recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Gan Guangli

> *Whatever else might have been said was silenced at a glance from Elder Su as she called down the last of the winners, Gan Guangli. It was the tall, broad shouldered and tanned blond boy who she had grown used to seeing in Cai Renxiang’s company. He marched down the stairs with military precision and stood ramrod straight hands clasped behind his back, beside the strange blind boy, not giving any of them a second glance. His gaze was fixed firmly on Cai Renxiang, who sat regally in the back row, her hands in her lap.*
>
>

Gan Guangli is a Mountain/Metal/Heaven cultivator that swore himself to Cai Renxiang. He is loud, but unfailingly polite to most of the people he interacts with.

## Style

Gan's fighting style revolves around his main art which makes him grow in size over time. He has been shown to grow in response to anger, anticipation and battle, growing the quickest in battle. He uses a Domain Weapon which manifests as size changing golden hands similar to a Bodhisattva, which were interestingly initially thought to be part of an Art until Yrsillar confirmed it was a Domain Weapon.

Interactions with him so far have also indicated his desire to lead cultivators into battle, which he demonstrated to some effect in the preliminaries against Ji Rong before Lu Feng appeared. It is uncertain if he has group support arts at this time, though it is generally assumed that he does.

## Story

His father was a soldier that was crippled defending their town, and he was recruited by Cai Renxiang during her mother's bidecade tour of the province. During the year in the outer sect, he was in charge of training the enforcers and leading them in battles against the rebels, and expressed a desire to in the future have all of his soldiers be as well drilled as the Duchess's personal guard.

He lost in the preliminary round of the Inner Sect promotional tournament fighting Ji Rong and Lu Feng. After his failure he was given the following order by Cai Renxiang:

> *“...In the year following, it will be your duty to improve on the discipline in the Outer Sect. Recruit the talented in my name, and forge them into fighters worthy of the Cai, to show the province our might in the next year. In this, you will have your chance to regain your honor as my shield. Do you understand?”*
>
>

He has some talent at cultivation, as he had won Elder Su's prize multiple times in the early part of the year.

## Bound Spirits

Gan Guangli had no bound spirits at the time of his defeat in the preliminary.

## Relationship with Ling Qi

Gan's working relationship with Ling Qi is generally friendly and congenial. While not true friends, they are certainly amicable colleagues.

## Relationships with Family

Gan's father is dead, having died in a manner which upset Gan and drove him to accept Cai Renxiang's offer.

What other family he has is unknown.

## Relationships with Others

Cai Renxiang is his liege, and Gan Guangli is entirely devoted to the young Heiress. Seeing her as a source of Justice, his loyalty to her is unshakable.

Gan was Renxiang's first personal retainer, and served as her right hand during the year in the Outer Sect.
Year 43, Week 18

Summary

## Appearing Characters

Ling Qi, Gu Xiulan, Bai Meizhen, Li Suyin, Cai Renxiang,

## Winning Vote

* [X] Plan Getting Armed
* -[X] Use from inventory: Starlight Elixir + Darkmoon Pill + Snowy Peak Pill + Qi Expansion Pill + 2 Red Stones + 1 Yellow Stone
* -[X] Buy and use: Steady Growth Pill + White Hart Elixir + Flowing Rivers Pill + Bear Marrow Elixir + Channel Cleansing Pill (costs 26 red stones)
* -[X] Buy and use needed 2 red stone elemental pills for the archive art.
* -[X] Closed Door Cultivation (+1 Major Action, -2 Minor Actions)
* -[X] Direct any overflow to Spiritual Cultivation
* --[X] Train by hunting with Han Jian and his group
* --[X] Open Spine Meridian
* --[X] Train with Bai Meizhen
* ---[X] Sable Crescent Step
* --[X] Train at the vent with Suyin and Su Ling
* --[X] Spiritual
* --[X] Li Suyin is doing better, coax her out into studying, and talk to her about her plans
* -[X] Visit the Archive
* --[X] Search for a technique
* ---[X] A Arm/X meridian art with preferably Wind and/or Water elements.
* ----[X] Check if the upgrade to ZB is on the first floor
* -[X] Do Cai's mission
* --[X] Cultivate on Your Own
* --[X] EPC
* --[X] Take the time to do something fun with Gu Xiulan, you had noticed her looking down toward the end of the week
* [X] Falling Stars Art

## Cultivation Progress

* Spine Meridian
* Arm Meridian
* Eight Phase Ceremony 1
* Formation: Alarm
* Formation: Thieves Bane

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-8758508
Smelting 1

## Summary

This chapter consists of three interludes:

The first is from the perspective of old Hu, a spirit herb farmer living next to the sect. During his inspections he finds cracks in the beast quelling totems used to keep spirit beasts away from his farm. During his musing he remembers how two outer sect disciples of the Argent Peak Sect hunted down the beast that cracked his wards and who overlooked the sun crystals in the smashed wood, a boon that he attributes to the Bountiful Earth.

