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- He/Him
nice omake, @The Laurent ! Don't forget to tag yrs, last time he missed your post and didn't tag it 
Also, Noooo, biyu....
Also, Noooo, biyu....
Threads Of Destiny(Eastern Fantasy, Sequel to Forge of Destiny)
- Thread starter yrsillar
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- Original Users' Choice!
Voted best in category in the Users' Choice awards.
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I love the idea of the Cai being allied to "individual expertise" Kong, only for their Jin enemy to ascend into a Great Spirit favoring mass-productibility of Cultivator craftsmanship. It really does feel like the Cai have the wrong allies, here.
I'm also not surprised Su Ling ended up the way she did. It makes perfect sense to me.
I'm sad to see Ling Qi die though. I really did hope she would eventually ascend, or perhaps tie herself to Zhengui so that her shade could persist for as long as he does. I hope for these things not because I want the quest to go on forever, but because I like the idea of her Way (whatever we end up making it) having a permanent impact on the setting.
I'm also not surprised Su Ling ended up the way she did. It makes perfect sense to me.
I'm sad to see Ling Qi die though. I really did hope she would eventually ascend, or perhaps tie herself to Zhengui so that her shade could persist for as long as he does. I hope for these things not because I want the quest to go on forever, but because I like the idea of her Way (whatever we end up making it) having a permanent impact on the setting.
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Civil wars are messy, and so alliances are iffy. The Cai were the second to adopt the Red Flower Path which proved to be a huge boon in creating large, moderately-skilled armies on the cheap/fast, but they wound up being far behind the eight ball with Jin He's stuff, leading to this kinda awkward place post-war where they have to try to steal/integrate some of those elements while dealing with the fact that the Great Spirit most associated with that sort of thing... was literally one of their greatest enemies.
(As far as it went, their alliance with the Xuan, on and off, as well as with the Bai (similarly on and off) kinda precluded a consistently closer relationship with the Jin over the course of the 148 year civil war.)
***
One of my big principles for these things is to do a lot of hinting and referencing without having to create an exact timeline of events, until I have to explain something.
- Location
- France
The Cai like to think that they are Reason and Truth, but ultimately both Shenhua's rebellion and Renxiang's rebellion will be shaped by who their friends were. It's a neat reminder of their humanity.
Therefore I like the idea that the Cai don't end up with the allies who best fit every part of their Way and methodology.
EDIT: A thought. If your hypothetical actually happens and both LQ and LB reach White, then I'm pretty sure Ling Qingge will be the only mortal to ever have both her children reach White
Therefore I like the idea that the Cai don't end up with the allies who best fit every part of their Way and methodology.
EDIT: A thought. If your hypothetical actually happens and both LQ and LB reach White, then I'm pretty sure Ling Qingge will be the only mortal to ever have both her children reach White
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- They/Them
Oh, and she doesn't die, at least not then? Ling Qi actually survives, Ling Biyu's sacrifice (IE, entering 8th realm) helps save her, though she's badly wounded.
It's just that Ling Biyu's sacrifice in one sense saves the family member but severs the sororial affection. The ultimate conclusion of a social and physical defense that dances through problems, that avoids social harm by laughing it off, and physical harm by dancing between the blows, is that you become someone who cannot, at the highest level of your Way, actually NOT do that. Cheerful Nihlism when taken to a supernatural level is almost very lonely and has very little room for being tied down by the burden of care.
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8th Realm Su Ling is probably very anime, honestly. Because she needs to interact with and connect with Mortals, I kinda imagined her almost having "releasing" or stages in a sense, a sort of sheathed sword mode kinda thing where she doesn't literally shatter people below 3rd realm the way Cai Shenhua did (though at least some of it was probably also Shenhua's Way making it particularly bad.)
I also kinda imagined her almost with an Inverse Spirit Speaker for humans where she gets huge bonuses to connect to and understand people of 3rd Realm and below while getting penalties among the kind of people that for a "normal" 8th Realm would be her peers, rivals, allies, etc (6th, 7th, 8th Realms or whatnot).
As far as it goes, at least some of it was a way to kinda deal with the undertow of her sister's reputation, at least at first. Her sister had a lot of people who think she's an upjumped commoner, whose family is rising too far and too fast by the time Ling Biyu turned fourteen. So she learned how to shrug it off and making jokes and be politely cheerful as an alternative to trying to bite people's heads off.
