“Exactly the pity I was referring to,” Zhou Li said. “Such a beautiful creature, perfectly suited for what we wish to achieve. Rather than seal it, shouldn’t we… guide it?”
“That is… madness,” Yao Xifeng said flatly. “It can’t be done. The creature is intelligent, yes, but barely so. Moreover, its goal is to destroy us all.”
“We’re losing,” Zhou Li whispered. “I can feel it. So can you. If we don’t do something, we’ll lose this war.”
“We can try again,” Yao Xifeng said stiffly. “As many times as it takes.”
“But can your soul bear it?” Zhou Li asked. “Can you last a dozen more cycles of reincarnation? A hundred more? Every man has their limit, and most of us have reached ours. We need to do something extreme if we are to win.”
The general sighed. “I agree, to some extent. But how will you communicate with the beast? Is it even possible to make a deal with it?”
Zhou Li shrugged. “Let’s find out.” He flew up a few hundred feet, staying just ten feet away from the solid orange bars that now restrained the Taotie. Its hollow black eyes stared at Zhou Li, and its mouth opened expectantly. Food? It seemed to say.
“Food,” Zhou Li said. “You want food. I give food. You want?”
The beast cocked its head.
“I take you to food. You eat. Good?”
It lifted one of its large claws and scratched its head. Small hairs of darkness splashed down on the ground, annihilating whatever they touched.
“How is it going?” Yao Xifeng asked.
“Better than I expected,” Zhou Li replied. “Now all I need is a cup of coffee, the best contract specialists we have—preferably with a background in educating three-year-olds—and time.”
“You have three days,” the general said, shrugging.
“What’s the worst that could happen?” Zhou Li said. He’d had it with being on the losing end of things. He’d had it with fighting against pampered, self-righteous brats as they hid behind their wall, enjoying their riches. If he couldn’t change these lands, he would shatter them, using the rubble to bury their dead.
– End Book 8 –
A Note to Readers
If you’ve enjoyed this book, I would greatly appreciate it if you left a rating and/or review on the site where you purchased it. Ratings lead to credibility in this competitive marketplace, and by leaving one, you signal to the world that this book is worth reading.
Cha Ming’s disciples grew a great deal between Book 6 and Book 7. That’s because, during their master’s absence, they had their own adventures. It’s difficult to do them justice as part of the main series. If you’re interested, you can find out more about them in Violet Heart (Book 1 of 2 in the Violet Fate Duology).
I send out updates to readers from time to time, such as writing progress, release announcements, and the like. If you’re interested in receiving these updates, subscribe to the Painting the Mists newsletter at http://eepurl.com/dymvO1. You can also find a link to the newsletter at www.paintingthemists.com. As a bonus for subscribing, you’ll receive exclusive biography sketches for each of the key characters, starting with Huxian!
Here are other ways to keep up to date on the latest news:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PatrickGLaplante/
Twitter: @PatGLaplante
Further Reading
Are you a compulsive reader of Wuxia / Xianxia? Consider checking out these series:
World of Beasts by Tinalynge
Nirvana Rebirth by Shadowsfinger Legends of Ogre Gate by Jeremy “Deathblade” Bai I’ve also been enjoying LitRPG of late. If you’re interested in this genre, make sure to check out Endless Online, as well as Silver Fox & the Western Hero. Both are written by M. H. Johnson. The first is a fantastic blend of sword, sorcery, and science fiction. The second is a xianxia novel with a LitRPG twist.
If you’re interested in joining a community of likeminded readers, I suggest the following Facebook groups: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WesternWuxia/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/cultivationnovels/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/LitRPGsociety/
The Cultivation Systems
This record is a summary of the cultivation systems on the Ling Nan Plane. Note that cultivation systems can change depending on the type of plane or the stability of the plane.
Qi Cultivation (Human)
Some humans are talented in harvesting the ambient energies of heaven and earth. They cultivate qi, enabling them to perform fierce magics by bending the elements themselves. Angelic cultivators gravitate toward this powerful but complex path.
Qi Condensation – Cultivators start their cultivation journey by condensing qi from their surroundings into their Dantian. They can circulate this qi in their qi pathways, executing qi techniques by expending it. A cultivator’s qi pool expands and deepens as they cultivate. Many schools separate each step of the process into grades.
Foundation Establishment – After forming a sufficiently large qi pool, cultivators solidify it into solid pillars known as a foundation. Their foundation grows from the bottom of their Dantian and eventually grows tall enough to reach the top. Their qi thickens, and the amount of thickened qi they control depends on the height of their foundation. Foundation-establishment cultivators can fly a short distance from the ground using treasures like flying swords or special boots.
Core Formation – When their pillars reach their maximum height, cultivators melt them into a core, the most efficient way to store qi. Qi now takes the form of a fluid that travels in and out of their core. The core grows until it reaches its maximum size. At this point, cultivators are able to use their potent qi to fly unaided.
Rune Carving – By carving runes onto their core, mortal humans can transcend. Not much is known about this realm, but legends say rune carving cultivators can generate a “domain.”
Body Cultivation (Human)
Let’s face it, some people aren’t as smart as they are strong. For those people, body cultivation is the preferred way to get ahead. Devilish cultivators and descendants of deities are drawn toward this brutal, straightforward path. Body cultivation makes one physically stronger, tougher, and nearly unkillable at higher cultivation levels.
Body Strengthening – Body cultivators start off by performing a basic strengthening of their
