Threads Of Destiny(Eastern Fantasy, Sequel to Forge of Destiny)

[Neshuakadal]

Future Days: A Meeting with Ling Jie

Light from the morning sun burned away mist as Yang Xuefeng sat pondering problems. New and old problems. Writing, so small as to be barely legible, covered the pages and with quick efficient strokes of her brush Yang was adding to the character count. Quickly. It still amazed her how much faster her writing was, how much neater, and how many more pages she needed.

Space for writing was quickly running out. Yang had ideas for how to get more blank books, but they were just ideas and with how everything was justifying buying from the market was difficult.
Just practicing formations was expensive. Good ink was always in high demand.

Wood shifted in her grip as the brush she was using creaked. Money would always be a problem while the Tao clan held her family's debt. It was a sign of her luck that Tao Ruogang had talent and been sent to the same sect as her. Using red stones to pay off her family debt was a better deal than she had expected. Yet she hadn't realized how much harder her cultivation would be, and Ruogang held her family's livelihood over her neck like a headsman's ax. Even now she was forced to guide study sessions. Hard won insights into cultivation given away for free to other mortal born cultivators Ruogang was gathering together. Those leeches only returned empty smiles. Taking, taking, taking, giving nothing back. Yang's brush snapped.

Picking splinters of wood out of her hand was a more painful experience than Yang remembered. Early gold gave some benefits, but the splinters that made it past her reinforced skin embedded themselves deep. New found strength outweighed new found toughness, was that the same for everyone? Something to think on later. Still it was only the work of minutes to remove all the bloody pieces of wood and wrap her hand in spare cloth. That had been her last brush though. Now she either needed to get the funds to buy one from the market, or beg Tao Ruogang for credit.

"Do you need a new brush? Here you are!" A cheery voice said from Yang's side.

Looking up and shielding her eyes with a bandaged hand Yang saw the cheerful smile of a girl holding out a brush to her. Blue eyes, summer skies blue, were framed by black hair that reached down to her shoulders. A dress, Midnight black with silver and gold stitching racing up one side, covered the other girls figure completely. Only the dusky hand holding out the brush and the smiling face were visible. The brush was a thing of beauty as well. Bristles drank in light, a void in the world, while the brush handle was blue, almost black, wood. Silver etchings twirled up and down the handle causing the illusion that the brush was spinning in place.

"Thank...you?" Yang said as she took the brush out of habit. She startled. Qi sang in the wood and bristles. This was a talisman. Something incomparable to a brush made from goat hair and gnarly, withered trees that dotted her home's hills. "I can't take this. It's far too valuable."

"Valuable?" The girl said, head cocked like a confused bird. "Hm! Not really." At this the girl held up her other hand, four identical brushes were held between her fingers, like a tiger's claws.

Yang was brought up short. Looking over the brush in her hand Yang was certain that it was talisman. If her burgeoning qi sense could tell it was a talisman it must be potent, after all most days she struggled to feel qi inside of the stones. What was with this disdainful expression of wealth? Was the girl noble? She must be. Who else would even have a brush like this?

"I still cannot accept it." Yang said, mind whirling. Nobility had few reasons to give away anything, unless… "I have no desire to be indebted." More debt was the last thing she needed.

The girl clapped her hands, brushes disappearing like they appeared. "It is a gift, Hm!" She said. "I insist."

Yang's mouth went dry. A noble insisting. Things never went well after that. "Very well." She said, working to keep her mouth moving through the fear. "If I am to accept your gift, may I know your name?" Yang would need to figure out how much trouble she was in.

Light bloomed behind the girl as she smiled. Even with the dawn sun growing stronger by the minute it was a bit blinding. As she talked her hands moved to exacting positions, snapping into different poses as she danced.

"I am beauty!" The girl said. "I am the resplendent cherry blossom in spring, the sensual rose in summer, the splendid maple tree in fall, the glittering first snow in winter. I am beauty and its seeker! You may call me Ling Jie, Hm!"

Silence descended after Lady Ling's performance. What else could you call it? The girl had moved frantically yet was breathing the same steady pace as when she started. Yang would have been breathing hard. Some of those poses had looked more painful than what the elders had them do for physical cultivation lessons.

"I will… keep that in mind." Yang said even as her mind tried to come to grips with the person in front of them. "Is there anything that your noble person requires of me at this moment? I am afraid I have commitments now." A small lie. Study group gathered in thirty minutes.

"Hm! Yes. If you have any questions about cultivation I am willing to answer." Lady Ling said.

Mind grinding to a halt for the second time Yang tried to recover. "Cultivation questions?"

"Yes!" Lady Ling said. "This entire first month I have been watching this tree. It is a truly beautiful tree after all, Hm! And every morning you come and sit here, writing away, looking sad. That's not very beautiful, so I asked around. You have done well, Awakening within a week than taking only another to get to early gold. Very beautiful progress, Hm! Yet you sit here joyless." Lady Ling crossed her arms in an X. "Not beautiful! So I have decided to make you my next project, Hm! I will get your beauty to shine through!"

"I will consider your offer." Yang said, having no intention to do so.

"Very well! That is all I can ask. If you wish to find me, come to my house, I am often there working on my art."

"Where is your house?" Yang said, trying and failing to stop words from spilling away.

Cocking her head Lady Ling looked confused again. "The most beautiful one." She said, pointing above the other houses of the residential district. Above Yang Xuefeng's hovel, above the small homes, above the manors. Her delicate finger pointed to the mansion. With a simple gesture Lady Ling made clear the gulf between the two girls.

Yang bowed her head in silence and cursed her misfortune.



"So," Tao Ruogang said as Yang Xuefeng slid the door to the rented room close. "I heard you made an interesting friend today."

Stiffening Yang turned to face the boy. Muscular and tall Tao Ruogang played the part of a chiseled immortal warrior perfectly. If only others knew.

"I would not call our encounter the start of a friendship, Lord Tao." Yang said as she bowed a touch too low for his status. Tao Ruogang was not a noble, but his merchant clan was rich. Egging on his ego was a relatively safe way to keep on the moneygrubber's good side.

"Still it is a friendship that you could pursue." Tao said, a red stone dancing across his knuckles. "I have approached almost every new sect brother or sister, not those truly above me of course, but everyone else. Lady Ling pretended that I was invisible when I tried to speak with her. Vexing, very vexing."

Yang watched the red stone closely. It kept moving, so Tao wasn't upset. Yet.

"So when I heard that Lady Ling spoke with you I was overjoyed. This is a chance our little group could sorely use."

"How so, Lord Tao?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Tao said, the red stone spinning faster and faster through his fingers. "Take up the girl on her offer, then come to us and share. Noble cultivators have been unwilling to answer questions about cultivation, so this is a perfect opportunity."

Shifting her weight between her feet Yang tried to look around the room, yet her gaze kept being drawn to the flickering red stone. "I do not feel comfortable associating with Lady Ling." Yang said, tearing her eyes away, if just for a moment, before they snapped back to the stone. "Something is very wrong with her."

The stone stopped and Yang shifted her gaze to her feet in that instant.

"Perhaps you did not understand me." Tao said, voice pleasant. "Make friends with Lady Ling, then report back."

"Very well, Lord Tao." Yang said, her voice a whisper.

When Yang dared to look up the stone had resumed its path around Tao's hand.

"Good. I will write up some questions I would like answered. Please ask in my stead."

"Of course, Lord Tao."

"Excellent, excellent. I am sure your additions will aid this group a great deal." Tao said, as he stood up.

"I will endeavor to make it so."

"Of course you will, your parents would be so proud of you." Tao said as he stretched and cracked his back. "Oh did you happen to figure out where Lady Ling lives? I have asked around but the answers I get are contradictory."

Yang wondered why Tao would want that information, but it was an easy enough answer. "Lady Ling told me to go to the mansion of the girls section."

Frowning Tao slipped the red stone into a pouch on his belt. "Odd. I thought the resplendent Cai lived alone there. Well, a mystery solved. Alas the meeting starts soon, so let's have a gander at your notes. I am sure they will be illuminating as always." Tao said, the door opening up, revealing a gaggle of other outer sect students, just as he finished speaking.

Yang dutifully pulled out her notes. Well, her second set of notes at least. Correct versions were kept safely away. Subtle mistakes now would create a gap between her and the others here. Hopefully a gap large enough to break Tao Ruogang's thumb when she made her move.


Light snow fell as Yang trudged past house after house on her way to the top of the residential district. First snow of the season, and an early snowfall at that. One more month without snow was normal, hopefully it wouldn't get too cold. Thinking on weather patterns calmed Yang's fluttering heart, reminding her of conversations around grumbling campfires and starry skies. Better to think about

Everyone could see her. Houses kept gaining opulence as Yang ascended. Her dull disciple robe stood out more and more with each step. Pulling the robe tighter she braced against the chill creeping up her spine. Not that it helped.

Leaving behind a trail in the snow dusting the world Yang finally stood at the front door of Lady Ling's house. She had to open the front gate to get here. Maybe that rudeness would be enough to get tossed out. Unlikely, but worth the try. She knocked once, then twice. Just before the third knock the door swung open.

Standing in the opening was a short woman, shorter than Yang who felt rather average about her height. The woman had blade straight black hair. Yang's heart was filled with fear. Across the dress was a crimson butterfly, the patterns on the wings looking like judging eyes. Tao had said Cai had lived here didn't he? This was a mistake. A shepherdess shouldn't get involved with the Cai.

"Ten thousand apologies, honored Lady Cai. I can only beg forgiveness for disturbing you." Yang said, voice breaking as she bent in half.

Cai gazed at her, eyes half closed yet brimming with white light. "Ling Jie told me to expect you. Enter, please." Her voice was rigid, perfect in some strange geometric way that Yang had never thought possible.

Turning away from the door Cai motioned Yang to follow. Hesitating only briefly Yang passed the doorway.

Art. Art dominated the new world that Yang found through the door frame. Paintings of every season, every phase of the day, every subject hung on the walls. Frames touched frames, and no trace of the walls could be seen. Each painting slid together like some great puzzle, a jigsaw beyond Yang's understanding. Colors bled together in cascading currents, flowing through different paintings as rivers. What caught Yang's breath though wasn't of the hundreds, or thousands surrounding her. No. It was the two paintings displayed where the hallway split. One of Lady Ling. One of Lady Cai.


