Torsten Hewson
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v6c1: A Cloudy Arrival
🕑 Added 2025-02-06 18:30:44 +0000 UTCThe melodious cry of a rooster split the air, echoing over the hills. It greeted the sun and roused all who heard it to wakefulness.
As the resonating note finished, Bi De nodded to himself. He was in fine form today indeed. A sentiment echoed by his little brother, as Zhuye’s shout came not soon after, the babe’s joy a palpable thing as he cheered the coming of the dawn.
Bi De treasured every time he heard that little cry—just as he treasured another voice.
“You tell ‘em, Bi De!” his Great Master called, and Bi De smiled.
He took a moment to simply bask in the sun’s rays and breathe in the air of Fa Ram. He had been away from his home for nearly nine months, training with Shen Yu, infiltrating the Shrouded Mountain Sect, and finally attacking the demonic cultivator base in the north. His absence had only made his heart grow fonder of his home—even as changed as it was.
His Great Master and the family that had stayed home had been busy, renovating the house to somehow be even grander than it had been. Bi De was currently enjoying the fruit of that labour. Extra perches had been added to the roof, and this one in particular, at the highest point, was a most prime place to perform his duty of welcoming the sun. Sister Tigu had also added her own touch to it, the carvings of rice and wheat upon it providing just the right amount of grip for his talons. Tigu had remembered the way Bi De enjoyed sitting, and had carved it specifically for him.
His gaze roved over the hills, over his home, Fa Ram. Over the Great Pillars, some recently repaired. Over the General that Commands the Winter, standing tall and proud, a towering presence, his charcoal smile wide and his hat, filled with birds, jaunty.
Bi De looked over the river, frozen and cleared, adorned with nets so that they may play Ha Qi. If there was one thing his human form was good for, it was for the game. It was unfair that in his natural form he was immune to hip checks, being too small to properly receive blows. As a human, he could finally appreciate the true skill and nuance of Ha Qi, gliding across the ice, and challenge his Great Master as an equal.
Wel, not an equal. His Great Master was his Great Master, and Bi De was often left humbled and digging himself out of the snow. But it was still most enjoyable.
Truly, Fa Ram was beautiful, even marred as it was by the assault upon it. If the demons had not won his enmity before, then now… now they certainly had.
Bi De hated few things, but demons were certainly one of them. There would soon come a day when he would once more leave his home and sally forth to root out the foul beasts. It was one of the reasons why he had asked to train under Shen Yu.
To protect his home, he would venture forth and do battle… but it would not be this day. With the grace of the heavens, it would not be for a while yet, for Bi De was in no state for another conflict of the magnitude he had participated in in the north. He was injured, and tired.
Rest was what the Healing Sage and Ri Zu had both commanded for him, and he would gladly oblige.
Bi De turned from his perch and hopped back through the window, closing it behind him. He ventured into the living room, where the preparations for the breakfast feast were well under way. He leapt from the rafters, and with a pop, Bi De was human. Landing beside Ri Zu, he slung an arm around her shoulder before giving her a kiss on the cheek.
She smiled up at him… and then they had a lovely breakfast.
============================
After a wonderful breakfast and their customary morning exercises, they set about with their preparations—they were, after all, to have esteemed guests.
For a moment, Bi De was worried about their food supply, considering that they were soon to host more cultivators—Fa Ram had already recently hosted nearly a hundred cultivators for over a week, when they had to take care of the wounded members of the Shrouded Mountain Sect. Yet, of course, there was nothing to worry about. Just as Bi De had worked hard in the north, his family had worked just as hard doing a job just as important.
As Wa Shi would say, an existence without food was no existence at all. A hundred cultivators had merely made a dent in their supplies. Their Great Master actually had problems in that they produced far more than he could sell!
Sister Pi Pa, the pig who had recently turned human, sent them all forth, armed with her ledger… though there was one thing that made Bi De smile.
“It's a little strange getting used to your human form, is it not?” Bi De asked. The pink haired woman blinked, looking slightly confused.
“Wha ‘oo ‘ou mean?” she asked around the brush in her mouth… before she realised just exactly what he was referring to. She took the brush out of her mouth, her cheeks pink. “...I write better like this. And it's more efficient! I can hold two different things and write!”
“Getting used to hands was certainly a journey.” Bi De said, trying not to laugh. Pi Pa huffed, but there was a small smile on her face as well. Brother Chun Ke chortled at them both.
