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.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
In fairness, while Shenhua was clearly hot for teacher as a girl, there's no evidence that Linqin did anything inappropriate while Shenhua was her student...they got together literal decades after that.
- Location
- Space between realms
- Pronouns
- He
But the Drama! The romance! Carrying a torch, working hard to become worthy of her love!
Year 46 Month 1 Arc 7-3
New
"I do not think you need to be so self-effacing, sir Meng. Without your integrity, my accomplishments would not have been possible," Ling Qi replied. Please, Lady Meng, speak as you will. I will always have time to hear your words."
"The Baroness is herself too humble. Without her investigations, a much worse tragedy may not have been averted. It is clear to the Meng clan that we are in your debt," Meng Diu said.
And that brought Ling Qi up a little short, and from the rippling fluctuations of qi out in the temple's dark, she was not the only one. A public statement of debt to her was very different than a private one. And… Meng Diu would not have been able to say it, if she did not have the approval of her brother, the clan's head.
…Given the precariousness of their situation with the internal traitors, it wasn't totally unexpected, but Ling Qi hadn't expected that degree of public contrition directed at her. She let those thoughts flow out of her head.
"And it is in that vein that I must propose my suit, Lady Ling."
Meng Dan bowed his head, lower than was strictly necessary, even given everything. "Your decisiveness, your skill, and your bravery are without match. Your beauty leaves this one breathless; your ambitions stir the soul. If you would have this humble scholar, I would gladly join myself to your clan."
Ling Qi made a small noise in the back of her throat. She did not want to call it a squeak, but that was probably the only thing you could call it.
"My grandson shows the air for the theatric that sleeps in the hearts of our clan," Meng Diu said dryly. "But yes, it is my belief that the Meng clan would benefit greatly from being bound to the foundation of your Ling clan. There is a way forward, and it does not lie in stillness and fading groves."
"I am honored to accept," Ling Qi said, just a little too quickly for her own taste.
You sound fine; relax Qi.
"Please, raise your head, Sir Meng. I accept without any doubts… But please, there is no need to be so effusive with your praise."
There were outright whispers this time. She was never quite so glad for the bodily control that came with cultivation, letting her ensure that heat didn't flood her cheeks the way it wanted too.
"Whatever the outcome, the Meng clan is pleased to continue working with you, into the future Baroness," Meng Diu said. She was just the faintest bit amused, at least visibly.
"Though I will not pretend that I do not prefer one outcome over the other," Meng Dan said lightly, straightening up.
"No doubts there," Ling Qi said, a bit too casually, only catching Meng Diu's eye afterward as she looked at them with unimpressed eyes, causing them both to hunch their shoulders a bit.
The ripple of energy from the center of the shrine, the parting of the curtain of darkness as the Duchess' light reemerged, saved her from any further awkwardness. From whatever inner sanctum the priests had led her and Diao Linqin, too.
"My thanks again, Lady meng… I, too, hope our clans may remain in good stead for long years to come," She said formally, bowing her head down.
That was the last one, at least.
They passed through a dozen temples and more as the sun reached its zenith and began to descend. At last, the procession reached its end, dissolving apart into another feast and revel in the palace gardens as it had the night before.
There, Ling Qi rejoined her companions fully, including the widely smiling Meng Dan. But also her liege, Cai Renxiang, and her own new fiancee.
Ling Qi wondered what it said about her, that she was almost a little disappointed not to see any traces of awkwardness or discomfort between them as they next to each other. They were neither very far apart nor very close. There wasn't really any tension there as they spoke quietly about the plans after all the ceremonies were done.
She knew Cai Renxiang just… didn't have the same hang ups as her, but it still left her feeling like she was the weird one.
Your both weird Qi, c'mon now. Pretty sure Big G over there is the guy you want to look at for 'normal'.
She almost snorted aloud. 'Big G'?
Perfectly good nickname!
