Torsten Hewson
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v6c10: A Glimpse of Connections
🕑 Added 2025-03-15 06:20:26 +0000 UTCThe subtle tension that always came when dealing with politics filled Xiulan’s body as she reset the Go board. It made her hyper aware of the people in front of her, looking for every twitch, every shift in the tone of their voice that indicated that the person in front of her was trying to take advantage of her. It was a skill she had cultivated out of necessity, and while it served her well, it was a feeling she hadn't missed. It was like being in the middle of combat without the release of adrenaline fighting offered. Just a constant, low-level simmer.
The tension was heightened today because of just who exactly was sitting opposite her.
“Thank you for indulging this old man,” Xiao Ge said as he took his seat. Xiulan searched his face quickly as she reset the board, but she wasn’t so foolish as to think she was skilled enough to see the depths of the man before her.
Indeed, his face betrayed nothing about him. There were no tells, no tightness, just absolute serenity.
“It is my pleasure; one should always take the opportunity to learn from their elders,” Xiulan replied.
The old monster before her chuckled. “My, your assessment of my skill is quite high… but not incorrect. Go is my favourite game, and I find one of the more interesting ways to get to know someone is to play a few games with them.”
“You wish to get to know me?” Xiulan asked, slightly confused. She had thought she would be uninteresting to these powerful cultivators.
“While your accomplishments fell to the wayside in our… exciting introduction, you are quite interesting. You slew an Earth Realm cultivator, and yet your power is only at the beginning of the Spiritual Realm. According to my good friend, you were instrumental in the defense of one of our honoured allies, and I have also heard some praises of you from a trusted disciple. So I am curious about the woman who accomplished such things,” Xiao Ge explained.
“Your praise honours me,” Xiulan replied, dipping her head into a bow. Praise from a trusted disciple? Had Lu Ri actually said something about her to an Elder of the Cloudy Sword Sect? “I hope I will not disappoint you.”
The board was set. Ge considered her for a moment, before nodding.
“I do not believe you will. But first, I think we must reintroduce ourselves,” he said. He straightened up, and all of a sudden there was presence. Not enough to suppress her. It was not his Qi, but simply the man before her. An old, towering peak sat before her, its face obscured by clouds. “This one is Xiao Ge, the Black Clouds of the Silent Sky and Master of the Cloudy Sword Sect.”
Xiulan felt sweat bead on her back. She swallowed and straightened herself. It took all her composure to declare herself in front of this man.
“This one is Cai Xiulan, Young Mistress of the Verdant Blade Sect and Grand Marshal of the Azure Alliance.”
Xiao Ge nodded at her introduction, then raised his hand, indicating to her that she should take the first move. Xiulan obliged him, and the game began.
“Grand Marshal? An interesting title. May I ask what it implies?” he asked.
“I am the leader of an alliance that contains every sect within the Azure Hills,” Xiulan replied, setting down a stone. She had no doubt that he already knew that though, if he had spoken to Lu Ri.
Still, Xiao Ge raised an eyebrow at her statement and then placed down his own stone.
“...you may command every sect in this province? Most would make certain to bellow that achievement from the rooftops, and use their position to try and impress.”
Xiulan raised an eyebrow. “What sort of fool dares to boast in front of the Cloudy Sword Sect?”
“The more common than not kind,” Ge replied with a slight smile. “Some also try to curry our favour, offering all sorts of things in exchange for our expertise. Few stay silent.”
Xiulan began a more orthodox attack with her stones, a slow, measured push to capture territory. Elder Ge was content to let her, also performing orthodox moves in a game that he had certainly played before.
“The leader of the Sects of the Azure Hills is merely the leader of the Sects of the Azure Hills. It is a new and still tentative alliance. What could we offer? What could we do, other than grovel for resources? No, both of those paths are without honour and without pride. We may be the weakest now—but we will grow. We will be more than parasites, leeching from the strong. We will be more than dogs, eating nothing but scraps. It is insulting to you, and it is insulting to ourselves to follow that path.”
Xiulan internally kicked herself when she realised how strongly her voice had come out at the end—but she didn’t regret it. This was something she was passionate about. It was the future of her home. It was the path she wanted to walk. How could she not be passionate?
She almost expected Ge to be disappointed at her outburst. Instead, the old man was observing her with a soft smile.
“That is indeed a laudable goal, Cai Xiulan, and good reasoning. You are correct, those actions would have gained nothing but disdain from the Cloudy Sword Sect. But now I find myself curious… if you are the Grand Marshal, what will you tell the Sects about what has happened here?”
Xiulan let out a breath. “It was my intention to tell the truth—with only the parts omitted to protect my Sworn Brother’s home. However, I am well aware of the realities of the world. What should be said about the Cloudy Sword Sect? While things can be discussed in private, the official story should be one that gives our enemies the least amount of information possible.”
