Torsten Hewson
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v2c59: People and Places Part 3
🕑 Added 2021-09-06 21:16:48 +0000 UTCJust something before we start. The previous chapter had been edited slightly, adding some content to the end.
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The Grass Sea. It stretched out before them even as their stride ate the li before them.
Tigu knew vaguely what the “sea” was, despite never having seen anything like it. She just knew. Images flashed in her head of an endless expanse of water, and of her Own Master’s words. That Pale Moon Lake was close, but compared to the actual ocean, it was but a drop of water.
If that was the case, then the “Grass Sea” was aptly named. The trees and the forests abruptly thinned, the hills got shorter and fatter, and all that was left was a vast green expanse. The air smelled vaguely sweet, from the thousands of meadow flowers that poked up, and the sun shone intently on their backs, much stronger than it was back home. There were barely any rocks as well, making the hills outlook far smoother than they should be.
Blue sky and green grass, as far as the eye could see. It was a striking sight, and Disciple Yun Ren’s crystal chimed repeatedly as he captured the view. They had been running for most of the day now, across the hills instead of braving the congested road. Tigu expected the number of people to decrease as they left the city, not increase. Every village was at a minimum twice the size of Hong Yaowu, while the towns were larger and denser than Verdant Hill!
Truly, there were a great many people in this world!
With a hop, she alighted on Disciple Gou Ren’s pack so she could get a better view, squinting at the horizon, and how the grass still continued.
“It goes on forever. Is it all like this?” Tigu asked the Blade of Grass as she sat down on the pack and flopped backwards. Disciple Gou Ren made a noise of irritation as her legs fixed around his neck, and Ri Zu squeaked with outrage as she nearly fell out of Tigu’s shirt. Xiulan startled at the question, having been deep in thought. As they got steadily closer to their goal, she had gotten quieter. Not morose, but she had been thinking about something.
Yet she did not seem overly concerned, as her face brightened slightly, shaking her head as Tigu dangled upside down.
“Not all, Tigu.” She explained. “Although most of the grass is like this, there are different kinds of grass. Near my home some if it can grow to be twice as tall as a man. The Bloodgrass of the Bonepile is as scarlet as its namesake, and Wrecker Thicket is full of blades as wide as a man’s wrist, and as sharp as a knife.
Tigu listened intently, her mind conjuring all sorts of interesting images. Gou Ren made another noise of irritation, grabbing her legs and flipping her so she was stomach down on his shoulder like a bag of rice. “Will you show us, one day?” Tigu asked. Xiulan nodded firmly.
“Of course. We shall travel these lands if you wish it. As honoured guests and friends of the Verdant Blade Sect!” She declared, before trailing off. “Though... I am a bit concerned about How my sect Elders shall act. I’m sure it is nothing to fear, but I do not wish for Master Jin’s generosity to be tested, should they get… ideas about our relationship.” She said the last part with a sigh.
Tigu didn’t know how to respond to that. It was outside her experiences, but the thought of some man trying to pressure her Master and Mistress made her uneasy.
“But enough ill thoughts. I shall speak with them, and make sure nothing like that happens.” Xiulan consoled.
Tigu nodded. If the Blade of Grass said she would do this, then she would do this!
“Tell us about the tournament!” Tigu asked, as she put the other conversation out of her mind.
Xiulan nodded. “The Dueling Peaks Tournament begins in the Earthly Arena, the largest of the arenas, the one built into the base of the mountains with the Opening Ceremony and the Judgement. Each cultivator there declares their sect, and places their hands upon the Heavenly Ascension Stone which describes the cultivator’s cultivation level to all present.”
“Then the tournament bouts begin. It is single elimination, with a loss removing the competitor from the tournament. In each round, the arena is raised one level, using power of the Masters, and the strength of those who have lost.”
Gou Ren paused. “Wait, they pull it up the mountain?” He asked, incredulous. “With people inside it?!”
“Yes. Each round raises the Arena closer to the heavens, until in the last,the tournament sits atop the Dueling Peaks. Its… not particularly fun, to be a part of the pulley team. Having to lift the entire arena, and a hundred thousand people is a bit difficult.” Xiulan confessed. “Though I suppose it is good strength training? They used to use artifacts, but those broke around two-thousand years ago, so it is with strength that the arena now rises!”
Tigu could see it. Standing atop a mountain, facing against Xiulan…. It sounded most enjoyable!
“Are there any limits? Like.. strength limits, or age limits or something?” Yun Ren asked.
“The only limits are that one must actually be a cultivator, and born in the Azure Hills for this tournament. Other provinces may say that one must be of a certain cultivation level…. But in truth, the Azure Hills are too weak to put any such stipulation.” Xiulan stated.
“What about the Hill of Torment?” Tigu asked.
“That is normally a separate event, though you may enter if you wish. It has been several years since I entered that section.”
“I’m gonna enter that part!” Tigu stated with conviction.
Xiulan chuckled at her enthusiasm.