The second one is from the perspective of Minister Xiao, the mortal ruler of a city within next to the Argent Peak Sect. On the one hand he is worried about the noble students entering the sect bringing the trouble from the court with them. On the other hand he about the inspection of his holding by an agent of the Ministry of Integrity.

The third is from the perspecive of Zhu Qing, the agent from the Ministry of Integrity sent to inspect the city ruled by Minister Xiao. Other than the inspection, she was also sent to bring Yuan He, the sect master of the Argent Peak Sect an unfavourable response to his funding request given that his sect is seen as a less important part of the defense of the Celestial Empire by the Imperial Court.

## Version Changes

* in the RoyalRoad version, this chapter is instead names Bonus 1: Commencement Day and it removed the old Hu interlude.
* The RoyalRoad version mentions the Cai as the ruling clan

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/21188/forge-of-destiny/chapter/304210/bonus-1-commencement-day
Thunderdome Redux

Summary

## Appearing Characters

Ling Qi, Han Jian, Han Fang, Bai Meizhen, Cui, Gu Xiulan, Cai Renxiang, Gan Guangli, Xuan Shi, Huang Da, Sun Liling, Lu Feng, Kang Zihao, Ji Rong

## Winning Vote

* [X] Plan Typhoon
* [X] Side with Cai's group
* - [X] Proc ATW off of the Red-tier cultivator
* -[X] If Han Jian and Han Fang support Cai, use FVM to support Han Jian's team against Kang Zihao's group
* --[X] If Golden Fields does not join in, use FVM to support Cai Renxiang, Bai Meizhen, and Gan Guangli against Sun Liling and Lu Feng
* -[X] Use Disruptive Star and Guiding Zephyr as needed

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-8784338
Thunderdome, Part 5

## Appearing Characters

Ling Qi, Bai Meizhen, Cui, Xiao Lian, Du Xi, Kang Zihao, Gan Guangli, Cai Renxiang

## Winning Vote

* [x] Fight
* -[X]FVM is a priority and can be spammed for low cost. This means Mist of the vale first to protect our group, the Disonnance to weaken them all.
* -[X] Don't hesitate to switch to using Against the wind and come back to Mist of the vale afterwards, as it weakens all of them when we target a weak enemy, and as long as we go back to FVM we only lose a couple Qi.
* -[X] Diapason of lost traveller against enemies that either seems to last a bit or that seems more dangerous. the further perception penalties are probably going to put them on time outs.
* -[X]Our instants should only be used if a particularly strong enemy appear, we are being surrounded and need to push them away, or they do concerted range attacks.

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-8563392
Dantian

The spiritual heart, it is the core from which one channels energies through the meridians.

For a cultivator, it feels like it exists behind their navel, but it does not exist physically in a cultivator's body. Filling the dantian is required to awaken and begin production of one's own qi.

It is equivalent to the core of a beast, although spirit beasts being more tied to the physical, their cores are easier to remove. It is technically possible to harvest a cultivator's dantian as well "if you know the trick to it," but such actions are generally considered evil and has certain corruptive effects because a human's dantian is much more tied to their mind and soul.
Meridians

Meridians in the Forge of Destiny setting are not that dissimilar to the concept of meridians in Chinese and Eastern medicine. The channels and 'gates' or exit points they represent act as the basis for much of a cultivator's spiritual anatomy and means of expressing their qi onto the world. Humans generally have many meridians to potentially open, in line with their more flexible spiritual anatomy. By contrast, spirits are born with certain meridians already locked open and carved into their bodies, with the carving of new ones being a difficult and time consuming process. Spirit-blooded hybrids can some times have more limited numbers of meridians already open at birth, which ties into the rest of their odd biology.

From an out of universe perspective meridians function as equipment slots. More meridians open may allow a cultivator to either equip more Arts at once or equip stronger, more advanced Arts, which correspondingly require more meridians to be equipped.

Although meridians cannot be closed or changed in terms of type after opening them, they can hold other Elements or be used by other Arts with a bit of time and effort on the part of the cultivator to change them.

The possible exit gates currently known about include:

* Arms - Offensive techniques and energy projection.
* Head - Perception techniques.
* Heart - Techniques which create various effects in a field around the user. Usually ally supportive.
* Legs - Movement techniques.
* Lungs - Techniques which involve qi constructs and draining.
* Spine - Techniques which enhanced or modified the self.