Elder Ge nodded, then turned his attention back to the board. They played a few more moves, and unlike the early moves Ge’s playstyle suddenly changed—they were seemingly random, instead of the gentle pushback he had offered before, but Xiulan knew the man had started to play in earnest.
“I shall write for you a letter, detailing our involvement. I know the Emperor would prefer this to be quiet to prevent panic, but several disciples will be stationed in the Sea of Snow for an extended period. Those that can be trusted may know as much as you deem fit.”
Xiulan bowed her head. “Thank you, Elder Ge.”
“However, now I am very curious. How exactly did you become ‘Grand Marshal’, if you don’t mind regaling this old man with that tale?”
Xiulan nodded, taking a deep breath.
“It all started with a crystal that Bi De found…” she began.
===========================
“You just gave the crystals to them?” Xiao Ge asked, making sure he had heard the young woman in front of him correctly. Their game lay forgotten. Ge had started using the plays he favoured to teach, the grand stratagems his own Master had taught him, but Cai Xiulan’s tale had proved worthy of his entire attention.
“Yes. It was originally Jin’s idea, but was we discussed it, I realised how important it would be that we start out from a position without resentment, as a forced gathering could have never succeeded…”
Xiao Ge had not known what to expect when he had approached Cai Xiulan. She was quite a pretty thing, but she had been content to stay in the background, unobtrusive. The only reason why he had approached was because of Lu Ri’s words.
His disciple had mentioned her when Ge had spent one night asking him about his information network. She had been described as virtuous and noble, and Lu Ri had called her a person of interest in the Azure Hills.
As always, Lu Ri had understated the matter.
Uniting an entire province’s sects under a single governing body? At her age? It didn’t matter that this was the weakest province in the Empire, that was a legendary feat.
It had been the plan of some of the Honoured Founders to have such a body, but the realities of the time they lived in caused them to abandon the idea as unfeasible. The distances were too vast, and the cultivators too independent to even think of allowing others to impose on them like that. Some of them had disagreed completely as well, stating that the freedom of the sects prevented another Tyrant of the Crucible from rising.
In Ge’s experience as well, this unification was quite unprecedented. Normally, things went the other way. A sect, holding hegemony over a province, was more likely to split due to an internal schism. Others would rise to challenge their power.
It was how the world worked.
And yet here was a young woman challenging that ‘fact of life.’
Challenging it to defend mortals. To stop the wicked from taking advantage of their divisions.
By her own admission, it was young. It was untested. It could fall apart in the coming years.
But if she could keep it together?
Shen Yu had joked last night that they made women in the Azure Hills differently than those of other provinces. Ge had disregarded it as Shen Yu doting on Hong Meiling.
But it appeared that he hadn’t been.
It was good Lu Ri was here to keep an eye on this. Ge would want regular updates on the state of this ‘Azure Alliance’.
However, one thing stuck out to him, as Cai Xiulan finished her tale.
“The Azure Hills are not suitable for cultivation. This is common knowledge. Even on the journey here, we could feel it. Yet from your tale, the cultivators of the Hills seem to just be… growing in power.”
The Azure Hills was a mystery. Most just assumed the Qi void was natural, and the cultivators were weak because of it. So adapted to this area of low Qi, they grew slowly no matter how many resources they consumed. But if they were much more powerful in the past…? Something was strange here.
Cai Xiulan considered his question. She looked into his eyes, and Ge realised that she was considering trusting him with some piece of information.
“The state of our province is not natural,” she finally said. “The crystal that contained their styles also contained the reason for the Qi void. Our province was nearly destroyed by Demonic forces. Its Dragon Veins were shattered. Only barely were our foes stopped… but the damage was already done. A slow, bleeding death. A province nearly devoid of Qi and Dragon Veins.”
Ge’s eyes widened. So that was the reason.
“But as for how we are getting stronger? That is not my tale to tell.” Cai Xiulan nodded at where Young Jin sat with Shou. “It is his.”
Ge’s mind raced, trying to unravel this puzzle box. And yet, the only thing he could come up with was that Jin was somehow repairing the Dragon Veins.
That was… that might just be unprecedented.
A steady, thumping beat echoed out, interrupting his train of thought.
“Lunch time!” a dragon shouted, smacking his tail against the ground.
Ge chuckled at the sight. “Ah, it appears we have lost track of time… and our game. Thank you for the riveting tale… Grand Marshal.”
The young woman blushed when Ge clasped his hand over his fist in a martial salute
Both of them rose to head towards lunch. One mystery solved, and another had taken its place.
No wonder Shen Yu liked this place so much.
====================
Xiulan was rather glad Wa Shi had interrupted. It had been nerve-wracking to be on the other side of the table from Xiao Ge, even though the man had clearly been predisposed to liking her.
She hoped she had handled things well. She didn’t know if she had revealed too much. She didn’t think she did, but still, it was only right to be a bit uncertain of herself.
Lunch was just what she needed.
