You are making a rather ridiculous assumption that all fights will be honorable duels between roughly equal combatants... Fights outside the Sect schoolyard won't be fair like that. The ability to do horrendous burst damage won't stop him from getting ganked by multiple attackers or dying from an unseen assassins' blade.
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.
Nah. What I meant is that by turn 2/3 he had already peaked powerwise and couldn't get any stronger. He used the super sayan tech to get a stronger hit, but I believe it was his only buff we saw him actually use.
Outside the sect, you still get a bit of time to eat your drugs regenerating your qi. So once again qi is a non problem so long you can kill your ennemies fast enough.
Varder
Tired Cultist
- Location
- Hell
Drug-induced haze is a bad state to fight in.
- Location
- The Temple of the Winds
Nah, it just means you need moar drugs to fix the whole haze thing.
- Location
- Fabulously Rainbow Ireland
...........dude qi restoration drugs aren't cultivation drugs
Varder
Tired Cultist
- Location
- Hell
That means they can't induce a haze if you take enough?
- Location
- scrabbling
drug haze has never been a thing except that one time when Ling Qi was basically a mortal and in the extreme case when someone might try to take a pill too potent for them
First of all, you are wrong. See the ji rong turtleboi fight in thunderdome mk2, where he managed to trade blow for blow thanks to the power of drugs. As always the solution for combat, like for everything else, is drugs. Tons of drugs.
Secondly as 33 yo pointed out, I was talking about qi regenerating pills.
- Location
- Cali
Don't qi regenerating pills have a side effect that prevents you from taking more than a certain amount per day?
Shouldn't we be doing a challenge next turn?
The Duchess gave us a pretty ridiculous goal of rising three hundred ranks in only 24 months. This means 12,5 ranks every month.
If make a challenge every other month, we have to choose someone at least 25 ranks higher, but realistically it should be something like 35 ranks to account for the fact that we are unlikely to win every challenge.
We have already spent three months and risen only 18 ranks, which is pretty underwhelming. At this speed we will only reach rank 686 before we run out of time...
We need to seriously step up our game.
The Duchess gave us a pretty ridiculous goal of rising three hundred ranks in only 24 months. This means 12,5 ranks every month.
If make a challenge every other month, we have to choose someone at least 25 ranks higher, but realistically it should be something like 35 ranks to account for the fact that we are unlikely to win every challenge.
We have already spent three months and risen only 18 ranks, which is pretty underwhelming. At this speed we will only reach rank 686 before we run out of time...
We need to seriously step up our game.
- Location
- Europe
Not really, since we can challenge (functionally) arbitrarily high at any given time.
The important part for us is to rise up the tiers as fast as we can, since that increases the resources we get per turn.
If we are strong enough we can just challenge for the spot we want in the final month and it would change nothing, so long as we have been snorting enough drugs to actually be that strong.
But we do have a challenge planned for this turn? It was in the vote and all, and yrsillar thought that it was about defensive research and was corrected.
That just gives me this hilarious mental image of Shenhua with rippling muscles and a five o'clock shadow.
Renxiang's childhood is unfortunately still unchanged.
"I AM THE LAW!"
"Yes, honored Mother."
"YOU ARE THE LAW!"
"Of course, honored Mother."
Turn 3: 3-1 Monthly Challenge
Ling Qi eyed the stand she had purchased, and reached up to adjust the her bow so that it hung properly on the hook.
"It is unusual for you to engage in vanity," Meizhen said from behind her, sounding faintly amused.
"I'm not so poor that I have to recycle anything that isn't immediately useful," Ling Qi pointed out wryly. She still felt a faint wonder at that if she was honest. She turned away from the stand to look at her friend. They were in Ling Qi's bedroom, and Meizhen was seated on her bed, watching her work. Earlier, they had been in town along with Xiulan browsing the Inner Sect's craft's market, where the Sect sold the disciple's more mundane work. "I still enjoy archery, but I'm not exactly going to be pulling it out in a fight or a duel any time soon, so it can sit here, in case I get invited onto some fancy hunt or something."