Lady Ling stood atop of a golden stage. Pale red rose petals drifted down from an unseen roof while the picture danced amongst them. In one hand she held a sword of shimmering silver that had a rainbow rippling down its middle and the other grasped a goblet etched with motif's of the sun. Golden liquid, bright as dawn's first light, was at the cusp of spilling over the goblet's edge. Carved pillars of white jade split the background into perfect thirds. Between each pillar, in balconies of dark wood, stood cheering crowds. Faces overcome with joy and cheer blurred together into a tessellation of adulation.

Lady Cai's painting was equally impressive. Xiangmen almost swayed behind the stoic girl, leaves glinting with starlight . A saber, equal parts white and grey steel, was planted in front of the Cai who had both hands resting on the hilt. Geometric lines rose from behind the girls shoulders, weaving together in elaborate ways that hurt Yang's eyes to look at, but gave the impression of vast wings frozen on the verge of encompassing the girl.

"Stunning, are they not?" Cai said, from Yang's side.

Flushing Yang bowed and muttered an apology, which Cai waved away.

"I understand the reaction. Lady Ling's works are unparalleled for her age." Cai said. A dark expression flickered over the girl's face. A solitary cloud on a clear day. There then gone. "It can be difficult to work with her." Cai said, as though nothing had happened, and perhaps nothing had. "Yet, she is a genius at cultivation. If you can endure you would learn much." Then in a much quieter voice, less than a whisper, Cai continued. "She is also homesick, but very excited for a new friend. Please try."

Yang mutely nodded.

"Very well." Cai said, voice returning to a normal volume. "Lady Ling is to the right. Last door to the right. If for some reason you need me I will be in the office. It's at the end of the left hallway. Farewell."

Then Yang was alone. Perfectly clipped steps echoed through the hallway as Cai withdrew deeper into the house. Gathering her courage Yang stepped forward, following the directions given.

Last doorway on the right. Last doorway on the right. There. Silver wood made up the door. Different from the dark brown of other doors in the hallway. Knocking once made Yang jump back. The door hadn't felt like wood, even the knock sounded wrong, like the door was metal. Perhaps it was? It was hard to tell with the features of the door refusing to stay still in her mind. Swimming away from her memory the instant Yang stopped paying attention. A rustle of cloth sounded from the room behind the door. Then the chirpy voice of Lady Ling called out.

"Come in! Come in! The door isn't locked, Hm!"

Turning the handle and peering in Yang saw a quaint little room. A single window took up most of one wall, a sliver of light shining through the heavy curtains drawn over it. Another wall was dominated by a roaring fire, the heat of which now blasted Yang's face. Small picture frames stood on the fireplace. Paintings of grinning faces, most human with a turtle and snake mixed in, along with what looked like finger paintings. Crude stick figures that danced under blank skies. Frankly it was a little cute, but who would keep such childish paintings?

Even distracted as she was, Yang couldn't miss the figure waving at her from the center of the room. Two chairs filled out the room, each had an elegant stand next to it. Lady Ling occupied one of the chairs, almost hidden under the mound of blankets piled on top of her. Her stand held a fluted glass cup half full with some ruby liquid.

"Yang Xuefeng! Sit down. Sit down, Hm!" Lady Ling said, voice muffled but eyes half peeking above the blankets. "Did you bring your book?"

Forcing her feet forward one at a time Yang approached the other chair. "Yes." She said. "I brought several." She sat in the chair. It was richly upholstered and padded. Within moments Yang knew that this chair was the most comfortable thing she had ever sat in.

"You were writing formations when I talked to you. Did you bring that book?"

Pausing in her movements Yang wondered how Lady Ling had gotten such a good look at her journal yesterday. That one wasn't even a decoy. A potent reminder to keep such work completely out of sight, no need to let Tao know about her formation work.

"I did." Yang said, a lie. She had brought a tertiary copy, whose solutions were lacking.

"Excellent. I am a formation crafter as well, so I likely have much insight to share with you, Hm!" Lady Ling said.

"Formations?" Yang said, shuffling through her bag as she looked for the correct book. "Truly? I thought you were more of a painter."

"I am a painter! One can be many different things. Hm!" Lady Ling said. "I am also a performer, sculptor, writer, seamstress, and tailor. I dabble in musical fields, but I struggle with those. Still, most of my paintings include formation work in them. The ones in the hall all have some formations."

A chill crept up Yang's spine. All of those paintings had formations? Hundreds of paintings had been arrayed on those walls. What did they all do?

"Well," Yang said, pulling out her formation book with a sheet of paper and trying to calm her nerves. "I would be interested in talking formations with you, but I do have some basic cultivation questions first, if you would be so kind to look over them." Yang took the piece of paper and handed it towards the mound of blankets.

Blankets shook and writhed before a dusky arm shot out and grabbed the piece of paper before withdrawing. There was a beat of awkward silence and Yang grimaced. The questions on that sheet were basic, questions she could puzzle out given time. Questions Tao had told her to ask. They dealt with his cultivation, little regard given to problems others in the study group faced. Expected really.

"Nope!" Lady Ling said. The paper shot out of Mount Blanket and into the roaring fireplace. "We are here to talk about questions you have, not questions some ugly little river worm wants you to ask, Hm! If he wants to ask me a question then he needs to do two things. First, he needs to kowtow, in public, east three times. Second, while prostrating, he must beg forgiveness from the great guardian of my clan for defiling my ears with his small ugly words. Then I will deign to hear a question from him. Of course, for each question he'll need to repeat the two steps, Hm! Be sure to tell that ugly little thing, alright?"

Stunned silence held the room until Yang remembered to breath. That was not the reaction she expected. What had Tao done to anger Lady Ling so much?

"How did you know those questions were from Tao Ruogang?"

"Is that the boy's name? I know his handwriting. He wrote to several girls, asking them to keep an eye on me. As if I am some rabbit to be hunted. Very ugly. Do remember to bring my words to him. After this stunt I'll have no patience for him."

"I will bring your words to him." Yang said, having no intention of doing so.

"Excellent, your formation book?"

Yang started, but handed it out. Again the blankets writhed and undulated as Lady Ling struggled to sneak her hand out. Once the hand had snatched the book it darted back into the welcoming embrace of the blankets.

"Hmm… Yes, yes. I see. Clever. Very clever." Lady Ling said, as her eyes dipped under the blankets to study the book.

"Well… thank you." Yang said. She didn't really think the answers in this copy of her journal were very praise worthy. Perhaps she had misjudged?

"Yes. Keeping formation work secret is important. I would know, Hm! Dulling answers to obfuscate personal solutions is not the path I would choose, but still smart."

"Du… dulling answers?" Yang said, her mind skidding to a stop. "Wh… what do you mean?"

"Given the solutions that I saw you jotting down yesterday your grasp on formations is far stronger than what's written here." Lady Ling said. "If I had to guess your true solutions are something like… this!" Yang's journal slid out from the blankets.

One of the copied problems was circled. Below her fake answer stood Lady Ling's solution, or rather what Lady Ling believed Yang's solution to be. And it was. The lines sharper, the characters smaller, but it was the exact same solution Yang had spent nights working and revising.

"How?" Yang whispered.

"I've seen your formation work, well your formation answers. Judging your level wasn't hard from those."

Cai's statement about Lady Ling being a cultivation genius drifted in the back of Yang's thoughts. "I see."

"I do have a question for you, if you don't mind." Lady Ling said, her blankets vibrating. "You don't have to answer of course."

"Of course, however I can help." Yang said, mind still reeling from the idea that someone could just know her skill in formations from a single glance at a single page.

"Where did you get these formation problems?" Lady Ling said. "Library access is restricted by sect points, and those won't come for two more months. I wouldn't expect mortal families to be able get you beginner material, or if they did nothing as comprehensive as you've shown."

"Ah.. I asked the sect elder in charge of spiritual instructions if the library had a time limit, she had given me a library pass for my progress." Yang said, her hand drifting up to twirl hair. "Apparently you could spend as long in the library as you wanted, so I planned the trip like I would plan a shepherding trip, bringing food, water, materials, and a blanket. I stayed in the library coping formation books for three, four days before leaving with my art."

Laughter spilled out from the blankets. High pitched and sweet, it sounded like the small bells priests rung to pacify any spirits that inhabited grazing fields.

"Clever! With a mind as quick as that I am sure you'll go places, Hm! Now! Let's talk formations, the third problem down on that page. Your solution, while acceptable, has some issues. Workshop time!"

Hours passed in a haze for Yang as she struggled to keep pace with Lady Ling. Each word shared was written down, her brush moved as lightning to keep up. False assumptions were explored, how different materials interacted with formations were exposed, ideas for basic talismans were gathered. It was the best evening Yang could remember having at the sect and it was a pity when it ended.

Their meeting ended with a simple cough. It had interrupted Lady Ling's talking points about safe talisman construction. Yang had always been nervous to take that final step, actually making formations, something that Lady Ling was having none of.

"Theory is fine." Lady Ling said. "But at some point you must act! If you are still nervous I can superviv urk…"

"Lady Ling?" Yang said, looking up from her notes.

A dusky hand rose from the blankets, asking for a pause. Lady Ling coughed again, and again.

Then Lady Ling's chair fell backwards taking it's stand with it, glass shattered and ruby liquid sprayed into the air. Lady Ling went sprawling across the ground. Limbs twitching and thrashing as she convulsed.

"Lady Ling!?" Yang said, jumping out of her chair. She didn't approach though, the chaotic tangle of Lady Ling's movements gave little room to help and the chair being turned to splinters piecemeal showed just how strong Lady Ling was, even without control of her limbs.

Light shone from Lady Ling's fingers and a silver bowl appeared next to the girl. As tall as Yang's forearm and just as wide it looked more like half a sphere than a conventional bowl. Silver liquid shone from the rim of the bowl. Lady Ling gasped, like a caught fish, then her back twisted so her head slammed into the liquid. Water, or whatever the liquid was, sprayed about, but even as puddles of shimmering liquid gathered, Lady Ling's convulsions slowed. Soon her arms stopped trembling and she grabbed the bowl and lifted it above her as she twisted to lay on the ground.

Yang approached and silver liquid dribbled over Lady Ling's chin.

"Lady Ling?" Yang said as she knelt by the girl.

The girl finally gasped again and set aside the bowl, now empty. "Ugly." Lady Ling said, voice far, far softer than any tone used before. "I am sorry you had to see such an ugly thing."

"Never mind that." Yang said, what was Lady Ling's obsession with beauty and ugly? "Is there anything I can do?" Now was the unfinished part of the sentence.

"No." Lady Ling said, still laying on her back staring blankly at the ceiling. "There is nothing. I am afraid our workshop will have to be cut short. Urk." Silver liquid flecked red squeezed past her lips and trailed down her cheeks. "Please tell Meizhen. She knows what to do."