Though both of them did slow down when Xiulan saw Tigu standing proudly beside an ice sculpture. Delun was there too, and he looked constipated.
The Divine Falcon of Soaring Heaven’s Isle, Tianzhe Minyan, was staring at the ice sculpture Tigu had brought into the greenhouse. Her eyebrow was raised, and her body language was unreadable.
Xiulan glanced at the sculpture. It was the most abstract piece she had seen Tigu make. Swirls of wind, jagged pieces of ice, and a form within those clashing elements that vaguely looked like Lady Minyan.
“This is supposed to be me?” the woman inquired, her voice blank.
“You were very, very hard to pin down,” Tigu said. “But Handsome Man’s words captured some of your essence! Solid, yet formless! Peace in the center of a raging storm! A true challenge it was, to capture such majesty! This Tigu apologizes, but she does not know if we succeeded!”
Tianzhe Minyan looked directly at Xiulan’s friends. Tigu smiled guilessly. Only Delun’s stoicism kept him rooted to the spot.
“Most sculptors try to simply capture my face,” Lady Minyan stated. “This is quite… different.”
“But your face is the least important thing about you?” Tigu stated, cocking her head to the side. Minyan’s brow rose higher.
Then she let out a single snort and the tension dissipated.
“I suppose it is, isn’t it?” Lady Minyan mused. “You are correct, it is incomplete. You may continue refining it.”
Tigu smiled. “Thank you!” she said, bowing.
“And, boy?” Minyan’s voice cut through the air.
Delun stiffened just after his shoulders had started to relax.
“Yes, My Lady?” he asked, humbly.
“You may hold your head high. Your words about me were closer than some of the most renowned sculptors in the Empire.”
Delun’s jaw dropped.
Tigu smiled at him. Delun caught Xiulan’s eyes.
He saw her, and by the complicated expression on his face, she could tell instantly he understood.
Having these old monsters around was stressful!
===================
==================
And So Xiao Ge learns some of whats going on int he province. And Tigu continues to Tigu.
Poor Delun. Man was about to crap himself. He was rather lucky Minyan liked his "shes so strong shes basically a formless air god, lets try and get that." instead of the usual "behold her beauty."
Editors: Massgamer, BargleNawdleZouss
Comments
Ender419
That would be epic if the show up in the next few chapters to meet them.
Melanie Me
Ooooo... I can't wait for Rags, Loud boy, and the crystal girl...( i have no idea why I can't remember her name) to show up and meet "The Old Monsters" hehe
ABTelford
I just noticed: the “old monsters” are an equal spread across genders. 😀. THANK YOU author!! 😘
Timothy Dana
A chance to learn how to heal dragon veins?
Gopard
Yes AI recently Artificial Intelligence beat humans in Skill in the Game of Go and I think an Artificial Intelligence capable of pleaying tens of thousands of games a day and learning from each of those games is the closest we humans have to an Immortal superhuman Cultivator whose brain is capable of calculations way beyond mortals and who has potentially spend centuries honing his skills at the game.
Amer
According to Google yes and they are popular in China.
Amer
You know Shen Yu almost immediately realized that Chun Ke is fully enlightened. I wonder why no one else has mentioned it.
Amer
Ai?
Cranky Otter
I think she makes a good call about not punching above their weight by asking for CSS scraps. (despite her personally punching way above her weight 🤣) I had thought of the AH dynamic as being at the mercy of more powerful sects, rather than being supplicant to them, as I thought it was implied that the other sects don’t go thru the Azure Hills enough that they need to do more than grovel when, for instance, the SMS sends a representative. In which case the AH isn’t asking for scraps so much as they’re appeasing powerful interlopers until they go away.
Beggar of Freedom
You can find them in The Elder Scrolls games. One quick googling my friend because i am a lazy man.
Alex Ingraham
Is that one series or several?
Alex Ingraham
Ty, you are correct lol
Alex Ingraham
Ohhh, duh, me! 🤦🏻♂️ Ty! Can't believe I forgot lol
Alex Ingraham
Also, Xiulan's comments about leeching, dog scraps and parasites was about not wanting to turn the Azure Hills into those by fawning over the elders or being to obsequious to them. If anything, she's showing how much faith and respect she has for the Azure Hills (mortals and cultivators) by telling Ge that she recognizes the AH vs CSS power gap and thus doesn't try to make promises the AH could never keep or make AH a vassal of some sort to CSS. She thinks AH can do better.
Emily Gurnavage
Old Tigu totes would have done that (and I also worried she did lol) with no shame, but she has grown a lot mentally in her short few years.
Cranky Otter
THANK YOU! I didn’t analyze that scene in that way. I even listened to the scene again 2 days ago! 😬 I have an unpredictable ability to *really* get a scene or completely miss the point, and am not always great at knowing which is which.