Pi Pa cleared her throat. “Well, getting back to the matter at.... well, hand! These are actual guests, so we can’t get away with just rice and pickles!”
Bi De’s lips quirked in amusement. Pi Pa had intended the food she had given the Shrouded Mountain Sect as a snub, ‘merely’ feeding them rice and pickles.
Bi De had spoken to the cultivators they had rescued. The Shrouded Mountain Sect had been utterly humbled by the “overwhelming hospitality” they had received.
It was something Bi De had learned over his travels: one's circumstances informed their outlook on the world.
So they did one last check of the guest house, and the Healing Sage and Pi Pa finalized the menu.
Then, the call came out.
“They’re nearly here!”
They all lined up, as was proper, to greet their guests—when Shen Yu looked at Bi De with a smile Bi De had become familiar with.
A smile full of mischievousness. How the old man could look so enthusiastically smug was beyond him.
=====================================
Xiao Ge, Elder of the Cloudy Sword Sect, stood upon his flying sword as it drifted lazily towards Rou Jin’s home. Beside him were Elders Shou and Yukong, on their own blades, and slightly further away Tianzhe Minyan almost lounged on the air, unsupported by anything. The Qi void of the Azure Hills was a mild yet ever present annoyance that required him to actually concentrate a little on his blade, but it was not too onerous.
He was quite pleased—the disciples of the Cloudy Sword Sect had done their duties admirably in purging the demonic hordes of the north. Their operational tempo had been high, injuries low, and the consolidation of their gains swift and unrelenting. They had struck a devastating blow to the Demonic Cultivators, that much Xiao Ge was confident in saying as fact.
And yet, even this hammerblow to the Demonic Cultivators was only the surface. They allegedly had bases all over the Empire! The scale of this operation was immense… but luckily, they did not need to search alone. The artifacts Yukong had created in order to track the enemy’s movement formation were already being delivered to the Cloudy Sword Sect and Soaring Heaven’s Isle, while the Emperor’s Herald had left to deliver both it and a report to the Emperor post-haste.
The Emperor’s Street Sweepers and other selected sects would soon find themselves in possession of those artifacts. Ge didn’t know how fast the enemy could go to ground, and with luck, they would be able to catch more cells unaware… and then the truly tedious portion of this task would begin.
So for now, they could wind down the tempo of their duties. They still had much research to do upon their new enemy, their formations, and their bases—but that was a thousand Li race, not not a sprint. There was no reason not to take Shen Yu and Rou Jin up on his offer to visit and resupply at his home.
At first, it would just be the Elders… though that was mostly because Shou would probably poison anyone who interrupted him picking young Jin’s brain about the Spiritual Herbs he had grown. The man had practically been counting the days, much to Ge and his wife, Yukong’s, amusement.
With Lu Ri in charge of the disciples, they anticipated no issues with this little diversion.
First, however, they travelled to Hong Yaowu, the home of their newest Honoured Allies, so Yukong could inspect the barrier around the little village. Lu Ri had done his duty well, and the warding formation was well on its way to settling.
From there, they travelled north, along the well-made road—Only for the air to suddenly change. They went from Qi void to what Ge considered ‘average’ for most of the provinces of the Empire.
“We all dismissed the Azure Hills—but this level of Qi variation is quite interesting,” Yukong’s voice came to Ge and Shou. “Does it all concentrate in one place, and earlier scholars merely failed to find these concentrations? Is that how Rou Jin’s cultivation advanced so quickly, with him having access to some manner of highly concentrated dragon vein?”
“An interesting hypothesis, Sister Yukong,” Ge replied, stroking his beard. “Records and my own observations show precedent that that is a possibility.”
Shou hummed. “I do not believe that is the case. The growth pattern in the trees is concurrent with a low Qi environment. No, this level of Qi is recent. If a powerful dragon vein existed, the effects would likely be more pronounced.”
“Even if it was underground, and recently brought to the surface?” Yukong replied, and all three of them considered her words.
“Implausible. Such radical alterations of a dragon vein have lasting destabilizations, and the progression of Qi holds none of that,” Shou rebutted, and Ge found a smile coming to his face as they began to engage in the highest form of discourse—scholarly debate on the nature of this wellspring of Qi.
They could be at this for days, a most enjoyable activity, but unfortunately they only had a few minutes. The Qi levels continued to rise… and they beheld a gap in the forest. Shen Yu’s Qi was present, as were many other signatures.