"Hello, everyone. I apologize for my lateness. I was caught up in talking with some of my correspondents," Ling Qi said as she arrived at a polite speaking distance.
All around them, the scents of the burgeoning feast being served out on the massive buffet tables set out across the gardens was beginning to grow mouthwatering. The sun was setting, and the faint fairy lights were rising, being released by the garden attendants to light the darkening sky. She wasn't lying either. She'd almost found herself mobbed by her little penpal network members, all but demanding details about the agreements she'd accepted today. It was amusing; it was mortifying. But that was the life she'd stepped into, she supposed.
"This is hardly a hard appointment," Gan Guangli laughed. "And you have had quite a weighty day."
"To which I contributed," Meng Dan chuckled.
"I set no hard appointment," Cai Renxiang replied simply.
"You are only performing your role. if you were not answering to the gossips, they would fall upon us," Xia Lin said.
"And how terrible that would be," Ling Qi said dryly.
"It is good for one to have a member of their retinue who… keeps an ear to the ground," Mu Wuye said slowly. He at least, was a little awkward, unlike Cai Renxiang. Though, more due to being out of place in an unfamiliar social group than any nerves around the betrothals. " I admit, I had guessed something was between Sir Meng and the Baroness, but the rest was surprising.
"I am somewhat inexplicably popular, it seems," Ling Qi agreed.
"It is not inexplicable at all," Meng Dan chuckled. "But then, i was already aware that the challenge was a harsh one."
Mu Wuye looked a little mystified by their words.
"Meng Dan and I had conversed on it already. The real surprise is you, Gan Guangli. I had no idea your contacts in the Jia clan had borne such fruit," she said casually.
He rubbed the back of his head, his bright smile taking on a more awkward edge. "Aha, there have been some talks, but I had not imagined they would put forward a proposal until a short time ago."
"Is it someone you know?" Ling Qi asked.
"I am familiar," Cai Renxiang said. "She is a highly placed member of the Argent PeaksCore Sect. It is quite the honorable offer."
…Wasn't there a commander who had been too reckless in ordering Cai Renxiang and other inner disciples forward?
Hm, seemed more like a show of contrition… but she supposed from a count clan even those could be forceful.
"A consequence of you surrounding yourself with mostly lower ranking individuals, meaning no offenses," Mu Wuye said. "The great clans will have their due, though. They will begin at one remove if they cannot be direct in inserting influence."
"It is true," Cai Renxiang agreed.
"Though I give them hope they can be direct yet," Meng Dan said.
"I suppose you will need to watch out then, Xia Lin, only you remain," Ling Qi chuckled.
"My Aunt fields all such external requests for the Xia clan. It has a way of deflecting most," Xia lin said dryly.
There was a moment's awkward pause as they worked out whether she was joking. She was not.
"Mm, I have heard that your Heron General is known to be a meticulous manager, but truly… all of them, personally?" Mu Wuye asked.
"My aunt has a clear vision for the clan's direction," Xia Lin shrugged. "Any marriage in or out must match it."
Cai Renxiang nodded, as if that were entirely reasonable, and Ling Qi supposed, from a purely legal standpoint, it was. The leeway to determine matches was ultimately something that clan heads, Matriarchs, and patriarchs usually delegated… but that was just custom.
I take it back; you're weird, you're all weird. Sixiang joked.
It was relaxing to spend time with her friends now that the day was past. Celebrations would go on for the rest of the week, but the grand ceremonies were all winding down now. They remained together for the night. Going off with just Meng Dan a second time might really give people the wrong idea, and besides, she really was a bit worn down on that kind of atmosphere.
And so, as the sun sank, they spoke, they feasted, and ultimately, they parted as dark night overtook the palace.
But she did have one more promise to keep, didn't she. One more conversation to have, before she turned her mind to the task of arranging meetings with the subjugated ith.
We got a few nights left; doesn't have to be tonight.