A form of soft cap to total meridians appears to kick in at around 54 and again at 108, where the difficulty in opening them spikes. That the White Rooms developed by Cai Shenhua grant dice based on cultivation realm to Meridian cultivation is apparently a thing of note in-universe, because of how it allows one to rather trivially overcome this limit.
Kang Zihao

The Kang family is prominent in the capital and is well favored by the Imperial court. Kang Zihao's father, Kang Guanzhi is the current head of the Palace guard, a position with a rather high rate of turnover.

His weapons are a spear and shield.

His spirit beast is a great white hound with an iron collar.

He is opposed to the Bai.
Year 43, Week 1

## Summary

After Ling Qi woke up she met Bai Meizhen and her snake before leaving the house.

A short while later, she meets Han Jian at the agreed place together with Fan Yu, who immediately dismissed her and called Han Jian's tastes in question before leaving. Han Jian then taught Ling Qi more about the different kinds of meridians a cultivator can have.

Afterwards, she attended to Elder Su's lesson on spiritual cultivation, where the Elder explained the early stages of cultivation and listed common Qi elements.

Back at her home Ling Qi managed to awaken to the Red stage of cultivation. After Bai Meizhen's congratulations, Ling Qi asked her after her snake, upon which Bai Meizhen introduced her cousin Bai Cui. Seeing Ling Qi's open lack of understanding, she also offers to teach her some basic knowledge about nobles and history.

The lessons for physical cultivation were lead by Instructor Zhou, who after a short demonstration had the class run. The week ended with Ling Qi joining Elder Su's lesson again with the intention to start working on clearing her first meridian.

## Appearing Characters

Ling Qi, Bai Meizhen, Han Jian, Fan Yu, Elder Su, Cui, Elder Zhou

## Winning Vote:

[X] Plan N00b

* -[X] Meet with Han Jian, he can help you, and you don’t want to be rude.
* -[X] Spend time with Bai Meizhen. You’re living with the odd girl now, and it would be best to get to know her
* -[X] Attend the training with the Elder focused on Spiritual cultivation
* -[X] Attend the training with the Elder focused on Physical cultivation

## Cultivation Progress

* Early Red Soul
* Argent Soul 1
* Qi unlocked

## Citation:

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/page-7#post-7840767

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-7829927
Second Test, Part 3

## Winning Vote

* [X] Trick the boy into going for a star token, try to take it from him afterward.
* -[X] Plead for the merchant by offering to reveal the location of hidden treasure if he would spare the man. Then lead him to the well and helpfully look after his belongings and to secure a rope as he climbs down. Then on his way up, remove the rope and hit him from where he cannot dodge while ascending.

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-8179085
Year 43, Week 33 Part 1

Summary

## Appearing Characters

Ling Qi, Li Suyin, Ma Lei, Ma Jun, Cai Renxiang, Zhong Peng

## Winning Vote

* -[X] Buy: 2 Wellspring Pills (3) = 6 RS
-[X] Buy and use: Gushing Spring Pill (2), Flowing Rivers Pill (6), basic fire (2), 2nd level fire (6), Clear Wind Pill (2), White Hart Elixir (6), Bright Sky Pill (2), Soaring Spirits Pill (6), Vigorous Sapling Pill (2), 2nd level wood (6), basic thunder (2), 2nd level thunder (6), basic earth (2), 2nd level earth (6), Channel Cleansing Pill (2), Heavy Rains Pill (10), Total = 68 RS
-[X] Use from inventory: Eightfold Path Pill, Skyblood Elixir.
-[X] Weekly Inner sect tutoring. (30 Points)
-[X] EPC bonus to FZ
-[X] Train at the vent with Su Ling
--[X] TRF
--[X] Look in on Suyin and her new spirit, see how they’re getting along
-[X] Train with Meizhen
--[X] You now know that Meizhen has obviously been holding back in your spars, talk with her about your encounter Sun Liling
--[X] AC
-[X] Open a spine meridian with Eightfold extra roll.
--[X] Overflow to physical
-[X] Investigate the cave with Golden Fields
--[X] AS
-[X] Cultivate on your own
--[X] AE
-[X] Hire a Tutor.
--[X]FSA/Archery
--[X] FZ/atlethics
-[X] Minor:
--[X] Spend some time around Cai Renxiang, what does she actually do all day
--[X] Fu Xiang's help saved you on the peak, you should thank him and hear out whatever favor he is going to ask

## Cultivation Progress

* Falling Stars Art 4
* Fleeting Zephyr 4

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-9692601
Second Test, Penultimate

## Winning Vote

* [X] Descend into the well… what’s done is done. Take anything useful and complete the trial
* -[X] Make sure the rope is well secured to multiple objects rather than just the well. You don't want to chance the well pulling some trick that leaves you stranded.
* -[X] If he is alive but dying, try to stabilize him before you continue with the test.

