Forge of Destiny(Xianxia Quest)
- Thread starter yrsillar
- Start date
- Original Fantasy
BungieONI
Seven gremlins in a trench coat
- Location
- Lickwidget
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Yep, @TimEd probably our best option in regards to raising up our family members is informing them of everything we know so they can actually make an informed decision.
Qingge I don't expect to be able to cultivate due to Talent degradation, but it's not impossible. Question then of course becomes whether she'd want to, which is a whole 'nother kettle of thought. She probably would due to a desire to live with her daughters more and such, but I wouldn't expect her to be as starry eyed in regards to nobles as for example Suyin was till all that crap with her went down.
Biyu is of indeterminate age(I at least don't remember one being mentioned), likely at least half Qi's age, and so won't be able to really effectively cultivate for another seven years or so if she has the talent to. Which she may not due to reasons we probably won't understand. I.e we'll be somewhere up in Cyan before she hits her stride around 14 years old and so have a lot of time to figure out how we want to do things. Now, she may not actually want to cultivate as an outside possibility, but that's reeeeallly far down the totem pole of possibilities and in my estimation it's chances of being true are below the chances of her strictly not being able to.
If it turns out that Biyu is able to, and is willing to, I'd actually greatly enjoy reading about Qi training her because I become almost deliriously happy whenever I imagine a Cyan Ling Qi teaching a disciple! Also more family time will be a biiiiiiig help with what we are building Ling Qi to be.
All of the above is also sorted into how we set up our Clan Home(Which is super special important considering our Domain), and in how we set up our Clan's revenue(what do we want to do for money) and also it's basic political alliances.
Qingge I don't expect to be able to cultivate due to Talent degradation, but it's not impossible. Question then of course becomes whether she'd want to, which is a whole 'nother kettle of thought. She probably would due to a desire to live with her daughters more and such, but I wouldn't expect her to be as starry eyed in regards to nobles as for example Suyin was till all that crap with her went down.
Biyu is of indeterminate age(I at least don't remember one being mentioned), likely at least half Qi's age, and so won't be able to really effectively cultivate for another seven years or so if she has the talent to. Which she may not due to reasons we probably won't understand. I.e we'll be somewhere up in Cyan before she hits her stride around 14 years old and so have a lot of time to figure out how we want to do things. Now, she may not actually want to cultivate as an outside possibility, but that's reeeeallly far down the totem pole of possibilities and in my estimation it's chances of being true are below the chances of her strictly not being able to.
If it turns out that Biyu is able to, and is willing to, I'd actually greatly enjoy reading about Qi training her because I become almost deliriously happy whenever I imagine a Cyan Ling Qi teaching a disciple! Also more family time will be a biiiiiiig help with what we are building Ling Qi to be.
All of the above is also sorted into how we set up our Clan Home(Which is super special important considering our Domain), and in how we set up our Clan's revenue(what do we want to do for money) and also it's basic political alliances.
Last edited:
- Location
- Third planet from the star named Sol
- Pronouns
- He/They
Ling Qi ran away when she was ten, so at most Biyu will be five by the time tournament is over.
By the way, has Ling Qi's birthday ever come up? Would be kinda funny if Ling Qingge arrived right on the day her daughter turned 15.
BungieONI
Seven gremlins in a trench coat
- Location
- Lickwidget
- Pronouns
- She/Her
It did come up, happened somewhere between now and the party Zeqing threw.
- Location
- Third planet from the star named Sol
- Pronouns
- He/They
Oh right.
Year 43, week 41, Part 3
[X] Plan Lunar Arts
-[X] Overflow to spiritual, vent drip to AS, EPC successes to SCS
-[X] Use 2 virtual and 2 regular YSS (20), 10 dice Moon pills (40), 5 dice Music pills (15), 5 dice Water pills (10), Heavy Rains Pill (15), (total 100 rss)
-[X] Cultivate in the White Room
--[X] Leg Meridian
--[X] With Xiulan
--[X] (attached minor) Perhaps Xiulan could use some help. Track down her training ground and see what she's been up too.
-[X] Train Music arts with Zeqing
--[X] FVM
-[X] Hire a Tutor (30 sect points)
--[X] EPC/occult
--[X] PLR/expression
-[X] Attempt to placate the Dragon of the Valley
-[X] Take a job
--[X] Tournament Preparations
-[X] (minor) Invite Meizhen out shopping, you could use some advice for what to look for in flying swords
-[X] (minor) You… should probably look into what Sixiang is actually doing. The spirit did follow you home.
-[X] (minor) Zhengui's efforts are coming along well, but Gu Tai mentioned that he might be able to help, take him up on it
"Your new spirit lives in your shadow?" Ling Qi asked, glancing down at her friends feet. She had noticed how dark her shadow had been a few times recently, but she had assumed it an effect of an art, or recently her domain.
"It is my shadow, so long as our bond remains," Bai Meizhen replied without breaking stride as they crossed the plaza, heading for the entrance to the Sect's main office. "Do not tell me something as small as this truly still surprises you, Ling Qi."
"I suppose not," Ling Qi admitted. "Why not just house it in your dantian, like normal though?"
"Because Heartbursting Phantasms are incorporeal spirits, and because it will make it more likely for the emerging personality to be complementary to my own," Meizhen explained patiently. Apparently her Grandfathers idea of a thouhgtful gift was a spirit composed of the congealed terror from a old battlefield, from when the Thousand lakes still bordered barbarian lands.
Ling Qi wasn't sure she ever wanted to get a look into a Bai storehouse. Something in there would probably eat her. "I guess it won't be as chatty as Cui then? What does something like that feel like through your bond anyway?"
"It is… somewhat strange," her friend admitted as they passed through the doorway. "The spirit does not perceive things through human senses, and its thoughts remain difficult to parse. I have no doubts about my ability to command it however, spirits such as this have little enough ego in their base states."
"Of course not, you're far more frightening than any wisp of a spirit," Ling Qi replied lightly.
Meizhen glanced her way and let out a small, nearly silent huff of amusement. "Good of you to notice. I have made some efforts in that direction."
Ling Qi considered her experience with the girls aura and the spike of intensity she had noticed in it over the weeks before. "...Is that what you chose to make your domain?" She asked quietly
Bai Meizhen looked at her, but didn't answer. Ling Qi flushed a little and glanced away. "Haha, sorry. That was a little rude to ask," She apologized a bit awkwardly.
"Really, do not forget yourself so easily," Meizhen sighed. "Let us proceed to the market."
The two of them waited patiently for a free official, and showed their passes, before being granted passage through the transport formation into the section of the inner market where they were allowed. Unlike the outer market, this place was quiet and mostly empty, the few stores set up here existing only for the benefit of a handful of disciples, with limited stocks and fixed prices.
"So, what should I be looking for in a a flying sword?" Ling Qi asked, breaking the silence as the formation shut down behind them. "What sort of qualities should I be searching for?"
"I would discount defensive ones for the moment. Your capabilities in that regard are already adequate," Bai Meizhen replied as they passed by the quiet pill dispensary, heading toward the most ornate shop in the section. "Your style requires more offense."
"I'm not sure you have room to criticize there," Ling Qi shot back playfully.
"And is my blade not sharp and quick as a vipers fangs?" her friend scoffed pridefully.
"... Fair," Ling Qi admitted, she remembered seeing the puppet Yan Renshu's flying shield crack under a single blow from that thing, and the few times Meizhen had brought it out in a spar were quick indeed. "Alright, so I want something stabby," she continued casually, ignoring the way her words made Meizhen twitch, since that was part of the fun. "What else should I look out for?"
"I suppose this is the sort of quality you will need to make do with," Meizhen said, her expression a tad sour as they left the shop.
"I thought the ones we sorted out at the end were pretty decent," Ling Qi replied, giving her friend an amused look. "We don't all have unlimited budgets you know."
"My allowance is hardly unlimited," Meizhen replied, there was a slight uncomfortable shift in her stance as she continued, as if she found the subject distasteful. "And I am… aware of the limits of a new houses finance."
"Well, it's nothing to worry about. I need to consider my options anyway," Ling Qi mused, resting her hands behind her head as she walked. "I might have a lead on something better."
"Oh?" her friend asked, glancing briefly her way before returning her gaze to the street ahead, her own hands held in front of her, hidden by her sleeves. "You believe you might have the location of a treasure?"
"I've advanced my cultivation art again," Ling Qi said agreeably. "So I have a new task from the Moon."
She caught the slight frown that briefly flickered across her friends expression, but didn't call attention to it. "And you believe it will result in acquiring a superior flying sword?"
"It would be nice, and I have always benefited from the tasks I've been given," Ling Qi said with a shrug. "But… I think I have more than enough arts to train, so I feel like the prize won't be one of those… even if it's not a weapon though, I'll probably profit and have more to spend on a better weapon."
They walked in companionable silence toward the exit after that, each lost in their own thoughts.
"...Nonetheless, you would do well to at begin practicing soon. Less than a season remains to you," Meizhen added. "Do not delay overmuch."
Ling Qi didn't intend too, she was all too aware of the looming end of the year.
Once she split up with Meizhen, the other girl heading off for her noontime tea and sewing session with Cai Renxiang, Ling Qi instead went off in search of her other friend, Xiulan. She knew the other girl was dedicated to improving right now, but she wanted to make sure the fiery girl wasn't going overboard.