No, she didn't think this should be put off any longer. They were both probably avoiding it in certain ways.
"…Yeah, suppose we are." Beside her, at the exit of the palace gardens, where she'd gone to linger looking out over the constellation of lower branches stretching in the yawning depth of the sky below, Sixiang shimmered into existence, a hollow shell of refracted light. It was a thin projection to Ling Qi's senses, barely there.
"Whatcha thinking then?"
"I think we need to just… talk, without getting sidetracked or deflected," Ling Qi said quietly. "How about we just take a walk?"
Sixiang made a show of heaving a sigh, putting their arms up behind their head. "A walk, huh? Yeah, that sounds nice. Where to, ya think?"
[ ] A walk through the outer twigs, the hanging gardens at the district's edge.
[ ] A walk through the dreams of the glittering city, glutted on celebration.
"The Baroness is herself too humble. Without her investigations, a much worse tragedy may not have been averted. It is clear to the Meng clan that we are in your debt," Meng Diu said.
And that brought Ling Qi up a little short, and from the rippling fluctuations of qi out in the temple's dark, she was not the only one. A public statement of debt to her was very different than a private one. And… Meng Diu would not have been able to say it, if she did not have the approval of her brother, the clan's head.
…Given the precariousness of their situation with the internal traitors, it wasn't totally unexpected, but Ling Qi hadn't expected that degree of public contrition directed at her. She let those thoughts flow out of her head.
"And it is in that vein that I must propose my suit, Lady Ling."
Meng Dan bowed his head, lower than was strictly necessary, even given everything. "Your decisiveness, your skill, and your bravery are without match. Your beauty leaves this one breathless; your ambitions stir the soul. If you would have this humble scholar, I would gladly join myself to your clan."
Ling Qi made a small noise in the back of her throat. She did not want to call it a squeak, but that was probably the only thing you could call it.
"My grandson shows the air for the theatric that sleeps in the hearts of our clan," Meng Diu said dryly. "But yes, it is my belief that the Meng clan would benefit greatly from being bound to the foundation of your Ling clan. There is a way forward, and it does not lie in stillness and fading groves."
"I am honored to accept," Ling Qi said, just a little too quickly for her own taste.
You sound fine; relax Qi.
"Please, raise your head, Sir Meng. I accept without any doubts… But please, there is no need to be so effusive with your praise."
There were outright whispers this time. She was never quite so glad for the bodily control that came with cultivation, letting her ensure that heat didn't flood her cheeks the way it wanted too.
"Whatever the outcome, the Meng clan is pleased to continue working with you, into the future Baroness," Meng Diu said. She was just the faintest bit amused, at least visibly.
"Though I will not pretend that I do not prefer one outcome over the other," Meng Dan said lightly, straightening up.
"No doubts there," Ling Qi said, a bit too casually, only catching Meng Diu's eye afterward as she looked at them with unimpressed eyes, causing them both to hunch their shoulders a bit.
The ripple of energy from the center of the shrine, the parting of the curtain of darkness as the Duchess' light reemerged, saved her from any further awkwardness. From whatever inner sanctum the priests had led her and Diao Linqin, too.
"My thanks again, Lady meng… I, too, hope our clans may remain in good stead for long years to come," She said formally, bowing her head down.
That was the last one, at least.
***
Through many more temples their paths wound, slowly decreasing in grandeur, from the harmonious precision of Immaculate Angles Everlasting and the Jade Archivist's temple workshop, to the sharp edged barracks-like atmosphere of the great hall of the Unity of Blades, where the officers who would lead the nascent Horned Legion were even now housed. Down to the more minor shrines to still-embodied spirits, such as the Patriarch of the South, who commanded the provinces' weather courts, or the Strider of Groves, the ancient deer spirit which still blessed the provinces' road networks.They passed through a dozen temples and more as the sun reached its zenith and began to descend. At last, the procession reached its end, dissolving apart into another feast and revel in the palace gardens as it had the night before.