That's my headcanon at least, for "Songs Ling Biyu in her very early days."
But obviously what started as a coping mechanism for social pressure became a personality trait, became a major part of her personality, and then obviously at 8th Realm became... who she was.
...which should look familiar to us even from where we are in 3rd Realm.
I also kinda imagined her almost with an Inverse Spirit Speaker for humans where she gets huge bonuses to connect to and understand people of 3rd Realm and below while getting penalties among the kind of people that for a "normal" 8th Realm would be her peers, rivals, allies, etc (6th, 7th, 8th Realms or whatnot).
As far as it goes, at least some of it was a way to kinda deal with the undertow of her sister's reputation, at least at first. Her sister had a lot of people who think she's an upjumped commoner, whose family is rising too far and too fast by the time Ling Biyu turned fourteen. So she learned how to shrug it off and making jokes and be politely cheerful as an alternative to trying to bite people's heads off.
That's my headcanon at least, for "Songs Ling Biyu in her very early days."
But obviously what started as a coping mechanism for social pressure became a personality trait, became a major part of her personality, and then obviously at 8th Realm became... who she was.
...which should look familiar to us even from where we are in 3rd Realm.
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Hmm, in unrelated-ish question, what do we know about longevity and each of the Realms? Like, how much longer does a Gold (Red) live as compared to a mortal, or a Silver compared to, etc, etc. I think it must have been addressed back when Ling Qi was new to these things, but I forgot what was declared.
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- He/Him
Per the Forge of Destiny Wiki, Reds have a standard mortal lifespan...of someone very healthy indeed. Yellow ups that to 200 years and it scales from there up to about 1000 years at White. That matches my memories of this being discussed early on, so it's probably about right.
Gossip of the Argent Sect
Have you heard?
…Have you heard?
……Have you heard?
That Ling Qi girl is a project of the Cai, to bring the old traditions under their sway. She seems like a friendly face, so sincere but that bumbling ignorance is just a mask. She's a retainer of the Cai, if they wanted her properly educated she would be.
Was she just a plant from the very beginning? Isn't it suspicious how she served the Cai's interests so well from the start, worming her way into the Bai's good grace. We all know the Duchess is toying with artificial humans. And her history is suspiciously sparse. Really, no family beyond an old whore? I don't believe it. The Duchess isn't even hiding it anymore.
You're jumping at shadows. There's no reason to go that far, it's much simpler to believe that an appropriate talent was found and instructed to guide in the right direction. Look at her cultivation. Who would naturally make such a mess?
It's like her other retainer. To absurd to be a natural result. No one acts like that unless they've been raised for it. I don't know what the Cai are up to surrounding their heiress with storybook characters.
…You know what they say, really, how likely is it that someone really rose to the eighth realm by fifty. No this is all some long term gambit or project from the Hui, who merely went into hiding and-
Who invited the fool? There's speculation and then there is that lunacy.
***
The Bao have shifted their plotting I see.
What are you referring to this time?
Haven't you heard, that half mad daughter of theirs has been seen all over the Sect with the Bai Princess.
I'm quite sure the Bai don't bear any titles like that, officially.
Spare me. The Bai Heiress was openly doting on that one, considering the finals of the tournament, she is clearly being groomed as the heir of her generation.
And what does that have to do with the Bao daughter? I've commissioned that one. I'd not like to spend more than a minute in her company but her work is good. Shouldn't we be pleased that our 'allies' recognize Emerald Seas skill?
No, you fool, not when it is a sign that the Bao intend to sell us out again! Everyone knows they were planning to align with the peaks before her Grace shamed them into solidarity and…
…I'm quite sure the Bai girl is merely engaging in a bit of indiscretion.
What?
What?
Do you have eyes? Or perhaps… no, neither of you have ever courted have you. Fully arranged by your parents. No informal meetings with your promised?
I'm not sure what that has to do with anything.
I am not sure I like what you are insinuating.
Hmph, and here I thought everyone was merely being sensible and not calling a White Serpent on such a small shame. It seems I am surrounded by blind women.
…With Bao Qingling. No, it's not that we are blind, but that your mind is an uncleaned sewer.
Absurd. You say the most ridiculous things.
***
Can you believe that Gan Guangli has been beguiled so? It is shameful of both the Sect and his Master to allow a retainer to be so ill used.
My Lady is right. How can anyone stand for such public ensorcelling?