Shen Yu’s marred, cracked Qi flared in a pattern of welcome, and so they descended from the skies. They passed by a small fence, and over a hill.
It was a modest, humble home they beheld; more in line with something a mortal would build… save for some interesting outliers.
“… what is that for?” Yukong asked, sounding genuinely confused at the enormous edifice of snow. It had a large, blacked hat made of reeds, a nose that was a truly enormous carrot, and its eyes were made of charcoal dust. Its grin was wide and friendly, and one arm, made of a tree branch, almost looked like it was raised to wave.
“I do not know, but I know that is something used to grow Spiritual Herbs,” Shou replied, his eyes fixed intently on the other point of interest: an entire building made of glass that was filled with green, growing plants. “Glass… how mortal, but an interesting way to create a climate control formation.”
Shou was as interested and excited as Ge had ever seen him.
“So. Shall we?” Ge asked, his voice this time carrying to Tianzhe Minyan. The woman nodded regally, and as one, they floated down from the skies to where young Jin’s household was gathered to pay their respects, standing in front of his small manor. Ge’s eyes ghosted over them all. The Spirit Beasts were interesting. Lu Ri had mentioned them, but Ge could not divine their purpose. Were they artificial? Was he raising them for some reason? There was even a baby dragon!
His sharp eyes also looked for Shen Yu’s mysterious other disciple, the one who had struck an Imperial Realm cultivator enough to distract him, but he saw no one.
The head of the household was the one that gave greetings, but Shen Yu allowed his grandson to take the lead. The young man stepped forwards.
“This Rou Jin greets the Elders of the Cloudy Sword Sect and Elder Minyan of Soaring Heaven’s Isle Sect. Please, be welcome in our home.”
The rest of the humans and the Spirit Beasts gave a similar greeting, all of them bowing as well.
Ge clasped his own hands. “The Cloudy Sword Sect thanks you for your generosity. We are honoured to be welcome.”
Minyan simply inclined her head… which for her was quite the gracious greeting.
“Bah! So formal!” Shen Yu declared, his smile wide. “Let’s get the introductions out of the way so we can drink wine and be merry! Firstly, behold, my granddaughter!” Ge raised an eyebrow at the enthusiastic introduction of a short woman with green hair and freckles. She would be Hong Meiling, as described in Lu Ri’s report—one of the crafters of the Anti-Demonic Siphoning Formation. She bowed politely again. “You’re not allowed to steal her, Minyan!”
That, however, just seemed to pique Minyan’s interest.
“And next… is my other disciple. The man who struck a blow against an Imperial Realm cultivator! Come forth, Bi De!”
Xiao Ge looked around, for the one who could be Shen Yu’s disciple—
A rooster, sitting on shoulder, Jin’s shoulder cleared his throat and hopped down.
“Greetings. This one is Fa Bi De.” he said, his voice deep and regal.
All of them stared at the chicken. A magnificent chicken to be sure, doing a proper martial greeting. He was wearing a fox-fur vest that looked like it had seen better days, and a slightly melted silver pendant.
Xiao Ge felt mirth begin to bubble up in his stomach as he stared at the sheer absurdity of what he was seeing.
The rooster swept into a perfect bow, filled with impossible grace. His were the sharp eyes of a scholar and a philosopher, of a man with profound wisdom.
"I told you my Disciple is a proud, erect fellow," Shen Yu said as he held out his hand, displaying the Spirit Beast to them all like a proud father, a massive, shit-eating grin on his face. "Truly, he is the most magnificent of cocks!"
Tianzhe Minyan raised an eyebrow.
"A chicken?" she asked, sounding utterly flabbergasted.
Shen Yu started laughing. And after a moment, Ge started laughing with him.
---
BEHOLD! The Most Magnificent of Cocks!
We're going to be doing Mon/Thurs for updates until next month. I'll say something in advance if a week will only have one chapter.
Editors: Massgamer, BargleNawdleZouss, Aaron “Pastafarian” Sofaer, Verdant Bluegrass
Comments
D J Meigs
Yep it never gets old😂. I’m kind of sad they didn’t comment on the sign at the gate. No wondering why be wary of chickens?
Mark Greenberg
That's the way someone described gatherings pre- and post- Google. Time was you could spend an evening arguing about little things: who sang this, who was in that movie, what is such-and-such made from, etc. Now, a quick internet search and there's nothing to talk about.
