Forge of Destiny(Xianxia Quest)
- Thread starter yrsillar
- Start date
- Original Fantasy
Arkeus
Crazy cat guy
- Location
- France
Probably yeah, especially as they'll be more specialised on 1vs1 than us. Hard to say how much.
We now need to accumulate 75 spirit stone for the sash
(or steal another talisman to trade for it).
- Location
- scrabbling
Will our fervency for shopping show up in the narration QM? Please let this be so.
- Location
- UK
- Pronouns
- They/Them
Well now that we've gotten rid of the staff, might as well wait til we get another water art before thinking about the sash. Even if it will bring out the colour in our eyesWe now need to accumulate 75 spirit stone for the sash
Arkeus
Crazy cat guy
- Location
- France
No need. It's already ridiculously good. I mean, maybe I am misreading how it works, but I am pretty sure it gives us another +2 dices on defense when using Mist of the Vale, and gives another +2dices on dice penalty on defense on enemies when using Diapason of the Lost traveler, for example. @yrsillar?Well now that we've gotten rid of the staff, might as well wait til we get another water art before thinking about the sash. Even if it will bring out the colour in our eyes
Of course it will be even better with other water arts.
I really hope all that gear will be a funny fashion disaster.
Watch the update turn into a six-part event where we have to decide our best strategy for entering the production hall, who to bargain with, what to bargain for, and whether or not we want to risk stealing something.
Halfway through Huang pops in and - while I'm off imagining this epic shopping trip - we steal ALL his shit and live happily ever after.
Kai Merah
Hound Hearted Hedonist
- Location
- Somewhere in the corners of my imagination
Can you imagine Gu Xuilan's face if we show up for training in mismatched (but effective) gear? I feel like she'll have a minor crisis as her fashionista side wars with her blood knight side.
notanautomaton
I've got 99 quests, I've finished one
Forge of Fashion.
- Location
- United States of America
Remember, it's not how you play the game that is important, it's how you look while playing the game. Fashion Souls.
Arkeus
Crazy cat guy
- Location
- France
OK, I'll stop grumbling at the missed opportunity of getting the item that give the greatest offense and defense in the short and mid term simply because it's not direct damage spamming
Clearly the solution is to...adjust... our gear.
- Location
- United States of America
- Location
- Brazil
Fool, we clearly should keep a lookout for the staff, and steal it back, and cash it in again.Probably yeah, especially as they'll be more specialised on 1vs1 than us. Hard to say how much.
We now need to accumulate 75 spirit stone for the sash
Ah, the greatest challenge of equipping your character. Looking good or doing well.
- Location
- United States of America
@TotallyNotEvil Nonsense, the greatest challenge is looking good and doing well! I hope that we strive to achieve both in our road of cultivation.
Arkeus
Crazy cat guy
- Location
- France
If it works as I think (+2 to dices on the art effects) then the -2 defence to enemies from Diapason of Lost Traveller becomes a -4. That's effective offence.
Alectai
Speaks Words of Wisdom... On occasion
I don't think it works like that, it means +2 on the Clash Checks to activate it in the first place and prevent someone from interrupting us (Or preventing them from resisting it). Not effectively doubling the impact of the art in the first place.
- Location
- scrabbling
but why
that just makes it obscenely obvious who's a thief
stealing should be in hard to track things instead of obsessing over this one object
- Location
- Fabulously Rainbow Ireland
Arkeus
Crazy cat guy
- Location
- France
At a certain point the vast majority of disciples, being either late yellow or green, would get pissy about it. I mean, it's a fun joke, but...Because it's fun plus they can't prove it
Year 43, week 11
"Is that offer of training with you all still open?" Ling Qi asked as she drifted over to where Han Jian and the others stood at the base of the cliff that formed one of the borders of the training field after the day's lesson ended. She wanted to work on strengthening her arts this week, and practicing with Han Jian was her best option for that she felt. She wasn't quite ready to begin using them in the class spars, but she wanted to start by the end of the week, which meant polishing her skills a bit beforehand.
Han Jian paused in signing something to Han Fang and looked over to her with a slight smile. "It is, the offer was open," he replied cheerfully. "Got things polished enough that you're willing to show off a bit?" He added, making her flush slightly in embarrassment. Of course Han Jian would be perceptive enough to tell that she had learned a few new tricks.
"Something interesting I hope, you will need it to keep up," Gu Xiulan added proudly from where she sat on one of the benches nearby. "I wouldn't want you to be left behind. I intend to complete my breakthrough to Yellow by this time next week."
"And Fang and I should both be reaching Silver by the time the truce ends, or soon after," Han Jian added, the other boy grinned widely at this, straightening his shoulders proudly. "I figure you'll be fine of course," he added reassuringly.
"I do have some pretty good options that I haven't shown off," Ling Qi admitted, feeling a bit of worry. The ranks of those who had reached the second stage in one or both forms of cultivation was growing and she still felt like she wasn't quite ready to really push through. "They do need some polishing in real combat though," she admitted.
"Well that's what these sessions are for," Han Jian said calmly, studying her carefully. "That said… everything going alright for you? I heard you had an argument in Elder Su's lecture hall the other day."
Ling Qi scowled at the reminder of that encounter. Every time she thought of it it just made her angrier. He didn't have any right to talk to her like that, or act like they were anything other than enemies. "Yeah, I actually wanted to warn you about that. That Huang Da guy and I had a disagreement over some resources… and that someone turned into him deciding that he…" she trailed off expression screwing up in disgust. "He decided that he's going to… pursue me. He's a creep though. He was stalking my other friend Li Suyin before he switched to me for some reason. You might want to watch out for him, I don't really know what he's going to do."
"Hm, you're not interested then?" Gu Xiulan asked curiously. "I suppose he is hardly your type after all," she mused. "And pushy men are so boorish. Still the Huang family is quite wealthy and prestigious as I recall, if a little odd. You could do worse." Her pretty features screwed up in thought. "Well, perhaps not, if he really changed his mind so quickly."
Ling Qi stared blankly at the other girl for a few seconds. "No. I'm not interested at all," she responded flatly. "He tried to get Li Suyin and I to split up and choose him over each other and Su Ling, like the arrogant jackass was someone we should have fought over, and attacked us when we didn't."
"Ugh," That seems to convince her, going by the way Gu Xiulan frowned. "Well I suppose not then, still you should try not to dip into vulgarity like that," she said, her tone growing chiding on the last words. "You'll never manage to find a man who is decent if you go about talking like that."
Han Jian coughed to draw your attention, both him and his cousin having awkward expressions, likely at the direction that the conversation seemed to be heading. "I'll keep an eye out for him. So don't worry. I've started working on my family's sword art, so I'm not exactly helpless in a fight, you know? None of us are."
"I know, he's just a sneaky bast…" she glanced at Gu Xiulan's raised eyebrow and huffed irritably. "He's stealthy and has some kind of poison effect on his weapon, or maybe that's his art in effect. Just keep your eyes open," she finished, it wasn't like the girl was wrong about talking like a commoner, it made people look down on her.
"We will," Han Jian replied reassuringly. "If you want to join us, just head down to the training field we met at before in about two hours," he added. "We start around then and go until Elder Su's lessons start."
Ling Qi nodded, that would give her time to cultivate at the vent with the others… and talk to Li Suyin and Su Ling about possibly joining Han Jian's group to train. She wanted to make sure they were interested before trying to convince Han Jian and the others.
Ling Qi's mood was not helped by the atmoshpere on the mountain. Everywhere she looked there were the signs of her fellow disciples training furiously and otherwise preparing for the end of truce. The greedy looks she had gotten in the immediate aftermath of the test were returning, and more and more she felt hemmed in and surrounded by enemies.
It didn;t help that her ears caught the word going around. That stupid conversation had apparently fueled all sorts of rumors, most of which painted her as the bad guy for leading on wealthy heir for her own gain. It looked like the creeper bastard even had at least a couple of fans among the other girls, going by the cold looks she got and the muttered words she heard in her passing.
