Torsten Hewson
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v5c71: To Keep Climbing the Mountain
🕑 Added 2024-11-20 01:17:51 +0000 UTCBook 4 is up on Kindle!
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Liao Yushang had spent the past couple of days wondering when the dream would end. She was the most relaxed she had been since she had left home—and she had found a place that she was unsure could exist outside her village.
She didn’t need to watch her back. She didn’t need to watch her words. Everywhere she looked, she could only see people who meant her no harm and would help without question.
It was a truly beautiful place, and Yushang reciprocated their hospitality the best she could—but instead of feeling stressed that she somehow had to repay the gifts that she was receiving… it felt natural.
She could wax poetic about Fa Ram, about all the people there who had welcomed her with open arms, but Bi De, Ri Zu, and Yun Ren already had during their adventures. It had been strange to feel like she knew somebody before she had ever met them, but she had… and unlike so many tales, the real thing wasn’t disappointing.
“Come on! I know you have more than this!” Rou Tigu demanded of Yushang as they clashed, straining against each other. The slightly shorter woman’s muscles were bulging as she took the weight of Yushang’s blade on her bracers, a fierce smile on her lips.
Yushang was at the limits of her speed and strength—but Tigu was right. She did have more to give. Ascending Mountaineer became a blur through the air, hammering into Tigu’s Qi blades again and again. It was a brutal, fast-paced sparring, a match of physicality from both of them. Yushang’s heavy sword, strikes, and shoulder checks were matched by Tigu’s own predatory muscle.
Her breath came in gasps. Her muscles burned. Yet she could only match the smile on the other woman’s face.
Yushang liked Tigu. The two of them had just… clicked, the moment they had met.
With a burst of strength and a flick of her Qi, Ascending Mountaineer slammed through the Qi blades of her foe and launched Tigu backwards. The slightly tanned woman recovered quickly and, like Bi De and Ri Zu, she simply grinned and bowed, her muscles relaxing and signaling an end to the spar.
There were no hard feelings. There was no sense of tension. Tigu simply looked pleased that Yushang had done well.
“A fine blow, Pretty Sister!” Tigu decreed, and Yushang scratched the back of her head with a bit of embarrassment. She called herself that mostly as a joke. She was no great beauty—but Tigu seemed completely and utterly earnest when she uttered Yushang’s new nickname.
“You have great power and finely sculpted muscles!” Tigu had said enthusiastically. “Ri Zu was right, Yushang is very beautiful!”
“Thank you, thank you! You know, I can see a lot of the way Ri Zu dodges in your movements, so I know a bit about how you move!” Yushang said.
Tigu sighed dramatically and shook her head while shooting a smirk at where Ri Zu was sitting on the sidelines. “I taught that girl to fight, you know!” Her smirk broadened, tone making clear she was bringing Yushang on an old joke. “She was such a limp, noodly bookworm, and it took her Senior Sister here so much effort to get her to train!”
Ri Zu made a rude gesture and stuck out her tongue, which set Tigu to laughing outright. The tanned woman slung an arm around Yushang’s shoulders, and the two of them set off to the sidelines with Bi De, Ri Zu, Yin, the Torrent Rider, Shao Heng, Gou Ren, and Xianghua.
She was met with smiles, a mug of water, and well-intentioned critique of the spar. It was exactly like they had done it in the sect… and now Yushang knew where they had gotten it from.
“Us next!” Yin shouted, and dragged Bi De over. Her friend had a small smile on his face.
“It's been a while since we’ve sparred, hasn’t it?” Bi De said with a warm smile.
“Hell yeah it has! I can’t wait!” Yin shouted. Bright golden armor formed around her—while armor made of silver formed around Bi De. Yin paused, and then her eyes narrowed.
“You stole my move!” she accused, but she did have a smile on her face.
Bi De smiled back. “Your techniques, and your insight into the nature of the sun, have saved my life more times than I can count.”
Yin’s smile brightened. “That's great! Now come on, I’m going to go all out!”
Yushang watched as silver and gold clashed, cheering along with the Torrent Rider and Tigu.
