>>6084664

The magnificence of their ingenuity and high quality of their crafts, have caught the eyes and rapt attention of even the most haughty and dismissive of daoists and nobles, who watch in awed silence as they see supposedly mundane artisans and dabblers of low alchemy create wonders worthy of a cultivator's use

While every one of the artifacts made are worthy of reward and praise, like for example the collaborative project made by two of your most ardent worshippers the brothers who call themselves Boat Cat and Sea Cat, which is a net that can paralyze a novice who has just started to cultivate Qi and refine and improve their body, there can only be one winner.

And while that winner, a wide eyed smith with a scorched mustache and shaven hair, might have only won due to sheer dumb luck since the thing he forged wasn't what he intended, the fact he was able to create something so marvelous from an accident shows he has a crafter's instinct that is nearly comparable to Feiqing, who even before his forge devil's blood awoke, could sense he needed meteoric iron to break a bottleneck in his cultivation. His name is, funnily enough, Tiě zhēn (铁 砧, Iron Anvil), which Feiqing himself, who managed to find time in his busy schedule to watch you pick out the winner amongst the greatest of the crafts presented to you, explains is a name given as the result of a folk superstition in some isolated villages, the first son of a temple's smith are named after one of their tools, to try and trick the gods into blessing them. Which is pretty funny.

And Tie Zhen proves to be of good humor, since he does as well and makes a joke that he hopes his soon to be elder martial brother won't beat him like an anvil if he doesn't meet his or yours lofty standards. Which makes Feiqing drag him away to explain that, while he looks like half a demon and towers above most men, he has a gentle heart and certainly wouldn't beat his fellow disciples especially not for so petty a reason.

Which leaves you alone with the sharp eyed and tongued Weiwupo, who you can tell is already selecting which runners up she'll get away from you to recruit before you can add them to the growing list of mortal talents in your sect's stables, and Lian Tianhua, who is praising one of the alchemists who managed to make something that might be worthy of being declared the winner. Or it was, and you considered it, until you reached the last two alchemical products in the line.

A small glass bottle holding what is unmistakably the food of moon rabbits, Moon Dew, of lower quality than what can be gathered on the moon or made with a little lunar qi trickery, but would surely delight Piao Tuzi and Yewushi and the other jade rabbits you've rescued who still need to be named.
Cont

>>6084665

And a powder that the sunken eyed man who made it, who looks like he enjoys the company of the dead as much as you do judging from the light aura of ghostly Yin Qi surrounding him, claims will reveal and embody ghosts if it is thrown at them

A claim you test with Yujijiao, the ghostly snake, whose ghastly form sends the chicken hearted amongst the mortal contestants and more than a few of the cultivators in attendants scrambling for cover or crying for their more lion hearted friends for protection as the grisly sight of the jade horned serpent who lost her head is, for a few moments, given a physical body and the chamber the trials are taking place in is saturated with a sickly sour scent of rot and corruption, the smell of decayed flesh and putrid blood. Tianhua covers her nose, ripping a flower out of her hair to chew, while the Weiwupo simply covers her face with a fan and shoots you a concerned look as you take in as deep of a breath as you can to savor the comforting aroma of a corpse as Yujijiao groans, suddenly wracked with the pain of inhabiting a body that is rotten, and remembering the agony of having her head severed

Which adds her delightfully rich and savory grudge against the Ling Ogress to the mix of the perfume of her ghostly body, a grudge which you quite happily gobble up as the floor is soaked with the blood that oozes out of and escapes her neck along with her undying resentment.

"Sometimes, I momentarily forget that you are an outspoken heretic and cultivate the breath of ghosts" Tianhua remarks weakly, shivering as she watches you relish in the enmity surrounding you and the scent you had grown accustomed to early on in your career as a cultivator, as she stuffs more of her scalp grown flowers into her mouth to try and drown out the stench of decay that is so oppressive and heavy it can be tasted, while you barely even notice it

"I might need to hand over my title, this is a display worthy of a witch, but that is not so surprising, considering the kind of witch who raised you" The Weiwupo laughs "And I think I recognize that head, the Ling made a show of parading it around, claiming it belong to a tyrannical devil"

Yujijiao hisses, scales bristling up as the Weiwupo flicks her fan and nods, as the powder loses its effect and she vanishes from the view of those without spiritual senses strong enough to peer beyond the veil of death.

"Oh what a grisly spectacle" She remarks as Yujijiao changes her upper half to a woman's body and starts flinging all manner of curses, actual curses and poetic profanity at her while Tianhua looks sadly at the giant snake

"Poor girl" She says quietly "I'm sorry your life was cut so tragically short. Two of my sects most prized pupils were taken before their time, and I can only hope their souls have found peace"
Cont

>>6084666

You do not have the heart to mention that the last you saw of those two, they were still following her little sister around. But while Tianhua pampers Yujijiao, while Weiwupo scrutinize your ghostly student, which makes you wonder if she is going to go so far as to try and make a niche on your monopoly of ghost cultivators, you look between the bottle of moon dew and the silk sack of ghost revealing powder, and as more and more of the audience and contestants watch you with baited breath to see which you will choose as the winner, with growing frustration you realize you just can't pick.

Moon Dew is only ever gathered, not extracted, and sure you gave instructions, but even your fellow cultivators would struggle to follow them. But a ghost revealing powder, now that is the work of a pioneer, to make something that interacts with something that cannot be see out of wisdom shared and knowledge hidden. And is exactly the sort of ridiculous thing you expect of your students. Both are impressive, and once you've figured out how to decide who is the winner, you'll learn both of their names. The moon dew because of how precise the steps to refine it out of the lunar herbs were, and the ghost revealing powder because of how clever it is, even if it could use much improving.

triple Vote!

How do you decide to break the tie

>By simply declaring both of them the winner, and congratulating them both for making something so incredible you couldn't choose between them

>Tell them to remake the others creation, and whoever accomplishes it is the final winner of the alchemist trials

>Have Lian Tianhua and The Weiwupo act as tie breakers. Another honor given to both of them

>Tell them to fist fight and whoever is left standing is the winner

>Write in

What is the third ring of the mortal tournament

>Martial arts and combat ability

>Sorcery and magic spells

>The tests for luck

>the free for all brawl

>Write in

And what do you do while you wait for the next contest to start, Huanliuxue?

>Play with Piao Tuzi, Yewushi and the other moon rabbits, and introduce them to Lian Tianhua and Zhe'xínglǚ, and maybe Xia Jinse-Shayu

>Don't let the other talents escape into other sects, and quickly recruit the best of the runner ups like you did last time

>Get to know the winners of the four finished contests, besides Ju, who've you have watched grow up from the little brat to the slightly larger brat she is now

>Small talk with one of the other sect heads, and maybe see if you couldn't politic a little (Who and generally what do you discuss)

>Write in

>>6084667
>Tell them to remake the others creation, and whoever accomplishes it is the final winner of the alchemist trials

>>6084667
>Declare them both

>Sorcery

>Polotic with The lightning boys and white devil army, Discussing the assault on the Ling temple. Any notable figures among their ranks to be wary of, rough guesses of their force disposition. Maybe hint at there being some rewards of plunder for tearing apart the sect.

>>6084667
>>6084675
Forgot the rest of the votes
>Martial arts and combat ability
>Don't let the other talents escape into other sects, and quickly recruit the best of the runner ups like you did last time

>>6084667
>By simply declaring both of them the winner, and congratulating them both for making something so incredible you couldn't choose between them
>Martial arts and combat ability
>Get to know the winners of the four finished contests, besides Ju, who've you have watched grow up from the little brat to the slightly larger brat she is now

>>6084667
>Have Lian Tianhua and The Weiwupo act as tie breakers. Another honor given to both of them.
>Martial arts and combat ability
>Small talk with one of the other sect heads, and maybe see if you couldn't politic a little (Who and generally what do you discuss) Ask around if anything is happening outside the lands of Chun. Besides the east wave, wondering if there are rumors of other heretical daoists running around.

>>6084667
>By simply declaring both of them the winner, and congratulating them both for making something so incredible you couldn't choose between them
They are clearly both talented, and they used very different approaches to great effect. As much as I would like to get them to try making each other's invention, I don't want to let either of them go so I say we just save some time and bag them both.
>Martial arts and combat ability
No real preference on my part, other than luck being last, right before the free-for-all.
>Get to know the winners of the four finished contests, besides Ju, who've you have watched grow up from the little brat to the slightly larger brat she is now
Recruiting others make sense, but I am wary of pissing of the other sects who are looking to recruit good disciples. We are getting the winners anyway so I say we let them slide this time and instead pick up some pre-Qi condensation stage runner ups later.
I'm also just curious about our newest members.

>>6084667
>Tell them to remake the others creation, and whoever accomplishes it is the final winner of the alchemist trials

>Martial arts and combat ability

>Don't let the other talents escape into other sects, and quickly recruit the best of the runner ups like you did last time

>>6084667
>Have Lian Tianhua and The Weiwupo act as tie breakers. Another honor given to both of them
>Martial arts and combat ability
>Get to know the winners of the four finished contests, besides Ju, who've you have watched grow up from the little brat to the slightly larger brat she is now

>>6084667
>By simply declaring both of them the winner, and congratulating them both for making something so incredible you couldn't choose between them
>Martial arts and combat ability

>Get to know the winners of the four finished contests, besides Ju, who've you have watched grow up from the little brat to the slightly larger brat she is now

>>6084667
>By simply declaring both of them the winner, and congratulating them both for making something so incredible you couldn't choose between them
>Sorcery and magic spells
>Get to know the winners of the four finished contests, besides Ju, who've you have watched grow up from the little brat to the slightly larger brat she is now

>>6084667
>By simply declaring both of them the winner, and congratulating them both for making something so incredible you couldn't choose between them

>Martial arts and combat ability
Make separate categories for choreography and combat

>Get to know the winners of the four finished contests, besides Ju, who've you have watched grow up from the little brat to the slightly larger brat she is now

>>6084667
>By simply declaring both of them the winner, and congratulating them both for making something so incredible you couldn't choose between them
>Sorcery and magic spells
>Get to know the winners of the four finished contests, besides Ju, who've you have watched grow up from the little brat to the slightly larger brat she is now
So after we wrap of the mortal stuff, we still have like Low, Mid, and High tier cultivators to work through?

File: 1650600343690.png (29 KB, 567x567)

29 KB PNG

Ending the vote and tallying its result now.

Tell them to remake the others creation, and whoever accomplishes it is the final winner of the alchemist trials:2

By simply declaring both of them the winner, and congratulating them both for making something so incredible you couldn't choose between them:7

Have Lian Tianhua and The Weiwupo act as tie breakers. Another honor given to both of them.:2
___

Sorcery and magic spells:3

Martial arts and combat ability:8
___

Small talk with one of the other sect heads, and maybe see if you couldn't politic a little:2
-Storm mountain shrine+ White jade devil opposing army:1
-Outside of chuan/ Heretical sects:1

Don't let the other talents escape into other sects, and quickly recruit the best of the runner ups like you did last time:2

Get to know the winners of the four finished contests, besides Ju, who've you have watched grow up from the little brat to the slightly larger brat she is now:7

So you'll just declare both of them the winner of the contest, and while the martial arts/ combat contest is prepared, you'll get to know the winners of the four contests a little

Update will arrive shortly

>>6085573
More or less, yes, though there is also a magical beast only branch of the tournament,

You spend an almost embarrassingly amount of time trying to decide between the moon dew and ghost revealing powder, going so far as to hold both of them in your hands as if you were actually weighing them, rocking your head back and forth and tightening your lips as you glare at both the pouch of ashes and vial of moon water. But no matter what arguments you raise, you are arguing against yourself, and simply can't pick between either of things in your hands. But you still make a show of looking conflicted and in concentration and austere contemplation, when in truth its taking more focus on not letting your lips pull into a smile and a cackle to crawl out of your throat as the simple and obvious solution dawns on you, a little slower than it probably should have. After all you are the one hosting this tournament, all of its rules are ones you came up with, who can really complain or accuse you of being unfair if you just twist those rules to your favor? Cats are fickle creatures, after all!

"Yue You" You call out and nearly regret deciding to cut the knot and just pick both of the winners from the smug look on the bright, blue eyed scholar with hair that is only really common in the Ling Clan's crooked branches marches forward, shooting a dismissive sneer towards the gloomy and corpse like Coffin Maker Wen, who simply breathes in through his nose, showing as much dignity as the brothers whose paralyzing net was passed over. So, despite trying to keep a facade of impartiality and distant, imperial grace and corpse like composure, you can't help but crack a grin and sneer back at Yue You, who freezes, feminine face stricken with fear, lips parted as perhaps he wonders if you decided to be cruel like you were batting a mouse, and called him to tell him he'd lost. Whatever he's thinking, he nearly collapses as his rival's name leaves your lips

"Wen" You say, bobbing your head as you turn to the coffin maker, painted eyes narrowing with mischief as he starts and cranes up his neck, long black hair covering one of his eyes "I cannot decide which of your creations is more excellent, they'd be without peer, if one of you didn't partake in this contest"

Silence falls, and both the smug You and composed Wen exchange glances, their mouths drooping in silent, but stunned, realization of what you're doing.

"Hah!?" The Weiwupo roars "You can't just do that!"

But before she can continue Tianhua sighs heavily

"She can, its not like anyone is here who could stop her or her whimsy" She chuckles, flicking her fan towards the crowd "Unless any of you brave sages wish to get in the way of that cat's fickle marching?"
Cont

>>6086165

Silence, absolute, tomb like silence as the cultivators watching the trials went deathly pale and quiet, all avoiding Tianhua's eyes and the faces of their neighbor while the Weiwupo groaned and half growled through her clenched teeth, realizing no one had the guts to challenge you.

Since there wasn't a cultivator alive who hadn't heard what happened to Xue Laohue when he so generously and kindly offered himself up to be used as your own scratching post.

"I can, I make the rules, this is my garden and my tournament" You snicker, unable to hide your amusement at the old lady's almost childish pout "And You and Wen are both equally deserving of the title of victor. Honestly, if they weren't so clearly beyond the abilities of the rest, I'd have even a harder time figuring out whose alchemy to declare supreme"

"Me and this bumpkin, both win?" You says, as if you words weren't clear enough, does he need to clean wax out of his ears or something "That's...that's"

You a fix him and all but transfix him with your stare, locking eyes with him, waiting for him to slip up and give you a reason to slap that bitch confidence out of his skull, but instead, he starts to laugh, throwing his head back as Wen rattles with a low, dry chuckle

"Fantastic! I began to see this statue of a man as my peer and rival anyways" He boasted, flicking his sleeve and adjust his collar with his other hand in the same, theatric movement "I reached for the stars, he dipped his hands in the springs! Of course both of us deserve to be your student"

"Don't be so haughty, a tie is basically a loss for a noble like you, mi'lord" Wen drly mocked, shrugging his shoulders "We just showed we understood the basic principles of HER alchemy, nothing more, just enough for us to start, to be taught"

You clicked his tongue, while you smirked and shrugged, the silence once again becoming over bearing, and kind of awkward and uncomfortable as none of the other contestants or anyone in the audience knew what to say or do.

"Well, walk with me, both of you" You barked, like ordering around a dog, snapping your fingers impatiently "And Tie Zhen, you come to, while it isn't official yet, I'd like to get to know ALL of my soon to be disciples...FEIQING!"

"Ow!" Feiqing winces, as you wheel around and nearly slam right into his broad, wall like torso, and even though it wasn't his fault, shoot a glare up at him as he rubs the ears hidden by his hair, that he's combed to try and hide his growing horns "Yes, master?"

"Head off to get the arena cleared of loose rubble and debris, the martial arts portion of these games is about to start, and I don't want any folk-heroes tripping on a pebble and splitting their heads open before they can show of their skill!" You declare, just as loudly, making Feiqing wince "Yujijiao, be a dear and fetch Ma Wencheng and Ju as well, lets make this a date!"
Cont

>>6086167

"Oh?" The Weiwupo chirps happily, eyes glimmering as she notices that you aren't trying to tempt any of the other contestants into your service like you did for the last two contests "Well, I still have some observations of my own to make, if anyone here is willing to listen to the wise words of a witch"

"No reason to be so vague, auntie" You snicker, turning your eyes feline as you sashay past her "Just say you're recruiting, there's no shame in it, is there?"

You have to pin your tongue down to keep from continuing with 'In recruiting the losers, I mean', despite not intending to offend the Weiwupo for no real reason.

"Well, you'll have to compete with me, Great witch" Tianhua said sharply wielding her tongue expertly like a blade "And the thousand lotus hall accepts students of any gender, unlike your hidden court. Flowers need bees to bloom, don't they?"

The Weiwupo clicked her tongue.

"That may be the truth, but don't think I'll let you uproot any of the flowers I have my eyes on to replant at your leisure in your gardens, Lotus" She archly replies, eyes squinted as she reveals a glimpse of her dusk like Aura, hoping to make Tianhua wilt, but she stands firm and proves once again why she is the matriarch of her clan and head of her sect by meeting the stronger and more dangerous woman's confidence with a delicate smile.

But you don't stick around to see if they'll start fighting and pulling eachother's hair and clothes, instead, you lead the three star struck winners out and wander meanderingly around your own temple, looking for the most comfortable looking place to stretch out and enjoy the sun for awhile while you wait for the next stage of the tournament to begin. Some place where you can get to know all five winners of the four contests. Well, four of them at least, you're confident you know Ju pretty well.

While for a moment you consider using the spirit tree grove as the meeting place, you don't want any of the victors wandering into the dangerous orchard right next to it, even if the grove is vast, the risk of them meeting an untimely and bloody end is too great to consider it.

So instead you choose the hot springs of the pools of primordial origin. Ju will appreciate the chance to take a dip in them, to ease her aching muscles and bruises.

"Never knew a cat who liked water" Ma Wencheng observes, crouched on the edge of the springs as you lay in the shallows of the pool, letting its primordial beast essence rich waters soak into your fur, your ears twitching as you look up at him, and the other victors on the contests, who are mingling by the shore, none of them daring to step into the waters, except for Ju, who is soaking her feet in them rather shamelessly.
Cont

>>6086168

It is for their benefit you're in your native state right now, since even with the steam and mist as cover, none of the men could talk when you were undressing to swim in the waters and their heart rate spiked so much you were worried they might faint or flop over dead from an excitement induced heart attack, Heh-Heh.

"Oh? Many kinds of cats do, but I guess you're only accustomed to the pampered, court pets of nobility" You laugh as you stand from the water, looking rather miserable with all your fur wetted and soaked through

"My employers and colleges preferred dogs" He answers, lifting up his steamed over glasses "Though I've always had a fondness for cat's, they give off an air of intelligence unlike the simplicity of dogs, and live much more mysterious lives than any trained hound"

"Lady Huan may be weak to compliments, but she isn't that easy, ink fingers" Ju snickers, shaking her head "Still, that just means you might get in to the good graces of her self proclaimed head guard, that Yinying guy. You might've seen him lurking around in her shadow. He can be a little too serious, but he's nice enough if you respect Huanliuxue!"

"The one who leads the patrols of talking cats?" Wencheng asked excitedly "I was curious about him, as there does seem to be an unusual majority of awakened house cats amongst the magical beast populace of Chuan"

"I figured that was because Huanliuxue was the first" Wen said, looking at you with wonder as you, with the assistance of a quick shake and a little transmuted fire qi, dry out your fur and return it to its usual, silken fluff "Is...is there any truth in that assumption of mine?"

"Probably" You say, shrugging your shoulders as you pace up to the group "The abundance of primordial beast essence here, and in the world in general, mostly came from me after all. Might have something to do with what beasts awoke to the world and its spiritual energy, or maybe, like Wencheng said, the intelligence we cats are blessed with is the cause"

"It must be an equal measure" Yue You scoffs, hand under his chin "Both your presence and the natural abilities of house cats. A perfect environment for a whole lineage...no, kingdom of magical felines to awaken"

"Cats do see into the realms of the dead" Wen remarks somewhat spookily

"She's a guardian deity who is a cat" Tie Zhen gruffly remarked "The tools resemble the wielder, eventually, they're just her divine messengers and servants is all, surely. Enough of them lounge in her shrines and temples, so they must've been imparted a bit of their divinity, kinda like mixing sands to make better clay. Or alloying metal. You know, that demon fellah knew a lot about metal, he and I had a chance to talk, not sure what we were talking about before, but it turned to metal, eventually"
Cont

>>6086169

"That's because you and Feiqing both live in your forges, probably" Ju snorted

"Or perhaps, it is as he said, and the wielders shape their tools" Ma Wencheng mused, eyes focused on the sky, as he rubbed his glasses clean with the sleeve of his robe

"Or all blacksmith's end up with similar brains, after spending all their time in the heat and smoke of the forge" Yue You suggested "I find that laborers all grow to resemble one another, eventually, unlike we of noble birth"

He looked at you expecting support, but got a bored look back that you hoped he understood as 'Don't try to place the two of us in the same level of nobility"

"We all end up the same in the grave" Wen wisely remarked, rolling his neck as Ju groaned through her teeth

"No wonder she picked you, she talks like that to, sometimes. Never got why she's so obsessed with the trappings of death" Ju muttered and you pressed chin atop her head

"She's right here, and I just find a certain beauty in the macabre and grim, not to mention, I am the master of a ghostly law" You snicker as she pouts, unable to move under the weight you're gently pressing on her

"I am curious about that, I've heard, well, it is common knowledge spirits of the dead are quite...cantankerous" Ma Wencheng starts

"YEP!" Wen says suddenly, eyes alight and face more lively than you thought was possible for a gloomy looking man like him "got to bury them quick. Funerary services need to be done fast, or else, recently at least, you'll end up dealing with a loudmouthed ghost, if you're lucky!"