So by the time she joined up with Meizhen and the others to head up to the vent she was definitely in the mood to hit something, despite having just been in Zhou's lesson. Which was good, since she intended to practice her physical cultivation twice as hard this week.
She ended up leading an impromptu lesson with Li Suyin and Su Ling, who were both looking to make improvements in that regard. Well Su Ling took to it more, Li Suyin listened in, but it seemed she was focusing on reaching late red for the moment. It seemed that she had been neglecting her base cultivation in favor of expanding her qi, opening meridians, and learning arts.
Bai Meizhen was content to simply sit beside the vent meditating, the silvery mist swirling about her in a wide spiral. Ling Qi felt a bit better by the time she had to leave to meet her other friends, particularly since Li Suyin had been receptive enough to the idea of group training. Su Ling Had been more reluctant, but between the two of you and her own lingering worries she eventually agreed to give it a try.
When Ling Qi arrived at the concealed training field and passed through the barrier, she was surprised to find that she was a little early. The only one here was Han Jian, who was crouched in the middle of the field… talking to the tiger cub she had seen him with the first day.
"...Like that Heijin. We're really partners now aren't we? You have to start working with me here. I need to be able to work you into my tactics, you know?" The handsome boy pleaded with the cub, who was curled up at his feet, apparently ignoring him.
Ling Qi stared at the scene for a moment before clearing her throat awkwardly. "Hello Han Jian, am I… interrupting something?"
He blinked and looked up, hands resting on his knees. "Ah, Ling Qi, no you're not. I'm just trying to get this lazy bones to work with me," he said with a note of frustration. "I already had to carry him here, and now…" he stopped as the tiger cub stood up, still with his back to the boy and padded over toward Ling Qi.
Ling Qi looked curiously down at the cub, which paused at her feet, looking up at her with feline arrogance. The cub stared her down for several long seconds before sitting down again and brushing a paw against his ear, before beginning to groom it. 'The female may pet me now.'
She twitched as a voice that sounded like an arrogant young boy seemed to echo in her ears. Having 'spoken' to Cui before she wasn't completely taken off guard, though she was surprised at how clear his voice was. Perhaps because she had grown closer to Yellow and mastered the fourth layer of Argent Soul? "And why should I. You're giving Han Jian trouble, aren't you?" Even knowing what she did, she still felt rather silly talking to an animal.
Heijin seemed nonplussed as he stared up at her, placing his paw back on the ground, having finished grooming it. 'Pet me. The slacker's has naught to do with it.'
The little feline was definitely demanding. "Sorry about that," Han Jian said as he approached, shooting his 'cousin' a dirty look. "Gu Xiulan and her sisters always spoiled him and the other cubs at home, so…"
'The slacker is merely jealous, and wishes his fur was silky enough to be petted by the Burning Ones,' the cub cut in haughtily. 'Now, pet me Cold One. It is hot.'
She bit her lip, holding in a laugh at Han Jian's expression, but looked sternly down at the cub. "If I pet you, will you listen to what Han Jian is saying?" She asked, she felt like she should be more annoyed by the spirits demanding and haughty tone, but she couldn't quite bring herself to be. He was only a kitten after all.
She got the impression that the tiger cub was pouting at her, despite the limited expressiveness of his face. '...That is acceptable,' he replied with great dignity.
She sighed and crouched down to scratch behind the kitten's ears, before giving Han Jian a pointed look. Heijin's fur really was amazingly soft and silky though, and he pushed his head up against her hand as she petted him.
Han Jian scrubbed a hand through his hair, looking frustrated. "Thanks," he said, glancing to Ling Qi before focusing on Heijin. "Now look, I get that you don't really respect me much, but this has to stop. I need you to work with me. Do you really just want to laze around all day without getting stronger?"
'The slacker cannot say such things,' The tiger cub replied, peering up from under Ling Qi's hand with disdain. 'Where were those words when you wasted away your time under your Father and mine?'
Ling Qi suddenly felt uncomfortable as she glanced up at Han Jian's expression which had contorted into a frown. "...Yeah, I wasted some opportunities," he replied evasively. Ling Qi didn;t miss the way he looked briefly at her. "But I told you I want to start making up for that, didn't I? How am I supposed to catch up if you won't even give me a chance to try? I'm responsible for the ones around me; Xiulan, Fang, Yu, … and others too, once I get back, I need your help with that," Ling Qi wasn't entirely sure how she felt to be left out of that, so she simply lowered her head and concentrated on the soothing feeling of soft fur as she brushed her hand down the cubs back.
Heijin did not reply immediately ,nuzzling at her hand as she returned it to his head. 'I suppose I have been bored… very well, I will grace you with my presence,' he answered imperiously. 'Besides, it would not do to deny the females my presence.'
Han Jian rested his face in his palm for a moment, giving the tiger cub another frustrated look before looking back up at Ling Qi. "Sorry you had to hear that, but thanks for getting him to hear me out."
"It's no problem," Ling Qi replied, still feeling awkward from listening to something personal like that. "That said… do you think I could ask you for a favor?"
Han Jian nodded easily enough. "I suppose I owe you one, go ahead," he replied simply, gesturing for her to continue, even as Heijin butted his head against her hand to remind her to keep petting.
"I was hoping I could bring Li Suyin and Su Ling, my other friends, by to train here too sometimes, we could all use a little work on our fighting skills," that was an understatement, particularly in Su Ling's case.
"Well, I don't mind you using the field," Han Jian replied with a frown. "But I assume you mean actually with us," he grimaced, scratching the back of his neck as he often did when thinking. "Let me talk to the others about it, give me a day or two, alright?"
"Sure," Ling Qi responded simply, scratching Heijin behind the ears one more time as she heard the sound of others entering through the barrier. It was time to get started on the actual training now. It was a little nerve wracking, to be at the center of attention. Facing Han Jian's and Han Fang's curiosity, Gu Xiulan's calculated interest and Fan Yu's dour dislike. It was necessary though, to explain what her arts entailed if Han Jian was going to organize their practice.
Despite her misgivings though, it went well, all of them seemed impressed by her movement art, even if it manifested only as a sour expression on Fan Yu. Han Jian seemed genuinely impressed with her mist though, even if she felt like she disappointed him a bit when she told him she couldn't shape it meaningfully beyond a rough circle around herself. Even with that though, she still enjoyed the session. It was actually pretty fun to team up with Gu Xiulan to tag and harry the boys within the mist in order to help Fan Yu and Han Fang develop the sensory portions of their arts, and she was able to refine Sable crescent step through continued use. She also got her first real look at a spirit beast in combat… and she was impressed. The little gold furred tiger cub was easily as first as her or Xiulan, and was more than capable of bowling over any of them except Han Fang if he tried, and more than once she found her mist blown away by the dust storms he kicked up in his wake.
Between Zhou's lesson, continuing to cultivate her physique at the vent and practicing with Han Jian and the others, Ling Qi was feeling quite bedraggled and worn out by the time she slumped into Elder Su's lecture hall. She suspected she looked it too, given the sweat darkened spots on her gown, the scuffs, dirt and other marks of heavy exercise she had picked up. She was thankful that the rose scent that Gu Xiulan had bought her was strong enough that she didn't smell completely terrible on top of it.
She felt relieved to be called down at the start of class, despite the disdainful looks from the others. They could look down on her all they wanted, she was the one getting the prize. Both her and Li Suyin had made the cut again, along with the seemingly undefeatable Ji Rong, who shot her a pitying look as she moved down to stand beside him.
His reasoning became clear as Huang Da joined them at the bottom of the hall and shouldered his way between her and Li Suyin. She scowled at him, but he just smiled back in her face and brushed his hand against hers. She snatched it away before he could do anything embarrassing though. The last of their number was Gan Guangli, it seemed he was working hard in these final weeks.
+1 Qi Foundation Pill
Once the actual lesson had started, Ling Qi was able to relax a bit and focus on the lesson. They were finishing out the formation characters today, and moving on to the meanings of basic character chains and combinations. Ling Qi was glad elder Su had decided to teach this, as now that she had some basic understanding she wouldn't have to rely on Meizhen just to identify any talismans she found.