Baqc∞ART
No, remember how the elders humbled themselves before Jin, and the compensation they brought from the Hidden Mountain Sect. And when Lu Ban asked for Xiulan, if it weren't for the fact that his relationship with Jin was more lucrative, Cai Xi Kong would have had a harder time convincing the elders to reject that agreement.
Old Dog
So why is Jin so bad at Go?
Old Dog
And asks the Lord Magistrate to accompany him....That would would really up the pucker factor.
Cranky Otter
And a funny bit. Every time someone says or thinks “You just asked?” or “You just gave it to them?” I hear it in Jason Bourne’s voice when his super stealthy & complex plans to get info from the hotel were unnecessary because “You just asked?!?!!” in utter disbelief that this was a viable option. 🤣
Cranky Otter
ETA: got 1 explanation below that shows I am on the wrong track with this comment. Willing to look at more if y’all want to chime in. Not deleting the comment tho so it doesn’t look like I’m being hinky. (sentences that struck me as odd/wrong but aren’t) Having reread the chapter, which is overall excellent, I’m having tried with the leeches & parasite line. The dogs bit is iffy, but I have no memory of anyone in the Azure Hills sects giving a second thought to other provinces, and definitely not as subservient- just weaker and less connected, but they handle their business on their own. They’ve successfully fought off demon attacks. They mostly don’t care about the stronger provinces, they are largely fine on their own. Iirc, Xiulan was never doing the Marshal gig to measure up to some external gauge of goodness, but just what she says later, to prevent or stop harm to the people. She doesn’t see the people as parasites either so where did that phrase come from? What in particular does it refer to? Trying to up their capabilities by cooperation (the true secret to humanity’s success, not “strength”) doesn’t have anything to do with being parasites or dogs getting scraps. To my unscientific She’s passionate about making her corner of the world more pleasant & more fair, so those two lines, but especially the leech one, were the reading equivalent of a record scratch. The bit where the CSS was called in is for an empire wide threat so the top experts of the empire are the right people to call in to deal with it. That’s not being parasitic. That’s being part of an Empire that has sects for demon protection.
Toua77
That list got a giggle.
Ichypa
For a singular, terrifying moment I thought that Tigu had somehow caught an eye-full through Shen Yu’s window last night, and had just brought in a nude of Minyan. But I should have known that even if she had, Tigu would never be so impolite as to show it off in public.
Cranky Otter
Same! Pleasantly surprised by the turn to abstraction. Everyone on Fa Ram is growing up!
Cranky Otter
Excellent point! even though I just finished re-listening to audiobook 3 & love this chapter, I hadn’t placed Xiulan’s composure here firmly in context with how fawning she used to be. She’s grown so much! Thanks
Cranky Otter
nonplussed means taken aback - except it looks like it should mean stoic. so it gets misused to mean that often enough it’s starting to mean the opposite of what it started as, which I think is what you’re implying here to mean Shen Yu was not impressed,
Cranky Otter
And it being Tigu’s first known (to us) foray into abstraction - triggered by Minyan, and shepherded by Tie Delun - makes it pretty special, even though Tigu is treating it like any other sculpture on any other day. (Tigu Tiguing) Grand that it went over well. But I do like Tigu’s “well, duh, obviously!” attitude where she expects the world to catch up to her.
Cranky Otter
i also want to highlight this important sentiment: “[Dealing with politics out of her league] was like being in the middle of combat without the release of adrenaline fighting offered”, and goes a long way to describe WHY some politics are so tiring. I’m sure TLM agrees.
Cranky Otter
I commented before than Xiulan as Grand Marshal is important in a way that someone interested in understanding the province, like maybe some visiting sect elders, should pay attention to. I was worried about her staying in the background then getting overlooked. This chapter is HUGELY satisfying in resolving that issue for me. The CSS didn’t leave before finding out she’s actually really accomplished and connected! (Probably should have trusted CF but I thought the Elders were all but ready to pack up). So thanks for this. And for it not being about praising her modesty (female coded) but praising her restraint & lack of fawning or ingratiation (intellectual & skill coded actions). (edited only to fix typos)
Cranky Otter
At which point, Jin pulls a Full Lord Magistrate clench, then goes to ask The Lord Magistrate for advice on visiting the Emperor.
Beggar of Freedom
Sheogorath, Azura, Stendarr, Julianus, Akatosh, Kynareth, Arkay, Zenithar
Alex Ingraham
@Thiemo Guenther An ideal solution when considering the "feelings" of the construct. But, why (apart from Fa Ram and all the lessons they have that we the readers value) would the CPE Emperor think his heir would benefit from going to AH?
John D Jones
@ Carl Dooley Jin isn't going to get a visit from the Emperor any time soon. The Emperor stays at his palace/capital because that's where his cultivation boosting formations are. Now, what might happen is that the Emperor, either through his Voice or through Shen Yu might invite Jin (and some of his Disciples) to visit for an audience.