"Sounds like superstition to me" Tie Zhen said, and you almost felt sorry for him, knowing what a skeptical mind like that would go through after being welcomed into your primary, graveside temple

"Churl, you're speaking to a mystical shape shifter, who has tamed armies of the dead to march to her banner and whom has slain immortals!" Yue You laughs, as stretches out his fingers and balls them into a tight fist, ready for throwing "Is it so unlikely the dead rise? You've must have seen them in the morning mists, or milling about near graveyards!"

"Lots of wanderings souls in Chuan, I blame the blizzard" Wen snorted

"Ah yes, that unusual weather phenomenon had even the occultists in lord Chuan's employ baffled!" Ma Wencheng exclaims excitedly, flicking up his glasses "Before it was revealed to be the work of villainous daoist mystics!"

"Hey, I'm here, there's no reason to waste your breath not talking to me!" You shout, cutting short their meandering discussion about seemingly everything beneath the heavens, and forcing them to focus on YOU their soon to be master and teacher "And I've gathered you together, so I could get a feel for your characters and personality, and what better way to get to know you all, then a few questions. chosen randomly! By me!"
Cont

>>6086171

"Of course" Yue You submissively answers, kneeling down, head bowed

"Hmm?" Wen grunts

"Oh, well, I'm not interesting" Tie zhen answers

"Oh of course, I've prepared for harder interviews!" Ma Wencheng answers seriously

"Do I need to? You've known me since I was a little brat!" Just drawls, crossing her arms and dismissively looking the other way

You snicker.

triple Vote !

What kind of questions do you ask them

>General ones, about their history and life they lived before entering the tournament and talents/ interests. just casual conversation

>About their ambition, dreams and goals in life. Every cultivator needs ambition, something to strive to achieve, besides immortality alone

>About their feelings of cats and kids and a few hypotheticals to test their morals and three views of the world.

>How they feel about gods and their beliefs about the heavens, and of the supernatural, particularly ghosts, blood sucking ghosts and devils

>Something else (write in)

And do you tell them anything about yourself

>No. They aren't worthy of it, yet, well except Ju

>Tell them of your own lofty ambitions

>Proudly boast about how amazing and beautiful you are, switching between your two forms as you speak

>Just make small talk about your hobbies and interests, outside of cultivation

>Something else (Write in)

And who do you honor by giving them a seat next to you during the martial contest, Huanliuxue (Choose two)

> Su Zhe'xínglǚ, the sect head of the five colors and five purities.

>Xia Jinse-Shayu, the sect head of the summer sea dawn and your subordinant

>Lian Tianhua, Lian Luli's sister and the matriarch of the Lian clan and the head of the thousand lotus hall

>Shidi Xiudao, the sect head of the dusk marsh wolves and the rival of Xia Jinse-Shayu

>Shandian, the storm shrine's sect head

>Disi-Ling Huofeng, the head of the temple of celestial fire

>The current Weiwupo of the innocent witch court

>The head of the white jade devil opposing army

>Xue Long, your brother, just too lord over him the superiority of the Palace of Natural laws

>Fu

>Ping

>Feiqing

>Lei

>Lian Luli

>Yujijiao

>Xuebai

>The Buddhist Master Shoushan, apparently a few Buddhists are partaking in this part of the tournament

>All five of the previous winners

>Someone else (Write in)

>>6086173
>Their ambitions
>Test their three views of the world.

>Tell them our lofty ambitions. And of the near future's clash with the Ling clan.

>Old master thousand
>Disi-Ling.
Hopefully the reason I choose to put a Ling master near us for the fighting match is evident.
Our Buddhist friend, mostly to provide expert commentary and display our fondness for buddhists

>>6086173
>About their ambition, dreams and goals in life. Every cultivator needs ambition, something to strive to achieve, besides immortality alone
>No. They aren't worthy of it, yet, well except Ju

>The Buddhist Master Shoushan, apparently a few Buddhists are partaking in this part of the tournament
>Disi-Ling Huofeng, the head of the temple of celestial fire

>>6086173
>>About their ambition, dreams and goals in life. Every cultivator needs ambition, something to strive to achieve, besides immortality alone
>Just make small talk about your hobbies and interests, outside of cultivation
just some understanding and smol talk
>Xia Jinse-Shayu, the sect head of the summer sea dawn and your subordinant
>Shidi Xiudao, the sect head of the dusk marsh wolves and the rival of Xia Jinse-Shayu
Another set of rivals bickering.

>>6086192
Huan showing her cat self drenched in water.
Truly the most dignified of beings.

I'll support this vote, no need to squash their ambitions by comparing them to ours, they will shift and grow as they interact with the world of immortals.

As for those who sit next to us showing support for the Disi-Ling is a good statement, as is showing a bit of favor for the buddhist who usually wouldn't have the chance to showcase their valor.

>>6086173
>About their ambition, dreams and goals in life. Every cultivator needs ambition, something to strive to achieve, besides immortality alone
A good place to start, and a great way to gauge their temperament as well.
>Just make small talk about your hobbies and interests, outside of cultivation
As skilled as they may be, they are at the bottom of the ladder at the moment. Let them climb a little higher before we start dumping our earth shaking, heaven usurping ambitions on them.
>Xia Jinse-Shayu, the sect head of the summer sea dawn and your subordinant
We have already invited multiple sect heads ahead of our direct ally despite calling Su up immediately, I would like to correct that before he takes offense. I'm sure he will get a kick from getting called up here before Shidi.
>Disi-Ling Huofeng, the head of the temple of celestial fire
This, martial brothers, is what is referred to as "foreshadowing"

>>6086173
>>About their ambition, dreams and goals in life. Every cultivator needs ambition, something to strive to achieve, besides immortality alone
>Just make small talk about your hobbies and interests, outside of cultivation
>Xue Long, your brother, just too lord over him the superiority of the Palace of Natural laws
>Disi-Ling Huofeng, the head of the temple of celestial fire
It'll be funny

>>6086173
>About their feelings of cats and kids and a few hypotheticals to test their morals and three views of the world.
>Just make small talk about your hobbies and interests, outside of cultivation
The Buddhist Master Shoushan, apparently a few Buddhists are partaking in this part of the tournament
>Disi-Ling Huofeng, the head of the temple of celestial fire

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Ending and tallying the vote now.

About their ambition, dreams and goals in life. Every cultivator needs ambition, something to strive to achieve, besides immortality alone:6

About their feelings of cats and kids and a few hypotheticals to test their morals and three views of the world.:2
___
Tell them our lofty ambitions. And of the near future's clash with the Ling clan.:1

No. They aren't worthy of it, yet, well except Ju:2

Just make small talk about your hobbies and interests, outside of cultivation:4
___

The Buddhist Master Shoushan:4

Disi-Ling Huofeng,:6

Xia Jinse-Shayu:2

Shidi Xiudao:1

So

You will ask, Yue You, Wen, Tie Zhen, Ma Wencheng, and Ju of their ambitions, dreams and goals in life, since every cultivator needs ambition and something to strive for

and reward them by telling them of what hobbies and interests you have outside of cultivation.

And will Honor the blind buddhist master Shoushan and the One Armed Sect Head of the temple of celestial fire, Disi-ling Huofeng by giving them the seats beside you during the martial contests

Update will arrive shortly

"Of course you have to, Ju, because only I've heard it. No reason to be tight lipped and secretive around your future martial siblings, your comrades in arms. Unless you're strong enough to challenge all the nine heavens alone" You teasingly explain, flicking your tail as you pace around the grumpy faced girl, and before anyone can mistake your sagely wisdom for arrogance add "Even the mighty me needs companion and allies, Kindred spirits and like minded souls. And acting mysterious doesn't looking pretty on everyone Ju'er, like it does for me"

Or Qiang, but if you say that, the misunderstanding of her being your daughter may grow impossible to disprove without a little wide spread killing. You snicker as you watch Ju's pouting face flush red and she slaps your tail away from her face grouchily, as Yue You titters alongside you.

"And, as proud as I am and confident of the power I've cultivated within myself, cockily thinking you can exist alone in the world and face every calamity and danger in your way, is a good way to end up dead with all your arrogance and ambitions" You sneer as you twist and turn around, grinning gleefully at the victors of the lowest of the tournaments contests "And, my once aged mother once told me, cultivating without a goal, centering your life on the pursuit of extending it for a thousand or so years, leads to you living a very dull life! Even if you survive as a lone wolf, what ambitions would be withing your reach, what goals could you strive towards, what dreams could you make reality without support! And it is because a cultivator's ambition is about as important as the quality of their foundations and simple natural talent, that the question I pose to all of you, even adorable little Ju'er, is, what are your ambitions?"

Yue You opens his mouth, and you lift a paw, commanding silence, as you were not through speaking.

"Why do you want to cultivate, what is the strength you seek for. What goal will the awesome powers you harness service. What are your dreams in the immortal life you wish to live, or even the mundane one you lead before proving yourselves worthy of my teaching?" You ask as Ju groans, and grinds her teeth while Yue You silently closes his mouth and rubs a lock of golden hair thoughtfully

"You already know mine" Ju rumbles shaking her head before forcing a strained smile on her youthfully pretty face, sharing her brother's former good looks "But I'll tell these idiot boys it as well. I want to be strong, so I don't have to have someone die protecting me again. I want to be strong so I never have to be protected again, but so I can protect others, like my big brother Fu and late father Ru did for me when I was little and being carried off by that piece of shit tiger! So no one else has to throw themselves into dangers jaws but me, I'll be tough and make myself strong, so no one, not even you master, need to worry about tigers, or demons, or any arrogant deity!"
Cont

>>6087842

"My my, the fire inside her belly is larger than her whole body. Impressive" Yue You half teases and half praises "That is certainly an admirable ambition, to become one of the mighty, a peerless power, to protect the world from the rest of the strong. Very lofty. Some may call it righteous, even, living to shield others from all the harms in the world"

"Oh? Do you think yours is better, spoiled little lord?" Ju defensively snaps, snarling at him as he continues playing with the same lock of his hair, twisting it between his fingers and braiding it

"I wish to learn, and prove myself more than my origins" He replies, completely unmoved by Ju's threat of barred teeth and clenched fists "Which, many would think would be pointless, considering the height the Yue clan reached before my birth, and the wealth I forsake in abandoning my inheritance. However, they are unaware of the true breadth and size of the world. Moon-Dew. A myth. Yet I created it in a day of toil, through my research and confidence that it could be done, even as wise masters all around me muttered their disbelief that it could be extracted from that queer glass you gave me! And I have witnessed far higher peaks I must climb"

He says that with his eyes set determinedly on you, and a flash of embarrassment rushes through you, but it quickly wanes and vanishes

"I wish to see all of the world, all of existences, and experience it all, learn about everything, from the highest peak of existence! The heavens! All there is to know, I wish to know, and if the insights I acquire bring me renown or make other's lives more pleasant lived, well that will simply make my goal all the more fruitful to reach" He continues on, turning away and smiling up to the sky and the distant uncaring heavens

"Don't like how you looked at our master" Ju mumbled angrily, shaking her head "So you just want to be smart is that it? Smarter than anyone or anything else"

"A different kind of cultivation, and a self indulgent goal" You rumble, looking at his back "You seek to become wise to experience all life has to offer. Are you a hedonist You?"

"Mmm, Guilty. If there are sights I haven't see, there is wealth and pleasures I have not experienced. Why, is this not an acceptable ambition for your student, great one?" He purred so perfectly you wondered for a moment if he might be a cat beside you or Yinying who attained human form somehow with you noticing

"I've heard worse" You answer with a smirk "And know you'll get along with my mother at least, just make sure not to only read about cultivation resources and methods, once you begin you cultivation, Boy...Wen, you want to go next, you have a nice look in your eye"
Cont

>>6087843

"Yes, unlike this self centered prick, I came here and sought to enter the world of immortals, to quiet the dead. The natural cycle of life and death is clearly in need of re-wheeling, with how many ghosts linger in the mortal realm. I just want to gain mystical power, so I may guide them to their next life, or whatever it is that happens to us once we leave this realm" He answers immediately "Even the monstrous and dangerous spirits, sinful hungry ghosts, every kind of dead. I would join the dead, if it meant putting even one of them to rest. And if I couldn't, but saved even one other person from the madness or hunger of the wicked souls wandering the world, well, that'd be just fine by me as well"

"Oh, I might have found Ping his first disciple, having more than than one...er, two exorcists" You answer, before remembering that Huili also knows a few exorcist techniques, since he also practices the nigh lantern Sutra (夜灯笼真经, Yèdēnglóngzhēnjīng) "In the palace of natural laws will be a boon"

Wen smirks at Yue You, whose easy going smile twitches half way to a frown

"And you're going to meet a lot of ghosts, Huanliuxue attracts them, I think" Ju snickers while Yue You's frown twitches and deepens

"A perfect fit for the temple, like a well carved cobblestone" He remarks, bitchily "But I'll leave dealing with the dead to you, and this Ping fellow, then. I trust you'll service the sect we'll join well, Sir Wen"

"No need to be bitter I and the girl have better ambitions than, see the world and indulge in it" Wen snorts and you giggle at the face Yue You makes after it, which just makes it funnier as he gets flustered

"Protector, hedonist, and grave guide! Ma Wencheng! You! Speak!" You shout at the quiet, glasses wearing scholar who nods

"Simple, I wish to use my intellect and breadth of knowledge to be an architect in building a more efficient means of governance that befits the people rather than the nobility. Having the ability to reshape the world to my will, will make it easier to carry out my reforms, through threat or literally remaking the landscape, political or not. It is easier to ensure all are fed, when a drought can be ended in a day by creating a river, rather than months or years too late by redirecting a river or several with labor. That is why I came here, figuring even if I did not succeed in entering into your service, I'd find a position of enough prominence that would at least allow me to make mundane adjustments to protocol and reforms to societal...."
Cont

>>6087844

"Shut up! You really have a mouth on you, huh? I get it, you want to become a cultivator to have the power to make peoples' lives better and make the way the civilized world less stupid. We do not have all day to go step by step over your plans about it, but as a ruler who understands it that a good and strong ruler seeks benefits for their citizens instead of themselves, I approve! As I often say, the weak may be prey to the strong, but it is the right of the strong to lead the weak, rather than bully them. Tie Zhen, what have you got to tell me about your dreams"

"Kill a god, I guess" he snorts, rubbing a finger under his nose

You blink slowly at him, without thinking about it

"What?" Ju cackles

"Oh my, quiet and scary here must want to impress that demon man in your temple" Yue You titters, glancing at you for any scrap of approval

"Hmm, interesting, wonder what a god's grave would look like" Wen pondered

"Actually, before anyone asks if its possible, there are ancient records of gods being slain in battle against the abhorrent supreme devil mind and her nightmarish hordes, in fact, to theologians, it is widely accepted that few if any of the old pantheon survived the conflict against" Ma Wencheng starts, and you suddenly realize he and Aodasheng will get along, if the ghost king doesn't just kill him on a whim or for annoying him

"Interesting~" You purr, stalking up to the smith "And may I ask why that is? Did they not listen to your prayers? Did you befriend a talking beast like me? Childhood sickness kill your mother or?"

He frowns, brown furrowed

"Not much to it, I'm named Anvil because of them...er, one of em, at least. My family served a rich temple for generations, I've seen where the alms went, and that gods don't give blessings. Sure, they aren't the ones who named me anvil, but I can't well beat my father's head in on my namesake for it, he was trying to do good by me, after all. They ain't ever do anything good for me, so I want to kill one, if its the one who took my prayers and ignored them, that's best, but I'd be content with scattering the brains of any deity...er, cept yourself, your majesty" He answers bitterly, eyes flaring with a grudge that has a peculiar taste, before they soften and he scratches his chin and grunts "Actually, why is it you stepped out of your celestial palace to help us mortals and live amongst us, is it like a hobby or something"

"I'm just worshipped as a god, and haven't a drop of divinity in my blood, well at least I don't right now, but I find doing good deeds to be...satisfying, it feels good to be heroic and noble, and is befitting of one of my station know? A cruel empress is nothing to be talked about, let alone praised and admired" You answer with a smile as he sighs in relief
Cont

>>6087845

"Oh, good, thought I'd offended you" Zhen laughs as Yue You snaps his fingers

"So righteousness is a hobby to you?" He asks as Ju laughs

"She has plenty hobbies, she doesn't need her good deeds to be counted among them" She taunts, wagging a finger "Trust me, I've seen where her whims can take her, besides charity and that kind of stuff!"

"First, Tie Zheng, the rest of you, I hate the gods, their rule made what I am illegal until recently and only in Chuan do people understand I am not a monster or demon. They got countless generations of my kind murdered and slaughtered for their beasts cores and organs. That you already hold them in contempt, just makes me like you more, secondly, No. If it were a hobby, I'd travel the world doing heroic and selfless deeds, if I'm in the mood to help someone, I do, its that simple. Third, I do have a lot of hobbies and interests, because I live an exciting and colorful life, even for a cultivator" You rapidly answer, lifting up a paw "I play the Guqin, I garden, I have my fing..er, paw on the throbbing vein of fashion and culture, I am fascinated by the true history of the world, I've explored places that no one else had ever seen. I'm fascinated by death, I will admit, never really understood why people get uncomfortable around moldering bones and rotting corpses, we all die you know?. I read casually, though I won't tell you what types of books I read, I have dabbled as an author myself! I like watching and playing with kids, even brats like Ju here, heh-heh. I occasionally go on killing sprees and wipe cities clean of their criminal element, I like drinking tea and eating fancy and expensive meals. I enjoy conversation with ghosts, visiting hell....really, it could take a year for me to list all of my interests and hobbies that don't pertain to my cultivation, Heh-Heh"

"Oh, you like fashion?" Yue You challenges "What is the current most sought after blush"

"In noble circles? A peachy red produced from crushing clams and mixing them with the sap of a tropical tree. I was given some of it as an offering at the shrine the Xia clan maintains for me" You answer, and the bitchy You nods with approval

"Tea? what kind?" Ma Wencheng asks

"Whatever is tasty?" You answer with a shrug as Wen lifts up a finger "And ghosts have a lot to say, when they aren't insane due to an over abundance of deathly yin qi

And somehow, you find yourself answering a lot of these questions and small talking about your various hobbies you told them about, and revealing a few more due to the pestering of Ju and You, but you keep the fact the novels you read are often romance novels and that you attend a book club filled with cut sleeve enthusiasts close to your chest. Since that is a secret you'd kill to keep. Literally. And without remorse.

In fact there's so much to talk about, both yourself and the winners of the contests, that by time it gets boring, the martial contests are about to begin!

