I'm really not in favor of a Sun Liling dunking on us in the Best of Eight round, because that effectively hands Ji Rong the Best of Four spot, when he's done fuck all to earn it over the course of the year, unless he's secretly been doing massive sect services between being a bandit in the mountain.
The best compromise to that end is really "The best survivor on the Sun Side Subordinates vs Ling Qi". Them throwing Liling at us in the round eight is flagrantly favoring the Sun right in front of the eyes of the host duchess, unless they also have Ji Rong/Kang Zihao get eaten by a Monster in turn.
Thats the difference when one party is the favorite ducal heir upon which their future is hanging on a Spectacular showing...and the other is looking at the lineup and thinking "this would make a great lesson on how not to rest on your laurels".
SunGramps is actually putting in effort. CaiMom from all indications is deliberately making it harder.
Ji Rong however, has a good chance of being fed to Meizhen in order to reveal more ace cards, since he's the only non-Monster other than Ling Qi likely to have the ability to pressure Meizhen
That would loose too much face. CRX already said the amount of rigging we've seen is something she couldn't imagine her mother allowing, even just to punish/push her.
As ruthless and totalitarian she, Cai Shenhua is neither crazy nor a fool. She has a plan and a goal, and I fail to see how so blatantly damaging the faces of the Sun, Bai, and Argent Peak would help her in any way. And it would be a damaging of face, as it makes the Sect look weak, and throws in doubt the legitimacy of everyone's victories because there will always be the question of 'would they have done better or worse in if the brackets were more balanced?' As much as the tournament is rigged to favor the strong, it exists to give a measure of face and respect to everyone. Dark horses can still happen, and in cases where someone falls short of expectations the blame can usually be laid at their own feet, not the sect's or other outsiders. Shenhua tipping the scales so blatantly would earn her the hostility and suspicion of the entire Empire, something she cannot afford with the position she and her clan are in.
Basically yeah. Every fight has to be reasonable or there must be a prior causation link.
Sun vs Cai/Bai/Ling Qi for instance is easily accepted in the G8 onwards, because they have a preexisting feud and Sun is PRETTY likely to win against anyone but Bai.
Similarly, Chu Song can face Ling Qi even in the G16, because they have an unresolved prior contest. Ji Rong might face Cai in G8 because he had a beef with her injustice.
Face is complicated, but there are limits to how far you can skew things. But the Sect is almost always going to agree with a request that produces a more dramatic fight. Feuds are like candy, which is why I'm PRETTY sure Ling Qi is slated to be KO'ed by Sun just so they can get the crowd super hyped for the Bai vs Sun highlight match.
Cai is giving them a headache really, because she's too high status to not make it to the semifinals, but she's been coasting and is unlikely to get better than 40% odds against the other two monsters.
Well, way I see it is:
-Cai leverage:
--Strongly wants Cai Renxiang in Inner Sect
--Wants Cai Renxiang in Finals
--Weakly wants Cai vassals/allies not to be fighting Cai Renxiang
-Bai leverage:
--Strongly wants Bai vs Sun match
--Strongly wants Bai Meizhen in Inner Sect
--Wants Bai vs Sun Finals match
-Sun leverage:
--Strongly wants Bai vs Sun match(both gramps and Liling)
--Wants Bai vs Sun Finals match(both gramps and Liling)
--Wants Cai vs Sun match(Liling only)
--Weakly wants Ling Qi vs Sun match(Liling only)
--Weakly wants Sun vassals not to be fighting Sun Liling
--Weakly wants Sun vassals to defeat Cai vassals
-Sect leverage:
--Strongly wants to avoid clashing with any ducal Strong Want.
--Wants Talented Commoners in Inner Sect
--Wants most dramatic show ever
Solve for the matches and it comes down to whether Cai Shenhua bothered to stack the deck beyond the minimum of avoiding a G16 Monster fight.
So it seems to me that this is likely because it fills all the Strong Wants and Wants at one go:
-G2: Sun vs Bai
-G4: Sun vs Cai, Bai vs ???