There, Ling Qi rejoined her companions fully, including the widely smiling Meng Dan. But also her liege, Cai Renxiang, and her own new fiancee.
Ling Qi wondered what it said about her, that she was almost a little disappointed not to see any traces of awkwardness or discomfort between them as they next to each other. They were neither very far apart nor very close. There wasn't really any tension there as they spoke quietly about the plans after all the ceremonies were done.
She knew Cai Renxiang just… didn't have the same hang ups as her, but it still left her feeling like she was the weird one.
Your both weird Qi, c'mon now. Pretty sure Big G over there is the guy you want to look at for 'normal'.
She almost snorted aloud. 'Big G'?
Perfectly good nickname!
"Hello, everyone. I apologize for my lateness. I was caught up in talking with some of my correspondents," Ling Qi said as she arrived at a polite speaking distance.
All around them, the scents of the burgeoning feast being served out on the massive buffet tables set out across the gardens was beginning to grow mouthwatering. The sun was setting, and the faint fairy lights were rising, being released by the garden attendants to light the darkening sky. She wasn't lying either. She'd almost found herself mobbed by her little penpal network members, all but demanding details about the agreements she'd accepted today. It was amusing; it was mortifying. But that was the life she'd stepped into, she supposed.
"This is hardly a hard appointment," Gan Guangli laughed. "And you have had quite a weighty day."
"To which I contributed," Meng Dan chuckled.
"I set no hard appointment," Cai Renxiang replied simply.
"You are only performing your role. if you were not answering to the gossips, they would fall upon us," Xia Lin said.
"And how terrible that would be," Ling Qi said dryly.
"It is good for one to have a member of their retinue who… keeps an ear to the ground," Mu Wuye said slowly. He at least, was a little awkward, unlike Cai Renxiang. Though, more due to being out of place in an unfamiliar social group than any nerves around the betrothals. " I admit, I had guessed something was between Sir Meng and the Baroness, but the rest was surprising.
"I am somewhat inexplicably popular, it seems," Ling Qi agreed.
"It is not inexplicable at all," Meng Dan chuckled. "But then, i was already aware that the challenge was a harsh one."
Mu Wuye looked a little mystified by their words.
"Meng Dan and I had conversed on it already. The real surprise is you, Gan Guangli. I had no idea your contacts in the Jia clan had borne such fruit," she said casually.
He rubbed the back of his head, his bright smile taking on a more awkward edge. "Aha, there have been some talks, but I had not imagined they would put forward a proposal until a short time ago."
"Is it someone you know?" Ling Qi asked.
"I am familiar," Cai Renxiang said. "She is a highly placed member of the Argent PeaksCore Sect. It is quite the honorable offer."
…Wasn't there a commander who had been too reckless in ordering Cai Renxiang and other inner disciples forward?
Hm, seemed more like a show of contrition… but she supposed from a count clan even those could be forceful.
"A consequence of you surrounding yourself with mostly lower ranking individuals, meaning no offenses," Mu Wuye said. "The great clans will have their due, though. They will begin at one remove if they cannot be direct in inserting influence."
"It is true," Cai Renxiang agreed.
"Though I give them hope they can be direct yet," Meng Dan said.
"I suppose you will need to watch out then, Xia Lin, only you remain," Ling Qi chuckled.
"My Aunt fields all such external requests for the Xia clan. It has a way of deflecting most," Xia lin said dryly.
There was a moment's awkward pause as they worked out whether she was joking. She was not.
"Mm, I have heard that your Heron General is known to be a meticulous manager, but truly… all of them, personally?" Mu Wuye asked.
"My aunt has a clear vision for the clan's direction," Xia Lin shrugged. "Any marriage in or out must match it."
Cai Renxiang nodded, as if that were entirely reasonable, and Ling Qi supposed, from a purely legal standpoint, it was. The leeway to determine matches was ultimately something that clan heads, Matriarchs, and patriarchs usually delegated… but that was just custom.