“Well, I’ll direct you to make the proper procedures. It's a bit confusing, for newcomers. Let's have a meal in that town. It is the last stop before the Dueling Peaks, I would say. We should be able to see the tournament grounds soon.”
Xiulan pointed at the dark spot on the horizon, and they adjusted their course, heading for the walls.
The walls were made of the same stone that littered the ground back home, an off-grey colour and roughly hewn. Most buildings around here were made of that stone, as there didn’t seem to be too many trees. The guards at the gate, or guard, looked utterly bored and exhausted. He barely glanced at them as they entered, studiously ignoring their existence.
The town itself was absolutely packed with people. Though there were obviously less people here then in Pale Moon Lake City, it was just denser. Tigu had abandoned her position on Gou Ren’s back, as they pushed their way through the crowd.
“Lets go here, I’ve had food from here before.” The Blade of Grass stated, as she pointed to a noodle shop.
Tigu’s head swiveled, and she saw something interesting. A man with a long blue spear upon his back, talking to another woman who wore a rather excessive amount of silk robes.
Other cultivators.
Tigu felt her blood pump faster, as she recalled her Master’s wisdom.
“Ha! We head towards an exciting place!” she enthused.
Xiulan paused, and turned back to Tigu “....The noodle shop?” she asked, amused.
“Yeah! Our Master says that when cultivators gather at a restaurant, a fight or an altercation shall invariably break out!” Tigu declared authoritatively. “He said to dive behind the counter and watch!”
Xiulan chucked. “Come now, I’m sure he meant that as a joke….” she trailed off, her brow furrowing. “Well, there was that time with the Young Mistress of Misty Lake, Xianghua, or there was the time with that Young Master, or…”
The Blade of Grass paused. She opened her mouth, and closed it again. She pondered for a moment more.
“Huh.” She finally muttered.
“So… are we still heading over there?” Disciple Gou Ren asked.
“..it should be fine?” Disciple Xiulan asked, though she looked a bit less confident than she did before. “It doesn’t happen every time.”
They opened the door, and their party walked in. And indeed, it was full of cultivators! She could feel their intent, as they glanced at the newcomers. Their eyes ghosted over Tigu, for the most part, lingering for a moment upon her Brother Disciples, before finally alighting on the Blade of Grass… and staying there. One of the men’s jaw dropped, and they began to mutter, remarking on her beauty, and wondering who she was.
What an odd bunch!
Tigu’s eyes flicked around excitedly as Xiulan and Yun Ren went to put in their orders. That man had a large hammer, and a nice body, almost like her Master’s! There was Blue-spear guy! And that one had a rather pretty looking hairpin! The craftsmanship was quite good! Gold, with small, translucent pieces of glass or rock forming the spaces in the wings—
“It is rude to stare.” The woman scolded, her eyes narrow as she turned to look at Tigu. Her Qi swirled about her slightly.
Ah! She was right!
“Sorry!” Tigu apologised, as her Master Instructed. “I was just admiring your hairpin! Wonderful craftsmanship!”
The other woman looked at her strangely, like she wasn’t quite expecting the conversation to go that way.
“Well, I suppose even a yokel has some eye for quality.” She muttered.
“This one is Rou Tigu, who are you?” She offered politely.
The woman stared at her. “...you’re a strange one.” is all she said, before turning back around.
How Rude!
Another man from a table nearby, slim and with a grey robe, snorted. “Look at this brat, looking at jewelry without a care in the world!” he chortled. “If you go into the tournament with that attitude, girl, you’re going to get hurt.”
He smirked. His green Qi coiled around him, and intent brushed up against her senses. It was an unpleasant, minor distraction.
Tigu cocked her head to the side. Her back twitched at the small amount of challenge in his tone, but she carefully put it off to the side.
“Thank you for the warning!” she allowed. “But I don’t think I’m in any danger!” Deescalation! Like she was taught!
The Man’s eye twitched. Disciple Gou Ren snorted, and the woman let out a short, sharp laugh as well.
The Green Man’s intent flared more, as he stood.
Tigu’s eyes narrowed. Oh! She was supposed to show her strength!
Tigu’s intent flared.
The talking in the room silenced. The man’s face went pure white, blood draining from it. She could hear his heart suddenly hammering in his chest.
“See? I’m not in any danger at all!” She stated.
The man swallowed thickly. “..yes, miss, no danger at all.”
Tigu nodded as he sat back down.
“Forgive my earlier rudeness, miss, my name is Yinxia Qiao.” The woman said, turned around entirely to greet Tigu politely. She was sweating a bit.
“Nice to meet you.” Tigu allowed. “Say, do you come here often?”
“My sect lies around these parts, yes.” The woman answered immediately.
“Do you think we’re gonna see any fights?” She asked hopefully.
The woman looked around at the suddenly subdued atmosphere.
“No, miss, I do not believe so.”
Tigu frowned. Was her master wrong? She kind of wanted to see how these people fought...
“Did we miss something?” Yun Ren asked, as he came back with the food.
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Cat meets cultivator. Jin's wisdom is truly profound. And sorry for the wait!