"Meizhen?"

Lady Ling sighed and tilted her face away from Yang. "I am sorry, please tell Cai Meizhen. Lady Cai."

"Of course." Yang said, hurrying to stand up. "I'll do that."

Doors whirled by Yang as she rushed through the hall. Where was Lady Cai? This hallway, last door on the left. No. No. There. Her fist hammered on the door before Yang remembered the rudeness of the action. Pausing for a bit to collect her breath Yang then opened the door. Rude or not.

Lady Cai's office was a spartan thing. A stark contrast to the homeliness of Lady Ling's room. What few decorations adorned the walls were simple utilitarian things. Swords there, books there. There was no color, only steel grey and white. One spark of color existed. Tilted just enough to be visible was a framed stitching pattern, a tree with golden leaves.

"What is the problem." Lady Cai said, emotionless and brush frozen mid stroke.

"L..Lady Ling collapsed." Yang said, wringing her hands. "We were talking about formations then.. then.." Twisted just right this could look like an attack Yang realized mid sentence. Oh Sage, if Lady Cai thought she attacked a housemate, then, then…

"What color was the bowl." Lady Cai demanded as a new piece of paper slid in front of her.

"Co… color?"

"Was it silver or gold?"

"Silver! Lady Ling drank from a silver bowl." Yang said.

In a flash the brush had written something. If Yang had blinked she would have missed it. How was it possible to write so fast and not tear the paper, or smear the ink? Would she be able to do that someday? Then the paper curled up on itself, folding into a paper crane. Flying out of the window it disappeared into the murky night.

"Thank you for informing me." Lady Cai said.

"Of course Lady Cai."

Expression softening a touch Lady Cai leaned back into her chair arms resting on the armrests. "You've done nothing wrong, so rest easy. I appreciate the speed you've brought this to my attention."

Yang remained mute, head hung low. What now? Would she be punished for the earlier rudeness?

"The night grows long and while you've progressed well in your cultivation you are not able to throw off sleep yet. Go home and rest. Progress requires a cared for body and mind. I am sure that when Lady Ling is well again she will request another meeting."

"Of course, Lady Cai." Yang said, as she backed out of the room.

Yang retraced her steps through the hallway. As she turned the corner away from the two paintings of Lady Ling and Lady Cai she noticed two other people entering the house. From her time scouting out the sect she recognized the robes of medical hall disciples. They brushed past without acknowledgement and walked down towards Lady Ling's room. She failed to notice the tears of blood that now dripped down Lady Ling's painted face.

When Yang walked out into the crisp night air she shivered. She didn't know if it was from the night chill, or the bubbling memory of Lady Ling's still body staring vacantly at the ceiling. It was a long walk to the relative warmth of her hovel.

A.N
@yrsillar omake for the omake throne.
I am happy with this piece. Ling Jie was a very fun character to write. I think I could have done the opening part better, but at some point you just have to post. Thank you for reading my omake and I hoped you enjoyed the piece.

Part Two​

 

[Neshuakadal]

Ling Qi moves forward, and rests her hand on your shoulder. "Lady Renxiang, leaving aside philosophy.You're the one I swore myself too, not Liming. Whatever your mother did, you are Cai Renxiang."

You do not know how to respond as your gaze remains on the mirror. With her hand laying on your shoulder it is difficult to tell where your shadow ends and your retainer begins. Black and blue to your white and gold. Her edges blurring, melding with shadows, when your vision focuses elsewhere doesn't help matters.

Silence grows in the room even as screaming swells in your mind. Screams of the damned and hateful. Finally, when both become too much for you to bear, you move. You rest your hand on your retainers hand and squeeze your eyes shut. If only for a moment.

"We should prepare to meet the others." You say.

Liming glowers from the mirror, eyes twitching about searching for weakness, weakness you'll not give it. At least the screaming has stopped. For now.

Ling Qi bond raised to 4!

.
.
.

The Mist stirs. Song and respite is found in the gentle mist. For those welcomed at least. Those like you. Harsh light, blinding and hateful, shall not reach your rest. Rattling chains, seeking to bind you, shall be silenced. Lies, told in malice, shall drift away, never to be heard. Each breath shall refresh. Most of all it rests on your shoulders; whispers in your ears: "You are not alone."

Well. I wonder what that's about. The only mist I remember in the story is when we helped Ling Qi integrate her domain weapon and got hugged by chibi Ling Qi.

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Did we get hugged again? That's basically all I want from Ling Qi now.

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I agree with Eke Vie. This has to be the mist that appeared when Ling Qi integrated her weapon. Her domain likely. Maybe a support type domain?

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A support type domain? Have we seen what one of those yet? And I am not so sure it is purely support based, look at this line, "For those welcomed at least." That sounds like it does something else to those not welcomed.

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We haven't really seen anyone's domain. Meizhen's seems to be using fear and Ling Qi's takes the form of mist. Those are the only two we've really seen, and we don't know what they do.

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Haven't read the update. Did we get hugged by mist kids? That's all I care about at this point. I need my fix!

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Did some digging on the front page. This is what I found updated in the conditional effects page. As long as Ling Qi is in a scene with us we get:

+25 to Speed and Initiative, +15 to Spiritual Avoid.
+1 rank to Spiritual Avoid, Spiritual Armor and Combat Perception(Boosted Rank cannot exceed Ling Qi's).
Immunity to effects which reduce speed, initiative or avoid(Bypassed by effects of Rank C or higher, adjusted for potency).
Immunity to Compulsion or Illusion effects which would cause action against allies of Bond 3 or higher (Bypassed by effects of rank A or higher, adjusted for potency).

As the Mist stirs:+25 to Spiritual Armor, Physical and Spiritual Avoid.
+20 to Resist.
D Rank Qi regeneration should the Mist hunger.

Needless to say, but these are some pretty substantial buffs. We should keep Ling Qi around us, basically all the time now.

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Wow. Those look a lot like what our inner domain buffs are formatted as. Is… Is Ling Qi giving everyone around her an extra inner domain? An external focused domain giving everyone inner domains. Man cultivation is wack.

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Maybe. It could be locked behind bond level. We are just getting these buffs now and the wording in the buffs makes use of bond level. But even if only a bond 4 people are getting these buffs it's a lot of stat increases going around. Plus she has her spirit squad with her. That would be a lot of boosting happening.

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Did we get another hug?

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A.N
@yrsillar
I saw a comment about another negaverse so here it is. If I got a chuckle out of someone then mission accomplished.

 

[Thor's Twin]

The School of Li

Of course knowledge is not inherently dangerous. It has no ability to stab you with a knife or shatter your dantian. The danger from knowledge is what man can use it for, and for some knowledge, the danger far outweighs any possible benefit. As demonstrated by the sanction and censure of the rouge Li and Ling researchers; the Mocking Puppet Parasite should never have been created.
-- Teng Zhi, Formations Expert in the School of Li

--------------------------------------​

Many shy away from our school of work, this is true. A perverse reflection of Cai's works, the mockers say, fit only for dregs that can not muster the skill to work on true art, true beauty, and true glory. Their words have some merit, but their hubris and arrogance blind them to the reason for the School of Li, which we will touch on momentarily. Similarities can certainly be drawn between the wondrous work of the Cai and their students and the work of Li. One makes the artificial and gives it life and purpose. The other takes life and purpose and twists it into something artificial. But this is where the similarities end, for the work of Cai and the work of Li strive for very different goals and to further compare them is to do a disservice to both.

It is here, I feel, that a discussion of the history for our School is necessary, both to demonstrate why it diverges so widely from the more traditional formation or medical work of the Empire and to make a point as to what the true goal and nature of the School of Li is. It is traditionally noted that our foundations lay with Elder Li Suyin of the Argent Peak Sect, specifically with her work as an Inner Sect Disciple of that very same sect when war broke out between the Emerald Seas, the Cloud Tribes of the Wall, and the Ha'yth'kai of the Underearth. Recognizing very early on in the war her talents, acumen, and character, the Argent Sect invested heavily in her work and arranging others to study and learn from her efforts. Such attention proved decisive in their efforts to hold back the Ha'yth'kai beneath them as well as their efforts to mitigate the enemy's overwhelming advantage beneath the earth.

Tools of war, of environmental mitigation, and other potent workings soon were being churned out of Li Suyin's workshops at an astonishing rate. Her fellow students struggled to match the insights that Li Suyin regularly achieved and were subsequently directed to refine and optimize Li Suyin's discoveries while the sect directed her to delve even deeper into the research needed to create advantages against their new foe. Under their instruction and patronage, Li Suyin did just that. Melding traditional Imperial formation knowledge and experience under the Argent Sect's Talisman Department, ancient and forgotten methodologies of the Old Hill Tribes and the new resources and materials extracted from the Sect's holdings and expeditions into the Underearth Li Suyin broke through barrier after barrier to her research. The rate of her research and findings only compounded with liberated knowledge of the Ha'yth'kai inferior versions of formations and the use of surrendering Ha'yth'kai city-states tributed wealth distributed to the Argent Sect.

However, such research and accolades may well have stayed within the Argent Sect proper if not for Li Suyin's skill in acquiring friends in high places throughout the Emerald Seas. Her previous tutelage under a scion of the Bao allowed her to more easily spread her creations throughout the greater Empire through their connections with the Celestial Peaks, Ebon Rivers, and Golden Fields. Furthermore, connections with prominent Cai Clan vassals, most notable the nascent Ling Clan, allowed her to ply her research through the trade routes created via the political machinations of the Emerald Seas, Thousand Lakes, and Savage Seas. While it is true that her name and research efforts did spread far and wide outside of the Emerald Seas, her true seat of acclaim would always remain within her home province given the ruling authorities' interest in suppressing the Ha'yth'kai and extracting useful materials from their tributaries.

This startling early success led others to seek to emulate her work, forming the foundations of the School of Li. It is unfortunate, then, that the foundation set by Li Suyin would be ripe for abuse by those of less moral character than the founder. Terrible creations were created through the advancement of Li Suyin's work, but future researchers were less careful in the shackling of their creations to the will of the creator. This lack of foresight and care lead to various disasters within the labs and workshops of those who followed the School of Li, culminating in the failure of a joint project between members of the Li Clan and Ling Clan which created the Mocking Puppet Parasite. While I will not go into detail regarding the failures of the work, reprisal from the Imperial Throne was swift and brutal. Only the quick disavowal of the project and the researchers by both the Ling and Li clans, an unprecedented occurrence, allowed the School of Li to survive complete censorship and dismantling.