Luckily, Xiulan wasn't particularly difficult to find. Once she had narrowed her search area a bit, the training ground stood out in her qi senses like a literal bonfire.
Significant parts of the field were, unsurprisingly, on fire when Ling Qi approached. Flames blazing merrily as they consumed targets and grass alike. "Xiulan, I don't think the Elders will be happy if you burn the mountain down," she said dryly as she approached within earshot.
Her friend, who had been leaning ona stone striking post, catching her breath, looked up as she approached. Xiulan's fine gown was streaked with soot and her hair was in slight disarray, strands escaping from the tight braids she kept it in. "As if I could do such a thing," Xiulan scoffed. "Besides, the flames are under control."
Ling Qi was about to voice her disagreement when she spotted motion within one of the bigger blazes. A little humanoid form emerged, dancing from the flickering tongues of flame, trailing sparks from the tendrils of actinic light that made up its wings. It had been some time since Ling Qi had seen Xiulan's spirit Linhuo, and it showed, the fairy of forest fires had gotten much bigger and more defined. Where she was once small enough to fit in the palm of a person's hand. The fairy was now a good sixty or seventy centimeters tall.
Contrary to her height though, the fairy seemed to have taken after Xiulan, and rather than a vaguely humanoid shape she now wore to body of a rather… gifted adult woman, shrunk to size and composed of multihued flame. The little spirit grinned at her when it saw Ling Qi looking, and did a little spin, the dark smoke that made up her hair drifting in the wind, before she darted off into the next fire.
"...Well, I suppose you would know," Ling Qi said instead, looking back to her friend. "It looks like you've been making a lot of progress."
"Indeed, Father has been kind enough to ensure that I might take full advantage of my newfound affinity for the Heavenly Arts," Xiulan replied proudly, gesturing to a boulder on the far side of a field. A molten hole was bored through its center, the melted stone still glowing faintly with heat. Her proud smirk fell a bit as she studied Ling Qi. "Congratulations on your breakthrough."
"Thank you," Ling Qi replied carefully, studying her friend, she was fully in the late stage of second realm, and even now her spirit was nearing the edge of it as well, if Ling Qi had to guess. "I look forward to saying the same thing, soon."
"Hah, perhaps," Xiulan replied airly, shooting her a knowing look. "I hardly need the encouragement."
"Maybe not, but I still wanted to give it anyway," Ling Qi replied, dipping her head slightly. "I'm glad you're doing well Xiulan."
"Of course I am," her friend replied, her confident expression back in place behind her veil as she crossed her arms. The flinch when her heavily a bandaged one brushed against the other was almost imperceptible. "What brings you here, Ling Qi? You must be quite busy yourself."
"I am," she replied with a nod. "I have a whole backlog of things that I need to cultivate," Ling Qi said agreeably. "But, I was about to take my turn in the White Room, but it is kind of sad to do that kind of thing on your own, so I thought I would see if you were free."
Gu Xiulan glanced away, and Ling Qi didn't miss the warring pride and gratitude in her friends eyes. "...Well, I suppose I can keep you company for a time," Xiulan replied. "I do need to clean up," she added, glancing down at herself with a grimace.
"Sounds good," Ling Qi said brightly, turning toward the entrance. She was glad her friend could put her pride aside and accept help. Then she paused though. "Do you want to take care of these?" She asked, gesturing to the guttering fires.
"Let Linhuo have her fun," Xiulan said airily, moving to walk beside her. "She knows not to get out of hand."
The crackling giggle that rang out as one of the fires puffed bigger, bright blue at its core, made Ling Qi doubt that. She supposed Xiulan would know though. She felt a little bad for whoever had the job of repairing these places though.
"So, what is this I have heard about you spending your nights a handsome, masked gentleman?" Xiulan asked lightly as they left the training ground. "Should I be offended on behalf of Tai?"
Ling Qi's stride faltered for a moment, and she blushed, scowling at Xiulan. "Don't say things in that way," she huffed. "Senior Brother Liao is just tutoring me this week."
"Of course he is," Xiulan replied teasingly. "You lucky girl, there are ladies in the inner sect who might fight you for your position. Liao Zhu is a popular fellow. He doesn't often socialize like that,"
"Weren't you going to get offended for Tai? How do you even hear about things like this?" Ling Qi grumbled, crossing her arms and looking away from her friend.
"There is nothing wrong with a little visual appreciation," Xiulan replied haughtily. "And it's not as if anything is finalized. As for how… Well Elder Sister Yanmei does enjoy sharing a bit of gossip now and then," she added with a grin. "Now tell me, is he as handsome as they say?"
"...He's never taken his mask off," Ling Qi replied, her eyes fixed on the ground, it would be hard to say this without blushing. "...Not sure I'd remember though. I have a hard time looking that high."
Xiulan blinked, staring at her in surprise, only to snort as Ling Qi started laughing to herself. "Hmph, so you do know how to loosen up yourself. I was worried I might have to consider you a hypocrite."
Of course the girl spent the entire trip down the mountain needling and teasing her after that. It was good to get her friends mind off of training, she only wished that she didn't have to make herself a target.
It felt good to relax a little. Despite her always foggy memories of the shimmering interior of the White Room, Ling Qi emerged feeling well rested. She and Xiulan did not hurry back up the mountain, but instead spent the time chatting, this time about their own respective training goals. As it turned out Xiulan did need some help, or at least a sparring partner, though she was reluctant to admit it.
She had a feeling the other girl was feeling a little lonely, frankly, though she wasn't rude enough to say it. Either way, she could join Xiulan to train now, though given the other girl's efforts, she would have to stick with cultivating defensive arts when training with Xiulan.
After she parted ways with Xiulan in the afternoon, Ling Qi headed back home to prepare herself and ensure Zhengui was taken care of for the evening. She had a dragon to confront, and a last tutoring session to attend afterword.
Soon enough, she stood a few dozen meters from the entrance to the dragon's veil, fingering a small stone talisman. It was little more than a smooth river rock, but when she had declared her intention to Gu Tai, he had pressed it into her hand.
"Consider it a gift for good luck. When river dragons strike, their movements are followed by a shadow of water, sharp as a well forged sword," he had said with a smile. "Just crush the stone before the battle, and it will disperse the force of a blow or two from that shadow."
"Is that really okay?" She had asked, looking down at the formation carved stone.
"I am courting you," he had replied with a dismissive gesture, making her glance away uncomfortably. "The Sect will not be angry over a few little tokens."
"I didn't mean that," Ling Qi had replied, though it was interesting to know that the Sect apparently frowned on too much outside interference. She wondered if there was some kind of limit to the aid disciples could receive, or if it was one of those unspoken agreement things. "I mean, can I really use an item like this and not taint the outcome in the dragons mind?"
"The only fair fight is one that you win," Gu Tai had replied, giving her an amused look. "Honor is a human concept. A dragon might be enraged by being defeated solely by a sneak attack or ambush, but they are hardly the sort to object to the use of treasures. The earliest formations come from the tongue of dragons."
Ling Qi took a deep breath, letting the memory drift away as she palmed the stone talisman and crushed it in her grip. It crumbled like wet sand, and she could suddenly feel the moisture in the air, being drawn to her skin. The talisman was meant for journeys in the wastes, and acting to draw in water from the air to keep a traveler hydrated, it would last all day.
In battle though, its power would be used up to disperse the force of water based attacks, thought the amount it could absorb was sharply limited. It would give her time to get her defensive arts set up.
Ling Qi shook off those thoughts as she reached the entrance of the Vale, she could see the fruit trees in the distance, their leaves made red by the light of sundown. She stopped a few meters from the river's edge and squared her shoulders as she prepared to speak.
"Honored Dragon, this disciple of the Argent Peak would speak with you!" She called loudly, letting her voice echo over the vale. She eyed the water carefully as she waited for him to merge, prepared to draw her flute in a moment.
She wasn't left to wait long. After only a bare minute, the water of the river began to churn and froth, and from it emerged the reptilian head of the azure scaled dragon. He seemed much bigger awake than he had asleep. His long snakelike neck brought his head far above hers, his green, reptilian eyes staring down at her with disdain as his short claws came to rest on the riverbank, his claws sinking into the mud. "For what reason do you interrupt my repose human?" The dragons voice was that of an arrogant boy around her own age, and it emerged from his open jaws without any movement of his teeth or tongue. "Do you have a message from my Venerable Mother?" He sounded expectant.
Well, he was going to be disappointed, as much as the idea alarmed the part of her mind that still remembered running from even the slightest threat. He was only a single step above her in the third realm. She could do this. "I am afraid not," she replied, inclining her head only slightly, as one would in a polite conversation with a peer. The dragon's eyes immediately narrowed. "I am here of my own volition. I intend to negotiate for the use of your Vale in cultivation."
"You overstep yourself, disciple," The dragon said coldly. "I see no gifts, no tribute to even cause me to consider such a thing. You have not even bowed properly to your superior. Get you gone, before my ire is aroused further."
"Tribute may be negotiated once certain matters are established," Ling Qi replied evenly, before raising her head, locking her eyes with the huge reptile's. Her heart was pounding, but if she never truly challenged herself, how would she know where she stood? "I have given to you all the respect that you have earned. If you think me rude, please present your arguments."
