Hmmph... this junior is a good seed [Cultivation Management Quest]

[Uber_Fail_Dinesh]

Shennong - Newfound Difficulties​

"Hah...This is one stressful mission…"


Shennong was once again wondering how he got here. The past half-century had been nothing but a miracle to him. First was his incredible luck in aiding one of the 13 into discovering an exceedingly potent herb, which in turn allowed him to seize a once in a lifetime opportunity to boost his cultivation extraordinarily. Next was his quest to find the fabled Peace Making Blade, which in its legend managed to stop a war between 2 powerful kingdoms merely by being drawn. Unfortunately, by the time he had tracked down the resting place of the fabled blade, it had been long taken. However, whatever greed that had been running through the pilferer's mind hadn't thought to take the sheathe, which was just as potent, if for another reason entirely.

The Peacebound Scabbard, said to sap the strength and will of those who would dare oppose it, so long as the wielder lifted no blade in retaliation. Naturally, Shennong had tested this, and to his delight the powerful enchantment on the sheathe cared not of the fists of the wielder, not the feet or body of them. Shennong had capitalized on this, ensuring that his bare-handed capabilities were strengthened to their highest potential, which had brought him to some minor renown in the clan. Which, of course, led to this.

Because of his newfound notice by the higher mid-powers of the clan, he had to ensure that he was seen to be worth keeping, in order to ensure that he was given the chance to pursue the path he wanted to set out upon: A Grand Alchemist, crafting pills that would bring Heaven-Defying Strength, Lighting-Fast Celerity, and Stability greater than Mt. Tai. He wished to Create, and finding the strength to indulge in his goal was necessary. So, he took this mission and left with the Caravan to ensure he had a home to come to. Shouldn't have been too hard.

Unfortunately, the keyword there was Should.

Ambushes. Landslides. Monsters. Monster Ambushes. Ambushing Monsters. A cursed artifact left by a hostile Great Circle Core Formation Elder. A Half-Nascent Soul Beast on the hunt, which only didn't eat them because they were too thin for the beast's desires. Shennong was convinced that this caravan was cursed. That or Jin Fulong was either a Spy, or just insane. He somehow always managed to find the worst possible routes through danger, and multiple times his advisors had lamented letting Jin have the map. However, he was the one who amassed the truly staggering amount of array resources to build and maintain the arrays for the gargantuan defensive emplacement plan that the grand council had thought up. So, Jin decided he got the map.

This must be some kind of retribution for the good luck he's had recently, isn't it…

Well, there was nothing else to do. He had accepted the mission, so he had to finish it. Plus, it seems that they had reached a quiet point--

CRASH

...He just had to open his mouth...


(AN: This'll probably be part of of 2 or 3, if I can get both the time and motivation to do it. For my bonus, I'm going to request a Tribulation Bonus.)

 

[Uber_Fail_Dinesh]

(AN: Alright, I'll admit: I kinda lost interest in the thread for a while, along with wuxia in general. But, I've recently been rereading an old favorite of mine and it reignited some interest in the genre, so I'm coming back with a new Omake. Here goes!)

Shennong Omake - Past Lessons Learned

Late in the night at the Golden Devils Sect, one of the many Heavenstage cultivators was...cultivating. More Specifically, the member Shennong of the formerly extinct Golden Eye clan. For a good few decades, Shennong had been met with success, frankly too much success. And it had shown.

'I was too arrogant. I managed to fall into on of the capital pits of Cultivating.'

Despite having what some would call a Heaven sent level of luck in his early days of cultivation, Shennong had not tried to exceed expectations, instead coasting along. He fell into the pit of ennui, where his days and years had been filled with nothing but lazy alchemy. His lack of battle training had shown, with him relying on the Peacebound Scabbard too much. For now, he would need to get himself back into "the game" as it was, and if that meant reinventing himself, then so be it.

-----------------

"Look, it's Shennong!"

"The rumored alchemy fiend? What's he doing out at the training field? I thought all he did was stay in the Alchemy grounds..."

"Shh! He might hear you!"

Shennong had indeed heard the whispers on the training grounds. Unfortunately, they were all true. He had shut himself away, just to sate what was quickly becoming clear to him as an addiction to alchemy. This would not stand.

Before long, he came to the Foundation Establishment Training Master, a Achilles Myrmidon. Quickly noticing the approaching Cultivator, he gave a perfunctory bow. "Younger brother Shennong? What brings you to the training fields?"

Instead of giving a reply, Shennong proceeded to give a bow, with one hand balled up and the other clasped around it. A classic symbol of fealty...or apology.

Surprised, Achilles gave a similar, if lighter in height bow, before asking "What do you apologize for, Younger brother?"

His eyes closed and face solemn, Shennong steeled himself.

"I wish to apologize for my conduct and wish to beg for instruction."

Whispers quickly broke out on the training grounds, but neither Shennong nor Achilles paid attention to them.

"Oh? What conduct do you wish to apologize for?"

"I have committed a capital sin, and have allowed myself to stagnate. Recent...events have led me to recognizing my situation, and I have realized I must rectify it. If I must put Alchemy to the side for the moment, then so be it."

An eyebrow quirked. "And why should I instruct you? You yourself have said it is a capital sin to Stagnate, and not an easy pit to climb out of. Why should I put in effort if it will potentially go to waste?"

"Because in this brutal world, one must adapt or die. If I did not do everything to survive two tribulations ago, I would not be here. So, I must reinvent myself."