Alex Ingraham
Now the pain is far greater because Monday is nearing it's end and no chapter yet... 😭
Michael Fannon
Ok. I need my fix here. Been waiting for this chapter for over 2 months.
Gwyn
I'm scratching my arm fiending for the next chapter.
Miles Sumida
It doesn't get mentioned in the story but in this link: https://forums.spacebattles.com/threads/beware-of-chicken-xianxia.910799/page-1481#post-94670184 CF mentioned that he became a dragon 98 years early. Since carp are supposed to become dragons at 100 he's only about 3 or 4 years old at this point. So he's a baby by dragon, human, and even carp timescales.
Often Irrelephant
I was really thinking of Bailu - one of the storm wings we saw with Minyan - yet another draconic descendent. In the alternate timeline, she goes full horns and tail. I have hopes for Xianghua! And think it's fun to have yet another dragon. (And yes - the shade Wa Shi gave Loud Boy was hilarious.)
Alex Ingraham
I feel that pain lol
Sean Ulrich
I’m imagining her chasing after Wa Shi. Ink brush in mouth. Rolling pin in one hand, broom in the other. Wa Shi just stole her spicy cookies. Chunky is in the background with a straw hat on. Cause why not
Truedragon5374
Loud Boy has already met Dragon Wa Shi. Remember when Loud Boy, Rags and Handsome Man all visited Fa Ram the first time?
Andrew Denton
I think that the "becoming" version of 3 swords would be fan, hairpin, inkbrush.
Cranky Otter
I’m here checking early in the morning to see if the monday post is up yet only to realize it’s sunday 😭
Matsc
I can also picture him holding Human Bi De up by his ankles and yelling "Behold! A Chicken!"
Often Irrelephant
Wait - aren't the bros (Loud Boy and Rags) also on their way? Are we going to have a dragon party?! I mean, we potentially have two dragon descendants (and I'd love to see Xianghua with more than illusory horns), a dude learning from a dragon spirit, and an actual baby-totally-not-a-carp dragon. 🐉🎉
Often Irrelephant
Also Torrent Rider: "And cool old dudes like in the stories! I thought they were just a myth - since my bad ass big sisters keep curb stomping them..."
Often Irrelephant
Excellent question! I wonder if this will be like the spiritual craftspeople and chefs - just super rare - or are there actual people contracted to some of the earth spirits we saw during the the formation power up fight?
Osvaldo Antonio Carmona Calderón
Minyan getting into Mum/grandma mode with mei mei,plus tsundere and totally pervert mei mei clicking, “old bastard if you took young Jin as grandson what is stopping me to take little mei as granddaughter AND DIRECT DISCIPLE??? Shut your mouth black cloud, my sect rules are not something you are allowed to mention” … nose up to the sky… (everyone very carefully close their mouth, Ge “oh boy”). Jin muttering very quietly : “ that means I get to ride the ship?” Minyan (glaring): “of course grandson I expect you to sail it perfectly next week” (everyone very carefully closing their mouth… oh wait… gulping?) ROFL, can’t wait. Minyan: “Baiyu, Seiyu, the responsibility of young Jin skills with this task is on the both of you…I….Am…perfectly… clear?” (Gulping intensifies, Ge oh girls). Shou:”now wait there Minyan, young Jin and I…(Yukong clenching his hand) what dear? Anyways. young Jin and I will be debating AND planting some seeds for-the foreseeable future(clenching intensifies)” snowy sky all the sudden… all plants start moving “threatening “ Minyan:”old leaf, I won’t hear to that nonsense ONE second more” (Ge with hands on his head, oh heavens). Shenyu: “maybe a friendly spar to broaden my disciple and family horizons is in order? Pipa be a dear and make some of the popcorn snacks yes?” ( I know the wings are no there yet, don’t care, call them)
Gray Code
Torrent Rider: "Wait, this is unusual?"
Cranky Otter
Appreciate the repetition of how elements depend on perspective. Fa Bi De’s “Great Pillars of Fa Ram” are “They passed by a small fence” to Elder Ge. Pi Pa’s “only rice & pickles” was “gold grade rice & overwhelming hospitality” to the SMS. I like that Pi Pa, who worked so hard to write with her mouth in first form keeps it up as a human.
Cranky Otter
I had forgotten that bit. Still know the countries song & the states & capitals.
Aune
felt like This was Jin kinda like his first dabbling the mystic arts
Almer Reyhan
Or maybe he's in his carp in a bowl form LOL
taukid
I really got to read the rest of those books.