I take it back; you're weird, you're all weird. Sixiang joked.
It was relaxing to spend time with her friends now that the day was past. Celebrations would go on for the rest of the week, but the grand ceremonies were all winding down now. They remained together for the night. Going off with just Meng Dan a second time might really give people the wrong idea, and besides, she really was a bit worn down on that kind of atmosphere.
And so, as the sun sank, they spoke, they feasted, and ultimately, they parted as dark night overtook the palace.
But she did have one more promise to keep, didn't she. One more conversation to have, before she turned her mind to the task of arranging meetings with the subjugated ith.
We got a few nights left; doesn't have to be tonight.
No, she didn't think this should be put off any longer. They were both probably avoiding it in certain ways.
"…Yeah, suppose we are." Beside her, at the exit of the palace gardens, where she'd gone to linger looking out over the constellation of lower branches stretching in the yawning depth of the sky below, Sixiang shimmered into existence, a hollow shell of refracted light. It was a thin projection to Ling Qi's senses, barely there.
"Whatcha thinking then?"
"I think we need to just… talk, without getting sidetracked or deflected," Ling Qi said quietly. "How about we just take a walk?"
Sixiang made a show of heaving a sigh, putting their arms up behind their head. "A walk, huh? Yeah, that sounds nice. Where to, ya think?"
[ ] A walk through the outer twigs, the hanging gardens at the district's edge.
[ ] A walk through the dreams of the glittering city, glutted on celebration.
Last edited:
Mr.Error
The Clock-Hand that Tampers with Time
- Location
- The Cosmos
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] A walk through the outer twigs, the hanging gardens at the district's edge.
We did spend a lot of time in Dream, so some fresh air would do us good
[ ] A walk through the dreams of the glittering city, glutted on celebration.
On the other hand, our last walk through the Dreaming was a mindfuck, so some hopeful/cheerful dreams to lighten that load a bit? hmm.....
We did spend a lot of time in Dream, so some fresh air would do us good
[ ] A walk through the dreams of the glittering city, glutted on celebration.
On the other hand, our last walk through the Dreaming was a mindfuck, so some hopeful/cheerful dreams to lighten that load a bit? hmm.....
Last edited:
Yes, wouldn't do for General Genocide to accidentally let someone not 100% Imperial-pilled into the clan.
- Pronouns
- He/Him
I don't know if she even likes the Imperial traditions, honestly. She's all about burning down the past and tradition in general, that includes those of the Emerald Seas, but someone actually invested in the Imperial Creed and its traditions is likely just as abhorrent to her Way.
Mmm, it's kind of hard to work out if this vote will impact much other than background scenery.
In terms of more chill possibly romantic vibes I lean gardens because hanging gardens are neat.
Otoh, Dream might be better for a good conversation? It allows Sixiang to be more present, highlights their nature, and the party elements bring out some of the things that LQ is less comfortable with. Symbolically it could be seen as LQ reaching out and putting herself more in Six's realm?
Dunno...
In terms of more chill possibly romantic vibes I lean gardens because hanging gardens are neat.
Otoh, Dream might be better for a good conversation? It allows Sixiang to be more present, highlights their nature, and the party elements bring out some of the things that LQ is less comfortable with. Symbolically it could be seen as LQ reaching out and putting herself more in Six's realm?
Dunno...
[X] A walk through the dreams of the glittering city, glutted on celebration.
Far too fitting, and it'll be better for Sixiang to feel more at home to make their suit formally. I'm just a sucker for the dream world stuff to begin with too.
In addition, I'm completely on their side here, Team Sixiang all the way. You've got this!! Don't flub it up, make your intentions and goal known!!
Great update as well, things are progressing nicely. The rumors about Qi are only going to be getting more ridiculous as time goes on.