A low furious hiss was her only warning, before the river surged, up frothing and white capped to descend on her in a meters high wave. In that frozen insatnt, she could see the muddy river bottom, the stones gleaming in the evening sun.
Then she was a shadow, dancing away from the crashing waters with nary a drop touching even the hem of her gown. As cool and dark qi pulsed in her limbs, Ling Qi took off toward the stand of fruit trees, her slippered feet pattering soundlessly across the ground, bending not even a single blade of grass.
Her opponent was not so quiet. A roar that shook her to the very bone erupted from behind her, anda slight glance showed the serpentine beasts charging forth from the river, cloaked by coiling currents of water that wrapped around his form, and clung to his fangs and limbs. Yet she was the best friend of Bai Meizhen, such a paltry sound could not rouse the instinctive animal fear that it was meant to.
Her internal monologue had grown a little arrogant, hadn't it? Ling Qi thought idly, feeling detached as she put her full focus on the battle. Her flute appeared in her hand with a flicker, and the notes of her first melody rolled out across the vale a moment later, bringing with it the rolling mist. The Dragon charged in without a single concern, and she felt the effects of the mist take hold as it clung thickly to the beast, clouding his senses.
Yet she was not hidden, and so the wall of scale and muscle descending upon her found little trouble in homing in on her psotion at the edge of the trees. As she thought, if she remained close to them he would not risk further wide area attacks.
Yet the dragon was fast, so much faster than anything his size should be, She found further retreat cut off by his sinuous tail as his body wound through the trees, surrounding her where she played, and his claws flashed out, tearing through the air where she had stood moments before. As Gu Tai had warned, those currents of water followed in wake of his claws, and it was only his gift that stopped that razor lash from scoring a hit, on the initial blow.
With a better understanding of his speed, Ling Qi danced among the snapping fangs and razor claws, as she continued to play, her skin taking on a faint green glow as wood was layered over darkness, hardening her defenses further.
She felt qi flowing back into her from the roots beneath her feet, replenishing what little she had spent as she entered the next stage of her melody. The mist wrapped around the dragon much more tightly, heavy and draining, but the beast merely snarled, the jewel on his throat pulsing with light as he blew her mist away in a powerful surge of qi, leaving her briefly exposed.
She flitted through the storm of attacks that followed, retreating deeper into the trees. The dragon followed eagerly, winding his way among the smooth trunks the currents of water around his form boiling with fury.
Yet Ling Qi simply continued to play, calling the mist back to her, letting it pour from her flute and turn the stand of trees into a ghostly maze. She had felt it, after all. With her recovery, it cost him more to dispel her mist than it did for her to recall it, and he had not blown her technique away easily. She needed but hold out once.
The next exchange of blows used up the charm Gu Tai had given her, but by then, it had performed its purpose. With no thought for striking back, Ling Qi layered defense upon defense, his attacks biting at the the edges of her qi, scratching at armor of impenetrable wood, or passing through her like smoke
In the darkening vale, her mist was blown away again and again, yet it always crept back, called by her flute. Ling Qi wondered if this was like Meizhen felt like, fighting her, but no, that wasn't right. Even with all of her techniques up, there was an edge of desperation to her movements, the knowledge that if she slipped up even once the dragon would score a telling blow, as he ramped up his attacks to meet her defense, the raging current of his attacks only letting up when he had to pause to blow away her mist.
By the time the Dragon's qi guttered out, night had fallen, and Ling Qi was all the stronger for it.
"Are you satisfied now?" Ling Qi asked, finally lowering her flute, she had perhaps half of her own qi left, and so she let the haunting tune continue to play.
"...I am not defeated," The Dragon growled back, visible through her mist by his glowing eyes as she stalked a circle around , winding through the trees.
"You are," Ling Qi replied confidently, not letting anything but that emotion show. "You have spent yourself, and I am unmarked."
A low, rumbling growl of frustration escaped from him, and the dragon finally stopped pacing around her, though she could see the whiplike tip of his tail flicking agitatedly through the air. "You have not struck back, even once. You will tire yourself eventually human, and then you will see what a dragons might may do."
Ling Qi narrowed her eyes and raised her flute back to her lips, causing the dragon to tense. She blew a single sharp note and the ground in front of the dragon's feet exploded, showing the clearing with dirt at the child sized hole in the ground it left. "I refrained from striking back out of respect for your Venerable Mother, and nothing more. Will you hide behind her… scales?" she had wanted to say gowns, but ended up reaching for something more appropriate. This was harder than she thought.
The Dragon had taken a step back at her rebuke, and his glowing eyes narrowed, but she could see the fierce pride in his eyes. "...No. I would not. Your words are no lie," he sounded incredibly frustrated.
Given the number of perception and detection techniques he had used to keep up with her, she had no doubt that he could read the truth in her words. "Will you speak with me then?" She asked calmly. Almost as an afterthought she added. "I am Outer Disciple Ling Qi. I apologize for failing to introduce myself earlier," Despite her words, she kept her head high, staring down the looming beast in the dark.
"I bear the name Heizui, until the day I might earn my own," The dragon replied proudly, but at the same time she saw it, the slight lowering of his his head, his neck curving to bring him down to a more even height with her. "What do you offer in return for use of my Vale?"
"I believe I have shown you my skill as a musician," Ling Qi replied, her lips curving into a grin as the dragon twitched at that. "I had thought to offer you more pleasant songs, to pass the hours with. At least while I am present."
"And you request only to cultivate here, yourself?" He asked suspiciously, though without the condescension and scorn that had colored their first interaction. "I will not give my fruit, nor my fish to anyone."
"I would bring my spirit beast as well," Ling Qi replied evenly as the notes of her song began to fade. "He is a young Xuan Wu," she added, which seemed to mollify the dragon a little. "But no, I ask only to cultivate… and should I desire to bring anyone else, we can negotiate further tribute for their passage."
"...Acceptable," Heizui said after a moment. "Do not grow arrogant though, human. With this, I have seen where I am weak. Do not expect to find me so easy a foe again."
"Of course not," Ling Qi replied politely. "But I will not stand still either."
The dragon let out an irritable snort, sounding remarkably like a very big horse. "...You will leave now. You may cultivate during the day, when I might be awake to watch you."
"Thank you for your time," Ling Qi replied. "But please remember where we stand." It wasn;t in her nature, but Gu Tai's words reminded her to make sure that she didn;t let his respect slip away.
He stared at her and reluctantly lowered his head another inch. "My apologies, I am tired, and so spoke shortly."
Ling Qi nodded in satisfaction and turned away, leaving the Vale Behind. Only when she reached the mountain did she allow herself to sway and lean against a tree, the fatigue in her limbs making her tremble despite the qi still coursing through her channels. That had been the longest fight she had ever been in, and with her mist blown away again and again, she could not grow comfortable as she had with the mimic worm.
All the same, she couldn't help but grin. She had triumphed over a dragon. If that wasn't proof that she had grown strong, then what was?
Her tutor seemed a bit bemused when she arrived at their meeting point, practically skipping, but had let it pass without comment as they wrapped up their time together. She felt that she had impressed the older disciple with her growth and rapid mastery of her new art, though perhaps she was just seeing what she wished to see.
Income: 95 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
[] Train Music arts with Zeqing
[] Take a job
-[] Specify
[] Visit the Archive
-[] Search for a technique
-[] Study or improve formations
-[] Study another subject
[] Train with Gu Xiulan
-[] Defensive Arts only
[] Train with Meizhen
-[] Any
[] Cultivate in the White Room
-[] What?
-[] With who?
[] Head out to Search for the cavern shown to you in the Moon Quest
[] Cultivate on your own
-[] Physical
-[] Spiritual
-[] Qi
-[] Meridian (which one?)
-[] Art(Which one?)
[] You and Suyin could continue working on the pale manual formations, perhaps you could ask Xuan Shi for a tip or two?
[] Fulfill your offer with Su Ling, train her in Argent Current for another silverblood pill
[] Train Zhengui in the Vale, and keep an eye on him, the little glutton.
[] It is time to address the matter of Cai's offer, it seems she is being polite and giving you time to settle, but it would be best not tleave it for too long
[] XIulan seems to know a fair amount about the inner Sect from her sister, see what stories she has to tell.
[] Sixiang shouldn't be a problem for the moment, but you are interested. She said she was a muse after all, maybe she can help you improve your music?
[] Have a few lunches with Gu Tai, you like him well enough, and you are a little curious, maybe he has a few embarrassing stories about Xiulan to share
-[X] Overflow to spiritual, vent drip to AS, EPC successes to SCS
-[X] Use 2 virtual and 2 regular YSS (20), 10 dice Moon pills (40), 5 dice Music pills (15), 5 dice Water pills (10), Heavy Rains Pill (15), (total 100 rss)
-[X] Cultivate in the White Room
--[X] Leg Meridian
--[X] With Xiulan
--[X] (attached minor) Perhaps Xiulan could use some help. Track down her training ground and see what she's been up too.