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She was given a checkup by Big Sis Mei, as Lady Meiling insisted she be called. Ri Zu’s master fed Yushang sweets while she cheerfully told stories about Ri Zu’s training, much to her friend’s embarrassment.
She had lunch made by Xiulan—who was a very good cook. She ate it with Wa Shi, the dragon very happy to show her all the flavour combinations he knew… and also grill her on everything Yushang remembered about the food her village had made.
She explored the forest with Chun Ke and Pi Pa— who were very happy to show her the logs used for growing mushrooms, and the iced-over streams.
She spoke of the blade with Bei Be, the ox full of profound insight.
She played Ha Qi with Master Jin. She ended up accidentally ‘fouling’ the man, and he picked her up in a headlock and ruffled her hair until she begged for mercy… then resumed chasing her around when she did it again.
She sat with everybody, as Yun Ren showed the people of Fa Ram images of their time in the sect and of their travels.
They invited her to the village of Hong Yaowu, so she could take part in that little celebration, and she got to meet more people who were good and kind.
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She even ended up moving her bed into Ri Zu’s room. She didn’t mind staying with Han, Uncle, Fenxian, and Yingwen, but Big Sis Mei had muttered something about propriety—and Ri Zu was the first to offer her place, as they had been roommates before.
“Oh, these are so cute!” Yushang exclaimed, staring at the little items that were arranged on Ri Zu’s desk. There were brushes, chopsticks, bowls, and clothes, all carefully arranged and all perfectly sized for Ri Zu’s other form. There was even an absolutely tiny medical scroll.
“Yes. Ri Zu’s family was very kind and attentive to her needs,” Ri Zu said warmly. “But… it almost feels like a waste, now.”
“Hey, when you have kids, they can play dolls with them,” Yushang replied. Ri Zu’s face tinted pink, but her eyes were considering.
“That is a very good idea,” Ri Zu mused.
“The rest is kind of empty, though,” Yushang noted, looking around. Other than the little bowls and such, the room was pretty bare..
“The room is very new,” Ri Zu said almost absently. “Ri Zu still had no human form when she left, and she considered it unneeded. Ri Zu had a shelf for her belongings, and she slept on the couch, or more often, on Bi De’s back.”
The words were said absently. Yushang grinned. “Oh my, how scandalous! Before even having your father’s permission?! Ri Zu! How dare you? I’m living with a woman of loose morals! Oh no, whatever shall happen to me—”
The pillow hit Yushang directly in the face, and they began grappling—however, without her needles, Yushang proved herself more skilled, eventually pinning Ri Zu to the bed underneath her.
Ri Zu was very cute when she was staring up at Yushang, her chest heaving and her cute face scrunched up in a pout.
A pout that slowly changed into a small smile, as they both stared laughing. Yushang let go of Ri Zu’s wrists, and they embraced.
“Thank you, Yushang. For everything,” Ri Zu whispered into Yushang’s ear. Yushang leaned back, so she could see her friend’s smile, her heart thumping in her chest.
Of course, that was when Bi De walked in on them.
He stared at the scene with a raised eyebrow.
“Well, don’t just stand there, come on in~” Yushang said.
“Oh? But two flowers entwined is such a nice view,” Bi De replied.
Yushang started laughing, while Ri Zu rolled her eyes.
She didn’t let go though.
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Life was good. It was really truly good. Han was animated. Uncle was in fine spirits.
But something, oddly, felt like it was missing.
And on the fifth day, things changed.
Zang Shenhe, Elder of the Shrouded Mountain Sect, asked to meet with them.
All of them had been cautious. They had, after all, effectively deserted the sect after helping what were their oldest enemies.
But instead of an awkward conversation about that… instead, Zang Shenhe, a woman that Yushang had admired, asked for their help. The woman was frank. Candid. Her eyes burned with purpose, and the only thing that any could see from her was honesty.
“Che Han. Much wrong has been done to your family. Centuries of oppression must be made right—and I would have your help in making this so. I have seen your work. I have seen your skill with formations. You would be the first, Che Han. Elevated to Inner Disciple, and it is my hope that one day you will be an Elder.”