Far too fitting, and it'll be better for Sixiang to feel more at home to make their suit formally. I'm just a sucker for the dream world stuff to begin with too.
In addition, I'm completely on their side here, Team Sixiang all the way. You've got this!! Don't flub it up, make your intentions and goal known!!
Great update as well, things are progressing nicely. The rumors about Qi are only going to be getting more ridiculous as time goes on.
Last edited:
I forget who are we supposed to meet before we do the Ith diplomacy quest?
I will say as someone on Team Sixiang that I don't they're marriage material. Fundamentally they just don't fit the Cai route, with its focus on politics. The political entanglements of our marriage are important to the story. If we were doing the Sect route, in contrast, they'd be the perfect match since there there's more a vibe of trying to minimise engagement in noble politics and it would mirror Jiao and Xin well.
All that being said, however, I think they're great mistress material. Plus there's almost certainly an underground ES cult/social club for nobles in relationships with moon spirits and that'd be great to get invited to
All that being said, however, I think they're great mistress material. Plus there's almost certainly an underground ES cult/social club for nobles in relationships with moon spirits and that'd be great to get invited to
Meng Dan's proposal impressed me the most 😁
A walk through the dreams of the glittering city, glutted on celebration.
A walk through the dreams of the glittering city, glutted on celebration.
- Location
- United States of America
As someone on the return back to besties/family preference for sixiang , I am worried that people will vote on making sixiang part of the shipping war ./husbandos?
Partly becuase as erebeal stated it's kinda a doomed ship in that we chose the politics route and it frankly just isn't a great ,smart , or wise choice overall .
And also becuase I don't want the pressure to attach six to any other ships as a consolation prize . I want a lq/meng Dan , or a lq/xuan shi ship alone or lq/X , not a 0t3 , or possibly 4 with xuan shi cus of Kongyou .
I enjoyed the old relationship with sixiang in lqs head encouraging her to persue boys and check out abs , get out of her comfort zone and overall just be a great platonic friend . The romance thing wasn't really shocking to me but it's not a development I was super happy with either .
I want Sixiang to be around forever , be family . They were birthed from lqs dreams and will forever be a part of her and her story , they are literally her muse manifested . That's already one of not the closest relationship she'll ever have with another being without having to add romance to it . Platonic romance between family /friends can be just as important to show and would be a great breathe of fresh air too .
Edit: also I know questors , greedy lot yall are . Opening up the marriage is just asking for future "well why can't we just have a harem /add more ppl to the relationship . There's already multiple people in it ."
Partly becuase as erebeal stated it's kinda a doomed ship in that we chose the politics route and it frankly just isn't a great ,smart , or wise choice overall .
And also becuase I don't want the pressure to attach six to any other ships as a consolation prize . I want a lq/meng Dan , or a lq/xuan shi ship alone or lq/X , not a 0t3 , or possibly 4 with xuan shi cus of Kongyou .
I enjoyed the old relationship with sixiang in lqs head encouraging her to persue boys and check out abs , get out of her comfort zone and overall just be a great platonic friend . The romance thing wasn't really shocking to me but it's not a development I was super happy with either .
I want Sixiang to be around forever , be family . They were birthed from lqs dreams and will forever be a part of her and her story , they are literally her muse manifested . That's already one of not the closest relationship she'll ever have with another being without having to add romance to it . Platonic romance between family /friends can be just as important to show and would be a great breathe of fresh air too .
Edit: also I know questors , greedy lot yall are . Opening up the marriage is just asking for future "well why can't we just have a harem /add more ppl to the relationship . There's already multiple people in it ."
Last edited:
[ ] A walk through the outer twigs, the hanging gardens at the district's edge.
I think I prefer this. It feels more "real", more fitting for a serious conversation without all the distractions of the Liminal's not-physics.
Meng Dan keeps proving why he is the best candidate among Ling Qi's suitors.