Cont

>>6087846

And when you slip away, when Ma Wencheng is enthusing about how the various types of tea are harvested and processed and age, leaving him to torture the rest of the victors of the pre qi condensation contests with his expansive understanding of seemingly everything there is to be taught beneath the heavens, you make your way back to the arena. And find the two guests you've given the honor being seated right next to you in your private viewing stand waiting outside of the gate, ignored by the crowds slowly flowing into the stands past them

"Huanliuxue" Disi-Ling Huofeng greets with a bow with his one hand held flat, the knot tied on the sleeve of his missing arm flapping as he does "I thank you for this honor, being seen at your side should make it obvious that the Disi-Ling and the temple of celestial fire have cut ties with the main Ling clan, and are not the enemy of Chuan any longer"

"Oh, and just now you were moaning about her gathering the broken and crippled around her" Elderly Shoushan cackles, eyes gleaming with mischief

"I was merely complaining about how it'd be seen, I wouldn't want the state of us to reflect poorly on our host, though, considering her ties with Buddhists like you, I can tell she isn't overly concerned about such things" Huofeng snaps back, as the old priest laughs

"She is a rare breed of daoist, who sees we are more alike than we are not, and these clouded eyes of mine do not make me as blind as the common sort of daoist, hm?" the old man retorts expertly "And I do extend my gratitude to you as well, Lady Huanliuxue, my fellow buddhists will be overjoyed to see one as venerated as I watching their matches beside the Red Cat Goddess herself, it may inspire on of them to reach the end of this contests, even"

"You speak courageously for a man without cultivation or spiritual energy" Huofeng remarks off handedly, eyeing Shoushan suspiciously "There's more to you than how you choose to appear, old priest"

"His name is Shoushan, Ling, he's a friend of mine, and there is. Buddhists just don't flaunt their power as readily as we Daoists to" You answer sharply, and Huofeng bows his head as you do "And I'm certain they'd have realized you weren't the enemy when you gave up that arm of yours helping me crush the winter blossoming sect, er, well in hindsight I mean, before my trial, they probably branded you as a cult of heretics like me, Heh-Heh"

"Fortunately, they didn't pay us much attention, and the beast stampede has kept the main branch occupied on matters beside crushing their revolting cousins" He answers with an attempt at a good natured smile

"Oh, just because you were a little rude does not mean you are revolting, Lord Disi-Ling" Shoushan consoles with a pat on the other man's shoulder, which makes the one armed man laugh
Cont

>>6087847

"Haah, it is good to laugh at one's self every now and again, You are better company than I realized, Shoushan, perhaps in the lulls of the fight, you and the Huanliuxue can tell me, how a seemingly ordinary Buddhist monk and the Bloodshed herself became acquainted" He asks as he follows the two of you into the theater of the martial contests, as you and Shoushan, blind though he is, exchange playful glances

"Volunteer work" You both answer in sync with the other, which seems to unnerve poor Huofeng

"Well, then, I'd ask you to explain when the fighting gets dull" He quickly recovers, flicking his sleeve and waving his hand "Though I doubt there will be a lack of excitement, And I do need to pay close attention to even the losers"

"Replacing the losses you've taken recently?" You shamelessly ask

"Yes" He bluntly replies "The main branch is powerful, and the Disi-Ling need every advantage they can before winter arrives and we strike back against them"

"Well, perhaps, some kind hearted, war minded Buddhists may take up your cause for their own" Shoushan idly remarks, stroking his cane as you help him up the steps, holding your hand out to him as you lead him to the top of the arena, which judging from the clamor and excitement of the crowd beneath you, the first match is already underway. Throwing a glance down at the ring, you can see that its the two brothers, Boat Cat and Sea Cat and frown sadly at the sight of them fighting, with an anchor and a net and trident. Seems fate has pitted the two against each other early one, so even if one of them makes it to the end, the other will have lost in the first round.

What shitty luck!

Double Vote

How close do you pay attention to the fights

>Extremely, you are always working on refining your ghostly feline martial arts, and are curious what kind of fighters may join your sect

>Closely but only for the matches where one or both of the martial artists are noticeably talented or make use of strange styles

>Only for the ones in which you recognize one of the combatants

>Not much, only when the fights get exciting

>Write in

And what do you talk to Shoushan and Huofeng about, as you watch the fights, Huanliuxue?

>About the fights and ask them to give you and the crowd their thoughts on them with a shared voice amplifying spell

>Now that you have Shoushan alone, finally ask him about that Journey to the west story Buddhists like to reference around you, and Huofeng can hear it to!

>Explain to Huofeng why you hate his family and offer to get him a new arm, since he hates them to, and that practically makes you friends, doesn't it?

>How the buddhist daoists relations in Chuan are going. A lot of Buddhists temples migrated here recently and that isn't counting the massive army of enraged monks that came to fight Daoists on your behalf...

>Write in

>>6087848
>Closely but only for the matches where one or both of the martial artists are noticeably talented or make use of strange styles

>Explain to Huofeng why you hate his family and offer to get him a new arm, since he hates them to, and that practically makes you friends, doesn't it?
This man gave us an arm and has been waiting for our aid, lets give him a *Hand*.

>>6087848
>Closely

>Offer to get him a new arm.
>Ask how the Buddhist relations are going
We should keep an eye on the religious splits. Also yes, killing Ling does make us friends. Even when you are a ling.

>>6087848
>Extremely, you are always working on refining your ghostly feline martial arts, and are curious what kind of fighters may join your sect
>About the fights and ask them to give you and the crowd their thoughts on them with a shared voice amplifying spell
Only proper since Shoushan can't see

>>6087848
>Closely but only for the matches where one or both of the martial artists are noticeably talented or make use of strange styles
>Explain to Huofeng why you hate his family and offer to get him a new arm, since he hates them to, and that practically makes you friends, doesn't it?

>>6087848
>Closely but only for the matches where one or both of the martial artists are noticeably talented or make use of strange styles

>Now that you have Shoushan alone, finally ask him about that Journey to the west story Buddhists like to reference around you, and Huofeng can hear it to!

>Explain to Huofeng why you hate his family and offer to get him a new arm, since he hates them to, and that practically makes you friends, doesn't it?

>>6087848
>Closely but only for the matches where one or both of the martial artists are noticeably talented or make use of strange styles
>Explain to Huofeng why you hate his family and offer to get him a new arm, since he hates them to, and that practically makes you friends, doesn't it?
...can we give him an arm? We can probably figure out how to grow one given our skill set, but last I checked we haven't done something like this before. Correct me if I am wrong.
Either way, poor dude has been wrestling with a bad hand for a while, and has been helpful to boot, so we might as well make the effort to turn an alliance of convenience/desperation into an more positive one.

>>6087848
>Extremely, you are always working on refining your ghostly feline martial arts, and are curious what kind of fighters may join your sect
>About the fights and ask them to give you and the crowd their thoughts on them with a shared voice amplifying spell

I'd just find it more funny for Huan to become super autistic about the combat matches and provide running expert commentary on every move

I'm gonna update the paste bin so if anyone can remember when was the last time we got power ups before the sea monster, I'll get to it.

>>6088723
we've had the ability to bring back stuff like limbs for a while. First thing I brought up when I caught up with the quest is why we didn't bother giving qiang her eye or I believe feiqing, his face. We've had feats of well beyond their capability, but given that we have mastery over flesh and blood, and we were able to cat morph and de-cat morph people, an arm should be no issue.

>>6088927
Reminder to add Qiang’s enmity incarnation. It gave us her skills with a sword, as well as her ability to predict the movements of enemies.
>>6089079
Feiqing I believe the common thought was dude will probably find a way to reforge himself. Now why we’ve never offered Fu the opportunity to have his mauled body fixed I don’t know besides us being like Huan and getting distracted.

>>6089079
Some issues there.

They were mortals we were changing, Disi Ling is a golden core like us. But we are the glorious Huan, so such a trifling matter will be easily achieved.

As for Feiquing, his face is motivation to reforge himself.
For Fu, it's never bothered him. So why fix that isnt broken.

Ending the vote, tallying the result now. Was too stressed out yesterday to do it, since I had just learned my own grandfather caught covid and is in the hospital, and nearly worried myself sick.


Closely but only for the matches where one or both of the martial artists are noticeably talented or make use of strange styles:5

Extremely, you are always working on refining your ghostly feline martial arts, and are curious what kind of fighters may join your sect:2
___

Explain to Huofeng why you hate his family and offer to get him a new arm, since he hates them to, and that practically makes you friends, doesn't it?:5

How the buddhist daoists relations in Chuan are going. A lot of Buddhists temples migrated here recently and that isn't counting the massive army of enraged monks that came to fight Daoists on your behalf:1

About the fights and ask them to give you and the crowd their thoughts on them with a shared voice amplifying spell:2

Now that you have Shoushan alone, finally ask him about that Journey to the west story Buddhists like to reference around you, and Huofeng can hear it to!:1

So you will closely watch the matches with talented/ interesting fighters, and explain, for the first time to a ling, why you hate the Ling, to Disi Ling Huofeng and offer to get him a replacement arm.

Update will arrive shortly

However, despite how terrible the combined luck of the two sailing brothers is, their brotherly brawl is absolutely enthralling, and while you had planned to catch up with Grandpa Shoushan and maybe make sure Buddhists weren't lynching aggressively surly and ill-mannered daoists, at least in Chuan, or perhaps try and hammer out some kind of comradery with Disi-Ling beyond the present alliance of convenience and desperation into something more positive and enduring, the way the two burly, sun darkened men do battle with one another is so unique and thrilling that you're not the only one struck dumb and silent. Both the brothers have incredible talent with their abnormal weapons and counter the others skill from what must be a deep knowledge of how the other thinks and fights. The worst kind of a match up to have in a real fight, but the best for entertaining a crowd, the kind when both fighters have an intuitive, instinctive understanding of the other and their read of eachother begins to verge on outright precognition.

Boat Cat, Chuanmao, fights strangely cautiously for someone hefting around and swinging a mass of iron the size and width of the naval warship anchor he had some how procured, Chuandapo would probably be able to tell you how much it weighed, but it had to be more than his own body by several magnitudes. Sea cat, his brother Haimao, fought just as cautiously, circling around the breadth of how far Chuanmao could swing his anchor, spinning and twirling his net which you recognized from the crafting trials, trident held at his hip, eyes focused and bulging as he waited for his other half to close in near enough for him to safely strike without being at risk of being battered away or crushed by the barnacle encrusted anchor he was dragging around

You didn't notice it at first, but the tension in the air had drawn you over the railing, and you wear leaning over it, backside arched and eyes locked on the slow, relaxed dance of your two worshippers, wiggling your head and hips to match their paces as you watched, enchanted by the view as the boundless amount of air in the arena grew heavy with anticipation of thousands, Qi rising and swelling in the air as several other powerful cultivators who just like you became engrossed in watching these two strong men clash.

The actual fight, surely puts to shame most of the martial artists of Chuan and even a fair amount of the martially skilled Qi Condensation stage cultivators that call it home.

Despite how brawny they are, and without the mystical techniques and specialized training to refine their muscles and the body they're wrapped around beyond mortal limits and dexterity, the two brawny sailor brothers move with the swiftness of rogue waves. Doubtlessly, the mundane members of the audience, who do not see mount Tai, lose sight of them immediately, and no doubt the martial artists do as well, except those scrapping the very bottom of the world of cultivation.
Cont

>>6089738

But to your eyes, and the eyes of every cultivator in the crowd, they move sluggishly enough for you to analyze and study every move they make. Haimao makes the first one, closing the distance with a five pace sprint, throwing out his paralyzing net as Chuanmao's eyes flash and he lunges, charging with his shoulder forward before anchoring himself to the ground two steps ahead of where he began. Then, twisting around, he used the anchors weight to hurl it bodily at his brother. Haimao lept, using his trident's haft as a vault, and flew over the anchor as it flew through his net and carried forward through the air. Before it could slam into the arena wall, Haimao, with a grace that you could only call feline, spun around midair and pressed both his feet on the head of his trident, slamming it and himself down towards the head of Chuanmao, his own brother.

But Chuanmao, showing finesse equal to his brother's, side stepped, and as the anchor slammed into the lower wall, as the ringside audience scattered, spun around again, kicking out his leg in a whipping scythe strike as his brother met the ground at the same moment the anchor crashed into the beautiful wall you had made. It didn't dent it, but a hairline crack formed and blood dripped out onto the sand out of the stone. The first blow of the match when to Chuanmao, as he slammed his heel hard into the skull of Haimao, and sent him clattering to the ground. Showing now mercy or leniance or any kind of fair play to his own flesh and blood, Chuanmao charged, closing the distance between him and the stunned Haimao, his arms held out to his sides, hands wide to grab hold of him and you could, through your own honed fighting instincts, see only two outcomes that might come next when they met. Which was impressive, especially for mere mortals. But that just goes to prove the quality of those who sing your praises and worship you as their goddess, Heh-Heh-Heh.

The first possibility. Chuanmao grabs Haimao by his head, and drags him across the arena floor until he reaches the edge and hurls him out like he was a bucket full of fish guts.

The second, Haimao recovers quick enough to reach the dagger tucked in his boot, and the fight continues.

You smile, folding your hands together as the next few moments pass by like a shadow play. The second outcome is the one that actually happens, with Haimao sinking his knife into his brothers thigh and coiling around his leg like and eel before kicking him away with both of his feet, using the thrust of his legs to leap back onto his feet as his brother reels and stumbles towards the edge of the arena.

Haimao throws himself at him, moving to tackle him out of the ring, but Chuanmao slaps his wounded knee, spreads his legs apart and adopts a wrestlers stance, lowering his center of mass below the soles of his feet as he bows his head.
Cont

>>6089739

And like a thunder crack, grabs hold of his brother by both of his shoulders, taking another knife slash across his cheek as he rotates his shoulders and putting his back into it, slams him on the ground. Haimao briefly faints, but wakes up fast enough to dodge a series of hard, skull fracturing stomps his brother aims at his head. He rolls, and launches himself up back onto his feet the moment his palms touch the sand. He narrowly dodge a powerful punch launched at his jaw by Chuanmao, who shuffle steps closer.

And then the fight devolves into a fist fight , Haimao having dropped his dagger and Chuanmao apparently entering the arena with no weapon besides the anchor he tossed away the moment the fight truly began. The two are equally matched, but the outcome of the fight comes down to who got hit on the head more. And Chuanmao struck Haimao twice there before Haimao even began aiming for his brother's own head.

It is a long, drawn out, and brutal brawl, but Haimao succumbs and is knocked unconscious, and you only realize it was him from his tattoos, both the brothers had shattered teeth, broken their noses, and had black eyes, their faces puffing up with bruises.

And a moment after Haimao fell backwards onto the arena floor, Chuanmao fell to his knees, callused, thick fingers reaching and grasping at the wound that was spurting and oozing blood out of his thigh.

You noticed you were now the center of attention, as those who couldn't tell the brothers apart as beaten, bloodied and bruised as they were now, which was most of the audience, looked to you to see who had one and who needed to collect the winnings on their bets.

"Congratulations, Chuanmao! You and your brother, Haimao, managed to entertain me! What a vicious brotherly bloodshed, if you can still stand, walk out of the arena and get treated with your defeated opponent and hope the healers and doctors on staff are able to fix you up before your next match, Hmm?" You exclaim, clapping your hands and launching yourself explosively back to your throne by kicking off the railing "To be honest, I expected nothing else but the best from two of my most zealous of worshippers! Both of you have earned my regard!"

"They certainly have talent yes?" Shoushan chuckled "Though, their defense is lacking, both victor and loser would benefit from balancing their aggression with caution, and learning to protect their precious lives in combat, rather than using all they have as kindling for a sequence of explosive, but costly attacks"
Cont

>>6089740

"Get them armor and some medicinal steroids and stamina increasing pills, and a cultivation technique that allowed them to harness all of their bodies prodigious strength and improve their essence enough to fuel their powerful blows, and they'd be a lethal threat on the battlefield. Imagine, if they could move with the swiftness of the wind, but maintain the raw power of their strikes" Huofeng remarks excitedly "What talent! Even with simple, basic moves, a somewhat stable foundation and a cup's worth of refined Qi, and they'd make a name for themselves"

"Or they could use their strong arms for charitable means, rather than for the violence of war, sowing prosperity and benevolence rather than death and strife" Shoushan idly remarked, picking a scab on the back of his withered hand "They were born with strong bodies for a reason, beyond a warrior's life"

"A cultivator must expect to fight for their life any day, and be ready to die for their beliefs or by their master's orders as frequently" Huofeng countered as you listened to their debate with quiet fascination, hearing the names of the next two fighters, and deciding from a glance, and the fact they were both fighting plain and boring swords, that their match wouldn't be anywhere near as entertaining as the cat brother's bout and that they probably only had enough talent to be renowned in the martial world.

"What utter nonsense, your kind faired ten generations of peace, yet a few squabbles break out, and you begin professing a warrior's lifestyle" Shoushan snorted "And what, prior to your intersect wars, did you fight? Confused, scattered children, or near mindless spirits of the dead"

Disi-Ling Huofeng did not answer, and clearly calmed his boiling blood with a long, ponderous breath from his nose as he tempered his pride and temper with a brief meditation. When he had composed himself, you decided to chat with him while Shoushan stared blindly at the arena, tapping his fingers in rhythm with the clashing of steel, sensing them through his own, mysterious jmeans

"Do you know why I hate the Ling, Huofeng?" You ask, smiling blithely, the audacity of the question demanding his attention

"I've heard stories. That the ambitious Ling Meng, in his ambition to live as a warlord and become a conqueror in an era of peace, created you through his pointless slaughter of peasants" He answers plainly, though respectfully back "I assume, with how widespread this tale is, and that it hasn't been replaced with another myth of your birth, it is mostly true"
Cont

>>6089742

"Oh, well, yeah, that is basically right. Ling Meng burned my home to the ground for no reason but his own ego, and trampled and murdered children out of vainglory. I loved those kids, they died trying to keep the little cat I was safe, scared out of their wits, running through smoke and fire. It was their blood that made my fur and hair the color of blood, you know" You say, as Huofeng looks uncomfortably away "And it was the meat, blood and fat of Ling Men's soldiers and toadies that made me into a proper magical beast, I didn't know what I was, and just killed anyone wearing his colors, but when the enmity and hatred I felt subsided enough for me to think clearly, I remembered his face, sought him out, and avenged myself. But I only hated Ling Meng and the scum that followed him then, and satiated the grudge that made me me with his honestly quiet succulent flesh"

"You are aware, that hearing about how a relative, however distant that he was, tasted, is unnerving, especially when you tell me about this wearing a fairy's fair face" Huofeng snapped, hands folded on his lap and brow furrowed "Being told how human flesh tastes, is disquieting of the mind and greatly discomforts human hearts, like mine"

"Oh I am, it just amuses me is all. But see, I didn't really start hating the Ling, until they cried over Meng dying like the dog he was, when they pointed at me and called me a monster for devouring a child killer. When they sought me out, and put so much energy into killing me, they caused a war between two whole regions worth of sects and broke the peace the cultivation world enjoyed for however many years, all because they couldn't kill me and couldn't swallow their pride and admit their fuck up! They blamed the Winter Blossoming sect, they killed innocent magical beasts who had just woken up and new nothing of the world or even themselves. Yujijiao, was marked for death and massacred, because it was easier to send their wild bitch Yaonan after her than it was to face the truth, all their woes after my awakening and Ling Meng's death, were their own doing" You explain cordially smiling predatorially as you look into Huofeng's eyes and explain exactly why you hate the main branch of his clan and their crimes against you, all of beastdom and the people of Chuan "So as you can see, there isn't just one reason I despise the ling"

"I expected it to be more complicated and extensive than the legends would have us believe, I was unaware of most of those offensives" He answered back coolly, nodding his head "Though, I would ask you, for etiquettes sake, to not relish in describing the consumption of human meat in my company. Even if I can scarcely call some of my relatives of the main branch human, in terms of their character and actions"
Cont

>>6089743

"And you, why do you hate them? Sure you might be one of them, but we both want to kill Ling dogs, which makes us practically friends, and while I enjoy sampling all sorts of grudges, it is the resentment felt by my friends I find most delectable. And it can't just be frustration for how they've treated you and yours like their lapdogs and servants for however many generations, right?" You needle and press, leaning closer to him, still grinning wide enough to show off all of your teeth

He sighed deeply and reached towards his empty arm

"They commanded all of the disi-ling to hold lost ground and died when they fled from Chuan, after you revealed your presence and single handily took down the elite hunting squad sent by them and their former enemies, the Xue Clan" He explain coldly, eyes burning with disgust "And they killed my brother for openly refusing the suicidal command in their presence . The elders and patriarch of the main branch no longer tolerate disobedience of any kind, not after one of their number exposed their neck to that monster Yaonan and ended up headless for it. They demanded I seek you, or any of your followers out, and buy them time"

"For what?" You question curiously

"I do not know" He answered "They were frantic, crazed, unable to believe a beast had managed to rise so high with all the apparent effort of turning over her hand or fluttering her eyelashes. But they made it clear, they wanted us to give our lives to stall for time, even if they did not speak it outloud, after the war they began cost me many of my students and some of my friends. We were never well treated, but to become disposable over night, for a relative to cut down my brother for no reason besides refusing to die pointlessly for them. That, is when I started truly hating the main branch, though I've always disliked them, for their pompous attitude and many, many humilations of my family and sect"

"So we're in the same boat then" You snicker, nodding, patting the shoulder above the empty space where his arm would be "And thus, should strive to become friends, yes? Say, why not, as a gesture of good will, I replace this for you"

His eyes squinted, suspicious clear on the wrinkles of his face.

"And what, will that cost me, karmically? You are no outright demon, but, heretical and outlawed techniques are forbidden for a reason" He questions, though you can tell he is wanting any reason to accept from the wild, desperate look in his eyes

"Nothing, if I do it right, and I never make mistakes" You cackle back, flicking the sleeve of his missing arm playfully "It won't require you to betray your virtues or do anything wicked, but, it would be, in the eyes of the orthodoxy, quite taboo"

He closed his eyes, maybe trying to imagine or picture what kind of horrific and near demonic method you'd use to return his lost limb to him.
Cont

>>6089744

"I am grateful for your offer" He says, carefully phrasing his words, his tone measured but plodding "But in good concious, I cannot accept, without knowing what it is you'd do, and how I'd gain another arm"

"Smart man" Shoushan suddenly laughed, having been as quiet as a corpse for awhile "She might just staple and stitch a corpse or ghost arm to you, and even if it was donated willingly, despite all you'd be willing to do for power and self refinement, in your world view that wwould be a step too far, yes?"

