cost 4 Qi
Channeling their boiling qi into a strike, the user washes away a foe's defenses. The user gains a +4 bonus to their attacking die pool with a melee weapon. The attack is granted armor piercing two, and deals two additional damage on a success. Additional damage may not be blocked by qi negation. In addition the enemy receives a -2 penalty to their physical defense pool for three turns. If an enemy with this penalty is struck again by Scalding Stream, this penalty stacks up to three times(Max -6) renewing the duration each time.
Pressure Crack: ooo
Cost: 6 qi
Instant
Uttering a command or encouragement to their allies, the user fills themselves and up to five allies within thirty meters with vigor and determination to strike down their foes manifesting as rising steam. Grants a three die bonus to the offensive pools of all affected allies for three turns. Allies who attack the same foe as the the user add an additional point of damage to their successful attacks which cannot be blocked by qi negation. In addition, for each ally who attacks the user's target, the user gains +1 die bonus to their offensive clash against the target the following turn. This effect may only apply to a single target at a time.
Third Flow 24/60
Evenings with Meizhen were comparatively more relaxing. They meditated together, circulating qi on the shore of the frozen black pool, and when they felt ready they would spar and clash for a time before returning to meditation to further master the flows of their techniques. Even that was broken up by the occasional break, for less spiritually strenuous activities. Ling Qi took that time to break out a prepared snack, and continue working through Suyin's notes on the Vault Warriors technique, while Meizhen took the time to slowly continue picking out embroidery patterns on an a length of silk.
Meizhen occasionally took a few moments for a meal as well, but Ling Qi tried not to think of that. While she was glad for what she was sure was a display of trust and comfort, it never got less disturbing to see her friend dislocate her jaw and swallow a fist sized third grade core like a piece of candy. The cracking, grinding sound the cores made as the pale girl's throat crushed them to powder made her hair stand on end.
However, that aside, as the week went on, that relaxed nature itself began to bother Ling Qi a little, until one day, near the end of the weak, she decided to voice her concern.
"Meizhen, am I really making any progress at all?" Ling Qi asked as she leaned against the stony wall of the ravine which contained their training sight. It was a clear night, and she could see the bright half moon and stars scattered across the sky.
Meizhen cocked her head to the side as she looked up from the kerchief she had been working on. The intense cold of the upper mountain had brought a faint flush to the girl's pale cheeks. "What an odd question," she remarked, her eyebrows drawing together in consternation. "Were you not a mortal less than a year ago?"
"Alright, poor phrasing," Ling Qi admitted.
"You should choose your words more carefully," Meizhen admonished lightly, returning her gaze to her work. "I have heard that you were lapsing back into casual, common speech with Cai Renxiang."
"Was she complaining to you?" Ling Qi asked with a frown. "I forgot myself a little, but…"
"She was not 'complaining'," Meizhen replied. "That you are growing more comfortable is good, but there are limits," she continued, glancing up to meet Ling Qi's eyes. "If you are to involve yourself in the games of nobility, you MUST temper your speech more consistently."
Ling Qi let out a frustrated huff, but didn't object to her point. She forgot to use proper speech all too easily still. "I understand. What I meant though, is…" Ling Qi trailed off, falling silent for several moments, as the memory of her desperate run surfaced. "It's just… I thought I was catching up, but… Sun Liling, if I hadn't run from her, she would have destroyed me. I had no chance," Ling Qi's found her voice growing quieter and quieter with each word as she folded in on herself, staring at her own lap.
Bai Meizhen had stilled, it was a subtle thing, which the Ling Qi of a few months ago would not have noticed at all, but to her eye, it was as obvious as cold current of highly pressurized toxic qi that flowed through her friends channels. For a time, she did not respond. "Only you, Qi, would find yourself at fault for such a thing," she finally huffed, giving Ling Qi a reproachful look. "A cultivator of less than a year, and you choose to feel inadequate for failing to match that girl in direct combat."
"It's stupid, I know," Ling Qi admitted, clasping her hands in her lap. She didn't look up. "I just… I had been keeping up with you fairly well. I thought… well I didn't know how much you were holding back."