"I suppose your usual methods would rather defeat the point of such games," Meizhen replied serenely, glancing across the still near empty room. "Have you done any practice with more traditional weapons?"
Ling Qi sighed, looking away. "...Not really," she admitted somewhat sheepishly. "I had intended to work with Lady Cai on that but…"
"She is rather busy," Meizhen replied with a frown. "The tasks and pace of cultivation she has set for herself are…"
"Pretty strenuous," Ling Qi admitted. She had started to become slightly concerned when her liege had actually been a full minute late to their first spar after her recent spate of cultivation. Cai Renxiang was usually frighteningly punctual. She knew the girl was spending a great deal of time arranging and holding meetings with a wide array of Inner Disciples, on top of keeping a cultivation schedule that had even raised Ling Qi's eyebrows a little, due to its strictness. "Of course, I don't really have much room to talk."
"Right, you spent a whole morning engaging in nonessential social activity, you lay about," Sixiang teased, their voice emanating from inside Ling Qi's wardrobe. "I still can't believe you still only have two gowns."
Meizhen glanced toward the sound of the muses voice, and the shadow around her feet stirred, churning silently like a pool of ink. "...I can hardly speak against such practices myself," Meizhen admitted.
"At least we're all making good progress," Ling Qi said with somewhat forced cheer. Meizhen had reached the Foundation level of Green, even if her physical cultivation wasn't there yet. From the little she had seen of her liege the other girl would likely be finishing her own rise by the end of the month. The gap between them was narrowing, but it was still there.
"Quite," Bai Meizhen replied. "That aside, might I ask about the purchases you made at the end of our trip?"
"Ling Qi had an attack of the sentiments, it was good to see!" Sixiang replied for her, now seemingly speaking from just above her shoulder.
Ling Qi shot the empty air a sour look. "...I had been thinking of my family. I thought my Mother might like some of the poetry collections the stall was selling… the storybook was for my little sister," she had purchased it more for the beautiful watercolor illustrations than the story itself. Biyu was too young to really start on reading yet, maybe in another couple of years.
Meizhen looked chagrined. "...Of course, my apologies. I sometimes forget your familial situation."
"No troubles. We should get going though, the party is starting soon," Ling Qi said, gesturing toward the door. "Wouldn't due for me to be late."
"No," Meizhen replied, standing up smoothly to follow her out. "Nor can I afford such."
Ling Qi shot her friend a concerned look as they made their way out of her house. Meizhen sounded oddly sour. "Is something troubling you? I thought you were enjoying Lady Cai's get togethers well enough."
"They are an inoffensive enough way to pass the time," Meizhen replied stiffly. "There is an individual I would rather not engage with, however."
Ling Qi raised an eyebrow, someone who Meizhen couldn't just blow off with her status? "Just who is this?"
"Tao Gong," Meizhen grumbled. "Not of the traitor branch that followed the Sun of course," she added quickly, her expression briefly twisting into a sneer. "Shameful that they had the audacity to take the main branch's name in the aftermath."
Ling Qi let the vitriol against the western territories pass without comment. "So the real Tao family is…?" She asked leadingly.
"One of my clan's two count level subordinates, who have significant ties in Celestial Peaks," Meizhen answered as they stepped outside. She glanced around, and Ling Qi felt a ripple of qi as the girl cast her senses about. "He imagines himself to be charming."
"Ah, why don't you just…" she gestured vaguely.
"Give him the old death stare?" Sixiang suggested.
Meizhen gave her, or rather, the air just above her head a flat look. "...I am attempting to learn from my aunt. Aunt Suzhen wishes to strengthen our bonds with other clans. Tao Gong reaches above his station, but it is likely that in a few years things might be arranged that he marry into one of the lesser branches in exchange for other considerations. His overtures remain in the realm of politeness, and so my own behavior must remain in the same."