Perhaps if she got the archive pass she would consider looking into the art a little more. At the very least, being able to set up alarms around her home seemed like a good idea… and she might need to know how to disable such things if her half formed plans for revenge on her detractors were to bear fruit.
The next few days passed in much the same manner, a constant blur of cultivation, training, and practice. She could feel her body continuing to grow stronger, absorbing the qi she dispersed into her skin and muscles with an ever greater thirst. She was growing closer to the peak, she could feel it. When she was too tired to practice any further, usually well after nightfall, she would sit and practice with her flute, slowly getting mastering the next measure of her Melody. It was hard, but she felt she was progressing quickly. She could see and feel it in her mind's eye, the trials and travails of a new traveler, lost in the dark, surrounded by hungry eyes. The second measure, it would seem, was meant to show that anxiety and fear and bring it into the world within her mist.
It was useful she could feel, and she decided then that she would begin using the art in class when she had mastered this new verse of the song fully. Until then though, she had other concerns. Namely that Han Jian had said that it would be alright to bring her friends along to training today. She really hoped things went well, but it was starting to look unlikely, given the increasing reluctance and tension Su Ling was showing as they approached the field.
"Will you just relax already," Ling Qi said irritably, glancing at the girl on her right. Su Ling's ears twitched violently at the sound, and the fluffy tail waving agitatedly behind her stiffened for a moment. "Even if this doesn't work out, no one is going to hurt either of you. Han Jian wouldn't do that."
"Says you," Su Ling snorted. "You think you're the first girl to think the pretty noble was a nice guy?" She grumbled, glancing at the gate warily. "The only reason I'm here is because you two kept badgering me about it."
Li Suyin looked nervous, wringing her hands as she peered at the formations on the gate. "If Ling Qi says it's fine, I'm willing to trust her, and we… we really do need some more practice with fig… with this kind of thing."
Ling Qi was glad she had talked to Li Suyin last week. The other girl still didn't want to hurt anyone… but she was at least willing to learn to better defend herself. "Like I keep saying, it will be fine. This is just training, and the field doesn't lock or anything. You can leave whenever you want."
Su Ling still looked reluctant, her ears falling flat against her head as she glared at the gate, but she didn't object any further as Ling Qi lead them onto the field. This time, everyone was already present and waiting. Han Jian and the other boys were in the midst of chatting about something, and XIulan was seated on a wide stone, meditating. They all looked up when she and her friends entered though.
It took all of her willpower not to hunch her shoulders defensively, but she managed it. The reactions were largely what she expected, a scowl of dislike from Fan Yu, with a healthy helping of disdain. Neutral friendliness from Han Fang and Han Jian, though she noticed a bit of wariness in the mute boys narrowed eyes as he regarded Su Ling.
Gu Xiulan studied both of the girls behind her with sharp eyes, her painted lips set in a thin line as she examined them. Ling Qi held in a sigh as she heard the low growl coming from Su Ling's throat behind her.
"Good afternoon Ling Qi," Han Jian was the first one to break the silence, his tone upbeat. "Same to you… Su Ling and Li Suyin, was it?"
"U-um, thank you very much for your invitation," Li Suyin responded, dipping into a hasty and somewhat clumsy curtsey. "I… thank you very much for the opportunity."
"What she said, I guess," Su ling grunted, crossing her arms and looking anything but grateful.
"Tch, well at least one of them is polite," Fan Yu snorted, his own thick arms crossed over his broad chest as he glared at Su Ling. "Expecting more from a beast was probably futile."
"Go fuck yourself," Su Ling snapped. "I'm no more a beast than you are."
As Fan Yu puffed up furiously, Gu Xiulan spoke up. "As vulgar and unnecessary as her words were, there was no need to get worked up over it, Yu dear," she stood up, brushing off her gown.
"Right, no need for things to get heated," Han Jian replied, his tone just a tiny bit more strained. "So, why don't you two tell us what you do, and we can figure out how to work you into our exercises," he seems rather eager to get things started.
Ling Qi's friends were both silent, for several moments, until she looked back at them both with a pleading expression. "Guys, please. We aren't going to get anywhere if they don't even know what you want to work on."
"I intend to focus on healing arts," Li Suyin replied in a small voice. "I-I haven't quite mastered it well enough to fix anything more than minor scrapes yet though. I have been practicing a water based movement technique as well. It… um it's rather simplistic though."
Han Fang looked interested and even Fan Yu nodded in her direction, not seeming totally dismissive of her words, though he continued scowling at Su Ling. Gu Xiulan simply smiled enigmatically.
"Illusions and foxfire," Su Ling said shortly. "The fire's stronger if I have the target under my illusion."
"As expected of a fox," Fan Yu snorted. "Little use except for leading men astray and playing trickster."
"You wanna try it fatty?" Su Ling replied darkly. "I'm sure you'd make a good meal."
"As if I would even be tempted," he scoffed, turning to Han Jian. "Must we waste our time with this? The other girl I can understand, healers are useful and require much talent, but is this rude creature to join us?"
"S-she's my friend, please don't speak to her like that," Li Suyin said softly, and with only a bit of a tremor.
"Well, I can see his point. Between Ling Qi and I, she has little to offer that we do not do better," Gu Xiulan said clinically. "I'm not certain about the other either. Are you certain you even have the nerve to stand on a battlefield?" She asked, turning to Li Suyin. "I understand you have been leaning on Ling Qi to advance as far as you have and wish to remain with her, but perhaps you would be better suited to a role in the background," she continued, without restraint.
Li Suyin's shoulders slumped a little, and she seemed about to reply. Ling Qi didn't give her a chance though. "Gu Xiulan, please don't be rude to my other friends," she said flatly. "She stood with me when we fought Huang Da. She'll do just fine with a little practice. Su Ling too. I'm not asking you guys to let them join your group permanently I'm not even asking you to be friends with them. I just want to help them practice, and polish their skills a little."
Gu Xiulan's sharp gaze met hers for a moment and Ling Qi didn;t waver, staring straight back at the other girl with her shoulders set. "Hm… well, I suppose I can trust your judgement on this," Gu Xiulan replied slowly. "Really, the girl is shaking like a leaf though. You will have to let her stand on her own at some point," she pointed out, looking a bit unhappy.
She nodded once, getting the picture. She was going to have to talk to Gu Xiulan later, she had expected the other girl not to like her other friends, but… there might be something more to that.
"Fan Yu, I understand your objections, but once again. I am going to ask you to trust my judgement in this. As Ling Qi said, they are only temporary sparring partners. There is no need to get so worked up about this," Han Jian said soothingly to the other boy as Ling Qi finished talking. "The more opponents we practice against, the stronger we'll be, right?"
"Fine," Fan Yu ground out, looking down and seeming for a moment defeated. "As you say Han Jian… it is not as if I have any right to contradict you," for a moment the boys shoulders slumped, but his blustery scowl was back a moment later.
"Right," Han Jian said, seeming relieved. "Anyway, for the first round, let's split up like this…"
The training session was awkward and difficult, but she felt like Suyin and Su Ling at least got something from it. Between her and Gu Xiulan's coaching as well as a few bits of advice from han Jian, Suyin began to get a bit better at avoiding attacks, and Su Ling seemed a bit interested in the way Han Jian wielded his sword. By the time she left she was glancing down at her sheathed knives thoughtfully.
When they showed up to train the next day, she had acquired a curved sword from somewhere, and set to practicing with it, studiously ignoring Fan Yu and the others in favor of prodding Han Jian for advice, the fox girls close attention put Gu Xiulan in a poor mood though, and the when they sparred on opposite sides, things got heated rather quickly. Su Ling's tail ended up on fire that day and Gu Xiulan lost one of her sleeves to the other girls embers. Suyin suffered from more than one waspish comment about her lack of confidence and physical fitness as well, and although she improved, Ling Qi noticed her becoming more withdrawn as the week went on.
...So the results were mixed at best, but Ling Qi believed it to have been worthwhile… tentatively. It seemed she was pretty far from combining her friends into a single group though.