Han looked stunned. He licked his lips, before replying, “I will be going back to the sect anyway, to see how my family fares. I will speak to them about your intentions… but…”
“If you and your family still wish to leave after, I will not dare to ask you to stay. I would only ask that you give me a chance to attempt to bring things to their proper place.”
Han nodded hesitantly. Her eyes turned to Uncle Heng.
“Outrider Shao Heng. You have served as an Outrider for decades. Your skill and experience are without question. Your character is known and respected. I would have you be the model for whatever emerges from our return—the defenders of the Howling Fang Mountains.”
Uncle Heng looked serene. “That was my eventual goal in the first place. I shall be performing my duties with - or without - the sect.”
Elder Shenhe nodded firmly. Finally, her eyes turned to Yushang.
“Liao Yushang. You have little connection to our sect. You have little reason to trust us, or return. But I see in you a future. A future of how the sect is supposed to be. Your talent, your skill, but more importantly, your heart. Liao Yushang. I ask you to become my disciple. Your heart will be our guide, to rebuild Zang Yong’s dream.”
Yushang said nothing, her mouth open.
Shenhe bowed her head to them all.
“Please, consider my words.”
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All three of them were quiet as they walked back to the house, their brows furrowed. Han went to tinker with his formation, obviously wanting to be alone—but she saw Yun Ren glance at him, and follow after him nonchalantly. Uncle Heng went to get some tea, his eyes darting to Ri Zu.
Yusahng knew what both of them were going to choose. Han had already wanted to go and check on his family, and Uncle had his dream.
For Yushang, however, her path was less obvious. She found herself on the roof of the house—which was a really good spot to sit, Bi De and Xiulan were right—mulling over the offer she had received.
It weighed heavily on her.
She was so happy here, on this farm. She felt like she could stay here forever. Her life would be great. She would be content for the rest of her days.
But a small, worming thought was stuck in Yushang’s head.
It was idyllic. It was practically perfect. And her home… the Howling Fang Mountains… wasn’t.
The Shrouded Mountain Sect had been the protectors of her home. The protectors of thousands of villages. And now, those same villages might have been left utterly alone, at the mercy of Spirit Beasts, and the often-vicious climate of the Howling Fang Mountains.
Maybe that was the part that made it seem like something was missing. This place was safe… but it wasn’t her home, in the way it was Bi De, Ri Zu, and Yun Ren’s.
Her home wasn’t safe. Not anymore.
The conflicting thoughts battled. Her happiness and safety, versus the thousands of tiny villages, left in the cold.
“Yushang.” Bi De’s voice broke her out of her thoughts. She jerked up, looking to where he and Ri Zu were approaching her. Both of them had serious looks on their faces.
“Shao Heng told us what happened,” Ri Zu said, sitting down beside Yushang. “Or rather, he asked Ri Zu what her opinion was, and asked what she desired him to do.”
“That does sound like Uncle,” Yushang said with a little chuckle. “What did you say?”
“Ri Zu said if he wished to repay his debt to her… then he should go and save others for forty years, because that is the amount of time Ri Zu saved him.” Yushang knew it was the closest thing Ri Zu could get to absolving Uncle of the debt he felt he owed her. “He must come back and check in when he can, so Ri Zu can see his progress.”
Yushang chuckled. “Yup, sounds like Uncle. He’s always had that conviction about him. But me…”
“You’ve never lacked for conviction, Yushang,” Bi De said. “Never doubt that. The choice placed before you is a difficult one, and one that requires due consideration.”
“… what do you think I should do?”
“I do not think that that is a question we should answer,” Bi De replied. “Instead, I shall tell you what I do believe. I believe that whatever choice you make, it will be the right one—and that you will always be welcome here. Either as another disciple… or as our good friend.”
“Follow your heart, Yushang. It has not led you wrong yet,” Ri Zu added.
Yushang smiled at the words.
A life of peace and happiness, or a life full of difficulty, with the chance to make a difference?
She looked up, her eyes set on the horizon.