Alex Ingraham
Were you intending to reply to Lanter (2 comments below this)? Cause I agree, but "part of that" didn't really indicate what you were talking about. Sorry about being a grammar stickler... 😅
Alex Ingraham
Because you want Lanlan to lose or her to finally learn how to get good? Cause the second hurts Jin by ruining all his "studying" of Washi and Lin Ru 😆. Personally I want Jin to bring Risk back and try it against the old monsters 😈
Alex Ingraham
"Divines"? Sorry, just curious.
Alex Ingraham
Shen Yu's nonplussed reaction to the crystal's story would indicate it's not very unique (in it's broad strokes at least). So, I don't know how much value Ge would get from it.
Alex Ingraham
Now I really want this to happen...
Zachary Bender
Which should honestly happen anyway. Jin is literally repairing an entire province, one that has been cut off from the Empire at large for too long. Him being Shen Yu’s grandson would also necessitate a meeting as Jin is slowing rising into the national picture.
Savannah Black
Ask Shou about chocolate! Ask him about chocolate and coffee and vanilla and and and... Ask him!
WarStrider72
it's a callback from when Jin was dealing with all the sect leaders of the Azure Hills after the Shrouded Mountain kidnapping/assault. Jin said "dealing with cultivators is so stressful" and CasualFarmer cut to The Lord Magistrate smiling that someone understood his pain
Alex Ingraham
Does someone who knows Chinese even know if crosswords are possible in Chinese? In the new-ones-printed-in-newspapers-everyday sense that is. I'm sure you could do a limited version in Chinese, but...
Alex Ingraham
I mean, Shen Yu wasn't particularly impressed by the story and didn't think it was too unique. He'd personally plundered old ruins where either very similar things happened or similarly tragic in scale occurred. IRC...
Alex Ingraham
Eh? Where was this in the chapter?
AG
I had not thought about that interaction but now that I have I would like to see it
Carl Dooley
Ge will probably want to view the original that the monkey clan has. Unless there is an 'unredacted' version on Fa Ram.
Carl Dooley
Grandfather already got an introduction to Tianlan. If the elders get an introduction, it might be the sort of thing that could get Jin a personal visit of the Emperor.
Zero Wrath
Yeah, I’m saying that he is likely to wait till spring to ask her.
NameGame
Rereading the chapter, I find myself speculating about what the old monsters would think of Jin's strength. His full, *enhanced* strength. "‘And so the great Ancestor, Shennong, commanded his disciple in the ways of preparing the fields. Till the land. Cut down the trees. Divert the waters—’" A fully supported Break the Rocks, sutras chanted on the wind and gold cracks spreading across his body. Even his grandfather hasn't seen him pull out all the stops. Not that I'm expecting him to put that on display, just wondering how they'd react. There's punching above his tier, then there's...that. Or even just him fighting with the backing of Earth-chan and gold cracks throughout his body. If Jin is to tell the story, the whole story, about the dragon veins...then the living earth spirits would be a part of it, no? That reminds me, spring is coming and hopefully this year (story year, not rl year) Azure might finish connecting to the adjoining province, who might care to speak up or visit or bond, who knows? I'm looking forward to whatever is going to happen on that storyline. Thanks for the chapter.
Gopard
Thanks for the chapter! Xiulan began a more orthodox attack with her stones, a slow, measured push to capture territory. Elder Ge was content to let her, also performing orthodox moves in a game that he had certainly played before. I'm glad it didn't stay like that XDDD not only does that style often make for rather boring games (though I have no doubt Elder Ge could easily crush her... its what strong players do^^) but Ai (the closes thing we have to an immortal Master spending tens of thousands of games and months contemplating Go) show us that playing actively and somewhat chaotically is "the optimal way" lol
Tasha D. Young
Lol! Most beautiful women hear that 'oh, you're so beautiful!' ad nauseum...so she's probably quite pleased to hear something entirely different for a change from an artist!
Justin
Enjoyed it.
Old Dog
As always, thank you for the chapter. It is good to see the pieces slide into place.
Trevor Mergen
Thanks!
Often Irrelephant
Truth. Fox brother might have just brushed up against the edges of it in female form, but Xiulan's dad had to kill a friend/peer because of his behavior towards his daughter. People always want her to join the harem - I know too many girls who gained beauty and excessive bustiness way too early. It can WRECK you. I think it's amazing she's able to have guy friends already -
Often Irrelephant
There's going to be some fun convos coming down the pipeline with iron mom and dad. Does he tell them that he helped with a demon invasion and gained the personal notice of Lady Minyan? Or does Tigu just casually drop it on them during a visit. "Oh, yeah! She and Master Ge are good friends with Gramps."
G
Dragon Chef vs. Dragon-kin glutton!
Lewis
Tempestuous?
ENK
Great chapter! TFTC.
Ligeia
No, with Meimei there, he's greatly improved -- again, of course -- i'm sure. I can't see Meimei allowing the stench of femonic qi disrupting her appetite, not to mention Zhuye's!