With how much training and cultivating she was doing, it was late in the week by the time she got around to the final thing on her to do list for the week, namely heading down to the market to take a longer look around and finally offload the staff. Her time was cut down even more when she decided to take a bit of time aside to try and find out the status of the original owner. She had no doubt that the girl was going to want the thing back, but she had so many other things to worry about that investigating the matter had slipped her mind.
Thankfully, she didn't need to investigate on her own. She had people she could ask to keep an eye out or who could give information. The girl had survived their encounter… she was named Zhu Qing, and and the boy who had been with her down there was Zhu Fong, her twin brother. The both of them had disappeared into near isolation in the wake of the test, hence why she had not seen either of them about.
It didn't change anything though, so she simply wrapped up the staff in cloth before bringing it out to sell. She had deliberated for a long time about the possibility of trading it in for a single expensive talisman, or as collateral for a custom item… spent the whole afternoon dithering back and forth on it in fact, but in the end she chose to simply shore up her immediate weaknesses. A decent weapon, a vest similar to what Su Ling had worn, and a defensive talisman were all purchased with the proceeds, and she spent the rest of that afternoon trading for various pills to help her with her planned training in the next week.
Finally though, as the week was coming to a close, she mastered the second measure of the Forgotten Vale, and prepared herself to reveal her skills. Her first match of that day found her in familiar company. Gu Xiulan was at her side, and today they were paired as the range and support for Gan Guangli. Today, they were facing Lu Feng, Hong Lin and a third boy whose name she didn't know, he was armed with a bow though, and hung behind the others.
"Did you really have to pick up such a plain piece of equipment?" Ling Qi sighed as Gu Xiulan spoke, looking her over with frustration. "I understand that you think they are useful, but plain brown leather? And the feather patterns are so uneven, clearly amateur work, not mention how thick they have made your wrists look..."
"I told you they're just temporary until I can afford better stuff," she replied, fingering the flute in her hand as she eyed their enemies across the field. "Besides, they aren't that bad, you wear a glove too."
Gu Xiulan sniffed haughtily. "My glove is the finest of Ashwinder skin, cut to be perfectly form fitting, and not impede my range of motion in any way. They do not compare at all," she replied, sounding a bit affronted.
"MIss Ling, Miss Gu," The tall blond boy standing in front of them rumbled. "This is not the time to converse about such things," his rugged features were set in the same stern and serious expression that he always wore. "While it is true that the importance of good accessorization and coordination of equipment cannot be understated, now is the time to focus on battle. I will require your full focus to watch my back while we battle that devious western devil and his vicious compatriots."
Ling Qi blinked, his expression hadn;t changed a bit. He was actually serious.
"Oh, I am certain that Ling Qi will be keeping a very close eye on your back," Gu Xiulan replied brightly, shooting Ling Qi an amused look.
She flushed, glaring at the other girl. She just would not drop that. "We won't lose today," she confirmed anyway, pointedly turning away from the other girl. "I have some new things to try. They won't know what hit them."
He eyed her curiously for a moment but nodded as he turned back to face the other team. "As you say Miss Ling, Miss Gu. I shall entrust the rear of the field to you! None will pass by me, nor touch a hair upon your heads while I yet stand today!" Ling Qi winced, there he went getting loud again.
The match started soon after, and she began to play. An arrow was sidestepped, pushed aside by her refined control of the currents of air around her, and her music rose in volume, carried on that same wind to overcome even Gan Guangli's battle cry. The mist rolled forth, and she winced as she felt the drain from including both Xiulan and their other teammate in the effect. She heard the tumbling crack of their male teammates oversized fist cratering the ground, and the the metallic clangs as Hong Lin struck him a half dozen times in turn. Gu Xiulan's lances of flame cut buring lines through the mist as she rushed for a vetter vantage to control Lu Feng's movements.
She focused simply on her song though steadily circling away from her starting position as she shifted into the next verse, and let herself flow with the mist. This time she wouldn't be taken out so easily.
The fight went well, with their sight obstructed, with shadowy foes in the mist around them and their sense of direction destroyed, they couldn't stand up to her teammates. Hong Lin fell first, grabbed bodily in a gigantic hand and spiked into the ground like a child's ball. Lu Feng and the other boy fell thereafter, unable to do more than annoy the juggernaut that their own male teammate had become by the end of the fight. She hadn't noticed before, but it seemed that his art grew stronger the longer the battle went on, he had been nearly five meters tall by the end of things. It was one of her new knives though, that had ended the battle though, sending Lu Feng spinning to the ground with a blade buried in his shoulder.
She felt exhilarated with the victory and the ones that followed. Which is not to say that she won all of her battles, but using her full strength she found herself at least breaking even in victories and losses
She could do this. She might not be the strongest… but she wasn't weak anymore either.
You Have FOUR actions for the following week
Select which resources you would like to use in your plan
[] You haven't spent much time with him, but Han Fang seems nice, try to get to know him better?
[] Spend some time with Gu Xiulan try to work out what has her so bothered by Li Suyin
[] Go out hunting with Su Ling, it could be pretty profitable
[] Try for training between Han Jian's group and yours again
[] Go up to the vent to cultivate with Su Ling and Li Suyin
-[] Bring in Han Jian and his group
[] Talk to Han Jian see if he has any advice for the coming troubles
[] Ask Bai Meizhen for information on Huang Da and advice for the situation
[] Explore the mountain
[] Head to the market for some shopping
[] Try to puzzle out the tokens left from the test
[] Cultivate on your own
-[] Physical
-[] Spiritual
-[] Qi
-[] Meridian (which one?)
-[] Art(Which one?)
AN: Okay folks, one last week to prepare for thunderdome. Not even sure why I'm listing all these social actions
Han Jian paused in signing something to Han Fang and looked over to her with a slight smile. "It is, the offer was open," he replied cheerfully. "Got things polished enough that you're willing to show off a bit?" He added, making her flush slightly in embarrassment. Of course Han Jian would be perceptive enough to tell that she had learned a few new tricks.
"Something interesting I hope, you will need it to keep up," Gu Xiulan added proudly from where she sat on one of the benches nearby. "I wouldn't want you to be left behind. I intend to complete my breakthrough to Yellow by this time next week."
"And Fang and I should both be reaching Silver by the time the truce ends, or soon after," Han Jian added, the other boy grinned widely at this, straightening his shoulders proudly. "I figure you'll be fine of course," he added reassuringly.
"I do have some pretty good options that I haven't shown off," Ling Qi admitted, feeling a bit of worry. The ranks of those who had reached the second stage in one or both forms of cultivation was growing and she still felt like she wasn't quite ready to really push through. "They do need some polishing in real combat though," she admitted.
"Well that's what these sessions are for," Han Jian said calmly, studying her carefully. "That said… everything going alright for you? I heard you had an argument in Elder Su's lecture hall the other day."
Ling Qi scowled at the reminder of that encounter. Every time she thought of it it just made her angrier. He didn't have any right to talk to her like that, or act like they were anything other than enemies. "Yeah, I actually wanted to warn you about that. That Huang Da guy and I had a disagreement over some resources… and that someone turned into him deciding that he…" she trailed off expression screwing up in disgust. "He decided that he's going to… pursue me. He's a creep though. He was stalking my other friend Li Suyin before he switched to me for some reason. You might want to watch out for him, I don't really know what he's going to do."
"Hm, you're not interested then?" Gu Xiulan asked curiously. "I suppose he is hardly your type after all," she mused. "And pushy men are so boorish. Still the Huang family is quite wealthy and prestigious as I recall, if a little odd. You could do worse." Her pretty features screwed up in thought. "Well, perhaps not, if he really changed his mind so quickly."
Ling Qi stared blankly at the other girl for a few seconds. "No. I'm not interested at all," she responded flatly. "He tried to get Li Suyin and I to split up and choose him over each other and Su Ling, like the arrogant jackass was someone we should have fought over, and attacked us when we didn't."
"Ugh," That seems to convince her, going by the way Gu Xiulan frowned. "Well I suppose not then, still you should try not to dip into vulgarity like that," she said, her tone growing chiding on the last words. "You'll never manage to find a man who is decent if you go about talking like that."