-G8: Sun vs Ling Qi, Cai vs ???, Bai vs ???, ??? vs ???
--Wants Bai vs Sun Finals match.
I see no reason anyone would want that specifically. If anything they are going to want them to fight as soon as possible to get rid of any chance of one getting eliminated early.
--Wants Bai vs Sun Finals match.
I see no reason anyone would want that specifically. If anything they are going to want them to fight as soon as possible to get rid of any chance of one getting eliminated early.
Its a showing of absolute dominance. The Sun want a Bai vs Sun finals which they win because it shows that the Sun are top dogs. The Bai want it for the same reason. They both think they'll win. And Cai Renxiang had been the weakest of the monsters to begin with and had been slacking on her raw personal combat power, so theres nobody who can eliminate either one. We learned that in our spar with Meizhen.
Its a showing of absolute dominance. The Sun want a Bai vs Sun finals which they win because it shows that the Sun are top dogs. The Bai want it for the same reason. They both think they'll win. And Cai Renxiang had been the weakest of the monsters to begin with and had been slacking on her raw personal combat power, so theres nobody who can eliminate either one. We learned that in our spar with Meizhen.
Its a showing of absolute dominance. The Sun want a Bai vs Sun finals which they win because it shows that the Sun are top dogs. The Bai want it for the same reason. They both think they'll win. And Cai Renxiang had been the weakest of the monsters to begin with and had been slacking on her raw personal combat power, so theres nobody who can eliminate either one. We learned that in our spar with Meizhen.
Basically this. If the Sun or the Bai believe that CRX cannot win against either Meizhen or Liling, then the victor of the fight between the two of them will win the tournament and be top dog. If they don't, then it means that having a Cai vs Liling/Meizhen fight carries a risk of not having a Meizhen vs Liling fight.
Given that both the Sun and the Bai have a really, really, really strong desire to not be an enemy with the Cai, there is no reason for them to want the Liling/Meizhen match in the finals.
Every reason to make it the final. More dramatic, more buildup, and it is a stronger conclusion to the event than having that matchup occur anytime before that point.
Liling vs Maizhen at any time before the finals will result in a less than spectacular finish to this event, which wouldn't reflect well on the sect or the fighters in question, even the winner.
There are reasons to have it in the semi's, but those reasons largely depend upon how much meddling Shenhua feels like doing.
Given that both the Sun and the Bai have a really, really, really strong desire to not be an enemy with the Cai, there is no reason for them to want the Liling/Meizhen match in the finals.
"You say that you believe Guo Si wishes to court me?" Cai Renxiang asked, sounding faintly bemused as she leaned back very slightly into the padded chair behind her desk.
"That was the impression I received," Ling Qi replied, sinking into her own seat in her liege's office. In the aftermath of the festivities she had come here on the other girls request, so that they could discuss things before the tournament proper began in the morning. "Sixiang agrees," she added, drawing a snicker from the spirit in her head, despite the presence of the Cai.
"I suppose I will pen a reply before I retire then," Cai Renxiang mused. "We have never interacted however, what a strange thing. Useful, but strange."
Ling Qi let out a quiet hum of agreement. "I hope I did not overstep my bounds by telling him you would agree," she said cautiously. "I know this kind of thing can be uncomfortable," though they had parted on good terms, she knew that she had felt pressured and a bit unhappy with the whole Gu Tai business at first.
"No, I would not give offense by refusing such an invitation, you were correct," Cai Renxiang replied simply. "It is simply something I will have to keep in my thoughts when we speak. Physical attraction is a useful lever."
Ling Qi kept herself from grimacing, she supposed she had forgotten who she was talking too. "...Do you actually think it will go anywhere?"
"His advances, you mean?" The younger Cai asked, looking thoughtful. "It is unlikely I think. I do not believe Mother would find such a match favorable," she explained. "While trade from Golden Fields is valuable, their power is too tied up in fighting the very land in which they live. If I must speculate, I imagine that Mother will arrange something with a man from one of the central province ducal houses in the coming decade."