Our school of thought is still slowly regaining the prestige and influence that we once had before that disaster. It is true, though, that our goals from the very foundation of the school have not changed. To take that which is ugly and abominable and making something useful from it. This was exemplified in the latest attempt by a Ha'yth'kai city-state to secure their freedom through violence. Duke Cai Guang, in his wisdom, authorized the utilization and release of the Li vaults to suppress the city-state. Horrors and abominations were released from their shackled pens and fell upon the Ha'yth'kai, sweeping aside their defenders and warriors. Due to the actions of those produced creatures, only minor casualties occurred when the suppression expedition followed the trail the creatures created.

It is upon this history that a follower of Li's School builds their future. We work upon that which others look upon in disgust for the betterment of the Empire. Ours is not the work that is celebrated by the masses, and indeed many express fear for our art, but it is undeniably useful. Even the Emperors and Empresses who have ruled our Empire have used the cultivation aids our school has produced, especially in conjunction with other aids, for the clearing of meridians. So do not be discouraged by the mockers who understand so little of our work and compare it to the work of the Cai's. Take heart that our work has supported the Empire in a multitude of ways. Do not despair regarding the restrictions imposed upon us by the Ministry of Law and Ministry of Integrity. Rejoice in the fact that our art has such potential that others must restrict our avenues of research to feel comfortable with our progress.

A/N: @yrsillar another omake for the omake throne! This one is about a possible future where the work of Li Suyin is only the beginning of an entirely new school of thought regarding the intersection of formation and medical knowledge. I hope you enjoy the read!

 

[ChronOblivion]

Overly Enthusiastic
by ChronOblivion​

"Yu clan's never gonna go anywhere, and I can't say I like the idea of selling it off in a marriage either. Guess I'm asking, what's the Ling clan's adoption policy?"

It was finally out in the open, she'd spoken the words and she wouldn't take them back. The idle whim that had somehow become the best-case scenario for the future of the weirdo farmhand punk known as Yu Nuan. Amidst the sea of overly optimistic fantasies, and grimly realistic visions of lonely mediocrity, this ridiculous bet had risen to the top and become one of the only options Nuan could stomach. To discard her early dreams of independence, and pin her hopes on the success of her betters. And if she was honest to herself, even this adoption plan was rather ambitious, but she had grown sick of allowing her own internal cycle of rebellious pride and self-conscious inferiority to stop her from pushing forward. Qiu had taught her that, as had the impossible fortune that delivered him to her. Ling Qi was very obviously going to continue her upward ascent regardless of what barrier stood in her way, and the fact that she was a kindred soul in music and a generous friend made this future potentially tolerable.

"One moment."

A quiet request from the girl in question recaptured Nuan's attention, and she watched puzzled as Ling Qi turned to access her storage ring, only a second passing before a stack of thick folders materialized in her hands. Ling Qi carefully flipped through the folders, grabbed the one she was looking for, shuffled the rest of the folders back into storage, took a second to fiddle with what Nuan guessed was some sort of formation locking mechanism, cracked the folder open, and smoothly removed a document before finally turning back to her with the parchment held out in front.

"Sign here, please."

Yu Nuan looked down.

'Declaration of Intent'
'Type G: Formal Adoption Into Barony Clan Structure'
'Subtype A: Full Assimilation of Peer Barony Clan Structure'​

Yu Nuan stared.

Ling Qi waited patiently.

Qiu was acting innocent, but within the confines of their private spiritual bond, he was mainly just laughing at her.

… it already had her name and clan title all over it. With Ling Qi's elegant script occupying one of two empty signature boxes.

Nuan's eyes flicked back to the folder it came from, and nearly choked on her own tongue when she saw her name similarly emblazoned on the back. She dragged her gaze upward to meet the eyes of the most ridiculous person she'd ever met in her life, and tried to find something to say.

"... those other folders?" It was funny how raw shock could turn you into a gibbering idiot, but Ling Qi clearly didn't mind.

"Oh, those are just for my other Sect friends," she said with a casual dismissal that did not fit this situation at all, "you know, just in case any of them wanted to come along. You're the first one to even bring it up, actually. I was starting to think it was a wasted afternoon to prepare all these forms, but it looks like I proved Lady Renxiang wrong."

Even though it was technically everything she had hoped for, Nuan was seriously reconsidering this plan.

Spoiler: Author's Note

Just something that popped into my head when I was reflecting on the idea of Qi receiving a request for adoption and basically giving her full acceptance within the span of a conversation. I then imagined her giving an even stronger acceptance. Ren is torn between pride and secondhand embarrassment.

 

[Thor's Twin]

Cult of the Living Mountain

Let us now turn our attention to a particularly insidious proscribed cult that has its roots within the Imperial Territories inside of the Wall, and, unfortunately, has been found inside the Emerald Seas proper. The Cult of the Living Mountain. These fanatics take the accepted veneration of the Living Mountain and twist it into something destructive, dangerous, and damning. As such, it stands to reason that understanding the basics of how the Living Mountain is venerated will shed insight into how the Cult acts and why.

For the less knowledgeable among you, the Living Mountain is a potent spirit of the Ling clan which makes its home inside the many valleys of the Wall, the barrier that houses the Emerald Seas' most tenacious foe, the Cloud Nomads. Most peculiarly, the Living Mountain is a type of land-dwelling Xuanwu, hence the common naming scheme between it and the Living Isle, and is a spirit exemplifying renewal. Specifically with the qi aspected by fire and wood. The existence and efforts of the Living Mountain act as a lesser example of what Xiangmen is known to do, provide potent vitality and fertility to the surrounding lands. This allows previously unfarmable land to be fertile enough for consistent farming. Many farmers in the area, therefore, venerate the Living Mountain as a potent provider and protector. This is encouraged by the Ling clan with the "Festival of Flaming Fields" where communities will burn a tithe of the first fruits of the harvest to the Living Mountain and then scorch their fields, burning the old to prepare the land for new growth in spring. This sacrifice is said to be especially pleasing and resonant to the Living Mountain as it aligns neatly with his nature.

These sacrifices and rites, however, are the limit to what is acceptable to the Living Mountain and the governing authorities. But others have become too fanatical in their worship of the spirit, and it is from these delusions that the Cult of the Living Mountain was formed. Lao Chu, may his body and soul rot and stagnate for five hundred generations, is the first recognized leader of the cult. It was by his actions that disparate and divergent fanatics were brought together under one organization with a singular goal and teaching: ensuring the Living Mountain's ascension to a sublime spirit is of apocalyptic proportions so that the world can be broken and renewed.

As such, we shall first turn to their symbology and methodology, then to their history and breaking, and then finally to their current influence and spread.

Symbology and Methodology

It is good, at least for the governing authorities, that the adherents to the Cult of the Living Mountain are most traditionally farmers and uneducated laborers. This means that the level of sophistication in recruiting attempts. As a result, the symbols used to denote the worshippers and locations of worship are simple, at least compared to the various Hui cults which still hide within the Emerald Seas. The most commonly seen symbol, therefore, is a simple artistic representation of fire inside of a triangle, an overly simplistic representation of a mountain.

However, just because the majority of symbols are simple, does not mean there are not more complicated possibilities known. The personal symbol of Lao Chu, may the great spirits deny his soul peace for five hundred generations, was an eye ablaze, signifying enlightenment found within the inferno; the Cult's base inside Crimson Peach Mountain had a symbol of a charred peach tree; the group who works on refining the rites of the Cult have a symbol of a flaming compass. There are others, as I'm sure you can gather, but I will not waste any more breath on expounding further on these various symbols. If you wish to learn more, there are scholars within the Ling clan and within Xiangmen who are very knowledgable on the greater variety of the symbols within the Cult.

Turning our attention to methodologies of the Cult, however, sheds some particular insights into how cults of this sort gather support and attempt to accomplish their deranged goals. There are two common means by which they propagate their beliefs and recruit their followers. As a first option, they entice men with brotherhood and camaraderie which communities deny the outcast, or they entice the jealous with knowledge beyond that of their neighbors. The second option, however, is only possible because of the already limited veneration of the Living Mountain; acting as legal authority, cult members will draw the uneducated but faithful from outlying villages and towns into their clutches. This can be particularly troublesome as communication with these outer settlements can be difficult and cumbersome, making unmasking the deceit difficult promptly.

In addition, while the rites and sacraments that the cult engages in could be considered a part of their methodology, as it is the methods by which they attempt to reach their goal, the less said about such practices the better. They are twisted and debased versions of the proper rites to appease spirits within Imperial lands. Most often involving the immolation of still-living flesh, human or otherwise. Should you be placed in the unfortunate position of attempting to root out a branch of this cult, seek guidance from more experienced investigators to acquire a better understanding of when, where, and how these rites are performed.

History and Breaking

Unlike most proscribed cults, the foundation and history of the Cult of the Living Mountain is well known and researched. The Ling Clan especially has a vested interest in understanding the past of this cult to better be prepared in divining where they will next attempt their perverse and destructive schemes. As such, considerable resources have been spent and exhaustive research has been conducted that has created a fairly accurate picture of the cult's past.

The Founder of the cult, Lao Chu, may the land his ashes were scattered across be barren for five hundred generations, was a talented youth from one of the newer villages nestled within the Wall. Mere months before he joined the Blue Mountain Sect, he witnessed the cataclysmic power of the Living Mountain when it ascended to the Violet Realm. Unfortunately for everyone, a fragment of shell landed near him and he became obsessed with the power behind the Living Mountain. Journals of his that were recovered describe a sick fascination and belief that the Great Spirits themselves had given him a divine task to unshackle the Living Mountain from the Ling Clan, cleansing the land with its power in the process.

Taking this twisted goal to heart, he secreted away the piece of shell and joined the Blue Mountain Sect, delving deep into lessons, classes, and practices of becoming a Monk ordained by his sect. Records indicate that he was a driven student, who quickly gained the privilege of being instructed in the higher mysteries kept by monks of the Blue Mountain Sect. Notes from the instructors indicate that he was talented and charismatic quickly befriending others in the program and becoming the most skillful in appeasing various spirits. Little did anyone know, Lao Chu was also modifying and defiling the rituals and sacraments he had gained access to in order to achieve his twisted ends.

Graduating from the program, he accepted a high-ranking position within the Imperial Ministry of Spiritual Affairs. He never made it to his assigned location, instead fleeing into the Wall with the gifts and other resources the Blue Mountain Sect gave him for his achievements. For decades, he amassed a following of believers, using his training to manipulate local spirits into hiding his activities and providing shelter for his followers. Carving a monastery redoubt into the Crimson Peach Mountain, Lao Chu collected tribute from surrounding towns and villages who thought their piety was helping to establish a local temple to the Living Mountain. Much to their dismay, once Lao Chu ascended to the Cyan realm, he turned on them, using the very geomatic arrangement the villages were organized under to fuel a powerful sacrifice to the Living Mountain.

