Master Ienaga was the first to react. Before the scorpion had even finished its strike, she was already on the move. While she was too late to save the white-robed leader from the sudden ambush, her haste managed to rescue one of his fellows from the snake-woman, who had launched forward like a coiled spring, revealing her serpentine lower half.
Her fangs struck only air as Ienaga pulled ...
2022-12-19 19:37:32 +0000 UTC View PostThe further north the group traveled, the more mountainous the terrain became. Winding mountain roads and narrow passes grew more common, and as a result, they had to be more vigilant about being discovered.
The Empire of Qin was a beautiful country, Jia had to admit, but surprisingly unpopulated for the nation that hosted more than half of the entire continent’s population. That was co...
2022-12-16 19:42:44 +0000 UTC View PostYoshika stared at Iseul, flabbergasted.
“What—how?!”
Iseul chuckled. Her voice was still very similar to Ja Yun’s, but like her appearance, had taken on a life of its own.
“I haven’t been idle, you know. You’re the ones who told me to investigate my soul and try to figure out who I am—it’s all I’ve been thinking about, every spare moment I have. Th...
2022-12-14 19:54:19 +0000 UTC View PostDespite all the excitement that had followed them since their arrival in the Empire, Yoshika and the others soon fell into a routine as they traveled across Qin. While they were on the move, Jia would confer with Ja Yun on their slow progress unraveling the complicated formations that she’d gathered. Ja Yun wasn’t quite as good at breaking ideas down into their fundamentals as Dae had been,...
2022-12-12 19:31:21 +0000 UTC View Post“I know you’re awake, lazybones. It’s been over a week! How long are you going to hide away in here?”
Deep within the core sanctum of Yoshika’s soulscape, Heian rolled over and tucked her face into her cat form’s fur, pretending to sleep. Yoshika put her hands on her hips and huffed.
“You’re not fooling anybody, you little brat! Come on, I know you’re tired, but Na...
2022-12-09 21:17:51 +0000 UTC View PostWhile they prepared for the process of breaking their spiritual tablets, Luo Mingyu and Pan Jiaying took the opportunity to ask a few clarifying questions.
“How long will it take to recover?”
Eunae shook her head at Luo Mingyu.
“I don’t know. It could be just a few days, but most likely longer. We haven’t really had time to extensively study the regenerative capabili...
2022-12-07 21:24:58 +0000 UTC View PostLee Jung stared down at the softly glowing golden pill in her palm uncertainly. Jia, Eui, Narae, and Luo Mingyu were gathered around her—at first the entire group had tried to crowd around them, but the alchemist insisted that they give her space. As heartening as their support was, she appreciated the quieter environment.
“Are you certain that this is safe for me to take?”
Lu...
2022-12-05 20:30:39 +0000 UTC View PostBefore long, Yoshika and Eunae were once again joined by Pan Jiaying—now accompanied by a fuming Li Meili.
“I can’t believe you did that! Forcing her to permanently call you ‘Master’? I honestly thought we were better than that.”
Jia cringed from her own avatar’s rebuke. Without her Melody of the Dreaming Moon technique, Yoshika was back in two bodies.
...
2022-12-02 19:48:40 +0000 UTC View Post
Tsuu's done it again with some lovely designs of Lady Tennin, Seong Misun, and a sketch of Magus Hwang Sung (love those owl feathers!).
Also, at long last, everyone's favorite shapeshifting genderfluid sword demon: Jianmo! It's been a real journey getting this one done due to various delays, rescheduling, and natural disasters, but finally we can admire Jianmo in all their forms.
No...
2022-12-01 18:31:48 +0000 UTC View PostYoshika bit her lip and paced circles around Eunae. With Pan Jiaying gone, she hadn’t bothered to maintain the projection of the world around them, so the two of them had perfect privacy within her soulscape.
“We need to fix this.”
Eunae winced and nodded.
“Of course. The very moment I’ve made progress in my technique I’ll—”
Yoshika stopped her pacing in ...
