Varder
Tired Cultist
- Location
- Hell
I guess we'll have to see. But from my perspective, a duel without a prize & willingness to seriously harm is not too different from a heated spar.
Threads Of Destiny(Eastern Fantasy, Sequel to Forge of Destiny)
- Thread starter yrsillar
- Start date
- Original Users' Choice!
Voted best in category in the Users' Choice awards.
I guess we'll have to see. But from my perspective, a duel without a prize & willingness to seriously harm is not too different from a heated spar.
The difference is recovery time. Spars tend to have zero, because the participants call it before it becomes serious.
If we're hurt bad enough that we cannot be deployed where we are need, when we are needed, that will count against us. Not to mention, the medical supplies will be needed at the front very soon.
- Location
- Greece
1) Assuming only the 3 greats take part, maybe. It still feels strange to have an A team and a B team, as this is a ompetition between sects, not an intersect competition.
2) My speculation is not central to my hypothesis and based on clues that are no lesser. I claim it feels right for more participating Sects to exist, you claim it feels right for each Sect to send a bigger team. Difference is, my speculation is not central to my arguments.
3) Yeah.
4) huh, interesting.
Also, I thought of a new one
5) Our year was a monster year. Usually most of the people to pass fall in rank after passing rather than rising. It makes sense that the Sects want to show off their few good ones rather than every barely green or even yellow 8000-900 ranker, as is the normal average for the junior division. Monster years are not actually an usual occurrence, which sneaked up by me the first time because our year was a monster year.
Maybe. TBH though, I can't really hate her.
Why?
Well, she's a nightmare. Like six at the beginning, she probably doesn't properly grok mortality. To her, this is just a story, and she was hoping for a plot twist.
That being said, if she's dumb enough to approach us again, we should definitely see what nightmare cores are good for.
At this point I am just going to say this. I am mostly basing the more then one team on the fact that there are atleast 32 options in a usual year. Those 32 are the best of the best of those years. That they are even taking in first years as 1 year in the inner makes alot of difference seems another point. Why open that up if they are probably never going to be picked? Monster years like ours does like you said not usually happen.
From what HJ said back in FoD the standard sect squad is 5. Which is what I am going to go on until we learn if it is setup differently because it is the only fact we know. We might both be wrong and all 32 are in the team or even just 8-12+. If there is only 1 team then we got Sun, Bai, Cai and Xuan in due to being the strongest of those two years. I guess JR and LQ will have to fight for the last spot?
CRX seemed like she expected LQ to get into the team without any problems. I doubt she would be so confident if she knew the sect set the one team up with the strongest ones as we got loads of ducals in the inner sect and more joining.
Black Noise
Curious
- Location
- About 1AU from Sol
That's referring the outer sect end-of-year tournament, which is a major political event, not the inter-sect competition which happens like 5 months afterwards.
- Location
- Greece
No, I wasn't confused, those are 2 different subjects I breached, because I had the realization that those politics may matter in the inner tourney after I wrote that the children thing refered to the outer sect.
- Location
- New Brunswick, NJ
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
If the duel comes down to a vote, I'm locked in for voting yes, because that makes things more interesting. If we duel and win, that might have neat consequences. If we duel and lose, that will have even more interesting consequences. If we don't duel, nothing happens, nothing changes, no arcs are developed, yawn boring dull.
So I don't really care whether it's optimal or not, whether JR was out of line for asking, what his secret motives are, or whether we can turn it down without offending someone. I like a story where stuff is happening.
So I don't really care whether it's optimal or not, whether JR was out of line for asking, what his secret motives are, or whether we can turn it down without offending someone. I like a story where stuff is happening.
This is fair.
My only sticking point, as of now, is that the sect actually halted all dueling. I'd like to check with the sect before accepting because I'd rather not get on the sects bad side over this.
Potentially interesting or not, it's not really worth going against the sect over.
I think there are degrees here too. For instance, If Ji Rong wanted to ask for an Elder to supervise a proper duel ( instead of 'just' a spar) I wouldnt vote yes to assisting him there. Mostly because I wouldn't want to waste an elders time given the war effort.
fictionfan
Please sir, may I have some Meows?
- Location
- Tempe, AZ
No C is the max skill you can get before the skill becomes somewhat supernatural.
Last edited:
Turn 9: Arc 1-1 Recovery
"Hoh, and what happened next?" Bao Qian asked distractedly.