Old Dog
Read what was posted on RR to get my fix during his semi-sabbatical.
Old Dog
I wholeheartedly agree.
Old Dog
No comment about the sign though....
Old Dog
Many will be humbled by Jin in the ancient and noble art of Ha Qi.
Old Dog
As always, thank you for the chapter. I have really missed reading your work with my morning coffee. Really looking forward to how things go from here with the visit.
Truedragon5374
Well considering he is maybe 30 ft long, and some myths describe Chinese dragons multiple Li long...
Daniela Capobianco
Thank you for the chapter! I can’t believe Washi is considered a baby dragon, I love itXD
Truedragon5374
I can just see the Cloudy Elders sitting down for tea later, preparing for a week long debate on the nature of Fa Ram's chi density, only for Jin to come in, hand them the ancient memory crystal, his recording crystal, and just tell them. Then they pout cuz he ruined a perfectly entertaining argument.
Truedragon5374
Not even knives man. Give her time and a simple indignant huff from her will suck you into the Void. Throwing hands in unbecoming of a lady of the house.
Z H
It's tradition!
Z H
Taukid it's a Discworld reference. Lu Tze was an old man with that swept the floors at a martial arts temple. Many potential young masters found humility at the end of his broom.
Truedragon5374
Every time Bi De crows at dawn, I think of Chanticleer's final crow from the old Don Bluth movie, Rock-a-Doodle. https://youtu.be/Y0erVWIdPWk?si=K56AYBqNp8G6BF7Q
Michael Fannon
As far as the glass goes, I think it is going to be more important than people think. Shou mentioned that they used climate control formations, but I am betting that none of them are perfect and all leak a little qi, thus contaminating the area. This is one of the reasons why the rarer spirit herbs are hard to grow. Even the most sophisticated formation to minimize this leak would never fully eliminate it. But by using mortal materials (even made with qi), there is no qi to leak in the first place making it ideal. Of course, there is the fact Jin has spirit beast pollinators too.
Alex Ingraham
Puhhhleeeeeasssssse, Pi Pa is FAR too much of a dignified lady to do anything so CRASS!! Pairing knives* will work just fine lol *I dunno, I couldn't think of something better 😅
Alex Ingraham
THANK YOUUUU!!!! Loved the chapter! Now... where's my fast-forward button to Monday... Wha-...... CF, you've broken me. I'm now actually looking forward to Mondays!!
KnightRider007
I mean, he is… he’s probably no more than 5-10 years old. Almost certainly no older than 20 (keeping in mind he was a mature carp before Jin arrived) And given this is Xianxia… dragon life expectancy is probably somewhere in the five-to-six-figure range.
KnightRider007
That does actually raise the question - who actually *grows* Gold-grade rice besides Jin? It does exist, and has to come from somewhere, but even the Cloudy Sword Sect, who are *specifically known* for their advanced agriculture, aren’t making it… so who is!?
taukid
Hmmm... I can't figure out if I'm not pronouncing it right or if I don't get the reference
Beggar of Freedom
Divines bless your kind heart!
Laura Hemly
I know the silver yin lotus is taking over the bathhouse, but I think it's something like volcano ginseng taking over the fireplace. Not that it matters that much; Should will be going nuts over ALL the lowly spirit herbs.
Laura Hemly
I'm now contemplating the thought of introducing Vajra and her girls to the Elders. The mind boggles! And I'm also envisioning how Wa Shi will react te being called a "baby dragon." 😅😅
Laura Hemly
It definitely adds to the innuendo, but after my Monday went to the R18+ place, I realized it refers to their warmup exercise routine.
Laura Hemly
And if you want weirdness, Fa Ram is definitely the place to go! But my favorite kind of weirdness, needless to say.
Gray Code
@Harish And at the time, Shenhe probably thought the Cloudy Sword Sect _bought_ the Gold Grade Rice and had it imported; We saw in Book 4 that even the Azure Jade Trading Company could only acquire six total bags of inferior gold-grade rice for comparison from the suppliers they were able to contact in the nearby provinces. To have it in such quantities that you can just _decide_ to feed it to several dozen unexpected guests for a week is truly astounding.
Zachariah Daugherty
I wish I was sophisticated enough to first think of Diogenes, but every time there is a Bi De reveal I hear the chicken boo song from Animaniacs in my head.