“Thank you,” she told them. The two beautiful people who had always had her back.
Calm, kind, and patient.
Yushang loved them both.
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“Here you are, dear,” Shou said, prompt as always as he handed Yukong another piece of Shadow Oak. She smiled slightly. She did always love his attentiveness.
She had been working for three days. The formation truly was sublime, and she would spend many hours in the future going over it further.
Elder Yukong of the Cloudy Sword Sect paused in her work as she felt something shudder. The formation twitched.
She frowned, when the minute pulse hit, so small it was nearly undetectable.
Its effects, however, were far more obvious.
Somehow, some way, the enemy had discovered that the base hadn’t been destroyed, and now they were activating contingencies to take out the formation.
It slipped through her attempts to stop it and analyze it, a truly sublime work, the domain of a true master. She watched dispassionately as red light consumed the scrawling characters, eating through the formation and instead turning it into an explosive. She saw the power swell, and melt down the remaining parts.
The detonation destroyed the base.
And failed to accomplish anything of note.
“Too late,” Elder Yukong observed. The carved pieces of crystal and wood in her hands flickered to life and shuddered, like hounds catching the scent.
“Disciple Lu Ri. Report to our Brother Shen Yu,” Ge said. “We are ready to begin the hunt.”
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Yushang may or may not be digging a mud pit soon.
The Demons learn exactly what they're up against next chapter. I think like 2-3 more chapters until this volume is done now.
Editors: Aaron “Pastafarian” Sofaer, BargleNawdleZouss,
Comments
octav
That moment when you realize that a midwife is not, in fact, a wife in the middle.
Z H
Ender I think you are VERY confused as to what a midwife is, or autocorrect thoroughly twisted your post.
Timothy Dana
Or a sapient pill spirt becomes a disciple… imagine Be Di’s reaction
Cranky Otter
I think that’s what she’ll choose to do.
Timothy Dana
I think Jin should get a power up. Something like 72 earthly transformations but with farm animals and farming tools
Artur Vogt
Nah. Harem shit rarely works. The only throuple in fiction that i know worked, are the misfits of the deathworlders series
Samantha Kuhn
Yulong is her half-uncle; he is Liling's (Meiling's mother) little brother, whom her mother had after she abandoned Liling. He knows how the bloodline works, but Meimei has yet to learn the first thing about it! She needs someone to explain how it works, what powers she has access to, and what constellations her son and young Hong Xian (if he becomes a cultivator) were born under. Right now, all she knows is that she has a bloodline that involves smelling Qi and that a cray-cray demonic cultivator thinks they have the same bloodline--she didn't ever THINK it was a bloodline until Yulong came along! Other than that, she has NO info, and considering her ancestors ruled the hidden places of the world b/c of their power, there's A LOT more going on than just being able to smell Qi! I am SURE the CSS (being scholars) and the SHI (being healers) must have some vague records about how it works! P.S. I think Zhuye is the one that might have been born under an especially auspicious sign ;)
James Faulkner
Nah, we’ve gotten confirmation that Meiling has the same bloodline. It’s even been hinted that Yulong is her younger brother (his mother spoke of “little mei” before she died).
Ender419
It would be an amazing for them to connect to the Earth spirit of that region empowering her as she is trying to make her way to the Azure Hills to see her sister.
Ender419
Same here and it might inspire a Jin Meilin Xuilan throuple or at least have Xuilan become the midwife to their son.
Robert Adams
I doubt meiling was born under the constellation of the emperor. But likely something almost as auspicious.