Ligeia
Tout ses chapitres sont trop court!
John D Jones
@ Randall Brynsvold No. She might try to take Tigu home with her, though.
John D Jones
@ Matt Grayson Probably not. But she might do one of Shen Yu for Minyan.
John D Jones
I kind of want Minyan to more closely focus on The General That Commands the Winter and realize who/what he really is.
John D Jones
@ Lanter Tie Delun got into pants crapping situations with Jin, Meimei and Gramps BECAUSE of his affections for Tigu. With Minyan, he avoided one because he had the wisdom to recognize, in his art, that Minyan was way more than just a pretty face.
Marcaeus
I *love* this idea. Chun Ke could mention helping big little sister with roads, then casually leads Xiao Ge on a spirit walk past Mount Tai to see Big little Sister's home. The earth spirit is none too impressed by the noble but stiff youngster, the first Imperial cultivator in a while to be in the presence of a province's earth spirit. Chun Ke ends with yet another fan, and Ge starts to realize just how big and old this whole shift from Fa Ram actually is.
Len
I know we are all anticipating the disaster twins...but what will happen when washi meets seiyu........chef meets food glutton..........
Justin Lucier
Hey Casualfarmer, not sure where to put this to get your eyes on it, but I was wondering if you had the Fa Ram logo anywhere for people. I was looking to order a pop socket and you can get custom ones. I would buy one from your merch store if it was on offer. (Hint, hint, accessories!) I'm just talking about the leaf and wheat stalk. It does double duty for me in the wheat city. Lol I love your story and my only complaint would have to be I can't read it even further ahead yet. Thanks for all you do.
Duncan Morin
Kind of, to a few of them. I meant this in a bigger way, that it won't just be friends of Shen Yu but also the Emperor taking a far closer look
Ian Robert Darling Burns
It already is
Matt Grayson
She will likely declare Fa Ram to be an outpost of the Soaring Heavens Isle Sect.
WarStrider72
Chun Ke: I call dibs on playing Go with Friend Xiao Ge next!
WarStrider72
Somewhere, somebody is smiling at these young people for understanding. Lmao, it's the Lord Magistrate and his son
Thiemo Guenther
There’s an “obvious” solution. The Heir to the Crimson Phoenix Empire needs to be sent to the Azure Hills for training, and be accepted by the Crystal Spirit as Heir. Thus, the spirit fulfills the letter and spirit of its Purpose, without conflict with the CPE.
Mark Greenberg
The problem Tianlan has with Shen Yu is all the demonic qi in his system and that hasn't really gotten any better.
Truedragon5374
FINALLY someone brings up the crystal. Personally, I don't think they are going to bring it out until the rest of the cultivators arrive. That way they can share it with The Voice at the same time as the Elders. The life lessons of a lost Emperor, history of demons, epic disasters, and kingdom sized Chi formations are definitely things the Emperor and his sages would want to know about.
Kreylix
This is so my kind of chapter. Wonderful!
Duke of Coffee
I wonder if Xiao Ge will ask to see the crystal... well it will depend on Jin. 😀 Anyway looks like Cloudy Sect disciples will be at the North for quite some time, maybe it will be a training arc for them? And sculpture making is interesting, depending the person they either praise or act indifferent to it. 🤔
Scott Summerfelt
Ge is likely someone that could really learn from crystal.
Drendude
Oh god... Crosswords in Chinese would be absolutely nightmarish!
Net
Je veux être une personne indescriptible😎 merci pour ce chapitre, comme toujours, je pense qu'il est trop court! J'aime tellement Fa Ram.
Matt Grayson
She's doing a Minyan sculpture like that for Shen Yu.
Linkneo5
Yay thanks for the new chapter. Also shouldnt it be "but as we discussed it..."? Looks like a typo.
Kirivina
YES! Omg I'm so looking forward to that!
Matt Grayson
I think Minyan would wipe the ice with them all - it's her element. "I extended my will, the puck went into the net, and the opposing team went into the snow banks. Perhaps the midshipmen might find this useful."
Matt Grayson
"Become Emperor of the Azure Hills? It would be a demotion."
Michael Larsen
@Zero if I remember correctly, the masters only plan to stay another day, and spring is a fair bit further away than that.
Michael Larsen
Ephemeral?
Beggar of Freedom
Divines bless your kind heart!
Duncan Morin
At this rate it won't be long before the Azure Hills becomes a place of interest to the most powerful people on the planet.
Shawn Banks
Okay, but you ARE going to let them finish that game after lunch, right? …RIGHT?!
Shawn Banks
Thanks again for the truly best part of many of my mornings. As a spelling bee junkie, one word caught me in today’s chapter, and I feel the need to point out that “Tigu smiled guilelessly.”
Sean Ulrich
So… the Magistrate is cursed huh…
Sean Ulrich
Well… it could be. Under all that swirling stuff
Sean Ulrich
Nemoboi, how bout a “Maelstrom” of power.