"Not angling for a prince?" Ling Qi asked somewhat dryly, the other girl really didn't think anything of that kind of arrangement, did she?
"The youngest living prince is a century my senior and married besides," Cai Renxiang replied with a frown. "I suppose I should remember to educate you on the state of the imperial family soon. I suppose Mother might arrange something with one of the sons or grandsons of a prince or princess."
Ling Qi had been joking, but she supposed that she should have expected an answer like that. "Well, leaving that aside, I do not have anything else of significance to report."
"Very good," her liege replied with a nod, lacing her fingers together atop her desk. "I trust you recall what needs done in regards to your own propositions?"
Ling Qi sighed. "I will finish writing up the deferrals tonight."
"I am glad," the other girl replied. "You are wise to put off such choices, your value will only increase in the coming years. I would suggest keeping lines of dialogue open with the Bao however. It is clear that they wish to tie themselves closer to the Cai."
Well at least there was that, her talent gave her some breathing room when it came to matters of marriage and political ties, since her precise position could still change relatively quickly. "Did anything of interest happen on your end?"
"I believe I have made a good impression upon Bai Suzhen and the brothers Xuan," Cai Replied with a touch of satisfaction. "Our current troubles have been mitigated by our own performances for the moment," her expression grew briefly troubled, but it faded quickly. "I have learned that Bai Suzhen will be taking her fathers seat as the families head in the near future as well, allowing him to fill the position of patriarch. I… suspect the Bai's politics will be shifting somewhat as a result."
Ling Qi glanced to the side thoughtfully. Maybe she should ask Meizhen about her aunt the next time she got a chance then. "Well, that's all a little over my head. Hopefully that goes well for them."
"Indeed," Cai replied thoughtfully. "In any case, we should discuss the tournament."
"What should I expect tomorrow?" Ling Qi asked, leaning forward in her seat.
"The tournament will begin with an exhibition between elders," Cai said. "The stated purpose is to encourage disciples by allowing them to view the what they might aspire too, but it is also a show of strength for the Sect. Following this, the brackets will be displayed, and we will know our opponents as well as the terrain our battles will be assigned too."
"Will the matches be fought four at a time again?" LIng Qi asked, before pausing. "No, I suppose that would make it end too quickly."
"Correct," the other girl replied with a small nod. "Disciples will be given one quarter hour to prepare themselves and plan, and then the matches will proceed one at a time in sequence. When the first round is complete, we will break until the following day."
Ling Qi frowned a little, that prep time would probably work against her. She didn't really have any secondary arts to attune in preparation for specific opponents. "...What do I do if I am paired with you?" She asked quietly. There were other worrying match ups, but that was the one that concerned her the most.
"That will not happen tomorrow," Cai Renxiang stated flatly. "It would be a blatant insult to the Cai, if it occurs in a later round though…" she paused for a moment. "I will give you the opportunity to display your talents. I cannot afford to display certain abilities before the final rounds however," she stated bluntly, meeting Ling Qi's eyes.
Taking a deep breath, she nodded. It would sting to willingly lose… but Ling Qi was well practiced with casting aside pride. Such a thing would be a minor issue at most. "Alright then, was there anything else?" She asked confidently.
Her liege shook her head. "No, I believe we are finished. Rest well Ling Qi."
"You as well, Lady Cai," she replied rising from her seat to bow. "I will see you in the morning."
Standing under the bright morning sun, Ling Qi could not help the restless nerves that made her want to shift from foot to foot rather than remaining perfectly still, lined up between the other winners of the preliminaries. The weight of the crowd's collective aura's tingled at the edge of her senses, and weighed down on her shoulders still, but after last night it was easier to endure. A surreptitious glance to either side showed her fellow competitors all standing at the same stoic attention.
Cai Renxiang stood to her right, looking as stoic as ever. On her left stood Gu Xiulan, whose eyes burned with a fierce ambition and confidence as she gazed up at the stages and the Head of the Sect.
