Zhengui's chance of death is:
-Xuanwu are a species which are known for very high power levels at maturity. They peak out around mountain/island sized(so around Prism/White).
-Xuanwu are tough enough that while they're breaking through, they could just sleep the entire intervening period in a highly visible energy display. In a deathworld. Think what that means for their durability.
-Zhengui's specific elemental expression is that of rebirth. On a species which are a symbol of longevity.
Odds are good that if he ever leaves play its because he took a nap for a few decades during his later cultivation(heck, odds are good he's gonna sleep a couple of months after we go into Inner Sect), not because of death.
He's really freaking hard to hurt, much less kill, to the point that you're talking about someone two cultivation levels higher deliberately killing him. Ling Qi is more likely to die than he is once he reaches Green.
So, one of the silly things about Zhengui pretending to be a mountain is that that's actually a legitimate strategy... which means that if we want to, once he gets powerful enough, we can start treating him like a mountain... like we can build fortifications on him, add siege weaponry, and have them manned. We can then sit at the peak, playing a mournful tune, and cover that mountain in a black mist (or whatever it is by that point).
Would he eventually develop cultivation sites? I imagine you could grow crops on him pretty well. How would Zhengui feel about being inhabited?
Alternately, if Zhengui hangs around the Duchess enough, he may wind up developing "fortifications and a small army to man them" as a specialized summoning art.... at which point we can literally pull a heavily fortified mountain out of our dantian.
...but still, we know from back at that first physical Cultivation test that it's possible for a cultivator of sufficient power to create an entire world within themselves. We will eventually be a cultivator of sufficient power. There's nothing saying that we *couldn't* have Zhengui have actual long-term inhabitants, even while hanging out in our dantian. It might be a bit dreary as such things go, but you certainly wouldn't have to worry about bandits.
Admittedly, it would really cut down on our willingness to use him for cometbombing.
So, anyway, if we're talking about Liling, here's some fun facts about the last time she attacked us:
Her multi-hit had 35 dice vs our 30, 4 autos, all semi-perfect, >4? AP, +2 perfect. At that point we had 50 qi and 7 health boxes remaining
She had a ~37% chance of wiping us out with that attack
53% chance of getting us down to 3 or less health (so we'd be taking wound penalties)
60% chance of wiping out nearly all our qi
Instead, we got a ~2.4% clash, and only lost 15 qi and 1 health. We were really really lucky there.
Now, we're a lot stronger than we were then - but so is she. The gap is probably smaller now (certainly she has significantly fewer autos), but this can give an indication of just how much damage she can do to us.
As with Ji Rong, it can be particularly nasty if she's faster than us (and she almost certainly is), since we'll have to weather her first attack with just TRD. Which... uh.... ouch.
Hopefully she can't hit us with a + perfect flower dance right off the bat, because if she can we're gonna suffer.
Now, we're a lot stronger than we were then - but so is she. The gap is probably smaller now (certainly she has significantly fewer autos), but this can give an indication of just how much damage she can do to us.
This point in particular is less obvious than we might think. Different cultivation levels can have a weird non-intuitive gap, and while it is fairly obvious to go 'Well, Liling was early green/appraisal bronze when we were late yellow/silver, so obviously now that we are early green/bronze and she is appraisal green/bronze the gap should have closed' it might not necessarily be the case, depending on how @yrsillar does it.
Besides the 4 autos, Liling likely had her own equivalent to SCS6/FVM6/TRF5 back then. Maybe a bit less, because while she had 13 weeks in green/bronze, she also mainlained bronze cultivation while having to run a war/being in exile for a while. This is huge compared to our late yellow techs, and would give her a double advantage of autos + tech to higher threshold.
However, current Liling has been confirmed to have finished Scarlet Devil Raiment and begun Sanguine Ashura Armament. This means that for her equivalent to FVM, she has slotted FVM8 and has now the first level of FVM+. It's been a fairly consistent fact that last levels are usually much stronger than other levels for arts, and first level of successor arts are also pretty damn strong. If Liling has the equivalent to SCS8/FVM+/TRF6, specialisation II for spears, slotted SCS/FVM/TRF equivalents, and then got quite a few arts she didn't have to green there.... she should have only 2 autos on us, not 4, but the qualitative leap of her arts since then as well as the slotting of said arts could make up for our own progress.