Matt Grayson
Damn, this was a fine chapter. To see the "old monsters" and their different ways of interacting with those who, to them, are infants ... so well done! Ge: "You have sorted your blocks by volume, even though their shapes are irregular! What a clever child." Minyan: "For one who has only passed their first birthday, you walk acceptably well. You may continue." Shen Yu: "The air is nice, the booze is pretty good, and your women are ... ouch! Minyan, that hurt." Shou: "Wait, how are you growing Sarcastic Ginseng as an epiphyte? That technique was lost during the reign of the First Emperor when Feng the Mad Botanist perished in the Carnivorous Gardenia rebellion.” Yukong: "So, I have to find words that match these clues and arrange the letters in this grid, yet the words overlap, thus constraining the possibilities? Where did you encounter this primitive formation, young man?"
Kevin Menard
Not really. I'd bet female scupltors are too busy being jealous of her looks.
leopard eye
Give it time
leopard eye
At his age and wisdom there are very few mysteries and surprise's left in the world. He's savouring it.
leopard eye
I hope this will happen it's the closest to a happy ending that spirit can have. Just because he's already emperor doesn't mean that the spirit would have nothing to teach. The Emperor might appreciate the spirit's lessons and break his bottle neck. If not the political advice than the advice against demon's might and the weakening of the world might. Give the Emperor a way to better the empire.
leopard eye
I can't wait for Jin, MeiMei and Tigu to visit iron mom and dad
Insertnamehereokokipressedokok
Having these old monsters around was stressful! Lu Ri: How wonderous!
Michael Fannon
So in the near future Shen Yu is going to ask Minyan how many she is going to try and take away. To which her answer will be yes.
Michael Fannon
Worst of all, even of he wanted to run away, his mother wouldn't let him lose the chance for her to have Tigu as a daughter.
CringeWorthyStudios
May you live in interesting times?
Michael Fannon
I'm more surprised Tigu hasn't asked any to model nude for her yet.
Michael Fannon
Along with 2 certain dumb dumbs. They need the good food and alcohol
leopard eye
It's the whole family. And now they're about to be his inlaws... Oh boy
Andrew Denton
How does that curse go? "May you come to the attention of those in authority".
Melody Haren Anderson
I suspect part of that is because he's come to realize that looks are... subjective to a degree from Tigu and through that trying to understand what elements lead to a person's shape. Like he used to hate his looks, but they speak to his origins and what he cares about. All because a cat turned girl helped him see himself in a different light. In a real way, he too understands being judged for looks.
V01D
No, they haven’t experienced Cultivators being Assholes, trying to take a Beautiful Woman against her will.
Just A Dude
Man, don't get me started. I've seen some pieces that you have to stop and really look to realize there isn't a cloth draped over the sculpture.
Idan tal
And the monkey/fox brothers
Idan tal
She isn’t hiding, she is sleeping. And she is the one repairing the/her veins, if she was awake they would have seen that in action.
Idan tal
Comparing this to the way she was talking with Jin in the beginning, when she thought he was a “hidden master”.. she went such a long way from there.
Nemoboi
i don't think it's that no one has thought of it. it's just *unusual*. most sculptors go for trying to capture her superficial beauty because that is what they primarily notice. Delun is being commended here because he took the step further and prioritised the chaotic power as well as her control over it. (chaotic is the wrong word here, but I can't remember the right one aaaaaaaa)
Kt-x
Thank you for the chapter! 🙂
Harish
I would love to see Delun's parents ask about the visit and get treated to a story right out of the legends of the Ancestors.
Harish
No. She is still a cultivator with STANDARDS. Tigu is going to need a lot of sculptor-cultivation before the Tsundere TAKES IT
Lanter
Poor Tie Delun keeps getting into pants crapping situations with stronk monsters and escaping only by Tigu's affections hahaha. First it was Jin, then Meimei and Gramps, and now (Grandma) Minyan 😂
StarBat
Ice crystals using light refraction to show her within it's fractals? That's a legendary feat. Kinda like those Lazer etched figures inside those crystal/glass blocks.
Stark Trist
Fantastic chapter! Thank you, you've put a smile on my face. ❤️
Eric Hicks
There are sculptures that combine elements to form a secondary image when viewed from certain angels, I imagined it being kind of like that with the form of Minyan composed out of pieces of the storm.
KnightRider007
If nothing else, you’d expect female sculptors to have tried!
Ankur Chawla
One step closer to heaven on earth
Namorat
"“Yes. It was originally Jin’s idea, but was we discussed it, I realised how important it would be that" - but as we
Ligeia
What an amazing chapter! I'll be reading it a couple more times to grasp it and appreciate every word. Xiulan talking openly with an old master like this is remarkable, considering how powerful he is (and she isn't, relatively!), but Lu Ri priming Ge to look on her favorably -- and not just for her bosom, o frabjous day! -- seems to have helped her deal with the situation. Impressive, and fortunately Ge agrees! I can't imagine conversing with someone so old and powerful, though, and not being completely overwhelmed! Xiulan has remarkable composure, that's for sure.