Han Jian coughed to draw your attention, both him and his cousin having awkward expressions, likely at the direction that the conversation seemed to be heading. "I'll keep an eye out for him. So don't worry. I've started working on my family's sword art, so I'm not exactly helpless in a fight, you know? None of us are."
"I know, he's just a sneaky bast…" she glanced at Gu Xiulan's raised eyebrow and huffed irritably. "He's stealthy and has some kind of poison effect on his weapon, or maybe that's his art in effect. Just keep your eyes open," she finished, it wasn't like the girl was wrong about talking like a commoner, it made people look down on her.
"We will," Han Jian replied reassuringly. "If you want to join us, just head down to the training field we met at before in about two hours," he added. "We start around then and go until Elder Su's lessons start."
Ling Qi nodded, that would give her time to cultivate at the vent with the others… and talk to Li Suyin and Su Ling about possibly joining Han Jian's group to train. She wanted to make sure they were interested before trying to convince Han Jian and the others.
Ling Qi's mood was not helped by the atmoshpere on the mountain. Everywhere she looked there were the signs of her fellow disciples training furiously and otherwise preparing for the end of truce. The greedy looks she had gotten in the immediate aftermath of the test were returning, and more and more she felt hemmed in and surrounded by enemies.
It didn;t help that her ears caught the word going around. That stupid conversation had apparently fueled all sorts of rumors, most of which painted her as the bad guy for leading on wealthy heir for her own gain. It looked like the creeper bastard even had at least a couple of fans among the other girls, going by the cold looks she got and the muttered words she heard in her passing.
So by the time she joined up with Meizhen and the others to head up to the vent she was definitely in the mood to hit something, despite having just been in Zhou's lesson. Which was good, since she intended to practice her physical cultivation twice as hard this week.
She ended up leading an impromptu lesson with Li Suyin and Su Ling, who were both looking to make improvements in that regard. Well Su Ling took to it more, Li Suyin listened in, but it seemed she was focusing on reaching late red for the moment. It seemed that she had been neglecting her base cultivation in favor of expanding her qi, opening meridians, and learning arts.
Bai Meizhen was content to simply sit beside the vent meditating, the silvery mist swirling about her in a wide spiral. Ling Qi felt a bit better by the time she had to leave to meet her other friends, particularly since Li Suyin had been receptive enough to the idea of group training. Su Ling Had been more reluctant, but between the two of you and her own lingering worries she eventually agreed to give it a try.
Talent 6, Lesson 4, Argent Soul 6, Elixir 3, Red Spirit Stone 5, Vent 5, Time 14. 43 dice
6 10 8 10 1 6 8 8 1 2 5 5 3 8 2 9 2 10 2 5 6 8 5 2 1 9 10 2 1 6 9 8 7 6 3 1 3 5 2 6 7 9 2. 21 Successes
Rerolling 4
3 2 1 7 6. 3 Successes
Rerolling 1
8 successes added to Qi increase
10/16
5 successes added to Argent Soul
14/100
6 10 8 10 1 6 8 8 1 2 5 5 3 8 2 9 2 10 2 5 6 8 5 2 1 9 10 2 1 6 9 8 7 6 3 1 3 5 2 6 7 9 2. 21 Successes
Rerolling 4
3 2 1 7 6. 3 Successes
Rerolling 1
- 1 Success. Total 25
8 successes added to Qi increase
10/16
5 successes added to Argent Soul
14/100
When Ling Qi arrived at the concealed training field and passed through the barrier, she was surprised to find that she was a little early. The only one here was Han Jian, who was crouched in the middle of the field… talking to the tiger cub she had seen him with the first day.
"...Like that Heijin. We're really partners now aren't we? You have to start working with me here. I need to be able to work you into my tactics, you know?" The handsome boy pleaded with the cub, who was curled up at his feet, apparently ignoring him.
Ling Qi stared at the scene for a moment before clearing her throat awkwardly. "Hello Han Jian, am I… interrupting something?"
He blinked and looked up, hands resting on his knees. "Ah, Ling Qi, no you're not. I'm just trying to get this lazy bones to work with me," he said with a note of frustration. "I already had to carry him here, and now…" he stopped as the tiger cub stood up, still with his back to the boy and padded over toward Ling Qi.
Ling Qi looked curiously down at the cub, which paused at her feet, looking up at her with feline arrogance. The cub stared her down for several long seconds before sitting down again and brushing a paw against his ear, before beginning to groom it. 'The female may pet me now.'
She twitched as a voice that sounded like an arrogant young boy seemed to echo in her ears. Having 'spoken' to Cui before she wasn't completely taken off guard, though she was surprised at how clear his voice was. Perhaps because she had grown closer to Yellow and mastered the fourth layer of Argent Soul? "And why should I. You're giving Han Jian trouble, aren't you?" Even knowing what she did, she still felt rather silly talking to an animal.
Heijin seemed nonplussed as he stared up at her, placing his paw back on the ground, having finished grooming it. 'Pet me. The slacker's has naught to do with it.'
The little feline was definitely demanding. "Sorry about that," Han Jian said as he approached, shooting his 'cousin' a dirty look. "Gu Xiulan and her sisters always spoiled him and the other cubs at home, so…"
'The slacker is merely jealous, and wishes his fur was silky enough to be petted by the Burning Ones,' the cub cut in haughtily. 'Now, pet me Cold One. It is hot.'
She bit her lip, holding in a laugh at Han Jian's expression, but looked sternly down at the cub. "If I pet you, will you listen to what Han Jian is saying?" She asked, she felt like she should be more annoyed by the spirits demanding and haughty tone, but she couldn't quite bring herself to be. He was only a kitten after all.
She got the impression that the tiger cub was pouting at her, despite the limited expressiveness of his face. '...That is acceptable,' he replied with great dignity.
She sighed and crouched down to scratch behind the kitten's ears, before giving Han Jian a pointed look. Heijin's fur really was amazingly soft and silky though, and he pushed his head up against her hand as she petted him.
Han Jian scrubbed a hand through his hair, looking frustrated. "Thanks," he said, glancing to Ling Qi before focusing on Heijin. "Now look, I get that you don't really respect me much, but this has to stop. I need you to work with me. Do you really just want to laze around all day without getting stronger?"
'The slacker cannot say such things,' The tiger cub replied, peering up from under Ling Qi's hand with disdain. 'Where were those words when you wasted away your time under your Father and mine?'
Ling Qi suddenly felt uncomfortable as she glanced up at Han Jian's expression which had contorted into a frown. "...Yeah, I wasted some opportunities," he replied evasively. Ling Qi didn;t miss the way he looked briefly at her. "But I told you I want to start making up for that, didn't I? How am I supposed to catch up if you won't even give me a chance to try? I'm responsible for the ones around me; Xiulan, Fang, Yu, … and others too, once I get back, I need your help with that," Ling Qi wasn't entirely sure how she felt to be left out of that, so she simply lowered her head and concentrated on the soothing feeling of soft fur as she brushed her hand down the cubs back.
Heijin did not reply immediately ,nuzzling at her hand as she returned it to his head. 'I suppose I have been bored… very well, I will grace you with my presence,' he answered imperiously. 'Besides, it would not do to deny the females my presence.'
Han Jian rested his face in his palm for a moment, giving the tiger cub another frustrated look before looking back up at Ling Qi. "Sorry you had to hear that, but thanks for getting him to hear me out."
"It's no problem," Ling Qi replied, still feeling awkward from listening to something personal like that. "That said… do you think I could ask you for a favor?"
Han Jian nodded easily enough. "I suppose I owe you one, go ahead," he replied simply, gesturing for her to continue, even as Heijin butted his head against her hand to remind her to keep petting.
"I was hoping I could bring Li Suyin and Su Ling, my other friends, by to train here too sometimes, we could all use a little work on our fighting skills," that was an understatement, particularly in Su Ling's case.
"Well, I don't mind you using the field," Han Jian replied with a frown. "But I assume you mean actually with us," he grimaced, scratching the back of his neck as he often did when thinking. "Let me talk to the others about it, give me a day or two, alright?"