Are you two still talking about this?"
I will keep talking about it until something is done!
I saw you know, that was the most polite and chivalrous rejection I have ever seen. One would think you would move on.
I can't move one when he has clearly been seduced by that… that beast!
There, there my Lady…
***
It's honestly absurd how open these things are becoming. The Duchess is leading us all into depravity. One should at least have the decency to hide their shame, if they must engage in it.
…Are we really getting on this again.
Yes! Look at this nonsense, the heiress is just as flagrant and shameless as her mother.
You're lucky her Grace is so lenient, since all the unpleasantness was settled.
We have our noble rights, that she is not so tyrannical as to deny them is merely expected.
…You Emerald Seas fellows sure have it good don't you.
Oh be silent, I know your overlords in the lakes are mad and backward, but the rest of the Empire is not so barbaric.
…Special understandings of the provinces aside, what exactly are you moaning about this time?
Cai Renxiang and that awful, shameless girl!
The Baroness Ling?
Yes! They are clearly involved. It's shameful enough to be involved openly with a retainer, but with another woman, just like her mother? Disgusting.
I don't understand. I thought that was just how you did things here in the trees. I thought it was like the Rivers. Are we supposed to talk about that?
Please ignore his antiquated nonsense. Besides. I have seen no signs of anything of the sort. The Baroness is surprisingly ambitious, I am certain she is aiming high for the Xuan connection. I suppose she has a truly unique advantage to make such an absurdity possible though.
That does not contradict what I have said.
I have spoken with the young Miss Cai several times representing my clan. I have never met a young lady less likely to engage in indiscretions, unless it were with her ink and quill.
By the Still Waters, I'll never get used to the way you madmen talk about your dukes.
She is courting no one, not even in negotiations for a contract. I tell you it is part of the Cai's plot to dissolve our marriage institutions, and turn us into a den of depravity like the Ebon Rivers.
Which is why the largest marriage ceremony in a millennia is being planned in Xiangmen as we speak.
Who would even court young Miss Cai? One of our princes… or princesses maybe, if Lady Suzhen is very serious. An imperial family member…?
Hmph, Probably some fur clad barbarian savage, if she bothered at all.
Tsu's breath, you are bitter. You were only ever a toad lusting for swanflesh.
Don't imply my objections are merely personal!
Honestly, absurd as it is, I approve of the heiress cutting her teeth on serious negotiations, even if all it accomplishes is lightening the armies load for a few decades. I think it bodes well for the future.
If the greater Cai can negotiate with the White Serpents, then I have to hope her heir could twist some barbarian simpletons around her finger, or the future is bleak.
Hoh, careful there, we're rubbing off on you. That was almost a jab upward.
It was no such thing.
…Have you heard?
……Have you heard?
That Ling Qi girl is a project of the Cai, to bring the old traditions under their sway. She seems like a friendly face, so sincere but that bumbling ignorance is just a mask. She's a retainer of the Cai, if they wanted her properly educated she would be.
Was she just a plant from the very beginning? Isn't it suspicious how she served the Cai's interests so well from the start, worming her way into the Bai's good grace. We all know the Duchess is toying with artificial humans. And her history is suspiciously sparse. Really, no family beyond an old whore? I don't believe it. The Duchess isn't even hiding it anymore.
You're jumping at shadows. There's no reason to go that far, it's much simpler to believe that an appropriate talent was found and instructed to guide in the right direction. Look at her cultivation. Who would naturally make such a mess?
It's like her other retainer. To absurd to be a natural result. No one acts like that unless they've been raised for it. I don't know what the Cai are up to surrounding their heiress with storybook characters.
…You know what they say, really, how likely is it that someone really rose to the eighth realm by fifty. No this is all some long term gambit or project from the Hui, who merely went into hiding and-
Who invited the fool? There's speculation and then there is that lunacy.
***
The Bao have shifted their plotting I see.
What are you referring to this time?
Haven't you heard, that half mad daughter of theirs has been seen all over the Sect with the Bai Princess.
I'm quite sure the Bai don't bear any titles like that, officially.
Spare me. The Bai Heiress was openly doting on that one, considering the finals of the tournament, she is clearly being groomed as the heir of her generation.
And what does that have to do with the Bao daughter? I've commissioned that one. I'd not like to spend more than a minute in her company but her work is good. Shouldn't we be pleased that our 'allies' recognize Emerald Seas skill?