Ling Qi grimaced, already she had begun to field leading questions regarding her own status in such matters, and she was very much not looking forward to when she would have to start giving such things serious consideration. Still, a question lingered in her thoughts. "You know, how are things likely to work out for you regarding engagement?" She asked quietly. Sixiang remained thankfully silent.
Given her knowledge of Meizhen's preferences, she was unsurprised at the unhappy look which crossed Meizhen's face. "It will be one of my cousins in the first branch I suppose, once the clans elder's have decided which pairings will not result in bloodline sickness. The Imperial Family is unlikely to offer invitation, the Cai have no candidates, the Jin have placed their fortunes in the Sun's camp, negotiations with the Xuan have fallen through, the Guo are too far for useful alliance, and the Zheng regard the entire concept as a farce. It is the only reasonable choice."
In the awkward silence that followed, Ling Qi looked down at the path descending the mountain and leaving Meizhen to her thoughts. "...Well that's something to worry about in the future," she said, determinedly forging on. "Have you picked out who you intend to challenge this month?"
Meizhen shot her a look of fond amusement, masking her previous thoughts. "So certain that I will challenge immediately?"
"Well sure, I've been doing my research. Foundation cultivators mostly start appearing around the Seven Hundred Seventies."
"I am hardly a wholly foundation level cultivator yet, and mere cultivation level is not everything," Meizhen pointed out.
Ling Qi gave her a silent look. The wind stirred, a lone breeze enhancing the moment. Internally she thanked Sixiang.
"Disciple Seven Hundred Seventy two," Meizhen sighed. "You?"
"I think I've narrowed it down to two, I'm still a bit unsure of who to challenge though…"
[] Liang He, Disciple 790
[] Yu Jiu, Disciple 794
Two hour moratorium like usual
"It is unusual for you to engage in vanity," Meizhen said from behind her, sounding faintly amused.
"I'm not so poor that I have to recycle anything that isn't immediately useful," Ling Qi pointed out wryly. She still felt a faint wonder at that if she was honest. She turned away from the stand to look at her friend. They were in Ling Qi's bedroom, and Meizhen was seated on her bed, watching her work. Earlier, they had been in town along with Xiulan browsing the Inner Sect's craft's market, where the Sect sold the disciple's more mundane work. "I still enjoy archery, but I'm not exactly going to be pulling it out in a fight or a duel any time soon, so it can sit here, in case I get invited onto some fancy hunt or something."
"I suppose your usual methods would rather defeat the point of such games," Meizhen replied serenely, glancing across the still near empty room. "Have you done any practice with more traditional weapons?"
Ling Qi sighed, looking away. "...Not really," she admitted somewhat sheepishly. "I had intended to work with Lady Cai on that but…"
"She is rather busy," Meizhen replied with a frown. "The tasks and pace of cultivation she has set for herself are…"
"Pretty strenuous," Ling Qi admitted. She had started to become slightly concerned when her liege had actually been a full minute late to their first spar after her recent spate of cultivation. Cai Renxiang was usually frighteningly punctual. She knew the girl was spending a great deal of time arranging and holding meetings with a wide array of Inner Disciples, on top of keeping a cultivation schedule that had even raised Ling Qi's eyebrows a little, due to its strictness. "Of course, I don't really have much room to talk."
"Right, you spent a whole morning engaging in nonessential social activity, you lay about," Sixiang teased, their voice emanating from inside Ling Qi's wardrobe. "I still can't believe you still only have two gowns."
Meizhen glanced toward the sound of the muses voice, and the shadow around her feet stirred, churning silently like a pool of ink. "...I can hardly speak against such practices myself," Meizhen admitted.
"At least we're all making good progress," Ling Qi said with somewhat forced cheer. Meizhen had reached the Foundation level of Green, even if her physical cultivation wasn't there yet. From the little she had seen of her liege the other girl would likely be finishing her own rise by the end of the month. The gap between them was narrowing, but it was still there.
"Quite," Bai Meizhen replied. "That aside, might I ask about the purchases you made at the end of our trip?"