-[X] Train Music arts with Zeqing
--[X] FVM
-[X] Hire a Tutor (30 sect points)
--[X] EPC/occult
--[X] PLR/expression
-[X] Attempt to placate the Dragon of the Valley
-[X] Take a job
--[X] Tournament Preparations
-[X] (minor) Invite Meizhen out shopping, you could use some advice for what to look for in flying swords
-[X] (minor) You… should probably look into what Sixiang is actually doing. The spirit did follow you home.
-[X] (minor) Zhengui's efforts are coming along well, but Gu Tai mentioned that he might be able to help, take him up on it
"Your new spirit lives in your shadow?" Ling Qi asked, glancing down at her friends feet. She had noticed how dark her shadow had been a few times recently, but she had assumed it an effect of an art, or recently her domain.
"It is my shadow, so long as our bond remains," Bai Meizhen replied without breaking stride as they crossed the plaza, heading for the entrance to the Sect's main office. "Do not tell me something as small as this truly still surprises you, Ling Qi."
"I suppose not," Ling Qi admitted. "Why not just house it in your dantian, like normal though?"
"Because Heartbursting Phantasms are incorporeal spirits, and because it will make it more likely for the emerging personality to be complementary to my own," Meizhen explained patiently. Apparently her Grandfathers idea of a thouhgtful gift was a spirit composed of the congealed terror from a old battlefield, from when the Thousand lakes still bordered barbarian lands.
Ling Qi wasn't sure she ever wanted to get a look into a Bai storehouse. Something in there would probably eat her. "I guess it won't be as chatty as Cui then? What does something like that feel like through your bond anyway?"
"It is… somewhat strange," her friend admitted as they passed through the doorway. "The spirit does not perceive things through human senses, and its thoughts remain difficult to parse. I have no doubts about my ability to command it however, spirits such as this have little enough ego in their base states."
"Of course not, you're far more frightening than any wisp of a spirit," Ling Qi replied lightly.
Meizhen glanced her way and let out a small, nearly silent huff of amusement. "Good of you to notice. I have made some efforts in that direction."
Ling Qi considered her experience with the girls aura and the spike of intensity she had noticed in it over the weeks before. "...Is that what you chose to make your domain?" She asked quietly
Bai Meizhen looked at her, but didn't answer. Ling Qi flushed a little and glanced away. "Haha, sorry. That was a little rude to ask," She apologized a bit awkwardly.
"Really, do not forget yourself so easily," Meizhen sighed. "Let us proceed to the market."
The two of them waited patiently for a free official, and showed their passes, before being granted passage through the transport formation into the section of the inner market where they were allowed. Unlike the outer market, this place was quiet and mostly empty, the few stores set up here existing only for the benefit of a handful of disciples, with limited stocks and fixed prices.
"So, what should I be looking for in a a flying sword?" Ling Qi asked, breaking the silence as the formation shut down behind them. "What sort of qualities should I be searching for?"
"I would discount defensive ones for the moment. Your capabilities in that regard are already adequate," Bai Meizhen replied as they passed by the quiet pill dispensary, heading toward the most ornate shop in the section. "Your style requires more offense."
"I'm not sure you have room to criticize there," Ling Qi shot back playfully.
"And is my blade not sharp and quick as a vipers fangs?" her friend scoffed pridefully.
"... Fair," Ling Qi admitted, she remembered seeing the puppet Yan Renshu's flying shield crack under a single blow from that thing, and the few times Meizhen had brought it out in a spar were quick indeed. "Alright, so I want something stabby," she continued casually, ignoring the way her words made Meizhen twitch, since that was part of the fun. "What else should I look out for?"
The Flying Sword, or Domain Weapon, as it is more properly called, is a staple of nearly all imperial cultivators who reach the third realm, as it serves as a potent training aid for developing control of ones own domain. A third realm cultivator may only have one domain weapon attuned at a time.
In combat a domain weapon acts independently from its user. It's turn takes place directly after the users, regardless of initiative, unless specified in the individual weapon description. Typically a beginners flying weapon may only attack or defend, relying solely on the users domain and attributes. To determine a flying weapons clash pool, add the two attributes or skills specified in its description, plus the number of attuned meridians in the weapon's element, then multiply them as specified in the domain tutorial in the previous section. Domain weapons only receive dice bonuses from effects which specify that they affect domain weapons, and all such bonuses are applied after multiplication.
Using a domain weapon in live combat adds progress to the the users domain cultivation, varying based on the difficulty of the battle.
Domain weapons, like armor, have durability, which when depleted causes the weapon to break. A broken domain weapon which remains attuned will repair itself over the course of 24 hours, though some things may slow or speed this. Domain weapons half all incoming damage from sources other than domain weapons, regardless of damage type.
A domain weapon will remain active for as long as its user has more than 0 qi, or until it is broken.
In combat a domain weapon acts independently from its user. It's turn takes place directly after the users, regardless of initiative, unless specified in the individual weapon description. Typically a beginners flying weapon may only attack or defend, relying solely on the users domain and attributes. To determine a flying weapons clash pool, add the two attributes or skills specified in its description, plus the number of attuned meridians in the weapon's element, then multiply them as specified in the domain tutorial in the previous section. Domain weapons only receive dice bonuses from effects which specify that they affect domain weapons, and all such bonuses are applied after multiplication.
Using a domain weapon in live combat adds progress to the the users domain cultivation, varying based on the difficulty of the battle.
Domain weapons, like armor, have durability, which when depleted causes the weapon to break. A broken domain weapon which remains attuned will repair itself over the course of 24 hours, though some things may slow or speed this. Domain weapons half all incoming damage from sources other than domain weapons, regardless of damage type.
A domain weapon will remain active for as long as its user has more than 0 qi, or until it is broken.
Neophyte's Blade
A simple hiltless blade made of plain high quality steel. Forged without elemental alignment, this blade is best used as a practice aid for those just beginning to touch their domains, but unsure of their long term wishes. DV 6. Durability 6. Neutral. Dexterity+Wits. 150 Red Stones
Glacial Fang
A curved blade carved from glittering blue tinted ice and inlaid with curving patterns of powdered onyx, whose touch freezes flesh and blood. Best used by cultivators who maintain a cool head in conflict. DV 9. Durability 10. Dexterity+Intelligence. Water. Deals 1 additional Cold damage on hit. 300 Red Stones
Falcon's talon
A long dagger of brilliant emerald, which strikes and flits away before the wounds it inflicts may even bleed. DV 7, Durability 10. Dexterity+Wits. Wind. Acts on user's initiative+4. 300 Red Stones
Custom Option: As with other talisman's you may request a custom blade. Specify an element, a form, and an attribute combo to receive a weapon the following week time.
A simple hiltless blade made of plain high quality steel. Forged without elemental alignment, this blade is best used as a practice aid for those just beginning to touch their domains, but unsure of their long term wishes. DV 6. Durability 6. Neutral. Dexterity+Wits. 150 Red Stones
Glacial Fang
A curved blade carved from glittering blue tinted ice and inlaid with curving patterns of powdered onyx, whose touch freezes flesh and blood. Best used by cultivators who maintain a cool head in conflict. DV 9. Durability 10. Dexterity+Intelligence. Water. Deals 1 additional Cold damage on hit. 300 Red Stones
Falcon's talon
A long dagger of brilliant emerald, which strikes and flits away before the wounds it inflicts may even bleed. DV 7, Durability 10. Dexterity+Wits. Wind. Acts on user's initiative+4. 300 Red Stones
Custom Option: As with other talisman's you may request a custom blade. Specify an element, a form, and an attribute combo to receive a weapon the following week time.
"I suppose this is the sort of quality you will need to make do with," Meizhen said, her expression a tad sour as they left the shop.
"I thought the ones we sorted out at the end were pretty decent," Ling Qi replied, giving her friend an amused look. "We don't all have unlimited budgets you know."
"My allowance is hardly unlimited," Meizhen replied, there was a slight uncomfortable shift in her stance as she continued, as if she found the subject distasteful. "And I am… aware of the limits of a new houses finance."
"Well, it's nothing to worry about. I need to consider my options anyway," Ling Qi mused, resting her hands behind her head as she walked. "I might have a lead on something better."
"Oh?" her friend asked, glancing briefly her way before returning her gaze to the street ahead, her own hands held in front of her, hidden by her sleeves. "You believe you might have the location of a treasure?"
"I've advanced my cultivation art again," Ling Qi said agreeably. "So I have a new task from the Moon."
She caught the slight frown that briefly flickered across her friends expression, but didn't call attention to it. "And you believe it will result in acquiring a superior flying sword?"
"It would be nice, and I have always benefited from the tasks I've been given," Ling Qi said with a shrug. "But… I think I have more than enough arts to train, so I feel like the prize won't be one of those… even if it's not a weapon though, I'll probably profit and have more to spend on a better weapon."
They walked in companionable silence toward the exit after that, each lost in their own thoughts.
"...Nonetheless, you would do well to at begin practicing soon. Less than a season remains to you," Meizhen added. "Do not delay overmuch."
Ling Qi didn't intend too, she was all too aware of the looming end of the year.
Once she split up with Meizhen, the other girl heading off for her noontime tea and sewing session with Cai Renxiang, Ling Qi instead went off in search of her other friend, Xiulan. She knew the other girl was dedicated to improving right now, but she wanted to make sure the fiery girl wasn't going overboard.