My criteria is quite simple and direct: Is LQ attracted to them?
In that regard Meng Dan is far ahead among all of them, even if gaining some muscles would certainly do him a favour.
One only has to look at the way they interact, and LQ's reactions at Meng Dan's advances and when the mood is right.
With Xuan Shi is a lot more stilted. It's always "I'm sorry I minsunderstood you", "You are a good friend and I understand you are not 'dangerous'", "I'm so thankful for all the help you have provided me" and so on.
LQ hasn't show the same kind of cheek-reddening romantic attraction she feels with Meng Dan. Or even with Bao Qian when he is stretching.
It feels to me that when people defend the Xuan ship they start explaining why they like the character, not that LQ may have romantic feelings towards him.
Or they list how Xuan Shi has improved and grown throughout the story, as if undergoing character development alone was justification enough to develop attraction.
Sixiang's case I just find kind of weird and uncomfortable. The fact that they quite literally were born from LQ's psyche (at least their current incarnation). That they spent so much time living in her mind, with access to her innermost thoughts which lQ shared because she didn't even consider such development was possible.
Then there is also the issue of Sixiang's nature being Impermanence, which is the exact opposite of what LQ's would want in a marriage partner.
And a lot more of reasonss, big and small. I want Sixiang around, they are kin. Family.
But LQ is not attracted to them, not in that way.
I think I prefer this. It feels more "real", more fitting for a serious conversation without all the distractions of the Liminal's not-physics.
Meng Dan keeps proving why he is the best candidate among Ling Qi's suitors.
My criteria is quite simple and direct: Is LQ attracted to them?
In that regard Meng Dan is far ahead among all of them, even if gaining some muscles would certainly do him a favour.
One only has to look at the way they interact, and LQ's reactions at Meng Dan's advances and when the mood is right.
With Xuan Shi is a lot more stilted. It's always "I'm sorry I minsunderstood you", "You are a good friend and I understand you are not 'dangerous'", "I'm so thankful for all the help you have provided me" and so on.
LQ hasn't show the same kind of cheek-reddening romantic attraction she feels with Meng Dan. Or even with Bao Qian when he is stretching.
It feels to me that when people defend the Xuan ship they start explaining why they like the character, not that LQ may have romantic feelings towards him.
Or they list how Xuan Shi has improved and grown throughout the story, as if undergoing character development alone was justification enough to develop attraction.
Sixiang's case I just find kind of weird and uncomfortable. The fact that they quite literally were born from LQ's psyche (at least their current incarnation). That they spent so much time living in her mind, with access to her innermost thoughts which lQ shared because she didn't even consider such development was possible.
Then there is also the issue of Sixiang's nature being Impermanence, which is the exact opposite of what LQ's would want in a marriage partner.
And a lot more of reasonss, big and small. I want Sixiang around, they are kin. Family.
But LQ is not attracted to them, not in that way.
Last edited:
- Pronouns
- He/Him
She hasn't, this is true. On the other hand, she hasn't had a lot of opportunity to do so, honestly. He hasn't taken his shirt off, for one thing. I think, if the Xuan Shi/Ling Qi relationship is going to work she needs to display attraction to him, he needs to do something to attract her in a romantic and sexual way.
But that not having happened yet doesn't mean that's not gonna happen in the future. Everything else about their relationship is pretty encouraging that they'd make a good match, if only one element is missing then you add that element and it becomes very much a going concern.
So if that never happens, I agree the relationship is unlikely, but I wouldn't just assume that it will never happen.
I'm pretty sure I remember that the same Core sect disciple spent some time tutoring Gan Guangli during his second year of the outer sect, also as a form of contrition. Which means a spicy teacher-student romance. Oh my! Also probably twice his age at least, but that's cultivation for you.
What we learned about Xia Ren and exterior marriages is interesting. Would be fun to see Xia Lin's giiiiiiirlfriend challenging Xia Ren for her hand. Over and over and over again.