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-8210187
Hou Zhuang

Bai Meizhen's father.

He is tall and wiry in build, if a bit past his prime with thinning grey hair at his temples. His posture was withdrawn, subtly folded inward, with his expression being tired and worn. He had probably been handsome once, but his aristocratic features were worn by wrinkles and a handful fading scars that tugged at the corner of his mouth.

His domain allows others to dismiss him as unimportant.

*"for a moment Ling Qi found her eyes sliding past and away from him, leaving her wondering just what she had been doing, why…"*
Year 43, Week 2

## Summary

Ling Qi met Han Jian and Heijin again and asks him why he was still meeting with her, since it would damage his reputation. He explains that it gives him a break from other things and then proceeds to explain her the first physical cultivation realms Gold, Silver and Bronze. Then he explains her how her unlock her first meridian. Ling Qi succeeded at this during Elder Su's lesson and recieved a token for an archive art as reward.  After the lesson a blue haired girl stops her and introduces herself as Li Suyin. She then asks if Ling Qi could help her with her cultivation. Later Bai Meizhen explains Ling Qi that spirit ancestors, so called Sublime Ancestors , are common among the more important clans, that from the Yellow Soul realm onwards cultivators can bind spirits and that the current imperial clan maintains its hold on the throne via its control over the spirit stone mines in Mt. Tai. Later during Elder Zhou's lesson Ling Qi broke throughin her physical cultivation to the Early Gold stage.

## Appearing Characters

Ling Qi, Han Jian, Heijin, Elder Su, Li Suyin, Bai Meizhen, Elder Zhou, Sun Liling

## Winning Vote

* [x] Heart
* [x] Continue attending Elder Su’s lessons
* [x] Continue Attending Instructor Zhou’s lessons
* [x] Keep spending time with Meizhen, she’s full of useful information.
* [x] Continue meeting up with Han Jian. He may be able to help with unlocking your meridians.

## Cultivation Progress

* Unlock Heart Meridian (1st Meridian)
* Early Gold Physique

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-7876361
Year 43, Week 4

## Summary

The chapter starts with Elder Su's lesson, where she starts by setting minimum standards for continued attendance to her lesson and with offering weekly rewards for the best performances among her students. After the lesson, Ling Qi went with Li Suyin to Suyin's home, where they met her housemate Su Ling. Afterwards she met Han Jian, who then introduced her to his group. When she came home, she met Cui and asked if there was anything she could do for Meizhen, which the snake responded to by sending an image of a pendant owned by another disciple called Hua Ying.

## Appearing Characters

Ling Qi, Elder Su, Li Suyin, Su Ling, Han Jian, Fan Yu, Gu Xiulan, Cui

## Winning Vote

* [X] Spend time with Han Jian, he can help you with your new Art, and perhaps you can convince him to group with you next week
* [X] Spend time with Meizhen. So far you have done little for her. Maybe you can find a way to do something for her?
* [X] Continue your study sessions with Li Suyin. Her insights are valuable, even if the girls idea of personal space is lacking
* [X] Attend the Elders lessons
* [X] Extra: Cultivate on your own

* -[X] Zephyr’s Breath

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-7952000
Year 43, Week 12

## Appearing Characters

Ling Qi, Elder Su, Li Suyin, Han Jian, Fan Yu, Han Fang, Gu Xiulan, Elder Zhou, Hong Lin, Elder Jiao

## Winning Vote

* [x] Plan The Zephyr Will Fly
* -[X] Two Red Stone, 1 Sable Light Pills, 1 Gushing Spring Pills, 1 Qi Foundation Pill, 1 Channel Cleansing Pill, 1 Qi Expansion Pill, 1 Clear Wind Pill, 1 White Hart Elixir, Meizhen's Tea
* -[X] Instructor Zhou Class (Locked-In)
* --[X] Warn Gui Xuilian and Han Jian that we've doing all the drugs this week, and will be worst company for the week.
* --[X] Cultivate Zephyr's Breath.
* -[X] Elder Su's Class (Locked-In)
* --[X] Open Heart Meridian.
* --[X] Ask her how one would go about earning the next scroll of the Argent series, or of Zephyr's Breath. Is there anything we can do to earn them?
* -[X] Go up to the vent to cultivate with Su Ling and Li Suyin
* --[X] Warn them that we're going to be doing all the drugs this week, and apologize for our lack of personality for the next little while.
* --[X] Apologise to Li Suyin about pressuring Her into training with the other group given how painful it seems to have been for her, and make it obvious our friendship is not conditional on her doing this.
* --[X] Forgotten Vales Melody
* -[X] Talk to Han Jian, he did mention wanting to do some training
* --[X] Sable Crescent Step
* -[X] Cultivate on your own
* --[X] Open Head Meridian.
* --[X] Open Spine Meridian
* --[X] (Meizhen's Tea) Zephyr's Breath
* [X]Overflow to physical first.