Gray Code
@Seiden Kyoukai I'd probably guess human for Ri Zu, as well; She does not seem to have gone back to Rat form very often since they entered Shrouded Mountain (though most of that time was an infiltration mission followed by a hostile environment trek and an active combat scenario)
Synova Vitale
It is fantastic!!!
Jo
Love it! Looking to the absolute feast they will experience!
John D Jones
Sure, but Bi De is far from common.
Harish
Yep. Plus, CSS would take Jin's "cultivation methods" with the appropriate respect unlike some of the other sects in the Empire. So, we would likely see the Elders choosing to start accepting mortals into the Sect and probably expanding into crafts as well, especially with Lu Ri leading the charge. And also, Luisei's presence in the SHI sect. I really hope Minyan or the Storm Wings notice the resemblance to Xiulan and it turns into a proper reunion.
Harish
Am waiting for MInyan or the other SHI girls to comment on Xiulan's resmeblance to Luisei and meeting her mother that way. I hope it hapens. Because all these bloody cultivators are like "We live for 500 years. I've got time to see my family once a century." F**K that in BOC.
Gopard
Thanks for the chapter!
John D Jones
I admit that even though I really enjoyed this, I am SO looking forward to Monday and the full meeting proper.
Namorat
Not that it is wrong but “barely a dent“ sounds more common than “merely a dent“ perhaps?
Just A Dude
Wonder if the grand master of that sect is Lu Tze.
Guber
Yes! I am so excited for them to find out all that is happening at the farm!! It is going to be so grand!!
Hound
"Behold! My Cock!"
ShivaMcTimber
TYFTC! Super looking forward to the Elder shock and Minyan's thawing.
KnightRider007
I dunno… “and their customary morning exercise” kinda adds to the innuendo
CringeWorthyStudios
Or the disaster twins finding Jin’s booze and food… or SHI’s girls meeting Xiulan and finding her oddly familiar… or tsundere Minyan having her facade broken… or finding out about the Azure Hill’s history and how Jin’s repairing the province via Tianlan… or Elder Yukong meeting Biyu when she arrives…
Often Irrelephant
I think she can, but I also think they've been putting off kids till they can guarantee they'll have the spark. And having kids in human form might do that. Also, now she looks like the lady she's always been.
Often Irrelephant
Shen Yu says he's had better -my question is, will herb elder start confiscating it to compare the magical qualities with the magical pollen she used to produce the base honey. "Silver Yin! Amazing!" "Give me my drink back or I WILL END YOU."
Often Irrelephant
My not-quite-a-gf also had a face to face with the King of Ghosts, and now she's a MAGICAL cat girl with full on demon slaying powers. (She also told him his muscle were lovely and has no idea why he started laughing, so I think I might have a chance!)
Seiden Kyoukai
Since no one is stated explicitly, I'm guessing they're all in their "default" forms. So human for Tigu, probably human for Peppa and Chunky since that's what they were last shown as, and the rest of them as animals. Only one I have no idea about would be Yin, but if I had to guess I'd say she's human since she seems to prefer that form.
Often Irrelephant
Right??? Mortal glass - he has no idea. Maybe he's seen chi infused glass before, but I assume high level spiritual crafts people are about as rare as spiritual chefs. And even Noodle couldn't figure out how it was going to work before hand.
taukid
I really want the someone from the Emperor’s Street Sweepers to meet the Crossed Branches sect, whose ancestors were street sweepers 😂
BlueMage_VT
Thanks for the chapter! I am so hyped for this part of the story! I love the more slice of life style, especially with Jin bringing weirdness to the established cultivators! 😂
Lanter
How had been waiting for this visit more? Shen Yu for the gloating/boasting/chicken jokes or Elder Shou for the Spiritual Herbs? 🤣
Lanter
Shen Yu has been waiting for months for this 🤣🤣🤣 Having recently been reminded of the story, is there a Xianxia version of Diogenes around? A "Behold, A Man!" moment would be hilarious with the added context of this flawless man being a chicken 😂 Thanks for the chapter!
Insertnamehereokokipressedokok
I like how Ge thinks Shen Yu is the head of the house and "allowed" Jin to make the initial greeting. Ah, assumptions...
Sean Ulrich
Pi Pa three sword style art please and thank you
dragonslaver
The correct amount. (Read as all)
Aki_Iokua18
One thing to remember: Tianlan spent a BUNCH of energy relatively recently. That, added to the exasperation of the damage to her Dragon Veins, it’s little wonder that her field shrunk atm.