No, you fool, not when it is a sign that the Bao intend to sell us out again! Everyone knows they were planning to align with the peaks before her Grace shamed them into solidarity and…
…I'm quite sure the Bai girl is merely engaging in a bit of indiscretion.
What?
What?
Do you have eyes? Or perhaps… no, neither of you have ever courted have you. Fully arranged by your parents. No informal meetings with your promised?
I'm not sure what that has to do with anything.
I am not sure I like what you are insinuating.
Hmph, and here I thought everyone was merely being sensible and not calling a White Serpent on such a small shame. It seems I am surrounded by blind women.
…With Bao Qingling. No, it's not that we are blind, but that your mind is an uncleaned sewer.
Absurd. You say the most ridiculous things.
***
Can you believe that Gan Guangli has been beguiled so? It is shameful of both the Sect and his Master to allow a retainer to be so ill used.
My Lady is right. How can anyone stand for such public ensorcelling?
Are you two still talking about this?"
I will keep talking about it until something is done!
I saw you know, that was the most polite and chivalrous rejection I have ever seen. One would think you would move on.
I can't move one when he has clearly been seduced by that… that beast!
There, there my Lady…
***
It's honestly absurd how open these things are becoming. The Duchess is leading us all into depravity. One should at least have the decency to hide their shame, if they must engage in it.
…Are we really getting on this again.
Yes! Look at this nonsense, the heiress is just as flagrant and shameless as her mother.
You're lucky her Grace is so lenient, since all the unpleasantness was settled.
We have our noble rights, that she is not so tyrannical as to deny them is merely expected.
…You Emerald Seas fellows sure have it good don't you.
Oh be silent, I know your overlords in the lakes are mad and backward, but the rest of the Empire is not so barbaric.
…Special understandings of the provinces aside, what exactly are you moaning about this time?
Cai Renxiang and that awful, shameless girl!
The Baroness Ling?
Yes! They are clearly involved. It's shameful enough to be involved openly with a retainer, but with another woman, just like her mother? Disgusting.
I don't understand. I thought that was just how you did things here in the trees. I thought it was like the Rivers. Are we supposed to talk about that?
Please ignore his antiquated nonsense. Besides. I have seen no signs of anything of the sort. The Baroness is surprisingly ambitious, I am certain she is aiming high for the Xuan connection. I suppose she has a truly unique advantage to make such an absurdity possible though.
That does not contradict what I have said.
I have spoken with the young Miss Cai several times representing my clan. I have never met a young lady less likely to engage in indiscretions, unless it were with her ink and quill.
By the Still Waters, I'll never get used to the way you madmen talk about your dukes.
She is courting no one, not even in negotiations for a contract. I tell you it is part of the Cai's plot to dissolve our marriage institutions, and turn us into a den of depravity like the Ebon Rivers.
Which is why the largest marriage ceremony in a millennia is being planned in Xiangmen as we speak.
Who would even court young Miss Cai? One of our princes… or princesses maybe, if Lady Suzhen is very serious. An imperial family member…?
Hmph, Probably some fur clad barbarian savage, if she bothered at all.
Tsu's breath, you are bitter. You were only ever a toad lusting for swanflesh.
Don't imply my objections are merely personal!
Honestly, absurd as it is, I approve of the heiress cutting her teeth on serious negotiations, even if all it accomplishes is lightening the armies load for a few decades. I think it bodes well for the future.
If the greater Cai can negotiate with the White Serpents, then I have to hope her heir could twist some barbarian simpletons around her finger, or the future is bleak.
Hoh, careful there, we're rubbing off on you. That was almost a jab upward.
It was no such thing.
Even in rumors now, no one takes 'but what if a Hui plot' seriously post-Shenhua.
- Location
- Yes
It's going to be even worse once our cute horns grow in.No, no. Especially this one.
It'll vindicate everyone saying we're a secret Cai/Hui/Weilu/MoI program to destabilize the province/empire.
(All of which, to be clear, are true.)
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It was a team effort.
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...what horns? Is there something I'm missing?
Alectai
Speaks Words of Wisdom... On occasion
It's a discord meme that spills into the thread every so often. The joke being that a lot of the Weilu are noted for having horns, so Ling Qi having horns would be a further step towards T-Posing on everyone as being more Weilu than the Weilu were, it's a sign of dominance.
And also cute horns.
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Its a meme, don't think too hard about it.