N0ct3m
DOWN for the Bi Di Ri Zu and Yushang throuple
ChaosAndBunnies
Truly, the majesty of this Cock is profound
Samantha Kuhn
I HAVE to agree with everyone else! We have GOT to see Shou spit blood after the "full tour" at Fa Ram (and then go nuts like a little boy exploring it!) before the end! Not to mention the Elders meeting Bi De!!! Finally, I know I said it before, but I can NOT wait to see the initial meeting/standoff between Minyan and Meiling! At least initially, those two will have a prickly medical knowledge showdown for the ages, full of backhanded compliments and insults. Then, understanding and grudging acceptance due to the amazing formation and Bowu's surgery. There will also probably be a continuous verbal argument over Minyan trying to poach Ri Zu, full of good-natured grumbling about who can train her better, lol! Please, please don't end the book before we see the initial meet-up between Fa Ram and the Elders of the CSS! I just can't wait to see all the Elders' reactions to the most unique and powerful "sect" in the Azure Hills, especially since Ge is determined to deepen the ties between Jin and the CSS. And Shou will back that up b/c Jin is about to get Shou as his first fanboy Elder, lol! Also, I imagine someone has to be able to confirm Meiling's bloodline between the CSS and SHI and what it means for her, her brother, and Jin's son. I have a sneaking suspicion someone was born under the constellation of the Emperor/Prince, and it wasn't JUST Yulong!
Angela Roberts
See I'm hoping that once they've reconnected with their son and find out how badly the Wu family messed with him that Lu RI gets the Plums involved. I mean a takedown ought to thorough and nasty, no?
Gray Code
Also, allowing the remote detonation sent by the Heavenly Demon Sect to go off probably gives the HDS less info about what's happening than blocking it would. They know something has gone wrong at Demon Weasel Base,they don't know an S-Tier formation master has hacked their Gibsons.
Old Dog
600th
Old Dog
Understandable. Not everyone enjoys a rainy day or sunny day for that matter.
Old Dog
As always, thank you for the chapter and a very enjoyable way to start my day. I agree wholeheartedly with @frankie doerr and would like to see Elder Shou's speachless/jaw dropping/blood spitting reaction to what Jin has done to grow plants. Maybe he knows where Jin can get Coco beans.
Aune
teaching the Truth of the world at age of 4.
Nicholas Tran
Fa ram is like heaven on earth so it's understandable she is having a hard time deciding. But like jin why not try and make a new place for everyone. Their own little heaven. Take what she sees here and at home and implement it into the sect. Create another heaven on earth for more people
Andrew Denton
I wonder if they will be taking back with them the lesson "we give to the earth and the earth gives back"? Or the circular breathing that Bi De learned last time, that allowed them to replenish their qi? Those could make HUGE differences going forward.
Cranky Otter
It was my read that she was finished cataloging the formation, or nearly so, and while she could have done more, including use it, had it not been destroyed by the demons, she had enough info to track like formations, and possibly recreate it from her copious notes, which survived with her & her partner. I think exactly how much specifically got recorded/saved is left slightly unspecified so the author has future options while we’re given enough to know that they’ll be able to meet most or all of their previously discussed goals.
Cranky Otter
Mark, that’s it. I posted an updated analysis of why that phrase felt like a slap to me and it’s functionally the same as what you’ve said here, but I hadn’t read this yet. thanks.
Cranky Otter
Came up with a better description of the conflict. If Yushang stays at the farm, life on the farm (is kind of laid back) would be uncomplicated for her. She would get assigned tasks and do them, spar with whomever is around, and meditate/cultivate in relative peace. She may even be moved to join Tigu’s Tigers to defend the Asure Hills Alliance. In either of these she starts in a junior position and gets assigned duties. If she goes back to the SMS it will be as a junior member of a/the senior senior Elder’s staff, heading into a civil mess, and will be part of deciding how the sect foes forward, even if her decisions get routed thru Shenhe, so that choice will still be a junior position but the outcome is uncertain and her role will have compounded complications, and the saving grace is that she will be able to affect the outcome. She’s deciding where she will call home, whether or not she’ll forgive the past SMS, and whether she wants a less complicated life on the farm, or a complicated life at the sect. To have that handwaived to “don’t want handouts”, especially when handouts aren’t on offer or are negligibly different for each option, is insulting to her decision making path.
Isak Mark
Well Bi De's favorite snack is a worm...
Poops
Like father like son, with his girlfriend, and his girlfriends girlfriend
Npad11111
He is a magnificent COCK indeed
Just A Dude
Well, he IS a rooster.