2022-11-30 19:52:30 +0000 UTC View PostEunae tugged at her veil idly as she pondered how to proceed. She wasn’t used to wearing earrings, nor was she used to having a piece of fabric constantly in front of her face. The discomfort was distracting, but she couldn’t afford to let herself lose focus. There was too much on the line.
“I think I need to see for myself. Maybe if I can visualize my power, it will help me underst...
2022-11-28 20:02:02 +0000 UTC View PostIt had been a while since Yoshika had worked with Eunae on progressing her soul magic. Their first and last group session had been rather disastrous, and since then they’d been too busy traveling through Qin. Now, they once more found themselves sitting in a loose circle preparing to explore the hidden depths of Eunae’s power.
“Why are they here?”
Pan Jiaying scowle...
2022-11-25 21:32:22 +0000 UTC View PostBefore they could sort out what to do about Luo Mingyu and Pan Jiaying getting tracked down and hunted as traitors, Jia decided to get everyone together for formal introductions. It also meant that they could discuss their new obstacles as a group.
Once everyone had gathered together, Jia began with Pan Jiaying.
“Everyone, I’d like to introduce you to my new apprentice, Pan Jiay...
2022-11-23 21:00:19 +0000 UTC View PostAfter yet another frantic dash through imperial territory, Master Ienaga had finally given the all-clear for the group to take a break and set up camp under the cover of a particularly dense forest. Those mad dashes were getting to be something of a habit—though Eui had to admit that this one was definitely their own fault.
Now that they had a bit of time to relax, they needed to figure...
2022-11-21 20:59:59 +0000 UTC View PostThings began moving very fast. Master Ienaga rushed off to fetch Lee Jung, Luo Mingyu stared in white-faced horror at the body of his late master, Li Meili tried to comfort Pan Jiaying who looked like she was going to be sick, and Seong Misun came marching right up to Jia to get her attention.
“Hey! Don’t just stand there, we have to move!”
Jia snapped out of her reverie and b...
2022-11-18 20:52:11 +0000 UTC View PostThe next morning, Li Meili and Pan Jiaying set out for Lushan, having spent most of the night working out plans and contingencies. Yoshika was surprised by Li Meili’s decision to stay manifested for as long as possible, but respected it without any argument. For his part, Luo Mingyu began work on the elixir, explaining that there was much he could do to prepare before they produced the hundre...
2022-11-16 20:45:04 +0000 UTC View PostLi Meili blinked her eyes open. It was a strange feeling, just suddenly existing, and though it was the second time she’d experienced it, Li Meili wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to the feeling. At least she had memories, this time.
She’d tried to give herself a sense of continuity that stretched from her first creation all the way to the present, including the time she’d spent ...
2022-11-14 23:48:29 +0000 UTC View Post“No, of course not.”
Despite Luo Mingyu’s rising panic, Jia did not intend to flagrantly rob the Gaze of the Everwatching Mists. After all, they needed to keep a low profile and robbery was Eui’s area of expertise—Jia preferred to be more subtle.
“I’d prefer to steal it without anyone knowing about it.”
The poor alchemist nearly choked.
“You can’t be ...
2022-11-11 21:05:28 +0000 UTC View PostOf course Yoshika didn’t expect the alchemist to work for free. Their profession required even more supplies than magecraft.
“Does it have to be from the sect? We have fairly considerable resources of our own.”
Luo Mingyu gave her a skeptical look.
“A couple of itinerant rogues skulking through the countryside under illusory disguises? Forgive me if I sound circumspect...
2022-11-09 19:02:39 +0000 UTC View PostThe flood of information almost overwhelmed Yoshika. It wasn’t just memories, but emotions and physical sensations as well—as if she was re-experiencing the entire day all at once. Even with Absolute Awareness to help her process it, Yoshika could barely hold on to her own consciousness as Li Meili merged back into her.