"After Senior Brother helped to finish things, he was able to lead us to the Commander, and then out, through a relatively safe exit." Ling Qi replied. Seated on a fence post, she idly kicked her legs back and forth. It felt good to move again.
Bao Qian squinted up at the axle of his wagon. He crouched, holding the vehicle up at an angle over his head. "You came out in the underground still I assume? I heard that the attack was repulsed, but I suppose it must have still been ongoing."
Ling Qi thought back to their emergence into those dark tunnels, and the twisted shapes of shishigui monsters clogging the earth with rotting liquid flesh. Commander Guan Zhi had carved them a path to safety with her fists alone once they had returned to the material world. "It seems that the Shishigui realized that there wasn't a full attack ongoing by that point, so they retreated, leaving those constructs of theirs behind to block the path."
Bao Qian nodded, carefully maneuvering the inkbrush in his other hand to fix a worn stroke in a formations character. "But their original reaction was quite telling?"
Ling Qi was silent for a moment, thinking about their debriefing. Elder Jiao had been deeply irritated. However, he had only let it show for a moment. He had picked apart their reports in a matter of moments, and the picture he painted with them was worrying. "They were expecting a heavy reprisal, and their mobilization was impressive. It seems that space manipulation techniques cannot be relied upon in areas under their control either."
Bao Qian let out a huff, setting down his wagon with a shuddering thud. Standing, he twirled his inkbrush between his fingers, dismissing it back to his ring. "Not an easy enemy, hm?"
Ling Qi remembered the sour looks on the faces of the army officers and core disciples present at the debriefing when the truth had become clear. A sophisticated enemy, which would respond in a swift and organized fashion to any probes or attacks. "Of course, I bet you already knew that."
Bao Qian gave her a wry look. "One tribe or kingdom of foreigners is not the same as another. It would do many of us well not to assume such things."
Ling Qi huffed. "They're not just barbarians, they're monsters."
"There are many monsters in the world," Bao Qian replied agreeably, dusting off his knees. "In any case, congratulations are in order. Your contributions were truly superb, or so I have heard."
"You wouldn't know it, looking at the rankings," Ling Qi replied a little irritably.
"Petulence does not suit you Miss Ling," Bao Qian chuckled. "I think you are underestimating your gains. You salvaged a truly unforeseeable situation. I would expect that to be a consideration in the future as well."
Ling Qi knew that, she had discussed it with Cai Renxiang too, it was likely that her gains in coming months would receive a subtle bump as well, assuming she continued to contribute.
"But I doubt you are here to fish for praise, unless my impression of you is wholly mistaken?" Bao Qian asked.
"Not this time," Ling Qi shot back with a touch of humor. "I'm here for business."
"You should not so easily speak such alluring words," Bao Qian joked. Flicking his wrist, a small pouch that bulged with stones appeared in his hand.
Ling Qi reached out, allowing him to press it into her hand, she tugged at the drawstring, peering inside. "Not bad at all," she mused. There were five green stones and eighty yellow ones inside.
"I am pleased by your praise, but I assure you this is not my limit," Bao Qian replied, puffing out his chest. "Once the material has proven itself, demand will rise, and with it our profit margin."
"I'll pretend I know what that means," Ling Qi said facetiously.
"Isn't someone in a good mood," Sixiang chuckled sleepily in her head. The muse was still lethargic after their escapades.
More cultivation resources always put her in a good mood. It would be much easier to maintain her pace with this boost of income. "And how are things on Hanyi's end?" Ling Qi asked idly, vanishing the pouch.
"...I admit some difficulty there," Bao Qian said. "I believe I may have a lead on a promotion venue in the near future. Please have the young miss continue filling out her repertoire."
"She's been surprisingly on task, so that should not be hard," Ling Qi mused. She stretched her arms overhead and winced, there was still a painful twinge in her spine. Xin had done… something but she would still be feeling her wound for the rest of the week.
Bao Qian nodded agreeably, she could see in his eyes that he had seen her wince, but he hadn't said anything. "Very good. Did you need anything else Miss Ling? I might be able to spare the time for an outing if you are interested."
"Not just this moment," Ling Qi said a little too quickly. "I have a meeting at my home. My family's security needs to be improved."