Luckily, Xiulan wasn't particularly difficult to find. Once she had narrowed her search area a bit, the training ground stood out in her qi senses like a literal bonfire.
Significant parts of the field were, unsurprisingly, on fire when Ling Qi approached. Flames blazing merrily as they consumed targets and grass alike. "Xiulan, I don't think the Elders will be happy if you burn the mountain down," she said dryly as she approached within earshot.
Her friend, who had been leaning ona stone striking post, catching her breath, looked up as she approached. Xiulan's fine gown was streaked with soot and her hair was in slight disarray, strands escaping from the tight braids she kept it in. "As if I could do such a thing," Xiulan scoffed. "Besides, the flames are under control."
Ling Qi was about to voice her disagreement when she spotted motion within one of the bigger blazes. A little humanoid form emerged, dancing from the flickering tongues of flame, trailing sparks from the tendrils of actinic light that made up its wings. It had been some time since Ling Qi had seen Xiulan's spirit Linhuo, and it showed, the fairy of forest fires had gotten much bigger and more defined. Where she was once small enough to fit in the palm of a person's hand. The fairy was now a good sixty or seventy centimeters tall.
Contrary to her height though, the fairy seemed to have taken after Xiulan, and rather than a vaguely humanoid shape she now wore to body of a rather… gifted adult woman, shrunk to size and composed of multihued flame. The little spirit grinned at her when it saw Ling Qi looking, and did a little spin, the dark smoke that made up her hair drifting in the wind, before she darted off into the next fire.
"...Well, I suppose you would know," Ling Qi said instead, looking back to her friend. "It looks like you've been making a lot of progress."
"Indeed, Father has been kind enough to ensure that I might take full advantage of my newfound affinity for the Heavenly Arts," Xiulan replied proudly, gesturing to a boulder on the far side of a field. A molten hole was bored through its center, the melted stone still glowing faintly with heat. Her proud smirk fell a bit as she studied Ling Qi. "Congratulations on your breakthrough."
"Thank you," Ling Qi replied carefully, studying her friend, she was fully in the late stage of second realm, and even now her spirit was nearing the edge of it as well, if Ling Qi had to guess. "I look forward to saying the same thing, soon."
"Hah, perhaps," Xiulan replied airly, shooting her a knowing look. "I hardly need the encouragement."
"Maybe not, but I still wanted to give it anyway," Ling Qi replied, dipping her head slightly. "I'm glad you're doing well Xiulan."
"Of course I am," her friend replied, her confident expression back in place behind her veil as she crossed her arms. The flinch when her heavily a bandaged one brushed against the other was almost imperceptible. "What brings you here, Ling Qi? You must be quite busy yourself."
"I am," she replied with a nod. "I have a whole backlog of things that I need to cultivate," Ling Qi said agreeably. "But, I was about to take my turn in the White Room, but it is kind of sad to do that kind of thing on your own, so I thought I would see if you were free."
Gu Xiulan glanced away, and Ling Qi didn't miss the warring pride and gratitude in her friends eyes. "...Well, I suppose I can keep you company for a time," Xiulan replied. "I do need to clean up," she added, glancing down at herself with a grimace.
"Sounds good," Ling Qi said brightly, turning toward the entrance. She was glad her friend could put her pride aside and accept help. Then she paused though. "Do you want to take care of these?" She asked, gesturing to the guttering fires.
"Let Linhuo have her fun," Xiulan said airily, moving to walk beside her. "She knows not to get out of hand."
The crackling giggle that rang out as one of the fires puffed bigger, bright blue at its core, made Ling Qi doubt that. She supposed Xiulan would know though. She felt a little bad for whoever had the job of repairing these places though.
"So, what is this I have heard about you spending your nights a handsome, masked gentleman?" Xiulan asked lightly as they left the training ground. "Should I be offended on behalf of Tai?"
Ling Qi's stride faltered for a moment, and she blushed, scowling at Xiulan. "Don't say things in that way," she huffed. "Senior Brother Liao is just tutoring me this week."
"Of course he is," Xiulan replied teasingly. "You lucky girl, there are ladies in the inner sect who might fight you for your position. Liao Zhu is a popular fellow. He doesn't often socialize like that,"
"Weren't you going to get offended for Tai? How do you even hear about things like this?" Ling Qi grumbled, crossing her arms and looking away from her friend.
"There is nothing wrong with a little visual appreciation," Xiulan replied haughtily. "And it's not as if anything is finalized. As for how… Well Elder Sister Yanmei does enjoy sharing a bit of gossip now and then," she added with a grin. "Now tell me, is he as handsome as they say?"
"...He's never taken his mask off," Ling Qi replied, her eyes fixed on the ground, it would be hard to say this without blushing. "...Not sure I'd remember though. I have a hard time looking that high."
Xiulan blinked, staring at her in surprise, only to snort as Ling Qi started laughing to herself. "Hmph, so you do know how to loosen up yourself. I was worried I might have to consider you a hypocrite."
Of course the girl spent the entire trip down the mountain needling and teasing her after that. It was good to get her friends mind off of training, she only wished that she didn't have to make herself a target.
White Room 30 + YSS 35 + Xiulan 5 + Pills 6 + Larceny 5 = 81 + 11 autos (Talent 6, Bronze 5)
5 1 8 7 1 8 3 2 7 2 1 10 3 2 4 6 1 3 9 1 8 1 5 5 10 10 2 8 6 6 6 1 8 5 9 8 2 1 2 8 4 2 9 8 3 3 4 5 7 4 8 5 4 2 9 6 3 3 5 9 8 10 1 7 6 1 5 9 4 6 6 7 9 7 5 3 1 10 9 7 3. 43 successes
Rerolling 11
5 6 6 10 6 5 5 1 6 10 3. 5 successes. 11 auto. 59 total
59/30
New Meridian Opened!
29 overflow to Spiritual
182/1200
5 1 8 7 1 8 3 2 7 2 1 10 3 2 4 6 1 3 9 1 8 1 5 5 10 10 2 8 6 6 6 1 8 5 9 8 2 1 2 8 4 2 9 8 3 3 4 5 7 4 8 5 4 2 9 6 3 3 5 9 8 10 1 7 6 1 5 9 4 6 6 7 9 7 5 3 1 10 9 7 3. 43 successes
Rerolling 11
5 6 6 10 6 5 5 1 6 10 3. 5 successes. 11 auto. 59 total
59/30
New Meridian Opened!
29 overflow to Spiritual
182/1200
It felt good to relax a little. Despite her always foggy memories of the shimmering interior of the White Room, Ling Qi emerged feeling well rested. She and Xiulan did not hurry back up the mountain, but instead spent the time chatting, this time about their own respective training goals. As it turned out Xiulan did need some help, or at least a sparring partner, though she was reluctant to admit it.
She had a feeling the other girl was feeling a little lonely, frankly, though she wasn't rude enough to say it. Either way, she could join Xiulan to train now, though given the other girl's efforts, she would have to stick with cultivating defensive arts when training with Xiulan.
After she parted ways with Xiulan in the afternoon, Ling Qi headed back home to prepare herself and ensure Zhengui was taken care of for the evening. She had a dragon to confront, and a last tutoring session to attend afterword.
Soon enough, she stood a few dozen meters from the entrance to the dragon's veil, fingering a small stone talisman. It was little more than a smooth river rock, but when she had declared her intention to Gu Tai, he had pressed it into her hand.
"Consider it a gift for good luck. When river dragons strike, their movements are followed by a shadow of water, sharp as a well forged sword," he had said with a smile. "Just crush the stone before the battle, and it will disperse the force of a blow or two from that shadow."
"Is that really okay?" She had asked, looking down at the formation carved stone.
"I am courting you," he had replied with a dismissive gesture, making her glance away uncomfortably. "The Sect will not be angry over a few little tokens."
"I didn't mean that," Ling Qi had replied, though it was interesting to know that the Sect apparently frowned on too much outside interference. She wondered if there was some kind of limit to the aid disciples could receive, or if it was one of those unspoken agreement things. "I mean, can I really use an item like this and not taint the outcome in the dragons mind?"
"The only fair fight is one that you win," Gu Tai had replied, giving her an amused look. "Honor is a human concept. A dragon might be enraged by being defeated solely by a sneak attack or ambush, but they are hardly the sort to object to the use of treasures. The earliest formations come from the tongue of dragons."
Ling Qi took a deep breath, letting the memory drift away as she palmed the stone talisman and crushed it in her grip. It crumbled like wet sand, and she could suddenly feel the moisture in the air, being drawn to her skin. The talisman was meant for journeys in the wastes, and acting to draw in water from the air to keep a traveler hydrated, it would last all day.
In battle though, its power would be used up to disperse the force of water based attacks, thought the amount it could absorb was sharply limited. It would give her time to get her defensive arts set up.
Ling Qi shook off those thoughts as she reached the entrance of the Vale, she could see the fruit trees in the distance, their leaves made red by the light of sundown. She stopped a few meters from the river's edge and squared her shoulders as she prepared to speak.
"Honored Dragon, this disciple of the Argent Peak would speak with you!" She called loudly, letting her voice echo over the vale. She eyed the water carefully as she waited for him to merge, prepared to draw her flute in a moment.