"Ling Qi had an attack of the sentiments, it was good to see!" Sixiang replied for her, now seemingly speaking from just above her shoulder.
Ling Qi shot the empty air a sour look. "...I had been thinking of my family. I thought my Mother might like some of the poetry collections the stall was selling… the storybook was for my little sister," she had purchased it more for the beautiful watercolor illustrations than the story itself. Biyu was too young to really start on reading yet, maybe in another couple of years.
Meizhen looked chagrined. "...Of course, my apologies. I sometimes forget your familial situation."
"No troubles. We should get going though, the party is starting soon," Ling Qi said, gesturing toward the door. "Wouldn't due for me to be late."
"No," Meizhen replied, standing up smoothly to follow her out. "Nor can I afford such."
Ling Qi shot her friend a concerned look as they made their way out of her house. Meizhen sounded oddly sour. "Is something troubling you? I thought you were enjoying Lady Cai's get togethers well enough."
"They are an inoffensive enough way to pass the time," Meizhen replied stiffly. "There is an individual I would rather not engage with, however."
Ling Qi raised an eyebrow, someone who Meizhen couldn't just blow off with her status? "Just who is this?"
"Tao Gong," Meizhen grumbled. "Not of the traitor branch that followed the Sun of course," she added quickly, her expression briefly twisting into a sneer. "Shameful that they had the audacity to take the main branch's name in the aftermath."
Ling Qi let the vitriol against the western territories pass without comment. "So the real Tao family is…?" She asked leadingly.
"One of my clan's two count level subordinates, who have significant ties in Celestial Peaks," Meizhen answered as they stepped outside. She glanced around, and Ling Qi felt a ripple of qi as the girl cast her senses about. "He imagines himself to be charming."
"Ah, why don't you just…" she gestured vaguely.
"Give him the old death stare?" Sixiang suggested.
Meizhen gave her, or rather, the air just above her head a flat look. "...I am attempting to learn from my aunt. Aunt Suzhen wishes to strengthen our bonds with other clans. Tao Gong reaches above his station, but it is likely that in a few years things might be arranged that he marry into one of the lesser branches in exchange for other considerations. His overtures remain in the realm of politeness, and so my own behavior must remain in the same."
Ling Qi grimaced, already she had begun to field leading questions regarding her own status in such matters, and she was very much not looking forward to when she would have to start giving such things serious consideration. Still, a question lingered in her thoughts. "You know, how are things likely to work out for you regarding engagement?" She asked quietly. Sixiang remained thankfully silent.
Given her knowledge of Meizhen's preferences, she was unsurprised at the unhappy look which crossed Meizhen's face. "It will be one of my cousins in the first branch I suppose, once the clans elder's have decided which pairings will not result in bloodline sickness. The Imperial Family is unlikely to offer invitation, the Cai have no candidates, the Jin have placed their fortunes in the Sun's camp, negotiations with the Xuan have fallen through, the Guo are too far for useful alliance, and the Zheng regard the entire concept as a farce. It is the only reasonable choice."
In the awkward silence that followed, Ling Qi looked down at the path descending the mountain and leaving Meizhen to her thoughts. "...Well that's something to worry about in the future," she said, determinedly forging on. "Have you picked out who you intend to challenge this month?"
Meizhen shot her a look of fond amusement, masking her previous thoughts. "So certain that I will challenge immediately?"
"Well sure, I've been doing my research. Foundation cultivators mostly start appearing around the Seven Hundred Seventies."
"I am hardly a wholly foundation level cultivator yet, and mere cultivation level is not everything," Meizhen pointed out.
Ling Qi gave her a silent look. The wind stirred, a lone breeze enhancing the moment. Internally she thanked Sixiang.
"Disciple Seven Hundred Seventy two," Meizhen sighed. "You?"
"I think I've narrowed it down to two, I'm still a bit unsure of who to challenge though…"
[] Liang He, Disciple 790
Seventeen years old. First third realm cultivator from a soldier's family in emerald seas. Primarily a swordsman. Humble and dutiful in most respects, he is known for taking a great deal of pride in his dueling ability.