Achilles studied Shennong...before giving a very short nod. Deep within his mind, Shennong cringed. Achilles only gave nods that shallow if someone had disappointed him.

"Very well. Head to the first training field. I will come to test where you are when I have a moment."

While Shennong had wanted to argue, cite his higher level of cultivation compared to the others...Achilles wouldn't care. All trainees who weren't foundation building were the same in his eyes. So, Shennong went...with a multitude of whispers following, rumors sure to sprout from it.

--------

"Weak. You were not lying when you said you had fallen to sloth."

It had taken barely fifteen seconds for Shennong to find the wooden spear tip poking his neck. While he couldn't be expected to beat a Foundation building expert, he should have taken longer to 'die'!

"Again."

-------

"Again."

This time, it took 17 seconds.

-------

"Again."

Next, it took 21.

------

Then, 24 seconds.

------

It took over fifty matches before Shennong could last a whole thirty seconds. Over 200 to last forty five, and over 400 for him to last a minute.

------

"You know, you aren't the first to come to me and declare they had been slacking. They would declare with fire in their eyes that they would not falter."

Everything burned. Even a half-dead devil bee would look better than Shennong at this moment. Achilles was standing off to the side, seemingly murmuring to himself.

"Their bodies were usually found out in the wild three weeks later, because they thought they needed to prove themselves."

Only three? It had only been a day, and Shennong had wanted to prove that he deserved this.

"You're more headstrong than those fools, and this time I won't be lenient. Until you can last ten minutes in this ring, I am using my authority as training field master to bar you from taking missions outside the sect."

Unacceptable. How would he gather ingredients?

"Until you can last three, I'm also barring you from practicing Alchemy. If I even so much as think you're making a pill, even under orders from the Sect Master himself, I'll have you locked into isolation."

"WHAT!?" That was too much! Alchemy was his passion, and this man would try to bar him from it!?

"Don't take that tone before I force you to take Array carving lesson as well. You wish to gain strength? Then you must earn it, and that means that anything that you like is a detriment. It is a shackle, one you placed on your ankle yourself. Now get off of my field and get some sleep."

------

The next day, His only artifact was taken from him. He must relearn everything, and relying on something that reduces potential damage is a detriment.

It took him 3000 matches before he could last 75 seconds.

------

After 3 months, he could last for 100 seconds. It was also at that point that Achilles had forced him into learning formations. Whether made by artifacts or other cultivators, he was required to know the exact positioning and requirements for every common and uncommon formation of the sect. Apparently Achilles was so hard on it that Shennong had been caught cultivating and muttering the exact requirements for a perfect Tiger's Claw formation.

------

After a year, he only managed to add ten seconds. Achilles had taken notice of this, and had been even more brutal, beating down Shennong's time back to the 30 second range.

However, the last straw was when Shennong had learned he had been volunteered for Array carving lessons.

------

"I refuse."

"You don't have a choice. You have been slacking, and I told you that I would do whatever it takes to force you back to competence. If that means sending you to learn, then so be-"

"I SAID I REFUSE!"

At this, Achilles froze, his posture stiffening greatly. He relaxed, but gained a murderous look in his eye.

His hand came out-

Shennong braced-

The hand came faster-

His arms lashed out-

And Shennong caught the slap millimeters before it would have slapped him.

For a moment, Achilles was inscrutable. Then, in the barest corner of his eye, Shennong saw a flash of approval.

"Good. At least you kept something. Most weren't able to react, and proved to me they learned nothing. At least you remembered the first rule."

Unbidden, the rule flashed in his mind. "Always be ready."

"I will retract the Array carving instructions, but by the end of the next year I expect at least thirty seconds improvement. This is you only chance now."

------

At the end of the second year, Shennong managed two minutes.

------

The third year netted him 2:30, while the fourth granted three minutes. Despite regaining his privileges with Alchemy, Shennong did not return to the Alchemy Pavillion.

------

After five years, he could manage five minutes. Ten netted him seven and a half, with Achilles fighting at a first level Foundation establishing Expert.

------

At a whole twenty years, Shennong had managed ten minutes. Achilles had been a harsh teacher, but an effective one nonetheless. Bruised and battered, Shennong had persevered, and in so found a greater strength of will. He would not fail.

Before his next mission, Achilles took him off to the side.

"It has been an interesting project, to pull you out of the mud. I could see the glimmer of a shining gem, but the tar of ennui had covered it, and during the first year it seemed that nothing I could do would get the tar off, merely shave off the top layer."

"Yet, the gem never cracked or broke, even when I took a hammer to it. It absorbed it, understood it, and reinforced itself with it."

"Stand proud Shennong, for even if you endure the harshest ridicule, the most scathing remarks, the most humiliating slaps upon the face, you have faced something even more frightening than all of those altogether: You have faced yourself."

"Now go and prove to the world your strength."

And with that, Shennong set off.


Final word count: 1532 Words
Preferred Reward: Cultivation bonus


(PS: I don't mind if this is put into the turn 12 omake count, but I kinda want it to be on the turn 11 count. I'll respect any judgement @occipitallobe gives me.)

 

[Uber_Fail_Dinesh]

Shennong Omake: Dao Musings (Life)

One of my most mused Dao is one of the largest and most diverse ones: The Dao of Life.

What is life? is it adversity, constantly providing challenge after challenge to all those who reside within it? Is it benevolence, providing sustenance and justification for existence? Is it both, or even neither?

Perhaps it is all of these, or just none. However, my opinion comes from looking at its opposite: Death. What is Death, at its most base form? It is the opposite, or absence of life. It is a lack of color, vibrancy, movement, energy. It is stagnant, waiting, ever patient. It is what awaits us at the end, content to stay still and allow us to come to it.

So what does that make life then? To myself, life is constant struggle, constant movement, improvement, Adaptation. It is finding a new way to grow, to leap, to learn and live. It is impatient, constantly moving, constantly changing, constantly Growing.

Life is growth, and everything that comes from it.

In the primordial soup, before even the Heavens could hope to hold everything in it's grasp, there was no growth. All was silent, all was dead.

So then, where did life come from?

Life came from a rather innocuous action, possibly from one of the heavens, possibly from no interference at all.

Life burst forth from a simple movement. Somewhere in the soup a minuscule part of it shifted and changed, and a whole new form of existence burst forth. It took aeons, possibly aeons worth of aeons, but it grew. It grew and grew and grew until it was completely unrecognizable from what it was.

To me, that is life. It is constant change, movement in motion, growth without limits. It is to preserve in adversity, to provide in benevolence, to adapt in hardship and live in peace.

To me, Life is Everything.

(AN: I think I'll take a lifespan boost to mirror my thoughts on life.)

 

[Uber_Fail_Dinesh]

Shennong Omake: Prospecting Man

"It's at times like this that I'm glad I stayed in alchemy..."

Shennong had been hard at work for the past half year in the infamously dangerous Turtlebone Mountain mine, looking for the jaw-droopingly rare Turtle Ore. His official Mission had required him to get only a fistful's worth of ore, and while insulted at first, when he arrived he was rather glad that was all they asked for. Nascent Beasts swarmed this powerful nexus of energy, making it both incredibly dangerous and attractive at the same time for beast cultivators...assuming they didn't get themselves killed at the first opportunity.

The main methods of the Golden Devils beast tamers basically amounted to fooling the beast in question to trust before marking them with a seal of subservience. As Shennong had seen a Tamer in question try this exact tactic on one of the many beasts that lived here only to get glared at and vaporized by the beast in question, he didn't think it worked too well. He could say with confidence that having the smell of alchemical plants threw off the scents of the beasts in question, which worked very well when he was running from a Heart-seeking Monitor in the tunnels, with a lucky break allowing a pouch to spill out and obscuring his 'scent'. Unfortunately, the monitor decided the plants smelled nice, plopped it's large body on the ground and went to sleep...without anyway to sneak around it safely.

"The camp will be expecting me within the next day...I'll need to get back fast." The daunting prospect of being labelled dead and left behind spurred him into action. Instead of going back, he'd need to go forwards to get free. Quietly sneaking his way from the oversized lizard, he went further and further into the tunnels. While his ability to sense his surroundings was still exceptional, that didn't mean he was getting any younger!

(AN: I wanted to make this longer by finding a piece of Ore, but I kinda lost motivation for it at this point. I think I'll take the idea that I'm not Omakeless and a LST for my bonuses.)

 

[Uber_Fail_Dinesh]

Shennong

Slithery troubles

-------------

"Why did I choose this now!?"

He came hurtling through the lush foliage, screaming in both mind and body. Behind him, a great serpent rushed forth to claim his life as many had tried before. Shennong had regretted his inattention to martial pursuits before, mostly back on the mountain, but it was only now he realized how vitally important keeping your fists apace with your hands. Achilles had beaten that lesson into his body, but he only accepted it when in action. Ever since entering this Qiguai realm, he was bombarded by foes, this snake being one of the most persistent. He knew it would be trouble to stay in the jungle, but the tantalizing risk of rare herbs...!

Suddenly, the snake tensed and he could not think anymore, so focused on surviving the thrust the snake performed he jumped with all his strength.

It very nearly wasn't enough.

The snake's jaws snapped shut just barely grazing the cloth he was wearing. Shennong cursed, and accelerated once more.

--------------

"You again!?"

He thought he had evaded the snake! But it was back! he had managed to distract it but reluctantly giving up a prime meal to the snake, which it had been quick to slay while he ran away at high speeds. While it was regretful to give away a quick source of food in here, It wasn't as if he come out of the encounter empty handed. He had found a thousand-year old ginseng root, which if refined properly could even help a core-formation realm expert stabilize their qi and boost it. It almost seemed like a waste consuming it raw, but the power that then flowed through his meridians demonstrated the benefits quite well. He had also lost the snake...or so he had thought.

But once again, it had found him, and once more was chasing him. He dodged again, and began the chase once more.

-------------

"You're STILL Following me?"

He had left the jungle! He had even gone to the mountains of this secret realm and this snake was still following him! What sort of grude had he incurred from this snake! This was far and away the most something had chased him, and he didn't even know why!

It couldn't be for food, since this was the exact opposite place for a snake to hunt. So what could it be!?

As if sensing his frustration, the snake struck forwards, causing him to curse and flee with greater speed once more.

------------
"Hah...Hah...You're a real piece of work, you do know that yes?"

SSSSSS

He had gone back to the jungle, irritated enough to ignore the snake and go look for more herbs. Surprisingly, the Snake had seemed less devoted to ending his life, almost as if it were intelligent enough to recognize when a chase had gone on for too long. Sometimes he had even caught it staring at him, seemingly thoughtfully. It always noticed him looking and proceeded to chase faster after though.

"Hmm!?"

He was so distracted in his thoughts that the serpent nearly got him...Only to see another snake collide with it. Wait! The new snake was the one who attacked him!

He took a defensive stance, but it seemed like the two beasts were more interested in fighting each other than him. He watched, surprised at the sheer vehemence the two were spitting and hissing at each other implied some grudge even further than the one he had randomly accrued. Soon, the apparent victor was in sight. It would be the new serpent, coiling and strangling the original one. The original's eyes were starting to bulge, and close to death, it looked at him.

...Why him? Was it asking for help?

The other snake did look triumphant, but when he glanced, whatever kind of emotion the snakes had seemed to only be with the old one. There was nothing but coldness in the new serpent's eyes.

...Ah hell, he was going to regret this, wasn't he?

Quick as lightning, he blasted forwards, striking out with his palm toward the new serpent's head. The beast noticed him, and quickly shifted it's head...only to lose the full grip on the old snake, who quickly thrashed enough to break the stranglehold. The foe slithered a quick distance away, coiling and assessing the new threat. Both Shennong and the new snake looked at each other, than at their enemy. A quick nod from Shennong saw him blasting towards the coiled serpent, his ally of convenience following closely behind. He struck, it dodged and sliced with it's tail, forcing him to bend backwards (and causing plenty of his bones to creak in ways that he most certainly didn't like) Before he kicked up with his foot, snapping the enemy's head straight up, right into the pathway of his ally who snapped it's head back down with another strike of it's tail, giving Shennong an opening!

"SHATTER!" He roared, his fist balled up, heading closer, closer, even closer nearly there right in front justabouttohit-

BOOOOOOOOM!!!!

Shocked, Shennong looked at the spray of viscera that erupted from the stump that was his enemy's head. The corpse of the snake swayed back from the force, before continuing to topple back down. The cadaver of the great monster flopped onto the ground, a testament to the reaper.

Dumbfounded, he looked at the Snake he knew...only to see a similarly dumbfounded stare come right back at him. The creature looked at the corpse again, then back at him. And shook it's head in an almost human fashion, like it couldn't believe what it was seeing.

Out of nowhere, a great roar sounded out nearby, jerking him out of his reverie. He quickly snatched the Corpse of his previous foe, and took off, the other snake following him, but not attacking.

-------------

The two of them took off into a Jungle cave he had found and cleared a week ago, camping for the night.

(The snake had tried some jerky he had made when not being chased by it. Religious revelation was the only way he could have described it's face as it ate the dried meat.)

While he seemed to have made peace with the snake, there was something that was still bugging him...

"Why were you so insistent on killing me?"

The snake looked at him, surprise clear in it's eyes. The surprise quickly turned into a look that could only be described as 'Are you kidding me'. It glanced towards the corpse, and then itself. Shennong blinked, somewhat stumped. Why look at the tails? He knew the dead one's was somewhat short-

Wait. Short?

Almost like a great link of wardstones firing up their enchantment, a set of neurons fired...and a memory came to Shennong. It was an anatomy lesson he took for monster-based alchemy, and how to determine if one should use a Yang-based or Yin-based method. If he remembered correctly, male snakes had shorter tails than-

(His mind flashed again, this time back to the first time he met the snake. He had been having a glorious battle and screamed out in joy "This is how battle between men should be!"

Immediately after that, he found himself fending off a vicious strike from the snake, who had been fighting rather conservatively before. Startled, he backpedalled, only to be chased with the snake's jaws wide open, starting his great escape against the serpent.)

(The bronze coin finally dropped.)

"You're a girl!?"

The eyes of the snake (no, her eyes?) showed only complete and utter exasperation.

(AN: Y'know, this was supposed to be a set of drabbles across the entire Qiguai realm. Then Snake-chan decided to coil around my brain and squeeze any sort of thought against making the Omake anything but her out. I think I'll just take an impact boost for my reward, Unless I can get Snake-Chan out with me KEKW

I might make a Dao musing soon too.)

 

[Uber_Fail_Dinesh]

Shennong Omake: Dao Musings 3

What is growth? Is it merely the act of increasing one's power or understanding? Is it something only plants can do? Nay! For before your very eyes, you have grown. If only in age, if not wisdom. Growth, in my eyes is the concept of Adapting married with the concept of Time. All life must adapt, or it will die. It must GROW. Growth cannot be instantaneous, for all growth is incremental. However, this does not mean that just waiting will give growth. Indeed, for one to adapt requires one to need to adapt. Without this Impetus, all the power one would have would be useless.

But does this mean that one should throw themselves into a tempest's squall just to learn how they can ride it out? No, that is not adapting, merely suicidal recklessness. Growth must be tempered with Wit, to find the best ways to adapt. All things must follow this truth: One's growth must mirror it's circumstances. A plant that tries to live within a desert by making large amounts of leaves and water expelling roots will quickly die out. Instead, within the desert a plant that absorbs water voraciously and holds it jealously reins king in growth. But in a rainforest, where water is plentiful? It would drown. Indeed, this one truth influences all the ways life will act to preserve itself, Pushing ever forward on a lonely and embittered path. It mirrors a conflict I have seen throughout this world many times over: The path of cultivation. Each traveler in the path of immortality grows on their circumstances, yet they still fall short without noticing it.

I've rambled for too long, I supposed. Must be getting along in my old age. Oh, to have the drive to fight the hands of time just once more...!


---------------

300 Words nearly on the dot. I'm getting back into it I believe. I'll take a Tribulation Boost, which should get me to foundation establishment just in time to not die from age.

 

[RebelYell]

Name: Shiro
Age: 16
Species: Cursed Mushroom
Status: Healthy
Current cultivation: 1st Heavenstage of Qi Gathering

A small mushroom born in the large and twisting cavern's, secret's taught and lesson's learned deep in the depth's shiro knew of the world outside only in the way which stories were told, of the Golden ones and their benevolent rule to those under them and their dealing's with us. Whether that be for medicine they claim to seek from us or help growing their farmland and driving pest's away.

In exchange the Golden one's offered protection from those who would seek harm from us due partly to our very nature as towering mushroom people and the unique resources they can harvest from us and apply to their potions and aid in cultivation (If you ask shiro he'd tell you they were just jealous because they weren't born with fabulous cap's).

Shiro grew up in the aftermath of the Golden one's most recent turmoil from strange other's who devastated the land to harvest "luck" of all thing's, not food nor land nor artifact's. That perplexed shiro for what can luck do more than the constant drive to survive, adapt, grow and thrive?

With time shiro came to a decision. The Golden one's needed time, time to heal their land, time to rebuild and time to expand. With their prosperity bring's with it the Cursed Mushroom's continued safety and growth from those who would wish harm against their way of life.
With this in mind and his goal set shiro went out to join the Legion's with the teaching's of the Cursed Mushroom clan's techniques and art's to help the Golden one's and with that themselves as well.

Cool thing: Staff of Rot, accelerates rot and decay's whatever it hit's

Cultivation Goal: Ascend to 13'th Heavenstage

Dream Goal: Healing Nascent's Fall's land's making it inhabitable


Alectai Aright so this is something I've been thinking for a while now that wouldn't go away and I hope I'm doing it somewhat well since writing a story is new to me but I just had to make someone for this marvelous quest!
It started as a wandering necromancer setting up shop with the devil's but I couldn't decide whether to have him use ghost's or curses or reanimated dead to fight, then I remembered he'd be on his own and wouldn't it be convenient if we could have some groundwork for his path?
Then I got thinking to the Mushroom's and their specialty with curses and dammit theres so many cool curses to cast GIMME!

 

[RebelYell]

Tap, Tap, Tap​

The afternoon sun was particularly hot today for the field worker's, plows tilling the fertile land to soon be ready to plant the seed's for the next harvest. Hot and sweaty farmer's wiping their brow's in their hard labored effort's to eke out a living in the small oasis village. Shiro saw them as brave men and women all to stay out of the safety of Pleuron's city where bandit's and raider's didn't dare to tread and try to reclaim their homeland's after the most recent trial's near a decade past.

That some were staring at him while he was methodically tapping his staff in one such field was too be expected, after all it's not every day a giant mushroom wander's the fields inspecting the soil and tell's you the best spot's to plant your crop's. Not until the last hour's of daylight were fading
did shiro at last retire to the family hosting him for the past week.

"Ah, Shiro welcome back! I hope everything went well today?" Hao Dan greeted politely at the entrance, with a small form with starry eyes peeking beyond her from the doorway.

"Yes, their doesn't appear to be any pest's after I've first dealt with them, I have to thank you again for this hospitality miss Hao. I feared I may have been unwelcome at first and turned away before you'r generosity."
Shiro said with a nod dipping his cap.

"Ah that's good to hear, and think nothing of it our family has long been good friend's with your clan. Some of the villager's here were pushed away from the trade cities near the wall, please don't mind them, this is the first time many of them have seen a Cursed Mushroom before.."

Before the trial's you think, but it wouldn't do to point that out. Not when their were empty seat's in the house that haven't been filled expected for a larger table, or the slight fading of wood where you suspect their were once pictures of smiling faces.

"Before naughty eavesdropping children have seen- Lord Shiro!! terror of those up past their bedtime-RAAGGHH!!!"
Reaching out and with a delighted shriek at being caught the little form darted out past your reach startling Miss Hao but with good mirth and started chuckling at their antic's.

"Hehehe- Oh that little devil, thank you for entertaining Xie so much. She's been quite the handful lately, though if she has this much energy now I may have to give longer hours helping with the neighbors field." Saying a touch too loudly, and with a smirk after listening to small tapping feet further away from the hall presumably to bed.

"I will retire shortly after one more round around the house." Shiro said.

After bidding a goodnight shiro went behind the house and wandered the field one final time, the air was chilled with the star's coming out and the moon half full. Tapping once more rhythmically with his staff on the rich soil whilst being careful ever so careful to mind the healthy growing plant's for they were to grow and become ripe for the people. Had he then they surely would've rotted away before your next breathe.

Tap, tap, tap

No, the purpose was to bring life back to the field's by decaying the refuse, waste and pest's into fuel for the crop's to feed on and grow. For the past week this ritual has been performed to those willing farmer's who still remember their pact's with the Cursed Mushroom Clan.

Tap, tap, tap

A fairy ring was coming to view, near the center of the field, shiro's callsign and blessing to those in the know. Shiro stopped in the center and admired his work, in the distance he could see the oasis that gave life to the people here. Small flickering lights in homes that could barely weather a stiff breeze much less any sort of organized attack.

It was hope that moved them, hope for a better day and pride in their work to lay down for future generation's to come. Rumor's of bandit sighting's were the least of their worries compared to the wildlife that calls the desert home. Reminiscing of home shiro recalled the great worm's that carved the cavern's new passageway's and payed respect's, and the Hellfire Ant's competing for food and increasing territory the Clan was on constant vigilance against.

The dirt shifted beneath your feet...

Compared to this small little village with hardly any qi in the earth for crop's to grow and almost no real value to be had in raiding beside's those on the blood path, it's a wonder why he had stopped and stayed in the first place. Then Miss Hao spoke of your clansmen often coming to their previous village for festivities and good drink even speaking of some elder's that you remember in their younger day's.

When she offered hospitality you smiled, when Xie started pulling prank's on yourself and started a little war there was laughter in the air, When there were neighbors offering greeting's and well wishes you knew however brief your stay you would help this small unassuming village grow, dreaming for the future in more peaceful day's and of bountiful harvest's to come.

Casting a glance down you hummed and swiped your foot on the topmost layer of soil to see your handy work, the light of the moon providing illumination past the cloud cover and starry sky.

An eye from a decayed skull peered back, half rotten with worm's already devouring the fleshy inside's and mushroom's sprouting from the empty socket but staring with hate all the same.
You grinned back.
Tap, tap, tap

As with all thing's for new life to flourish there need's to be something to grow from, and we know this tiny poor little nameless village could become an unlucky victim for the desperate or perhaps the simply spiteful.

Yes it's quite fortunate their are still those who remember the old pact's and pay their respect's, this season's harvest is looking to be quite promising indeed.

@Kaboomatic First omake for my cute little mushroom boy.

 

[RebelYell]

The Bridge​

It was early morning when shiro stirred from slumber within the cave he stayed for the night, the river running through the canyon below heard as pleasant background noise. The chattering shrieker bats returning from their nightly feast and perching on the walls of the cavern was what awoke him.

Shiro was making his way for Acrocorinth, that was his destination since setting foot out of the great cavern that was his home. Every cultivator was needed and now more than ever since the call for aid was heard he intended to provide his own as well for the Golden ones who've provided shelter and safety for his kinsmen from those who would seek harm upon them.

A little yawn escaped from a tiny form that nestled against him. He didn't want to disturb the little one's slumber, even if the smallest liked to cuddle, him being there at all attracted insects drawn towards the light emitted by his fabulous cap for the young to dine on before they could go out soon on their own.

Gently shiro rose and made his way to the mouth of the cave, an adult bat landing nearby returning from the hunt and only a tad shorter than yourself eyed you and detached the children from yourself, making a plaintive cry before being shushed, making their way towards the roost where a small reflective pool was located.

With a final puff from his cap shiro turned to leave the cave his future spawn would grow from, they would have such a rich source of food upon maturing. Outside with the newly risen sun growing his namesake to anchor his footing shiro made his way to ground level on the winding path through the canyon. After a brief detour for a morning snack from a now wilted cactus the bridge that connected to the other side he would finally be able to join the rebuilding effort.

The bridge was made from stone and the entrance had a nice fancy roof overhead to cover against the element's. Looking down towards the river below see's the still raging river smashing against the rock's waiting for any unlucky traveler to miss their footing and sweep them away to their near certain doom.

You take your eyes away from there and begin to cross, about halfway across you spot a figure waiting at the other end of the bridge.. joined by other's dropping from the rafter's from above, a quick look behind sees yourself surrounded. There were mostly first and second heavenstage's with a single third stage you assume tube their leader.

"Well well well, look's like we have a real treat today! Ya hear that boy's mushroom's on the menu!!" Say's the man in the center wearing a poofy white hat while whooping and cheer's could be heard following that statement.

"But boss I thought we were having mushroom beer?" Asked another voice.

"Ah don't worry about it well have plenty left over, just look at it! We'll be feasting like king's tonight!"

"Kitchen-hand's" you think while tapping on your staff eyeing them, on the surface there was supposedly a peace with the Simmering Soup Sect and Cursed Mushroom Clan but there were alway's rumors from the more rural area's. You actually feel a little flattered they brought so many.

They held a variety of kitchen tool's in their hand's, from knives, cleaver's and ladles to giant chopsticks that look more like spear's. What caught your eye the most were the cauldron's strapped to their back's when one in thee far back dropped their's and suddenly grew thrice it's size filled with freshly waiting soup.

"Now come on fella's let's think about this. Do you really want me in your all's dish? I'd probably spoil the whole thing." Shiro drawl's with a lilt in his voice.

"Hah! is that a challenge I hear? We'll now it'd be a damn shame not to at least try yea?"

With a resounding "AYE!!" from well over two dozen mouth's they converged on you.

"Ah well- can't say I didn't try" you think before a strike from the left with a cleaver is dodged and you trip them with your staff hitting them behind the head with a solid THUMP from your fist sending the poor sod careening end over end his cauldron clattering to the ground before sliding to a stop with their ass in the air.

Raising your staff block's a ladle about to hit your magnificent cap and the two weapon's lock against each for a moment, while fighting for dominance another seizes your lapse in focus to throw a half dozen sharpened chopsticks that sink's in your back. Two more close in bearing a pair of knives' and a giant mallet.

That was a mistake. You inhale and suddenly theres a blast of spores' obscuring your immediate area and, more importantly, their faces which start hacking and coughing. Ducking under the swing of the mallet you charge and tackle him to the ground bowling him under before hoisting him up by the leg and then proceeded to bodily throw to the ladle wielding chef.

Despite being blinded the knives wielder manage's to gouge a few grooves on your back before retreating, then yet another chef charges into the spore cloud yelling a cry before with a grunt you pivot, spin your staff and slam it into the groin of the man with a crunch who can no longer be called such any longer.

A chunk of your leg is torn when the chopstick abomination rips threw it and another cleaver takes a sizable bite of your now tattered cap leaving it with what a generous person would call well loved.

There was laughter in the air as the fresh second stage's moved in to pull back their injured, "Do you really think you can still win?" pulling out a bowl of soup they poured it in their banged up comrades mouth's. When they woke it was with new vitality and awareness thrumming threw them.

"We can do this all day, can you say the same?"

With stinging pain you take a breath, look the leader in the eye's, and give them wide ear splitting grin.

Irritated the leader say's "What's so funny?"

"Ah well its just, I could alway's continue to fight while you whittle me down leaving me at your mercy. But why should I when you've left such an obvious way out?"

So saying you dash towards the edge of the bridge that's less crowded and punch the nearest kitchen-hand in the stomach causing him to bend over with a wheeze, you then grab and quickly stuff him into your gaping maw. Your newly acquired passenger scream's in vain with his still showing leg's thrashing around wildly for escape. While everyone is shocked by the display you grab the cauldron left behind previously and jump out the side of the bridge, while in freewill you angle the cauldron below you and with some relief it expand's to accommodate yourself.

... "well he got you there boss, it was kinda obvious".

Smacking the foolish minion upside the head the leader roar's
" What're you lot waiting for? AFTER THAT MUSHROOM!!!"
Splashing in the raging current you hear shout's and turn back seeing more cauldrons dropping from the bridge like meteor's splashing in the current with angry chef's paddling towards you with fire in their eye's, some but not all of the more sensible one's stay on the bridge following your path from the safety of land.

After deciding to spit out your passenger when they continue to make their displeasure known you hold him up as he sputters in and about too say something unkind, right before dunking him face first in the torrential water's using as an improvised paddle.

Using your newly acquired pilfered goods you speed up with following the current to further distance yourself from the chef's from hell, another peek behind shows a giant chopstick thrown at you. Tipping one corner of the floating vessel reward's with a low GooOOooNG sound and a now leaking cauldron. Another shout heralds more death spear chopsticks are thrown your way forcing you to maneuver between the murderous kitchen tool's while muffled screaming and gurgle's bubble from your paddle, often now scratched and torn meeting the sharp rock's below.

More rocky outcropping's start showing themselves ahead and after showing what might be called mercy pull out your paddle that has a dazed look behind it's mangled face setting it inside whilst plugging the still leaking hole with your paddles foot. Luckily you have a spare with your staff but not really meant for such purpose's, alas the leak needed to be dealt with. It was starting to get soggy in there.

By now the chef's in hot pursuit began to have second thought's and cut their losses pulling closer to the edge's of the river to stop their mad chase. Some even succeeded when their friends following on the proper path start hauling those closest out of the still raging river with mixed results, often there was much swearing and the really unfortunate even managed to bungle that and pull the land dweller's splashing into the drink with them sending both caught into the current!

By now there were only those going for an unwanted swim and the truly determined, you believe one such individual had a ladle cursing a storm at you.

Starting to relax you pat your paddle on the back and say "Whelp I think we're just about home free. Lovely chaps you soup cultivator's, we should really try this again sometime."

There was only a murmur for a reply.

"I'm sorry you have to speak up friend, the river's quite loud today"

turtle's...

With a furrowing of your brows you lean in further. "Say again? I didn't quite catch that."

Your paddle turn's towards you and see's face's and hand's writhing and twisting in the thing's form, the glowing red portal covered in whisper thin growths speak's unholy word's in your ear while around you chopped up bit's of turtle flow around the food that was not, focused as it was. Ahead a giant demonic visage is visible in the horizon frothing water flowing endlessly in it's gullet.

With no more word's coming out of the paddle's mouth, besides a slack jaw no doubt at how resplendent your cap is despite being a bit weathered. It's at this time you realize only one assailant is still chasing after yourself, which just so happen's to be the leader of whatever group they called themselves, you didn't really ask anyway.

Regardless he was foaming at the mouth in apocalyptic rage at this point still drawing closer to you. Whilst his compatriot's plead with him following from the safety of the rocky path to 'let the shroom go' and 'don't risk your life saving Shui' whoever that is.

"Hmm you know I think he might be a bit mad."

The paddle stare's at you.

Snapping your finger's you exclaim "Oh I know! You should talk to him to see what's bugging him, you know him better than I do."

And with that you grab the paddle that start's whimpering and throw for the angry chef to catch, which he actually does to his credit before tossing it aside into the raging river.

"Tsk tsk tsk no respect to paddle's these day's, for shame."

With that done you turn your attention to the rapidly increasing falls approaching "Huh so this is where the river lead's" Saying that and waving a final goodbye to the very angry chef with no hat, you plug the cauldron with your cap waiting within.

As shiro is swept down the fall's, angry swearing turn's into terrified screaming drowned out by the fall's as their both swept away below the torrential water.