## Cultivation Progress

* Heart Meridian
* Head Meridian
* Spine Meridian
* Sable Crescent Step 2
* Zephyr's Breath 3
* Peak Gold Physique

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-8497976
Fan Yu

> *“Really, Jian?” He interrupted her giving the other boy an incredulous look. “When I heard a heartbreaker like you was coming out to meet a girl, I thought I would have a chance to meet a beauty, not a stick with pretensions!”*
>
>

Fan Yu is a follower of Han Jian and the fiance of Gu Xiulan.

He was described as shorter than Han Jian and Ling Qi but significantly broader at the shoulder and wider at the waist. He seemed almost like the opposite of Han Jian, squat and brawny with fierce features and spiky black hair. He used to have a rather bombastic personality and was not very tactful in his word choice.

Ling Qi and Fan Yu had a rather rough start due to his lack of tact and later, his attempt to manhandle Ling Qi after Ling Qi passed Elder Zhou's exam while he had failed. However, as time passed and Ling Qi quickly surpassed him, their relationship has mellowed out and transformed into pity on Ling Qi's part.
Larry

Age
 Portrayed by

**Larry** is Rachel and Aly Zarin's annoying neighbor in Redearth88. Apparantly, as Aly was moving in, Larry just stood there the whole time, not helping, and then finally asked out Aly, but got shot down...and made some horrible joke about how on the second date she would show up with a U-Haul.

The character is most likely a homage to Larry Dallas, the lecherous and annoying neighbor on "Three's Company."
Year 43, Week 17

## Appearing Characters

Ling Qi, Han Jian, Heijin, Bai Meizhen, Su Ling, Li Suyin, Cai Renxiang

## Winning Vote

* [X] Plan Haitei
* - [X] Resources - Bear Marrow Elixir, 3 Red Stones, Channel Cleansing Pill
* - [X] Overflow - Physical
* - [X] Train by hunting with Han Jian and his group
* -- [X] Physical
* - [X] Train at the vent with Suyin and Su Ling
* -- [X] Arm Meridian
* -- [X] Spend some time with Su Ling, perhaps you can learn a little bit of hunting tactics and harvesting from her
* -- [X] Offer to share AMA with Suyin and Su Ling
* - [X] Take a Job
* -- [X] Moonfill
* - [X] Work on getting the egg to hatch
* - [X] Cultivate on your own
* -- [X] EPC
* - [X] Ask Han Jian to give you a little instruction about the politics of your situation. He seems like a more unbiased source
* - [X] Accept Cai Renxiang's invitation to tea
* - [X] Bring up the idea of training together with Meizhen. You are strong enough now, right?

## Cultivation Progress

* Arm Meridian
* Mid Silver Physique

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-8709061
Year 43, Week 30 Part 1

Summary

## Appearing Characters

Ling Qi, Gan Guangli, Cai Renxiang, Li Suyin

## Winning Vote

* [X] Plan All the Drugs
* -[X] Apply Grinning Moon Bonus to EPC
* -[X] Overflow successes to Spine Meridian if possible; otherwise, to Qi.
* -[x] Switch weapon training from Polearm to Knives
* -[X] Use From Inventory: 3RSS, 1YSS, Abyssal Earth Pill, Sable Light Pill, Qi Expansion Pill, Clear Wind Pill, Darkmoon Pill, Eightfold Path Pill
* -[X] Buy and Use: Channel Cleansing Pill (2), Heavy Rains Pill (10), White Hart Elixir (6), Gushing Spring Pill (2), Flowing Rivers Pill (6), both common Earth Pills (2+6), Steady Growth Pill (8), Sturdy Oak Pill (18), Qi Sea Pill (25), Soul Concentrating Elixir(8); 93 RSS total
* -[X] Major Actions
* --[X] Elder Tutoring
* -- [X] Larceny / SCS
* ---[X] Occult (EPC)
* --[X] Train with Zeqing (FVM)
* --[X] Train at the Vent (Lung Meridian)
* ---[X] (minor) Working with Li Suyin again has been fun, continue working through the manual
* --[X] Train with the Golden Fields Group (FZ)
* --[X] Train with Meizhen (AE)
* -[x] (Eightfold bonus) Lung Meridian
* -[X] Minor Actions
* --[X] Meet Cai, you have an idea involving the pill furnace you acquired that could benefit you both.
* --[X] Gu Xiulan wants help testing her current limits. You can volunteer

## Cultivation Progress

* Lung Meridian
* Formation: Ossuary Scout

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-9561643
Heavenly Mandate

Imperial propaganda explains that only those who have the Heavenly Mandate may sit on the Imperial Throne and live. Those who do not have the Mandate will be incinerated by the Celestial Dragon as false claimants.