"Understandable," Bao Qian replied, although he looked a little disappointed, and Ling Qi wasn't quite sure how to feel about that. "If you will excuse me then Miss Ling…"
"Wait a moment," Ling Qi said as he began to turn away. "I did have one other question."
Bao Qian turned back, one eyebrow raised. "What has captured your interest, Miss Ling?"
"Where would I look to investigate disputes between the Bao and the Luo clan?"
Bao Qian stared at her for a moment, and then let out a laugh. "I wonder if I should feel hopeful," he chuckled, and she flushed. "It might be best to study Emperor Si's reign, there were a number of land disputes in that time."
"Thank you," Ling Qi replied, bowing her head as she slid down from the fence post.
"It is no trouble, good day Miss Ling,"
When Ling Qi alit in the garden of her mother's home, Zhengui was there, where she had left him. It had been a little bit of a strange request, but he had gotten so much better at limiting his size, so she had seen no trouble with letting him idle in the garden.
Zhengui stood by the clear garden pond, at only a meter and a half long, not including his serpentine half, he almost looked like an exquisitely carved and painted garden statue. If he hadn't been moving anyway
One of the house servants, a younger one, only a few years Ling Qi's senior, crouched nearby with a basket of berries. Gui was eating out of her hand. She startled when Ling Qi landed, shooting to her feet. Only Ling Qi's steadying hand stopped her from tripping into the garden pond.
"Careful there," Ling Qi said, amused.
"I am sorry Lady Ling," the young lady replied, bowing profusely the moment she had regained her balance. The girl was clearly nervous, but at least she wasn't afraid, so Ling Qi had made some progress. "Please forgive this humble servant's lack of attention."
"No, I should have announced myself," Ling Qi dismissed. "Thank you for seeing to Zhengui."
"It was my honor Lady Ling," the gardener said, bowing again. "I will inform Madam Ling that you have arrived."
Ling Qi nodded absently as the girl hurried off, and looked down at Zhengui. "Have you enjoyed your chance to rest, little brother?" She asked softly
Zhen and Gui both peered up at her, but it was Gui who responded. "Gui is feeling fine."
"But is Big Sister?" Zhen asked, examining her carefully.
Ling Qi crouched down next to him, and ran her fingers over the serpent's brow ridges. "I am fine, I just need a little more rest, thanks to you."
"Zhengui did not do much," they both replied, and Ling Qi frowned at the synchronicity.
Ling Qi examined him, and her frown only deepened. He had not come out of that battle unmarked. Even with his prodigious vitality, scars remained. Her eyes marked every chipped spike on his shell, every scratch on his scales. There was a line, just above Zhen's right eye, and a spiralling scar on his left foreleg, where a ribbon had curled, trying to tear his leg from under him. Those were only the most prominent marks.
"You did very well Zhengui, you protected me, I'm proud of you," Ling Qi said.
Both of his gazes looked away. She could tell he couldn't quite believe it. She could also tell that pushing the matter would only be detrimental at the moment. She had gotten better at that.
"It looks like you were enjoying yourself," Ling Qi said lightly, bypassing the subject. "Did you like those berries?"
"Li-Li is a nice human," Gui rumbled. "The treats were empty, but they were still tasty."
"Li-Li?" Ling Qi asked, raising an eyebrow, that was a child's nickname.
"Mm, the older human called her that, and she does not have a Name," Gui agreed.
She was probably a younger relative of the main gardener then, Ling Qi mused.
"The not -family makes offerings, this is proper," Zhen said. "See Big Sister, I Zhen, have been given a shrine."
"It's our shrine," Gui complained.
Ling Qi blinked, bemused and followed Zhen's gaze, and only then saw it. There, toward the back of the garden, was a little building. It was a small shed with folding doors, and a small altar and incense burner inside. She was aware of it, there were representations of some common and local spirits inside. Looking again though, among their representations was a wooden carving of Zhengui, placed among the others. It was brightly painted, if a little crudely made.
"...Congratulations," Ling Qi said after a moment. It made her feel odd, to see her little brother represented as an object of worship. "You'll have to make sure the garden blooms well then."
"Obviously," Zhen hissed, some of his pride returning.
Ling Qi couldn't help but laugh. Her little brother, a house deity, it seemed absurd. "I'll be relying on you then," she said quietly.
"...Yes," Zhengui agreed, once more in synch.