Breathing in, Ling Qi focused her attention ahead, as the Sect Head began to speak.
"Welcome all, to our second day of competition," the old man announced, his ancient voice carrying easily all through the stadium, he faced away from them, leaving her with only the sight of his billowing white cloak, the characters for 'silver' and 'wholeness' splashed across his broad back. "Yesterday, you were witness to the winnowing of the Outer Sect down to the core of its most talented, but today, we will begin the true testing," he continued gravely. "Though unity is the strength of the empire, each link in a chain must be forged to utmost strength, else the entire length be shattered. Today our youth will display the strength that will carry the empire into the future!"
It was hard not to feel at least a little swell of pride as the Sect Head spoke. Just one year ago she had been a helpless mortal, and now she stood here listening to one of the heroes of the empire praising her, if indirectly. Later, she could worry about niggling little details and politics, today, she just had to show the results of her cultivation.
"Before we begin the tournament proper however," Yuan Shen continued, and from the motion of his arm she could tell that he was running his fingers through his beard. "We have the exhibition, in a normal year, a pair of our own Elder's would take the stage for a demonstration, to encourage our disciples with a taste of what they might one day achieve," Ling QI had been somewhat curious if Elder Jiao would be one of the ones participating. The Sect head made it sound like something was changing though. Were the Elders busy?
The older man above them paused for a fraction of a second before continuing, though his voice and tone didn't waver even a bit. "This year however, a special arrangement has been made. In deference to the many august personages present, our most resplendent and honored Duchess has deigned to grace us with her performance, and the honorable and most redoubtable Lady Bai Suzhen has volunteered as her opponent."
Ling Qi blinked, bewildered, as a susurrus of murmuring and noise began to wash over them from the stands. She glanced at Renxiang, but found the girl's expression pinched in the tinies of frowns, she hadn't been expecting this either.
The Sect Head rapped his cane against the air beneath his feet, the resulting boom of thunder silencing the noise as he began to sink down through air, until finally he stood at the edge of one of the four stages. "I will myself undertake the duty of containing the clash to the stage, and our own venerable Elder Jiao will see to the maintenance of the arena," he continued, his voice a touch more grave.
Ling Qi saw then a flicker of shadow on the far side of the arena, and there stood Elder Jiao, his expression set in a frown of passive irritation. As she watched, he raised his hands, placing them upon one of the four corner pillars. "Disciples, pay your utmost attention, it is a rare day when one is allowed to witness the peak of cultivation," Ling Qi straightened her shoulders as the Sect Head glanced back over his shoulder at them, while he spoke. "I cordially invite our honored guests to take the stage."
In an instant, the empty arena became occupied. There was no flash, no burst of wind or sound, only perhaps a tiny pop of displaced air as two figures appeared between one instant and the next, facing each other in the arena. Ling Qi shuddered as that same oppressive aura from yesterday slammed down onto her shoulders, but without it, she might have hardly recognized her liege's mother. Cai Shenhua's appearance had almost changed entirely from yesterday, where before she had worn a clinging, form fitting gown of scandalous cut, she now wore an elaborate dress to match anything she had seen at the party last night. The tall woman was swathed in multiple layers of white and pale rose silk with wide billowing sleeves and a meter long train of fluttering silk and lace at her feet. Her dark hair hung down to her feet in four braided streamers like black silk, fluttering behind her in a phantom wind that kept any part of her from touching the ground.
The other woman on the stage was much more austere in appearance. Bai Suzhen looked much like her niece in the structure of her face. Her chin perhaps a bit sharper, and her lips a bit thinner, but it would be easy if she did not know, to wonder if the woman was Meizhen's mother. Her white hair was shot through with streaks of steely color, as if her hair were truly strands of metal, and was woven through a an elaborate headdress which rose above the back of the woman's head like a fan of jade knives.