David Brewer
Given the nature of Qi "cheating" that undoubtedly occurred... they likely have been working with iron/steel for a very, very long time. For us... iron was a pain because it's challenging to generate enough heat AND something to resist the heat. For cultivators? Fire cultivator smith gets an earth cultivator to reinforce the clay forge and bam... you're good.
lockx
... I'm assuming that all of Fa Ram are in their natural forms rather than human? Judging by the context. It's not stated anywhere though
John D Jones
@ Harish The rice was Gold Grade rice and the pickles were Seven Fragrance Jewel Herbs.
John D Jones
She's still "hibernating" so probably not.
Splutty
Of course. It's the first real chapter after the vacation.
CUI13
A risky endeavor, given what happened last time
Baron of Awesome
Do you *Really* what to end *this* chapter with *that* joke?
V01D
Given that the Qi levels went up prior to them being able to see Fa Ram, I think it’s accurate.
Randall Brynsvold
Sometimes breakfast is just breakfast, especially with the rest of the family in attendance.
V01D
I wonder if Tinglan will get introduced to them!
ItWasIDIO!!
Sigh 😕
Katharine Gould
Thanks for the Chapter Boss! Question: Did Ri Zu's and Bi De's Breakfast involve a fade to black R 18+ moment? Cause the way that was phrased or at least how it sounded in my head.
Shawn Banks
Glad to see everyone back!
Catherine
“With Lu Ri in charge of the disciples, they anticipated no issues with this little diversion.” So how many of those disciples do we think will be talking about mail when they return to the elders?! 😂
leopard eye
Nha not stone... Bronze at most
Trevor Mergen
Thanks!
Catherine
Thanks for the chapter, I enjoyed it :) I just have 1 question. Where is the herald? Is he still with the disciples and will he be joining them at Jins later?
Chase Northcutt
So glad we're back to updates! Thank you for all you do CF!
BenjiVoid
there was a "not not" in there that shouldn't be
Jeff
A lot of the new spirit animals has to do with Jin just kept using the spirit herbs for spices on everything. And just gave it to his animal because it was good for you kind of mentality. Especially in the beginning.
Harish
I am so looking forward to Minyan's reaction to the 'family' of Shen Yu and the fact that the man is as happy as she has ever seen him. I would like to see what she thinks of it all, plus I really want her take on Jin. Especially since I loved Mom!Minyan from the Soaring Heaven's AU. And Shou's reaction to the 'mortal' glass by a Snake is going to be... memorable. Gotta love how the CSS and Minyan will assess the Cultivator grade mortal work going on at Fa Ram
Harish
Pretty sure there was a comment from Shenhe about Fa Ram spending enough coin on them to give even the Shrouded Mountain pause.
Emily Gurnavage
Im sure there's zero chance of Shen Yu letting them leave without at least tasting it. Pretty sure he said as much before the long break, and just now he mentioned drinking again. And it takes a lot to effect cultivators at the level of these elders. So I believe you will get that wish.
Harish
I would like to see things from his perspective
Jeff
Shin is so old that the (back in my day) could very well have been using stone spears instead of metal swords and not be joking about it.
Emily Gurnavage
At least you noticed, lol. I should have expected it with how long the chapter was up till that point, but the end still got me a bit off guard. That happens a lot with this story though given the chapter lengths. Its long enough to forgot im reading a single chapter at times.
Jeff
Its pronounced Ha Qi.
Jeff
Wait, wasn't in the last chapters that the chi field was stretching so far out that Hong Yaowu wasn't a chi desert anymore? And that most likely it was halfway to Verdant Hill?
Simon Andriessen
Oh my, I feared we had to wait 'till monday again! This is quite a nice surprise. Finally, they arrive! I daresay both Shou and Yukong will have things of interest presented to them!
KnightRider007
“And then they had a lovely breakfast.” {stares at the phrasing with *deep* suspicion} 🤨
David Brewer
They almost certainly know of the path. They likely won't immediately recognize that Jin is on it... as he's definitely on a modified version based on Tianlan, and her situation/choices.
KnightRider007
Oh, Pi Pa… That mental image, the prim, proper lady’s maid and housekeeper, writing things down in her elegant, precise calligraphy… with the brush held in her mouth! 🤣 And also: “Hmph. We’ll show them! Only rice and pickles for you!” Them: “OMG! Best food we’ve ever eaten! Fa Ram is so generous!”