Ling Qi hummed to herself, resting a hand on his shell. It was warm and rough. "Xuan Shi is coming soon, you know?"
"Zhengui knows," he replied tightly.
"You've never explained you know? Why do you dislike him so much?" Ling Qi asked carefully.
"Fi-Seaseeker is not family. Big Sister is family," Zhen muttered, petulant. "He is greedy, and wants things that are not his."
"Gui does not like how he smells," Gui grumbled. "But… Gui will try to be polite."
Ling Qi hummed to herself. "That's all I can ask. He's going to help protect my mother and sister, you know?"
"Zhengui knows," he said grudgingly. "Can we stay in the garden?"
"You can," Ling Qi said. "But make sure to let the gardeners work, okay?"
"Yes Big Sister," they chorused, and she stood. Her Mother was waiting for her on the porch.
<What do you think Sixiang?> Ling Qi thought.
"I think that the little Big guy is territorial, more than anything. Something to do with how he's a Xuan Wu but not?" Sixiaing murmured sleepily.
Ling Qi hummed thoughtfully as she mounted the porch. "Mother," she greeted, bobbing her head to the older woman.
"Ling Qi," Ling Qingge replied. She was looking a little stressed. "Are you sure you are quite well?"
"I am Mother," Ling Qi replied. They had already talked after her return. She was to take it easy for a week or so, but thanks to Sixiang, she had not been in any serious danger. "And I apologize for the suddenness of our guest's arrival.
After witnessing the forces arrayed under the earth, Ling Qi had been eager to get more protections in place, quickly.
"I understand," Ling Qingge replied with a frown. Ling Qi had not shared the details, but her Mother knew she was worried about the danger. "Still, a guest of this rank…"
"Xuan Shi is only visiting to do a favor for me, it is hardly a state visit Mother," Ling Qi replied wryly as they entered the house.
Ling Qingge shot her a dubious look, as if to say 'that does not make it better'.
Ling Qi could understand, you could certainly look at it in a certain way that would make such a meeting seem more than it was, but this was Xuan Shi. Besides, he was from a ducal family.
They arrived at the entrance of the house only shortly before the doorman's voice called out. "Announcing Sir Xuan Shi!"
He was looking a little worse for the wear, if Ling Qi was honest. His dark robes had been replaced by ones in a lighter shade of green, and his left arm was still in a sling, cradled against his chest. Ling Qi did not let her eyes linger on his temporary infirmity, it would be rude. Instead, as she stepped inside, she clasped her hands and bowed. "Thank you very much for accepting my invitation," she said formally.
"Please, be welcome in our humble home, sir Xuan," her Mother intoned, bowing lower still. "I hope that our simple offerings are sufficient for your needs."
Xuan Shi gave a smaller bow in return. "This one is honored to receive your invitation Lady Ling. Your welcome more than sufficient, Madam Ling.
"You are too kind, Sir Xuan," her Mother replied. "Please, enter and make yourself comfortable. I hope that my daughter has not troubled you overmuch."
"....Thy daughter is a most impressive young woman, this one is not troubled by assisting her at all," Xuan Shi said earnestly.
Mother shot her a look out of the corner of her eye. Ling Qi held in a sigh, Xuan Shi's formality was giving her the wrong ideas. "I believe you prepared some refreshments Mother?" Ling Qi asked. "Shall we see to our guest, and discuss business then?"
Her mother was still giving her that look. "Yes, let us do so. Sir Xuan, if you would?"
He nodded easily, moving to follow them a pace behind as they headed to the dining room.
"Miss Ling, may this one ask what manner of fortification is in your thoughts?"
[] A general upgrade of the home's formation arrays for durability and security (2 green stones)
[] A fully fortified 'Panic Room' fortified to the limit of Xuan Shi's skill (7 Green Stones, owed favor to Xuan Shi.)
"After Senior Brother helped to finish things, he was able to lead us to the Commander, and then out, through a relatively safe exit." Ling Qi replied. Seated on a fence post, she idly kicked her legs back and forth. It felt good to move again.
Bao Qian squinted up at the axle of his wagon. He crouched, holding the vehicle up at an angle over his head. "You came out in the underground still I assume? I heard that the attack was repulsed, but I suppose it must have still been ongoing."