Jianmo hadn't warned her about this, the bastard. Her feelings we...
2022-11-07 19:37:33 +0000 UTC View PostThe silence was driving Pan Jiaying crazy as they followed Li Meili to some unspecified meeting point. It was tense and uncomfortable, and worst of all it had given Jiaying time to think.
Yesterday, her life had been so simple. Tend the gardens, save her credits, do some meditation when time allowed, and hope that maybe one day she’d finally find something greater to work towards—her ...
2022-11-04 21:24:06 +0000 UTC View PostA little late again, but not as bad this time. Last month's winners are Hyeong Daesung (the first male character to win one of these polls) and Sun Jaehwa. So look forward to seeing those some time next month. For this month, Seong Misun and Lady Tennin are still in the pipeline along with a special extra (a certain genderfluid sword shall be delayed no longer!)
We really are running out ...
2022-11-03 18:13:48 +0000 UTC View Post
Tsuu finished the character designs for October (super early actually, I just forgot to post them here). Seong Haeun, Lee Jung, and a sketch of Yan Zhihao!
2022-11-03 18:13:17 +0000 UTC View PostLi Meili rubbed between her eyebrows and sighed. She still wasn’t sure how much was safe to reveal. She’d already revealed too much, and while she was prepared to shut Mingyu up if she had to, Pan Jiaying had made things complicated—she was just an innocent bystander.
“I needed help from a doctor, and I happened to find Luo Huang. Your father did his best to help, but it ...
2022-11-02 21:33:30 +0000 UTC View PostLuo Mingyu quickly backpedaled away from Li Meili’s advance, sputtering incredulously.
“Did you just punch me?!”
Meili cracked her knuckles and scowled.
“I’ll fucking do it again!”
Before she could lunge, Luo Mingyu threw his arms forward, pouring billowing fog out of his sleeves and obscuring himself from view. When Li Meili struck, he was gone and ...
2022-10-31 20:53:39 +0000 UTC View Post“That was quite the display back there. I must say I’ve never seen the way yin practitioners pass on their arts—it was fascinating.”
Li Meili gave Luo Mingyu a sidelong glance as they walked down the nicely paved pathway back towards Pan Jiaying’s village. When Meili had suggested taking their conversation somewhere more private, Pan Jiaying had eagerly volunteered to host, befo...
2022-10-28 19:28:44 +0000 UTC View PostWhile Li Meili waited—and hoped—for the seeds she’d planted to bear fruit, she spent the afternoon exploring the open areas of the sect with Pan Jiaying. Sure enough, asking around after Luo Mingyu proved fruitless—he was either an inner disciple, or no longer with the sect. Alchemists were fairly rare, and Meili doubted that the Everwatching Mists had picked up a second one since scout...
2022-10-26 21:54:07 +0000 UTC View Post“I don’t really see what the fuss is, honestly.”
Li Meili rubbed her temples as Pan Jiaying tried to defend herself. After their discussion, Meili had needed a moment and Pan Jiaying was kind enough to invite her over for tea. She went on as she set a steaming cup in front of Meili.
“So it’s a little higher than I thought, but it’ll still only take another six or seven y...
2022-10-24 19:00:00 +0000 UTC View PostLi Meili climbed the stone staircase leading up towards the outer sect. The path was flanked by well-kept gardens full of beautiful flowers and herbs, most of which were at least vaguely magical in nature. She was certain that the real treasures would be kept closer to the peak where they could be more easily tended and guarded, but it was still an extravagant display of resources. And...
2022-10-21 20:32:17 +0000 UTC View PostThe town of Lushan was smaller than Qinghe had been, but much more impressive. Built into the side of a small mountain, a solid wooden wall at least ten feet tall surrounded the entire area, including the fields. Li Meili was anxious as she approached the outermost gate, but it was entirely unguarded. The farmers tending the fields paid her no mind as she made her way to the second gate—anoth...
2022-10-19 18:09:28 +0000 UTC View Post