Just A Dude
Demons run, but count the cost. The war is won, but the child is lost.
Just A Dude
That ending gave me chills. I almost woke up the house with an evil laugh
Catherine
I wonder if any of the fa ram group will join in the extermination?
ronin
From what we’ve seen like once or twice it seems to not be a gate but a one way transportation jump. Probably not worth the qi to attempt to jump into the hills due to the qi depravation everywhere other than fa ram
Jazer Andrew Sotomayor
Thank you!!
Stylidium
Could they not just create two lightning transport formations keyed two fa ram and the misty fang?
Narasan
You can interpret this in different ways. Formulating it differently could make it more clear. My interpretation is: she got multiple things from studying the formation. The most important is a way to track it down. But there are sideobjectives, like recreating it or making future analysis easier, that are not finished.
Kt-x
Thanks for the chapter!
Tsorov
You forgot something: the cloudy sword sect has many rules their ancestors made them follow. And a good man needs no rules...
frankie doerr
Before the break please oh please has a chapter where elder shou spits blood upon looking at fa ram
Mikey D
Seems to me the pulse that destroyed the base also supplied Yukong with the rest of what she needed.
Mark Greenberg
I understand the desire to build tension at the end (can they track the demonic formations or not) but I don't think it works as written. In Yukong's thoughts she has MOST of what she needed, then she paused in her work, then she tried (but failed) to stop and analyze the destruction pulse which destroyed the formation and the base. Next sentence is they were too late, she already has her tracking formation ready. When did she go from having MOST of what she needed to having EVERYTHING she needed? Maybe replace the first two paragraphs with something like "She continued to analyze the sublime formation when she felt something shudder." This IMPLIES she's not done even though she's really going over it a second or third time to see if she can learn anything else about the person who set it up, but she's already completed the tracking formations which we are shown after the base's destruction.
Mark Greenberg
I agree that "living on handouts" isn't the best phrase to use there. I think "living a life of ease" better sums up what her life would be like if she stayed on Fa Ram. Compared to the work it will take to FIX the SMS (or whatever they decide to call it) and then to do the WORK of the SMS (keeping everyone in the HFM safe), being a cultivator-farmer with the assistance of a province-spanning earth spirit would be a cake-walk.
Cranky Otter
And nothing in the text before then is about problems of getting “free” resources, It’s *our* cultural shorthand for “freeloader”, and thus felt weird to read after such an introspective chapter.
Idan tal
Is the name of the chapter talking about Bi De? 😏
Zero Wrath
Oh true lmao. A natural born harem maker
Duke of Coffee
The farm group is having a good time recovering from their ordeal, now the Demon Hunt is going to begin since Elder Shou manage to get the trace of their location. It is time to chase and kill them all from root to stem.
Baldanders
It's pretty important to note that CasualFarmer writes from the perspective of the characters; the comment about handouts doesn't represent his opinions, but instead the opinion of Yushang - and as Geoffey noted above, she's grown up in a hard world where a cultivator is expected to strive for the heavens alone, without assistance. To her, living on Fa Ram, contributing and getting given food and the like might feel like recieving handouts due to the ingrained mindset she's got. Enough time on Fa Ram would probably relieve her of that viewpoint, given time, but for the moment it's the viewpoint she's been enculturated with.
TwoRavens
"Demons run when a good man goes to war." I am so hype for what's coming with Senior Brother.
Beggar of Freedom
Divines bless your kind heart!
Trevor Mergen
Thanks!
Kat
Fair, I wouldn’t hate if they did, but I think it would work better if they didn’t - somewhat less cliche feeling maybe?
C
Not a fan of this chapter, personally.
jord
Day of Fate Spirit vs Spirit popped up on my playlist while I was reading the last part of this chapter. Feels fitting in a way.
Zero Wrath
I mean.. I wouldn’t mind something with jin, mei and lan. Author has done a great job with their current relationship and it’s really only a step away from wholesome throuple. Doubt it’ll ever happen tho. Too many people despise harems cause they associate them with cheap crappy stories that use them as a cliche. Not that I mind the current dynamic. Both are equally as good in my mind. Now Bi De on the other hand.. that def has to happen. Already seems to be foreshadowed with Yin and Ri Zu and now Yushang.