Ling Qi thought back to their emergence into those dark tunnels, and the twisted shapes of shishigui monsters clogging the earth with rotting liquid flesh. Commander Guan Zhi had carved them a path to safety with her fists alone once they had returned to the material world. "It seems that the Shishigui realized that there wasn't a full attack ongoing by that point, so they retreated, leaving those constructs of theirs behind to block the path."
Bao Qian nodded, carefully maneuvering the inkbrush in his other hand to fix a worn stroke in a formations character. "But their original reaction was quite telling?"
Ling Qi was silent for a moment, thinking about their debriefing. Elder Jiao had been deeply irritated. However, he had only let it show for a moment. He had picked apart their reports in a matter of moments, and the picture he painted with them was worrying. "They were expecting a heavy reprisal, and their mobilization was impressive. It seems that space manipulation techniques cannot be relied upon in areas under their control either."
Bao Qian let out a huff, setting down his wagon with a shuddering thud. Standing, he twirled his inkbrush between his fingers, dismissing it back to his ring. "Not an easy enemy, hm?"
Ling Qi remembered the sour looks on the faces of the army officers and core disciples present at the debriefing when the truth had become clear. A sophisticated enemy, which would respond in a swift and organized fashion to any probes or attacks. "Of course, I bet you already knew that."
Bao Qian gave her a wry look. "One tribe or kingdom of foreigners is not the same as another. It would do many of us well not to assume such things."
Ling Qi huffed. "They're not just barbarians, they're monsters."
"There are many monsters in the world," Bao Qian replied agreeably, dusting off his knees. "In any case, congratulations are in order. Your contributions were truly superb, or so I have heard."
"You wouldn't know it, looking at the rankings," Ling Qi replied a little irritably.
"Petulence does not suit you Miss Ling," Bao Qian chuckled. "I think you are underestimating your gains. You salvaged a truly unforeseeable situation. I would expect that to be a consideration in the future as well."
Ling Qi knew that, she had discussed it with Cai Renxiang too, it was likely that her gains in coming months would receive a subtle bump as well, assuming she continued to contribute.
2: Liao Zhu
515: Bao Qingling
580: Wen Cao
617: Ruan Shen
621: Luo Zhong
625: Bian Ya
700: Cai Renxiang
704: Bai Meizhen
705: Ling Qi
706: Sun Liling
710: Xuan Shi
728: Ji Rong
741: Yan Renshu
749: Li Suyin
750: Shen Hu
768: Kang Zihao
780: Yu Nuan
784: Du Feng
800: Su Ling
Intermediate Lessons Unlocked. Add .1 Multiplier to all cultivation actions
Rewards for the remainder of the lower five hundred revealed.
674-650: 3 Green Stones+60 Yellow. Art Modification Workshops Available, Third Floor Archive free
649-625: 4 Green Stones +40 Yellow. May use CP to purchase Site Access, Fourth Floor Archive available
624-600: 4 Green Stones+60 Yellow. Major Elder Tutoring Available.
599-550: 5 Green Stones +40 Yellow. Core Pillmaker List unlocked. Fourth Floor reduced cost.
549-501: 5 Green Stones +60 Yellow. Fourth Floor free. Comprehensive Lessons Available.
515: Bao Qingling
580: Wen Cao
617: Ruan Shen
621: Luo Zhong
625: Bian Ya
700: Cai Renxiang
704: Bai Meizhen
705: Ling Qi
706: Sun Liling
710: Xuan Shi
728: Ji Rong
741: Yan Renshu
749: Li Suyin
750: Shen Hu
768: Kang Zihao
780: Yu Nuan
784: Du Feng
800: Su Ling
Intermediate Lessons Unlocked. Add .1 Multiplier to all cultivation actions
Rewards for the remainder of the lower five hundred revealed.
674-650: 3 Green Stones+60 Yellow. Art Modification Workshops Available, Third Floor Archive free
649-625: 4 Green Stones +40 Yellow. May use CP to purchase Site Access, Fourth Floor Archive available
624-600: 4 Green Stones+60 Yellow. Major Elder Tutoring Available.
599-550: 5 Green Stones +40 Yellow. Core Pillmaker List unlocked. Fourth Floor reduced cost.
549-501: 5 Green Stones +60 Yellow. Fourth Floor free. Comprehensive Lessons Available.
"But I doubt you are here to fish for praise, unless my impression of you is wholly mistaken?" Bao Qian asked.
"Not this time," Ling Qi shot back with a touch of humor. "I'm here for business."