"Sure," Ling Qi responded simply, scratching Heijin behind the ears one more time as she heard the sound of others entering through the barrier. It was time to get started on the actual training now. It was a little nerve wracking, to be at the center of attention. Facing Han Jian's and Han Fang's curiosity, Gu Xiulan's calculated interest and Fan Yu's dour dislike. It was necessary though, to explain what her arts entailed if Han Jian was going to organize their practice.
Despite her misgivings though, it went well, all of them seemed impressed by her movement art, even if it manifested only as a sour expression on Fan Yu. Han Jian seemed genuinely impressed with her mist though, even if she felt like she disappointed him a bit when she told him she couldn't shape it meaningfully beyond a rough circle around herself. Even with that though, she still enjoyed the session. It was actually pretty fun to team up with Gu Xiulan to tag and harry the boys within the mist in order to help Fan Yu and Han Fang develop the sensory portions of their arts, and she was able to refine Sable crescent step through continued use. She also got her first real look at a spirit beast in combat… and she was impressed. The little gold furred tiger cub was easily as first as her or Xiulan, and was more than capable of bowling over any of them except Han Fang if he tried, and more than once she found her mist blown away by the dust storms he kicked up in his wake.
Talent 6, Red Spirit Stone 5, Friends 3. 14 dice
8 9 9 2 9 4 5 10 5 1 2 3 3 4. 9 successes
Rerolling 1
8 9 9 2 9 4 5 10 5 1 2 3 3 4. 9 successes
Rerolling 1
- 1 success. 10 total.
Between Zhou's lesson, continuing to cultivate her physique at the vent and practicing with Han Jian and the others, Ling Qi was feeling quite bedraggled and worn out by the time she slumped into Elder Su's lecture hall. She suspected she looked it too, given the sweat darkened spots on her gown, the scuffs, dirt and other marks of heavy exercise she had picked up. She was thankful that the rose scent that Gu Xiulan had bought her was strong enough that she didn't smell completely terrible on top of it.
She felt relieved to be called down at the start of class, despite the disdainful looks from the others. They could look down on her all they wanted, she was the one getting the prize. Both her and Li Suyin had made the cut again, along with the seemingly undefeatable Ji Rong, who shot her a pitying look as she moved down to stand beside him.
His reasoning became clear as Huang Da joined them at the bottom of the hall and shouldered his way between her and Li Suyin. She scowled at him, but he just smiled back in her face and brushed his hand against hers. She snatched it away before he could do anything embarrassing though. The last of their number was Gan Guangli, it seemed he was working hard in these final weeks.
+1 Qi Foundation Pill
Once the actual lesson had started, Ling Qi was able to relax a bit and focus on the lesson. They were finishing out the formation characters today, and moving on to the meanings of basic character chains and combinations. Ling Qi was glad elder Su had decided to teach this, as now that she had some basic understanding she wouldn't have to rely on Meizhen just to identify any talismans she found.
Perhaps if she got the archive pass she would consider looking into the art a little more. At the very least, being able to set up alarms around her home seemed like a good idea… and she might need to know how to disable such things if her half formed plans for revenge on her detractors were to bear fruit.
The next few days passed in much the same manner, a constant blur of cultivation, training, and practice. She could feel her body continuing to grow stronger, absorbing the qi she dispersed into her skin and muscles with an ever greater thirst. She was growing closer to the peak, she could feel it. When she was too tired to practice any further, usually well after nightfall, she would sit and practice with her flute, slowly getting mastering the next measure of her Melody. It was hard, but she felt she was progressing quickly. She could see and feel it in her mind's eye, the trials and travails of a new traveler, lost in the dark, surrounded by hungry eyes. The second measure, it would seem, was meant to show that anxiety and fear and bring it into the world within her mist.
Talent 6, Lesson 4, Argent Soul 6, Suyin 2, Red Spirit Stone 5, Vent 5. 22 Dice
2 9 7 5 2 6 8 1 1 7 10 8 9 5 2 4 2 1 4 8 5 7 7 6 10 1 2 1. 15 Successes.
Rerolling 3
6 10 1 7 8 2. 2 success
Rerolling 1
2 9 7 5 2 6 8 1 1 7 10 8 9 5 2 4 2 1 4 8 5 7 7 6 10 1 2 1. 15 Successes.
Rerolling 3
6 10 1 7 8 2. 2 success
Rerolling 1
- 1 success. 18 Total
Talent 6, Red Spirit Stone 5, Spring 2, Pill 3, . 16 dice
5 4 5 4 2 6 3 4 5 8 1 7 2 3 6 1. 12 Successes
Rerolling 2
1 1. 2 Successes
Rerolling 2
4 2. 2 Successes. 16 total
16/15 Next Measure acheived
5 4 5 4 2 6 3 4 5 8 1 7 2 3 6 1. 12 Successes
Rerolling 2
1 1. 2 Successes
Rerolling 2
4 2. 2 Successes. 16 total
16/15 Next Measure acheived
Passive Effects
-Adds one bonus die to all music based expression rolls
-Adds three bonus dice to all perception rolls
-User receives no penalties for acting in low light or darkness
-User receives one bonus die on defense against sound based techniques
-Expression is used as Mastery when using this art(does not receive the previous passive bonus when used this way)
Mist of the Vale: o
Cost 3
The users melody causes a light mist to roll forth from their flute. The mist is filled with deceptive shadows and sounds, and weakens the light within to low light. The mist can spread up to a twenty five meter radius centered the user. All single target techniques targeted at the user suffer a two dice penalty. The user gains a two die bonus at stealth attempts within the mist. The user may spend an additional two qi for each of up to two allies. This technique persist as long as the user continues to play and up to three turns afterward.
Diapason of the Lost Traveler: oo
Cost 3
May only be used if the target is within Mist of the Vale. The users music takes on a plaintive, mournful tune, further muddling the senses of a target within the mist. On success the targets perception rolls take a three die penalty, and attempts to leave the mist result in the target doubling back unless a 2 success perception test is passed. Additionally the target suffers a two die penalty to defense while under this effect. Lasts for as long as the target remains within the mist.
Dissonance in the Night: oo
Cost 3
May only be used within Mist of the Vale. The users music grows low and eerie, punctuated by high, sharp notes, while the mists darken with indistinct and predatory shapes Enemies within the mist suffer from immaterial attacks of claw and fang every turn. These attacks are DV 1. Those damaged by the attacks suffer a one die penalty to their physical defense dice pools. This penalty does not stack with additional damage.
Second Measure Progress 1/35 Will use a second Heart Meridian(Dark)
-Adds one bonus die to all music based expression rolls
-Adds three bonus dice to all perception rolls
-User receives no penalties for acting in low light or darkness
-User receives one bonus die on defense against sound based techniques
-Expression is used as Mastery when using this art(does not receive the previous passive bonus when used this way)
Mist of the Vale: o
Cost 3
The users melody causes a light mist to roll forth from their flute. The mist is filled with deceptive shadows and sounds, and weakens the light within to low light. The mist can spread up to a twenty five meter radius centered the user. All single target techniques targeted at the user suffer a two dice penalty. The user gains a two die bonus at stealth attempts within the mist. The user may spend an additional two qi for each of up to two allies. This technique persist as long as the user continues to play and up to three turns afterward.
Diapason of the Lost Traveler: oo
Cost 3
May only be used if the target is within Mist of the Vale. The users music takes on a plaintive, mournful tune, further muddling the senses of a target within the mist. On success the targets perception rolls take a three die penalty, and attempts to leave the mist result in the target doubling back unless a 2 success perception test is passed. Additionally the target suffers a two die penalty to defense while under this effect. Lasts for as long as the target remains within the mist.
Dissonance in the Night: oo
Cost 3
May only be used within Mist of the Vale. The users music grows low and eerie, punctuated by high, sharp notes, while the mists darken with indistinct and predatory shapes Enemies within the mist suffer from immaterial attacks of claw and fang every turn. These attacks are DV 1. Those damaged by the attacks suffer a one die penalty to their physical defense dice pools. This penalty does not stack with additional damage.