Bai Meizhen suggests that instead, "the clan holding the imperial seat is chosen by who can hold it, and nothing else." This is so because the Sage Emperor, the first emperor and forger of the throne, was very free with his seed and almost every noble family is descended from him at this point. In the case of the Mu, the current holders of the throne at the time of Forge of Destiny, Bai Meizhen points to "their control of the supply of spirit stones through the great mines in Mount Tai" as the reason for their hold on the throne.

In practice, the field of legitimate claimants is not as large as suggested because the throne will check just how closely descended one is from the Sage Emperor, and a few drops of the Sage Emperor's blood will not save the claimant from being incinerated. As such, a lot of research into genealogy is conducted before someone actually seats themselves on the throne.

If one wants to be Emperor or Empress though, they must successfully claim the seat as those who cannot do so will never gain the legitimacy needed for a stable dynasty. Since the founding of the Celestial Empire, there has been three recognized dynasties.
Year 43, Week 15

## Appearing Characters

Ling Qi, Ji Rong, Xuan Shi, Li Suyin, Su Ling, Han Jian, Gu Xiulan, Fan Yu, Han Fang, Bai Meizhen, Cui

## Winning Vote

* [X] Plan A Cultivator is a Social Animal
* -[X] 3 Red Stones, Bear Marrow Elixir, Argent Elixir
* -[X] Discuss with Meizhen what you can help her with
* --[X] Also ask if she would like a introduction to Xuilan.
* -[X] Help Suyin train and cultivate at the vent
* --[X] Ask Su Ling and Li Suyin prior, and if they agree discuss trading access to a high quality Spirit Stone and Argent Soul vent in exchange for resources/talismans/training and being cordial to those who found it. Make it clear we don't need a cut.
* --[X] Cultivate Forgotten Vale Melody
* -[X] Try to spend some time with Han Jian, couch it as wanting to ask him about spirit binding
* --[X] If Su Ling and Li Suyin okayed it, tell him they found a vent, and are up for making a deal to share it's use. If he's interested, arrange the meeting.
* -[X] Train with Han Jian and his group
* --[X] If the above went well, bring Su Ling and Li Suyin.
* --[X] Cultivate Crescent Sable Step
* -[X] You are still worried about Suyin, perhaps the two of you could study formations together? It might get her mind off things
* -[X] Cultivate on your own
* --[X] Physical
* [X][stat] Dexterity

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-8608273
Year 43, Week 28

Summary

## Appearing Characters

Ling Qi, Zeqing, Li Suyin, Su Ling, Xin, Elder Jiao, Bai Meizhen, Zhengui, Xuan Shi

## Winning Vote

* [X] Plan everything and sharing
* -[X] Resources: 3 RS, 1 YS, 1 qi expansion pill (inventory), Black ichor, Gushing spring pill (2), Flowing Rivers Pill (6), White Hart Elixir (6), 1st level Wood pill (2), 2nd Level wood Pill (6), 1 Steady Growth Pill (8), 1 Sturdy Oak Pill (18), 1 Qi Sea Pill (25) = 1 YS, 76 RS. (Change 1Y to 10R).
* -[X] Major Actions
* -[X] Spend time taking care of and raising Zhengui
* -[X] Train with Elder Jiao (LOCKED)
* --[X] Larceny
* ---[X] SCS
* --[X] Throwing knives
* ---[x] ZB+ (Take from archive)
* -[X] Train with Zeqing
* -[X] Infiltrate Yan Renshu’s hideout
* --[X] Do it on your own.
* ---[X] But tell Meizhen where we're going, so if we don't back she knows where to drop the hammer
* -[X] Train at the vent with Su Ling
* --[x] TRF
* --[X] Share AC with Su Ling
* --[x] You haven’t had much time for Li Suyin lately, and you have a mysterious tome, maybe the two of you could work on deciphering it?
* ---[X] Share the contents with Li Suyin
* -[X] Minor Actions
* --[x] Xuan Shi seems to be busy setting something up at the council meeting pavilion, perhaps you could help him out?
* --[X] Meizhen is going out shopping for something at the market, though she hasn’t mentioned what. Tag along?