There was a faint rustle of cloth, and Ling Qi looked up to find that Meizhen had turned to fully face her, a faint frown on her face. "The purpose of a spar is not to crush your opponent," Bai Meizhen said. "Nor are my best techniques something which I would willingly use upon a… friend," she said, the last word coming out somewhat awkwardly. "Qi, you have become strong. Do not doubt that. When you break through, know that you will stand near to me, though our skill sets might differ."
Ling Qi let out a soft huff of a laugh. "Which is your way of saying that you can manhandle me whenever you want," she teased, forcing her worry down. "Your defense is ridiculous."
The flush on her friend's cheeks briefly deepened, and she glanced away. "...A Bai should remain untouched and dignified at all times," she replied, for Meizhen it was an awkward mumble. "Your resistance to my spiritual techniques is impressive, do not denigrate yourself so."
Ling Qi simply nodded, shooting her friend a thankful look before returning to her meditation.
By the end of her last tutoring session Ling Qi had honed the arts she had chosen to train well. Fleeting Zephyr came naturally to her, and she was thankful for it, and with her trainers harsh lessons she found her accuracy and fire rate under stress had grown greatly. He had taken her lack of a truly long range perception art as an indication that she did not wish to follow the more standard archer path and instead spent his time drilling her on maintaining her aim while under attack, and little tricks that one could use to more easily handle a bow in melee. Unlike a mortals weapon, a cultivators bow would not necessarily be ruined by using it parry after all, and an arrow could be used like a somewhat awkward punch dagger in a pinch.
Of course, Ling Qi couldn't simply use her slender bow as a bludgeon the way Zhong Peng could use his, so his lessons had required some adjustment. Ling Qi felt fairly satisfied with her progress.
That didn't mean picking the leaves and twigs out of her hair at the of the session was any less irritation. Xiulan would blanch if she saw her now, smeared with dirt, her gown marked with slowly repairing rips and cuts, and worse of all, she felt gross and sweaty. It seemed she had not moved beyond such mortal concerns yet.
Though Ling Qi wondered when precisely she had gotten used to being clean.
"You've done well," Her instructor's voice caused her to look up from her braid, which she had been carefully undoing. "You adapt quickly, and have a survivor's instinct," Zhong Peng leaned against a thick tree at the edge of the clearing, his thick arms crossed, it was the young man's preferred 'at rest' pose, she had found.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Zhong," Ling Qi replied, bowing as best she could from her seated position. "Is there anything you would advise going forward?"
He let out a rumbling him, considering her for a moment. "Not as such," he replied. "You have a strong foundation, but I have little idea what you are trying to build," he admitted bluntly. "You are not like me. The bow is not your focus."
Ling Qi reluctantly nodded. She enjoyed shooting, much like she enjoyed music, but she wasn't sure she wanted to build her cultivation around either.
"That is fine," the older boy replied. "My Father was a hunter, my mother an army scout, archery is in my blood," he continued dismissively. "I have known what I wanted for many years. Not all are so lucky."
"So I have to figure it out myself then?" Ling Qi asked ruefully, letting her hands fall into her lap. Not what she had hoped for.
"As we all must," Zhong Peng replied, shrugging his broad shoulders. "Choose what you want to do, tailor your skills to that," he added bluntly. "As things are, once you have mastered Falling Stars… I would suggest looking into mid and close range variants, water or pure wind. One who tries to do all things will only find themselves drowning in mediocrity."
"The sect arts cover all the elements though, don't they?" Ling Qi replied, feeling a bit defensive. "The Sect Head can't be wrong, right?" The argent arts had been personally developed by him after all.
Zhong Peng inclined his head slightly. "That is a path all its own," he replied. "An inner disciple who wishes to follow in Master Yuan's footsteps would do well not to be distracted by other arts," the young man frowned, reaching up to scratch at the stubble on his chin. "What you are doing is not wrong," he said, considering his words. "Yet you lack focus. Secondary skills are an asset, but one needs a clear primary skill."
Ling Qi grudgingly nodded. If she had to choose… her music would be her primary skill, but her other arts didn't necessarily support that. Not the way Xiulan's skills empowered her flames, or Meizhen's all supported her utterly impregnable defense.
She parted ways with her tutor amicably. Perhaps next year, once she had sorted things out, she could test her archery against his again.