[ ] A walk through the outer twigs, the hanging gardens at the district's edge.
[ ] A walk through the dreams of the glittering city, glutted on celebration.
Hmm, dunno. I'm kind of leaning towards the dream? We tend to not really meet Sixiang in their element all that often. Which, to be clear, is something Sixiang actively contributes to. They're just as evasive as we are on interpersonal stuff at times.
What we learned about Xia Ren and exterior marriages is interesting. Would be fun to see Xia Lin's giiiiiiirlfriend challenging Xia Ren for her hand. Over and over and over again.
[ ] A walk through the outer twigs, the hanging gardens at the district's edge.
[ ] A walk through the dreams of the glittering city, glutted on celebration.
Hmm, dunno. I'm kind of leaning towards the dream? We tend to not really meet Sixiang in their element all that often. Which, to be clear, is something Sixiang actively contributes to. They're just as evasive as we are on interpersonal stuff at times.
The Minister of Spiritual Affairs wants to have a chat with us. Who knows if it's about Hanyi concerts/ponzi schemes or divine intermingling at Xin'an or something else.
- Location
- Washington
If we're grading on a "has taken their shirt off" curve, I'm pretty sure that means we need to grade Meng Dan even HIGHER.
[X] A walk through the dreams of the glittering city, glutted on celebration.
Last edited:
Incapable of avoiding bants. You love to see it.
Damn. The Meng knew the turtles would be entering the ring so they throw this in to sweeten the deal. Talk about bringing out the big guns. We know the Xuan admirals like us, but with the Patriarch's approval the Meng are saying Ling Qi has the blessing of the entire clan essentially.
AHHHHHHHHHHHH I don't know why this caught me so off guard but I couldn't stop smiling. I loved this. A year ago I was feeling Bao boy or maybe Xuan boy for the riches. Before that it was hot Moon senpai. But now I think Meng boy could really be the one. The chemistry and mutual feelings, the sincerity, him going against his clan at the Summit for us, this proposal....❤️
Bao boy's chances aren't looking good. He got shafted on timing and minimal opportunities to spend time with LQ, and even though his recent scenes were good they aren't at the same level of going on multiple adventures or being at the Summit with LQ.
Turtle boy still has a solid chance. Him immediately handing over his masterwork gear at the Summit was huge, and he's had some of the most screen time between the Sect and all the various adventures. His clan is also the richest/strongest so I think off that alone a lot of people will choose him. We've also seen the most of his back story so there's overlap between him being a wayward son/loner looking for family with LQ's background and her now trying to establish her own family.
I think at this point I'm curious to see
a) if/how Meng Dan fights in the war - all I can remember is him being a Moon cultivator/history nerd
b) more banter between LQ and Turtle boy now that she can literally speak his language
c) after this showing from Meng and Xuan, how will Bao boy respond? Is he gonna lay back or does he have his own
d) whatever happened to Zheng mist boy from the Summit???
- Location
- UK
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[] A walk through the dreams of the glittering city, glutted on celebration.
Oh still too early...
Gonna echo talk of Meng Dan maintaining a heavy lead as the most romantic of the possible romances. Great to see LQ so pleasantly flustered.
Sixiang is family regardless. Not sure how anything else would work out but I do think marriage to a fellow cultivator seems almost certain. I just want them to be super comfortable together again. Suppose the separation, independence and space is healthy at least, even though I found Sixiang living in LQ's head rent free to be cute.
Oh still too early...
Gonna echo talk of Meng Dan maintaining a heavy lead as the most romantic of the possible romances. Great to see LQ so pleasantly flustered.
Sixiang is family regardless. Not sure how anything else would work out but I do think marriage to a fellow cultivator seems almost certain. I just want them to be super comfortable together again. Suppose the separation, independence and space is healthy at least, even though I found Sixiang living in LQ's head rent free to be cute.
Last edited:
