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The world is flawed.
It is not imperfect though, just purposefully made that way.
Life is full of suffering and conflict, a race where the living fight to find meaning and solace, either by giving themselves and each other meaning, or by taking it from those weaker.
An unwinnable race, a race against time, a race against “The World”.
A losing battle from the moment one is born, the pure soul is slowly drained of its myriad colors, then cast away once it has been consumed.
There exists a gate beyond “The World”, and past that gate is the infinite.
A cold and unfeeling infinity, impartial and silent, an infinity where despite the existence of suffering, you witnessed the radiance of all souls of all ages.
So you, [????], decided to bring “This World” into the infinite.
Not for anyone in particular, you… don’t exactly have many people you care about to begin with, not out of resentment for the life you had to live, after all that’s just how life in this world is.
Simply because you felt like things should be as they are beyond the Gate.
Another five? joined you out of their own volition, together you worked for millenia to bring the world beyond The Gate, and failed.
The Gatekeeper sent two away, who knows where. Another had to merge with the world and keep it from breaking apart under the immense strain from The Gate… And you’re not sure if the other two even existed.
As for yourself, The Gatekeeper pushed the world away using you. Your cultivation burned away as it set the skies ablaze, your body shattered as it tore through the ocean and the world’s crust, and your soul was fragmented into infinite specks of spiritual energy, leaving nothing behind.
But that doesn’t matter, you reached the gate and went beyond it. You learned things that even The Gatekeeper itself is unaware of. Your existence is perpetual, it will simply resume some indeterminate amount of time in the future. Fate is simply ABSOLUTE, and your destiny is ours
"Next time... I will..."
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Axle Era, Year 3266
Your consciousness begins to awaken once more in a mortal’s body, who had been gazing at the stars after a long day’s work in their master’s estate.
You’ll run a check on your “Body” and “Soul”.
>roll a 2d20 for body and soul in that order.
The body is that of
>A male
>A female
You can ask yourself a question to refresh your knowledge about something (optional)
>write in
//If any of the old players from last year end up here, stuff happened and I lost everything noteswise, I will be re-using a few things from that first run, but you can consider this a complete reset for the most part, I can only apologize for not properly backing things up.
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Your body: 20
The first thing you do is check your “new body”, you’ve got the goods down there, and they seem fully functional, a welcome fact.
There is a sense of discomfort from the lack of true essence, but the body itself is excellent. Blood vessels, Meridians, Muscles, Bones, Nerves, everything is well suited towards physical and spiritual cultivation.
Superior than your first body in every aspect.
Your soul: 16
It feels faint… likely due to the awakening of your consciousness, but you can already tell that your compatibility with all sorts of spells and mystic arts is excellent.
“Who would win in a fight: a giant scorpion or a giant hornet?”
As mere beasts within the Earth Axis? The scorpion’s armor is too thick for the hornet’s stinger to pierce.
As spiritual beasts in the Earth Axis? The hornet will likely win as it is easier to reinforce the stinger with Qi, the scorpion would either need a larger amount of Qi to reproduce the same effect all over its body, or have the ability to perfectly calculate where the stinger will strike.
As awakened spiritual beasts in the Heaven Axis and beyond? It will depend on which has superior spells and techniques, the terrain, authorities, and so on.
You adjust your breathing and the fatigue of a mundane work day is gone in a matter of seconds, giving you time to contemplate further.
The memories of this incarnation are also mundane, twenty six years that pass by in an instant. Ming Bei, the illegitimate son of the estate’s lord, who kept you and your mother around at the madam’s request, a short lived romance between you and one of the maids, who was sold off to another house when the madam found out. Menial work, menial affairs, a comfortable life all things considered.
The incarnation’s ego was completely overwritten when you, Bai Hua, woke up.
An illegitimate child who left his clan after being cast aside, then a rogue cultivator taught by a famous swordswoman along with your martial brother, leading a life of struggle after struggle just to stay alive in a world that had been at war since before your birth.
As the centuries passed and the conflicts escalated, you became proficient in all kinds of weapons and a good amount of spells and mystic arts. After treading through the mountain range of failures and corpses that was called your life, the masses began to call you The Crimson War God among other names once you became an immortal.
You were first and foremost a swordsman, your Sword Dao was the Crimson Tulip Sword passed down by your teacher, a precise and delicate style best used with a Jian, every other weapon you picked up and learned was out of convenience or necessity. On the spell side you couldn’t do much, as the quality of your soul was rather poor, which limited the extent of your abilities.
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>>6364242
Cultivation, the absorption of energy and knowledge to sustain and elevate one’s existence.
It has always been part of “The World”, or at least long enough to have had a clearly set and mostly unchanged categorization for ages.
The Earth axis: Qi gathering, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Golden Core
The Heaven Axis: Soul Dividing, Soul Nurturing, Soul Fusion
Those who surpass both axes are considered immortals, the bare minimum for a being to attempt leaving “The World”.
Beings will, for the most part, choose a weapon or one of the five elements to cultivate.
They follow said Martial or Elemental “Dao” as the catalyst to direct energy into themselves, to seize it from the world and transform it into their own, to obtain knowledge and enlightenment.
The five elements are Water, Fire, Metal, Earth and Wood. As for weapons, having lived long enough you’ve come to understand, and partially embody the idea that anything can be used as a weapon in the right hands.
As a former immortal, you’re also privy to unorthodox paths that do not follow the standard methods.
Spectral Dao: The practitioner cultivates the Eight Passages, and taps into the power of the underworld, they can turn their very soul into a weapon, and in the later stages, command ghosts and other spirits. All seventeen Chief Underworld Judges have followed this Dao and reached immortality.
Extreme Yin/Extreme Yang: The practitioner cultivates only one of the Two Forces of Yin and Yang, and two of the Four Aspects (Great and Lesser Yin, or Great and Lesser Yang).
Spells and Mystical arts of the chosen power will be greatly amplified, weapons and treasures of the opposite power are needed to achieve balance. Six Supreme Absolute Immortals have ascended through this path.
Dao of Starlight: The practitioner will absorb energy directly from the stars and use it to cultivate, this stellar energy’s purity is poisonous to most living beings, and will also encroach on most weapons and treasures. It is a path that few have dared follow, no Immortals have ascended through this Dao.
There are other methods in this category, but they are paths that are not open yet, if the conditions arise, you could abandon your Dao, shoulder the backlash and start over in the future.
You can re-tread the Martial Dao, if you choose another weapon, your enlightenment with the sword one will carry over to some extent, cultivation will be relatively simple and safe.
If you choose one of the five elements, you will face more difficulties, mainly because you didn’t have much talent for the arts, but the breakthrough and ascension rituals, as well as the cultivation formulas remain the same.
Following any of the unorthodox paths will be difficult in many ways but you will be stronger than your peers.
>Choose a Dao to follow (specify which)
>Ruminate on a specific aspect of cultivation (free question, write up)
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>>6364243
>Choose a Dao to follow (specify which)
Dao of Starlight. Since hardly anyone has dared to follow this path, we'll have to learn about or invent the techniques, shortcuts and pitfalls through personal experience, but it also has the advantage that most people won't be prepared for the methods we may have at our disposal, especially at the Immortal level.
>Ruminate on a specific aspect of cultivation (free question, write up)
Cultivating two or more paths at once (not just having a side path). How common is it among orthodox and heterodox cultivators, and have any immortals ever ascended through dual paths?
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Update soon
>>6364282
Since you chose Starlight, there will be no shortcuts.
Generally speaking one could
>look for or refine divine elixirs, the concentration of energy allows for a rapid jump in cultivation stages, with the downside being a long period of time where the gains are unstable and other elixirs and medicines will have noticeably lower effect.
>look for or forge a Dao Treasure to accummulate power along with yourself, these tend to double as weapons or defense artifacts
>Practice dual cultivation with a partner that is willing to give up part of their cultivation
>Possess someone with a better body or soul and destroy their consciousness and take over them.
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You weigh your options carefully, a safe trip back to the minimum standard, an Elemental Dao, or the esoteric and dangerous path of the Unorthodox.
“Cultivating two or more paths at once...”
Multiple Dao cultivation has always remained a theory, it is possible for a being to follow two complimenting paths of the Martial and Elemental methods because the formulas and rituals are the same, but in the Heaven Axis and beyond one will always be surrogate to the other, should the surrogate Dao reach the same attainment as the primary, it will “switch places” and a large amount of progress will be lost.
It should be possible to embody the enlightenment of two paths in the same realm. Every scholar who has researched this in depth has come to that conclusion, but not even immortals can explain why it can’t be done in practice… A deeper principle must be at work.
“Starlight… If I can reach Immortality through this Dao, then it may be possible.”
The Dao of Starlight has seen two practitioners above the Earth Axis, the “Silver Body Saint” who was hunted down and suffered a miserable death after breaking through to the equivalent of Soul Dividing. And the “Seven Miseries Star of Calamity” who terrorized the cultivation world for a short one hundred years before dying when trying to advance to the equivalent of Soul Nurturing.
Neither of them had the chance, or the will to leave their insights behind, you’ll be on your own just like the ancestral primordial cultivators before the Orthodox method appeared. This means that there is no path ahead, only in your wake.
There is an instinctive structure across all paths, one first refines the body to extend their lifespan and better channel energy. Then one refines the soul, attuning oneself with the principles of the energy being cultivated to better manipulate it.
This still applies after one surpasses the axes, but there is more importance placed on elevating one’s consciousness, diving deeper into the principles and laws that shape the world.
For starters, you must decide on what to refine first, this will determine what supplies are needed.
>Refine your body
>Refine your soul
Do you have any ideas on how to take that first step?
>write in
What will you do about your current situation? You may have awakened as Bai Hua, but to the world you’re still Ming Bei.
>write in
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>>6364320
>Refine your body
Easier done without being noticed as odd.
>First things first, we need to find a place where starlight QI collects. An island in the middle of a lake perhaps? The water always catches the moonlight, but it may be tainted by association. So clearing an area in the island should allow a higher density than normal without obstruction to the heavens or the construction of a gathering array.
>Get a sense of Ming Bei's life, do him three kindnesses for taking over his body.
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>>6364320
Oh sweet, new cultivation quest. Always lonely running Heretic on its lonesome
>Refine your body
We mightve gotten a god roll on that, but we can always go further and a strong soul needs a stronger body to support it. So I feel if we get our physical side tougher first, we can get our spirit up faster
>first step
Well, body refinement...starlight path, how about we, as the other anon suggested, search for a place where we can bathe in starlight while we refine our body.
But as for the practice, I think we should start with hand strengthening practices, punching sand, gravel, glass...etc. need to get them tough if we're going to reach for the stars
>Get a sense of Ming Bei's life, do him three kindnesses for taking over his body.
And this is just showing pur gratitude
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You begin to carefully look through Ming Bei’s memories,
“Ming Bei Ming Bei, had it pretty good so far, eh?”
As the hidden son of the Ming family’s master, his role is that of a servant that doesn’t actually need to do anything, he was coincidentally ordered to attend the young lady in most of her lessons, mathematics, astrology, calligraphy, he’s had the opportunity to learn these topics.
Coincidentally being left in charge of maintaining the family’s archive, coincidentally being ordered to attend to the master on his business trips and meetings with other clans. Coincidentally finding the house’s Metal Dao cultivation method. These arrangements have all been made by the master, Ming Xuegang… And while the Madam doesn’t agree with some of them, like that of cultivation, she does not openly protest either.
Ming Bei has always been well aware of his situation, so he has been diligent in his indirect studies. He supports the young lady, looks out for the servants, and has not cultivated in an attempt to keep both sides happy.
As for the family as a whole, there are three powers in Guang city, the Ming, the He and the Yuan.
Yuan has the better cultivators with two brats at the Golden Core stage, the He have more cultivators as a whole with seventeen Foundation Establishment and three Core Formation members.
Meanwhile the strongest in the Ming clan is actually the Madam, at the grand perfection of Core Formation, the master doesn’t fall too short, at mid Core Formation. The two elders at the grand perfection of Foundation Establishment, the young lady in the middle stage along with a few stewards, and the rest aren’t really worth mentioning.
The house is recovering from the incompetence of the previous two patriarchs, while the current master managed to get the Ming out of crippling debt, recovering the markets that were once held has proved difficult, and to make matters worse, there hasn’t been much in the way of cultivation talents in a few generations either.
It seems he is aware of the body’s potential to some extent, and has been making these arrangements in hopes of raising a third figure.
You face a bronze mirror placed in Ming Bei’s room, clasp your hands and perform a deep bow. You will grant this boy three kindnesses, with this vow, you lay in bed and take a short nap until the sun rises.
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Morning.
You stand before the bronze mirror again, about to change into a clean set of clothes.
The body’s potential is excellent, but it is still that of someone who hasn’t cultivated so there is work to be done, nothing that good old exercise won’t fix.
“The very first thing I would need to do is ‘perceive’ the energy of the stars. This is achieved by first taking in the Qi of the five elements and ying yang at night, and expelling them.”
Not just these, if one can also experience Ghostly Qi and Devilish Qi then it becomes even easier to accept the starlight, after all, it is a matter of “filtering” energy into oneself.
”It is a good thing he didn’t do anything, or I would have needed to disperse all the energy accumulated, perform a ritual to cleanse the body and only then could I really get started.”
A body of water with a dark bottom will greatly help the first stages where the body, soul and consciousness are getting acclimated to the process of filtering and absorbing, since it will reflect and capture starlight.
A cup of tea, a vase, a puddle, a pond or a lake… the middle of the ocean would be most optimal, but it looks like you’re landlocked based on the memories you’ve absorbed. Fortunately there is a lake behind the residence in the mountain, that should do it.
Once the accumulated starlight reaches a certain concentration - the equivalent of the late Qi Gathering stage by your estimates- it will be impossible to hide and you will stand out like a sore thumb.
You can either be honest and explain your plan to the master and madam, or keep it hidden and hope you’re able to jump from middle Qi Gathering to middle Foundation in one go, that would put your weight class in the same level, as well as give them some face if you have to fight your way out of the Ming clan.
You could also subdue both masters right now as you currently are without much effort and escape the clan, but that will invite trouble in the long run.
Whatever it may be, it is necessary to have a serious talk with the masters.
How do you want to proceed?
>Look for the patriarch’s official support
>Negotiate with the madam
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>>6364398
>Seek the Patriarchs official support.
See, the main thing here is that the madam has the most power by virtue of her superior cultivation.
For our first kindness, repay the father and the clan. Point out some tricks we know, correct some failures in his style, and explain away our new knowledge as having a vision.
Once we have established that we bring benefits, we can leverage them into seeing that we have the wisdom and power that should be nurtured.
The peak of power here is Golden core, peak of earth axis. But we only need to get to core formation to threaten them.
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The master is the master in the end, and his weakness should be something that can be addressed anyways.
You get dressed and help a little in the kitchen, the head maid hesitating for a moment when you offer to serve the master’s breakfast for her, something the young master would never do, but that hesitation transforms into a nod of acknowledgement in an instant, and she smacks your back.
“I’m leavin’ it to you then, tell me how it goes later.”
You leave the kitchen and walk across the garden, open the doors to the master’s building and swiftly arrive at his chambers. The door is opened, and you borrow this body’s muscle memory to place the tray in a table near one of the windows, move the silk blinds aside and open the window.
“Ming Bei greets the patriarch.” A bow is offered at the perfect angle.
“Bei’er? Did something happen?” Ming Xuegang wastes no time and gets out of bed, he quickly puts on some clothes and reaches for a flower made of metal.
Ming Bei would always keep his distance unless it was an order from himself, the young lady or the madam. He only sought the patriarch of his own volition when his mother passed away and made a single request at that time. For that child to once again seek him, it must be something very important.
“I will start cultivating today.”
“...That’s it?”
“...”
“Who do you think put you to work in the archives and gave you the Orchid Garden Manuals in the first place? You don’t need my approval a second time.”
“I won’t cultivate the Orchid Garden.”
“Come again?”
“I… had a vision, I saw the Silver Body Saint calling out to me… So I will practice the Dao of the Stars” You hold your tongue and give Ming Xuegang time to process your words.
“Why seek death? I can talk with Tan Shu if you just want to leave.”
“Madam Tan will not allow it, she doesn’t trust you anymore, why would she trust me? Just grant me an opportunity.”
“An opportunity to kill yourself?”
>No, I can resolve your bottleneck.
>No, give me a black teacup and I’ll break through to the Qi Gathering stage tonight in front of you.
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>>6364551
>No, give me a black teacup and I’ll break through to the Qi Gathering stage tonight in front of you.
Don't promise too much, give ourselves an out by appearing as an arrogant young master so people won't question why we're doing weird shit/ or different training/ cultivation. OR we prove ourselves to be a once in a however many generations talent and get fed materials by our sect.
Win win really
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>>6364696
“No, give me a black teacup and I’ll break through to the Qi Gathering stage tonight in front of you.”
“Zhou’s divine emperor lineage, the Vermillion Bird clan in Qian, the dragon race as a whole, all sorts of beings and experts in the Heaven Axis and beyond have tried and failed miserably, what makes you think you can succeed where they did not?”
“I have never cultivated before, there won’t be any dregs of other Daos in my body, and the Silver Body Saint in my vision showed me their method to to invite starlight into my body… I won’t die.”
“I would have compromised if you said you wanted to practice any other Dao, but this is just suicide. Tell me what you really want, this isn’t something to joke about.”
Ming Xuegang puts down his chopsticks and turns to look at you, it’s clear he doesn’t believe a single word you’ve said, but he’s still giving you room to retreat.
“I want a black teacup and your company tonight… If I do fail and live to tell the tale, I’ll diligently study the Orchid Garden and give my life for the clan.”
“And if you don’t?”
“Then the patriarch and the madam will have one less secret between them.”
“...
You’re the same as ‘her’, in the end neither Tan Shu or I could change her mind.”
“Pardon?”
Who is this 'her', Bei's mother? There's no gaps in his memory so this might as well be something he was never told about.
“We can talk about it if you survive… One black teacup, is it? I’ll have it prepared, Tan Shu and both elders will accompany us as well.”
“Good, then we’ll talk about it when it is convenient for the patriarch.”
“You can leave now.” Says the Patriarch as he uses his Qi to pull a jade slip from somewhere, he’s likely going to be making preparations today.
You have the entire day to yourself, do you want to
>Check the Clan’s Estate
>Check the lake behind the mountain, Ming Bei’s mortal senses and understanding are unreliable
>Give the young lady a visit.
And roll a 1d20
In the meantime, the method you will use is so simple it borders on stupidity. All you need to do is let the teacup filled with water rest under the night sky for an incense stick’s worth of time, dip your finger to separate the other energies, and drink the resulting product.
You can proceed this way or you can think of a way to make it look more interesting and profound.
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Rolled 6 (1d20)
>>6364740
>Check the lake behind the mountain, Ming Bei’s mortal senses and understanding are unreliable
as for the method, maybe we could improve upon it by splitting the water between smaller teacups arrayed in the formation of a constellation? That sounds like it'd have an effect
Also, light some incense to, to gauge the time more accurately and help us enter a flow/ meditative state during it
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>>6364740
>Check the lake.
I like the formation idea, check what formation is in the sky and arrange it. Maybe check meanings perhaps?
We have mirrors, could use those to focus moonlight on the array or our body. Silver mirrors probably work better than bronze.
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Blessed rolls as usual, locking.
>>6364742
>>6364760
>>6364758
The use of smaller cups is actually an excellent idea, you'll get a bonus in the ritual roll because of this. Mirrors can be prepared as well to bring in more starlight, but will make the dice check harder, remember that starlight energy/qi is poisonous.
If you're confident in your fortune they can be used.
As for the sky and constellations, this can wait until the ritual is taking place.
If we're going by biblically accurate chinese timekeeping standards then an incense stick is 5 minutes or half a cup of tea.
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>>6364771
Hmm.
Maybeeeeee, hmm. Use the mirrors later. Gotta build up our tolerance.
I feel like the ice has a place here but I can't see it. Maybe later we can have small pillars of ice that melt to fill a teacup. But for now the idea can be discarded.
What other attributes does Starlight share with others?
Hmm.
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>>6364791
Use of star-lit water to produce a paste to daub on our bodies in specific constellations to allow for more specified reenforcement?
Drinking the water stripped to the waist? We are imbibing energy but having our skin exposed surely helps our awareness.
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>>6364793
Use a flower or a seed with Yang connotation, or just "anti-poison properties" at the bottom of the water.
Might concentrate the energy a little, using opposite attraction theory [a little Yang attracts yin] or gives our constitution a slightly easier time.
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>>6364796
Varying the amount of drinks we take to match the constellation to use as a means of measuring our power.
To use irl, Orions belt tier is 3 drinks for 3 stars.
Orion body tier is 7, orion the hunter is all 81 and would require 81 drinks or so?
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You decide to check the lake behind the mountain, there is enough time for a round trip and a few other preparations, as the agreed time is a little after sunset. Ming Bei’s mortal memories can’t be trusted for matters of immortal cultivation.
You exit through an old door, covered with weeds and grass located in the northern side of the estate, clearly not used in a long time. A narrow dirt trail that has been slowly taken back by grass and vegetation guides you deeper into the mountain.
As you ascend, you notice the thickness of the trees begins to increase, the trail is consumed by grass and moss, the singing birds and other small animals exude rich spiritual energy and are full of vitality. The forest itself pulsates with life, and so you decide to follow these pulsations.
Fortuitous encounter - DC 15
Rolled 19 (1d20)
It takes a bit of time, as the path was full of vines and grass even taller than a horse but the source of these pulsations is in front of you. A small bottle, green in color and exuding a faint glow. Its design is quite different from anything in Ming Bei’s and your own memories.
It is completely empty, but it still contains a rather staggering amount of wood qi, the vines and grass seem to be trying to reach into it, and it doesn't take much strength to remove it from the moss bed it was resting on top of.
With the bottle in your hands, you swiftly make your way to the other side of the mountain.
…
The lake itself is rather small, it was bigger in Ming Bei’s memories, but then again, he was younger when he first visited this place.
The waters are somewhat turbid, with the weeds at the bottom being dark enough to make its depth deceptive. There is a lot of residual wood qi, likely a long term consequence of the little bottle in your hands, you’ll have to look for a way to deal with that residual qi.
The place can be developed into a meditation platform, and with enough resources the surrounding area can be turned into suitable training grounds.
It is time to return home, you have just about enough time to walk down the mountain and take a few extra teacups to try an idea you had while walking up the mountain.
You will
>Bring the bottle in, you can give it to the patriarch or the madam.
>Hide it and come look for it later
How many additional cups will you bring in?
>List a number between 1 and 11
Do you want to make any additional preparations such as mirrors, ice, write-in?
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>>6364830
>Hide the bottle, It will be a bargaining chip later.
>Take an additional 6 cups.
7 is a good number.
8 is fortuitous. I don't know enough about astrology to see if there are better contenders.
Does anybody we know use Wood Qi to cultivate?
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>>6364830
>Hide it and come look for it later
>How many additional cups will you bring in?
8 extra cups, which makes 9 total. 9 is always a good number in China.
No other preparations, we don't want to concentrate too much starlight qi for our own good.
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“It’s best I don’t bring it in yet.” You bury the little bottle a ways away from the opposite direction it was found in, you will have time for this later.
You determine 9 cups will be necessary and borrow some more from one of the guest rooms along with a few incense sticks to track time, and a tray to carry everything. While the cups are not black, they are dark enough to compliment the one you asked the patriarch to procure for you.
The agreed place is the garden in Ming Xuegang’s residence, and you are met by six people.
Patriarch Ming Xuegang
Madam Tan Shu
Western Hall Elder Ming Liuxian
Eastern Hall Elder Ming Yimu
An old man that reeks of medicinal herbs who Ming Bei saw on occasion but doesn’t remember the name of.
And one of Guang city’s coroners, if he’s here then there is a casket somewhere you can’t see.
It looks like the patriarch prepared as best as he could at a short notice in his own way, and you extend your greetings to everyone, the elders’ look at you defeatedly, the old man and the patriarch are tense, and the madam looks like she’s holding back the urge to strangle someone… you’re not quite sure who will be first between the elders and Xuegang
A wooden table and a single chair, a black teacup and a pot of water were prepared for you, where you place the other cups and prepare the incense sticks.
You reaffirm part of the process in your mind.
Based on your long life and the experience from fighting with and against Elemental and Unorthodox Dao cultivators, you understand that the right kind of energy must be absorbed, something that is not as important when following the Martial Dao. The first cup will be used to “capture” starlight, then you will use your body as a medium to remove the other elemental energies before consuming the remaining energy.
The other eight cups will be used in a ritualistic manner, mirroring an asterism to support the flow of energy.
As there are nine stars, you can
>Mirror the Little Dipper asterism
>Mirror the Exotic Bird asterism
And using the other cups you will
>Leave them as is and consume the energy from the first cup
>Split the water between smaller teacups once the starlight has been captured
>Try something else (write in)
Roll a 2d28 for the result of your asterism mirroring and the absorption of energy in that order.
You will have a +2 from the constellation idea for the mirroring.
For the second roll
+1 if you consume the energy as is
+3 if you split the water
+? If you come up with something else
>>6364927
Thank you, that aside I'll be here all day so the quest can move fast if we get fast votes
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Rolled 10, 16 = 26 (2d28)
>>6365022
>Mirror the Exotic Bird asterism
Like the sound of this one....
>Split the water between smaller teacups once the starlight has been captured
It was my idea, I need to stick with it!
So +2 for the first roll, and +5 to the second if Understood right...
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Rolled 21, 13 = 34 (2d28)
>>6365022
>Mirror the Little Dipper asterism
>Split the water between smaller teacups once the starlight has been captured
Both of these are southern asterisms, adapted from European star charts. Would've been nice to have one of the four classical animal asterisms, too bad I called it wrong.
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Rolled 6 (1d6)
Locking
>Exotic Bird
>Split the water
And rollan for something.
>>6365039
The best answer for this was an additional six (for a total of 7) as >>6364837 had suggested, it would have allowed to represent a complete symbol (azure dragon, black tortoise, white tiger, vermillion bird.)
Second best would have been 9 in total to represent the Three Enclosures and their surrounding asterisms referred to as the walls (each enclosure has two "walls", so 3 and 6)
After that 3 for just the enclosures, other numbers lead to a southern asterism.
Any number apart from 8 is good, I would have made you explode a little if that was voted for.
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>>6365060
You're a big boy immortal grandmaster, you can take a few 1s every now and then (Yes we're auto-locking nat 1s).
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You light one incense stick and pour water into the black cup, you’re confident in the bare minimum of results, which is successfully inviting starlight into your body without immediately dying, what’s left is to see how good your results will be, and how accurate your insights are.
The cups are arranged into one of the southern asterisms, rather esoteric formations that are said to exist, but that haven’t been fully witnessed past a few accounts from geniuses and madmen. They called this one the “Exotic Bird”, which you feel is fitting for a young master being arrogant about cultivation.
As the first incense stick is done burning, you light a second one and tap the water’s surface with your finger and begin expelling the other energies that are mixed in the water.
Ming Xuegang wants to say something but holds back, Madam Tan has been getting closer and closer to you, it would have been unnoticeable if you were a mortal, but her movements are clumsy in front of someone who earned the title of War God. The elders are preparing what seems to be a high grade movement treasure, the old man reaches into his storage pouch, and the coroner’s eyes are fixed on yours.
The water begins to boil, and seeing this change, the coroner’s expression turns solemn, while the others grow nervous as the incense is consumed.
You remove your finger from the cup causing a tiny drop to fall into the cup, this drop is accompanied by sweat drops from everyone around you, the third incense stick is where it really begins.
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>>6365095
The water is split evenly across all cups and by the time you finish, it is cold and an unexplainable “scent” rises from the cups, the incense stick fully burned so you light a fourth incense and begin to drink them one by one.
Asterism dc 15: Rolled 3 (1+2)
The arrangement worked to some extent, that much you can tell, but by the time you are drinking the fourth cup you can’t suppress the ominous feeling in your mind, and the coroner comes closer and closer, unnoticed by the others.
You drink from each cup and it feels like your throat is on fire, forget elixirs and spirits, it’s like you are pouring alcohol on a wound that runs bone deep. Did you start with the wrong star? Did you mirror the wrong location? You’ll need to absorb the energy and use part of it to stabilize yourself and then go back and see why this is happening.
Absorption dc 10: Rolled 28 (23+5)
Other than the pain and the sense of dread, your absorption is leagues better than what you expected in the first place, you can tell there was no energy wasted and starlight begins to flow through your blood vessels. There is not enough to do any serious body modification, but you feel strong enough to contend with a Middle Qi Gathering stage junior at a slight disadvantage in terms of pure Qi.
In the time it takes for the last stick to burn,you finish absorbing all the starlight and turn towards the coroner, now a dark shadow. The shadow stands right next to you, their hand almost touching your left shoulder.
Time has stopped for everyone but the two of you, as their understanding of certain concepts is too low, even if they could follow you and the shadow, they would foam at the mouth and faint at best, or simply go insane.
>What brings such an esteemed guest to a poor servant’s desperate gamble?
>Feign ignorance (write-in something you'd say)
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>>6365061
>Any number apart from 8 is good, I would have made you explode a little if that was voted for.
Wew fortuitous my ass, picrel.
>>6365095
>You're a big boy immortal grandmaster, you can take a few 1s every now and then (Yes we're auto-locking nat 1s).
Damn I was hoping it wouldn't count thanks to the bonus. Oh well.
>>6365096
>What brings such an esteemed guest to a poor servant’s desperate gamble?
Interesting, also what effects does the Asterism roll have exactly?
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“What brings such an esteemed guest to a poor servant’s desperate gamble?” You close your eyes and ask with your mind, it is hard to maintain eye contact with this physical body so you can’t quite tell where this being belongs to.
“Was the esteemed guest moved by one’s humble resolve?”
The shadow’s hand stops just a hair’s breadth off your shoulder. He is clearly startled.
“It was not a coincidence…Who is the one possessing the boy? Reveal your name and accept judgement!” The shadow’s voice is strong, but its hand does not budge.
“Can the judge bear the weight of this one’s name?”
“I will be the one to decide!”
“‘Crimson’...”
“!!!!” The hand that had been about to touch you repels itself with enough speed to break the neck of a Golden Core expert in its way, the figure staggers back two steps, and then prostrates itself before you,
“This junior… This Junior was in the wrong!
I had been keeping an eye on young Ming Bei’s excellent body and soul. When the father came looking for me I thought I would have an excellent present for my master!”
”...Wa-”
”Please O Venerable One! Do not continue, I beg of you!” The shadow’s forehead hits the floor to keep you from finishing your name.
”Very well… let us pretend this servant made a poor joke in front of the judge.”
”Thank you for your benevolence, Venerable One! This junior will see herself out!”
”Wait. This one has given the judge face and a way out, no? The judge should also offer something in return."
”That…” The shadow, which had half melted into the floor halts.
>Ask the shadow a question (write in)
>Ask the shadow for compensation (write in)
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>>6365164
>Ask the shadow for compensation
>Ask him to give us any information he has about the Starlight cultivation and its dead practitioners like Silver Body Saint and Calamity Star (if they left any legacies and such and such).
Can't let an opportunity like this slip by!
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”Your name, and your master’s” You ask.
”This junior serves the twentieth Chief Judge of the Underworld, Compassionate Worldly Life Emperor Immortal Du Xinyi. And this Junior’s name is Du Wenqian, third direct disciple.”
The position of Chief Judge has a rule of two, but this judge is running her mouth saying she is the third disciple… and twentieth? A chief judge is only replaced on death, either something happened or a disproportionate amount of time has passed before you could “revive”. Knowing any more than this will get you swept into bothersome politics, it might be better to look into the rest by yourself.
”Silver Body and Seven Miseries, do you know about them or other Starlight Dao practitioners? Did they leave anything behind?"
”...”
"This old fogey has given junior enough of his name to piece it together. I believe it is only polite to return the favour."
”They do not return to the underworld, that is all I can say without facing harsher punishment.” Du Wenqian answers, and as soon as the words are transmitted, her shadow flickers and begins to dissipate, she tries to transmit more information, but disappears faster than she expected.
…
As the flow of time normalizes, the old man rushes over and seizes your wrist, then begins to check your pulse, pupils, tongue, hands, knees, hair. The other elders move further back and suppress their Qi in an attempt to lessen the burden on you, a consideration with the expectation you’re severely injured.
“He has sores in his throat and will have an upset stomach for the next few days, but nothing more… Madam, may I bring him to the gambling house in Danyang city? If he is this fortunate we can make it big and buy the Yuan and He out of the city!”
The West and East Hall elders are dumbfounded, but soon agree with the old man, all three, and Ming Xuegang are swiftly smacked in the back of the head by Tan Shu right after.
”Nonsense! If you take him we’ll lose the part we hold, he used all his fortune just now… Ming Bei, you go rest, there are things that must be discussed with the patriarch.” Tan Shu sends you and the old man away, he accompanies you to your quarters, and will stand guard for the rest of the night, you won’t be able to do much without raising suspicion.
By inviting and absorbing starlight, you have taken the first step of the Dao in this new life. The fledgling judge did not confirm the existence of a legacy left behind by the others, but she did not deny it either.
You will need to create your own cultivation system, rituals, formulas, mantras, techniques, mystical arts, treasures and training methods.
Research has been unlocked, the option will be available most of the time, unlike others that will appear later.
The current topics of research are
>Elemental Daos
>Constellations
>Clan History
>Write in (always available)
Choose one and roll a d20.
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The next day-
As you make your way to the clan’s archives, you can’t help but notice that the atmosphere in the estate has changed, it is deathly silent for the time of the day, and maids and stewards hurriedly make their way through the halls and gardens. The head maid gives you a courteous bow as soon as you see her, but does not speak.
You grab various star charts and books on astronomy and begin to look through them.
At first you check the records and charts for the Exotic Bird asterism, it should be in the southern section of the sky beyond all recorded and visible stars, but fail to find the stars that were used as reference to locate any of the asterisms.
Rolled 12 DC 8
So you look for said stars instead… and find them in the east. The directions are not mislabeled, the entire Vermillion Bird Symbol is charted on the eastern section of the chart, under the name “White Turtle of the East”.
This would explain why you could not use a ritual to increase your chances of success, you were “mirroring” empty space, or perhaps whatever unseen constellation lay there had its stars in a different configuration, which caused that minor backlash.
For some reason, the firmament and its categorization is scrambled compared to your era, the other charts all show the same information, and the books speak in a matter of fact fashion, as if the sky had always been this way, and do not contain any more useful information.
You borrow the oldest chart and leave the archives, it is now noon, and the head maid is waiting for you.
“Young Master, the patriarch would like you to visit him when it is convenient for you… Madam asked me to relay the same message, and the young lady wants to see you too.“ She gives you a meaningful look and leaves to continue her work.
Who will you visit first? Or will you make an excuse to avoid everyone and do more research?
>Visit (Patriarch/Young Lady/Madam)
>Come up with an excuse, roll 2d20 and pick a research topic. (first roll is for the excuse’s success, second for the research results)
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Rolled 20, 12 = 32 (2d20)
>>6365274
>Come up with an excuse, roll 2d20 and pick a research topic. (first roll is for the excuse’s success, second for the research results)
Research topic Ziwei doushu/ Purple star Astrology
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I will abuse my authority as the QM and default to the excuse in favor of that god roll if there are no more votes by the timemy xianxia donghua slop is finished
>>6365288
Fellow daoist, you might want to think of what to say to bullshit your way out of social obligations.
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Rolled 20, 1 = 21 (2d20)
>>6365274
>Come up with an excuse, roll 2d20 and pick a research topic.
The excuse I propose is that we need to stabilize our cultivation base using a method the Silver Body Saint imparted to us in the vision.
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The patriarch is the leading figure on paper, things go through the madam before a decision is made, and the young lady’s status is peculiar as well. The only internal factor that had kept the status quo was Ming Bei’s inaction, and now that you have started cultivating that is over.
You would rather research some more today, and with such an idea in mind, you call for the stewards.
”Please let them know that I must stabilize my cultivation base using a method from the Silver Body Saint, I can discuss with all of them tomorrow.” Without waiting for an acknowledgement, you turn around and lock yourself inside the archives once again.
Rolled 20 There is no opposition, and no one comes looking for you, whether to not appear weak in front of the other two, or understanding that you’re at a crucial point in your cultivation, you’re not sure. Perhaps a combination of both.
If the constellations are a mess, then how is this affecting divination?
With such a thought, you switch your focus from astronomy to astrology, and gather a few books, there are far less than you expected… The Ming seem to be more focused towards historical preservation than divination.
The Bazi system is largely unaffected, all documents are still using a sexagenary cycle and the months are being counted in the same way… Ziwei Doushu, based on the moon and stars, should technically supplement the readings from Bazi.
It is when you’re looking at your selection of texts that you realize…
Rolled 1
…There is a grand total of absolutely nothing on Ziwei Doushu in the Ming clan’s archives, even in the texts that mention Bazi, there are no mentions or suggestions about it, not even an implication of an additional system. You spend the rest of the afternoon thinking about the possible implications of the change of position in the stars and their effect on divination and make three hypotheses.
The first hypothesis is that the “interpretation” remains the same, and the new stars are given the meanings that belonged to the previous ones, despite the change in position of some stars nothing changes and fate can be read the same way.
The second is that the interpretation moves with the stars, this doesn’t change the way they are individually read, but changes divination and the perception of mansions and symbols as a whole.
The third is that the “interpretation” is lost due to the shift, this would invalidate the divination method as a whole.
You can’t prove anything without more divination related texts though, this will have to be looked into later.
Now you’ll have to decide who to visit first tomorrow.
>Patriarch
>Madam
>Young Lady
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Early in the morning, the weather is clear and the estate remains as quiet as yesterday.
As you leave your small residence, you notice a few stewards are caring for your garden and pond, when they see you they all extend polite bows instead of the usual friendly greetings Ming Bei remembered.
You make your way to the Madam’s residence, which is separate from the patriarch’s and surrounded by a few short walls, where the wall ends, flowers and small trees are arranged to make a living fence. A tasteful design choice that clashes just enough with the rest of the estate.
You’re taken deeper inside by the madam’s personal maid, who has other maids go prepare you a light meal.
”Lady Tan is currently meditating, I will let her know that you have arrived… Young Master”
It doesn’t take long before both the madam and the meal arrive, no strong flavors, nothing too hard or chewy. She took the old man’s advice to heart and is looking out for the after effects of your ritual.
”Have something to eat first, I know you didn’t eat much yesterday”. She says, and watches over you in silence until you’re done eating. It is only when you place your chopsticks down that she signals her maid to leave the room.
”I spoke to Ming Xuegang, you went to him first.” She uses her spirit sense to bring over a tea set, and then, with her own hands, begins to prepare tea.
”Correct.”
”And you’ve chosen to follow a Dao that is not the Ming’s.”
”Yes.” You respond, the warm water is poured and mixed with tea leaves, and other aromatic herbs, the madam keeps both cups in the center for a moment before continuing.
”Ming Xuegang’s ‘disgrace’ will be hidden, will not cultivate the Orchid Garden, will not engage in house politics, and will not leave Guang city unless the sect is leaving as well… That is what was agreed to twenty six years ago in exchange for everyone’s safety, not just yours.
Here we are despite the agreement, you are now a cultivator. Is this your way of rebelling against him? Do you think you’ll stick it up to me if you practice a different Dao?”
She presents one of the cups and you receive it with both hands, ignoring the pot pointing towards you. The scent is gentle, and there is a slight tang to the taste.
”I never had a talent for tea and other pleasantries, but I have been practicing lately. It is not heavenly starlight, but I hope it is to your liking, Daoist Ming Bei.”
Tan Shu falls silent and the two of you take turns sipping tea, she does not break eye contact, it looks like she wants you to continue the conversation.
>Ask her a question (write in)
>Speak your mind to her (write in about what)
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No wrong answers btw, don’t feel pressured.
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>>6365589
>The Madam has been most gracious with this Ming Bei. This Junior can assure the Madam that he has no intention of offending her or breaking any agreements he has been party too, But with the vision of the Silver body, it is fated.
>This Junior will cultivate the dao of stars, and he shall repay the clan for the kindness it has done to him, and he shall not be scheming to win favour or sway the stagnant pool of politics beyond existing within it's depths.
>Does the Madam find personal fault with this Ming Bei?
It's not meant to be dismissive, but I'm not going to be overly deferential given we can outfight them
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”The Madam has been most gracious with this Ming Bei. This Junior can assure the Madam that he has no intention of offending her or breaking any agreements he has been party to.
The agreement states that I am not meant to leave the city unless the sect moves… But will the sect even be able to move away if things remain as they are?” You pause for a moment.
”We are certainly lacking in manpower, but it is not something that cannot be solved. And you’re dancing around part of the agreement.” The madam’s reply is swift, she has a way of solving the issue but is withholding it it seems.
”Certainly, but does the madam find personal fault with this Ming Bei? From daoist to daoist, would lady Tan Shu ignore the legacy from a legendary figure?”
”...”
She wouldn’t, save a few exceptions, no one still within the heaven and earth axes would let such an opportunity go.
”This junior will cultivate the Dao of the stars and repay the clan, as well as the madam for the kindness that has been given.”
”That is acceptable, but what will you do about the situation inside the clan?”
”I shall not scheme to win favor or sway the stagnant pool of politics beyond existing within its depths.”
She taps the table with her finger once, twice, then thrice.
”Just existing within its depths makes your every move stir the waters… And no one will let this chance slip by, I know my daughter and Xuegang are inviting you separately, and I believe the two halls will try to make a move as well.”
Tan shu refills the cups before continuing.
“If you take my side, the Ming will quickly become a Tan branch. If you side with Xuegang, the truth will get out and the clan’s reputation will plummet.
If you side with my daughter, the two halls and Xuegang will work to suppress you two, and the matter of succession must also be decided sooner or later.
If you side with the elders, Xuegang and my daughter will die, and I will be banished. ”
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Petty politics from a mere earth axis clan, had it been back in your day, a single name would have made all other members kill themselves with a smile on their faces… Since you already vowed to do Ming Bei three kindnesses, you must see this matter through to the end.
”In favor of your feat from two days ago, and because I was the first one you decided to visit. I will let you leave and think about how to proceed. The others will probably not let you go until you cross or burn the bridge.”
”This Ming Bei is thankful for the madam’s grace, if you excuse me I will take my leave then.” You offer a deep bow, and quickly make your way out of the residence.
You will only be able to interact with one of the three remaining parties, think about any questions or negotiation tactic. The decision of who to back/join will be made at the end of that interaction through a vote.
>Visit the Patriarch (question/negotiation write in)
>Visit the Young Lady (question/negotiation write in)
>Wait for the elders of the halls to reach out (question/negotiation write in)
//
We'll cultivate soon I swear, we just need a bit of court intrigue to set the mood.
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>>6365741
>>Visit the Patriarch (question/negotiation write in)
He's our father and our biggest supporter since the start. I'd say come clean about our intentions to not remain in the family once matters are settled. Make shit about pursuing the legacy of the Silver Saint or something. This way we'll remove ourselves from the politics all together.
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>>6365752
We can tell him we intend to leave, but I have zero intention of allowing our father pr the Madam to be executed.
So I say that we should side with him, Tank the reputation hit, then kill the elders if they try to suppress us or leaked the rumour, and then kill a prominent figure of the other clans to cut out their legs.
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>>6365778
As an aside, we should ask the Patriarchh to collaborate the Madam's assessment of the political angle. In his own words ideally.
Oh and ask about his bottleneck. Maybe drop some wisdom that could be feigned as incidental.
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You go towards the Patriarch’s residence, the Young Lady and the elders will just get you even more involved in things.
The head maid greets you and heads into the building to inform her master about your arrival. After a little bit of time, you’re guided to Ming Xuegang’s study where he is waiting, and you take a seat.
”Did you meet Tan Shu?” He says, putting away the paperwork he had been looking at.
”Yes.”
”Then let’s get to the point, she will not take action, she must not be allowed if she tries either.”
”That seems to be the case, she only gave me information and did not try anything, at least on the surface.” You share her assessment of the situation, and Xuegang nods.
”Right, the moment the other two parties can’t get their hands on you, it will become known that you are my son… The elders will try to remove me because of my actions, and my daughter will claim that you are not the legitimate child, and join in on their effort to get rid of me.
If she’s fated to, she will outmaneuver the elders and the outsiders backing her.”
”And Tan Shu?”
”If you join her, we’ll be fully absorbed by the Tan clan, if her daughter inherits the sect and marries another Tan, we’ll be absorbed by the Tan clan in twelve years give or take. And if the situation spirals out of control and she is killed, or the elders kill me… The Tan clan will step in with the excuse of helping quell a rebellion, then devour us whole.”
Ming Xuegang pulls out a pipe from his sleeve and begins to smoke.
”My father didn’t think ahead and now we’re paying for his mistakes.”
”I didn’t want to get involved, and now that this legacy is in my hands I have my own intentions.”
”What do you want to do?”
”I will leave and cultivate, but I won’t abandon the clan that has raised me either.” You look him in the eye and state your intention.
”If you lend me a hand, I will help you remove the elders and strengthen the clan so it can stand up to the Tan… After that you can turn your full support to the young lady and get her to burn the bridges with the outsiders if their intentions aren’t good.”
Ming Xuegang takes a long drag, shifts his attention towards the madam’s residence and holds his breath.
One, two, three breaths pass before he lets the smoke flow out, closing his eyes. ”You make it sound so simple.” he says.
”Finding the path is winning half the battle, now you just have to walk it.”
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>>6365852
The room goes quiet and he continues to smoke, he uses his spirit sense to write on a piece of parchment, then a few letters that are then sealed and stacked on top of each other.
”Ming Lifu.” He calls.
”Yes, Master.” And a young maid responds.
”Deliver these, and put the parchment on our estate’s entrance.”
The maid nods and rushes out of the study, he turns to you again and continues.
”I will enter seclusion for a year, East Hall will be sent on a mission to Northern Dui, while the other goes to Southern Gen… Clan matters will be handled by Tan Shu.”
”Are you trying to break through the bottleneck?” You ask.
”Yes, and I have tasked the elders to find the materials I need to do it” -He chuckles and takes another drag- ”They will be unable to find them despite all their blood, sweat and tears… What a shame hahaha.”
Before you can say anything, he gently pushes you out of the study with his spirit sense and shuts the door, not before slipping a jade seal into one of your pockets, thinking you wouldn’t notice.
”Ming Lifu will be supervising you, ‘complain’ to her if you need anything…”
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>>6365853
As you leave the patriarch’s residence, you can sense four figures hurriedly making their way to their respective masters. With half the day remaining, you decide to visit the archive again to continue your research and as you make your way to the main courtyard, the notice of the seclusion is announced through an artifact.
It doesn’t take long for you to run into the head maid and a group of servants and family members in the main courtyard. The head maid has a piece of parchment on her hands and when she notices you, she begins to read its contents aloud.
“Ming Xuegang is an incompetent patriarch who allowed the Tan to take over the house, he ran to the madam with his tail between his legs at the first sign of trouble and became her lapdog.
Even as a dog, he failed to serve his master and had affairs with other women after selling the clan off, this ungrateful wretch sired a child with one of those women and sloppily hid his existence from the world.
I cannot remain hidden while the clan is being eaten inside out by the Tan and Ming Xuegang does nothing about it. A bastard I may be, but the ming is still my house.
Ming Xuegang you dog faced trash, come out of seclusion and get the clan’s seal if you dare face your family.
Ming Bei.”
And not long after, an announcement comes from the madam’s residence.
“Ming Bei has committed a grave offense, but his words are the truth. In terms of seniority he is the rightful heir of the clan and the seal, however, his actions cannot be ignored.
As a member of the Tan family, this madam cannot act on behalf of the Ming, and as the hall elders are not present, the punishment is to be decided by the clan patriarch once he comes out of seclusion… Until that day comes, he will be under Ming Lifu’s supervision and is not allowed to leave the city under any circumstances.”
The head maid laughs and shakes her head, while other clan members joke about how unexpected and unbelievable the whole situation is. A few people have hardened expressions and some discretely clench their fists.
Ming Xuegang and Tan Shu have put the politics of the house on hold for a year in a sloppy and shameless collaboration.
Your main objective will be to reach middle or late foundation establishment at minimum within 12 months.
Deciding to strike the iron while it’s hot, you
>Visit the young lady and come clear about your intentions before there is a misunderstanding
>Start researching (Choose a topic, and roll a d20)
>Absorb starlight (Choose how to use the cup method and roll a d100)
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>>6365854
>Make our stance clear to the young lady.
We have no designs on the seat. The safety of the Patriarch and madam is the priority. Do not allow the clan to be absorbed by the Tan.
If we align, our support is firm.
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>>6365854
>>Visit the young lady and come clear about your intentions before there is a misunderstanding
Get this female dog out of the way so that we can focus on what matters most, refinement of the mind, body and soul.
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With four people out of the picture, the only one left is Ming Xiaoliang, Bei’s half sister and the young lady of the clan. The declaration Xuegang forged and madam Tan’s lukewarm response will lead to a misunderstanding if you don’t act now.
By the time you reach her residence, Ming Lifu is back by your side.
”Young master, any complaints?” She asks.
”Not yet, I will talk with Xiaoliang first.” You reply.
”Understood.”
Instead of meeting a servant that informs their master, Xiaoliang is waiting for you by the door to her residence.
”Ming Bei.” She does not extend a greeting or offer any courtesy
”Ming Xiaoliang, we need to talk.” Neither do you, she and Bei were so close that names and positions only mattered in official settings.
”Speak.”
”In private.”
”We’re already in my residence, h-how more private does it need to be?” She speaks in a forced nervous tone.
”Just you and me.”
”...Come in.”
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>>6365918
Instead of her study or the guest room, the two of you head directly for her room. You lock the door, she closes the windows, you move the carpet and she opens a hidden door on the floor, then both of you enter the secret space.
The space has a few large cushions, a table and piles of novels all around, half of which have been smuggled in by Ming Bei over the years. As soon as the hidden door closes, she relaxes and throws herself into the embrace of one cushion.
”Is it true?”
”Yes, I am patriarch Xuegang’s bast-”
”Not that! I already had my suspicions. Did you really start cultivating?”
”You can see for yourself, I saw the Silver Body Saint in a vision and learned part of their Dao, I don’t plan to take over the clan.” You spread your arms and let her fully perceive your cultivation while you speak
”Where’s my heaven defying inheritance? I don’t want to spend the rest of my life in the middle of rural Li.”
”Me neither, which is why I plan to secure the line of succession before leaving.”
”So you come here to show me the shackles and the bridle? You’re so cruel.” She pretends to cry, but her expression is too bright for anyone to believe it. ”What’s the plan?”
”I cultivate and support the patriarch to tip the scale away from the Tan, we remove the hall elders and their followers and then break the legs of the Yuan and the He.”
”Then mother and father use the seal as an excuse to exile you? He’s going to have it rough for a while after that.”
Both Xiaoliang and you shake your heads, Xuegang’s name will be ruined by then, but at least he will not die.
”The elders have been trying to get me to side with them for a while, but I either pretend I don’t get what they mean, or ask father to send them somewhere for a while…”
”So, will you help?” You ask.
”...Haah, I can play along and set them up, as much as I dislike this place, I don’t want to imagine what would happen if either of them end up on the seat.”
”Good, I’ll use Lifu if I need to contact you. ”
”Right, you better get out of here before I change my mind.” She practically pushes you away from the secret room, and you leave the residence immediately after.
In the end you met everyone you needed to, and with the politics out of the picture for a while, you can finally cultivate, so you will
Research
>Continue looking into astrology/astronomy (what do you want to look into), 1d20
>Reference an Elemental Dao: Metal Orchid Garden available. (anything you want to look for in specific) 1d20
>Refresher on Rituals, no DC as you’re recalling existing knowledge (QM's lazy exposition dump!)
>Refresher on Martial Dao, no DC as you’re recalling existing knowledge (QM's lazy exposition dump!)
or
Cultivate
Absorb starlight, current method is Teacup Capture (placeholder name)
>Choose how to use the cup method and roll a d100
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>>6365920
>>Continue looking into astrology/astronomy (what do you want to look into), 1d20
Sympathetic materials on the earth. Some gems are thought to be captured starlight, and perhaps there is a resonance there that may help your cultivation?
I do not know if it is possible (or a good idea) but perhaps through sympathetic materials we can create a full five elemental cycle that can capture starlight? Gems represent earth, and water represents water, perhaps a highly reflective metal can represent metal. Lost for wood and fire though.
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>>6365999
I mostly just want the info dump put the way in one stroke.
"Crimson war god" taking twice the time to remember is preferable for us who typically have 1 post a day, and spending 2 days to learn foundational information
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>>6366015
To expand on >>6365925
what if we went with something like this?
>Gems
>Starfruit plant infused with the residual wood qi from the bottle
>Set of 20 teacups (probably more than we need) made from decent quality metal or better and painted with yin materials
>Pure water from a pond reflecting the nightsky
>Flammable yan materials put in the shape of the sun and lit with us in the center
Even with it not doing what we expect I think that might be worth a shot
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Rituals are a crucial aspect of cultivation whether one follows an orthodox or a heterodox path, it helps accumulate energy faster, it can reduce the backlash of techniques and medicines or increase their effect. They are also used when advancing through certain stages to manipulate heavenly tribulations in certain ways.
A ritual consists of a set of actions, things like gathering, preparing, positioning, consuming, destroying or creating can all be parts or the ritual as a whole.
It is only in the Middle Heaven Axis realm that one begins to understand the real purpose of these actions, and one of the core aspects of cultivation along with Absorption (accumulation), Resonance. The practitioner’s rituals have the objective of amplifying or disrupting their resonance with energies, beings or concepts.
Said energies, beings or concepts are not limited to things “higher” than oneself either, there are rituals that can be made to resonate with lower existences after all.
A practitioner can be called an Immortal when they either forcefully integrate their existence into the world, being accepted as a part of it that must always exist, referred to as “Engraving Oneself”, Or by reaching perfect resonance and assimilating into the world, which is reaching Buddhahood and breaking the cycle of reincarnation.
The first one requires an absurd amount of power, rituals and feats to be achieved, while the latter can be done as early as the moment one gains sentience… However, this state of perfect resonance and assimilation is impossible to maintain for beings with an ego, so they are consumed by the world or “spit out” if assimilation can’t be completed.
The elemental daos focus on resonance with one of the five elements to reach that Engraving stage; due to this, the others are disrupted… This is why it is not possible to perfectly cultivate two or more elements.
The martial dao on the other hand, is about reaching the engraving stage through dissonance. The rituals and practices focus on accumulating energy and making it one’s own, then amplifying it to the extreme.