"You should not so easily speak such alluring words," Bao Qian joked. Flicking his wrist, a small pouch that bulged with stones appeared in his hand.
Ling Qi reached out, allowing him to press it into her hand, she tugged at the drawstring, peering inside. "Not bad at all," she mused. There were five green stones and eighty yellow ones inside.
"I am pleased by your praise, but I assure you this is not my limit," Bao Qian replied, puffing out his chest. "Once the material has proven itself, demand will rise, and with it our profit margin."
"I'll pretend I know what that means," Ling Qi said facetiously.
"Isn't someone in a good mood," Sixiang chuckled sleepily in her head. The muse was still lethargic after their escapades.
More cultivation resources always put her in a good mood. It would be much easier to maintain her pace with this boost of income. "And how are things on Hanyi's end?" Ling Qi asked idly, vanishing the pouch.
"...I admit some difficulty there," Bao Qian said. "I believe I may have a lead on a promotion venue in the near future. Please have the young miss continue filling out her repertoire."
"She's been surprisingly on task, so that should not be hard," Ling Qi mused. She stretched her arms overhead and winced, there was still a painful twinge in her spine. Xin had done… something but she would still be feeling her wound for the rest of the week.
Bao Qian nodded agreeably, she could see in his eyes that he had seen her wince, but he hadn't said anything. "Very good. Did you need anything else Miss Ling? I might be able to spare the time for an outing if you are interested."
"Not just this moment," Ling Qi said a little too quickly. "I have a meeting at my home. My family's security needs to be improved."
"Understandable," Bao Qian replied, although he looked a little disappointed, and Ling Qi wasn't quite sure how to feel about that. "If you will excuse me then Miss Ling…"
"Wait a moment," Ling Qi said as he began to turn away. "I did have one other question."
Bao Qian turned back, one eyebrow raised. "What has captured your interest, Miss Ling?"
"Where would I look to investigate disputes between the Bao and the Luo clan?"
Bao Qian stared at her for a moment, and then let out a laugh. "I wonder if I should feel hopeful," he chuckled, and she flushed. "It might be best to study Emperor Si's reign, there were a number of land disputes in that time."
"Thank you," Ling Qi replied, bowing her head as she slid down from the fence post.
"It is no trouble, good day Miss Ling,"
***
When Ling Qi alit in the garden of her mother's home, Zhengui was there, where she had left him. It had been a little bit of a strange request, but he had gotten so much better at limiting his size, so she had seen no trouble with letting him idle in the garden.
Zhengui stood by the clear garden pond, at only a meter and a half long, not including his serpentine half, he almost looked like an exquisitely carved and painted garden statue. If he hadn't been moving anyway
One of the house servants, a younger one, only a few years Ling Qi's senior, crouched nearby with a basket of berries. Gui was eating out of her hand. She startled when Ling Qi landed, shooting to her feet. Only Ling Qi's steadying hand stopped her from tripping into the garden pond.
"Careful there," Ling Qi said, amused.
"I am sorry Lady Ling," the young lady replied, bowing profusely the moment she had regained her balance. The girl was clearly nervous, but at least she wasn't afraid, so Ling Qi had made some progress. "Please forgive this humble servant's lack of attention."
"No, I should have announced myself," Ling Qi dismissed. "Thank you for seeing to Zhengui."
"It was my honor Lady Ling," the gardener said, bowing again. "I will inform Madam Ling that you have arrived."
Ling Qi nodded absently as the girl hurried off, and looked down at Zhengui. "Have you enjoyed your chance to rest, little brother?" She asked softly
Zhen and Gui both peered up at her, but it was Gui who responded. "Gui is feeling fine."
"But is Big Sister?" Zhen asked, examining her carefully.
Ling Qi crouched down next to him, and ran her fingers over the serpent's brow ridges. "I am fine, I just need a little more rest, thanks to you."
"Zhengui did not do much," they both replied, and Ling Qi frowned at the synchronicity.
Ling Qi examined him, and her frown only deepened. He had not come out of that battle unmarked. Even with his prodigious vitality, scars remained. Her eyes marked every chipped spike on his shell, every scratch on his scales. There was a line, just above Zhen's right eye, and a spiralling scar on his left foreleg, where a ribbon had curled, trying to tear his leg from under him. Those were only the most prominent marks.
