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

Voted best in category in the Users' Choice awards.
Not...really?

We've already invested heavily in defense

This situation where Ling Qi needs a further layer of defense and a get out of jail free card for enemy super attacks is itself wildly out of the norm

If anything mirror would see more consistent usage because theres a lower ceiling on what would warrant its usage (situations where every other defense Ling Qi has is insufficient vs situation where the debuff from Mirror would hasten Ling qis victory)

I said it on the discord, but arguments like this really hammer home how this vote is all lizard brain with some people going into ad hoc rationalization stapled on top to justify it
I actually wanted to vote for mirror at first, you know. I didn't because it has too many restrictions:
1. It's B rank Immediate action so you can't just activate and forget about it or spam it nonstop.
2. Debuff only works if LQ is targeted or included in AOE attack and only on triggering enemies.
3. Defence very situational, only useful on attacks that's too strong for LQ shrug off this lesser defences and only mitigates damage without stopping it.
Also, maybe you would be surprised but we have only one dedicated defence art SNR... and that's it, we also have three attack arts FSS, UGM and BKSD. All our defences come from secondary aspects of other arts, mainly our movement ones.
SSo, actually no, we aren't invested in defence that much, we just didn't develope our attack yet.
And about usage of Mist. 1hp save that works on any attack (instead of just spiritual ones like mirror) is quit frankly cheat and life saver, literally. But I actually like C Rank spirit damage reduction more. Because it calculates after armor, wich means that sometimes even attacks of B+ rank can be ignored. Tactically speaking it's a bait, because enemies have to use their strongest attacks, expending more and more of their Qi and here 1hp is at use ensuring that all our allies will survive it.
It just stacks in too perfectly to ignore.
P.S.: to be honest I wanted pure debuff or some super attack like Traveler's End collapse as our next domain tech, but alas it's not the case.
 
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He's probably more pertaining to Ji Rong having a dragon in general
While its true that this dragon aka Hezhui is still presumably available, idk how that spirit relationship would work with Xuan Shi typically being humble, reserved and frankly...lack self-esteem. We don't want him to be a doormat for his spirit. Being a typically prideful dragon, Heizhui will have the same issue most dragons reportedly have with relationships--there is no such thing as an equal in their eyes, only superior and inferior beings. When Ling Qi was interacting with Heizhui, she beat him in combat and then pulled off the confident, almost haughty attitude that won his respect for her. While Xuan Shi could probs beat the dragon in combat, the second part...idk.

Also yes, as others have mentioned, there's Heizhui's overbearing, kinda possessive Prism mother to consider lol.
 
While its true that this dragon aka Hezhui is still presumably available, idk how that spirit relationship would work with Xuan Shi typically being humble, reserved and frankly...lack self-esteem. We don't want him to be a doormat for his spirit. Being a typically prideful dragon, Heizhui will have the same issue most dragons reportedly have with relationships--there is no such thing as an equal in their eyes, only superior and inferior beings. When Ling Qi was interacting with Heizhui, she beat him in combat and then pulled off the confident, almost haughty attitude that won his respect for her. While Xuan Shi could probs beat the dragon in combat, the second part...idk.

Also yes, as others have mentioned, there's Heizhui's overbearing, kinda possessive Prism mother to consider lol.

We also have the Moon tower, although going there would be dangerous and leaving with another nightmare spirit or worse at least possible.

On another topic, I really liked how it was shown in this chapter that Xuan Shi'a perceptions are subtly warped, just like ours were in the cocoon, nothing obvious, but still hope is sapped and willpower undermined.
 
If we manage to increase our bond level with Xuan Shi, will he get some of our resistance to mind warping?
 
Ok, this is actually great.
Than I am all for introducing Xuan Shi to the river dragon.
Feels to much like trying to pass the buck to me.

Also, last thread, we were told that dragons are big on pecking order (Ji rong is clearly the "elder" brother), I'm not sure how much someone like Xuan Shi would be on board with that.

Still, I dont feel strongly enough on the matter to fight over it, so take it as you will.
 
If we manage to increase our bond level with Xuan Shi, will he get some of our resistance to mind warping?
We just increased our bond level. While resistance to mind warping would be useful (dont even know her domain does that atm), its gonna take a while to increase it to another rank. Xuan Shi needs intervention ASAP.
 
Bond 3.
Immunity to Compulsion or Illusion effects which would cause action against allies of Bond 3 or higher (Bypassed by effects of rank B or higher, adjusted for potency).