Cultivation Green2/Bronze2
Qi: B15
Initiative: B5
Phys Hit: B35
Phys. Avoid: B25 Phys. Armor C2
Sp Avoid: B10 Sp. Armor: C12
Primary Elements: Wind, Fire, Heaven
Spirit Beast: Azure Inferno Falcon
Green1/Bronze 1
Primary Elements: Wind, Fire
Cultivation Green2/Bronze2
Qi: B15
Initiative: B5
Phys Hit: B35
Phys. Avoid: B25 Phys. Armor C2
Sp Avoid: B10 Sp. Armor: C12
Primary Elements: Wind, Fire, Heaven
Spirit Beast: Azure Inferno Falcon
Green1/Bronze 1
Primary Elements: Wind, Fire
[] Yu Jiu, Disciple 794
Eighteen years old, daughter of a minor family from the imperial capital. Seems to have stagnated somewhat in the last year, her cultivation not advancing much. Known to heavily favor illusions and emotion manipulating arts.
Green2/Bronze 2
Health C25
Speed: C10
Spiritual Hit: B30
Phys Avoid: C10
Sp. Avoid: B5 Sp Armor: B30
Primary Elements: Lake, Heaven, Water
Spirit Beast: Unknown Species/ Incorporeal
Green 1/Bronze 1
Primary elements: Lake
Green2/Bronze 2
Health C25
Speed: C10
Spiritual Hit: B30
Phys Avoid: C10
Sp. Avoid: B5 Sp Armor: B30
Primary Elements: Lake, Heaven, Water
Spirit Beast: Unknown Species/ Incorporeal
Green 1/Bronze 1
Primary elements: Lake
Two hour moratorium like usual
Last edited:
- Location
- Who Knows
Eyyyyy it's Meizhen, also it's nice to see Ling Qi thinking of her family (though I'd like some on-camera scenes)
I'm leaning towards Yu Jiu because it seems like it'd be a more interesting challenge than a straight up duel? But I don't have strong feelings on the matter.
I'd be a bit worried if our tactics wouldn't count as honorable in terms of a "duel" and though Yu Jiu May be specced in some heavier emotional manipulating arts, I just kind of want to read about it more lol
I'm leaning towards Yu Jiu because it seems like it'd be a more interesting challenge than a straight up duel? But I don't have strong feelings on the matter.
I'd be a bit worried if our tactics wouldn't count as honorable in terms of a "duel" and though Yu Jiu May be specced in some heavier emotional manipulating arts, I just kind of want to read about it more lol
Lol the dynamics between LQ and Meizhen (Six is halping!) are just great.
2 hours moratorium TehChron.
DarkLight140
Credit to Team
- Location
- Lost in my thoughts
Sixiang is mildly amusing, but considering that it's Meizhen being talked to this mostly makes me miss Cui's input in these conversations. Murdersnake had the best commentary. And insight as sharp as her fangs!
- Location
- Earth
sandbagging and preparing for a challenge?
Alectai
Speaks Words of Wisdom... On occasion
Hmm.
Liang He looks like he'd be tough, but we can likely ensure a duel there, which plays to our new skills.
Yu Jiu is a good matchup with Six's support though, presuming it becomes a duel anyway and doesn't get shifted to something else.
Also, yeah, risk of Yu Jiu being a sandbagger.
Liang He looks like he'd be tough, but we can likely ensure a duel there, which plays to our new skills.
Yu Jiu is a good matchup with Six's support though, presuming it becomes a duel anyway and doesn't get shifted to something else.
Also, yeah, risk of Yu Jiu being a sandbagger.
- Location
- United States of America
Sixiang's control of wind is excellent here. All she needs to do is a little bit of a cricket chirp and we'll be golden!
fictionfan
Please sir, may I have some Meows?
- Location
- Tempe, AZ
I think that Meizhen might not be bringing Cui to these talks on purpose.