"You did very well Zhengui, you protected me, I'm proud of you," Ling Qi said.
Both of his gazes looked away. She could tell he couldn't quite believe it. She could also tell that pushing the matter would only be detrimental at the moment. She had gotten better at that.
"It looks like you were enjoying yourself," Ling Qi said lightly, bypassing the subject. "Did you like those berries?"
"Li-Li is a nice human," Gui rumbled. "The treats were empty, but they were still tasty."
"Li-Li?" Ling Qi asked, raising an eyebrow, that was a child's nickname.
"Mm, the older human called her that, and she does not have a Name," Gui agreed.
She was probably a younger relative of the main gardener then, Ling Qi mused.
"The not -family makes offerings, this is proper," Zhen said. "See Big Sister, I Zhen, have been given a shrine."
"It's our shrine," Gui complained.
Ling Qi blinked, bemused and followed Zhen's gaze, and only then saw it. There, toward the back of the garden, was a little building. It was a small shed with folding doors, and a small altar and incense burner inside. She was aware of it, there were representations of some common and local spirits inside. Looking again though, among their representations was a wooden carving of Zhengui, placed among the others. It was brightly painted, if a little crudely made.
"...Congratulations," Ling Qi said after a moment. It made her feel odd, to see her little brother represented as an object of worship. "You'll have to make sure the garden blooms well then."
"Obviously," Zhen hissed, some of his pride returning.
Ling Qi couldn't help but laugh. Her little brother, a house deity, it seemed absurd. "I'll be relying on you then," she said quietly.
"...Yes," Zhengui agreed, once more in synch.
Ling Qi hummed to herself, resting a hand on his shell. It was warm and rough. "Xuan Shi is coming soon, you know?"
"Zhengui knows," he replied tightly.
"You've never explained you know? Why do you dislike him so much?" Ling Qi asked carefully.
"Fi-Seaseeker is not family. Big Sister is family," Zhen muttered, petulant. "He is greedy, and wants things that are not his."
"Gui does not like how he smells," Gui grumbled. "But… Gui will try to be polite."
Ling Qi hummed to herself. "That's all I can ask. He's going to help protect my mother and sister, you know?"
"Zhengui knows," he said grudgingly. "Can we stay in the garden?"
"You can," Ling Qi said. "But make sure to let the gardeners work, okay?"
"Yes Big Sister," they chorused, and she stood. Her Mother was waiting for her on the porch.
<What do you think Sixiang?> Ling Qi thought.
"I think that the little Big guy is territorial, more than anything. Something to do with how he's a Xuan Wu but not?" Sixiaing murmured sleepily.
Ling Qi hummed thoughtfully as she mounted the porch. "Mother," she greeted, bobbing her head to the older woman.
"Ling Qi," Ling Qingge replied. She was looking a little stressed. "Are you sure you are quite well?"
"I am Mother," Ling Qi replied. They had already talked after her return. She was to take it easy for a week or so, but thanks to Sixiang, she had not been in any serious danger. "And I apologize for the suddenness of our guest's arrival.
After witnessing the forces arrayed under the earth, Ling Qi had been eager to get more protections in place, quickly.
"I understand," Ling Qingge replied with a frown. Ling Qi had not shared the details, but her Mother knew she was worried about the danger. "Still, a guest of this rank…"
"Xuan Shi is only visiting to do a favor for me, it is hardly a state visit Mother," Ling Qi replied wryly as they entered the house.
Ling Qingge shot her a dubious look, as if to say 'that does not make it better'.
Ling Qi could understand, you could certainly look at it in a certain way that would make such a meeting seem more than it was, but this was Xuan Shi. Besides, he was from a ducal family.
They arrived at the entrance of the house only shortly before the doorman's voice called out. "Announcing Sir Xuan Shi!"
He was looking a little worse for the wear, if Ling Qi was honest. His dark robes had been replaced by ones in a lighter shade of green, and his left arm was still in a sling, cradled against his chest. Ling Qi did not let her eyes linger on his temporary infirmity, it would be rude. Instead, as she stepped inside, she clasped her hands and bowed. "Thank you very much for accepting my invitation," she said formally.
"Please, be welcome in our humble home, sir Xuan," her Mother intoned, bowing lower still. "I hope that our simple offerings are sufficient for your needs."