She wasn't left to wait long. After only a bare minute, the water of the river began to churn and froth, and from it emerged the reptilian head of the azure scaled dragon. He seemed much bigger awake than he had asleep. His long snakelike neck brought his head far above hers, his green, reptilian eyes staring down at her with disdain as his short claws came to rest on the riverbank, his claws sinking into the mud. "For what reason do you interrupt my repose human?" The dragons voice was that of an arrogant boy around her own age, and it emerged from his open jaws without any movement of his teeth or tongue. "Do you have a message from my Venerable Mother?" He sounded expectant.
Well, he was going to be disappointed, as much as the idea alarmed the part of her mind that still remembered running from even the slightest threat. He was only a single step above her in the third realm. She could do this. "I am afraid not," she replied, inclining her head only slightly, as one would in a polite conversation with a peer. The dragon's eyes immediately narrowed. "I am here of my own volition. I intend to negotiate for the use of your Vale in cultivation."
"You overstep yourself, disciple," The dragon said coldly. "I see no gifts, no tribute to even cause me to consider such a thing. You have not even bowed properly to your superior. Get you gone, before my ire is aroused further."
"Tribute may be negotiated once certain matters are established," Ling Qi replied evenly, before raising her head, locking her eyes with the huge reptile's. Her heart was pounding, but if she never truly challenged herself, how would she know where she stood? "I have given to you all the respect that you have earned. If you think me rude, please present your arguments."
A low furious hiss was her only warning, before the river surged, up frothing and white capped to descend on her in a meters high wave. In that frozen insatnt, she could see the muddy river bottom, the stones gleaming in the evening sun.
Then she was a shadow, dancing away from the crashing waters with nary a drop touching even the hem of her gown. As cool and dark qi pulsed in her limbs, Ling Qi took off toward the stand of fruit trees, her slippered feet pattering soundlessly across the ground, bending not even a single blade of grass.
Her opponent was not so quiet. A roar that shook her to the very bone erupted from behind her, anda slight glance showed the serpentine beasts charging forth from the river, cloaked by coiling currents of water that wrapped around his form, and clung to his fangs and limbs. Yet she was the best friend of Bai Meizhen, such a paltry sound could not rouse the instinctive animal fear that it was meant to.
Her internal monologue had grown a little arrogant, hadn't it? Ling Qi thought idly, feeling detached as she put her full focus on the battle. Her flute appeared in her hand with a flicker, and the notes of her first melody rolled out across the vale a moment later, bringing with it the rolling mist. The Dragon charged in without a single concern, and she felt the effects of the mist take hold as it clung thickly to the beast, clouding his senses.
Yet she was not hidden, and so the wall of scale and muscle descending upon her found little trouble in homing in on her psotion at the edge of the trees. As she thought, if she remained close to them he would not risk further wide area attacks.
Yet the dragon was fast, so much faster than anything his size should be, She found further retreat cut off by his sinuous tail as his body wound through the trees, surrounding her where she played, and his claws flashed out, tearing through the air where she had stood moments before. As Gu Tai had warned, those currents of water followed in wake of his claws, and it was only his gift that stopped that razor lash from scoring a hit, on the initial blow.
With a better understanding of his speed, Ling Qi danced among the snapping fangs and razor claws, as she continued to play, her skin taking on a faint green glow as wood was layered over darkness, hardening her defenses further.
She felt qi flowing back into her from the roots beneath her feet, replenishing what little she had spent as she entered the next stage of her melody. The mist wrapped around the dragon much more tightly, heavy and draining, but the beast merely snarled, the jewel on his throat pulsing with light as he blew her mist away in a powerful surge of qi, leaving her briefly exposed.
She flitted through the storm of attacks that followed, retreating deeper into the trees. The dragon followed eagerly, winding his way among the smooth trunks the currents of water around his form boiling with fury.
Yet Ling Qi simply continued to play, calling the mist back to her, letting it pour from her flute and turn the stand of trees into a ghostly maze. She had felt it, after all. With her recovery, it cost him more to dispel her mist than it did for her to recall it, and he had not blown her technique away easily. She needed but hold out once.
The next exchange of blows used up the charm Gu Tai had given her, but by then, it had performed its purpose. With no thought for striking back, Ling Qi layered defense upon defense, his attacks biting at the the edges of her qi, scratching at armor of impenetrable wood, or passing through her like smoke
In the darkening vale, her mist was blown away again and again, yet it always crept back, called by her flute. Ling Qi wondered if this was like Meizhen felt like, fighting her, but no, that wasn't right. Even with all of her techniques up, there was an edge of desperation to her movements, the knowledge that if she slipped up even once the dragon would score a telling blow, as he ramped up his attacks to meet her defense, the raging current of his attacks only letting up when he had to pause to blow away her mist.
By the time the Dragon's qi guttered out, night had fallen, and Ling Qi was all the stronger for it.
"Are you satisfied now?" Ling Qi asked, finally lowering her flute, she had perhaps half of her own qi left, and so she let the haunting tune continue to play.
"...I am not defeated," The Dragon growled back, visible through her mist by his glowing eyes as she stalked a circle around , winding through the trees.
"You are," Ling Qi replied confidently, not letting anything but that emotion show. "You have spent yourself, and I am unmarked."
A low, rumbling growl of frustration escaped from him, and the dragon finally stopped pacing around her, though she could see the whiplike tip of his tail flicking agitatedly through the air. "You have not struck back, even once. You will tire yourself eventually human, and then you will see what a dragons might may do."
Ling Qi narrowed her eyes and raised her flute back to her lips, causing the dragon to tense. She blew a single sharp note and the ground in front of the dragon's feet exploded, showing the clearing with dirt at the child sized hole in the ground it left. "I refrained from striking back out of respect for your Venerable Mother, and nothing more. Will you hide behind her… scales?" she had wanted to say gowns, but ended up reaching for something more appropriate. This was harder than she thought.
The Dragon had taken a step back at her rebuke, and his glowing eyes narrowed, but she could see the fierce pride in his eyes. "...No. I would not. Your words are no lie," he sounded incredibly frustrated.
Given the number of perception and detection techniques he had used to keep up with her, she had no doubt that he could read the truth in her words. "Will you speak with me then?" She asked calmly. Almost as an afterthought she added. "I am Outer Disciple Ling Qi. I apologize for failing to introduce myself earlier," Despite her words, she kept her head high, staring down the looming beast in the dark.
"I bear the name Heizui, until the day I might earn my own," The dragon replied proudly, but at the same time she saw it, the slight lowering of his his head, his neck curving to bring him down to a more even height with her. "What do you offer in return for use of my Vale?"
"I believe I have shown you my skill as a musician," Ling Qi replied, her lips curving into a grin as the dragon twitched at that. "I had thought to offer you more pleasant songs, to pass the hours with. At least while I am present."
"And you request only to cultivate here, yourself?" He asked suspiciously, though without the condescension and scorn that had colored their first interaction. "I will not give my fruit, nor my fish to anyone."
"I would bring my spirit beast as well," Ling Qi replied evenly as the notes of her song began to fade. "He is a young Xuan Wu," she added, which seemed to mollify the dragon a little. "But no, I ask only to cultivate… and should I desire to bring anyone else, we can negotiate further tribute for their passage."
"...Acceptable," Heizui said after a moment. "Do not grow arrogant though, human. With this, I have seen where I am weak. Do not expect to find me so easy a foe again."
"Of course not," Ling Qi replied politely. "But I will not stand still either."
The dragon let out an irritable snort, sounding remarkably like a very big horse. "...You will leave now. You may cultivate during the day, when I might be awake to watch you."
"Thank you for your time," Ling Qi replied. "But please remember where we stand." It wasn;t in her nature, but Gu Tai's words reminded her to make sure that she didn;t let his respect slip away.
He stared at her and reluctantly lowered his head another inch. "My apologies, I am tired, and so spoke shortly."
Ling Qi nodded in satisfaction and turned away, leaving the Vale Behind. Only when she reached the mountain did she allow herself to sway and lean against a tree, the fatigue in her limbs making her tremble despite the qi still coursing through her channels. That had been the longest fight she had ever been in, and with her mist blown away again and again, she could not grow comfortable as she had with the mimic worm.
All the same, she couldn't help but grin. She had triumphed over a dragon. If that wasn't proof that she had grown strong, then what was?
Her tutor seemed a bit bemused when she arrived at their meeting point, practically skipping, but had let it pass without comment as they wrapped up their time together. She felt that she had impressed the older disciple with her growth and rapid mastery of her new art, though perhaps she was just seeing what she wished to see.