Second Measure Progress 1/35 Will use a second Heart Meridian(Dark)
It was useful she could feel, and she decided then that she would begin using the art in class when she had mastered this new verse of the song fully. Until then though, she had other concerns. Namely that Han Jian had said that it would be alright to bring her friends along to training today. She really hoped things went well, but it was starting to look unlikely, given the increasing reluctance and tension Su Ling was showing as they approached the field.
"Will you just relax already," Ling Qi said irritably, glancing at the girl on her right. Su Ling's ears twitched violently at the sound, and the fluffy tail waving agitatedly behind her stiffened for a moment. "Even if this doesn't work out, no one is going to hurt either of you. Han Jian wouldn't do that."
"Says you," Su Ling snorted. "You think you're the first girl to think the pretty noble was a nice guy?" She grumbled, glancing at the gate warily. "The only reason I'm here is because you two kept badgering me about it."
Li Suyin looked nervous, wringing her hands as she peered at the formations on the gate. "If Ling Qi says it's fine, I'm willing to trust her, and we… we really do need some more practice with fig… with this kind of thing."
Ling Qi was glad she had talked to Li Suyin last week. The other girl still didn't want to hurt anyone… but she was at least willing to learn to better defend herself. "Like I keep saying, it will be fine. This is just training, and the field doesn't lock or anything. You can leave whenever you want."
Su Ling still looked reluctant, her ears falling flat against her head as she glared at the gate, but she didn't object any further as Ling Qi lead them onto the field. This time, everyone was already present and waiting. Han Jian and the other boys were in the midst of chatting about something, and XIulan was seated on a wide stone, meditating. They all looked up when she and her friends entered though.
It took all of her willpower not to hunch her shoulders defensively, but she managed it. The reactions were largely what she expected, a scowl of dislike from Fan Yu, with a healthy helping of disdain. Neutral friendliness from Han Fang and Han Jian, though she noticed a bit of wariness in the mute boys narrowed eyes as he regarded Su Ling.
Gu Xiulan studied both of the girls behind her with sharp eyes, her painted lips set in a thin line as she examined them. Ling Qi held in a sigh as she heard the low growl coming from Su Ling's throat behind her.
"Good afternoon Ling Qi," Han Jian was the first one to break the silence, his tone upbeat. "Same to you… Su Ling and Li Suyin, was it?"
"U-um, thank you very much for your invitation," Li Suyin responded, dipping into a hasty and somewhat clumsy curtsey. "I… thank you very much for the opportunity."
"What she said, I guess," Su ling grunted, crossing her arms and looking anything but grateful.
"Tch, well at least one of them is polite," Fan Yu snorted, his own thick arms crossed over his broad chest as he glared at Su Ling. "Expecting more from a beast was probably futile."
"Go fuck yourself," Su Ling snapped. "I'm no more a beast than you are."
As Fan Yu puffed up furiously, Gu Xiulan spoke up. "As vulgar and unnecessary as her words were, there was no need to get worked up over it, Yu dear," she stood up, brushing off her gown.
"Right, no need for things to get heated," Han Jian replied, his tone just a tiny bit more strained. "So, why don't you two tell us what you do, and we can figure out how to work you into our exercises," he seems rather eager to get things started.
Ling Qi's friends were both silent, for several moments, until she looked back at them both with a pleading expression. "Guys, please. We aren't going to get anywhere if they don't even know what you want to work on."
"I intend to focus on healing arts," Li Suyin replied in a small voice. "I-I haven't quite mastered it well enough to fix anything more than minor scrapes yet though. I have been practicing a water based movement technique as well. It… um it's rather simplistic though."
Han Fang looked interested and even Fan Yu nodded in her direction, not seeming totally dismissive of her words, though he continued scowling at Su Ling. Gu Xiulan simply smiled enigmatically.
"Illusions and foxfire," Su Ling said shortly. "The fire's stronger if I have the target under my illusion."
"As expected of a fox," Fan Yu snorted. "Little use except for leading men astray and playing trickster."
"You wanna try it fatty?" Su Ling replied darkly. "I'm sure you'd make a good meal."
"As if I would even be tempted," he scoffed, turning to Han Jian. "Must we waste our time with this? The other girl I can understand, healers are useful and require much talent, but is this rude creature to join us?"
"S-she's my friend, please don't speak to her like that," Li Suyin said softly, and with only a bit of a tremor.
"Well, I can see his point. Between Ling Qi and I, she has little to offer that we do not do better," Gu Xiulan said clinically. "I'm not certain about the other either. Are you certain you even have the nerve to stand on a battlefield?" She asked, turning to Li Suyin. "I understand you have been leaning on Ling Qi to advance as far as you have and wish to remain with her, but perhaps you would be better suited to a role in the background," she continued, without restraint.
Presence 1 Persuade 2 equipment 1. 4 dice.
7 9 7 9. 4 successes
7 9 7 9. 4 successes
Li Suyin's shoulders slumped a little, and she seemed about to reply. Ling Qi didn't give her a chance though. "Gu Xiulan, please don't be rude to my other friends," she said flatly. "She stood with me when we fought Huang Da. She'll do just fine with a little practice. Su Ling too. I'm not asking you guys to let them join your group permanently I'm not even asking you to be friends with them. I just want to help them practice, and polish their skills a little."
Gu Xiulan's sharp gaze met hers for a moment and Ling Qi didn;t waver, staring straight back at the other girl with her shoulders set. "Hm… well, I suppose I can trust your judgement on this," Gu Xiulan replied slowly. "Really, the girl is shaking like a leaf though. You will have to let her stand on her own at some point," she pointed out, looking a bit unhappy.
She nodded once, getting the picture. She was going to have to talk to Gu Xiulan later, she had expected the other girl not to like her other friends, but… there might be something more to that.
"Fan Yu, I understand your objections, but once again. I am going to ask you to trust my judgement in this. As Ling Qi said, they are only temporary sparring partners. There is no need to get so worked up about this," Han Jian said soothingly to the other boy as Ling Qi finished talking. "The more opponents we practice against, the stronger we'll be, right?"
"Fine," Fan Yu ground out, looking down and seeming for a moment defeated. "As you say Han Jian… it is not as if I have any right to contradict you," for a moment the boys shoulders slumped, but his blustery scowl was back a moment later.
"Right," Han Jian said, seeming relieved. "Anyway, for the first round, let's split up like this…"
The training session was awkward and difficult, but she felt like Suyin and Su Ling at least got something from it. Between her and Gu Xiulan's coaching as well as a few bits of advice from han Jian, Suyin began to get a bit better at avoiding attacks, and Su Ling seemed a bit interested in the way Han Jian wielded his sword. By the time she left she was glancing down at her sheathed knives thoughtfully.
When they showed up to train the next day, she had acquired a curved sword from somewhere, and set to practicing with it, studiously ignoring Fan Yu and the others in favor of prodding Han Jian for advice, the fox girls close attention put Gu Xiulan in a poor mood though, and the when they sparred on opposite sides, things got heated rather quickly. Su Ling's tail ended up on fire that day and Gu Xiulan lost one of her sleeves to the other girls embers. Suyin suffered from more than one waspish comment about her lack of confidence and physical fitness as well, and although she improved, Ling Qi noticed her becoming more withdrawn as the week went on.
...So the results were mixed at best, but Ling Qi believed it to have been worthwhile… tentatively. It seemed she was pretty far from combining her friends into a single group though.
With how much training and cultivating she was doing, it was late in the week by the time she got around to the final thing on her to do list for the week, namely heading down to the market to take a longer look around and finally offload the staff. Her time was cut down even more when she decided to take a bit of time aside to try and find out the status of the original owner. She had no doubt that the girl was going to want the thing back, but she had so many other things to worry about that investigating the matter had slipped her mind.
Thankfully, she didn't need to investigate on her own. She had people she could ask to keep an eye out or who could give information. The girl had survived their encounter… she was named Zhu Qing, and and the boy who had been with her down there was Zhu Fong, her twin brother. The both of them had disappeared into near isolation in the wake of the test, hence why she had not seen either of them about.