Shiro spent his time within the cauldron drifting on the current lazily, after an indeterminate amount of time passed he peeked out scanning his surroundings. After confirming there were no crazy chef's about to turn him into stew he got out still drifting as it were, using still aching and bruised shroom muscle to paddle his way to shore. Sadly without an actual paddle.

After collapsing on the bank all he wanted to do was sleep for a month and damn anyone who say's otherwise. After a few minute's of silent suffering there was a silent squeak, debating whether or not to let whatever scavenger that came across eat him he slowly tiredly and very reluctantly opened them to find a little bat perched on the branch just above him.

"...if your gonna eat me now's the perfect time for it, otherwise quit chattering I'm tryin to sleep."

The bat startled that you were able to speak with how banged up the mushroom looked hopped side to side before crawling closer and nestling under you're frayed cap.

"..Well at least you have good taste."

Sleep took shiro shortly after that.



Gaahh.. this omake didn't want to be written. I swear it was fighten me the whole time. But it's finally finished! Enjoy!
@BungieONI @Kaboomatic @Alectai

 

[RebelYell]

Acrocorinth​

The city lay in the distance, their golden wall's reflecting the light from the sun proudly empowered by numerous array's. Field's of massive amount's vegetables, orchard's filled with fruit, and golden wheat all within fertile soil were tended by mortal's as far as the eye could see, fed by the distant lakes and when a shadow fall's on the land you look up and it starts raining.
Basking in the moment blinking as water fell you just stand there and feel water pitter pattering lightly around you. Holding a hand out as it collects within the palm of your hand you can't help but stare a bit in awe at the reflection gazing back.

Shiro heard stories when he was still young about the Golden One's and how they could call the rain, how could anyone not? But listening to stories vs truly experiencing it was another matter altogether as sheet's of rain pelted him there until the cloud past overhead forming a small rainbow.

'Marvelous'

Breaking out of revery and turning back to the road he walked past the row's of crop's and waved at people in passing. It was rather peaceful beside's the odd person walking into a tree spilling their produce.

Spotting the hill he's been coming to regularly with a view to the lake's and a large tree shading the area he wandered there, sat his staff down, brought out his tea set from his traveling pack, and started brewing.

A little rustling within the gills of your cap showed a tiny form emerge yawning before chittering lightly, placing a little cup on your head after pouring tea the sleepy bat crawled atop before taking little sip's and settling down.

It wasn't anything fancy, the teapot and cups were made of carven wood. And the tea leaves kindly given from Hou Min were sadly lost from his encounter with the soup group. So he instead had mushroom tea personally grown after encountering a particularly tasty would be bandit. You think the little one likes it.

Sitting beneath the shadow of the tree watching the drifting clouds roll by, the wind playing with the leaves as they danced to a tune only they knew, it drew a contended sigh with a slight smile from yourself while leaning against the old bark of the tree behind.

It truly was a magnificent disaster old gold brought on his clan, why your not even sure whether the next trial's will be the final nail in the coffin if the cannibal's and devil bee's have any say in them.

Ah well, that was in the future. For now it was just about being here and giving a helping hand where he could, The shortage of cultivator's was felt rather sharply and they've been worked to the bone wherever there was need of them, This was a rare day off and being in the fields were relaxing.
He was still sore from all the drill's they've been pummeling with what little they had on hand. Strange thing their little hoplite formation though, very tingly, though it did sport a marvelous cap to your squadmate's bemusement.

Hmm.. now that he thought on it and looking at some of the farmer's toiling they didn't seem to be in high spirits. Understandable... however he had other plans in mind with a mischievous grin, it had been a while since one of your 'Festival's'.

So taking in a great gulp of air and concentrating on your cap it poofed and on went the cloud full of billion's of spore's riding the wind, carrying them to the people below who's day's were about to get interesting. The effect's weren't immediately obvious but soon enough everyone slowed down





Sakis didn't know what to think of the mushroom man sipping tea on the little hill but he wasn't bothering anyone so he paid it little mind. When it sneezed and a cloud hung in the air around it he paid it no mind focusing instead on harvesting the produce to be sold in the market.
When the world inverted and he felt himself splitting and changing, morphing and churning as the ground became the sky and the sky became the dream, and the dream became the world and the world became him there was no mind to pay to.





Everyone was dancing and laughing and staring into nothing yet shiro saw nothing wrong with this, rather it was going splendidly! Look at all these happy faces hugging and crying together one second and then running in circles tearing their clothes off screaming they could taste key lime pie!

Those who were alone and wandered away he kept track of and led them back to the impromptu festival which happened to congregate to the tree he'd been musing from earlier, he didn't want them to get themselves hurt by accident after all.
Your little bat friend was enamored by everyone's insanity or maybe he was trippin balls, it was hard to tell with the way he was looking back and forth like a pendulum while their eyes were swirling with psychedelic color, everyone was doing that but he seemed to be having fun.
And just as they seemed to be winding down and only occasionally staring into space, talking about life and their place in the universe someone had an epiphany and said the secret and sacred words that you have held near and dear to your heart since you were a lil shroom '42'.

As the day drew to a close you were happy to see them all off in high spirit's and newfound enlightened, and they only tripped a handful of times and stayed there dreaming on the way back, a massive improvement from before!

With a good deed done for the day and a sleepy bat to put to put too bed you headed back to your home in the city with your cap held high and a pep in your step. It might not have been the most productive day but levying spirits from troubled times was worth it in your mind.

@BungieONI @Kaboomatic