Comments
Ugliest Dog
^^Daytime Tiger vibes
JohnJohn2195
I like to imagine they have like aura's that pop up when they show their power and tigu just had a giant tiger pop up behind her jaw open and a silent roar they all could feel.
Damian
I love this so much
James Squibb
I loved this chapter! Thank you Casual!
J B
1&2 - tie between Lanlan and Tigu. 3&4, tie between the brothers. Audience, confused as all get out. Verdant Grass sect, elated but puzzled.
J B
The real head-turner will be the brothers, if they choose to fight. Country rubes from an unknown sect - Fa Ram? What the he-double-hockey-sticks (gotta remember Jin's Canadian!) is that?
Chad Hagner
I feel an ass whooping coming around!
Bobby B.
It's easy to forget "linlin" is the best new gen fighter in her sect, and Tigu can fight her equally
Scipio
I only noticed this chapter that he would include the trope about revealing cultivation levels to everyone in the crowd, and that's why Jin couldn't be included in the tournament, can't have his power level being shown to everyone right??
Trent Cannon
I’ve read the chapter twice now, and the last half about 5 times by itself, and I can’t put into words just how amazing this chapter is. This is one of those chapters that makes people join patreon just because they wanna keep reading. I loved reading this so much that honestly I’ll probably just go back and read it again, and then read it again when it’s uploaded Wednesday
Nick
Thanks for the chapter
dragonslaver
Hello yes I would like to order your whole stock of chapters please. If possible with a side of asswhopin and a large strength unveil.
J B
ROFL - Tigu for the win, even if she never realizes it!
Trasen56
Lmao the part where Xiulian realizes the cliche is hilarious.
Lothspell
I recall a bit where Lu Ri overheard that a sect elder had reached second stage of Profound Realm and how it was sure to make them the top sect in Azure Hills.
BaguaBrady
Jin's power is extremely well veiled until actively used
aj0413
It's gonna be silly how many people freak out when Jin stops by to check on the kids lol
Blaine
Love the writing here! Very much looking forward to the Tournament! Would be nice to get a refresher on the power levels as others have said, especially considering the stone should be measuring contestants.
Mantiqore
I love this chapter. It's just the right amount of ignorance backed by strength
Mantiqore
Tigu does
General Use Only
Does anyone know what the power level ceiling is in the Azure Province? I recall Profound Realm being a big deal already so I was wondering what we would expect to see in the tournament.
Ross
I feel like that is something that would fit a Big D scene better. His personality is a better fit to educating someone on manners.
FizzySummer
I think you have a section about entering a pub thats going to different timelines. Does Tigu flare her intent or does Xiulian.
Sebastian Osterbrink
The Powerlevels: Initiate’s realm Profound Realm Spiritual Realm Earth Realm Sky Realm Imperial Realm Heavenly Realm There are 5 stages to each realm.
Bookman
Thanks for the Chapter. Gota love Xiulans part about the Cultivation cliche in resturants. Can someone list me the cultivation stages again. I tought that Xiulan was at the Foundation realm and that Tiguer was 1 step below her?
LittleWhite
I don’t remember the whole thing but I know that xiulan is at the profound level and she says she is almost guaranteed to win and Tigu spars with her all the time and it’s a fairly even spar if I understand it right
reji
We get to know Tigu cultivation level? What's system here anyway?
Sean Ulrich
A trope that’s actually recognized as a trope, found to be often true, then subverted! Great writing!
Casualfarmer
yes, I had a bit of a brainfart and missed that I didn't delete the offending part. Everything is fixed now.
Ask-if-I-like-lemons
Man Tigu really is adorable.
Deinos
I think I saw a cat walk by twice. .. must be my imagination. Would've liked the first part to play out to see some action, pity that.
Dale
the same section has been written twice
Sebastian Osterbrink
Somehow I expected a scene like in Kingsmen "manners maketh man" followed by a practical refresher course
Devon
This is great, so many people who couldn't see Mt. Tai have learned their mistake of underestimating Tigu
Casualfarmer
This part is already fixed. I had a brainfart, and it snuck its way in there somehow.
Alex Bennett
“..it should be fine?” Disciple Xiulan asked, though she looked a bit less confident than she did before. “It doesn’t happen every time.”.... “..it should be fine?” Disciple Xiulan asked, though she looked a bit less confident than she did before. Seems like you accidentally repeated this section, other than that, great chapter as always :D
Arnon Parenti
Please dont slaughter my Patrons miss Rou, I need to make a living, extremely sorry for their rudeness, here is free Ramen for you. Thanks mister, here is a packet of rice from Fa Ram to show appreciation for your gift.
Arnon Parenti
Poor Tigu, no entertainment for the young mistress.
Sebastian Osterbrink
Profound 1
Teigen Sethi
You appear to have accidentally included two versions of the restaurant scene
Casualfarmer
I'm very sorry. Its been fixed!
Deltoren
LOL ooohh tigu. so what level is tigu?
Taliesin
There is a portion of this chapter that repeats itself. Thanks for the chapter!
