Hmm? It should be about Ling Qi and that Bloody Moon liminal space, I'm pretty sure.Is it possible that the dreamer is Cai Renxiang, and the nightmare is Liming?
Oh yeah, there's a buuuuuunch of qualifying statements to be made around "working well" there, cause probably the biggest thing that's been "working well" for the empire is that the way they do things let them kill their neighbours and steal their land.See, you say "one of the reasons it has worked so well", and here I am thinking of the recurrent civil wars and backstabbing and stratified noble houses preying on the weaker ones.
It might actually be that these folk's way of cultivation is actually much better when it comes to just saying "no, you don't get to rule" to people who.... really shouldn't rule.
"What did you offer?" Ling Qi asked, morbidly curious. Hanyi hopped into a seat beside her, and Jaromila returned with one pitcher and three large clay cups.
The older woman smiled as she placed everything down. "First, my tongue, then my hands followed by my lungs and heart only later. What did you sacrifice, to achieve your power?"
Ling Qi looked away, feeling awkward. "We don't do things quite the same way."
Jaromila studied her for a long moment. "Your sacrifices are wholly of the spirit. Our way is painful and dangerous, but I do not think I should like to try your way."
So, these Southerners do basic cultivation (ascensions), without really cultivating domain at all. At lower realms they can apparently just loan some spirit's domain (mantle) and even switch between any domains they have access to. I wonder how high they can cultivate before they are forced to permanently integrate a domain (apotheosis)?"I had thought it strange, but you do not divide cultivation between ascension and apotheosis, do you?" Jaromila said.
Zhengui seems to have a specialized form of perception much better with Qi and concepts than conventional stuff. He doesn't seem to realize its special either...its just normal vision to him.We have that gardening act with Zhengui this year right? We also noted this turn how perceptive Zhengui can be by not shouting Hanyis eating habits to the high heavens. I am pretty sure Zhengui also noticed how Ling Qi is perceived in her own household.