Huofeng's hard expression softens, lips twitching in something that almost resembled a smile.

"I am not so ambitious as to toss away any standards of behavior and morality for my own gain" He chuckled "But, I suppose a ghost arm wouldn't be so awful, but only if I lost this other arm of mine

"Oh, then where is the line drawn? A corpse's arm? Or just one not given with permission? Or is it the prospect of being wholely crippled that you'd betray yourself, Huofeng? Huanliuxue? What are your thoughts?" Shoushan questioned, clearly trying to turn this into a learning experience for someone.

How do you answer, Huofeng, Huanliuxue

>By openly admitting you WERE in fact planning to stick a ghost's arm to his body. But that he can choose his arm from any willing donators

>By telling him about Yuyi and how you "Cured" her of her cat like features with a little internal alchemy and bloodwork. Remaking an army wholesale shouldn't be difficult.

>Offer to attach him the arm of one of the wretched Ling, doubtlessly they've built in some hidden treasures into their own bodies and have techniques that require them

>That you'll have Feiqing invent a mechanical arm for him!

>That you've always wanted to see what your blood Qi can create when really put to the test with alchemy, and wouldn't it be cool to have a dragon's arm as his own?

>Write in

>>6088927
Such diligence deserves many commendations and praise, junior! You have my thanks!

>>6089747
>I just want to push my blood Qi to the test. Say, don't you want Yang aspected arm? Or a dragons arm?!

>>6089747
>>By telling him about Yuyi and how you "Cured" her of her cat like features with a little internal alchemy and bloodwork. Remaking an army wholesale shouldn't be difficult.
Let's jsut give this man his own arm back.
If it comes out just the way it was he'd prob feel even more thankful.

>>6089697
Hope your grandpa turns out fine, man.

>>6089747
>By telling him about Yuyi and how you "Cured" her of her cat like features with a little internal alchemy and bloodwork. Remaking an army wholesale shouldn't be difficult.

>>6089747
>>Offer to attach him the arm of one of the wretched Ling, doubtlessly they've built in some hidden treasures into their own bodies and have techniques that require them

>>6089747
>Write-in Depends you've got options
>>By telling him about Yuyi and how you "Cured" her of her cat like features with a little internal alchemy and bloodwork. Remaking an army wholesale shouldn't be difficult.
Or
>That you've always wanted to see what your blood Qi can create when really put to the test with alchemy, and wouldn't it be cool to have a dragon's arm as his own?

>>6089747
>By telling him about Yuyi and how you "Cured" her of her cat like features with a little internal alchemy and bloodwork. Remaking an arm wholesale shouldn't be difficult.

>>6089747
>That you've always wanted to see what your blood Qi can create when really put to the test with alchemy, and wouldn't it be cool to have a dragon's arm as his own?

>>6089747
>By telling him about Yuyi and how you "Cured" her of her cat like features with a little internal alchemy and bloodwork. Remaking an army wholesale shouldn't be difficult.

Behold the marvels of modern advanced sorcery!

I considered the mechanical arm a bit but while a marvelous creation being made by a lower realm cultivator it would probably be less effective than replacing his own real arm.

>>6089747
>By telling him about Yuyi and how you "Cured" her of her cat like features with a little internal alchemy and bloodwork. Remaking an army wholesale shouldn't be difficult.
>That you'll have Feiqing invent a mechanical arm for him!
>That you've always wanted to see what your blood Qi can create when really put to the test with alchemy, and wouldn't it be cool to have a dragon's arm as his own?
All three, if only to flex how limited their views on us are.

>>6089747
Think I got everything and everyone.
Only really needed to note our phyqical refinement in carmine mysticism and the change to moon collapse.

I'm not updating the Sect document until we have people undergo training.
Oh, did put that our young king has his human form now.
I think he's the 9th, but I can't remember

>>6089747
>>That you've always wanted to see what your blood Qi can create when really put to the test with alchemy, and wouldn't it be cool to have a dragon's arm as his own?

>>6089747
>By telling him about Yuyi and how you "Cured" her of her cat like features with a little internal alchemy and bloodwork. Remaking an army wholesale shouldn't be difficult.
Growing back the arm of a golden core cultivator might not be entirely straightforward, but I want to try. I would make for a good proof on concept too, we could immediately ask Qiang if she wants her eye back.

>>6089747
>By telling him about Yuyi and how you "Cured" her of her cat like features with a little internal alchemy and bloodwork. Remaking an army wholesale shouldn't be difficult.

Ending the vote, tallying its result now.


That you've always wanted to see what your blood Qi can create when really put to the test with alchemy, and wouldn't it be cool to have a dragon's arm as his own?:5
--I just want to push my blood Qi to the test. Say, don't you want Yang aspected arm? Or a dragons arm?!:1

By telling him about Yuyi and how you "Cured" her of her cat like features with a little internal alchemy and bloodwork. Remaking an arm wholesale shouldn't be difficult.:8

Offer to attach him the arm of one of the wretched Ling, doubtlessly they've built in some hidden treasures into their own bodies and have techniques that require the:1

Depends, you have options:1

That you'll have Feiqing invent a mechanical arm for him!:1

So you'll tell Huofeng about Yuyi and how you "fixed" her after accidentally turning her partly into a cat, with internal alchemy and blood refinement

Update will arrive shortly

>>6090361
Thank you for your supreme diligence record keeping junior, And yes he was

It goes

1. Huanliuxue
2: Jionghuagege
3: Tiexingege
4. Siwang
5. Yinying
6: Baifenchi
7: Huili
8. Chuandapo
9. Youzaiwang

Which means felines make up a perfect third of the beasts with human forms in the modern era, and insects hold another third between the geges and Baifenchi

>>6089851
Thank you, heard he woke up and nearly punched out a nurse the moment he did.

"Me, personally, I simply wouldn't lose an arm to begin with" You cattily reply to the old monk, resting and balancing your chin on the back of your hand, which you use to give a playful flutter in his direction, not letting slip that you could probably simply refine and transmute your body into blood and reshape it whole again if you were so grievously injured as Huofeng was after he decided to fight that contemptible bastard Xue Laohue one on one and, from what you've heard through gossip, had it frozen solid and shattered like a sheet of thin ice.

Huofeng is not greatly amused by your remark, but maintains a balanced and serene expression and polite attitude, nodding along as if your bragging is some sagely wisdom whispered down to him from the heavens. Shoushan just cackles under his breath, amused by the at times heaven's defying scale of your self confidence, but doesn't continue his philosophizing, allowing you to speak your offer freely to your other honored guest.

"However, I do have experience in repairing bodies, beside my own. Living bodies I mean. I have a friend, a doctor of no small renown by the name of Yuyi" You begin and Shoushan nods along, silently lending credence to your claim to the perhaps rightfully suspicious Huofeng

"A friendship which would've convinced even the most open minded of daoists of her supposed demonic nature" He remarks off handedly "Though, she did benefit from your temporary possession of her, even if rumors tell me she suffered some curious side effects"

"Side effects?" Huofeng asks, one eye brow raised, looking from the monk to your much fairer face

"Turns out when the soul of a sufficiently powerful magical beast can cause changes in human hosts, its similar to how some people have started growing animal parts around Chuan recently. Primordial Beast Essence resonates with certain human bodies. And they don't need to have a special physique or scandalous ancestory, if a spirit as saturated with primordial beast essence as mine enters them for a, uh, while" You explain cheerfully, waving your hand in the air dismissively as you also shake your head "But, that has nothing to do with your injury or how I intend to fix it, outside of how I turned Yuyi back to her plain old self after I accidentally improved her looks and made her a much more gorgeous woman by my mere use of her as a disguise of sorts"

Huofeng's gaze is piercing and he turns to Shoushan, his expression looking more baffled than accusing to your eyes.

"I met her while she and Yuyi were occupying the same body, and she did many good deeds at our temple and beyond" He answers with an approving air to his words "Though I've since heard from Yuyi, Lady Huanliuxue more or less strong armed her into the position of her human face, though without threats or abuse of any kind"
Cont

>>6090778

"I was more wondering how she is your friend after you accidentally transformed her body, she must be as forgiving as a buddha" Huofeng snorts, eyes flicking back in your direction "So how did you treat her affliction"

"Well, I only did it cosmetically, the essence that got trapped inside her ended up making her the founder of a feline bloodline, and she had a litter of cat eared and tailed kids not long after as a result, but she looks as normal as the day she was born, with all the features given to her by her mama and papa" You answer with a nod, rubbing your chin as you look up at the sky nostalgically "But to stop being coy and waving the answer like a cat-tail in your face, I used an expression of Blood Refinement"

"Blood Refinement (血精炼, Blood Refinement)!?" He immediately shouts back, eyes bulging "That demonic art?!"

"Tch, only if the sight of blood is too gruesome for your delicate stomach. The art itself isn't even or corrupting, in fact, if wielded properly it can be cleansing and purifying. And by applying the basic principles of alchemy, while using it properly, it can be transformative as well" You answer with a smile, that doesn't reach your eyes as you glare into Huofeng's own shocked eyes "Altering living blood still inside of veins, I practiced with some woodland creatures first, and quickly learned how to evolve them without any generational gaps, Heh-Heh-Heh"

"So you simply regressed the bodily changes of this Yuyi character?" He calms, settling his hand atop one of his knees, his armless shoulder twitching as his expression briefly flickered with discomfort of a phantom sensation

"Yep! A internal alchemy, some magic, all powered and conducted through her own blood, and her adorable ears went poof" You answer with a exaggerated pout "And I've only improved my skill with blood refinement, and grown more accustomed to the Pure Blood Qi powering it since then. At my current level, regrowing an arm should be no trouble at all. Sure, making a golden core worthy arm may be a challenge, but I've never shied away from a chance to prove my skill, Heh-Heh"

"How long would it take?" He asked immediately after you'd finished speaking

"Don't know for sure. I'd only be improving your natural healing to be so ridiculous it was no longer on this side of sanity" You answer with a shrug "Yuyi's changes didn't occur immediately, but considering how many pieces of her had changed, internally and externally, I think just remaking your arm shouldn't take too long or be too difficult for the talented me to accomplish"

"But it will take more energy and essence than was expended treating Yuyi's changes" He states as if he's the expert on blood manipulation between the two of you. It doesn't matter that he's right
Cont

>>6090780

"Of course, but I can refine blood, we can go cull a few thousand chickens if I don't have enough Qi to fix that injury of yours" You snicker, purposefully downplaying how grievous of an injury losing an arm is, to inspire confidence in Huofeng confidence that you can fix it, which you aren't entirely sure will be as easily done as you've made it seem "However, considering I spread Blood Qi where-ever I go, that should be a none issue"

"That would explain explains why Chuan has turned so peculiar after you began trampling around it" He mutters, glancing around at the archaic foliage hanging from the ceiling of your private seating box "And those odd plants populating this garden of yours"

"I am a fountain of the primordial breath of nature and the vigorous breath of life embodied" You brag, grinning as Shoushan clicks his tongue "So are you in? Have I convinced you? Or is blood refinement to scary for you to approach, Disi-Ling? Hm?"

"While it is rude of me to interrupt the discussion you two are having, one of my students is about to enter the arena, and will surely upstage the amateurs who followed the incredible display of prowess of those two brothers" He states, clapping one hand over the back of the other, drawing your attention "And I'd be remiss to not point out my fellow Buddhists unusual martial talent to my friend and most beneficent of hosts, you, Huanliuxue?"

"Eh, that's not Yongzheng" You grunt, seeing the man wearing a cloth mask swagger into the area, a bo staff slung cockily over his shoulders

"He is competing in the higher tiers of the tournament" Shoushan answers with just a hint of pride in his voice

"Is that safe? He isn't a cultivator, your kind doesn't practice the collection of spiritual energy" Huofeng says, worried for the safety of a man he hasn't met

"But we do seek enlightenment" He says, blind eyes locked on the strange, hooded monk stepping into the arena with an odd, loping gait

"Buddhists and Daoists have more in common than most realize" You chuckle, smiling at the old monk and just looking away for a moment from the arena floor nearly makes you miss the beginning of the short fight

The monk is more like a monkey with how acrobatically and quickly he moves. You can barely call what goes on between him and his opponent a fight, since doing so feels like an insult and disservice to the obviously skilled fighting monk. He dances around his more aggressive counterpart, a desert nomad with twin sabers, using a martial style that you've seen once or twice before, you don't know the name but it involves a lot of spinning, twisting motions and looks more suitable for a street dancer and her ribbons than a battle scared warrior.
Cont

And for a brief time, the two seem equally matched, until the monk gets serious, and he blocks one blow of the sabers and counters immediately with the other end of his staff. Then he starts vaulting, leaping, cartwheeling and even rolling around, over and under the nomad, whose dance like moves grow clumsy and sluggish as he struggles to just keep facing the bouncing monk Around. Your jaw drops just watching the buddhist ,who must've been an acrobat before he entered the monastery if he wasn't a monkey in his previous life, play with his opponent

And this humiliation goes on for a few moments longer before Shoushan wordlessly lifts his hand, And a moment later, you watch the brutish nomad go flying out of the arena. The monk had slipped his staff between his legs and with a flick, sent him sprawling out of the ring.

It takes several more seconds for the gong announcing his victory to be struck. And you can hear several familiar voices yelling in outrage. Seems some of your fellow cultivators took offense that a buddhist had won in a "Daoist contest" and with such insulting ease!

"His name is Xiang" Shoushan speaks as Huofeng picks up his jaw from the ground "He comes from an isolated temple in the mountains of Bǎo. He fought for you against the cruel daoists of the winter temple. He's been very excited to meet your acquaintance. And, he is a big fan of the story of the journey to the west, if you couldn't..."

"Uncle Shoushan" You interrupt, as kindly as you can manage "I do not know anything about this journey to the west you keep mentioning, and while I like you, my temper is easily lost when I am bullied"

"...He will be happy to explain it to you, I'm sure" The old man laughs, shaking his head

"I've only seem movements so fluid performed by those who have began to refine their bodies through intense, rigorous training" Huofeng remarks, clapping his forehead in astonishment

"We Buddhists also undergo intense training, physical, mental, and spiritual" Shoushan humbly states "We may not use mystical means to improve these transient vessels we inhabit, as you daoists do, but we do work hard to achieve mastery of them"

"Maybe we should exchange notes" you joke, as you wait for Huofeng to remember your previous conversation

"And yes, I do accept your offer, Huanliuxue, so long as the means used to obtain the blood fueling the treatment are not...illicit or evil in nature" He answers after sometime, after the monk Xiang takes the chance to showboat and incense the outspoken enemies he's made for himself in the crowd, for just showing up

"Bah, you're like a little child being given his medicine, you're talking to the person who made the Jade Doctor be called a saintess, who saved the emperor's life from his own sinful lifestyle with only medicine she had on hand" Shoushan teases, wagging his walking stick in the air "You can trust her, I know her character, she will not damn you on a whim..."

He frowns and rubs his chin in thought
Cont

>>6090785

"Probably. She did save and then help kill an emperor on just such a playful whim" He muses as Huofeng rubbed the stump of his arm, and did not continue the now uncomfortable conversation.

However, now that the next match was getting started, you realized it was going to be torturously boring compared the first match, and the spectacle of the flying monk you'd just watched.

What do you do while you wait out the uninspiring and unimportant matches of the martial contest, Huanliuxue?

>Quietly meditate and attempt to calculate how much refined blood and blood Qi you'd need to regrow Huofeng's arm ( Intellect trial. Variable DC)

>Ask Huofeng exactly how that piece of shit Laohue disarmed him, since you've heard a few stories about this

>Try to squeeze the knowledge of the journey to the west from the tight lips of the elderly Shoushan

>Leave your body and go wandering as a spirit, maybe spy on a few of your guests, or partake in the fights in someone else's body, Heh-Heh (Stealth trial. Auto-success)

>Write in

>>6090780
Also my fuck up here Blood Refinement (血精炼, Blood Refinement), amuses me greatly, since It reminds me of those old, poorly dubbed hong kong kung fu flicks.

It should've been "Xuèjīngliàn! (血精炼, Blood Refinement)", but I find it very funny the way it is

>>6090786
>Quietly meditate and attempt to calculate how much refined blood and blood Qi you'd need to regrow Huofeng's arm ( Intellect trial. Variable DC)

>>6090786
>Ask Huofeng exactly how that piece of shit Laohue disarmed him, since you've heard a few stories about this

>>6090786
>Ask Huofeng exactly how that piece of shit Laohue disarmed him, since you've heard a few stories about this

He lost it for our benefit may as well hear how it happened.

As for calculations, perhaps later.

>>6090786
>>Leave your body and go wandering as a spirit, maybe spy on a few of your guests, or partake in the fights in someone else's body, Heh-Heh (Stealth trial. Auto-success)

>>6090786
>Quietly meditate and attempt to calculate how much refined blood and blood Qi you'd need to regrow Huofeng's arm ( Intellect trial. Variable DC)
not that I am voting for it,
but I just realized the journey to the west is probably a divine beast heritage story.
Its quite literally about a monkey ascending.
He proceeds to stand in defiance of the heavens.
Holy shit Wukong our brother in arms where are you at

>>6090786
>Calculate
>Tell us the journey to the west!

>>6090786
>Quietly meditate and attempt to calculate how much refined blood and blood Qi you'd need to regrow Huofeng's arm ( Intellect trial. Variable DC)
Write-in+
Use some of his blood as seed blood and refine water to match the blood. In theory we could use some five elemental water to enhance the blood and fill in the lacking energy for a golden core cultivator. We could perhaps use precious materials to enhance it based on his cultivation method. Which would be something yang aligned.

>>6090786
>Try to squeeze the knowledge of the journey to the west from the tight lips of the elderly Shoushan

>>6090786
>Ask Huofeng exactly how that piece of shit Laohue disarmed him, since you've heard a few stories about this

>>6090786
>Leave your body and go wandering as a spirit, maybe spy on a few of your guests, or partake in the fights in someone else's body, Heh-Heh (Stealth trial. Auto-success)

>>6090993
That's a great idea.

I don't know about using 5 element water, it's quite balanced, but it is qi water that we can turn into blood. Which has to be better than regular water.

Could also use some stuff from the sea boar. Maybe.

>>6090786
>>Quietly meditate and attempt to calculate how much refined blood and blood Qi you'd need to regrow Huofeng's arm ( Intellect trial. Variable DC)

why wait to make the DC lower when we can do it now

>>6090786
"Me, personally, I simply wouldn't lose an arm to begin with" You cattily reply to the old monk
somewhere in the heavens, a house guard god sneezes
>Ask Huofeng exactly how that piece of shit Laohue disarmed him, since you've heard a few stories about this

>>6091112
We quite clearly have both of our arms.
How could we have lost them?

SHUT UP SAY NO MORE.

anyway fellow disciples.
What do any of you think about studying under the Buddhists for a little bit.
See if our good karma translates to Buddhist merit.

>>6090786
>Ask Huofeng exactly how that piece of shit Laohue disarmed him, since you've heard a few stories about this

>>6091115
Buddist study might give us an angle towards divinity from piousness...
Or perhaps since nirvana is (from my unenlightened undestanding) a form of enlightenment from nothingness and we have some ties to space void stuff it might give us insight never before attained by daoists or buddhists before now.

>>6090786

>Leave your body and go wandering as a spirit, maybe spy on a few of your guests, or partake in the fights in someone else's body, Heh-Heh (Stealth trial. Auto-success)

Speaking of monkeys, why don't we have a monkey disciple yet? One would assume it's pretty easy for them to awaken, considering how close they are to humans to begin with.

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>>6091751
Monkeys are close enough to humans to know it's not worth it

>>6090913
>Holy shit Wukong our brother in arms where are you at
We potentially had the chance to meet him on our first space trip, but things played out the way they did.

>>6091851
wait what
I don't remember that
I remember United States of Dao
Moon
Sun
space
but nothing monkey related.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

Ending and tallying the vote now. Meant to do so yesterday, but couldn't find the time to.

Quietly meditate and attempt to calculate how much refined blood and blood Qi you'd need to regrow Huofeng's arm:5

Ask Huofeng exactly how that piece of shit Laohue disarmed him, since you've heard a few stories about this:5

Leave your body and go wandering as a spirit, maybe spy on a few of your guests, or partake in the fights in someone else's body:3

Try to squeeze the knowledge of the journey to the west from the tight lips of the elderly Shoushan:1

Use some of his blood as seed blood and refine harmonious five elements spring water to match it...etcL 2

So there's a tie between meditating, and asking Huofeng how he lost his arm, and since they can't be combined in the timeframe given of until the next interesting/ talented match

I'll tiebreak

1: Meditate
2: Ask about the arm

>>6091112
To be fair, Huan never lost her arms when they were cut off, and she didn't misplace either of them lol

>>6091751
Mi Shendao, the head of the eight heavenly gates sect, has an Ice Tailed Macaque among his beastly disciples, called Mi Wánpíshèng

>>6091935
It was the partner/ other sub path of Moon Maddened. Monkey's understudy, like how Sun-killer was the other choice you had when you picked the Blood Moon path.