BelligerentGnu
Yeah, that was pretty damn badass.
Mark Greenberg
The original hop in a mud pit wasn't intended to be the start to a grand romance, either. It was just Jin's way of attacking Meimei when she joined the mud battle he was having with the village kids. It was only in hind sight that that was the start of their romance. And Jin DID get called on the carpet for courting Meimei without her father's permission.
Aki_Iokua18
Yushang said she wanted to pay her village back. Building up a province-wide protection network seems like a fine way to do that.
Randall Norman Pick
Contingencies only count if you *turn them on in time*. Good work Team Cloudy Sword.
Laura Hemly
Tftc, CF! But I have to ask my fellow readers, why should Yushang dig a mud pit? She already dug Bi De and Ri Zu one at the foxes' house. Besides, there's sure to already be one at Fa Ram, and of course there's the original at Hong Yaowu should Bi De feel the need to repeat it for everyone to appreciate, with a nice Cowabunga! to announce what's about to happen!
Geoffrey Sullivan
Something sweet to help settle things down - thank you. :)
Bryan
Well, in most stories the bad guys take a thumping and/or die, and potentially return with stronger machinations. In *this* storyline, the Justice League kicks in the door hard enough to rip it off its hinges, defeat the villains, find justice for the harmed, and make the bad guys lose hundreds if not thousands of years of progress *in a week.*
Geoffrey Sullivan
Cultivator mindset, and the viewpoint of the era. To *us,* farming is hard work, even with technology as it is - but as Jin has pointed out, cultivator tricks make it *much* simpler. Only in sheer *scale* does it actually prove a challenge, and that's because the farm is *RIDICULOUSLY* productive. I get what you're saying, but compared to what cultivators *usually* do (and are *expected* to do, really), it *IS* coasting - especially for a young woman who lives with her village's expectations on her mind.
N U
Eh... Fa Ram IS a cultivator's paradise in terms of resources, and Jin doesn't exactly run anybody ragged on it. Living on it and training there is essentially easy mode for the most part outside of the two times it almost got wiped. She'd get stuffed with Gold Grade rice and arguably the best grown Spiritual Herbs for every meal. She has some of the best sparring partners available arguably because they genuinely want to see her grow and improve and they range all the way from her level to several tiers above.
Geoffrey Sullivan
Who *doesn't . . .?* :)
Baqc∞ART
I've been waiting for it since I found out about its existence, nothing to say against the demon arc, one of the most epic I've read, but go away Xianxia and bring the pranks of a "cultivator" in the city among the nobles.
Angela Roberts
Yeah. Like how even advanced cultivators call them old monsters. 'Cause they are Blanche, they are!
Angela Roberts
🤣🤣
Angela Roberts
Right? "Tsk, tsk. So sorry, your panic is too late to avoid your annihilation. See you soon!"
Justin
Thanks for the chapter! Enjoyed how it showed her time at the farm
Angela Roberts
Oh me too? Pretty sure that's a next book thing though.
Angela Roberts
Shenshe gave an impassioned pitch. I think Yushang will be okay, as long as she can visit Fa Ram often. Meanwhile, so sorry, too late, we gotcha now!!
Kasinki
Thank you for the chapter!!!
BlueMage Theneras
The Azure Jade Trading Company cutting them off is probably gonna be a slow withering for the family, and a quiet shame they have to deal with as they try to find other avenues to get what they want, more expensive options.
D J Meigs
Congratulations on publishing book 4!
Cinnamon Toast
Sounds like Yukong finished analyzing the formation enough to set up a tracking radar for all other instances of it but couldn’t analyze the destruction contingency she can’t copy and study all of their formations
Bryan
I like the idea that bad people who do bad things get to have all of their plans go up in fire and smoke.
Kat
😂
Cranky Otter
I appreciate how CF carefully reminds us that Shen Yu is an Old Monster, and not a cuddly one.