BelligerentGnu
I mean, really, it's impressive that no one before Delun thought, "Maybe she likes being strong? Also, how on earth would you carve a secondary shape within an ice sculpture? Qi I suppose.
Zero Wrath
Thanks for the great chapter! The interaction between lanlan and Ge did not disappoint!
Zero Wrath
I’d assume Jin would probably wait for Tianlian to wake up before spilling any beans on that so he can ask her what she wants. He is probably going to be asked and then surprise them by refusing to share the info, for the time being at least.
Randall Brynsvold
Do you think Minyan will ultimately take the sculpture home with her?
Randall Brynsvold
I don't think Tianlan will awaken before the CSS Elders leave, but gramps will probably stick around (unless he leaves with Minyan). If he learns to be gentle enough, Tianlan should let him visit her realm, chaperoned by Jin and Meiling.
Daniel Mountain
At least it wasn't another one of Tigu's nude studies...
Moogle
Yessss, I was hoping that one of them would catch on or learn the fact that Jin can repair Dragon Veins, sure I highly doubt he'd tell them about the little golden gremlin hiding from these old monsters, but I still enjoy seeing them wonder how he is capable of doing the impossible.
V01D
If there’s ANYONE on Fa Ram who would empathize with Minyan about people reacting to her looks, it would be Xulian.
Grant Daniel
Please I want the spirit of the crystal to cry more when some or all of the elders view its contents (some of the most powerful cultivators to possibly exist) and then immediately deny the want to be emperor. Even better bring it before the emperor and have him tell the spirit that he already is emperor.
Zeromaru2
Thanks for the update. Man being around these monsters must be super stressful. Good thing they're more curious than anything
Aki_Iokua18
I was waiting for Ge to interact with Xiulan, and it didn’t disappoint. I don’t know if Jin and the rest of Fa Ram are ready to open up about the crystal and Tianlan (especially since she isn’t really present at the moment) and given how, as far as I know, they’ve yet to consult with even Lu Ri about any of this, but hopefully trust can be built up to do so. So I’m guessing that two of the trusted disciples monitoring the situation will include Su Ge and Lu Ri’s Senior Sister. That should be fun, especially with the foxes also set to come seek safety relatively soon. And yes, having even slight approving interest from someone/thing so above you is STRESSFUL. But hey, it is something to brag about if someone insults your courage.
V01D
Sports competition instead of martial competition
Simas Joneliūnas
I am still hoping to have lanlan introduced by the end, and gramps finally being acknowledged.
Simas Joneliūnas
Somehow this one made me tear up instead
Kasinki
Thank you for the chapter CF!!!
amin johari
No one show Tigu statues where masters have successfully depicted the suggestion of thin cloth covering the body! Else Minyan's statue may lose any clothing she might have.
Buck
Great chapter! Can’t wait to see what Ge, Minyan, Shou, and Yukong think when they discover just HOW Jin is repairing the Dragon Veins in the Azure Hills!
Keliana Tayler
Tftc! It's so much fun getting to see people's reactions to Jin's effect on the world.
Rory
I was fully expecting that Tigu was once again sculpting nudes
Synova Vitale
I can’t wait to see how they react to Ha Qi. Gramps is totally going to goon them!! Hehehe
Joanna
Quite a chapter tonight
Angel
Subtle, beautiful chapter, thank you!
Alicia Bolick
Wonderful chapter! Your work always makes me smile.
MARK MACKNET
Awesome 👏 keep up the great job 👍
Eddy G
Thank the heavens she didn't just do the usual nude flexing pose.
Hound
Glorious, can see jin getting curious questions from Ge soon. Would also be hilarious for tsundere to point at the wee man and look at gramps "I want one"
Maria Klein
Great chapter!
Harish
Probably introduce some Cubism as well, if they were to start working on Yukong
mhaj58
I’m hoping that Lu Ri and Xiao Su Ge visit before the elders leave
Parker Maisterra
While Xiao Ge could easily have Shen Yu or Jin sate his growing curiosity it’s clear the old man wants to Sherlock Holmes this mystery himself.
Brandon Yarberry
Well done Xiulan!
CringeWorthyStudios
Honestly a little surprised that Minyan’s sculpture has clothes on, judging by Tigu’s track record. 😅 Thanks for the chapter!
Forevermore
Poor Delun is so far out of his depth and every time he thinks he's getting a handle on it Fa Ram throws something even crazier in his face.
BargleNawdleZouss
Tigu and Delun invent Impressionism in the Crimson Phoenix Empire.
Harish
Yes. Yes. Yes. Tigu is the BEST GIRL. So close. I was the 4th comment.
Mentos
Hah, 'a skill she cultivated'
Baldanders
TFTC Boss