"I thank the both of you for your gracious acceptance of my little impulse," Cai Shenhua said, her rich voice light. In her right hand, she casually held a silk fan, half concealing her smiling face. "It is so very rare for me to receive the opportunity for exercise."
"It is my honor, Duchess Cai," Yuan Shen said humbly, bowing his snowy head. "I regret only that I could not receive your attack myself."
"There are few others I would trust to properly contain a match such as this, Sect Head Yuan," The duchess replied easily. "Another day perhaps."
"The arrangement proposed was satisfactory," the Bai heirs cool voice rang out, her expression neutral as she faced the Duchess with her hands hidden in the wide aquamarine sleeves of her simple, but luxuriously layered gown. "It will be an honor to face the strike of a cultivator of such skill."
"And I will be honored to test the defenses of the legendary Bai clan," Cai Shenhua replied evenly, a slight smile still playing across her lips. "if you and your subordinate would prepare…?
Ling Qi felt a tingling feeling of worry begin to bloom in her chest. Something far above her head was being set in motion here. She wished she could see Meizhen's face right now, perhaps she was aware of what was going on. A glance at her own liege revealed only hints of worried realization.
Sect Head Yuan cleared his throat then, raising his free hand toward the stage as he did. "The exhibition round will continue until the first drawing of blood. Begin!"
She had no more time to think then, as the fan in Cai Shenhua's hand snapped shut, and the world vanished.
She floated bodiless in the face of a wall of whirling dust and wind that stretched out beyond her sight in all directions, endless in its churning fury and yet utterly silent and controlled. Yet, for all it's awe inspiring size, she could barely pay it any mind. Above her head there floated an incomprehensibly vast mountain of white metal. No, a mountain wasn't quite right. It was a city.
A many tiered city of unfathomable beauty, it's every angle utterly perfect. Figures clad in white thronged in its streets, moving in an incomprehensible yet somehow perfectly ordered dance, stirring faint memories of warm water and immaculate hands working the stress from tired muscles and the filth from clogged meridians. At the very peak of the city, where the lords palace would be, was a woman's face sculpted from the same colorless metal that made up the rest of the city. The face was relaxed, her eyes closed in repose, and her lips slightly parted, and with each instant that passed ethereal threads emerged like breath, scattering outward to settle over the city like rain. It was nearly impossible to tear her eyes away from it, and Ling Qi found her heart filled with a deep longing. How heavenly it would be, to live in those streets, perfect in form and purpose.
Only the churning of another presence dragged her eyes away from the dreamlike city. Far below, in the mountain-city's shadow there was a lake, stretching beyond sight, it's surface mirror smooth and dark, a shade of blue that was nearly black. The only interruption in its smooth surface came from an island in its center. It was no natural thing though. Emerging from the lapping waters, a monolith composed of scattered bone and melted steel rose, sharp edged and pitiless. The edges of countless weapons bristled outward, menacing and sharp, their edges seeming to slash at her very eyes even from this distance, and amid the fused remains of blade and armor, nestled in crevices and impaled upon blades were human and beastial skulls. They formed the only spots of color upon the menacing cliffs, and from their empty eye sockets dripped tears of poisonous black tar. Yet, at the narrow top of the mountainous island was a flat plain ringed by bristling blades, and at its center was rippling pool of clear blue waters, in which sinuous white shapes swam and coiled about one another.
For a moment, there was stillness as the city floated, serene above the lake, but then Ling Qi found her gaze dragged upward at the sound of well oiled machinery shifting. Her eyes widened as she once again beheld the resplendent city, and noticed for the first time what sat upon its walls. A few shapes she recognized, in basic form if nothing else, from the walls of her own home, but there were many more wholly alien to her experience.
In the next instant one hundred thousand siege engines opened fire, and it as if the very stars were falling from the heavens. Beneath, the surface of the lake boiled violently, steam rising from the heat of falling streamers of colorless light. Yet the roiling waters could not be wholly traced to the action above. From white capped waters, a single gleaming shard of metal shot upward, too fast to be seen as more than a flash, and then another followed, and another after that.