>>6092044
Alright! Guess Huan will be crunching some numbers then!

Update will arrive shortly

Leaning back into your throne, you impatiently drum your fingers on its arms, the match after Xiang's progressing as dully as you thought it was, the styles used by both of the contestants being so ordinary and widespread that if you were paying any kind of attention to their match you'd be able to predict the outcome from the first move both of them made. Groaning, you glance at your company for the martial arts tournament, Huofeng, who is paying attention to even this so boring you might cry fight and Shoushan who is counting the prayer beads strung about his neck and chanting some buddhist mantra pleading for the protection of his fellows who are next to fight. For a moment, you lift yourself up, intent on asking Huofeng the dirty details of how exactly that unrepentant bastard Xue Laohue took his arm, before, as your eyes focus on the space where said arm used to sit before the frozen old fossil had his way with it, a flash of realization strikes you enough to force you back into a seated position.

A golden core cultivators body is far finer a treasure, and far more refined and profound in how it has been trained and imbued and empowered with Qi than any ordinary woman's form. Sure, kick starting an unnaturally fast and effective healing shouldn't be hard, due to the innate qualities of blood Qi, but the problem would be ensuring the arm that sprouts out of that stump is as strong and rich in spiritual energy as the rest of Huofeng's honestly impressive body. He's surely spent decades refining every strand of muscle and chunk of marrow and piece of bone inside of his body and unlike the ghostly yin Qi imbued arm you gifted Ping as you saved his life, you can't imagine the Disi-Ling patriarch would be too appreciative if you grew him back an arm that wasn't up to par with the rest of his carefully built and sculpted body. Just activating the Vein Hunting Eye (血管猎-眼睛, Xuèguǎnliè-yǎnjing) for a moment and glancing his way, shows you just how powerful his life force is and how rich his blood is with vitality, as well as some peculiarities of its flow that tells you he's created several secret organs or stowed some bodily treasures inside of himself.

That arm he lost must've been a treasure. That unworthy Gold core Ling Bitch you killed alongside the magnificent Xue Ming, had nails hammered into her arms you ripped off of her, enchanted, magical nails that reinforced and strengthened them. And while Huofeng is from a branch family, he is still the head of that family and the sect it heads, so he probably had similar gifts buried in the pounds of flesh he lost. Hm. Come to think of it, two of thing Ling you've met have lost their arms, could it be a familial curse of sometime or do Ling just have a bad habit of picking fight with things and people they really shouldn't piss off? A question for later
Cont

>>6092067

Now, you need to focus all of your mental energy and intellect on working calculations to figure out what exactly it'd take to replace the wonderful arm Huofeng lost while fighting on your behalf. A mark of a proper lordly character is being able to repay loyalty shown to you tenfold! And honestly, fighting the main branch Ling with a one armed man is the kind of risk you'd never take personally, the kind of gamble only an utter moron would make!

Roll 2d100. Best out of five. Higher result= better outcome

Rolled 21, 60 = 81 (2d100)

>>6092070
Check it out, the jack-off arm of the century

Rolled 44, 74 = 118 (2d100)

>>6092070

Rolled 88, 93 = 181 (2d100)

>>6092070
Dr. Huan is on the case.

Rolled 3, 49 = 52 (2d100)

>>6092070

Rolled 44, 94 = 138 (2d100)

>>6092070

>>6092076
181! You've reached a solution that is both economical and effective, a heavenly treatment for the cheap!

also, Junior, your words have afflicted me with a heart demon to see Huanliuxue in a nurse outfit.

update will arrive shortly

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>>6092076

Rolled 68, 41 = 109 (2d100)

>>6092070

While any dabbler of blood alchemy could refine a province into raw materials and extract their blood Qi and vitality to be able to brute force a golden core's arm back into existence, that is inelegant, brutish work and the kind of atrocity that gave Blood Qi and the arts, sorceries and techniques derived from it the bad reputation of being demonic cultivation. It is the sort of thing those unblessed with towering intellect would do in desperation to heal their own bodies, what untalented carmine mystics would pursue to unnatural bloat themselves with life force and stolen strength. And besides the grossness and contemptibleness of using so many innocent lives to heal one cultivator's injury, that kind of deed is simply as wasteful as it is vile and evil.

And while many others who'd refuse it for just that reason would meet an obstacle of finding a means to produce blood qi and blood of high enough quality to serve as a catalyst for the rebirth of such a profound limb as the arm of a golden core cultivator, for the blinding and peerless intellect and wit you were born with, it is as simple as coming up with a game for children. You won't even need to dip into you reserves of refined blood and purified blood qi to accomplish. It is an equation about as simple as one plus one making two. All that needs to be done is taking a piece of Huofeng, saturating it with his blood and your blood Qi, and transforming it into a seed of flesh, that you can implant in condensed refined blood from any source, though you could use his or your own to expedite the process of improving it with alchemical treatments and mystical rites. And with some of the basic principles of Red Dust Revival (红尘复兴, Hóngchénfùxīng), the price of blood you'd have to drain from your or his wrists could be reduced even further.

What would've taken a slaughter for anyone of lesser skill and insight to accomplish, you will be able to perform with a barely a pound of flesh and bone and a basin full of already Qi rich blood. The flesh should be taken from his shoulder, using the memories in its muscles and bones and the very blood still flowing through it as a foundation to craft a flawless recreation of his arm. Honestly, you're impressed with yourself, that it only took you a few moments of casual meditation to reach this conclusion, and find an answer that's brightened your mind with a wealth of new insights! If you meditated on them seriously, you're sure you'd invent an entire new path of medical techniques and healing spells or even further refine your carmine mysticism to new heights!

Success has sharpened your intellect. +44 to your next cultivation/ training roll. If your next training is in pursuit of medical techniques or blood aligned, the result will be treated as double effective!

You snap your fingers and emerge from you meditation
Cont

>>6092166

"Huofeng, if you want your arm back, I'll need to carve into your shoulder" You state in a severe, tone heavy with authority, meeting and locking gazes with the currently one armed cultivator "And a basin of my blood or yours, and before you ask me why, the flesh is needed to act as a seed. Blood and muscles contain memories of a sort, and I'll use them to recreate and exact match of the arm you lost"

"Truly?" He asks, blinking rapidly and dumbly, which is probably all he can to do not stare at you with a gaping mouth and looking like an even bigger idiot

"Impressive, isn't it? Seeing her natural genius in action" Shoushan idly praises, nodding his head demurely as he speaks "I wish I could see it plainly with these useless eyes of mine, it must be incredible, seeing her expressions shift as she closes in on a solution that would elude even the brightest of minds"

"Thank you for your kind words uncle" You titter cheerfully, covering your mouth with the back of your hand "And yes, I'm certain it will work. And that isn't just my pride speaking. It is the best and easiest way to produce an arm worthy of a golden core, though I'm sure those with better quality cores would take a bit more effort, the alternative would be refining blood and flesh until it reached a state that could barely pass as equivalent to the rest of that body of yours, crafted and sculpted through your long years of training and cultivation"

"I...expected I'd need to retrain any arm you gave me, this is astounding" He admits readily, stroking his chin to look like he understands any of what you just told him, but that's fine, you can't expect even an intellectual to understand the process you've come up with for regrowing his arm. He's just lucky he didn't lose it to a curse or...

"Wait, Huofeng, how did you lose that arm of yours anyways?" You ask quickly enough to catch him completely off guard "It might be important, curses and the like could complicate things"

"Xue Laohue hooked his scythe under it and pulled" He answered, wiggling his fingers "After I'd lost three of the five fingers attached to it to frost bite, brute forcing my way through his peerless and formerly renowned as unbreakable defenses. I faired better than most who tested their fangs against his, and that's because I had experience killing the Xue clan and their followers. A confidence that proved insidious, when he showed how adept he'd become at fighting those who practiced the same style of martial arts as I do, the diving phoenix fist that parts the sea, but he only used any magic on my arm after he'd cut it off, and held it above my head to gloat. Which is how I escaped that fight with my life"
Cont

>>6092168

"That shouldn't be a problem then" You blithely answer, curiosity as to what actually happened when the two of them clashed as well as the worry that Laohue would trouble you beyond his dog piss soaked grave both quieted as you turned your attention to the arena "And before you fret, you'll have all five of your fingers back when I craft your new arm, unless something goes terribly wrong"

"And what could go wrong?" He asks as you watch the young woman who won the match force her opponent, a veteran soldier dressed in a martial artists stuffy suit, to yield

"Nothing, since I'm the one doing it" You brag with a smirk "But a untrained, lesser manipulator of blood could accidentally birth a demon in the attempt, but don't worry, all I have to do is drain the chunk of you you provide of any lingering resentment and the blood inside of the fury it carries, very simple"

"Now I see why your golden core is of such an abnormally high quality" Huofeng chuckles as Shoushan looks at you warily

"It amuses me, that one so nice can speak of things that sound like you'll be cursed to just hear them so casually and sweetly" he remarks, wagging a finger as the next match starts.

Scratching Post (Māozhuābǎn, 猫抓板) and mortal decendant of the Xia clan, who is greeted with cheers from his cultivating relatives and boos from their rivals.

Maozhuaban is dressed in a ramshackle armor, befitting his past as a mercenary, while the Xia clan member is wearing a sailor's garb with shark skin leather nailed and stitched to it, and instead of anything sane or ordinary, walks into the ring with a fishing pole as his weapon.

You watch with baited breath, as your worshipper and the Xia clan member greet eachother with respectful bows, like they were old comrades greeting eachother after a long war. And then, after exchanging polite acknowledgements of the other's skill, begin fighting before the gong can be struck.

The hook and tether of the fishing pole go flying, And Maozhuaban ducks under them, avoiding it as his opponent tugs his arms and with an almost magical ability, controls the flight of the hook and string attaching it to follow Maozhuaban. And a moment later, your realize the string is made out of steel wire, when Maozhuaban strikes it aside and a shower of sparks fly between it and his blade. Judging from the sound it made, it is also razor sharp! This repeats several times, with Maozhuaban using a common place style of swordmanship, that while lacking flair or unique stances or strikes, has been clearly refined into his hands so the basic swings and mundane moves he performs with his sword have become masterful. The finesse with he wields that sword would probably impress Qiang, the best swordswoman you know.
Cont

>>6092170

He doesn't need flashy techniques to fight, and having mastered the basics of swordsmanship and honed it to his natural strengths and talents, only slightly adjusting the thrusts and slashes to better fit his strengths and balanced but confident fighting style, Maozhuaban has an obvious martial talent. And you realize, practices more than one style of swordsmanship, since the one he is using in this fight, is completely different from the flowing and elegant moves he used in the tacticians' contest, and nowhere near as dance like.

But the fishing pole fighter still puts those skills to the test, and scratching post earns a few more scrapes and cuts dodging and brushing away the cutting steel wire. But with an almost scary look on his face, Maozhuaban closes the distance and thrusts his sword forward, the xia clan mate steps back and the former mercenary catches him by his collar, headbutts him, and knocks him out with pommel strike to the back of the head that is so hard it makes a ringing noise.

He turns to face you, lifts up his sword, then cups his fist and bows deeply,

The next match is no less exciting, as the shidi clan member from the tacticians' trials, Shidi Li, that Maozhuaban beat, gets a second chance to prove himself worthy of your sect. And his performance is met with applause, as he takes down a buddhist monk who fights with a meteor hammer, down with nothing but his fists and brawn. Though that is because he had lost his glaive when he'd slammed it flat against the monk's back, who with a flex, tensed his muscle enough to make the haft break rather than his spine.

Ho, the chicken farmer, surprises you by how well he fights, after being given just a few lessons by Moazhuaban. Using a rope, he quickly overcomes his adversary, who was, according to some of the gossiping you heard from the stands below you, renowned in the martial world for his skill. But he never got to show that skill, as the lanky chicken farmer bound his wrists with the rope and pinned him to the ground and hammered his head with flicking punches until he gave up and fell unconscious. And it was lucky for the cocky martial artist he got knocked out, cause you weren't able to stop yourself from howling with laughter when he did.

And after Ho wins, a wild beast enters the arena. And you almost feel sorry for their opponent, because apparently an awakened gorilla who'd heard of the tournament had come down from the mountains and entered his name in the martial tournament. Which, he is allowed to do, since you didn't ban beasts from partaking in the the rest of the tournament outside of the beast only bracket.
Cont

>>6092172

And, well, no matter how much you train with spear and shield, you can't really beat a gorilla in a fight if you aren't as strong as one. Which is a fact that the gorilla proves by whacking the spearman aside with a slap of his hand, before grabbing him by his leg and swinging him over his head and against the ground a few times until they cry out that they surrender.

"I know it is uncouth to gamble in the presence of a monk" Huofeng suddenly says, smirking as he watches the gorilla amble out of the arena "However, these last few fights have invigorated me, and I'm sure a lady of refinement and good birth such as yourself would be opposed to it, but how about we place a bet on the outcome of this tournament?"

"You sure? I've got a good sense for these sort of things" You warn him with a flash of fangs in your human mouth "Besides, we haven't seen all the fighters yet, and next, I think, one of my own people is going to be fighting"

"I to, have a sense for these things, and I think we've seen the finalists all ready" He answers with a nod "So, how about it"

"I'll place this walking stick of mine on Xiang of Bao winning" Shoushan blithely remarks, making Huofeng laugh

"And I'll place a favorite sword of mine on Maozhuaban winning" He replies with a smile "And you, lady Huanliuxue? Will you join the bet?"

Well, Huanliuxue?

>Snort through your nose and refuse. You only bet on real fights

>Roll your eyes, and bet on the gorilla. Its just common sense

>Join Shoushan's wager on Xiang.

>Gang up on the buddhist by also betting on Maozhuaban

>Bet on Ho

>Bet on Chuanmao

>Bet on Shidi Li

>You're the empress of all cats, so you'll bet on your subject to win, even if you haven't even seen them yet

>Write in

And the total bonus to your next cultivation/ training roll is 1708

>>6092173
>Roll your eyes, and bet on the gorilla. Its just common sense
I mean non cultivators vs a gorilla? Uhhhh. So no amount of martial arts is gonna overcome the weight difference of a couple hundred pounds.

>>6092192
That's not true. Xia can touch the edge of the immortal world.

>Bet on Ho
The guy has natural winner energy. He won't get cocky.
Anyway, I want to bet. . . A drop of refined blood. It should be good for either of their students. Or something else to help body tempering.

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>>6092166
>If your next training is in pursuit of medical techniques or blood aligned, the result will be treated as double effective!
Damn, son. That's a lot of oomph.

Come to think of it, flower girl's bloodline affliction is based on an art deriving from altered blood magic, right? Perhaps we could put our next training roll into the association between plants and blood and the bloodline "curse" to give us a huge amount of enlightenment towards such things. Curing and cursing learned in one fell swoop. All poisons are medicines in the right doses. Yes. My brain is expanding, I can feel the insides of my skull. Or this is a bad and silly idea.

Also this chicken farmer is proving more and more that he is no ordinary man. How odd. A hidden prodigy or disguised master? Maybe he's the reincarnation of someone long dead. That'd be a hoot. Or a cluck, perhaps!

>>6092247
Well we know the devil reincarnated before so this could be another reincarnation of someone of the past. Could just a be a genius.

I think a fun one would be the creation of spiritual roots for medical or an art to body cultivation which would be cool.

>>6092166
>Success has sharpened your intellect. +44 to your next cultivation/ training roll. If your next training is in pursuit of medical techniques or blood aligned, the result will be treated as double effective!
I do hope we can finally boost our (poorly developed) Divine Mysticism with a drop of divine blood.
>>6092173
>Bet on Ho
This seems like the most fun

>>6092173
>Bet on Ho
He's continually shown to be way more capable than he should have any right to be. Fucking Saitama in the martial arts tournament type shit.

>>6092173
>You're the empress of all cats, so you'll bet on your subject to win, even if you haven't even seen them yet

>>6092173
>>Snort through your nose and refuse. You only bet on real fights

>>6092173
>Roll your eyes, and bet on the gorilla. Its just common sense

>>6092247
I'll be honest man. I want to get a minimum of 500 on the next roll and dedicated it to our carmine mysticism.
With our insight from spectre starvation and this double xp buff, we can get to 1000 which previously netted us a gold core of ultimate quality.

I'm looking forwards to activating Bloodline creation, so we can maybe adopt Qiang properly!
And then refine our Blood Control to not need Qi. Which will put us even closer to understanding intent.

And I'm pretty sure could offer the chance to evolve our body in other ways.

>>6092173
Now, I certainly like Ho but I don't see a chicken beating a gorilla with just a little tips about fighting.

Maozhuaban is a decent choice if he can prove himself enough of a swordsman to avoid being grabbed but would be a very close thing and he's probably not used to fighting gorillas while the gorilla probably only ever had human opponents.

Xiang Bo is a buddhist monk so he probably exercised by breaking gorillas on his knees or something, that said he needs to be careful of not getting his staff grabbed but otherwise it would let him match the reach of the gorilla, and again gorilla fingers aren't as tough as his arms... and I would like to remind you all that he got to fight Daoists during the war with the winter sect.
(Also I recently read chimni tekken.)

>Join Shoushan's wager on Xiang.

>>6092173
>Snort through your nose and refuse. You only bet on real fights

>>6092173
>Roll your eyes, and bet on the gorilla. Its just common sense
It’s that funky monke, but if Ho wins it’ll be amusing too

Hey grandfather, are any of the sects here adorned in robes of predominantly green? With green highlights of lighter hues?

Ending the vote now, tallying the result. Meant to do it yesterday, but a poor decision prevented me from doing it

Roll your eyes, and bet on the gorilla. Its just common sense:3

Bet on Ho:3

You're the empress of all cats, so you'll bet on your subject to win, even if you haven't even seen them yet:1

Snort through your nose and refuse. You only bet on real fights:2

Join Shoushan's wager on Xiang.:1

So there's a tie, but I do think that Huan would be audacious enough to place two votes instead of one, so we'll go with that instead of breaking it or waiting for more

SO!

You'll vote on the gorilla and Ho

Update will arrive shortly

>>6093541
Oh, the guy who you ran into when you got your human form? He's a disciple of the storm mountain shrine sect.

He actually showed up at your trial, actually

"You pause as you see the disciple diligently kneeling behind the static wreathed old man, all scarred over like he's been struck by lighting. His face looks eerily familiar You've must've seen him somewhere before, but you can't put your finger on when or where. Ah well"

Some Sects just have different robes assigned to different tiers/ and the specialties of their disciples

The thousand lotus hall does it. actually

>>6092247
go for it

You have many, deep thoughts about who would be wise to bet on. Though you will admit some of the thought you put into deciding who you'll place your bet on are much more shallow and simple than the rest of your consideration. For example, the gorilla, who probably doesn't even have a real name or even a epithet, is just an obvious choice. Sure, you think Chuanmao or Shidi Li could probably match or overpower an ordinary gorilla, but that is a magical gorilla, and like most magical beasts, has grown larger and more colorful than the rest of his species. However, while you have half a mind to simply scoff at Huofeng's offer, you also feel like that odd chicken farmer Ho, who is unusually famous and far renowned, could actually best the gorilla. Scratching post could to, but you are loath to share your bet with someone else, which is why you also don't even consider putting down cash on the amazing flipping monk Xiang to win. You always forge your own path and march to the beat of your own drum. More than whatever you'll place down to match the wagers of the other two, your pride and face is on the line here!

Winning this bet, besides a new sword or walking stick you'll probably give back or toss away, will improve your reputation by however small an amount. Because winning means you were able to anticipate the outcomes of every match the winner fought, before they started, without knowing who their opponents would be, and that you have an eye for talent and potential! And while the rest of the sects admit you are a fantastic and very skillfull teacher, and had even before they decided you weren't a monster to be hunted down and culled, having more face never hurt anyone, has it?

"Well, I'll vote for the Gorilla" You say with a titter, leaning back in your throne and kicking one leg over the other as you glance to Huofeng "And Ho, the chicken farmer!"