It didn't change anything though, so she simply wrapped up the staff in cloth before bringing it out to sell. She had deliberated for a long time about the possibility of trading it in for a single expensive talisman, or as collateral for a custom item… spent the whole afternoon dithering back and forth on it in fact, but in the end she chose to simply shore up her immediate weaknesses. A decent weapon, a vest similar to what Su Ling had worn, and a defensive talisman were all purchased with the proceeds, and she spent the rest of that afternoon trading for various pills to help her with her planned training in the next week.
White Hail Knives (-10 Red Spirit Stones)
Hawk Talon Armguards (-20 Red Spirit Stones)
White Hart Vest (-8 Red Spirit Stones)
Clear Wind Pill
Channel Cleansing Pill (-2 Red Spirit Stones)
Qi Expansion Pill (-2 Red Spirit Stones)
Buy 2 Red Restoration Pills (-2 Red Spirit Stones)
Buy a White Hart Elixir (-6 Red Spirit Stones)
No. of Votes: 33
Hawk Talon Armguards (-20 Red Spirit Stones)
White Hart Vest (-8 Red Spirit Stones)
Clear Wind Pill
Channel Cleansing Pill (-2 Red Spirit Stones)
Qi Expansion Pill (-2 Red Spirit Stones)
Buy 2 Red Restoration Pills (-2 Red Spirit Stones)
Buy a White Hart Elixir (-6 Red Spirit Stones)
No. of Votes: 33
Finally though, as the week was coming to a close, she mastered the second measure of the Forgotten Vale, and prepared herself to reveal her skills. Her first match of that day found her in familiar company. Gu Xiulan was at her side, and today they were paired as the range and support for Gan Guangli. Today, they were facing Lu Feng, Hong Lin and a third boy whose name she didn't know, he was armed with a bow though, and hung behind the others.
"Did you really have to pick up such a plain piece of equipment?" Ling Qi sighed as Gu Xiulan spoke, looking her over with frustration. "I understand that you think they are useful, but plain brown leather? And the feather patterns are so uneven, clearly amateur work, not mention how thick they have made your wrists look..."
"I told you they're just temporary until I can afford better stuff," she replied, fingering the flute in her hand as she eyed their enemies across the field. "Besides, they aren't that bad, you wear a glove too."
Gu Xiulan sniffed haughtily. "My glove is the finest of Ashwinder skin, cut to be perfectly form fitting, and not impede my range of motion in any way. They do not compare at all," she replied, sounding a bit affronted.
"MIss Ling, Miss Gu," The tall blond boy standing in front of them rumbled. "This is not the time to converse about such things," his rugged features were set in the same stern and serious expression that he always wore. "While it is true that the importance of good accessorization and coordination of equipment cannot be understated, now is the time to focus on battle. I will require your full focus to watch my back while we battle that devious western devil and his vicious compatriots."
Ling Qi blinked, his expression hadn;t changed a bit. He was actually serious.
"Oh, I am certain that Ling Qi will be keeping a very close eye on your back," Gu Xiulan replied brightly, shooting Ling Qi an amused look.
She flushed, glaring at the other girl. She just would not drop that. "We won't lose today," she confirmed anyway, pointedly turning away from the other girl. "I have some new things to try. They won't know what hit them."
He eyed her curiously for a moment but nodded as he turned back to face the other team. "As you say Miss Ling, Miss Gu. I shall entrust the rear of the field to you! None will pass by me, nor touch a hair upon your heads while I yet stand today!" Ling Qi winced, there he went getting loud again.
The match started soon after, and she began to play. An arrow was sidestepped, pushed aside by her refined control of the currents of air around her, and her music rose in volume, carried on that same wind to overcome even Gan Guangli's battle cry. The mist rolled forth, and she winced as she felt the drain from including both Xiulan and their other teammate in the effect. She heard the tumbling crack of their male teammates oversized fist cratering the ground, and the the metallic clangs as Hong Lin struck him a half dozen times in turn. Gu Xiulan's lances of flame cut buring lines through the mist as she rushed for a vetter vantage to control Lu Feng's movements.
She focused simply on her song though steadily circling away from her starting position as she shifted into the next verse, and let herself flow with the mist. This time she wouldn't be taken out so easily.
The fight went well, with their sight obstructed, with shadowy foes in the mist around them and their sense of direction destroyed, they couldn't stand up to her teammates. Hong Lin fell first, grabbed bodily in a gigantic hand and spiked into the ground like a child's ball. Lu Feng and the other boy fell thereafter, unable to do more than annoy the juggernaut that their own male teammate had become by the end of the fight. She hadn't noticed before, but it seemed that his art grew stronger the longer the battle went on, he had been nearly five meters tall by the end of things. It was one of her new knives though, that had ended the battle though, sending Lu Feng spinning to the ground with a blade buried in his shoulder.
She felt exhilarated with the victory and the ones that followed. Which is not to say that she won all of her battles, but using her full strength she found herself at least breaking even in victories and losses
She could do this. She might not be the strongest… but she wasn't weak anymore either.
Strength 4/15 Training, Han Jian
Dexterity 3/20 Training Han Jian
Stamina 7/20 Training Han Jian
Intelligence 9/20 Lessons
Presence 8/10 Working together
Manipulation 14/15 Working Together, FVM
Composure 1/20 Working together
Academics 2/12 lessons
Formations 3/3 New dot Gained!
Occult 2/9 lessons
Athletics 12/12 training hain Jian. New dot gained!
Stealth 5/12 General use
Empathy 9/9 Han Jian, New dot gained
Expression 7/9 training, Han Jian
Persuasion 5/9 Han Jian
War 2/3 Han Jian
Dodge 3/12 training
Throwing Knives 9/9 New dot gained
Unarmed 3/9
Dexterity 3/20 Training Han Jian
Stamina 7/20 Training Han Jian
Intelligence 9/20 Lessons
Presence 8/10 Working together
Manipulation 14/15 Working Together, FVM
Composure 1/20 Working together
Academics 2/12 lessons
Formations 3/3 New dot Gained!
Occult 2/9 lessons
Athletics 12/12 training hain Jian. New dot gained!
Stealth 5/12 General use
Empathy 9/9 Han Jian, New dot gained
Expression 7/9 training, Han Jian
Persuasion 5/9 Han Jian
War 2/3 Han Jian
Dodge 3/12 training
Throwing Knives 9/9 New dot gained
Unarmed 3/9
You Have FOUR actions for the following week
Select which resources you would like to use in your plan
[] You haven't spent much time with him, but Han Fang seems nice, try to get to know him better?
[] Spend some time with Gu Xiulan try to work out what has her so bothered by Li Suyin
[] Go out hunting with Su Ling, it could be pretty profitable
[] Try for training between Han Jian's group and yours again
[] Go up to the vent to cultivate with Su Ling and Li Suyin
-[] Bring in Han Jian and his group
[] Talk to Han Jian see if he has any advice for the coming troubles
[] Ask Bai Meizhen for information on Huang Da and advice for the situation
[] Explore the mountain
[] Head to the market for some shopping
[] Try to puzzle out the tokens left from the test
[] Cultivate on your own
-[] Physical
-[] Spiritual
-[] Qi
-[] Meridian (which one?)
-[] Art(Which one?)
AN: Okay folks, one last week to prepare for thunderdome. Not even sure why I'm listing all these social actions
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Alectai
Speaks Words of Wisdom... On occasion
Hmm, FVM did include attack powers, that's pretty good, but it does seem we were still right to focus on shoring up our weaknesses, as it's a very weak attack power and mostly set to bleed the other guy.
Better news, we can develop FVM further without needing to push to Silver/Yellow.
We're also a stone's throw away from breaking through to Silver as well, I think we should strongly consider spending at least one action on physical Cultivation to try and push ourselves over the top.
Better news, we can develop FVM further without needing to push to Silver/Yellow.
We're also a stone's throw away from breaking through to Silver as well, I think we should strongly consider spending at least one action on physical Cultivation to try and push ourselves over the top.
ah miscounted, one sec I had gone back and fixed the number of dice without changing the totals
Also, FVM will use your blank heart meridian on level up, my mistake there
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