Weapons are chosen mainly because conceptualizing “Sword Qi” “Spear Qi” or “Fist Qi” is easier than the specifics of conceptualizing oneself as a source of energy… This creates a dissonance with the elemental energies and makes a Martial practitioner largely incompatible with them.
“Why is it impossible to reach elemental unity, and why is the Martial dao unable to harmonize with the elements?” The strongest and wisest immortals have always set out in search of answers, but no one has come back to tell them. There is a piece of information in your memories that is sealed, and approaching it gives a very ominous feeling. It would be better to see this once you’re at the Heaven Axis realm.
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For now all that is left is cultivation, with a few ideas in mind, you have Ming Lifu bring you a few things, she will leave as soon as your complaint is made.
Do you want to give Lifu this shopping list >>6366032 as is, or do you want to add/take something off? (Roll a 1d6 and state what gems you want, only two.)
You can always ask for something else in a write-in if you have another idea.
And start thinking how you’ll be using the materials that are asked for.
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>>6366083
>There is a piece of information in your memories that is sealed, and approaching it gives a very ominous feeling. It would be better to see this once you’re at the Heaven Axis realm.
hmm interesting...
>>>6366085
Well since the library was a bust and we're unlikely to leave this place any time soon, we might as well. I thought of some tweaks to the original idea by>>6365925.
>Earth: gem (star sapphire)
>Fire: gem (star ruby)
The best choices I've found, based on this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asterism_(gemology)
>Metal: Silver mirror
We're unlikely to access to meteorite currently so lets just go with this.
>Wood: Starfruit, starflower, aster, cosmos flowers. Any of these would do.
I hesitate to use the wood bottle since its extreme elemental nature is likely to disrupt the entire ritual formation.
>Cup of pure water
Self-explanatory.
>Yang: Sunflower or light concentrated via the silver mirror.
>Yin: Dead body of a small animal.
I had the idea of adding Yin and Yang materials to complete the auspicious number 7. I'm not very satisfied with Yang materials I came up with, if anybody has a better idea go ahead.
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Rolled 6 (1d6)
>>6366085
>>6366097
Let's go with what this guy came up with. Ideally we stumble upon a different method then the cups of water method, one that uses the materials here.
Otherwise, hollow out the materials as necessary to turn them into cups that can hold water for the cup method. Drinking from a dead animal body is kinda guh, maybe we can simply integrate a breathing process to it for that? Inhale for yang, exhale for yin?
>>6366015
>This is a good idea but it won't do what you expect it to
something something astral separate from material cycle most likely, still we can try
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Rolled 3 (1d6)
>>6366085
I second A silver mirror
I also suggest that we get a well made Jian.
Our talent for combat should make a secondary/complimentary weapon focus easy enough, we just need to be careful not to over-level it.
Another thought is that given we are imbibing a toxin [star light], we could look at poisoner paths for inspiration for how to endure.
such as focusing the energies in certain prepared parts of the body? or taking milder poisons to condition ourselves to endure more?
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Hoho, good, very good.
I'll be cleansing my soon to be ancient bones we can lock once I return, if you want to take some time to finish ironing out the ideas you can go ahead. Go crazy, be bold, the worst that can happen isQM giving you vague advice about something.
>>6366139
Clear waters with a dark background or deep waters are an optimal medium, not the only one, and you're not limited to a teacup.
You don't need to chug off a dead body or dip it in the water if you don't want to either, it'd be really funny if you do it for a couple reasons, but having the source of yin energy nearby should be good enough. You'll have to think of a way that doesn't use the cups, remember you have the entire clan residence and its surroundings at your disposition.
>>6366173
It only acts as a toxin on the early stages, trying to endure or resist it will actually slow down your progress long term.
Combat will be touched after this cultivation session.
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>>6366190
Make sure the carcass is that of a decayed nocturnal animal, like a bat or owl to stay true to the star theme. Yang is really tricky, since the most yang thing possible is sunlight, which clashes with the nighttime needed for starlight. I was thinking either bull testicles for that life/masculinity association or just sunflowers.
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You give Ming Lifu a list of things to bring, and she leaves right away. After two shichen, she and a couple servants deliver everything.
A silver mirror to represent Metal and reflect starlight.
A few starfruits to represent Wood.
A jar of clear water, as pure as can be found in the city.
Gem DC: 5 - Rolled 6
A polished sapphire to represent Earth.
A polished ruby to represent Fire.
A freshly cut sunflower to represent Yang.
And the carcass of a bat to represent Yin.
You’re also brought a Jian from a renowned blacksmith in the city, the design is minimalistic and the materials are not that great, but the quality should be enough to accompany a swordsman through many battles from Qi Gathering to Foundation Establishment.
You find a suitable place in a dark corner near the archives where no one else will pass by, and ask Lifu to leave the sword in your room, as its materials can affect a Ying Yang Five Elements ritual. She returns with a table and a chair, and you begin to set up each object.
The carcass is left under the table.
The sunflower is cut into seven pieces and arranged to represent the White Turtle of the East, a teacup is placed on top of each piece.
The starfruits are cut into seven thin pieces each, that are then placed inside the seven teacups.
The polished Ruby and Sapphire are put inside the water jar at the same time.
The mirror hangs at an angle from an eave.
Ming Lifu dismisses the other servants, who reluctantly pretend to leave and peep from behind a wall, and then the time comes.
You pour the water that has resonated with Fire and Earth into each cup.
The starlight reflects off the mirror and resonates with Metal, which is then captured by the water
The table blocks most of the ghostly energy left in the carcass, and the Yin and Yang energies meld and flow into the cups.
You look at this… Ying Yang Five Elements Star Elixir, and
>Remove the Ying Yang Five Elements just how you did the first time, and drink the resulting starlight
>Drink the Ying Yang Five Elements Star Elixir
Roll a d100.
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Fuck my wagie incel life, I'm worthless.
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You decide to remove the other energies, tapping the water’s surface with your finger, waiting until the energies of Ying Yang and the Five Elements are expelled,when you’re done with the last cup, the first has cooled down a little.
A faint multi-colored mist surrounds you and Lifu who unconsciously absorbs the Metal Qi, and the moment she does, she sits down and circulates her Qi at a rapid pace, beads of sweat form in her forehead, a serious expression on her face.
You also begin to drink from the cups, this time the starlight goes down easily, and the burning sensation is weaker, like that of drinking a well aged wine. Around the fourth cup you feel yourself drunk on starlight, not physically but spiritually drunk, something that shouldn’t pose much of an issue.
Rolled 71 (1-25 Early, 26-50 Middle, 51-75 Late, 76-100 Grand Perfection)
In this drunken stupor, you take the fifth cup and gently grasp at nothing with one hand, to hold a sword that no longer exists and offer a dance to those dear to you that are no longer here, the first twelve forms of the Crimson Tulip Sword, those of the Earth Axis flow seamlessly into each other.
The starlight flows throughout your body with each movement, and part of impurities your body has are expelled in the form of murky sweat. Your power reaches the early Qi Gathering stage in two breaths and continues to rise.
You reach for the sixth cup and drink, this time firmly gripping emptiness and perform the twelve forms of the Crimson Tulip Sword’s Heaven Axis as you drink, a dance offered to those who stood in your path and clashed blades with.
Having permeated your entire body, the starlight begins to accumulate in your lower dantian, filling it at an unbelievable speed and flowing into your middle dantian, your every breath now infused with a fraction of starlight.
The last cup is drunk in one gulp, and you offer the last few moves, those you made in the immortal realm to the five people who you challenged the Gate with…
Or at least you try, the moment you attempt to dance the first move, your body loses its balance and all you can do is fall on your butt.
”The starlight is too intoxicating…”[i/]
You sit down and stabilize the rampaging starlight qi that has settled on your lower and middle dantian. The rest of the night is spent in this process and by the time you can move again, the sun has long since risen, its light caressing your skin and helping evaporate the sweat you exuded.
Apart from the few servants from yesterday, a group of clan members are all curiously watching over you and Lifu, who has been standing guard by your side. It seems she was able to stabilize faster.
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”Hmm… Lifu, how are you feeling?” You ask, disregarding the audience.
”I absorbed the Metal Qi and made big progress in my cultivation thanks to the Young Master.”
”Good, tell me if anything feels off.”
”Understood.”
Your idea to integrate all energies and their subsequent removal purified the starlight to an extreme degree, while the removed “impurities” themselves are also purified by the starlight.
The most crucial part was the use of Yin and Yang in the ritual, and while the quality of the gems isn’t heavenly, it was enough to fully nullify the remaining ghostly Qi from the carcass.
Perhaps consuming the Ying Yang Five Elements Star Elixir would have led to a completely different result, but you can instinctively tell that it is no longer possible to pursue this path.
You can now use the Ying Yang Five Elements ritual to cultivate, the materials can be improved and the ritual can be modified once you reach Core Formation.
Having reached the late stage of Qi Gathering in one day, you won’t be able to cultivate for three months. During that time you can focus on refining your body by researching other Daos for reference or coming up with your own original method… You also need to adapt this acquired power for combat.
You could integrate your knowledge of the sword to this new path, you could forego the sword and use your power in a different way.