"Ah, taking full advantages of the privilege of the host, are you?" Huofeng replies with a stiff, but unwavering smile "Well, I am being shown great respect just being placed at your side, and have earned much standing amongst the Chuan sects by just appearing next to you, so I shall not raise my voice in complaint, even if I do think it is somewhat unfair"

"Is it truly unfair? it is common sense is it not? What use is honor to a guileful cat?" Shoushan remarks with a grandfatherly smile, patting his hand on his walking stick "However, I would think, that if Huanliuxue places two bets, then she must raise two wagers. I however, will not press the issue, for I know how easily one may be scratched if they offend a cat's sensibilities and ignore their strict boundaries"

"Sure, that makes it more exciting, thank you for the idea, uncle" You cackle, and Huofeng's smile becomes a little less stiff and forced

"So, what will you wager, Huanliuxue?" He asks as your heart sinks as you actually recognize the wolf size house cat that trots up to the arena. You've seen them before, in Suiqi!
Cont

>>6094159

That's one of the pets of the nobility that you kind of accidentally awakened and turned into a magical beast when you planted that giant ancient tree in the center of the city and dispelled the enchanted blizzard the winter blossoming sect had placed over it. And in the sea of voices, you can pick out their old owner's, who you guess is now their mama, cheering them on. An old, half senile old hag who spent most of her fortune on her pet cat, that you only know since you snatched her grandson's grudge directed towards the once harmless lap warmer when walking through the city not long before Xue Laohue attacked it....Thinking about it, that man is probably dead now. Even if he isn't, he's probably given up trying to take back his fortune from the cat since....well you'd probably kill him if he tried anything. On the principle of that cat being one of your subjects, of course.

"She's going to get slaughtered" You sigh, rubbing your temple to alleviate the headache you feel coming on as the chubby cat stomps into the ring, a long silk bow tied around her neck and a bow noted on her dust sweeper thick tail, sapphire blue eyes twinkling as her cream and brown sugar coat moved in the breeze while a very amused looking, thuggish seeming buddhist monk entered the arena her opposite

"Don't let your subject hear that, your majesty" Huofeng laughs, eyes twinkling "But, what are the stakes you put down, Huanliuxue?"

"Hmm, who knows, the pampered girl could surprise us" Shoushan mutters, but you can tell his heart isn't in it, and he's just trying to cheer you up

"I don't think I can look at this" You pout, shaking your head, trying to avoid thinking about the shame you're about to feel on behalf of your subject "And give me a moment to think about it, Damn! Greed is unbecoming of us sages, isn't it!"

"Well, it certainly is for Buddhists, but covetousness is unfortunately an all to common affliction amongst Daoists of this age" Shoushan chuckles, smiling warmly as Huofeng allows both comments slide off of his back like water on a duck's feathers

"On this we agree, brother Buddhist, too many of my peers forget themselves and forget the virtues of their predecessors, and seek only to provide for themselves without any concern for those whom their greed troubles and benights" He answers back seriously "But this is just a friendly little gamble, if I was greedy, I'd have asked our host to fly across the heavens and tear out that damn Ling Yongzheng's throat out like she did that empty headed brute Ling Meng"

"It shames my disciple greatly that he shares a name with that warhawk" the old man growls, blind eyes squinted in venomous fury, unbecoming of him as a Buddhist master "Though, when his time, I shall pray for him over his grave, like I did for the thug that blinded me, that found purpose in bullying the weak and hunting sinless children"
Cont

>>6094160

"It just annoys me, why do you humans have so few names" You mutter angrily, just thinking about the leader of the Ling and the dead and graveless Xue Laohue has ruined your good mood worse than knowing another housecat was walking into a humiliating defeat as you spoke "But, we can stop talking about that trash and save our breath for more important matters, I've decided on what I'll wager..."

Double vote

And what will you wager [Pick two]

>The crown of trapped sands and caged winds

>A massive pearl of Primordial beast essence

>Conditional access to the primordial basin

>Cosmic Cultivation Materials

>Pure Blood Qi!

>Prayer bead sealing artifact

>Ghost taming seal

>Jingyu!

>one drop of godly blood

>Xue Laohue's eyes

>A few hundred spirit stones

>A kiss

>One of your other treasures (Write in)

And what else do you do while the martial tournament progresses until its end, Huanliuxue?

>Decide to cheat, not so you win the bet, but so that other cat doesn't make an utter fool of herself and wins at least a match or two before dropping out

>Actually cheat so you win the bet! (Trickery Trial. DC 135. Ho or the gorilla. Bad Karma)

>Just watch and commentate on the matches, and secretly let a few other cultivators into the gamble, to increase your winnings if you win.

>Ask Huofeng about Ling hierarchy and this Ling Yongzheng. And who was the elder of theirs that the ogress beheaded

>Ask Shoushan if the buddhists have had any trouble from the Daoist sects in Chuan.

>Write in?

>>6094116
Also, the time when Huanliuxue met that guy, it was a good idea to disguise your sect when traveling since, you know, the Ling and Chuan sects were in open warfare until she made herself enough of a problem for them to very briefly join forces to try and kill her

Which went poorly, since they ran into Tiexingege and her literal army of giant, monstrous and armored ants + Jionghuagege and her kids+ massive impenetrable walls of thorns and flowers

>>6094163
>A few hundred spirit stones
>Ask Huofeng about Ling hierarchy and this Ling Yongzheng. And who was the elder of theirs that the ogress beheaded

>>6094163
>A few hundred spirit stones
>Conditional access to the primordial basin
I'm not really sure what prizes we have that would be of specific interest to these two, but my rationale is that a lot of the things on the list fall into one of two categories: they're either *only* useful to us (or to other heretics), or too high in strategic/overall value to give up. Xue Laohue's eyes, Jingyu, and the Primordial Beast essence are in the former category, while the God Blood, Cosmic Cultivation materials, and Pure Blood Qi are in the latter. Treasures are all well and good, but I feel like we have better uses for giving them to our disciples (Ping could probably benefit from the Ghost Taming Seal as a backup, or Siwang from the Crown of Caged Winds, since both practice related Dao). Of the remaining options, the money and access to the basin cost us the least.
>Ask Huofeng about Ling hierarchy and this Ling Yongzheng. And who was the elder of theirs that the ogress beheaded.
>Ask Shoushan if the buddhists have had any trouble from the Daoist sects in Chuan.
I do want to hear from both of them, but... I feel like one is slightly higher priority. Any information we can get about the Ling, and potential insights into how they operate are valuable, particularly considering we have a big raid planned in the near future, to fulfill our end of the bargain. We shouldn't slight Shoushan-- maybe ask to talk more once the tournament's over, since there are currently other things which require our attention.

>>6094163
>A kiss
>A few hundred spirit stones

>Ask Huofeng about Ling hierarchy and this Ling Yongzheng. And who was the elder of theirs that the ogress beheaded

>>6094214
Support

>>6094163
>>Prayer bead sealing artifact
>>Conditional access to the primordial basin

>Ask Shoushan if the buddhists have had any trouble from the Daoist sects in Chuan.

one for the monk, the other for everyone

>>6094163
>A kiss
>Pure blood Qi.

The others raised a sword and a cane. A kiss from us is worth either.

>are the Buddhists having trouble?
>Ling organisation structure.

>>6094212
Whoops just picked one prize so I'm changing to
>A few hundred spirit stones
AND
>Conditional access to the primordial basin

>Ask Huofeng about Ling hierarchy and this Ling Yongzheng. And who was the elder of theirs that the ogress beheaded

>>6094116
I figured It was him. Then I forgot and was rereading Swiangs diatribe where he attained human form and it struck me again.

Now. . How do we get into mischief with this.

>>6094163
>A kiss
>Cosmic Cultivation Materials

>Ask Huofeng about Ling hierarchy and this Ling Yongzheng. And who was the elder of theirs that the ogress beheaded
>Ask Shoushan if the buddhists have had any trouble from the Daoist sects in Chuan.

>>6094163
>>A few hundred spirit stones
>Pure Blood Qi!
These are the most inexpensive items for us.
we pump out blood qi
and spirit stones are spirit stones.

>Ask Huofeng about Ling hierarchy and this Ling Yongzheng. And who was the elder of theirs that the ogress beheaded
>Ask Shoushan if the buddhists have had any trouble from the Daoist sects in Chuan.
interested in these two

>>6094284
a kiss from us is priceless

>>6094224
>>6094284
>>6094312
Anons are you crazy?! These simple men couldn't stand a kiss from the Great Huanliuxue!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap3D1PZzjmQ

>>6094163
>A few hundred spirit stones
>Prayer bead sealing artifact

i thought on giving the Cosmic cultivation materials, but the least I wanna see if this being given to some cultivator and found out there's Eldritch demons on the space who could posses people who somehow has access to the cosmic cultivation (And of course, no strange space demon would try do something with Huan, because on my reasoning she got to space first, cultivated Cosmic, and then came down to Earth, but that's a concern I have)

The rest of stuff we have are truly priceless or with huge valor that I wouldn't like to throw away on a simple gamble like this. Also, does somebody remembers that one demon Lei had inside him? Is it time we make a little visit to check her out?

>>6094163
>A few hundred spirit stones
>Ghost taming seal
This is low stakes, so low stakes Item (though I cannot recall if we can make the seal or if I'm confusing it with the ghost sealing jars. If the later)
>Pure Blood Qi

>Ask Huofeng about Ling hierarchy and this Ling Yongzheng. And who was the elder of theirs that the ogress beheaded
>Ask Shoushan if the buddhists have had any trouble from the Daoist sects in Chuan.

>>6094163
>Pure Blood Qi!
>A kiss

>Ask Huofeng about Ling hierarchy and this Ling Yongzheng. And who was the elder of theirs that the ogress beheaded
>Ask Shoushan if the buddhists have had any trouble from the Daoist sects in Chuan.

File: 1662716794913100.jpg (329 KB, 1164x1174)

329 KB JPG

Ill tidings, Juniors. My grandfather's condition has worsened considerably, he suffered a stroke and isn't likely to live much longer. And seeing him in the condition he's in now, well, its is truly and deeply upsetting. I won't be able to write today, and will see if I'll recover in the morning

>>6095667
My deepest condolences, Grandfather. I hope that he lived a rich, full, life-- and that his memory will comfort you, even after his passing.

>>6095667
My heart goes out to you.
You don't have to force yourself to write for our sakes.

>>6094163
>A kiss
>A few hundred spirit stones

>Ask Shoushan if the buddhists have had any trouble from the Daoist sects in Chuan.

>>6095667
Rest well grandfather

>>6095667
Heaven be with ya Grandfather.
Reflect and enjoy what you have left.


>>6094391
For something else to focus on,
Outfits!

Fu got his.
But ping? Qiang? Feqing? What would they wear?!

I think, in my not so humble opinion, that Pings would go all in on the Buddhist angle, being a monk, our adorable spider tailor knows that, so maybe grey and white robes folded over the form, and a chain of chattering skulls over his chest, with some bowl hat thing.

That could be pretty cool

>>6095667
I fell for you when my grandparents passed away one by one it was tough. I cried I drank. Take some time off to morn brother it'll do you some good.

>>6095667
My condolences. I hope whatever time he has left is as painless as possible, and I hope you and your family are doing as well as can be expected.

>>6095667
Grandfather, rest.
The quest can be returned to, the departed cannot.

>>6095740
>>6095945
>>6095983
>>6096045
>>6096287
>>6096533
>>6096536
Just wanted to give my deepest, and most sincere thanks and appreciation for all these incredibly kind words and condolences you've given me, they mean a lot. I'm truly touched.

But I'm still reeling and coming to terms with what's happening to my grandfather, but I'm a lot better off than I was two days ago, so I can see the update on the horizon I just need to, as you all suggested, take a few days off to recover I think.

Writing this made me tear up, but I didn't want silence to be my only message to you guys. I really do appreciate you all, not just the shoulder and kindness you've lent me here, but that you've all been sticking around and participating in this quest for as long as you have and i mean that, from the deepest part of my heart

File: 1668526144281201.png (2.91 MB, 1328x2651)

2.91 MB PNG

My grandfather has passed, I'm still hurting, but not so bad that I can't write, and it might help distract me from my grief a little, so I'll end the vote and tally the result. Thank you all so much for your understanding and kind words

A few hundred spirit stones:8

A Kiss:5

Prayer bead sealing artifact:2

Conditional access to the primordial basin:4

Pure blood Qi.:4

Cosmic Cultivation Materials:1
___

Ask Huofeng about Ling hierarchy and this Ling Yongzheng. And who was the elder of theirs that the ogress beheaded:10

Ask Shoushan if the buddhists have had any trouble from the Daoist sects in Chuan.:9

So You will wager a few hundred spirit stones and a kiss, and ask Disi-Ling Huofeng about Ling hierarchy, their patriarch/ sect head and who exactly the ogress killed and Shoushan if your fellow daoists have been causing his fellow buddhists any trouble

Update will arrive shortly

>>6100535
May your grandfather have a bountiful afterlife, wherever he's gone to.

"A bit of wealth, and something truly priceless" You vaguely and playfully promise, rolling your wrist and waving your fingers as you try to ignore the shameful display of your fellow cat going on in the arena, which is drawn out by the hesitance and unwillingness of the oddly demure monk with a thug's brutish face to actually harm the chubby, overly pampered lap warmer of a white furred cat, who similarly extends her own humiliation by making use of the odd, almost supernatural seeming bursts of speed and athleticism the fattest of felines can tap into sometimes, that can even put the more fit of your kind to shame every now and again. Though, usually it is done in pursuit of dried fish or the most comfortable cushion in the house rather than escaping the unhappy and hesitant swings of a monk's rake.

"Oh?" Huofeng suddenly perks up, being similarly put out by the sad and sorry display in front of his eyes "Priceless you say? the mind boggles at what unknown treasures deserve such a descriptor given from the mouth of a brazen heretic who has peered upon all the wealth of the yellow springs"

Shoushan however, not tempted by greed or material possessions merely twitches one of his bushy eyebrows and flicks his eyes to glance at you blindly, his face stony and solemn

"I would not be so sure its value is a material thing" He muttered, as if he somehow caught up to the bold and perhaps a little shameless game you're playing

"Why it is worth more than any jewel found beneath the earth or under the heavens, and even the gods in heaven would clamor and fight over it" You brashly proclaim, waggling your fingers and pursing your lips, hoping that Huofeng will catch on. He just frowns, the innate greed of cultivators battling against his good sense and strong virtues, overwhelming it enough that he doesn't flinch at your blasphemous claim

"Is that so, is that so?" He says, as a yowl and hiss from the arena makes your fur stand up on end as the monk finally and mercifully ends the charade by simply startling the pampered pet with a loud shout, before gripping her by her scruff and pinning her immense, wobbling body to to the ground, where she, exhausted from running and hopping around, gives up with a defeated and tired sigh and....promptly falls asleep

Huofeng leans closer, eyes bright with the same greed that easily washed past Shoushan, intrigued by what it is you're offering, before his sense of humility and etiquette tempers his raging avarice.

"Though, I am merely risking a sword, and this old blind uncle a weathered walking stick, it wouldn't be right to accept such a heavy wager" He begins, looking away and composing himself and his posture to appear austere and dignified, stealing glances your way "Even if it is indeed a very fine, and well tested sword that I offer, quenched in the blood of those who were once both of our enemies, I'd feel a thief if I were to take a prize that'd inspire envy amongst the righteous deities and"

Cont

>>6100577

"Oh! Well, they'd only be so jealous if I was wearing this face when I gave it to them" You snicker, lean closer, pouting and making your lips plush, making them redder and more vivid with a little redirected blood flow, as Huofeng's eyes boggle and bulge, as he finally realizing what it is you're betting, and then his face turns as red as your hair!

"I imagine most of those sticks in the mud would rather fight not to be kissed by a "Demonic Beast" like me! But I've fooled one or two of them with this second face of mine" You cackle, sneering as he turns away, the blush burning to a deeper shade as it shoots down his neck and crawls up to the tips of his ears "And I know, just the sort of madness men would be driven to just to earn a chaste peck on their cheek from the beautiful and magnificent Me!"

"You...y..you" He stammers like a virgin boy when met face to face with Monu's bouncing twin peaks "This is...behavior, unbecoming of a..."

"Oh, so you're tempted, you cannot hide your hearts desires from me! I can see how it thumps and beats in excitement~" You purr, tittering as you lean ever closer as he winces and clenches his teeth

"I will, offer half the winning pot to nephew Huofeng" Shoushan giggles, eyes narrowed in a very feline fashion "To show the generosity of my temple, and faithfulness to the Buddha's teachings"

"This is not the buddha's teachings!" Huofeng roars, slamming his fist on the arm "And you, do you have no shame, Lady Huanliuxue! This wager is even more outrageous than I imagine"

You frown, and remember something your mother mentioned off handedly once, when talking about men.

"Oh~" You tease, leaning back and feigning shock "You're unmarried! Aren't you, Sir Huofeng!"

He remains silent

"Ohoho, I think it is worse than that, friend" Shoushan begins, and then Huofeng's eyes shoot and glare at him murderously, razor sharp as a wave of killing intent washes over the playful old master

"Don't you dare" Huofeng threatens, and Shoushan smiles a knowing smile as you try to and work out why exactly he got angrier at his teasing than your own, and tap your chin a few times, before speaking the first thought that comes to mind

"You're a virgin!" You declare, and Huofeng clasps his one good hand over your mouth, eyes pleading and face redder than fresh spilt blood. And you have no idea why he's so ashamed. You've never mated before, and you aren't ashamed of that fact, if anything, it'd probably add to your allure, that supposed purity, not that you give a damn

"Let us speak of other matters" He pleads, Shoushan trying hard not to laugh as you continue wondering why it is men would care if they haven't lain with a woman. Feiqing was also oddly sad for a few days when he, on principle, refused those nice tribal ladies who wanted to court him, Lei and Ping. And that randy tiger prince gained his intellect through how successful he was at breeding. So it has to be a pride thing, right?
Cont

>>6100578

"Very well" You say, pushing his arm away and stopping yourself from twisting his wrist to pay him back for covering your mouth "How about...how the Ling clans are organized"

He sighed deeply in relief, his shoulders relaxing immediately as he practically collapsed back into his seat

"A very standard sect hierarchy, though, as fruitful as the Ling bloodline is, it is an extended hierarchy. The lesser branches, such as my own, are structured in much the same way as the main branch. A grandmaster, advised by a council of elders. The younger branches obey their seniors. I am of the fourth family" He calmly begins, casually selling the secrets of his kin "In the lower branches, the elders are simply chosen as they are in most sects, for their wisdom and profound cultivation. The main ling family however differs, in that the only way to become an elder, is to surpass the previous holder of the holder of their symbol of office, a multicolored jade mask, similar to the ones granted to the heads of branch families such as myself"

"And the ogress killed one of them?" You ask curiously, wondering if this means the elders aren't worth their weight in jade or the years they've lived

"Treacherous bitch killed her teacher, the fool thought her tamed with the bloodshed she was allowed to commit, and divulged the secrets of his cultivation method. When the Qi of heaven and earth become unusually dense for a fortnight, he attempted to ascended beyond golden core, expelling all of his Qi and becoming as a mortal man, a weakness of his chosen path of cultivation. Somehow, she disguised her killing intent, and cut him down" He explains venomously, eyes dark and brooding "The old, arrogant fool did not heed to the warnings of his superior, and took a risk with a wolf slavering behind him, so he died, and that brute ran off with his mask and sword. And hasn't stopped killing since, from what I've heard"

"Ling do seem to court their own deaths" You muse, sighing as you rest your chin on the back of your hand and recline in your throne. Huofeng smirks at the remark

"He was the head of the elders, the crimson mask wearer, the most profound master of the fire aligned technique of the Guardians of celestial sunlight, besides of course the young master Yongzheng" He continues on without showing any sign of outrage or piqued rage "He had tried to temper the unrefined blade of Yaonan, and was devoured by the relic of the mortal branch for his troubles. But he was the worst of his era, haughty, prideful, contemptuous. I do not mourn him, and yes, he did court death, thinking this was an age old men with their heads stuck in the past could flourish"
Cont

>>6100579

"My my, what venom! Maybe I should take some of it and turn it into the base of a Gu poison" You cackle, as you lift your eyes up, to see that the gorilla is fighting a somewhat fairer match now, against a heavily armored fighter who uses two, spiked shields like gauntlets on his hand, and you pause for a moment to watch them fight, each of them throwing punches that would snap lesser opponents in half or pierce them through with those nasty looking spikes on their shields

"And Yongzheng" You mutter, not really thinking as you watch the gorilla slam on of his hands on the ground and use it as a lever to lift himself off the ground and spin around mid air, slamming the armored fighter with the length of his arm, sending him sprawling on the ground "What do you know of him"

"The son of a god" Huofeng answers, sounding a little shaken, but that makes your ears perk up "The previous head of the Ling clan and the guardians of celestial sunlight sect, ascended to divinity"

"He fucking what now?" You balk, hands clenching and nails, turning partially to claws, carving through the arms of your throne as you nearly leap out of it

"Ling Dàshī-Huǒyàn (Great Master Flame, art name, 大师-火焰)" Shoushan bitterly interjected "A renowned hunter of demons and beasts and heretics, deified as the warden of mountain paths, a martial god, and stable-keeper of the head martial god, the red star general, the groom of his thundering steeds, and carrier of his quiver"

"He is the last known cultivator to attain immortality, and to be welcomed to the celestial courts. His is a legendary tale" Huofeng answers respectfully, nodding solemnly as you find you're clawing the arms of your throne to splinters "Yongzheng, is expected to join him in the heavens. Before your sudden arrival, he was considered the greatest genius of cultivation known in several generations, not just within the Ling clan, but across all of the expansive world known to us intrepid immortality seekers"

"His father was letch and a cheat at dice" Shoushan grumbled "I am old enough to remember the buddhists he swindled, one of them was my own master's master"

"Well, the heavens don't interfere" You state to comfort and stop yourself from worrying about some god that would very much like to interfere with and end your life, for various reasons "How strong is Yongzheng, he can't be that powerful if he's a genius by orthodox standards"

"He is the last known cultivator to attain Nascent Soul state" Huofeng says weakly, paling "He is in the early stages, but, nascent souls are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. He is simply too arrogant to walk amongst us lesser beings, and only speaks to his direct lineage and elders."
Cont

>>6100581

You keep quiet, but quietly curse yourself for not gathering more information about who you were picking a fight with before promising to fight them in a couple of seasons worth of time, and Huofeng for not mentioning the pertinent detail of your opponent being at the pinnacle of the modern era of cultivation....Wait

"What quality was the golden core he formed?" You ask slyly

"It was graded to be of divine quality, in the lower levels of the mythical first quality of golden cores," He says slowly as a vicious grin spreads across your lips "I believe, he is one of a handful of golden core cultivators to have a core higher than tier four"

"Is that so? And he could just be an upper end second tier" You answer back, worries forgotten as a triumphant smirk graces your fair features

"I've met him. It is of lower quality than yours" Huofeng plainly admits "That is why I've courted your alliance. I couldn't imagine fighting and winning against that monster, without another walking catastrophe on my side"

"Is that all you intend" Shoushan accuses, and Huofeng looks away, ears a cute shade of pink again

"Oh stop teasing him! You buddhists are supposed to be getting along" You say as the flying monk Xiang, with a loud, shrill war cry, flips one of his fellow monks out of the ring and into the first row of the stands "And, speaking of our inter-faith relations, you haven't been getting bullied by any mean daoists have you?"