Precombat
Ling Qi activates Wastelander's Boon
Next four damage dealt by a water based technique prevented
Round 1
Hezui activates River God's Fury(instant), Attacks with Torrential Stream
Dex 7+Power 6+Passive 6+Equip 2+ Activation 3+RGF 4+TS 6-AOE mod 2=31 dice +1 Auto Cultivation
10 4 7 7 4 9 3 10 1 6 2 7 4 4 3 6 1 6 1 3 5 5 10 4 8 6 1 7 7 8 2. 11 successes
River God's Jewel rerolls 10's
6 3 5. 0 successes. 1 auto. 12 total
Ling Qi activates Crescent's Grace
Dex 6 + Dodge 6 + Passives 8 (TRF 4, AS 4) + Equip 4 (Robe 4)+Activation 3+CG 6 = 33 Dice
4 5 10 2 8 6 10 9 8 5 5 9 9 2 10 10 4 10 2 7 8 1 9 8 10 4 7 10 10 9 5 3 3. 19 successes
No Damage
End Round
Ling Qi 67/81
Heizui 82/85
Round 2
Ling Qi activates Mist of the Vale+Diapason
Manip 6 + Expr 7 + Passives 4 (Zhengui 2, Dark 2, FSS 2) + Equip 6 (Flute 4, Pin 2)+ Activation 2+DLT 2 = 29 dice
3 6 8 2 1 10 9 8 10 3 9 8 8 10 6 6 10 6 2 10 3 5 5 8 9 10 5 8 6. 15 successes
Heizui activates Discerning Royal Eye
Resolve 7+ Resilience 5+ Passive 6+ Activation 3+ DRE 4= 25 dice
6 8 2 1 3 2 3 10 6 8 9 9 6 9 6 7 9 7 1 4 9 1 9 9 9. 13 successes
Rerolling 10's
Diapason succeed's
-3 on single target attacks
-3 perception
-4 defense
Heizui activates River God's Encirclement(Instant), Attacks with Azure Flash
Dex 7+Power 6+Passive 6+Equip 2+ Activation 3+RGF 4+RGE 3+ AF 6- Mist 3=33 dice +1 Auto Cultivation
2 1 7 10 4 3 8 7 10 7 6 10 1 4 3 7 5 10 1 8 2 1 7 5 1 2 10 6 6 4 6 7 4. 13 successes.
Rerolling 10's
7 2 4 5 8. 2 successes. 1 auto. 16 total
Second Attack
3 8 7 9 2 4 2 3 1 4 2 9 4 8 8 7 7 5 7 9 1 3 3 3 6 4 4 2 6 3 3 8 10. 12 successes
Rerolling 10's
Ling Qi activates Ten Ring Defense
Dex 6 + Dodge 6 + Passives 8 (TRF 4, AS 4) + Equip 4 (Robe 4)+Activation 2+CG 6+TRD 3+2 Water tech = 37 Dice
4 10 3 9 8 10 2 3 8 7 5 1 1 8 6 9 10 6 1 7 6 8 1 9 2 9 4 2 8 3 7 3 2 9 1 2 1. 16 successes
Draw, Wastelanders Boon absorbs 2 bonus water damage
Second Attack(-2 multi). 35 dice
10 2 2 9 9 2 7 7 4 7 5 7 6 8 8 2 9 1 2 8 10 9 1 7 2 5 3 6 5 9 7 6 3 8 5
You had 17 successes.
No damage
Ling Qi recovers 2 qi
End Turn
Ling Qi 67/81
Heizui
78/85
Round 3
Ling Qi Activates Starlit Elegy
Manip 6 + Expr 7 + Passives 4 (Zhengui 2, Dark 2, FSS 2) + Equip 6 (Flute 4, Pin 2)+ Activation 3+SE 2 = 30 dice
1 1 9 7 8 10 10 1 6 6 10 10 2 6 9 4 6 7 2 10 6 3 4 1 10 7 7 5 8 3. 14 successes
Heizui Activates King's Will
Resolve 7+ Resilience 5+ Passive 6+ Activation 3+ DRE 4+KW 4-DLT 4= 25 dice
2 1 5 1 6 4 3 8 8 5 7 7 7 6 4 6 7 5 1 10 8 2 1 10 6. 9 successes
Rerolling 10's
7 7. 2 successes. 11 total
SE successes
Heizui resolve test
6 10 2 9 3 6 10. 3 successes. Pass
Heizui activates Royal Rebuke, Attacks with Azure Flash
Royal Rebuke Dispel attempt
Presence 6+RR 3+bonus 2. 11 dice
2 1 10 10 9 9 4 4 2 6 8. 5 successes
Rerolling 10's
5 4. 0 successes.
Ling Qi's resistance
Resolve 5+ Mist/SE 3+2 AM. 10 dice
8 7 9 5 6 4 5 6 2 9. 3 successes
Mist dispelled
Dex 7+Power 6+Passive 6+Equip 2+RGF 4+RGE 3+ AF 6=33 dice +1 Auto Cultivation
7 7 3 7 5 5 10 6 8 4 1 5 10 1 3 4 1 8 6 6 10 6 2 7 1 1 2 2 4 6 3 10 3. 10 successes.
Rerolling 10's
9 1 8 2. 2 successes. 1 auto. 13 total
7 9 3 4 6 7 4 6 6 1 6 2 3 1 3 2 8 3 5 7 10 4 5 6 2 4 1 9 1 1 8 9 1. 9 successes
Rerolling 10's
Ling Qi activates Formless Shade
Dex 6 + Dodge 6 + Passives 8 (TRF 4, AS 4) + Equip 4 (Robe 4)+Activation 3+CG 6+TRD 3+2 Water tech = 38 Dice
9 3 10 7 9 8 7 8 10 2 6 2 1 3 10 3 6 5 1 4 6 3 4 4 7 10 9 9 4 9 3 5 3 2 1 4 2 7. 15 successes
10 2 8 3 7 6 6 10 8 6 10 4 4 2 5 4 6 1 4 5 6 3 3 9 9 7 10 2 4 4 2 4 6 9 6 2 5 3. 11 successes.
No damage.
Ling Qi recovers 2 qi
End Turn
Ling Qi
67/81
Heizui
74/85
Digression...
Ling Qi activates Wastelander's Boon
Next four damage dealt by a water based technique prevented
Round 1
Hezui activates River God's Fury(instant), Attacks with Torrential Stream
Dex 7+Power 6+Passive 6+Equip 2+ Activation 3+RGF 4+TS 6-AOE mod 2=31 dice +1 Auto Cultivation
10 4 7 7 4 9 3 10 1 6 2 7 4 4 3 6 1 6 1 3 5 5 10 4 8 6 1 7 7 8 2. 11 successes
River God's Jewel rerolls 10's
6 3 5. 0 successes. 1 auto. 12 total
Ling Qi activates Crescent's Grace
Dex 6 + Dodge 6 + Passives 8 (TRF 4, AS 4) + Equip 4 (Robe 4)+Activation 3+CG 6 = 33 Dice
4 5 10 2 8 6 10 9 8 5 5 9 9 2 10 10 4 10 2 7 8 1 9 8 10 4 7 10 10 9 5 3 3. 19 successes
No Damage
End Round
Ling Qi 67/81
Heizui 82/85
Round 2
Ling Qi activates Mist of the Vale+Diapason
Manip 6 + Expr 7 + Passives 4 (Zhengui 2, Dark 2, FSS 2) + Equip 6 (Flute 4, Pin 2)+ Activation 2+DLT 2 = 29 dice
3 6 8 2 1 10 9 8 10 3 9 8 8 10 6 6 10 6 2 10 3 5 5 8 9 10 5 8 6. 15 successes
Heizui activates Discerning Royal Eye
Resolve 7+ Resilience 5+ Passive 6+ Activation 3+ DRE 4= 25 dice
6 8 2 1 3 2 3 10 6 8 9 9 6 9 6 7 9 7 1 4 9 1 9 9 9. 13 successes
Rerolling 10's
- 0 successes
Diapason succeed's
-3 on single target attacks
-3 perception
-4 defense
Heizui activates River God's Encirclement(Instant), Attacks with Azure Flash
Dex 7+Power 6+Passive 6+Equip 2+ Activation 3+RGF 4+RGE 3+ AF 6- Mist 3=33 dice +1 Auto Cultivation
2 1 7 10 4 3 8 7 10 7 6 10 1 4 3 7 5 10 1 8 2 1 7 5 1 2 10 6 6 4 6 7 4. 13 successes.
Rerolling 10's
7 2 4 5 8. 2 successes. 1 auto. 16 total
Second Attack
3 8 7 9 2 4 2 3 1 4 2 9 4 8 8 7 7 5 7 9 1 3 3 3 6 4 4 2 6 3 3 8 10. 12 successes
Rerolling 10's
- 13 total
Ling Qi activates Ten Ring Defense
Dex 6 + Dodge 6 + Passives 8 (TRF 4, AS 4) + Equip 4 (Robe 4)+Activation 2+CG 6+TRD 3+2 Water tech = 37 Dice
4 10 3 9 8 10 2 3 8 7 5 1 1 8 6 9 10 6 1 7 6 8 1 9 2 9 4 2 8 3 7 3 2 9 1 2 1. 16 successes
Draw, Wastelanders Boon absorbs 2 bonus water damage
Second Attack(-2 multi). 35 dice
10 2 2 9 9 2 7 7 4 7 5 7 6 8 8 2 9 1 2 8 10 9 1 7 2 5 3 6 5 9 7 6 3 8 5
You had 17 successes.