It was only the sacrifice of the Hero Wen Kang that averted complete disaster. While only a simple village elder, having retired with honors from the Argent Sect Military service, he noticed what was occurring and ran with all speed to the nearest Ministry of Communication branch. Braving attacks from cult members and hostile spirits, he reached the office with a foot already over death's threshold. With his dying breath, he expressed the need for immediate assistance in the area and what was occurring. The Ministry, rightfully recognizing the severity of the situation, authorized the use of emergency communication and teleportation relays allowing Ling military forces in the area.

Ling Qian answered the call and marshaled her forces for an immediate assault upon Crimson Peach Mountain. Entire companies of soldiers began to march to the mountain while Ling Qian took an advance force through the Liminal Realm to stall the ritual until reinforcements had arrived. Arriving in time to stop the initial initiation of the ritual, Ling Qian began to engage in hit and run encounters, buying time for more soldiers to arrive and preventing key aspects of the ritual from being completed. While it took days of these types of engagements, Ling Qian was successful and the military might within the area was focused upon Crimson Peach Mountain.

After securing the villages around the mountain, Ling Qian ordered the assault against the monastery redoubt. Lao Chu met her assault on the peak of the mountain while cultists and soldiers battled fervently for control over the monastery itself. Breaking through living walls of flame, and other defenses within the mountain, the soldiers eventually prevailed and secured the entire mountain, turning its defenses against Lao Chu. While the monastery defenses had allowed Lao Chu to hold his ground against Ling Qian's assault upon his person, once the defenses were turned against him instead, the end quickly came. Once Lao Chu was slain and his body secured, the full might of Ling Qian's military forces could be used to purge the remaining area around the mountain of cultists hiding within the villages they were planning on sacrificing to the Living Mountain.

Unfortunately, while this daring assault and victory by Ling Qian broke the centralized organization of the Cult, it was discovered in the following investigation just how large of a problem Lao Chu had caused. The Cult of the Living Mountain had spread its teachings far and wide within the Wall, creating hideaways and smaller temples which only Lao Chu knew the full spread of. Furthermore, it became apparent that, unlike other cults, the Cult of the Living Mountain attempted to create as many copies of the arts, rituals, and sacraments they used in their attempt to achieve the cult's goals to spread to each hideout. Ensuring that even a single hideout would be able to become the next Crimson Peach Mountain.

Current Influence and Spread

Truly knowing the full spread of the cult is impossible, as they have taken Lao Chu's teachings to heart, ensuring that only Lao Chu knows the full spread of their work. Given that Lao Chu is dead and burned, this makes finding the disparate parts of the cult almost impossible. This also means, however, that greater organization between the groups comprising of the cult is not feasible. Lacking this greater structural organization in their cult is a boon to the greater Empire, however, as many of the larger-scale rituals and sacrifices the cult wishes to use require resources that the small independent branches simply can not provide without collaboration.

Unfortunately for the Empire, the cult seems to be spreading. Minor ritual sites for the cult have been uncovered all throughout the Wall and individuals attempting to promote the cult have been arrested within the Emerald Seas proper, even as far as territory controlled by the Diao. The politics and culture of the Emerald Seas also allow the cult to flourish whereas it would wither in territories like the Thousand Lakes. A history of friction between the multitude of factions within the Emerald Seas and the legacy of the perverse Hui create a landscape where minor nobility will secretly assist the Cult in return for destabilizing a rival or for favors in the future. Even the very public execution of nobles caught doing just that has not seemed to convince those who believe themselves too clever to be caught that such activities will not be tolerated.

As it stands, however, the Ling Clan and the Blue Mountain Sect have established an extremely close relationship, both seeing the spread of this cult as a blight that must be curtailed. More monks graduating from the Blue Mountain Sect than ever have received patronage from the Ling Clan in an effort to provide an alternative to the cult for their more fringe populations and the Blue Mountain Sect has begun powerful divination efforts based upon the information found in Crimson Peach Mountain which are bearing fruit in locating areas where the cult has, are, or will attempt to perform their rituals and sacraments. It is this author's hope that with continued cooperation between the Ling Clan and the Blue Mountain Sect the Cult of the Living Mountain can be firmly stamped out.

A/N: @yrsillar another omake for the omake throne! Here is an attempt to show what problems could occur down the line as Zhengui continues to grow and become a dominant part of the spirit ecosystem. Also, this is a take on how proscribed cults within the Empire might form and just how problematic they could be. I hope you all enjoy the read!

 

[Lleda]

With that evil laughing book and Shen Wuhan's attitude, I thought @Neshuakadal omake was hilarious. After our adventure with Meng Dan, I had some thoughts on library hijinks. So this happened.

@yrsillar here's an omake for the throne.

Spoiler: Archive Hazards: En-Tome-d

Hou Jin seethed as he stalked through the archives. That damn snake had advanced again and it was infuriating. The treacherous Bai were probably drowning her in elixirs. Hou Jin slapped a beastiary onto a first floor study table and settled onto a stool to read. How could he contend with a ducal clan? His qi flared at the unfairness and the stool shifted under his bulk.

Last year the dukes of Emereld Seas, Thousand Lakes and Western Territories had even doctored the outter sect tournament brackets in order to advance their chosen. There was so much left over talent, that Hou Jin didn't stand a chance this year. It wasn't fair at all. Hou Jin trembled with frustration. The little stool creaked.

The clan wouldn't put extra resources into a ninth nephew doomed to the outter sect. Especially not after his drubbing by that snake and her cobbler. Hou Jin scowled and the stool groaned under his expanding mass. At least these backwater borderlands were rich with bondable spirits.

"Sir piggy," a mocking whisper penetrated the quiet. Hou Jin surged to his feet. "Who dares!" He glowered liberally around the area but only encountered bewildered stares. Unable to discover the culprit, Hou Jin reclaimed his stool. He resumed paging through the bestiary while grumbling about natural predators snake skin boots.

"Sir Piggy..." Hou Jin's melon sized fist slammed the table top. The rasp of a book sliding back onto a shelf nearly disguised the snickering coming from a row of shelves off to the left. Bounding from the tiny stool, Hou Jin spun towards the sound and charged into the stacks.

"S-surfing Miss Xiao, I've never heard of it. If it's truly a marine leisure activity, maybe cultural journals from the Alabaster ...well, shit," the archivists explanation trailed off as Hou Jin barreled over his cart, scattering books, scrolls, and tomes in every direction. Hou Jin stopped short of impacting the grey robed girl as the violent wind of her aura whipped at his robes and rattled windows. Nacient green? What medicine were these commoners eating? The archivist was nonplussed as the gale redistributed his collection among the bookshelves. The towering Hou Jin absently sketched a bow. "Apologies, in my haste I was not adequately wary of the path." The snickering was louder, closer. Determined identify the heckler, Hou Jin lumbered after the sound. He ignored the girl's glare and the archivist's disinterested warning, "Careful, that section's under audit."

An ancient looking tome tumbled from a shelf and flopped open in Hou Jin's path. Over the creaking of its burnished hinges a mocking mimicry of a squeeling pig reached his ears. As he knelt and retrieved the tome, more books tumbled to the floor around him. Liu Xin swung down into the aisle, smirking with ridicule. "No audience now sir piggy." Hou Jin's grin at the challenge was feral. The snake was beyond his reach but this common deviant could be taught a lesson.

Liu Xin's hand blurred and hot gravel hissed towards Hou Jin's eyes. Hou Jin shielded his face with the tome in his left hand and laughed at the common churl's audacity to start a fight in the archives. He materialized his jeweled jian into his right hand and taunted, "I see your begger's stones and raise you a noble's weapon!"

Circulating qi to his legs, Hou Jin blurred towards Liu Xin, sword tip thrusting towards his opponent's eye. Liu Xin instantly leaned back into a walkover, his trailing foot knocking Jin's sword arm up and away. The other boy quickly recovered into a tight fighting stance, and Hou Jin's eyes widened in surprise at the flaming fist filling his vision. Then he winced in pain as Liu Xin shuffled in low and followed the feint with a foot stomp, body hook and uppercut that sent Hou Jin flopping to the floor.

Liu Xin stared down at Hou Jin's supine form and drawled, "us commoners're s'posed to handle the trash n all, yeah?" Hou Jin's grimace became a snarl. How dare this uncouth trash deride him so. How dare his own clan deny him the resources necessary to take his proper place above this borderlands rabble. It - Wasn't - Fair!

Ham sized fist wrapped half way around the tome, Hou Jin clambored to his feet and slashed his sword down at Liu Xin's clavicle. Liu Xin sidestepped and grasped Hou Jin's wrist and the jian's guard. With a flare of fiery qi the jian became red hot.

Hou Jin yanked his sword arm up and back, simultaneously dematerializing the scalding blade into storage and pulling Liu Xin forward. Liu Xin dodged the arc of Hou Jin's kick by leveraging the growing boy's own wrist to pull himself upward.

Their eyes met for a moment as Liu Xin dangled from Hou Jin's upraised arm. Then, as Liu Xin dropped back towards the floor, his cheeks puffed out and he belched a cloud of embers and ash into Hou Jin's face. "Aaargh!" Hou Jin bellowed as he cradled his face in his hands. How could a rootway rat improve so quickly? "IT - WAS - SO - UN - FAIR!"

Now standing at 3.5 imperial spans, the aisle could barely fit Hou Jin's girth. He charged Liu Xin again. The smaller boy dodged two quick right jabs with contemptuous ease, but misjudged the range of Hou Jin's left handed swipe with the large tome jutting from his grasp.

Briefly staggered by the blow to his crown, Liu Xin suffered too more tomes to the dome before Hou Jin's rising knee strike lifted him from the floor and slammed him into a book shelf. Liu Xin coughed up a mouthful of blood at the vicious impact. Hou Jin smacked his face with the tome once more for good measure before letting him crumple to the floor.

More books fell from the shelves, the staccato smacks as they impacted the floor seemed to applaud Hou Jin's victory. He was tempted to linger and gloat, but it would be better to seek out an elder than to be found amid this mess.

Hou Jin retraced his steps to the reading area and then made for the exit.
However, he must have mistaken the path. Instead, the walkway led to a cramped study. A prodigious desk dominated the space; its surface strewn with plant detritus, core fragments and dozens of high grade elixer recipes. Hou Jin happily took his time examining the desktop.