With her tutoring over, there was one final thing she had to attend to. Fu Xiang had helped her a great deal, and she felt the need to repay the favor, but the irritating boy had proven difficult to pin down.
This was perhaps unsurprising.
In the end, she had gone to Cai Renxiang, and simply asked the heiress to inform the boy that she wished to speak with him. She probably should have done so sooner, if she was being honest with herself.
Once again, she found herself slipping into the private booth at the little restaurant where she had last met the boy. Fu Xiang had not changed much, his presence was greater, granting the boy a sort of quiet weight that he had previously lacked. It seemed that he had not yet reached the third realm physically though.
"I am glad to see you doing well Miss Ling," Fu Xiang said as she sat down, his air of self satisfaction fully intact. "I hope your excursion to the Medicine Hall this week was not serious?"
"It was nothing important," Ling Qi replied. Han Jian had insisted that they all visit the hall after their cave raid just in case to check for lingering toxins. She had gone along with it, since they had a good crop of materials to sell. Being locked in a room and drenched in decontaminating medicinal mist to purge lingering fungal spores had not been great fun though. "I suppose Lady Cai has been keeping your nose to the grindstone?"
He nodded easily, drumming his fingers on the table. "Quite so, talents like mine are in fairly high demand," he replied with a touch of pride. "Though sadly, I am still limited by the costs involved."
Ling Qi hummed noncommittally, she could see the use for being able to talk over distances, what she could find on the subject indicated that the qi costs involved increased massively and exponentially with time and distance though. "You going to sign up with Lady Cai when your done here then? Be her coordinator?"
"Heavens no," Fu Xiang replied, looking at her as if she had suggested her go streak through the market. "I intend to use my eventual place in the inner sect to receive a recommendation into a junior position at the Ministry of Communication. I am a son of the capital, I shall leave the barbarians to you border landers."
Ling Qi blinked. "Oh," she replied, lacking any better response. She supposed that she hadn't really considered the various Ministries. She wasn't terribly familiar with them. Communication and Integrity were the ones she knew about, though she was sure there were a few others. She vaguely recalled hearing mention of a Ministries of Spiritual Affairs and a Ministry of Commerce. "Well, I hope you… have good fortune with that?" She added after a moment.
"And you as well, with whatever you might decide on," he replied easily, bringing his hands together on the table. "You may even be able to help in that regard."
Ling Qi's expression became more serious, here was what she had been expecting. "Well, I do owe you, that transportation formation couldn't have been cheap," she acknowledged.
"Just so," Fu Xiang replied with a cheerful nod. "Worry not, my request is nothing to onerous for one of your skill. It will even help those friends of yours. Li Suyin and Su Ling, I believe?"
Ling Qi pursed her lips, a little unhappy at his casual mention of her friends. She reminded herself that the smirking boy was an ally. "Oh? Just what might that be?"
"Well, given your impression destruction of a fellow disciples hopes and dreams, I thought that you might be up for doing a few more," Fu Xiang replied with a laugh. She wasn't sure how to feel about the tinge of genuine admiration in his voice. "There are several promising production students who have already begun their final projects. If you could ruin the projects or steal their materials, it would ease things considerably."
Leaning back in her seat, Ling Qi considered. She could see what Fu Xiang meant. That would help Suyin too, if she took out some of her competition. Li Suyin would probably not approve of that though. She could very easily imagine the look of betrayed expectations on her friends face. This wouldn't be like Renshu, who was an absurdly obvious villain.
Of course, what Suyin didn't know couldn't hurt her. "I'm listening," she replied neutrally.
"The three targets I have in mind have their facilities in the market," Fu Xiang said smoothly. "The wards merely prevent violence, not sabotage or theft… but I admit, you would be taking a risk. Should you be caught, you could receive a ban from the market."
Ling Qi grimaced. "That is quite a risk," she pointed out. She hadn;t had good luck getting out undetected, for all her general success.
"It is, but I will act as a go between for the remainder of the year, should it come to that," he replied. "However, I think you will find their security less severe than Sir Yan's. None of the targets are third realm, or wealthy enough to purchase the services of one." He paused, eyeing her speculatively. "I will be satisfied with the sabotage of one of my competitors, but I surely do not need to tell you that the production track is crowded, both of us benefit from thinning the herd."