"We have been welcomed by the mortal populace of Chuan, and your worshippers accept us, because we too give offerings and gratitude to the divine guardian they believe you to be" He answers happily, sipping on his tea "The common folk accept us, because we perform charity, the nobility accept us, because the Lord Chuan has a mind as open as his heart and endorses debates of a philosophical and mystical nature. And none of your kind of daoist, the cultivators of spiritual energy and seekers of immortality, have done much more than pick and lose fights. I think, seeing how we conducted ourselves in war, and the friendship of a someone who they know could crush them on a whim like men do with beetles, has them cowed and tamed. So no, we haven't been bullied, and we've even found sponsors and friends from some of the like minded sects"

"I heard the eight heavenly gates sect is counted amongst them, and the white jade devil opposing army" Huofeng remarks as you all watch Shidi Li grapple with a similar large, and muscled man, after Ho had made a mockery of a storied spear dancer by simply sliding under his thrust and pounding his fist into his groin

"And the innocent witch court, our vows of chastity makes them more cordial than they are to other men" Shoushan chuckles good naturedly, as he tilts his head and winces, as Shidi Li bites into the shoulder of his opponent, which makes even you wince. Human teeth aren't meant for that!
Cont

>>6100582

"There's only a few more rounds left, funny how quickly so many competitors, numbering in the hundreds, are reduced to a handful" Huofeng remarks "And all of our favorites to win are yet in the running"

"We all have good eyes for talent" You remark and Shoushan feigns offence at your words

"Exciting isn't it?" He adds after the three of you laugh about his little gag "Not just the contest of hundreds, but the fact our instincts are being tested and weighed"

"Yes, finding out which of us will be right will be exciting" Huofeng says, avoiding your gaze as he rubs the stump of his missing arm, as Chuanmao grabs his opponent, a wielder of a three section whip, by the legs and takes them on a ride across the ring, spinning them around and around to the delight of the crowd, which prepares the ground for Maozhuaban's bout against a woman with a peculiar physique and two sabers about as larger as she is tall

"A contest of instinct, is it? I'm sure to win" You brag, fluttering your eyelashes as you relax and wait to see who will win in the end. But well, you can't relax. Talking to Huofeng about his bastard family has brought new troubles and worries to your mind, and you can't sit still. Tapping your foot, you look for an outlet of this nervous energy.

What do you do, Huanliuxue?

>Just meditate and squash your fears. You're huanliuxue! You've made fools of gods and have someone who could probably eat the dipshit Young Master Ling alive as your bodyguard!

>Ask Huofeng what exactly is Yaonan's problem, and how dangerous he thinks she is, not letting slip that she is "Technically" an ally of yours

>Mention your suspicions of the Ling connection with the beast stampede

>Decide that teasing Huofeng will distract you from the fact you'll be fighting a nascent soul level opponent by winter

>Start playing Ghost Empress melody to keep your hands occupied

>Ask Shoushan how old he actually is

>Write in


>>6100538
Thank you for your kind words, junior, they're worth more than jade in my eyes

>>6100535
Condolences
>>6100584
>Mention your suspicions of the Ling connection with the beast stampede

>>6100535
RIP

>>6100584
>>Ask Shoushan how old he actually is

>>6100584
>Tell them about crow king. Time for round 2 realm kill

>>6100584
Maybe rest well and welcome back.

>Mention your suspicions of the Ling connection with the beast stampede

Could think about using a drop of gods blood as a weapon. It's a pretty far realm gap so we'll need to reach a higher stage and train.

>>6100584
>Ask Huofeng what exactly is Yaonan's problem, and how dangerous he thinks she is, not letting slip that she is "Technically" an ally of yours
>Mention your suspicions of the Ling connection with the beast stampede

>>6100535
>Ask Huofeng what exactly is Yaonan's problem, and how dangerous he thinks she is, not letting slip that she is "Technically" an ally of yours

>>6100584
>Decide that teasing Huofeng will distract you from the fact you'll be fighting a nascent soul level opponent by winter

>>6100622
Gods blood sc for consumption is 180 and failure injures us.

But consuming it would skyrocket our carmine mysticism. If it works. Maybe look into finding conditions to make it easier? Dilute the hit with seas of lesser blood. . Or the blood of the sea monster we killed? It's blood was divine and pure. Might be a method.

Other leveling fields. Sunkiller beastly evolution. That would massively fix the odds in our favour.

Other beastly evolutions would be weaker for our purposes but just as fine. But I do urge everyone to remember we have 9 total evolutions. And we already have 2.

Drugs, artifacts, maybe train our cosmic qi further.
This isn't including the time it takes to train our sect.

But oh boy. Guys. We are facing and ENTIRE REALM DIFFERENCE.

Aren't you fucking excited!

>>6100873
Remember we have a double roll bonus if meditating/training blood (and other things). Might be a good time to eat the god blood. Turn it into a nice little think session to see exactly what it does in our gut.

>>6100880
doesnt mean we cant take steps to make it more palatable. maybe shove it in some of our remaining natural moon dew in a sealed vial then letting it rest in a nice grave to make it attune some to our foundations.

>>6100880
I DID consider that actually. it would be legitimately insane.

but I'm really hesitant. the odds of success [of rolling 180 with 2d10 and 5 tries] are 2.31% If we can lower the DC somehow I'll be much more confident. Really, using this now IS one of our very best options, just. . . grah!

156 is the last number with a 10% chance straight up. so if we can knock 30 off the number somehow.

>>6100930
I have been informed my maths is wrong.

with the 5 tries it is actually 11% or so.

. . . still want to lower it tho.

>>6100933
Don't we have a shitton of bonuses saved up?

>>6100934
fortitude trial, not training trial.
bonuses don't apply. But once we pass the fort trial, we're getting stonks bonuses.

>>6100535
: (

My condolances OP, I wish you the best, and hope the best for your family as well.

>>6100584
>>Mention your suspicions of the Ling connection with the beast stampede
Possibly very valuable information
>Decide that teasing Huofeng will distract you from the fact you'll be fighting a nascent soul level opponent by winter
funny

>>6100584
>Ask Huofeng what exactly is Yaonan's problem, and how dangerous he thinks she is, not letting slip that she is "Technically" an ally of yours

>>6100930
But that sort of hesitation is exactly what forces us to court doom!

Not hitting the DC will "only" result in an injury (our last curse was the result of a large amount of injuries). We could be long past this and be fully healed if only we had taken the chance to make the best of this delicious, divine blood. The opponents are becoming stronger and stronger: this Ling won't be the last (the Ogress still is around), there are some fallen gods on earth and sooner or later some proper gods's defenses will need to be tested by us. Boosted Carmine Mysticism would also have supported us strongly in our past fight against our latest ghostly follower.

The heavens must fall (or be restructured), else the great injustice against Ascended Beasts will persist. They know we are after them and work on countermeasures - we musn't loiter. Any time-intense action that doesn't make us or our sect stronger is detrimental. (I see this current tournament as being very strengthening for our sect, so no complaints about what we are currently doing)

>>6100927
Yeah dilute it with moon dew and hit that shit on the moon! That's Huan level crazy alchemy!

Ending the vote, tallying its result now. Had a pretty rough day yesterday, that involved drinking and me bleeding from my head at the end of it.

Mention your suspicions of the Ling connection with the beast stampede: 4

Ask Shoushan how old he actually is:1

Tell them about crow king. Time for round 2 realm kill:1

Ask Huofeng what exactly is Yaonan's problem, and how dangerous he thinks she is, not letting slip that she is "Technically" an ally of yours:3

Decide that teasing Huofeng will distract you from the fact you'll be fighting a nascent soul level opponent by winter:2

So you will air out your suspicions that the Ling might have something to do with the beast wave to Shoushan and Disi-Ling Huofeng

Update will arrive shortly

>>6100587
>>6100598
>>6100622
>>6101003
Thank you all for your kind words


>>6100937
Correct

Folding your hands one over the other, you stop tapping your foot and ponderously lift your leg up to cross it over the other as you breath in deeply and cleanse your mind of worry as you relax your shoulders and back and practically melt into your throne, watching as the favorites to win the martial contest begin running into each other as the herd is thinned enough for only the truly talented or lucky to enter the ring, the crowd's roar adding a comforting din that oddly silences your fretful and worrying thoughts. But, with your thoughts still dominated by the Ling, even if you've forcefully torn them from the man that no matter how hard you try to come up with a demeaning or belittling moniker for, you can't help but view and think of him as the Ling threat, a thought that you had once.

After that sham of a trial, when you were gossiping with the old toadies and somewhat bright elders of the other sects of Chuan, making acquaintance who desperately wanted to be counted in the privileged few you call your friends, and the discussion turned toward the beast wave consuming the other former provinces of the now defunct empire. You suspected the Ling had something to do with it, since it started on their side of the border, in their backyard, and there have been no signs of it affecting them like it has the other orphaned provinces. And what's more, where the stampede supposedly began, was right behind the last position of the mortal army of Chuan before they followed their lord back when you summoned him so he could meet his "Household deity" and "Divine protector" face to face. And just like you thought then, you can't help but to think that it is all a little too convenient for the Dogs to lay in a bed and not have fleas when everyone who touches their pelt get at least a few in their robe.

You just didn't have any proof or evidence besides the fact the Ling have proven themselves to be selfish, self absorbed bastards who despite how righteously they act and claim to be, practice techniques that make the worst of what you practice seem terribly tame and harmless, and the way it had transpired certainly made it look like they were trying to set your innocent and gentle self up as the next supreme devil mind.

And while you still don't have any evidence or have heard back from Monu and the rest after you sent them to search for proof or at least a sign of what caused it if it somehow wasn't the Ling getting up to their usual tricks and backstabbing nearly the entire world of cultivation all at once to just save a little face and shield themselves from the beating they well deserve, you can't shake the feeling that you don't really need proof to start throwing out accusations. Since, who else could've done it, really?
Cont

>>6101829

You just didn't want to seem stupid or get a reputation of being a vengeful woman or spiteful little girl, by bringing it right after you'd cleared your name and managed to get pardoned for the crimes you actually did commit, Heh-Heh. And to a crowd of daoists who still think the Ling are truly righteous

"Huofeng, Shoushan, what I am about to say, is merely suspicion, but ever since I heard of that beast stampede terrorizing the rest of the world outside of Chuan, I've suspected I know who the culprit is" You venture slowly, looking at both their faces several times, steeling glance to make sure they don't think you're being ridiculous or rambling like a lunatic. Though, considering your Moon based abilities, you may be the only true Lunatic beneath the heavens

"Mmm, yes, I to have my own theories, though I have not mentioned them in the company of Daoists" Shoushan mutters, wincing as Shidi Li takes a full strength gorilla punch straight to the stomach and is forced to his knees, the ape furious after he'd cut his brow and broken one of his fangs with the pommel of his guandao "As some are so prideful, they take an accusation against their peers as a denouncement of themselves, and I learned my lesson of tempting the ire of daoists long ago"

"You're looking at me warily, Huanliuxue, I suspect then, that I already should know whom both of you suspect of committing such an atrocity as to unleash a beast wave upon the world and its mortal realms" Huofeng says quietly, but not angrily, his tone tempered and low, as he crosses his arms and leans back into his own chair "Who would embrace villainy and commit such great evil for their own benefit alone"

"The Ling" you and Shoushan say nearly in unison, his voice ringing out a little after your own

"I agree they are duplicitous and arrogant fools, and have tarnished their name and reputation" Huofeng interrupts, a hand held up as Shidi Li makes the gorilla work for his victory, giving the dawn pink furred brute the first actual challenge he's faced in the whole of the tournament, but its clear that Li is one his last legs, but that he lasted so long and drew so much blood speaks of his martial talent and raw strength. Hell, if you had to measure them against one another, in terms of physical power and prowess, the distance between him and the gorilla would be closer to a trench than a cliff

"However" He continues, tilting his head as he watches Shidi Li counter a gorilla punch by biting into the knuckles, the force of the blow still knocking him out for around three seconds "It is rather shameless to level such a dire accusation even against the worst of them, our region has been less affected by the stampede, this is true. But to make the leap of logic from our good fortune to the main branch conspiring, through some demonic pact or unknown ritual, to spark a beast wave, is brazen and the act of cheeky brats"
Cont

>>6101831

Shoushan smirked, you glared, but he held up a hand, beseeching the both of you to let him keep speaking as Shidi Li continues his defiant struggle against the gorilla for longer than you expected him to, going so far as to actually grapple with the massive ape and push him back towards the edge of the ring.

"If you do not have solid, irrefutable evidence pointing to them being the architects of this ongoing disaster devastating all lands. Since it would be easier to accuse you, Huanliuxue, of being the cause, even if in Chuan and amongst my followers, it is known you'd never be so petty and thoughtless to unleash such a rampage" He continues on "You expel a steady stream of primordial beast essence, and it is now known beasts attaining a human form cause a burst of the same energy. A skilled orator could easily lay blame at you and your kinds feet"

"Siwang could walk them like a dog needing to take a piss in the street" You snort back, shaking your head "And isn't it just a little too fortunate, that your lands have avoided the worst of the stampede, that it began, right after it came to light I had friends and allies in the locale daoist temples? That the people of Chuan supported me, that an army of buddhists marched at...well"

You smile and turn to Shoushan, grinning brightly as you pat his wrinkly arm lovingly

"Not command, but for my benefit" You chirp happily as you twist your neck around to look at Huofeng again, still grinning widely "I can't even call it a coincidence, with how good the timing of it would be for the Ling Clan and their toadies. Think about it, I'm a threat and it was clear I wasn't one that could be snuffed out as easily as it'd be to wave a lit stick of incense"

"I cannot argue with that, but you lack context. What I said, is what others in the lands of my birth accuse you of, they think you the mastermind behind it all, think the Chuan sects have thrown in their lot with a demonic beast and turned down a demonic path" He explains levelly, eyes locked with your own "That all of the province has become a hive of villainy, lead by a false king and prophet, that the land itself has become haunted and the playground of cruel spirits and maleficent devils, and many speak of winds reeking of blood and rot wafting from the once peaceable land of a thousand rivers. Similarly, I've found those in Chuan do not realize we too have suffered and bled, even if the beast wave mercifully passed by our lands. People speak rumor when they do not know fact, I mean no offense but...."
Cont

>>6101832

"Oh I didn't realize I was so famous already" you jokingly bark back, idly twirling a lock of your hair as Shidi Li is finally knocked out by the fifth in a series of stone breaking head butts delivered to his skull by the now enraged gorilla, who holds his bested foe's unconscious body over his head, either showboating or trying to honor him in some way only apes do "The difference between the similarity of what we say in Chuan and what they say elsewhere is that they are ignorant, I know just how low Ling can stoop. They'd lick a pig's ass and you can't deny that"

"I wouldn't put it in so crude a terms" Huofeng chuckles "I know my extended family tree, they have shown their vileness to me, they're kin slayers and think themselves too mighty to make mistakes, too arrogant to recognize their own folly. But, I cannot believe they'd be so treacherous as to manufacture a beast wave, for pride's sake alone. Do either of you have proof, or is it just your, admittedly well placed, mistrust in my overly haughty cousins?"

Shoushan lifts up his hand but falls victim to a coughing fit, as you comb through your mind as it frantically races to try to find something more watertight than "I just don't trust that clan of dogfuckers to not pick the worst or most reprehensible option when a choice needs to be made"

"I..*Hack* *wheeze" Shoushan starts, tears in his eyes "Know...*Cough* an old story, a myth"

"Speak quickly" Huofeng pleasantly asks of both of you"The next fight is Maozhuaban and Chuanmao, and I will be too distracted cheering on my favorite to hear any claims you may make"

What do you do, Huanliuxue

>Tell him the Ling are descend from the supreme Devil mind, and practice techniques that make outright demonic cultivation seem innocent and cute, bringing up the soul killing fire Yaonan threw out at you

>Present him the account given by your ancestor, the first beast betrayed at the start of the five wise immortal sages coup!

>Make a case that the main branch ling are just naturally rotten, providing examples with Yaonan, Meng, And the actions of Yongzheng, in accusing the winter blossoming sect of murdering the assassins you killed and trying to force his own clan and sect to be their sacrificial pawns

>Let Shoushan speak first, smacking his back to help him with his cough

>Admit you don't have proof that they caused the beast stampede, but hope your disciples will find in their investigation of the stampede

>Weave a tale that is woven purely out of horseshit and falsehoods (Persuasion/ Trickery trial. DC variable, can gain a bonus if you provide a believable write in)

>Write in

>>6101835
>Present our ancestors account.
>Slap the old monks back.

>I have deeper proof. But that can wait until we heal your arm.

>>6101835
>Tell him we never said we had proof and called it a suspicion since the start, and that we have our disciples investigating the matter as we speak.

>>6101835
>Write-in
>Do I have direct proof no. But we can consider the benefits and negatives of such an action in what they could gain.
>Namely attacking my name and putting the fear of beast into people again.
>Making my allies distance themselves if they frame me for such a thing.
>And as a fountain of primordial beast essence awaken animals wouldn't act in such a manner unless provoked. As they would just start understanding the world. For a sudden wave to appear out of nowhere? And with them no doubt of such low cultivation level. The Ling could easily kill such a wave with a few foundation-level experts if they wanted to show a strength of force.
>However I know of a similar scheme from the WBS that used a heretical cultivator to frame me for my assassins death and mainly ignored the twisted bastard.
>Simply with their inaction speaks of scheming and the question then becomes how dare I say warding them off and more how are they controlling them.
>And I have a theory that could explain such a scenario, however, to speak it would upend the orthodox world as we know it. Especially the Ling, and then I ask myself if it would be worth the chaos from such words.
No doubt an orthodox schism would happen, and the war with the WBS would be just a kitty fight compared to it.
Rivers would be dyed blood, and mortals would weep as cultivators raise the land, sea and sky.

The question becomes in the end to let the world live in ignorance of the past or tell them what really happened.

Laugh and smile asking if they want to know such a truth. Give them an options of yes or no. Afterall it's a really juicy tale.

>>6101835
>Let Shoushan speak first, smacking his back to help him with his cough

I wanna hear this

>>6101813
Take care QM

>>6101835
>>Let Shoushan speak first, smacking his back to help him with his cough
>Present him the account given by your ancestor, the first beast betrayed at the start of the five wise immortal sages coup!
do NOT drop the supreme devil mind point here.
Also we've seen the ling use "unorthodox forbidden" techniques relating to the soul.

>>6101835
>>Let Shoushan speak first, smacking his back to help him with his cough
>We'll say our piece later. Maybe when we fix his arm.
I'm curious. Maybe Shoushan's myth will be an ancient truth we already know?

>>6101835
>Weave a tale that is woven purely out of horseshit and falsehoods (Persuasion/ Trickery trial. DC variable, can gain a bonus if you provide a believable write in)

Ending the vote, tallying its result now.