"Such rewards would not be left about if not for the taking," he rationalized as he gathered formulas prescribed to see a cultivator through to green completion. "It's only fair," the papers seemed to whisper as Hou Jin surreptitiously slid them between the pages of the weathered tome.

Avarice drew his gaze to the cupboard in corner, but Hou Jin really did need to inform the elders of Liu Xin's transgressions. Once more he retraced his steps. Back at his reading table the beastiary lay open, temping Hou Jin with a map the peaks and a portrait of a dusky feathered bird grasping a serpent in its talons. But he bypassed the inviting arm chair and headed for the entrance.

Hou Jin suspected something was wrong when the walkway next deposited him into a spacious tea room with a kneeling table of rich dark wood and various seating cushions strewn across the floor. The four walls were decorated with a panoramic mural of a lakeside landscape so shockingly realistic that it must have been an immortal's work.

More peculiar though, was senior sister Xu Lian's presence. She was perched on a cushion next to the low table, with a truly indecent
amount of braised pork trotters. Her attire was equally shocking. From her slippers to the knee high slits of her deep violet gown, her legs were bare; and her lace trimmed neckline dipped low enough to expose the upper edges of her collarbones.

Xu Lian met Hou Jin's flabbergasted gape with a winsome smile. As she beckoned him closer, the leaves in the mural rustled in the subtly painted breeze. "It's only fair," they husked. Hou Jin briefly wavered, for they were very well formed collarbones. But the surreality was too much and his suspicion turned to alarm.

He retreated from the room, veering from the uncooperative walkway towards the nearest window. But as he approached, the walls with their attached book cases seemed to grow taller, whisking the portal out of his reach. Desperately circulating his qi, Hou Jin grew to four imperial spans, then five. Then it began raining books. Encyclopedias and almanacs poured from the shelves burying him in glossy bindings and neatly penned pages.

He batted at the encroaching volumes with the tome clutched in his left hand, but the books were piling too quickly. As the tumble of literature blocked out the distant window's light, a susurrous of fluttering pages joined Hou Jin's wail, "This isn't fair!"

"Hmph, so that's where the young master rushed off to." The softly moaning first year knelt next to a bookshelf, clutching an old tome to his chest and staring off into space.

Shen Wuhan harumphed and guided his cart around the richly robed disciple, carefully avoiding contact with the tome. He'd had enough of bothersome first years and spooky archive shit for today. Audits were the fucking worst. "I'll send along the next shift," he called over his shoulder as he continued down the aisle. Because right now, his shift was officially over. And this nonsense was distinctly not a Shen Wuhan problem.

 

[Neshuakadal]

Future Days: Broken Paths

Wood crackled as flames licked at the scattered pieces strewn across the road. Six wagons shattered and broken as if they were toys of an angry child. A dozen cultivators, heroes who defended the empire, lay torn apart or impaled by gnarly roots. Surrounded by the destruction stood three bent and twisted trees. Their blackened bark groaned as branches twitched and twisted about, each long and thin, proof of a long life reaching towards a shrouded sun. A life now abandoned. They weren't alone though. Shen Shi hid prone beneath a shattered wheel, shielded from view by her mother's perforated form.

As a rabbit might hide from a serpent, Shen Shi held completely still, fingers stuffed into her mouth to quiet her breathing tasted of mud and copper. Unwilling to even blink, Shen Shi stared at herself reflected from her mother's dead eyes. Stared at her matted splinter covered hair and remembered the long hours spent brushing it with her mother. Stared at her malformed leg and remembered the scent of her father's hair when she hugged him after he had crafted her a funny looking chair that let her leave the house. So lost was she in memories that when a new figure walked into the road she didn't notice.

It was when something tapped her shoulder that she finally stirred. She wanted to scream, but couldn't around her fingers. Twisting her head Shen Shi had expected to see a thin branch, perhaps still dripping blood, to be diving towards her. That it wasn't a branch but someone crouching next to her with too wide a grin and too many teeth surprised her. The figure, boy or girl was difficult to guess, put a finger up to their mouth and then pointed past her mother and towards the bloodstained trees. Shen Shi wiggled a bit to look, it would be rude not too, like going to a play and not watching the actors.

There in the road was a new figure. They wore a wide brimmed hat and a high collared coat making it impossible to see a face. In his hands was a pinyin, each ring glowing a soft green casting the road into strange shadows. The scene reminded Shen Shi of a vast rock with a small almost lonely temple on top jutting from unsettled water.

"I am one who walks unwalked paths." The figure said to the trees.

A name floated into Shen Shi's mind: 'Xuan Shi'. She almost giggled. He shared a name with her. How fun.

"Allow me to listen to your story." Xuan Shi said, continuing with a slow steady pace.

Bark shuddered and twisted while branches writhed. Cracks echoed through the air as the trees told a story, a story Shen Shi could not understand. Still meaning seemed to float between the cracks. Something about a promise broken? It was really hard to follow. Turning to her fellow watcher Shen Shi saw that they were enraptured by the exchange. They wouldn't be any help in understanding what was happening. It was alright though, Shen Shi would just ask her mother once the play ended and the actors got back up.

"A tale worthy of song." Xuan Shi said when the trees finally stopped. Each tree seemed to stand taller at those words. "Yet, a tale unfinished. Please grace this one with an answer to his question. Why? Why did such noble spirits attack these people?"

Silence filled the ruined road, even the crackling of the fires dimmed away as Shen Shi held her breath. This was it, the turning point in the play. Would it end with the hero calming the spirits, or in tragedy?

Bark creaked, breaking the silence.

"For no other reason than that?" Xuan Shi said, sadness filling his voice. "Allowing spirits with such reasons to leave is something I cannot allow."

Shen Shi exhaled in exhilaration as the climax was reached. Each of the trees swung their branches at Xuan Shi, each one seeking a different angle of attack. Yet Shen Shi knew it was pointless. There was only one bridge to the temple, anything that sought to strike it had but one path to follow. All around the road space warped and twisted, bucking as a frightened beast. Every attack was met by a single raised palm.

The temple's gong rang. A single note, deep and heavy, the sound of mourning. "Return."

Blinking spots out her eyes Shen Shi looked around in confusion. Wasn't there supposed to be more than that? Ending a play like that was unfulfilling. There was supposed to be more, a conversation between the two parties during the fight to really draw out the suspense perhaps. Shen Shi blinked again. Why was she thinking of plays again? This wasn't a play. This was… it was… it was a play. It had to be.

"Kongyou, was this necessary?" Xuan Shi asked as he knelt down in front of her.

"It kept her quiet and out of the way." The sharp smiled figure next to Shen Shi said. "I knew you wouldn't want to add more tragedy to this."

Shen Shi looked up at the figure. What were they talking about? What tragedy? It was all a play, so all the actors would be fine, right? She stiffened in confusion as Xuan Shi rested a hand on her shoulder.

"I am sorry, little one." He said.

Piece by piece Shen Shi understood. She turned to look at her mother, but only scraps of cloth fluttering in the breeze remained. The dead had been offered no protection from the tsunami of force that had ended the fight. Fat tears dripped down her face as she curled up in the churned road. She didn't notice when Xuan Shi lifted her up, mindful of her twisted leg, so she rested on his shoulder. She didn't notice the blood stained patch of road disappear. She didn't even notice when her vision darkened and sleep took her away.

Soft mumbling was the first thing Shen Shi noticed as sleep lifted its hold on her. Blankets weighed down on her making it difficult to move her body. Still her head was free, so she forced her eyes open and blinked away what little sleep remained.

Orange light flickered under a door frame, offering little illumination. Enough to see the shape of the room, small, and other pieces of furniture, a chair and a cabinet. When she tried to shove the blankets off her and push herself up the murmuring stopped and the door opened.

Stepping inside was a grandma from the fairy tales Shen Shi's mother had read to her, a heavy shawl, wrinkled skin, even a long crooked nose.

"My name is Elder Lie." The woman said. "Rest. You've been through a lot, but you are safe here."

"Where… How... ?" Shen Shi tried to get a sentence out, but words jumbled together. Still the older woman seemed to understand.

"You are at Storm's Rest village." Elder Lie said as she sat down on the edge of the bed. "A cultivator brought you here and told us what happened."

Nodding Shen Shi hugged herself, trying to give herself the feeling of mother hugging her. It didn't work, she only felt cold and alone.

"If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I will try my best to answer them." Elder Lie said

"Can… Can I be alone?" Shen Shi asked. Just looking at the elder hurt somewhere deep inside her. Mother had always joked about looking old.

"Of course." Elder Lie said, heaving herself upright with her cane. Then she placed a small drum on the bed. "Here. Just give this a good wack if you need anything. I'll dodder here as fast as I can." With that Elder Lie shut the door leaving Shen Shi alone in the dark.

Alone in the dark Shen Shi hugged herself tighter and tried to lose herself in the memories of warmth and laughter. It was all she had now.

A.N
Omake for the Omake throne. @yrsillar

This is an idea I had for a future Xuan Shi who walks around the south Emerald Seas like the spirit speakers of old. Listening to old stories from spirits and generally trying to be helpful to those he meets. Kinda of like a wandering monk character type. Even though he tries to help, Forge is a death world, so very often he finds himself at the tail end of a tragedy playing out.

 

[Thor's Twin]

Path of Ice and Iron

Let us continue our studies by turning our attention to one of the more recent, yet prominent, trade routes that wind its way through our Empire. Well known by the moniker it was given by traders throughout the Emerald Sea, this "Path of Ice and Iron" connects the foreign peoples of the far south of our Empire, beyond even the mountainous Wall, to various provinces and beyond. The Emerald Seas, the Thousand Lakes, and the Savage Sea all lay along this trade route. Other provinces make use of the goods and wealth that flow along the route as well, most notably the Golden Fields, by enticing pro-active traders with materials that the foreigners south of the Wall desire. Xuan traders also make sure that the products of the far south find foreign hands as well, the wealth of Khem and Bantu both via for otherwise inaccessible materials, and the Polar Nations of the south are willing to pay exorbitant amounts for the sun-drenched spices of those lands.

That is not to say that all appreciate the wealth that this trade route brings. Various factions among the Bai are known to grumble about the traditions being breached and foreign influences intruding upon their land. Zheng of The Ebon Rivers protest mightly from their cavernous caves about this route, not for any sensible reason mind you, but because the wealth makes cultivators less inclined to martial pursuits and more inclined to civil. At least that is what they claim. A few preliminary studies have not been able to show any conclusive results one way or another. The most ardent detractors of the route, however, are Jin from the Alabaster Sands. The Jin decry this route as morally degrading to the provinces of the Empire, of assisting barbarians in their preparations to war against good citizens of the Empire, of destroying local economic centers by disincentivizing their local produce in favor of exotic goods. Studies funded by Jin have conclusively pointed to the harm this route causes, and have of course been summarily figuratively torn to shreds by scholars who are in favor of the route.