What I am saying is that it's possible the gap widened here.
So, one of the silly things about Zhengui pretending to be a mountain is that that's actually a legitimate strategy... which means that if we want to, once he gets powerful enough, we can start treating him like a mountain... like we can build fortifications on him, add siege weaponry, and have them manned. We can then sit at the peak, playing a mournful tune, and cover that mountain in a black mist (or whatever it is by that point).
Would he eventually develop cultivation sites? I imagine you could grow crops on him pretty well. How would Zhengui feel about being inhabited?
Alternately, if Zhengui hangs around the Duchess enough, he may wind up developing "fortifications and a small army to man them" as a specialized summoning art.... at which point we can literally pull a heavily fortified mountain out of our dantian.
...but still, we know from back at that first physical Cultivation test that it's possible for a cultivator of sufficient power to create an entire world within themselves. We will eventually be a cultivator of sufficient power. There's nothing saying that we *couldn't* have Zhengui have actual long-term inhabitants, even while hanging out in our dantian. It might be a bit dreary as such things go, but you certainly wouldn't have to worry about bandits.
Admittedly, it would really cut down on our willingness to use him for cometbombing.
By non-narrative logic she ought to struggle with her next fight, also. She will be fighting at cultivation parity against somebody who is a living tarpit that throws out action free save-or-suck spiritual attacks every round.
At least we should get something useful out of seeing how she deals with the falter effect.
Actually veekie, Yrsillar said that she would have become withdrawn and angry after being betrayed several times if we hadn't been her friend. So, likely, she would have tried to be social. It just wouldn't have gone well.
Actually veekie, Yrsillar said that she would have become withdrawn and angry after being betrayed several times if we hadn't been her friend. So, likely, she would have tried to be social. It just wouldn't have gone well.
Huh. So in the "Ling Qi rooms with Sun Liling" universe, Bai Meizhen (who's also weaker, after having been betrayed multiple times, not getting access to the vent, not getting as many regards from home, not getting any benefits from the Cai, not being able to do successful partner runs of challenges, and probably being beaten down repeatedly by Sun Liling and having her stuff taken) winds up in the Ji Rong position of "yeah, it looks like she might have gotten screwed over and it wasn't necessarily her fault, but we were paying attention to other things".
Huh. So in the "Ling Qi rooms with Sun Liling" universe, Bai Meizhen (who's also weaker, after having been betrayed multiple times, not getting access to the vent, not getting as many regards from home, not getting any benefits from the Cai, not being able to do successful partner runs of challenges, and probably being beaten down repeatedly by Sun Liling and having her stuff taken) winds up in the Ji Rong position of "yeah, it looks like she might have gotten screwed over and it wasn't necessarily her fault, but we were paying attention to other things".
Huh. So in the "Ling Qi rooms with Sun Liling" universe, Bai Meizhen (who's also weaker, after having been betrayed multiple times, not getting access to the vent, not getting as many regards from home, not getting any benefits from the Cai, not being able to do successful partner runs of challenges, and probably being beaten down repeatedly by Sun Liling and having her stuff taken) winds up in the Ji Rong position of "yeah, it looks like she might have gotten screwed over and it wasn't necessarily her fault, but we were paying attention to other things".
I don't...think so. Rather, I think she would have become an optional boss. With us in Sun's area of influence, the government would have broken apart with the first rebellion, leading to a more normal year. In that environment, I can see Meizahn holing up and going full hermit cultivation. She's really quite passive, all things considered. More, she would likely be a little stronger cultivation wise, while everyone else would probably be weaker. Meizahn and Ji Rong wouldn't have gone full Rocky, Cai would have had more motivation and time to focus on personal power, and we wouldn't have had the White room and the dress.
And then stomps in Meizahn, having spent most of the year in closed cultivation, bitter and vindictive, looking for a way to shore up her rather fragile sense of self worth.
Yeah, running straight into her fuck you field with no experience? That would have been painful.
Plan Summoning and Leadership
-[X] Greater Qi Card (x3), Dragon's Endurance Pill (x5), Bountiful Earth's Blessing (x1)
-[X] One Card Loaded with Crawling Horror with three Additional Worms summoned, One Card Loaded with Hundred Ring Armament overcharged with 5 additional people, One Card Loaded with Appropriate Buff provided by Cai Renxiang
"That will be all I need," Ling Qi finished with a bow toward her liege as they prepared to leave the girls outer sect home for the visitors grounds below.
"I see, you intend to alter your usual strategy then?" Cai asked absently as they stepped outside, her feet lifting from the ground a moment later. The light emanating from around her head and shoulders made the evening shadows flicker wildly.
Ling Qi followed suite a moment later, allowing herself to luxuriate a bit in the sheer ease with which she could maintain flight in the other girls presence. "I just wish to keep my options open," she replied. She wasn't quite sure of exactly how she would approach her battle with Ji Rong yet after all. "I hope my last request wasn't to presumptuous by the way…?" She added carefully.
Cai Renxiang kept her eyes forward as they soared silently toward the foot of the mountain, the cool night air tugging weakly at the hems of their gowns. "It is unusual, but not unheard of. You have earned that much favor. Rather, given my resource restrictions, such a thing is only reasonable. Allow me a time to consider which my techniques might complement your skills best."
Ling Qi let out a near silent sigh of relief, she hadn't been sure if asking for a Qi card charged with someone else art was inappropriate or not. "I see, moving on then… What are your plans for your Mother's gathering, my Lady?"
"We will present ourselves to Mother first of course," her liege replied as their flight path began to angle downward, toward the twinkling lights of the ostentatious tents and homes built up in the visiting area, heading toward the vast construction of white silk which now sat at its head. "After which, I will speak with those dignitaries I have not yet had time to visit. I cannot give an absolute itinerary."
"How surprising," Ling Qi said lightly. "That must bother you a great deal."
"Quite," Cai Renxiang replied, a subtle sour note in her voice. "You will attend to me for the duration of the party. I am certain you know the required etiquette."
"I do," Ling Qi replied, repressing the urge to sigh, this was going to be a long night, wasn't it.
"Recall that this is to your benefit," Cai Renxiang reminded her, briefly glancing back as they neared the long carpet spilling out over the grassy field from the entrance of the Cai's great pavilion. "Good impressions upon those I will speak too will serve you well in the future."
"I remember," Ling Qi said, repressing a huff at the reminder as they alighted on the carpet. "I did well yesterday, did I not?"
"Hmm, I suppose," Cai Renxiang allowed. "Just do not go drifting off," she added with a tiny touch of dry humor.
Ling Qi held back a grumble as she smoothed her gown. She was not that bad. The two of them entered the pavilion a moment later, the two guards flanking the entrance saluting and bowing in unison, their polished armor and white plumed helms gleaming in the resplendent light radiating from within.
The interior of the grand pavilion nearly took her breath away. In the center was a great marble fountain, water rising and falling in glimmering spouts from the mouths of entwined dragons picked out in lifelike detail at their center. Smaller fountains dotted the grounds as well, and from the frothing waters rose glimmering rainbows that cast shifting light on the crowd below. The pavilion was well furnished as well, long tables groaning under the weight of delicacies lined the rear of the tent and well upholstered couches and chairs surrounded the various fountains, occupied by chatting nobility.
On the far left of the tent there was a raised stage, where a beautiful woman in a many layered gown played a serene melody on a harp as large as her body, while pair of dancers in trailing silk scarves performed on either side of her, the motions of their limbs and the silken fans in their hands perfectly symmetrical.
She didn't have much time to observe though, as Cai Renxiang proceeded further in without pause. Ling Qi put her focus on maintaining the proper distance and poise. Two steps behind her liege and just slightly to her left. Head very slightly tilted down and back straight, her hands clasped in front. It was still a little awkward, since she was so much taller than Cai Renxiang, but that couldn't really be helped.
The hairs on the back of her neck rose as they moved further in, exchanging polite greetings as they went. She was more used to the riot of spiritual sensations now, but even here, among so many nobles, she could feel Cai Shenhua's presence bearing down upon her, an oppressive weight draped about her shoulders, and it only grew more intense as they reached the Duchess herself, seated upon a long plush cushioned couch beside Minister Linqin.
Ling Qi shuddered as those empty pools of colorless radiance which served as the woman's eyes chanced across her face, ducking her head a little more. The Duchess had seemingly shed the outermost layer of the gown she had worn this morning, leaving the pale marble-like skin of her shoulders exposed, though the floaty silks and lace which remained left her figure tastefully ambiguous.
As Cai Renxiang smoothly bowed to her Mother, Ling Qi did the same, though her bow was much lower of course. It took a moment to drag her attention away from the Duchess, and note that the woman was not alone. Seated in a wide arch around her were a great many people who made Ling Qi very nervous indeed. To her left sat Bai Suzhen and Bai Meizhen, the older of which was studying them cooly over the rim of a teacup, and the younger of which was studiously not paying her any mind. To her right where a pair of heavily garbed figures with wide tortoiseshell patterned hats, seated in individual chairs. Those would be the Xuan admirals she had heard about presumably.
At the 'bottom' of the arch was Guo Si and one of his guards, and opposite him was a massive bear of a man, with wild red hair and a short beard of the same shade, his bare and muscular arms thrown out casually over the back of his couch. It was very hard not to feel as if all eyes were on her, even if she knew they were looking to Cai Renxiang.
"Greetings, Mother," Cai Renxiang said formally. "Your humble daughter presents herself for your inspection."
"So you have," Cai Shenhua replied lightly, the light of her gaze falling upon Renxiang's back and casting her face in shadow. "Hm, still using that same style I see. Really, you should do something different once in awhile, young lady. That austere look of yours…" the Duchess sighed, resting her cheek in one hand.
Ling Qi did her best not to twitch nervously, that really wasn't the response she had been coached to expect in this kind of situation. Thankfully her liege seemed more prepared for her Mother's actions.
"My apologies Mother," she said evenly, maintaining her picture perfect bow. "I did not feel that I had the time or skill required to make worthy changes to your designs."
"I suppose so," the monstrous woman said lightly. "We will have to have a little Mother and Daughter time tonight then. I am certain you will look stunning on the morrow," Ling Qi couldn't help but feel a pang of pity at the nigh invisible tremble in Cai Renxiang's hands which came in the wake of those words.
"But I am being rude," The Cai matriarch said brightly. "Raise your head and greet our guests."
Ling Qi carefully straightened up a beat after her liege, though she kept her eyes down as was appropriate given the company, following Cai Renxiang's lead as she offered shallower bows to each of the guest groups in turn. "Honored guests, thank you very much for attending," she intoned. "As you know. I am Cai Renxiang, and this is my retainer and attendant, Baroness Ling Qi. I hope you have all enjoyed your stay in the Emerald Seas thus far."
Guo Si smiled, bowing his head in return as he answered first. "The trip was worth every step, I assure you, Lady Cai, the beauty of your home is beyond compare."
The red haired giant let out a rather uncouth guffaw, pinning the Guo scion with a look of amusement. "The entertainment has been a bit lacking," the mountain-like man said baldly. "Though your girl gave the closest thing to an amusing show Guo, your youngest generation is slipping Bai Suzhen."
The aforementioned woman's shot the red haired man the sort of look Ling Qi had only seen on the faces of wealthy women encountering the filth of the street. "As crass as ever I see, Zheng Po," Bai Suzhen replied coldly. "My niece has a kind heart, that is hardly a fault in moderation."
Ling Qi had to struggle to maintain her even expression at that statement. Bai Meizhen was her best friend, but to call her kind…
"Now, now, do not get distracted now," Cai Shenhua said lightly, raising a cup to her lips. The clear glass in her hands glimmered, the rainbow hued liquid within shifting hypnotically. "You are greeting my daughter, not airing old grievances." Ling Qi had to struggle to keep her shoulders straight as the weight of the woman's aura spiked.
The Zheng man simply grinned at her though. "As you say matriarch," he laughed. "Young Cai, I look forward to your matches going forward. The young Gu looks like she will at least put up a fight," he then shot a sly look the Guo scion's way. "The ladies of Golden Fields are at their best when they are trying to kill you after all."
"I will be sure to take your compliment home, Sir Zheng," Guo Si replied blandly, crossing his bare arms over the fine vest he wore. "My aunt will surely be glad that you remember her."
Bai Suzhen ignored the two mens byplay to look straight at Cai Renxiang, only briefly glancing over Ling Qi. "You have done well young lady, despite some early obstacles. I am certain you will give my niece a good match," she said, briefly resting her hand on Meizhen's as she spoke.
"I look forward too facing you on the field of battle, Lady Cai," Meizhen said smoothly, dipping her head very slightly to the other girl.
"A more impressive sight I am sure we will not see this year," Guo Si agreed, ending his staring contest with the Zheng.
"Your words are too kind," Cai Renxiang replied in the beat of silence that followed. "I will be certain not to disappoint any of your expectations."
"You have been very quiet, sir Xuan Ci, sir Xuan Ce, do not tell me that you have fallen into torpor on us," Cai Shenhua. "Have you been enjoying the festivities?"
"Nay O radiant one," the leftmost of the heavily closed men spoke. His robes shrouded him almost entirely from view, the space between his high, stiff collar and the lower edge of his hat only just enough to leave his stormy grey eyes visible, along with a band of pale flesh marked by black scales. "Mine brother and I agree…"
"...Thine governance has been a great boon to this weary land," the other said, his voice softer than his brothers. "Though, we admit…"
"That the dance of limbs and blades are not to our interest," his brother finished. Ling Qi found herself stiffening then as his gaze fell on her, the sight of a storm tossed sea, frothing and violent flashed before her eyes. "This one is most curious where thine daughters hand found a Brother in these southern climes."
"It is a matter the Sect would prefer not be aired openly," Cai Shenhua replied smoothly, saving her the need to try and explain.
"We shall have to share words with the venerable Yuan Shen, in that case," the second brother said, turning his gaze to Ling Qi as well. "This one shall hope he needs not inform the young lady of the honor she bears."
Ling Qi bowed more deeply. "Zhengui is precious to me. I have raised him from his egg with diligent care. I do no not intend to give him anything but my best."
"Zhengui?" the rightmost brother asked, his stern voice sounding faintly bemused. "I see."
Ling Qi's cheeks flushed slightly. "It… ah, his name…" Suddenly the pun did not seem quite as funny.
"It is fine, young wraith," the leftmost brother replied. "Worry yourself not over such things."
"Hah, so even the Xuan have a sense of humor, how surprising," The Zheng man laughed, glancing at Ling Qi briefly.
"You mistake reserve for humorlessness, as always," Bai Suzhen said with a sniff.
Cai Shenhua smiled thinly her radiant 'eyes' narrowing. "Well, my daughter. I am satisfied with your greeting. You are dismissed for the moment, see to our other guests and ensure that they find our hospitality acceptable."
Cai Renxiang bowed deeply to her mother once more. "As you command Mother. It was my honor to be allowed to greet such esteemed guests. Ladies Bai, Sir Zheng, Sirs, Xuan, Sir Guo, please excuse me."
As they left Cai Shenhua and the highest ranking guests behind, Ling Qi allowed herself a tiny sigh of relief as the weight on her shoulders lessened. Just standing there in their presence had been stressful. Being ignored completely by her best friend hadn't felt good either.
"Do you require a moment?" Cai Renxiang asked, pausing to look over her shoulder at Ling Qi.
"No, I am fine," Ling Qi assured her. "Please don't delay on my account." The last thing she wanted was for the other girl to give her mother reason for complaint.
Cai Renxiang replied with a tiny nod, turning her gaze forward once again, resuming her path back toward the more crowded parts of the pavilion. The next few hours passed in a blur of names and faces as Cai Renxiang made her way through the guestlist, trading pleasantries and small talk. Ling Qi found occasion to speak much less than her liege, but all the same, maintaining the mask of stiff politeness and subservience was exhausting. It was like studying law all over again. She was sure that she was going to forget half of the people she had met tonight, if only due to the blandness of the wrote exchanges which passed between them.
How was it that so many people who she could feel were all unique, their auras a riot of color and imagery turn into the same faceless crowds with which she was much more familiar.
"Grandmother says that you humans make your little social rituals for the sake of peace," Sixiang said casually as Ling Qi headed for the refreshments. Cai Renxiang had noticed her wandering attention it seemed, and set her the task of retrieving drinks for the both of them. She was grateful for the break.
'I'm not sure I see the connection,' Ling Qi thought glumly as she looked over the array of tea blends, ciders, and watered wines available.
"Well I didn't understand what she meant either, before," Sixiang admitted. "But… I think I might be starting to see. After all if a few spirits tear each other apart over after offending each other, it's no big deal, you know? You humans don't get better from that kind of thing though."