Present him the account given by your ancestor, the first beast betrayed at the start of the five wise immortal sages coup!:2

Let Shoushan speak first, smacking his back to help him with his cough:4

I have deeper proof, but that can wait until we heal your arm/We'll say our piece later. Maybe when we fix his arm.: 2

Tell him we never said we had proof and called it a suspicion since the start, and that we have our disciples investigating the matter as we speak.:1

Do I have direct proof no...etc:1

Weave a tale that is woven purely out of horseshit and falsehoods :1

So you'll let Shoushan speak, slapping his back to help the old monk with his cough

Update will arrive shortly

>>6101880
Thank you. I'm trying junior, but some days are harder than others in terms of grief.

Realizing with a start and gasp that Shoushan won't be able to speak at all before Huofeng is distracted by the upcoming match, you swiftly take action, and with all the gentleness you can muster with a body as refined and powerful as your own, restricting and sealing the strength in your arm, you give the incredibly elderly monk a few pats on the back as delicate and soft as a kitten's purr and as gentle as your own footsteps. He winces and coughs a few more time, lifting up the sleeve of his robe and snorting in through his nose before he shamelessly hacks up a wad of phlegm and mucus, taking in a deep breath and looking greatly relieved, placing a gracious hand on your shoulder as he turns to the now very concerned looking Huofeng.

"A cup of tea before you tell your tale?" The daoist to the right of you offers the Buddhist to the left of you, and Shoushan nods, smiling appreciatively as Huofeng pours him a fresh draught of steaming green tea, which the elderly monk takes a long gulp from before setting down the cup and adjusting his posture, taking in another deep breath as you settle him into his seat and sit, half crouched and cat like upon your throne, waiting to listen to the legend he has to share and how it may prove the Ling's involvement with the beast stampede.

"From a time when men and beasts were kindred, long before the separation of heaven and earth, and further yet from the day daoists outlawed the existence of speaking animals and declared them Yaoguai and the product of so called demonic cultivation" He begins, as scratching post and Boat Cat's match begins with a loud gong ring, and you shift in your seat, getting as comfortable as your human body can be when you've decided to lounge like you were in your original, cat body "Long, long ago. When talking animals were not as common as they are now, but not as rare as they once were. One of the first of their kind, brought up and raised by a daoist sage, when there was less understanding than there is now about their nature, but more than there once was"

He nods solemnly, thoughtfully before taking another gulp of tea and rubbing his throat.

"Though they were adored by their peers and praised by their seniors, theirs was a lonely existences, they knew no other beast that could talk, and though they could forsake their fur to walk amongst them, they felt they were amongst strangers. So, they sought out the guidance of the few beasts that were like them" He continued on "And by recommendation of the first of their number to cultivate, the bull sage, they were given a letter of recommendation to visit an earthly deity of the forge, who, gave her nine trials, to be accepted as their student"

"And this myth connects to the present beast wave how?" Huofeng urges, eyes shifting towards the arena below

"For a man older than me, who intends to spend centuries in the singular pursuit of immortality, you are quiet impatient" Shoushan snaps, stricking his walking stick on the ground

>>6103165

"A thousand pardons, old master, but I do not see what this myth is supposed to teach me, and how it is meant to convince me to share your suspicions of my black hearted cousins" He states as you perk up

"Its the story of the creation of an artifact. The names of the actors and the details have been forgotten to history, but what is remembered, is that a beast like me made a treasure to solve her loneliness" You state, as if it were the truth, when its really just a wild guess, and Shoushan nods approvingly, so you pump your first triumphantly and flash a smug smirk Huofeng's way

"More or less. She passed the trials, what they were, what the forge god asked of her, are long forgotten, and became his pupil" He continues on "And how she came to alleviate her loneliness, and produce children of her own and spread the range of magical beasts, is a story that is better remembered. The part of the myth that matters to you, my impatient friend, is of the failures she experienced on the road there. A curio she formed, early on in her apprentice ship, a shape-shifting dagger, that she imbued a shard of her own beast core into, in the hopes it could be used to transform other beasts forcefully and make them awaken as she had"

Huofeng frowns, and Shoushan lifts up his cane.

"A dagger, whose history was once well record, in both Buddhist and Daoist texts. That, once she abandoned it in disgust at seeing all it could do was turn beasts into monsters that resembled true magical beasts, under the command of the treasure's wielder, fell into the hands of villains whose names have been scourged from history, but whose deeds may still be remembered by your people, even with the censorship and burning of your histories" He explains, tapping his cane a few times on the ground, and smiling as he strays from the topic to tell Huofeng "Oh, it seems Maozhuaban has beaten his brother in arms and faith"

"Excellent, next is your flying monk and Huanliuxue's chicken farmer, yes?" Huofeng chuckles, and you sit up a bit straighter in your seat at hearing that

"I think so, but as I was saying, the dagger's existence and place in history, is well recorded, more so in the temples of my faith" Shoushan starts again "And I could tell you of the many warlords, ambitious souls and monstrous devils who wielded it, as well as the few times it was used heroically, to prove its existence, but I can share with you the accounts of it I've gathered secretly. What matters is, the last time it appeared. In the hands of"

he lifts up his cane from dramatic effect

"A Ling!" He declares with a theatric swinging of his walking stick "A ling, who I know you share blood with! As he is the root of the Ling clan still present beneath the heavens! A ling who used the knife to fight the supreme devil mind"
Cont

>>6103166

Shoushan paused them and turned to you, though it took you you nearly a minute to notice, as you were busy watching Xiang and Ho fight, a fight that wasn't going in the chicken farmer's favor, as the monk leapt over his head and walloped him on the back with his long staff, but the gangly man you were rooting for to win had a cunning look in his eyes. A look you've seen before, and have worn before. He was focusing on learning how his opponent moved and calculating his speed and trajectory. Treating the incredibly skilled fighting monk like he were a common hen and he were a fox hunting it.

"Do you have anything to add, Huanliuxue? Surely, you know more of this part of the story than I do, like, for instance, how the Ling came into possession of the dagger, and from whom he inherited from" Shoushan respectfully asked, head bowed, and you realized immediately why he did. He knew you knew that the Supreme devil Mind and Ling Wucai were wife and husband, and could guess that the Ling he spoke of got the dagger from his mother...or would it be their grandfather? You had no way of telling, but he was giving you a chance to blow Huofeng's mind with the revelation that he and all Ling were descend from the Supreme Devil Mind as well as the five colors emperor.

You pondered what he expects you to say, and briefly forgot about the chance he offered you, when, suddenly, Ho reached out and grabbed hold of Xiang's ankle as he vaulted over him, and using the natural momentum of his fall, slammed the agile buddhist hard into the ground, and tied one end of the rope he liked fighting around his mid-section. And also took the chance to pull a short blade from his belt. Now the grounded Xiang frantically blocked his rather merciless assault of downward stabs and pommel strikes.

And, you knew, that the monk Shoushan bet one wasn't going to get back his advantage of mobility, and Ho was going to win in eight....no, seven! moves

What do you decided to do, Huanliuxue?

>Admit that you actually don't know as much as shoushan is acting like you do, but that the Ling ancestor he's speaking of probably got it from the supreme devil mind herself, before she went crazy. Oh, and that the Ling descend from both her and the five color emperor.

>Pretend to know exactly as much as he claims you do, and tell Huofeng that in your studies to reclaim the lost past of your people, you found out a lot of scandalous information about the Supreme devil mind, The Ling clan, and how they're connected and the five wise immortal sages usurped the heavens. And like Shoushan, you have proof to back up these claims.

>Tell Shoushan you actually don't know more than he does, and let him finish talking about the dagger, giving up your chance to soil the Ling legacy

>Sigh and just take the account of the first betrayed beast out of your dimensional gourd and unfurl it.

>Shake your head, wave him off, and focus on Ho and Xiang's fight!

>Write in

>>6103168
>Reveal that his family is related to the great sage ling. Who is son to the five colour emperor. . . Born from his marriage to the Supreme devil mind. And I have proof I can share, but I do not recommend you tell the rest of your sect this truth.

>>6103168
>>Sigh and just take the account of the first betrayed beast out of your dimensional gourd and unfurl it.
This right here is a good bypass.

>>6103166
>>6103202
+1
Oh so my theory was right. Well. It's time to blow his mind might as well rip off the banaid. Also congratulate him on being distantly related to a cat.

>>6103149
My only unsolicited advice is that grief is like a tide. It'll come and go as it pleases and likely will for a long time as well. So don't fight against it, let it pass however it may. Take your time and express yourself as you need to. There's nothing shameful about feeling.

>>6103168
>Sigh and just take the account of the first betrayed beast out of your dimensional gourd and unfurl it.

>>6103168
>Sigh and just take the account of the first betrayed beast out of your dimensional gourd and unfurl it.

Feels to me like such a truth bomb needs more of a setup.
(Also it seems the monk met his match in the idiot savant huh, but I still think this chiken farming genius will come short against the gorilla, who would have lost against the monk if their match came earlier like a game of rock paper scissor.)

>>6103168

>Sigh and just take the account of the first betrayed beast out of your dimensional gourd and unfurl it.

Don't know if I've said it before but we definitely need to recruit "cluck around and find out" Ho

>>6103202
+1

>>6100581
>"Ling Dàshī-Huǒyàn (Great Master Flame, art name, 大师-火焰)" Shoushan bitterly interjected "A renowned hunter of demons and beasts and heretics, deified as the warden of mountain paths, a martial god, and stable-keeper of the head martial god, the red star general, the groom of his thundering steeds, and carrier of his quiver"
I might be reaching, but during our trip to the heavens, we’re perhaps shot by this guy?
>>6103168
>Sigh and just take the account of the first betrayed beast out of your dimensional gourd and unfurl it.

>>6103772
Given his titles he might have actually been the one on guard of the martial god estate and the one who cut off Huan's arms.

>>6104428
Okay, so either way we have a reason to kick his ass for revenge.

File: 1712377838097310.png (19 KB, 400x600)

19 KB PNG

Ending and tallying the vote now.

Reveal that his family is related to the great sage ling. Who is son to the five colour emperor. . . Born from his marriage to the Supreme devil mind. And I have proof I can share, but I do not recommend you tell the rest of your sect this truth.:3

Sigh and just take the account of the first betrayed beast out of your dimensional gourd and unfurl it.:5

So, with a sigh, you'll reveal and unfurl the account of the first magical beast betrayed and allow Disi-Ling Huofeng and Shoushan to read it

Update will arrive shortly

Seven moves you don't want to miss. And brushing aside Shoushan comment in a elegant show of humility or pouncing on the chance to soil the reputation of the Ling Clan, would both take far longer than the end of Ho and Xiang's match will take now that he's practically nailed the scales and the monk to the floor. These are seven moves you cannot miss.

So, with a put upon and annoyed sigh, with trained speed, you uncork your dimensional storage gourd and using a spell that can be performed with only the signs of a single hand, you pull out one of your most closely and dearly cherished treasures out of its depths, past everything else you carry on your hip at all times, and, as its radiance blinds Huofeng, making him turn away and shield his eyes while Shoushan admires the letter that flies from your hand to glow as brilliantly as the day you broke its wax seal with a drop of blood. And with the same hand that summoned it out of the gourd, you cast a simple, obscuring barrier spell around your private seating, so no undeserving eyes can look upon the message written for you long before you were born. A little bit of Yin Qi infused into the barrier, aligned to darkness, is enough to obscure the text from any wandering eyes sharp enough to read a note from the distance of the bottom of the stands to their top.

The Crimson, Scarlet and Carmine writing glowed as the ancient primordial beast essence still spilling out of it intermingled with the beastly energy your body's meridians constantly produced and overflowed with.

"Read" You bark, commanding and granting permission to both Huofeng and Shoushan to look upon the priceless treasure and legacy of your people, as you, with eyes adjusted to piercing through the lightlessness of sealed tombs, watch as Ho and Xiang finish their bloody, pummeling dance.

Xiang flips off his back, slamming the heel of his foot into Ho's chin. Ho reels back, but recovers, turning and dodging the whipping staff of the monk, leaning back to avoid it and dragging the buddhist back to the ground with a tug of his wrist. Your eyes boggle as, for a brief moment, the chicken farmer's muscle tense and a faint pulse of Qi, a whisper of spiritual energy, reinforces his arms, his meridians dribbling with Qi that his body wasn't born possessing. A rudimentary reinforcing technique, crude and performed instinctively somehow, below weak in terms of its effects, but when the opponent only has to rely on the strength granted by exercise and low level physical refinement, it is an incredible boon.

'But, he had to be taught it' You think, eyes narrowed 'unless he is a natural genius at cultivation, that rare talent that accidentally practices Qi Gathering, and that is as unlikely as a chicken farmer doing...well everything Ho has done, actually'.
Cont

>>6105268

Xiang slams into the ground, in a cloud of dust, wondering how Ho had drawn upon such monstrous strength. Only long enough for Ho to lunge and slam his fist through the ground next to his head. Xiang realizes the rope wrapped around him has snapped, and hops up, and drives his own fist into Ho's bowed head. Ho counters with a head butt, and as the sand and dust around them settles and Xiang's leap carries him past Ho, the chicken farmer stumbles back, rubbing his head as the monk shakes his pats his aching knuckles.

Huofeng makes a horrified noise, something between a dying rattle and a gasp that draws all the air out of his lungs. He must've read to the revelation of the five wise immortal sages true character and self serving villainy, or maybe he kept his composure and reached the scandalous part of the true relationship of Five colors and the supreme Devil Mind, Heh-Heh-Heh. You don't care to ask, as Xiang and Ho both rush the other for their final clash. Only three moves left.

Ho parries Xiang's assault, punching away his staff as he swings its top and bottom at him with a defiant cry. And then, stepping under a swing the monk trusts to much of his momentum and strength, over extending for the chance to turn the fight around by knocking Ho out with a whip strike so fierce it warps the wooden haft of his weapon, Ho lunges and wraps his arms around his waist.

Both are lifted from the ground, but Ho recovers first and nearly drops his drops as he fumbles for it, having stuck it in the rope holding up his pants.

Xiang just relaxes, and smirks as the excited chicken farmer, trembling from heel to hand, presses the shortsword he was loaned against his neck.

And all of the stadium cheers, so loudly, that you can feel their enthusiasm shaking in your teeth. Even the buddhists are cheering for Ho, but the bull-head daoists who rooted for him simply because he was fighting a buddhist by far cheer the loudest. They're relieved, that a buddhist monk didn't snatch the victory that "Rightfully belonged to right minded daoists" in the last few rounds of the mortal martial tournament. And that thought is enough to sour and thoroughly spoil your good-mood at seeing the funny chicken man actually make it to the end of the tournament again.

Though, his next fight is against his teacher. Even if all he was taught was a few pointers, that sort of bond isn't easily trampled down. And thinking about that, and reflecting upon the poor behavior of your fellow daoists, you nearly miss the equally upsetting noise Huofeng makes, like drowning man would make if they were dragged from the water just to be lead to the gallows.
Cont

>>6105269

While you feel a certain dark kind of satisfaction in seeing a "normal" cultivator like him feel the same sorrow and grief you felt when you first read that letter, you realize that he's also feeling the sort of shame you can't even imagine, because if what he's reading is true and he has enough spiritual and common sense to know how difficult and expensive it'd be to forge something like that letter, then that means he's descended from the most despicable and wicked villains ever born beneath the heavens and the foundations of the world he believes are built on a lie that has defined an era and lead to programs and genocide against an innocent people and the stagnation and erosion of cultivation. Which has to be a just awful experience and revelation. You don't even want to try imagining the kind of turmoil he's experiencing.

"But...But" He croaks, rubbing his throat "That...this would... It would mean everything, all I know is...it can't, I can't. How could this have been allowed to happen!"

Suddenly you feel a twinge of guilt hearing Huofeng start to break down, and wince as the letter pushes the dying memory of its writer, of a lazy, sunny afternoon they spent as a kitten on the lap of their owner, is thrust into your mind's eye and hits you like a slap to the face.

And then you feel like you were slapped a second time when you realize Huofeng wasn't at your trial either, and would've only heard the histories and accounts of the beast cultivators every sect once had through the, surely embellished, versions he'd have been told by the few Chuan cultivators who'd be willingly, brazen or oblivious enough to be seen talking to a Ling man. And all they would've done is brag about how incredible their "Shamefully forgotten" predecessor was. So Huofeng got hit by the revelation that made crying drunks out of your jury and a far more terrible truth that you kept from them, at the same time. The elders and sect heads of Chuan, at least have the cold comfort of thinking the erasure of beast cultivators to be the act of a crafty demonic cultivator.

But Huofeng? He's confronted by the truth that is was the designs of not only the pinnacle of the heavens, but his own ancestors. Oh, and that the greatest enemy of the righteous sects ever faced is also a relative of his.

Oops? Now you feel kind of like trash for shoving that letter into his face, because it was easier than explaining it yourself. Hmph! Well, guilt isn't something you like to feel. And it is unsuitable for a royal face as fine as your own to wear it around! But the frown on your face grows heavier, as you realize this twinge of guilt won't be snuffed out under the heel of your prideful bearing as easily as most of your other shameful feelings have been.
Cont

>>6105270

Awkwardly looking back at Huofeng who is reading over the letter again, grinding his teeth hard enough to draw blood from his gums, you try and think of someway to console him. Or at least distract yourself from the shitty feeling his pain is making you experience.

"...I never knew the finer details" Shoushan mumbled, shaking his head sadly and clicking his tongue "Only what was done and what resulted. To hear it from the final, confused thoughts of the first victim of their boundless ambitions, is trying. Forgive me, for unwittingly opening old wounds, Huanliuxue. I can see why speaking of this would've been painful and why you could not have done so. Reducing this to a few words, would've been a trial of the heart, that if I were presented I doubt I could've completed myself"

And that nearly makes you forget that you're feeling bad for Huofeng, as you shoot a baffled and somewhat offended look at Shoushan, who doesn't seem at all sorry for the crying cultivator he'd been so friendly with up until now. And as if answering your expression, he shrugs and explains "I have nothing of worth to say to him, sometimes grief is a beast that must be grappled with alone, so it is also with shame and regret. I cannot help him, but to respect his pain"

You have to admit, that is as fine an excuse as it is worldly wisdom

What do you do, Huanliuxue?

>Take Shoushan's advice, and somewhat awkwardly try to ignore Huofeng's breakdown while the martial tournament concludes

>Decide that may be true for Shoushan, but it isn't for Huanliuxue, and try to help Houfeng overcome his grief.

>A distraction! Tell them both that the Five Colors emperor isn't even in the nine heavens. That might cheer up Huofeng

>Point out the funny coincidence that the first beast cut down was also a housecat, like your magnificent self!

>Write in

>>6105271
>>A distraction! Tell them both that the Five Colors emperor isn't even in the nine heavens. That might cheer up Huofeng
Brother we are at a tournament, please stop weeping.

>>6105271
Hmmm...

I think a little moment for himself might do him some good or he might risk one of those blood spitting injuries that can cripple cultivation or something.

We should allow him to retreat to a quiet place, perhaps even bringing him to the moon to see the earth from above, at least until the end of the day.
>A distraction! Tell them both that the Five Colors emperor isn't even in the nine heavens. That might cheer up Huofeng

And leave him with the comforting thought of our meeting of five colors to anchor his feelings around a core of truth.

>>6105271
>A distraction! Tell them both that the Five Colors emperor isn't even in the nine heavens. That might cheer up Huofeng

>>6105271
>A distraction
>Write in, offer to try and set up a meeting. We want to visit old five colours anyway.

>>6105286
Support

>>6105271
>Decide that may be true for Shoushan, but it isn't for Huanliuxue, and try to help Houfeng overcome his grief.

Why do you guys think dropping another bomb will help the poor guy? Dilute some of Mom's opium and let him hit it to calm down a bit.

>>6105786
Well, it is supposed to be a distraction, and not directly help him process what he's just taken in, but letting him get to it at a later time.

>>6105271
>>Point out the funny coincidence that the first beast cut down was also a housecat, like your magnificent self!

>>6105271
>Decide that may be true for Shoushan, but it isn't for Huanliuxue, and try to help Houfeng overcome his grief.

>>6105271
>Decide that may be true for Shoushan, but it isn't for Huanliuxue, and try to help Houfeng overcome his grief.

File: 1701370702636009.jpg (70 KB, 920x534)

70 KB JPG

Ending the vote and tallying its result now. My keyboard was having some issues, but they've worked themselves out now.

A distraction! Tell them both that the Five Colors emperor isn't even in the nine heavens. That might cheer up Huofeng:
-Offer to try and set up a meeting:1

Decide that may be true for Shoushan, but it isn't for Huanliuxue, and try to help Houfeng overcome his grief.:3

Point out the funny coincidence that the first beast cut down was also a housecat, like your magnificent self!:1

So you will provide a distraction by way of mentioning that the five color emperor isn't even in the nine heavens, to try and cheer up Huofeng

Update will arrive shortly

>>6107034
A distraction got 4 votes, btw, forgive me juniors. I hit send a bit too swiftly