The Celestial Peaks are the one province that has not leaned one way or the other on the matter of this trade route. Predominately because the various Emperors and Empresses who have ruled over our land after the route was established have stuck to ancient policy and precedent. That the provinces of the Empire are free to engage with non-barbarous foreigners however they see fit. Such was the precedent set by the Jin and Xuan, such was the precedent enforced with the Cai. That is not to say that the Imperial persons have not benefited from this route. No, the wealth that flows into Imperial coffers because of the Path of Ice and Iron has been well utilized to continue the personal and political projects of the Imperial Throne.

Yet, a question for the astute-minded among you remains regarding this trade route. What, exactly, travels along this path? Everything travels along the roads and rivers that make up this route, items that may be considered sundry by the common imperial citizen have a high demand in the Polar Nations. In particular demand is wood, both hard and soft, and tea which the Emerald Seas is happy to provide and which the Polar Nations pay in metals of all types. But more exotic goods also flow from those lands to the Empire and from the Empire to the Polar Nation. Pearls from the fisherman of the Thousand Lakes fetch high prices to the south, as well as gems and jewels from the Golden Fields, imbued with heat from the Sun. Traders of the Savage Seas provide preserved fish bones of all types, from mundane to exotic. From Khem and Bantu come the formerly mentioned sun-drenched spices and other exotic materials. Common metals are not sufficient for these types of goods, no matter in what quantity, but the Polar Nations are more than willing to provide exotic materials of their own. Eternal ice which never melts, wisps of clouds which have never seen the sun, and bones of animals which have never been seen north of the wall. More valuable than the goods which flow though, in this scholar's opinion, is the exchange of knowledge.

Imperial astrologers have been able to correlate their findings with astrologers from the Polar Nations creating new more dynamic charts of the sky, assisting them in making ever more accurate predictions of future events. Furthermore, various minor sects have sprouted up with endorsement of the Cai, Ling, and Wang seeking to understand and exploit the inferior, albeit exotic, cultivation methods of the Peoples south of the Wall to develop exciting new methodologies for walking the path of cultivation. While success has been limited, each success opens up new doors of possibility which the minor sects are exploring to their limits. Another aspect of the Polar Nations which is being investigated, even by the Argent Sect, is the runic works which is an inferior replacement to our formation work. However, while inferior, their runes showcase interesting manipulations of qi allowing for breakthroughs in creating more stable, long-lasting, formation work which requires minimal work in maintaining.

Turning our attention now to those who benefit the most from this Path of Ice and Iron, we will speak of the Ling clan, direct vassals of the Cai, the Dukes and Duchesses of the Emerald Seas. While most well known for their relation to the Living Mountain, many branches of the Ling clan have strong relations with the religious authorities and diplomatic ambassadors of the Polar Nation, placing them in a premier position as guides, translators, and advocates for the traders who ply their wares in that region. Other branches of the Ling have been charged with protecting the route through the Wall, ensuring that the Cloud Nomads do not interfere with trade, and keeping the unruly spirits of the area pacified and content. Their most prominent role, however, is the enforcement of Cai tariffs and customs for trade through the region, ensuring that the Cai know exactly what is leaving their province and what is entering it. Through this role, the Ling have become much more wealthy than what their status as viscounts might suggest, outside even their relationship with the Living Mountain.

It is through this wealth that the Ling have undertaken grand construction projects, most notably the Road of Iron, a massive road construction project based upon sound geomantic principles, iron sourced from the Polar Nations, and local stone to create spiritual stability in an unstable region with the goal of providing a main thoroughfare through the Wall for travelers and traders to use. This massive project is also not the only construction the Ling are contemplating using their wealth and influence on either. Whispers come from the Dust of Ages Sect that members of the Ling clan have used their vast wealth to purchase insight into ever more esoteric means of construction in the Liminal Realm. Other tales tell of a blueprint that has received approval from the Cai for a palace constructed within the Liminal Realm itself. Tales that seem truer every day as potent materials known to be of use in the Liminal realm flow to the Living Mountain in an ever-increasing stream.
But such wealth and influence do not come without a price. Already this scholar has seen plans drafted by nobles of the Celestial Peaks to increase taxes upon the Ling, seeking precedent to promote their agenda. The Jin also have an unnerving distaste for the Ling, seeking to stymie any contact between them and the Dust of Ages sect. It is no surprise, then, that the number of audits performed against the Ling by the Ministry of Integrity has increased dramatically. But through these troubles, the Ling has ceaselessly worked to increase the prosperity and power of their clan. The only question is whether the Ling can secure enough wealth and influence to keep their detractors at bay before their opponents can find a way to leash the power of the Ling.

A/N: @yrsillar another omake for the omake throne! This is a take on a far future Ling Clan and if the diplomacy between the Polar Nations and the Emerald Seas is able to come to fruition with consistent trade between the two polities, and beyond. I hope you enjoyed the read!

 

[Neshuakadal]

Future Days: To be a Servant.

Her hands ached from using a brush hours into the night. Her feet ached from standing and answering questions to judges. Her eyes ached from studying a thousand pictures and choosing the correct one. Tests after tests. All to show that she, Min Xue, was worth becoming a cultivator.

This entire week she remembered, she felt, her day of introduction. When a Min turns eight years old they are presented to a Ling. That day a Min is blessed and granted the right to serve. It was no different for her. Now, she was so close, so close Min Xue could taste drifting flower petals with every drop of sweat that dripped into her mouth. So close with every blink she saw that lake of white lotuses and the figure sitting serenely upon them. So close that every tremble of her hand was stilled by the mere memory of the pressure that exuded from a Ling.

So close that the gnawing hungry inside her roiled with anticipation of finally, finally being sated.

For a week she had worked, and now the week was coming to an end. Only one more test remained. Before now was all theoricatal work and answers. There was still the practical left. Groups of Min would be assigned to a staged party of ceremony, and without knowing what the event was the group would be expected to facilitate it. That was the last test and, assuming she had done well enough on the other tests, once she passed she would be granted the right to cultivate. For now her group waited in an antechamber. Waiting for the moment to come.

With a creak the door opened and every eye darted to the figure that walked in. Tall with grey hair cropped short and clothed in a flowing deep blue robe that that in no way seemed to hinder him, was a figure Min Xue knew on sight. Min Fang, patriarch of her clan.

"Today is the final test." Min Fang said into the silent room. "This room has drawn the third lot. In three hours you will be tested. Prepare yourself until then." Without another word Min Fang turned and walked out, doors creaking shut behind him.

Letting out an explosive sigh, Min Xue rested her head on the wall behind her. Third wasn't too bad. She would rather be first to get it out of the way, but this gave her time to relax. A perfect time to practice some of the breathing exercises she saw some of the older Min do from time to time. Min Xue took a breath, released it, and allowed her heart to fall into a slow rhythm.

"Third isn't too bad, is it?" A small mousy voice said next to her.

Min Xue turned her head to look at Min Liuxian. They were somewhat friends, but it was more like Min Xue was one of the few that didn't scare the poor girl away. "No, it's not. Some people even think three is lucky."

Brightening up Min Liuxian looked far more relaxed, a weight drifting off her. "That's right. Three is lucky. A good sign. A good sign. Maybe a good enough sign to get the Noontide ceremony."

"Noontide?" Min Xue said. "I doubt that. There's nothing to test with that ceremony."
"True." Min Liuxian said. "It would still be nice though. Simple, clean, easy."

Nodding her agreement Min Xue let her friend sink into a habitual fidgeting and muttering as she resumed her breathing practice. Min Xue hoped that this test would be easy on her friend's nerves, but she doubted it would. Even shadows taxed Min Liuxian nerves, which was a poor trait for someone serving the Ling.

Then the doors opened and as one everyone stood up and filed out to the testing room.

Cold. That was the first thing Min Xue noticed, before even passing through the doors. Stepping into the room she saw silver fog, rising only to her ankles, crawling along the ground. Each of her steps, as well as the steps of those around her, caused the fog to ripple, like each step was a stone dropped into a pond. It was dark as well, only a few dim pieces on the ceiling, closer to stars than lanterns, provided any light at all. At the center a round table of onyx sat with the proctors arranged around it.

Her stomach dropped even as her face remained impassive with her eyes cast downward. This wasn't the noontide ceremony. This was it's opposite, a hidden moon ceremony, and a variation long out of style. If such an event had been held in her lifetime Min Xue would be shocked. Rumors agreed it was the hardest ceremony to be tested on, and for good reason. Hand signals, used to avoid taking, would be near impossible to see in such dim light. Some other ceremonies had leeway when it came to making noise, but this one did not. Any noise, no matter how slight, would shatter the complete silence and stillness of the room. Still it was her test, so Min Xue got to work.

Quick silent steps brought her to a trolley filled with cups of shimmering tea. Flashing a quick hand signal to a proctor acting as the brewer, twice because she had missed the reply in the gloom, confirmed what she suspected. Cold and bitter tea, best served with the sweetest of desserts. Min Xue signaled this to an approaching girl, who gave a faint nod and scurried off. A relay system was established, the only way to communicate between groups. Thankfully her test partners were competent enough to create one without hesitation. It meant less help with each task, but it was just as important that everyone knew what was happening.

By luck it seemed like Min Xue was working close to Min Liuxian, who was setting the dishes. One by one Min Xue would hand a teacup to Min Liuxian who placed it on the table. Seat by seat they worked around the table, silver fog rippling away from them. It seemed like a dance, Min Xue thought. Everything was going well.

Then the first mistake happened.

Min Xue didn't see what caused it, perhaps it was a loose slipper thread, a turn too fast, or any other tiny detail. She did see the mistake though. Min Liuxian tripped. The girl managed to catch herself in time, but it caused her to set down a tea cup too hard on the table. Noise, louder than a temple's gong, shattered the perfect dance and everyone froze. None of the proctors looked at Min Liuxian, they just stood as still as before.

Everyone needed to move now, Min Xue knew. If they didn't, the ceremony would fall behind schedule and fail. Sweat broke across her back as she forced herself to move and hand the next tea cup to Min Liuxian. Shaking like a leaf during a firestorm Min Liuxian took it and placed it down without a sound. That was enough for everyone else to remember to move, and the dance went on.