>Begin refining your body (write-in your idea)
>Combat training (write-in your idea)
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I hope you're okay with me dropping this many write-in options, if you want I can dial it back and add more clear choices, I just like seeing people come up with their own ideas and working it into the setup.
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>>6366540
I get the appeal for you, I have a similar like of seeing people come up with new ideas.
>>6366536
>Combat training.
So yes yes, better body means better base and everything but we are in a vipers nest and the ability to smash heads is also really valuable here.
SO
the qualities of starlight are "poisonous to others", "Yinish aligned?" and more. . . powerful by it's diagrams.
I recommend we create a Sword dao varient, with the specialities of piercing/death by cuts method of killing. Breaking defences type deal. Maybe incorporate some "draw the diagrams in the strokes" to empower certain moves.
At this low level of cultivation, I just want us able to turn the starlight into star lit venom, and the forms of the crimson tulip will probably be a decent enough base.
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>>6366536
>Perhaps consuming the Ying Yang Five Elements Star Elixir would have led to a completely different result, but you can instinctively tell that it is no longer possible to pursue this path.
Ok now I'm kinda curious, QM please humour me and tell what's this path we missed out on. Is it the ability to cultivate all 5 elements plus yinyang and stars? and is it superior in any way to the star purist path we're currently walking?
>Combat training (write-in your idea)
We're good at swords, so just stick to them for now. I like the sword stroke star diagram method proposed by >>6366542. My own idea is for our venomous star energy to embody the concept of "Purity" rather than just generic poison. Anything that isn't "pure" or tainted gets cut down into nothing.
I also find the Constellation Body Acupuncture idea by >>6366409 really cool, but I want to save that until we have more knowledge about astrology/astronomy.
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>>6366542
If we go by qualities then it would be something like
>separate from the five elements
>purification
>energy is very concentrated
>balanced yin/yang
The toxicity comes from the first three, it is a somewhat alien substance to those living in this heaven and earth, the purifying properties expel/cleanse the impurities within the body/energies, a minuscule amount is needed to purify and and going higher just fucks you up.
A variant sword dao is possible, the crimson tulip sword would have to be remade from the ground up.
>>6366551
>Is it the ability to cultivate all 5 elements?
Bingo, it would have created an elemental seed within you body that you could nurture.
>is it superior in any way to the star purist path we're currently walking?
They're about equal, if the five elements gives you the option to exploit the dynamics between elements, the purist path gives you the option to overpower them through pure force.
And yes, it's about purification.
The accupunture idea can be explored later if you delve some more into astronomy.
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>>6366559
Hmmm.
This would make us very good against poisoner's and decent for expelling demonic possession/other exorcist arts.
Maybe even a healer[?].
About sword arts. . Yeah, this knowledge seems to mesh with a more refined/soft style of swordsmanship, since the power can come from the energy concentration. Really focus on the delivering it into killing blows rather trying to add power to power to overcome other defences.
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>>6366559
>Bingo, it would have created an elemental seed within you body that you could nurture.
I see.
>They're about equal, if the five elements gives you the option to exploit the dynamics between elements, the purist path gives you the option to overpower them through pure force.
Well in that case I'm happy we went with star purist path. The other sounds really resource extensive and also kinda generic.
>And yes, it's about purification.
Nice. Purity is one of the most powerful concepts in Daoism. I wonder if we make a technique that purifies our soul to attain even a higher spiritual sensitivity.
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Since this granddaddy has you all here, I'll ask without an update.
Do you want to look for trouble outside the clan, or do you want to spar with someone inside?I totally didn't forget to put that in the combat training option I swear (I did forget to put it in the option)
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>>6366577
I'm weary of showing people the full extent of our skills, both inside and outside. Its clear that the estate is full of spies for the hall elders and the Tan.
Can we go hunt some beats in the wilds? that way we can make some cash as well as remove the rust.
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>>6366577
Look for trouble outside the clan.
Either some juniors from He or Yuan. Get their measure, see what styles they prefer. We'll be cutting out some of their strongest members later, be good idea to sow a few grudges now.
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>>6366607
True, I don't have any doubt we could eradicate anyone Qi Condensation or lower. I'm more concerned at the risk of multiple of their Formation Establishment friends or seniors jumping us later if we're not cautious.
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I'll throw you a bone, right now it's harder for you to not kill things so you'll have to be very careful, if they survive it could prove beneficial to them though.
>>6366617
Would you let your backyard have stuff that can kill your jobber clan members? It's clean of spirit beasts that could pose danger to people, you could experiment on wildlife.
>>6366623
It's their way of keeping you safe, if you leave the city you can get jumped by anyone and no one will be able to tell who did it.
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Let's list three options then
>Look for trouble ouside the clan (Choose between the He and the Yuan)
>Spar with someone from the clan, you'll have to make extra preparations (Xiaoliang/Lifu/Faceless Clan members)
>Experiment with animals in the mountain
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>>6366637
If we're going to attack another clan, I agree with anon that it should be the He. They have more Foundation Establishment juniors that will get involved before their stronger elders do. Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to an uphill fight, I just want to refine our new cultivation methods before we go all-in.
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>>6366678
>>6366640
>>6366649
QM said that if our opponents survive us they'll benefit. So its either kill or make them stronger in the future. Do we really want to start a blood feud? or potentially strengthen our enemies? Both options are unappealing to me.
>>6366637
>Spar with someone from the clan, you'll have to make extra preparations (Xiaoliang)
At least this way we'll only benefit ourselves.
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>>6366682
Reread what he said in the context of the power of moon.
"It's hard to avoid killing someone. If they survive they will benefit."
This is because our Starlight purifies.
So go for the kill, start the blood fued, let the tension grow until they come for our heads and cut it off in turn
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>>6366686
I think you're being overly invested in this.
We're only doing it to repay the owner of the body. For us there's no glory nor gain in slaughtering juniors over petty grievances. In fact it would even harm our original purpose by escalating, was is essentially a political squabble into a full on war. Remember that we will not be here forever. As soon as we leave anybody seeking revenge can just come back and slaughter our weak family. Its better to strengthen the heir so that she could protect them herself after we leave.
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>>6366692
It's very simple.
Strengthen the patriarch. Give some tips to the heir. Slaughter the upper ranks of the other two clans, until they only have early stage foundation cultivators or push it further to mid-qi gathering, then we can leave.
We are the crimson war god, I have no intention of being cowed and subdued about a bunch of earth axis ants.
Who's gonna avenge them? all those golden core cultivators they don't have?
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Soon my ass, Ihadn't decided in the name of the other two choices
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You have half the mind to go out and cull some juniors from the He while testing a few things with the sword, the house could handwave it as a trifling fight between juniors if you kill one or two, so long as you don’t mess with an heir or a dao child. Since you’re not completely sure if Madam Tang would actually support you de-escalating the situation, you abandon the idea.
Sparring with someone in the Ming also crossed your mind, passing down some pointers to Xiaoliang is something you need to do anyways before leaving, and you’re curious how Lifu will perform after absorbing the purified metal qi.
The issue is that you’re similar to a snake or scorpion right now. Fighting without knowing just how much starlight is too much means you’re more likely to kill them in a single move than you are in imparting any knowledge. Using other means to spar with the young lady will give the two halls more information on Xiaoliang, and would also defeat the purpose of experimenting with starlight.
In the end, the only option left is to test things on spiritual beasts, but anything still alive around the city would at worst maul a mortal without killing them, merely Mid Qi gathering, it will do for now.
You pick up the sword in your room and leave the estate through the back door to roam the forest for a bit, you’re aware Ming Lifu follows soon after, she skillfully stays just outside of the perception range of a Qi Gathering cultivator’s spirit senses, but the control of her qi still needs work, and the pure metal energy she absorbs is not doing her any favors. Even if you can’t perceive her directly, you can feel her close.
Since starlight is separate from the five elements, it shouldn’t be impossible to integrate your knowledge of the sword dao into it, its properties as a mostly alien substance makes it highly poisonous in large concentrations, and its ability to forcefully purify energies can disrupt their flow if the opponent’s qi isn’t pure enough.
You go over the styles that would best match these properties and settle on three:
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The first twenty four moves of the Crimson Tulip Sword passed down by your teacher: Precise and delicate, creating an uninterrupted flow to outmaneuver the opponent and slice off their limbs and heads in one swift motion at close range.
The Blood Immortal’s Sword Canon: A flying sword style that eventually allows the cultivator to wield tens of thousands of blades with their mind as if they were just part of their body, incredibly tough on the defense. The Blade God could easily exterminate everything in the battlefield with himself as the centre, or from a great distance… Annoying bastard.
The Agate Blood War Mandala: The Grand Dragon God had been blessed by the heavens so that only the blood of a mortal human could kill him… And he had to die. The Agate Bodhisattva, the Blood Immortal, and the Crimson War God put together a sword style for this. You pierced through the god’s forehead with a single needle made of bone, bound his divine body with threads of blood and held him in place until he was tainted to death.
A deer is your first target, it notices you and puts up its guard… Before it has the chance to run away you will Roll a d20 and
>Rush at it, infuse your sword with Star Qi and use one of the Crimson Tulip Sword’s earth axis moves.
>Envelop your sword with Star Qi and direct your sword from a distance.
>Make a needle of Star Qi and shoot it at the deer.
How much Qi do you want to use?
>A handful, what you would get from cupping water with one hand.
>A spoonful
>A pinch
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