We already can give him some mind protection but only if were together and Qi doesn't know he's bonded to nightmare spirit presumably on purpose.
 
Bond 3.
Immunity to Compulsion or Illusion effects which would cause action against allies of Bond 3 or higher (Bypassed by effects of rank B or higher, adjusted for potency).

We already can give him some mind protection but only if were together and Qi doesn't know he's bonded to nightmare spirit presumably on purpose.
also note the "cause action against allies" means that Kongyou would have to compel Xuan Shi to do something against LQ in order for the effect to be triggered. So it requires more than them just interacting or something.
 
We just increased our bond level. While resistance to mind warping would be useful (dont even know her domain does that atm), its gonna take a while to increase it to another rank. Xuan Shi needs intervention ASAP.

He also currently thinks of that Nightmare as a friend. Possibly his only friend. The direct approach might work, or maybe he'll see it as an attack on his friend, while Kongou spins tales. I'm saying we'll need to approach this with tact.

Well, there is no sense planning to heavily right now. We'll have to make a decision as the situation is presented.
 
the only other Nightmare that we know of is Nightmare of a Burning Glade.

You know.

The name of that Weilu corpse dimension? The one the Moon showed us? With the broken pockets of frozen time and entropy?
Xuan Shi is the only cultivator we know of that uses Time.

Sure would be a shame if Kongyou (a Moon spirit) was able to slowly entrench Xuan Shi's dependency on them and then during a reasonable spirit expedition they stumble into oh no! A nightmare realm! And it's got me! Ack! Help Me Shi! You're my only hope!!

except. You know. Kongyou feeds on the tragic suffering of Xuan Shi dying alone in a pocket dimension where literally nobody could find him. There's no possible way for this plan to go wrong-

and then LQ gets a moon quest to seek the song of the Burning Glade! lol
 
Yes.
"Well, I suppose I don't mind since it worked," Ling Qi said, ignoring the banter between her spirits for now as she spoke to Xuan Shi. "What was that trick with the staff anyway, it felt weird."

"Without it's time, there is no brute might which could budge an an object," Xuan Shi replied. Raising his hand, he gestured and the staff shimmered before spinning back to his hand. As it did though, Ling Qi saw one of the jade rings which hung from its head shatter. "...Time cannot be held back forever however, and the price must be paid. Time arts incur great expense."

Ling Qi eyes the remaining rings, all made of the very highest quality white jade, which even the richest mortal could not dream of owning so much as a fragment of. "Just how much did it cost, last year to restrain Ji Rong like that."

Xuan Shi looked aside, seeming embarrassed. "...Too much. This one somewhat regrets the ostentatious display."
He was doing it as a yellow, so it can't have been too esoteric.
 
Also yes, as others have mentioned, there's Heizhui's overbearing, kinda possessive Prism mother to consider lol.
When did we hear his mom was a Prism? We can be pretty sure the Sect Head's dragon is Prism but I don't think the two are the same dragon. And the Sect Head and Elder Jiao should be the only Elders who have Prism spirits. Heizhui's mom is probably Indigo or Violet.
 
Ling Qi thought that she would be doing quite well to end up like Qingshe, the powerful sixth realm, and mother to the river dragon Heizui she had challenged last year.
She's Violet
 
Hmmm. Would it be possible to introduce Xuan Shi to Mudboi? Both of them are fairly earnest, so they are a good fit as friends. And Mudboi has at least 2 spirits, so maybe he knows more about the spirits near the Sect or can ask his spirits where one that fits Xuan Shi can be found?

Also Mudboi is the only cultivator Ling Qi is acquainted with that is not at least connected to some of her other friends.
 
While its true that this dragon aka Hezhui is still presumably available, idk how that spirit relationship would work with Xuan Shi typically being humble, reserved and frankly...lack self-esteem. We don't want him to be a doormat for his spirit. Being a typically prideful dragon, Heizhui will have the same issue most dragons reportedly have with relationships--there is no such thing as an equal in their eyes, only superior and inferior beings. When Ling Qi was interacting with Heizhui, she beat him in combat and then pulled off the confident, almost haughty attitude that won his respect for her. While Xuan Shi could probs beat the dragon in combat, the second part...idk.

Also yes, as others have mentioned, there's Heizhui's overbearing, kinda possessive Prism mother to consider lol.
Its possible to submit and still make it work. Heizui has little motives beyond chillin in the sun.
 
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