More mistakes piled on after that: a drop of tea spilt from a cup, a plate placed at the wrong angle, a slight squeak as a chair was bumped into. Nothing as major as that first mistake, but each one racked up the tension for those that noticed them. By the time they had finished and were dismissed Min Xue felt like her brain was soft and full of holes.

It wasn't even the end of the evening for her, Min Liuxian had sobbed into her shirt for hours. No amount of comforting words or reminders that there was always next year could stop the rivers. So when Min Xue finally retired to bed, sleep came as soon as she placed her head on the pillows.

When she awoke the world felt different. Some great weight lifted off Min Xue's shoulders and she knew why. On her dressing table a single snow white envelope lay. Pressed into its dark blue wax was the sign of the Min. She broke the letter open and read.

"Min Xue," the letter said, it's crisp ink forming characters that looked to be formed from entangled roots. "This past week has been filled with rigorous tests. Well done passing them. If you wish to take your next steps on the path of serving the Ling make your way to the East Hall. Present this letter to the guards to be granted entry." It was signed by Min Fang

Even dressing felt different, Min Xue mused, as she moved about the room. This might be the last time she saw this room. She strode out without a single glance backwards, but before leaving the hallway though she slid a short letter under Min Liuxian's door. Some gentle words of encouragement and an offer to share letters. Min Xue knew that it would be a year, or much longer if the dark corners of her mind were to be trusted, before she saw Min Liuxian again. After all, the next part of her life started now.

Walking to the East Hall was a new experience. Min Xue knew where it was of course, but she had never entered it, or even traveled down the hallways leading to it. Yet Min Xue travelled down those hallways with confidence, just as she had in her dreams. Before the great gilded red door separating the East Hall from the rest of the compound she handed her letter to the guards. She would have liked a bit more ceremony before they opened the door, but this must be a normal experience for them. After giving a nod to each, Min Xue walked through.

"Hello, new trainee."

Min Xue stopped and bowed to the older woman now standing beside her. It took a moment of fighting to control her face properly, but she managed it.

"My name is Min Shixiu. I will be your instructor in the cultivation arts."

"I am honored to be given the chance to be instructed." Min Xue said.

"Come, I will show you the classroom." Min Shixiu said, her face gracefully blank.

They walked together for a while, the only sounds were those of shoes striking a polished wood floor.

"Did… did anyone else pass?" Min Xue said.

"Yes, but they are still sleeping. You are an early riser. A very early riser. Why, little Fang almost didn't have time to leave the letter."

"Little Fang?" Min Xue asked, unable to stop herself while she was fighting down a blush. She hadn't checked outside in her excitement. Was it really that early?

"Ah, I suppose I should be more respectful of the rascal now that I have students. Patriarch Fang personally delivers those letters. Makes him feel connected to all the young talent, I guess."

Spluttering at the very idea of someone calling the Patriarch little, or a rascal, Min Xue couldn't help but look around to see if anyone was watching.

"Don't believe me ehh?" Min Shixiu said, her blank expression breaking to reveal a grin, a wicked and sharp thing. "Patricah Feng may be at the peak of yellow, but I still remember breaking off switches for him when he tried to sneak frogs out of the garden."

"Uh… May I ask what you mean when you say peak of yellow, Lady Min Shixiu?" Min Xue said, desperate to change the topic.

Tutting Min Shixiu shook her head. "Trying to get a head start on your peers are you? All I will say is that the yellow realm is a stage of a cultivator's power." After those words Min Shixiu tapped a wooden panel with a gnarled knuckle. A shiver ran through the wall before it pulled away revealing the room hidden behind it. "This will be your classroom. I will show you your sleeping quarters later."

Starlight, pouring through the removed far wall, illuminated low tables and cushions, each placed equally apart and filling the room. Every table had an artful pile of books along with brushes and an inkstone. Polished bronze wood made up the floor and it sparkled, a mirror to the night sky outside. Where the outer wall should have been was instead a short series of stairs leading to a manicured garden. In the distance Min Xue could hear a creak bubbling about and smooth grass stretched from the stairs to the rocky hill that created an outer bound.

From the rocks bloomed flowers in a dizzying variety of color, each one vibrant as if the sun shined overhead. Every flower swayed in different directions from their neighbors, all listening to a beat of their own inaudible music. Beyond the outcroppings, visible only by its outline, was the ancestral guardian of all who served the Ling. Min Xue took a moment from admiring the beauty of the room and garden to give a word of thanks to the great spirit.

"Welcome Min Xue." Min Shixiu said. "To the world of cultivation."

A.N
@yrsillar
Omake for the Omake throne. Just because Yrs is taking a well deserved break doesn't mean I have to! Anyway in this piece I focused on trying to create imagery of where the characters were, the scenery of the world. Any criticisms on that front would help me become a better writer. Thank you for reading. I enjoyed writing this piece.

 

[Thor's Twin]

Tomb of Ancient Souls

Ling Wei swayed gently in time with her perch, a small branch nestled within the canopy of this southern forest. Nothing disturbed the natural ambiance around her, small birds chirped greetings and young spirits frolicked around the trunks of these trees. Quiet, peaceful, serene. All of which veiled the darkness which crept underneath the hills. Young Baron Shan was fortunate that he had been too busy to deal with the construction he had detected beneath his lands, having decided to request assistance from his lieges in the matter while he joined a punitive force to handle some quarrelsome barbarian tribe. Or something. She wasn't quite sure what it was and she could not muster the desire to care. Not when it took all her effort to resist pirouetting with every beat of her heart!

Taking a moment to pinpoint a weakness in the wards and liminal defenses, Ling Wei smiled, breathed out fully, and shifted between material and dream. Just to scrape across the edge, to slide on the razor's blade between reality and dream, and, like a needle, slip through the old cracks in the defenses. A fine web of qi was disturbed slightly in her passing and was about to alert the stronger defenses, but in her wake came the breath of forgetfulness, and the fine lace settled, none the wiser that they had failed in their singular purpose. With a breath, she rematerialized in the corner of what seemed like a storeroom, carved into the very bedrock of the land. Musty and stale, the air tasted stagnant.

'Rise from slumber and dream Yewan,' Ling Wei mentally commanded her spirit, 'our work begins.'

Her shadow coalesced from the pitch-like blackness of the room. With a motion of its hands, a piece of the stone walls began to shimmer like a blackened fractured mirror. As large as a door, the shimmering mirror stood there, waiting. With a twirl, Ling Wei turned around and slipped out of the storeroom door. Yewan followed.

Entering a main hall of the complex, Ling Wei took a moment to orient herself. Lanterns and torches lined the walls and pillars, long extinguished. From the east came the sounds of marching feet, and from below her, she could feel a deepening of the darkness that had hidden this place since its construction ages ago. Taking the easternmost passage, and dispersing herself through the air, it took only a few heartbeats to find the source of the sound. A trio of human skeletons, armored in tattered leathers and holding spears of tarnished copper. A wisp of shadow skirted around them and peered at the qi constructs which guided them. The complex network of qi that had guided them had suffered clear damage, spaces that seemed to connect to something else had been severed, and now the skeletons were directionless, repeating motions without meaning or reason. But it was their source of animus that made her shudder.

These constructs did not use spirit stones for power, but souls. Scarred and shackled human souls. Muted as they were, the power source was unmistakable. It was almost enough to make her retch, to gag on bile. With a quick flick of qi, Ling Wei breathed out forgetfulness and peace, causing the stumbling horrors to stop and fall to the ground. She began to break apart the qi network leaching power from the souls, ripping the complex qi construction to pieces. In but moments, the souls were freed from their prison, and disappeared from perception, going wherever it was that souls went to in death. Rematerializing next to the pile of bones, Ling Wei knelt and produced a stick of incense to light for the dead. While there was no feeling that ghosts would appear from these souls, there was no reason not to be considerate either. And it was good, good to take some time to adjust her expectations of what to find down here.

No longer was this an abandoned tomb that would have been fun to explore. No longer was this about taking the first pick of treasures before letting Baron Shan know what to expect if he wanted to claim the rest. No longer was this about pleasure and release from mundanity. This was personal. It had all the signs of a more developed and personalized construction from that contained in the old pale manual she had studied. The ancient work of long-dead hill tribes. Work that she used as a base for her own path of ascending as a cultivator. While Aunt Zhihui would know what to do with any treasures that remained in this place, she would not wait to release the tortured souls that still patroled these halls. They would be freed tonight.

Ling Wei commanded Yewan to make another gate with a gesture and a second shimmering portal formed from the carved stone. She dispersed herself along with her breath and flowed deeper into the darkness of this place, following the halls and stairwells ever downward. Trio's of skeletal guards that she came across stood in place at junctions and doorways. She left them alone, for now, noting that these constructs were still connected to a larger network that determined their course of action. Passing storerooms filled with degraded leather and weapons, she commanded Yewan to make gates in each one, hidden from the senses of any guards. More guards appeared as she delved deeper, and even greater depravities were found.

Rooms with crusted shackles, pits filled to the brim with brittle bone, workbenches with decomposing scrolls which seemed to have been made by stitching human skin together, halls filled end to end with stationary skeletal guards. Each guard she had passed contained a human soul, scarred, shaped, and shackled. And, with each of her heartbeats, a pulse of power flowed through the command network, invigorating the souls and qi constructs. Keeping them alive. Only a few times did she dare to retch in quiet forgotten corners, tears brimming at her eyes. Finally, though, she reached the bottom. A pool of filth and shadow comprised the final room. An ancient spirit hovered over the darkened liquid, and it felt as though it could have been in the fourth realm. If it hadn't spread its power over this entire complex, keeping things functioning for a creator who was long dead. And if the spirit hadn't also been broken and made mad by the eons of captivity.

Yewan made a final portal in the pool room, and Ling Wei concealed it with a veil of forgetfulness. It was finally time.

'Slumber Yewan and ponder broken dreams'

From the portals came Ling Wei's puppets of shattered glass. Black forms comprised from cutting angles and sharp silicon, carrying all manner of weapons. They marched from her gates in a flood, smashing through the guards wherever they encountered them. Some of the skeletons were quick enough to shatter a puppet or two, but more stepped up to fill the ranks. In the final room, the ancient spirit screeched in pain and agony as Ling Wei sliced with her daggers of frozen flame, supported by even more puppets that flooded the room as well. It was over quickly, thankfully, the spirit not being able to process the flood of information over a network never designed to handle such an assault. Once the spirit fell, so did the rest of the resistance, and all that was left was ensuring no souls or spirits were left in this place. This forgotten tomb.


A/N:
@yrsillar Another omake for the omake throne! I hope people enjoy the read!