From the black lake poured blades of every shape and make, filling the sky as surely as the falling light with gleaming edges that screamed for blood. A million blades and more all howling through the sky to explode against the incoming barrage. The instant they met, Ling Qi was blinded and deafened by the blast of their explosive impact. By the time she had blinked the stars from her eyes, the sky was clear save for a handful of silver comets streaking upward toward the gleaming city, the very light it had disgorged rising back to strike at its maker, only to disintegrate into twinkling lights as they impacted the shimmering threads which surrounded the city.
Twice more did the city and the lake exchange fire, their projectiles no longer meeting head on, but spiralling and twisting through the air at impossible angles, clashing in the sky as they sought holes in their opponents defenses. Yet despite the dizzying array of projectiles screaming through the sky, the island and the city remained utterly pristine.
Ling Qi felt the pressure on her shoulders redouble then, as the eyes of face at the peak of the city opened, by just the slightest crack. Twin crescents of liquid starlight lashed out, boiling the very air in their passage as they slammed down into the dark waters and carved an explosive rift of steam down to the very bed of the endless lake, exposing its bed of bone white earth as it ripped through the waters toward the central island. In the instant before the lashing lines of colors light could reach the central island the waters roiled, and from their depths merged a serpentine tail, mammoth in scope, it's scales forged of steel and adamant. It swung through the air with impossible swiftness for being of such titanic size, to slam against the incoming beams with thunderous force. Metal scales glowed white hot at the point of impact, weeping droplets of molten steel into the hissing, white capped waters below.
Yet it succeeded, deflecting the line of destruction back into the endless black waters…
Ling Qi blinked then, almost losing her balance as the world once again changed, and she found herself back where she had been, standing before the arenas of the Sect. It was obvious that she was not the only one feeling the disorientation either. Those whose cultivation was only in the second realm were worst off, even Han Jian was pale, sweat gleaming on his brow, and one of the other boys who had squeaked through was nearly one his knees.
In the arena though, the two combatants had not seemingly moved an inch from their starting position. Yet dozens of rivulets of liquid metal from the slowing melting shards of steel scattered around the arena, and the cracked stones at the Duchess' feet spoke of the battle which had just taken place. Cai Shenhua's expression was serene, as the last flickering vestiges of curve bladed saber of light faded from her left hand.
Bai Suzhen was a bit worse for the wear, slowing lowering her right hand, which had been extended palm outward. Ling Qi glimpsed a deep cut, bleeding silver fluid, before it vanished back into her slightly frayed sleeve. More obviously, the twin meter deep furrows of vaporized stone extending diagonally past her to the edges of the stage spoke of the deflected attack.
A glance showed Sect Head Yuan, and Elder Jiao still standing at the edge of the stage, his teeth grit in frustration and effort. It was… strange, seeing an Elder look genuinely out of breath. The Sect Head looked as serene as ever if somewhat thoughtful.
"I see the prowess of the Bai is not exaggerated in the slightest," Cai Shenhua said then, her voice still light. "What impeccable movements, Lady Bai."
The elder Bai tipped her head in a very shallow bow, the ornaments in her hair flashing in the morning light as the rivulets of liquid metal scattered across the stage began to flow back toward her feet. "You are too kind, Duchess Cai, the edge of your blade is as ferocious as the tales say," she said evenly.
"Hoh, it is good to see that I have not lost my touch," the Duchess said, snapping her fan back open with a twitch of her fingers. "I hope that we might one day have another round, when you take your next step."
"I would be most satisfied with such an arrangement. You honor me with your regard," Bai Suzhen said as the last gleaming drops of metal vanished beneath the hem of her gown. It was only Ling Qi's familiarity with Meizhen that allowed her to see the tiniest hint of a satisfied smirk playing about the older woman's lips.
Ling Qi shuddered as she felt a brief pulse of power wash over her, furious and copper scented. It was gone almost before she could perceive it. She was right, things far over her head were being played out today. She felt a tiny hint of resentment that whatever she did, it would be overshadowed by those who stood above her… but letting out a single breath cleared it away. That was just the nature of the world. That was why she couldn't stop climbing.