No damage
Ling Qi recovers 2 qi
End Turn
Ling Qi 67/81
Heizui
78/85
Round 3
Ling Qi Activates Starlit Elegy
Manip 6 + Expr 7 + Passives 4 (Zhengui 2, Dark 2, FSS 2) + Equip 6 (Flute 4, Pin 2)+ Activation 3+SE 2 = 30 dice
1 1 9 7 8 10 10 1 6 6 10 10 2 6 9 4 6 7 2 10 6 3 4 1 10 7 7 5 8 3. 14 successes
Heizui Activates King's Will
Resolve 7+ Resilience 5+ Passive 6+ Activation 3+ DRE 4+KW 4-DLT 4= 25 dice
2 1 5 1 6 4 3 8 8 5 7 7 7 6 4 6 7 5 1 10 8 2 1 10 6. 9 successes
Rerolling 10's
7 7. 2 successes. 11 total
SE successes
Heizui resolve test
6 10 2 9 3 6 10. 3 successes. Pass
Heizui activates Royal Rebuke, Attacks with Azure Flash
Royal Rebuke Dispel attempt
Presence 6+RR 3+bonus 2. 11 dice
2 1 10 10 9 9 4 4 2 6 8. 5 successes
Rerolling 10's
5 4. 0 successes.
Ling Qi's resistance
Resolve 5+ Mist/SE 3+2 AM. 10 dice
8 7 9 5 6 4 5 6 2 9. 3 successes
Mist dispelled
Dex 7+Power 6+Passive 6+Equip 2+RGF 4+RGE 3+ AF 6=33 dice +1 Auto Cultivation
7 7 3 7 5 5 10 6 8 4 1 5 10 1 3 4 1 8 6 6 10 6 2 7 1 1 2 2 4 6 3 10 3. 10 successes.
Rerolling 10's
9 1 8 2. 2 successes. 1 auto. 13 total
7 9 3 4 6 7 4 6 6 1 6 2 3 1 3 2 8 3 5 7 10 4 5 6 2 4 1 9 1 1 8 9 1. 9 successes
Rerolling 10's
- 1 auto. 10 total
Ling Qi activates Formless Shade
Dex 6 + Dodge 6 + Passives 8 (TRF 4, AS 4) + Equip 4 (Robe 4)+Activation 3+CG 6+TRD 3+2 Water tech = 38 Dice
9 3 10 7 9 8 7 8 10 2 6 2 1 3 10 3 6 5 1 4 6 3 4 4 7 10 9 9 4 9 3 5 3 2 1 4 2 7. 15 successes
10 2 8 3 7 6 6 10 8 6 10 4 4 2 5 4 6 1 4 5 6 3 3 9 9 7 10 2 4 4 2 4 6 9 6 2 5 3. 11 successes.
No damage.
Ling Qi recovers 2 qi
End Turn
Ling Qi
67/81
Heizui
74/85
Digression...
Dexterity 3/45
Stamina 13/35
Intelligence 5/35
Wits 19/25
Resolve 5/35
Presence 9/20
Manipulation 5/45
Composure 5/35
Academics 4/15
Formations 4/21
Occult 3/15
Athletics 2/30
Ride 4/6
Stealth 3/30
Survival 13/15
Expression 9/42
Intimidation 2/9
Persuasion 5/15
Socialize 4/6
22 successes to SCS
15 Successes to Qi
5 Successes to Argent Storm
Forgotten Vale Melody Receives an alteration.
Mist of the Vale now adds a two die bonus toward when resisting a dispel
Stamina 13/35
Intelligence 5/35
Wits 19/25
Resolve 5/35
Presence 9/20
Manipulation 5/45
Composure 5/35
Academics 4/15
Formations 4/21
Occult 3/15
Athletics 2/30
Ride 4/6
Stealth 3/30
Survival 13/15
Expression 9/42
Intimidation 2/9
Persuasion 5/15
Socialize 4/6
22 successes to SCS
15 Successes to Qi
5 Successes to Argent Storm
Forgotten Vale Melody Receives an alteration.
Mist of the Vale now adds a two die bonus toward when resisting a dispel
Income: 95 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
[] Train Music arts with Zeqing
[] Take a job
-[] Specify
[] Visit the Archive
-[] Search for a technique
-[] Study or improve formations
-[] Study another subject
[] Train with Gu Xiulan
-[] Defensive Arts only
[] Train with Meizhen
-[] Any
[] Cultivate in the White Room
-[] What?
-[] With who?
[] Head out to Search for the cavern shown to you in the Moon Quest
[] Cultivate on your own
-[] Physical
-[] Spiritual
-[] Qi
-[] Meridian (which one?)
-[] Art(Which one?)
[] You and Suyin could continue working on the pale manual formations, perhaps you could ask Xuan Shi for a tip or two?
[] Fulfill your offer with Su Ling, train her in Argent Current for another silverblood pill
[] Train Zhengui in the Vale, and keep an eye on him, the little glutton.
[] It is time to address the matter of Cai's offer, it seems she is being polite and giving you time to settle, but it would be best not tleave it for too long
[] XIulan seems to know a fair amount about the inner Sect from her sister, see what stories she has to tell.
[] Sixiang shouldn't be a problem for the moment, but you are interested. She said she was a muse after all, maybe she can help you improve your music?
[] Have a few lunches with Gu Tai, you like him well enough, and you are a little curious, maybe he has a few embarrassing stories about Xiulan to share
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- Location
- Staring into the void
[] Headout to Search for the cavern shown to you in the Moon Quest
[] You and Suyin could continue working on the pale manual formations, perhaps you could ask Xuan Shi for a tip or two?
[] Fulfill your offer with Su Ling, train her in Argent Current for another silverblood pill
[] Train Zhengui in the Vale, and keep an eye on him, the little glutton.
[] It is time to address the matter of Cai's offer, it seems she is being polite and giving you time to settle, but it would be best not to leave it for too long
[] Sixiang shouldn't be a problem for the moment, but you are interested. She said she was a muse after all, maybe she can help you improve your music?
These are my must haves.
[] You and Suyin could continue working on the pale manual formations, perhaps you could ask Xuan Shi for a tip or two?
[] Fulfill your offer with Su Ling, train her in Argent Current for another silverblood pill
[] Train Zhengui in the Vale, and keep an eye on him, the little glutton.
[] It is time to address the matter of Cai's offer, it seems she is being polite and giving you time to settle, but it would be best not to leave it for too long
[] Sixiang shouldn't be a problem for the moment, but you are interested. She said she was a muse after all, maybe she can help you improve your music?
These are my must haves.
Well, that dragon fight went easier than expected, although with a little help from Gu Tai.
So, from the limited catalog of swords available, we can get hard-hitting slow or soft-hitting fast. Given Lin Qi's high initiative, I'd favor speed in order to strike first, and Dex+Int would be our best attributes. Wind or Water/Ice would work as elements
So, from the limited catalog of swords available, we can get hard-hitting slow or soft-hitting fast. Given Lin Qi's high initiative, I'd favor speed in order to strike first, and Dex+Int would be our best attributes. Wind or Water/Ice would work as elements
I would say wait with getting a Flying sword until after we done the Hidden Moon quest. Ling Qi might be overly optimistic about what she will get, but she got a point that she will probably have more resources and options open after she has done that.
- Location
- USA
So @yrsillar - I have a question about our dice during the dispell clash. Shouldn't we have "+2 to dice for resistiung dispel of darkness arts" from our breakthrough bonus and "Adds five bonus dice to all attempts to resist dispels on water and darkness techniques" from FVM? And for that matter, SE had taken hold, so shouldn't the dragon have had "a two die penalty on all clashes"? Not that it matters for this fight of course (what a win!!!) but I want to know for the future. Thanks!
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- Location
- Internet, The
remove "a"
"though"
I think, tt would flow better if the "Though the amount…" clause was attached to the following "It would giver her time…" clause instead of to the one before.
"and a"
"beast"
"wasn't"; "didn't"
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Kai Merah
Hound Hearted Hedonist
- Location
- Somewhere in the corners of my imagination
Oh man. That fight was great. I love the kind of ladylike attitude Ling Qi has going with the dragon. Polite, but with gems like "If you think me rude, please present your arguments." and after totally outclassing him and revealing that we could have hurt him any time "I apologize for failing to introduce myself earlier". It's beautifully Ling Qi.
I also love the interactions between her and Meizhen. Such great friends. Next week, let's cultivate once with Zhengui, and then bargain with the dragon to let Meizhen in too. I'm thinking Meizhen would seriously approve of Ling Qi's attitude towards the dragon. I bet dragon mom is pleased that her boy is inspired to take his cultivation more seriously too.
I also love the interactions between her and Meizhen. Such great friends. Next week, let's cultivate once with Zhengui, and then bargain with the dragon to let Meizhen in too. I'm thinking Meizhen would seriously approve of Ling Qi's attitude towards the dragon. I bet dragon mom is pleased that her boy is inspired to take his cultivation more seriously too.
- Location
- The Star Kingdom of Manticore
The site gives the following
Mystic Vale: Grants bonus successes equal to talent multiplied by cultivation realm to physical, spiritual and qi cultivation, Grants nine bonus dice to Wood, Earth, and Water Art cultivation.
Mystic Vale: Grants bonus successes equal to talent multiplied by cultivation realm to physical, spiritual and qi cultivation, Grants nine bonus dice to Wood, Earth, and Water Art cultivation.
Definitely that. Simply getting a flying sword as a reward would be a little too convenient, but money and materials for customizing one are not unlikely
We may also want to look up into exotic possibilities, like a Moon-aligned one or a whistling sword that uses expression as an attribute
A really nice site.
Unless we can resell it in two weeks, I doubt it...