"...Let me sleep on it," Ling Qi replied after a moment. In the end, it was a matter of how much risk she wanted to take… and how much she was worried about tainting her relationship with Suyin. The girl had grown more practical… but if she found out about this, she would probably be pretty unhappy.
Strength 16/20
Stamina 3/35
Intelligence 22/25
Wits 14/25
Resolve 23/25
Manipulation 25/35
Occult 8/12
Politics 7/12
Athletics 15/21
Survival 7/15
Expression 21/21 New Dot gained!
Archery 8/20
Resilience 10/15
Power 3/6
EPC bonus adds 14 successes to Fleeting Zephyr
+10 to Qi
Income After Expenditure: 125 Red Stones
You have five major actions and three minor. However, I will allow up to two minor actions which are tied to major ones.
[] Train at the vent with Su Ling
-[] Any
[] Take a job
-[] Specify
[] Visit the Archive
-[] Search for a technique
-[] Study or improve formations
[] Train with Meizhen
-[] Select an Art
[] Explore and Train with Golden Fields
-[] Select an Art
[] Do a favor for Fu Xiang
-[] How Many(1,2,3)
[] Cultivate on your own
-[] Physical
-[] Spiritual
-[] Qi
-[] Meridian (which one?)
-[] Art(Which one?)
[] Attempt Breakthrough
[] Work on formations with Li Suyin, working on a project with your friend will be fun
[] Spend further time around Cai Renxiang, try to get into her head a little, and see what the girl is really like
[] Meizhen held something back in your last conversation. Press her on it, it seemed that she had some idea that might allow them to stay together
[] Xiulan's family apparently wants to talk to you, you should probably see to that
[] You could try joining in Meizhen and Cai's little sewing circle... thing? You've only really done basic repairs though
[] Spend a little time with your 'bodyguards. You should at least know what they can do in a fight
[] Spend some time with Zeqing, you should try to better understand the snow woman, so that you don't end up offending her
[] You need escape contingencies. Start working on that.
The rest of their weeks training and explorations were less exciting, though Ling Qi found herself very rapidly mastering the portion of Argent Storm that Han Jian had shared with her, easily mastering the opening exercises and advancing to the next stage of mastery. With three Argent arts active, Ling Qi felt slightly strange, like she was on the verge of something.
Han Fang and Fan Yu took point as they entered the cave, while Han Jian and Heijin took up the center and she and Xiulan made up the rear rank. Ling Qi briefly considered offering to scout ahead herself… but if she was being honest, she felt a little bad for Fan Yu at this point. She didn't want to take his role, not when remaining unseen would even really help, given their goals. Xiulan's spirit fluttered overhead, providing light.
39/30 Second Second attained
Additional Leg Meridian required for Third Rumble. Special action required for third rumble
9 overflow to physical
43/180
The early form of the Sects physical enhancement and movement arts, combining the flexibility of wind with the sudden force of thunder. Fills the user with the strength of the great seasonal squalls which beat down upon the Wall year after year.
Passives
+2 dice on defense against all physical attacks
DV of all melee weapons increased by 1
+3 Speed
+1 Initiative
Rumbling Squall: oo
Cost 4 qi
Instant
Cloaks the user's body in powerful winds, granting them armor 1 and three additional dice on physical defense. In addition upon a successful melee attack, the user's target must make a three success stamina check or be deafened. Lasts three turns, but may be renewed for an additional 4 qi(irreducible) if the user chooses.
Thunderous Retort: ooo
Cost 5 qi
Instant
A powerful blow, charged with the speed of a storm's wind and the power of a thunderclap, which punishes those who fail to strike the user. The user falls into a defensive stance, concentrating their qi on countering their foes. Melee attacks which miss the user trigger a counterattack. This counter uses the users standard physical attack dice, with a bonus of three, and one point of bonus damage on successful hits. The user may counter a maximum of three attacks per activation, or, if unused the effect fades after three turns.
Honestly I think she mostly doesn't want to be coddled and condescended to. I don't think she's so proud that she thinks Ling Qi should avoid actions that incidentally benefit her.