As the two monstrous cultivators traded the final formalities and returned to the stands, Sect Head Yuan turned to face them. Those who had been... impaired had already scrambled back into position, by the time that he did. "As you can see children, the peak of cultivation is a long climb indeed," he said, moving his gaze along the line steadily. "Do not be discouraged, but rather, carve that knowledge into your hearts and strive for those heights," for an instant, the elderly man's eyes met hers, and in them she saw the living heart of a storm fit to consume the world.
The moment ended in only a fraction of a second as his gaze continued past her. "Now, let us announce the pairings for the days battle. You will have one quarter hour to prepare for your match… and to give our esteemed Elder Jiao a moment to repair the first arena," he added the second with a faintly amused smile, before raising his free hand and snapping his fingers.
Lightning crackled in the sky over his head, lines of light and fire carving themselves into the air as they spelled out the tournament brackets.
Bracket 1
Sun Liling
Hei Boquin
Bracket 2
Han Jian
Shen Hu
Bracket 3
Ling Qi
Chu Song
Bracket 4
Ji Rong
Han Fang
Bracket 5
Bai Meizhen
Wei Jing
Bracket 6
Kang Zihao
Dian Li
Bracket 7
Gu Xiulan
Wen Ai
Bracket 8
Cai Renxiang
Shu Hai
Ling Qi examined the scrawling mystic text with a slight frown as she traced her own path through the tournament, as well as her friends. Chu Song was not the easiest opponent… but if she could allow herself to be a little arrogant, she didn't expect to lose to the older girl either. Below their names in the brackets were the characters for 'light forest' and when she focused on them, her vision swam granting her the sight of a bright sunny woodland similar to the outer grounds of the sect, though more thinly grown. It seemed she wouldn't have the terrain advantage this time, but she could still turn it to her favor, she thought.
[] Tactics
Alright, as before, I am allowing you guys to vote on the basic tactics Ling Qi is taking into the coming fight. Please keep it down to no more than a paragraph or so, and be sure to include Zhengui! Poor boy really wants to participate this time.
Chu Song is the second year green who took in and befriended Ji Rong a while back. She's from one of the clans Cai Shenhua all but destroyed. We fought her once before, in week 25.
High tier cultivator conflict is trippy as hell. Surprised to see the two so blatantly amicable though, wonder if the Butcher's afraid yet.
Looks like Han Jian's plans to fail will succeed after all! Congratulations? Also pretty decent odds for us and Xiulan. Shame Renxiang's looking so unbalanced, her mother doesn't make things easy for her and she doesn't even have the ever reliable GG to lean on...
Nice show there Yrs. It was very interesting to see a sword stroke manifesting as mechacityeyebeams in the domainworld.
So the Cai and Bai are coming together(alliance-ish?) once Big Momma Bai actually takes head, and the Blood Lord over here isn't too happy about it. Understood.
I imagine that there are many more people that are not happy about it, this would be a good time to be getting intrigue drops.
As for Chu Song tactics, I think ill sit on that a bit for specifics but the basic outline I think should be...
- Release Zhengui and Mist, engage Chu Song
- Play keep away support, using Zhengui as a hardpoint to rotate the fight around
- If Chu goes after Zhengui in frustration take the chance to assassinate
- Keep playing keep away until Chu switches on whatever anti keep away methods she thinks will keep us trapped and then give her the Mega Kick for daring to assume this Great Auntie can't fight
So, basically the old Zhengui strat from way back when (with decidedly less Guan Dao involvement >: )
... So that's what it's like when top class Cultivators fight. Wow. Well... At least Meizhen's favourite aunt is pleased?
As for Chu Song... I'm pretty sure her family was thoroughly crushed by Cai for rebellion, and she still carries a grudge for that. I suspect our duty as Cai's retainer is to properly crush her for her impertinence.