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-9453255
Year 43, Week 7

## Appearing Characters

Ling Qi, Elder Su, Ji Rong, Li Suyin, Huang Da, Gan Guangli, Bai Meizhen, Gu Xiulan, Han Jian, Han Fang, Fan Yu

## Winning Vote

* [X] Plan Social
* -[X] One Red Spirit Stone.
* -[x] Discuss the merits of your potential techniques with Meizhen
* -[x] Speak with Han Jian, does he have any group exercises planned?
* -[X] Continue hanging out with Gu Xiulan after lessons

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-8345020
Thunderdome(?), Part 3.5

## Winning Vote

* [X] Plan Friends Help Friends, Do Drugs
* -[X] Let Xiulan get you fitted for a gown
* --[X] Spend 50 stones
* -[X] Keep Lotus Root Pin and Skirmisher's Anklets for gifting to friends, give Gu Xiulan full value of Montainheart Guai in exchange
* -[X] Sell Lifespring Staff, Whirlwind Sabers, Warrior's Sash, and White Hart Vest
* -[X] Buy Starlight Ribbon
* -[X] Buy 3x Wellspring Pill
* -[X] Buy 2x White Peak Salve
* -[X] Talk to Xiulan.
* --[X] Ask about the best way to convert a Red Stone into silver and have it sent home to Mom. See if you can take care of that this trip.

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-8542813
Year 43, Week 29 Part 1

Summary

## Winning Vote

* [X] Plan Search and Destroy
* - [X] Pills - 3 RS, 1 YS, Vigorous Sapling Pill (2), 2nd lvl wood pill (6), 1 Rippling Lake Pill (2), 2nd level lake pill (6), 1 Stalwart Mountain Pill (2), 2nd lvl mountain pill (6), Channel Cleansing Pill (2), Heavy Rains Pill (10), total (1 YS, 39 RS).
* - [X] Buy restoratives - 2x Wellspring Pill (6) + Spirit Restoration Pill (15) White Peak Salve (10) + Life Essence Salve (12), total (43 RS)
* - [X] Buy Drifting Petal Blades (55 RS), Fading Light Slippers (40 RS), Cloudskewer Bow (80 RS), total (175 RS)
* - [X] Sell Bolthorn Bow, Hawk Talon Armguards, Starlight Ribbon
* - [X] Overflow - Qi
* - [X] Spend time working with Zhengui to express his abilities
* -- [X] Xuan Shi seems pretty knowledgable, see if he can help you out with Zhengui’s abilities.
* - [X] Train with Elder jiao (LOCKED)
* -- [X] Larceny / SCS
* -- [X] Investigation / AM
* - [X] Train at the vent with Su Ling
* -- [X] Heart Meridian
* - [X] Train with Meizhen
* -- [X] TRF
* - [X] Search out Yan Renshu’s main base, before he has time to pick up and move
* - [X] Gu Xiulan apparently returned in the dead of night without saying anything to anyone. What happened to her?
* - [X] Meet Han Jian, he found a trial, so perhaps you could set up a trade for another Argent Art?

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-9479296
Harold Ivans

### Relatives

Harry Ivans (Brother, Alive) ; Bart Ivans (Father, Alive) ; Claire Ivans (Mother, Alive)

## Physical description

### Eye color

Blue

Harold Ivans:

   Harold Ivans was born to the second richest family in Mt. Hartfield. He is a class magic healer and quite the nerd. Tattletale, perfect student, ASB member and snobby and rude. James never liked Harold because he liked to get into trouble with his powers, which caused Harold to tattle. Harold was a weak one who was never much liked by anyone, he was always defeated in battle. Eventually in season 2, Harold was killed in an explosion during a battle where he helped heal, so at least in the end he at least did something heroic.
Huang Da

The Huang are an ancient count house from Ebon Rivers currently in decline.

First described in week 6 as"a tall whip thin boy with silver hair and a slightly unsettling lack of expressiveness" and was further described in week 7 as a "boy with the short silver hair and the unsettling expressionless face. She was fairly certain he didn’t even blink once on his way down from the back row of seats. Now that she got a closer look, she could see that his eyes were oddly misted over… was he blind?"

Betrothed to Hong Lin, they do not share a happy relationship. She does not enjoy watching him "flit about from one girl to another" and deals with this by stating that “If he will not respect me, and if I cannot strike him… I can at least break his toys, I cannot be reproached for that.”

On Huang Da's part, he refers to her as an "ogress" and refers to their engagement as a "business arrangement."

Yrsillar has said that, "Huang Da is a Kuno-esque character played straight."