Dwayne Parker
Tie Delun must be having the most ridiculous year ever right now. How do you even explain this to people later? “I decided to visit my not-girlfriend’s family, got caught up in a demon invasion, got my movie only magical girl power up, and then met the leaders of several legendary sects. We hung out and played hockey.”
BelligerentGnu
It never gets old. :D
Alex
I'm overcome by a sinking feeling of dread when I get partway through reading and realize there isn't enough chapter left for there to be more than a quick introduction between Fa Ram and the Elders. Alas, the waiting continues to see the reactions to Fa Ram T_T
Anthony
That was almost cathartic
K1NG_CHIMP
TYFTC! I'm really hoping they have some of Vajra the booze master's mead! I wanna see their reactions
Zeromaru2
It's always so funny
Duke of Coffee
A magnificent chicken indeed. Glad to see the Elders have a break.
Deathlokke
I'm most excited to see if one them finally recognizes that root that we've all been wondering about since book 1. I know at the end of book 4 it was finally starting to grow.
Michael Larsen
I can’t wait for the Herald to show up. I’m still betting it’s the emperor in disguise.
Michael Larsen
Yeah, I can’t wait to see if/what the elders know of Shennong.
Michael Larsen
It’s at the end of their gathering at the magistrate’s home.
Featherweight
endorphins!
Kasinki
Ill get tired of that. "A chicken?!" 😂 Thank you for the chapter CF!
Andreas Sommer
I just can't wait till all those imperial realm masters try haqi 😁
Laura Hemly
It occurs to me to ask: can Pi Pa change back into her natural form, like almost all the other spirit animals? Or is she stuck in human shape? Do we know? I can't think of anything that's been said about it one way or the other.
Kairo of Sweden
Not to mention the Lotus infestations in the sauna & fireplace.
Laura Hemly
Thanks for the chapter, CF! Although it's only the beginning of their visit, I know the elders are going to find a lot more at Fa Ram than even ancient elders have seen. And in the meantime, we got the best reaction of all: "A chicken?" I laugh out loud every time someone says that!
leopard eye
And thus grandfather bridge Club came for a visit. To rest recover and... Be a good example to they younger generation. Who will be the first to say: (back in my day we..) I'm betting on Shin.
BigBro Bluesman
That was God damn FANTASTIC
Maria Klein
Yes we did. I can’t remember what part but he was telling elder ge about taking his grandson out an made a lot of cock jokes
Alan dryfter
So, it just gets back to where it left off before. Forgive me for saying, but I almost feel... cock blocked.
Maria Klein
Great start!
Andrew Denton
I always felt that the ending of book 5 was a little abrupt. I appreciate that this chapter lets it breathe a little.
Angela Roberts
Yes! The wonder that is Fa Ram. Living this!!
Voror
I admit I'm looking forward to more reactions from them though so far it's a bit muted, but then these are people who have seen a bit of everything.
Talespinner Lore
Damn u for this cliff! Btw, did we see a preview of this joke at some point? I feel like we did.
Andreas Sommer
Love it, as always feels way to short ;)
TempestK
*Jin sighs* - "See Gramps, that sense of humor of yours is why I replaced your wine with horse piss that one time." I can't wait to see Minyan let her hair down a little. Jin's love of Meimei is probably as blatant and obvious as Shen Yu's was for his own wife. Also, there is baby to cuddle and spoil; something that very few women can resist in my experience. Jin's explanation of accidentally creating an environment that seems to produce Spirit Beasts by accident is going to be interesting; though I wonder how much him being on the Path of Shennong has to do with it?
Cyrus McEnnis
Shen Yu is such a shit flinging monkey : )
Aki_Iokua18
来た！ 来た！ 来たアアアッ‼︎‼︎ That bit with Peppa made me chuckle. Here’s to a productive conversation between a farmer and a plant otaku.
Nick Slow
Thanks for the chapter!
Randall Norman Pick
I'm just waiting for Shen Yu to pull this joke on the Emperor.
WarStrider72
Yass! Marvel in the creation of Fa Ram! We got Yukong looking at the Snowman, Shou looking at the green house, Minyan trying to steal all the girls, and Ge has his mouth open the entire time.
Antony Wilson
I forgot how much I missed this series. Absolutely phenomenal
Louisthau
AWWWWWWW YIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSSS !!!
castiel Phoenix
tftc
WarStrider72
Ah, the cock jokes never get old!
Nick
Tftc
Warit
Glad to have you back boss O7
WarStrider72
Thanks for the chapter boss!
WarStrider72
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