Andrew Carter
It would be Yushang’s harem
Eli Loeb
What happened at the end?
Cranky Otter
This is a great chapter, showing what life could be for Yushang on the farm. I have only one quibble, in: “Well. Liao Yushang wasn’t the kind of woman to just coast by, ->living on another person’s hand outs<-. The highlighted bit isn’t just ableist, but wrong. If she stays on the farm, she’ll be working as hard as she’s capable of, not letting everyone else work while she sits on the roof to meditate. Arguably, living in the sect she gets *more* “handouts”, in the shape of uniforms, food, housing, training, library access, weapons, influence, lightning transport options. Her conflict isn’t about “handouts”, it’s about contributing. She can contribute to the farm but she & her skills may or may not make a critical difference to the survival of Fa Ram & surrounds. But if she returns to SMS, and iff Shenhe is successful, she’ll be part of improving conditions for the HFMs which she still considers her home. If she stays at Fa Ram, her home will be Fa Ram, and may only incidentally affect her old home. That’s her conflict, not “handouts”. Fa Ram life might feel like coasting but they just survived a near obliteration from demon invasion so even that isn’t fully right. It just feels like coasting because she isn’t burning energy on countering abuse.
giann flroesca
dat casual "too late" was COLD AF. I pictured them with that typical anime sneer while the camera pans from below to give their face a shadowed look while saying it
Gwyn
It's not his first one, remember the hens!
Seaspike
Three days... about right for either the evacuees missing a check-in or a backup destruction signal from the panicking survivor guy.
Scion
I really want to see the magisters wifes family destroyed :(
The Fergun
Insert why not both. But no seriously I kind of agree Jin, Meiling and Xiulan are the OT3 here no harem needed
Robert Mullins
He is the one fulfilling the classic xianxia protagonist role in the story.
Christopher Overbeck
I think there is a joke to be found in calling ruzi a bookmouse instead of a bookworm. She could correct that she was a bookrat or something.
Kat
I like it! And I think Big D is a better candidate for a harem than Jin is…
Npad11111
Big D's harem continues to grow. 😍
Nick
Tftc
Dwayne Parker
Taking December off?
Zeromaru2
The Demon's are about to have a bad time. Good
Red Viking
Yesss! MUD PIT! Thanks for the chapter.
Robert Mullins
It looks like Bi De is finally getting his xianxia protagonist harem. And because it's CF it's actually a far more wholesome throuple.
NightmareChild92
Please Please please don't end before letting us see their reactions 🙏
Eric Hicks
Yesterday? there is a code to let people in that was sent out.
Seiden Kyoukai
Mud pit is HYPE!!!
Synova Vitale
Mud pit!! Mud pit!!!
WarStrider72
Elder Yukong to Demons: OH, you gotta be quicker than that
CringeWorthyStudios
To be fair, Jin technically didn’t ask permission for the original mud pit incident either. 😅
WarStrider72
*12th
Gg
2nd
Ttran2323
Yushang better remember to ask permission! She may be brash but there has to be some procedures that must be followed :V And phew. Was worried there at the end. Let the hunt begin! ...Next volume bc we're certainly not finishing it in 2-3 chapters :V
CringeWorthyStudios
Be Di truly living up to his Xianxia deuteragonist—err, protagonist, role. He doesn’t even have enough arms to hold all these pretty flowers!
WarStrider72
Yushang: I need to dig a mud pit. Huo Ten: Digging is always fun with friends. Here's a miners cap.
WarStrider72
The demon hunt begins! Or if this was Goblin Slayer: I HEAD THERE WERE GOBLINS!
Veltlore
TYTFC!
Ritsu
You know how when you watch John Wick for the first time? And he's scarier than the so-called villains? Yeah, that's what I feel whenever I read about these Elders.
Andrew Denton
"Yushang may or may not be digging a mud pit soon." I (at one time) would have expected Yin to do so first.
Bruno Vieira
Thx
Trebuchet
When does the merch become available to purchase?
WarStrider72
thanks for the chapter boss!
Trebuchet
Yoooo.
WarStrider72
1st