'I suppose," Ling Qi thought, placing her order with the attendant. Renxiang could have her tea, Ling Qi preferred something cold. Briefly, she wondered if she had developed that from her association with Zeqing. 'If everyone acts the same on the surface, I guess it reduces clashes,' it was a grudging thought, and it bothered her a bit though.
"Mm, well I don't disagree, it seems awfully boring," Sixiang mused in response to her mood. "I wonder if it's really the best way… Things weren't like this in the oldest days."
Sixiangs musing faded into her thoughts as Ling Qi headed back toward the beacon that was Renxiang's aura, two cups in her hands. Weaving through the crowd was second nature, the verbal acknowledgement of the people she was slipping around was less so, but she supposed she was growing used to it.
However, as she approached her liege, she paused. She was no longer speaking to the viscount functionaries she had left her with, but rather…
[] One of the Xuan Admirals, enigmatic in his heavy robes.
[] Zheng Po, the boisterous scion of Ebon Rivers ducal house.
AN: Sorry this one was a little late. One more update for the afterparty and then we'll be heading into the next round.
[X] Zheng Po, the boisterous scion of Ebon Rivers ducal house.
I'm going for the less intuitive choice here. The Xuan are of special interest to us because of Zhengui, but Zheng Po's lack of ... reservation could be a breath of fresh air for Ling Qi after hours of formalities.
"I suppose so," the monstrous woman said lightly. "We will have to have a little Mother and Daughter time tonight then. I am certain you will look stunning on the morrow," Ling Qi couldn't help but feel a pang of pity at the nigh invisible tremble in Cai Renxiang's hands which came in the wake of those words.
"I suppose so," the monstrous woman said lightly. "We will have to have a little Mother and Daughter time tonight then. I am certain you will look stunning on the morrow," Ling Qi couldn't help but feel a pang of pity at the nigh invisible tremble in Cai Renxiang's hands which came in the wake of those words.
The aforementioned woman's shot the red haired man the sort of look Ling Qi had only seen on the faces of wealthy women encountering the filth of the street. "As crass as ever I see, Zheng Po," Bai Suzhen replied coldly. "My niece has a kind heart, that is hardly a fault in moderation."
Ling Qi had to struggle to maintain her even expression at that statement. Bai Meizhen was her best friend, but to call her kind…
So, one of the silly things about Zhengui pretending to be a mountain is that that's actually a legitimate strategy... which means that if we want to, once he gets powerful enough, we can start treating him like a mountain... like we can build fortifications on him, add siege weaponry, and have them manned. We can then sit at the peak, playing a mournful tune, and cover that mountain in a black mist (or whatever it is by that point).
Would he eventually develop cultivation sites? I imagine you could grow crops on him pretty well. How would Zhengui feel about being inhabited?
Alternately, if Zhengui hangs around the Duchess enough, he may wind up developing "fortifications and a small army to man them" as a specialized summoning art.... at which point we can literally pull a heavily fortified mountain out of our dantian.
...but still, we know from back at that first physical Cultivation test that it's possible for a cultivator of sufficient power to create an entire world within themselves. We will eventually be a cultivator of sufficient power. There's nothing saying that we *couldn't* have Zhengui have actual long-term inhabitants, even while hanging out in our dantian. It might be a bit dreary as such things go, but you certainly wouldn't have to worry about bandits.
Admittedly, it would really cut down on our willingness to use him for cometbombing.
Fortifying Zhengui has been discussed before. There's still a thing bouncing around of linking him to a Li Silk guard formation via a talisman called Mobile Fortress Zhengui. And ever since we've known how big they can get it has been a case that people have wanted to put fortifications on him.
As for cultivation sites? Yeah probably. Say for example he gets a seed or pool on his shell for more than a century, its bathed in his qi and should become a site of some ability. It fits the genre.
As for being inhabited I think as he grows he'll come to understand Ling Qi's domain more, and would actually be rather insulted if his Big Sis didn't live on his shell. It'd offend his Xuan Wu instincts in my mind if she didn't.
Also update yay!
[x] One of the Xuan Admirals, enigmatic in his heavy robes.
I'm actually kinda torn. I really like the Zheng as a concept and meeting what is essentially the son of Sun Wukong sounds hilarious.