Xuan Shi gave a smaller bow in return. "This one is honored to receive your invitation Lady Ling. Your welcome more than sufficient, Madam Ling.
"You are too kind, Sir Xuan," her Mother replied. "Please, enter and make yourself comfortable. I hope that my daughter has not troubled you overmuch."
"....Thy daughter is a most impressive young woman, this one is not troubled by assisting her at all," Xuan Shi said earnestly.
Mother shot her a look out of the corner of her eye. Ling Qi held in a sigh, Xuan Shi's formality was giving her the wrong ideas. "I believe you prepared some refreshments Mother?" Ling Qi asked. "Shall we see to our guest, and discuss business then?"
Her mother was still giving her that look. "Yes, let us do so. Sir Xuan, if you would?"
He nodded easily, moving to follow them a pace behind as they headed to the dining room.
"Miss Ling, may this one ask what manner of fortification is in your thoughts?"
[] A general upgrade of the home's formation arrays for durability and security (2 green stones)
[] A fully fortified 'Panic Room' fortified to the limit of Xuan Shi's skill (7 Green Stones, owed favor to Xuan Shi.)
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EternalObserver
eYe Gaze baCk
- Location
- The Void
We overtook freaking Liling
- Location
- London
Sun Liling: Three stages of OOF.
EternalObserver
eYe Gaze baCk
- Location
- The Void
- Location
- Earth
Time to be glad challenges are suspended
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[] A general upgrade of the home's formation arrays for durability and security (2 green stones)
Thinking this. We already upgraded the defenses once past what they were when D-Day happened and we had like one invader that was quickly dispatched. On top of the increased Sect defenses. Going 7 Green Stones and a favor is overboard, they are already very safe.
Thinking this. We already upgraded the defenses once past what they were when D-Day happened and we had like one invader that was quickly dispatched. On top of the increased Sect defenses. Going 7 Green Stones and a favor is overboard, they are already very safe.
- Location
- New Brunswick, NJ
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
hell yeah
Deadly Snark
Tryhard As Fuck
There's an entire Kingdom with fully organized armies underneath our feets in the depths below. I'd say going "overboard" under such circumstances is the wise thing to do.
- Location
- Canada
I'm personally leaning towards getting the super bunker, though I have no idea how much that 7GSS is going to hurt us. Still, I think our family being safe is priceless.
Edit: I'm not sure what the "best" move is for this vote, but I tend to vote less with a meta mindset and more with the in character mindset, and I personally think the most in character decision here is to be as paranoid as possible when it comes to family.
Edit: I'm not sure what the "best" move is for this vote, but I tend to vote less with a meta mindset and more with the in character mindset, and I personally think the most in character decision here is to be as paranoid as possible when it comes to family.
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- Location
- being near locations is my passion.
God, he's so into Ling Qi. I bet if Shi's mum were there, she and Qi's mum would be giving eachother looks, class divides be dammed[1]
[1] Qi's talent breaks nearly all barriers.
---
Ngl, I'm hopeful that the favour can be repaindby going out on adate adventure! Completely platonic adventure!
[] A fully fortified 'Panic Room' fortified to the limit of Xuan Shi's skill (7 Green Stones, owed favor to Xuan Shi.)
I say pick this, pay the favour back and then accept that we have done our reasonable best until we settle down in our fief.
---
Edit: Su "I'm not interested in the Inner Sect, I want vengeance and to help people" Ling is having her plans derailed lol/
Also get wrecked Sun, ya bully.
EditEdit: I a also curious what Cai did to go up 8 ranks. Bet she's rippin she didn't get to 699 lol. Ah well.
[1] Qi's talent breaks nearly all barriers.
---
Ngl, I'm hopeful that the favour can be repaindby going out on a
[] A fully fortified 'Panic Room' fortified to the limit of Xuan Shi's skill (7 Green Stones, owed favor to Xuan Shi.)
I say pick this, pay the favour back and then accept that we have done our reasonable best until we settle down in our fief.
---
Edit: Su "I'm not interested in the Inner Sect, I want vengeance and to help people" Ling is having her plans derailed lol/
Also get wrecked Sun, ya bully.
EditEdit: I a also curious what Cai did to go up 8 ranks. Bet she's rippin she didn't get to 699 lol. Ah well.
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- Location
- his hidden lair
Think of the resell property values folks! Surely this home improvement will eventually pay for itself.