He wields a sickle with a chained spiked weight. He has been shown to use poisons and Yrsillar has said that Huang Da has a few arts in the vein of stealing buffs or attacks.
Thunderdome, Part 2

## Appearing Characters

Ling Qi, Gu Xiulan, Hong Lin, Zhu Qing, Zhu Fong

## Winning Vote

* [X] Plan TNE
* -[X] "The creep? Do me a favor and leash him."
* -[X] Qi Use: moderate to liberal
* -[X] Open with Against the Wind.
* -[X] Set up FVM, harass and debuff them, keeping your distance. Play to your strenghts.
* -[X] Tag team the healer girl and then the unknown boy before taking down Hong

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-8512226
Hua Su

Sect Elder Hua Su is the head of Argent Peak Sect's Medicinal Department. She was the Elder assigned to teach spiritual cultivation for the Year 43 incoming Disciple class.

Elder Su is described as a "short, somewhat stocky woman with grey hair done up in a simple and utilitarian bun" with a "no nonsense expression on her severe features."

She has a fifth grade spirit beast in the form of a Heart Rending Ape from the western jungles.
Year 43, Week 21

Summary

## Appearing Characters

Ling Qi, Han Jian, Gu Xiulan, Fan Yu, Han Fang, Su Ling, Cui, Xuan Shi, Bai Meizhen

## Winning Vote

* [X] Plan Formations?
* -[X] Use From Inventory: 3x RSS
* -[X] Buy and Use: Bear Marrow Elixir + Bear Heartsblood Elixir + Soul Concentrating Elixir + Soaring Spirits Pill + Flowing Rivers Pill + Steady Growth Pill + Sturdy Oak Pill (4+10+8+6+6+8+18 = 60 RSS)
* -[X] Buy and Store: Wellspring Pill x4 (12 RSS)
* -[X] Train by hunting with Han Jian and his group
* --[X] Physical
* --[X] Change Weapon to Sword
* -[X] Train at the vent with Suyin and Su Ling
* --[X] Spiritual
* -[X] Train with Bai Meizhen
* --[X] Eight Phase Ceremony
* -[X] Discuss the possibility of clearing out the wolves to Cai Renxiang, it would surely be a benefit to most on the council.
* -[X] Visit the Archive
* --[X] Study Formations
* --[X] Approach Xuan Shi in the archive. He is the only member of the council you haven't had any real interaction with
* -[X] Spend more time with Su Ling, learning harvesting techniques and getting to know the girl better
* -[X] Spend time with Han Jian, you want his perspective on what happened
* -[X] You are Celebrating Meizhen's progress. No matter what.

## Cultivation Progress

* Eight Phase Ceremony 2
* Argent Mirror 2
* Formation: Thieves Monument Formation

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-8932376
The Serpent's Treasure Part 5

## Winning Vote

* [X] Press her about what is bothering her
* -[X] Approach indirectly, describe your own challenge and how you dealt with the monster followed by the reward from it, then ask her about the details of her own.

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-8648595
Lu Feng

The Lu are a count house from the Red Garden. They were a part of the dissatisfied Bai vassals who went with Sun Shao.

A tall fine featured boy with obnoxiously pretty black hair that reached the middle of his back.

In his first appearance, his hair reached his shoulders.

In Sun Liling's fortress he forewent any armor, though he wore metal studded armored boots and tighter trousers rather than the more usual noble outfit. The long red sash around his waist glitters ominously, Ling Qi thinks it is probably a weapon of some kind.

Lu Feng uses qi enhanced wires to fight and otherwise seems to have some various hard to pin down support arts, since they don't have obvious visual effects. He's slippery and hard to pin down, and his offense focuses on fucking with peoples mobility.
Sun Shao

Sun Shao is a White-level cultivator who rules the Western Territories in the Celestial Empire. His appellations include the Butcher of the West, the Crimson General, and the King of the Western Territories.

He conquered the province during the reign of current Empress Xiang's grandfather.

His eldest granddaughter and heir, Sun Liling, is attending the Argent Peak Sect and ran an opposing faction to Cai Renxiang's in the Outer Sect in Year 43.
Zhou's Test: Part 1

## Summary

The group decides to take the fortress first instead of hunting the other teams. To do this they hurried to reach it first and reached the building first. This lead to a discussion on how to hold the building.

## Appearing Characters

Ling Qi, Han Jian, Gu Xiulan, Fan Yu, Han Fang

## Winning Vote

* [X] Defensive approach. Attempt to reach the fort first and hold it against the others
* [X] Support, remaining within art range of the group and acting fully in the role as a support

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-8030264
Forge of Destiny Wiki

## Welcome to the Forge of Destiny Wiki

### **This wiki is out of date. The most up to date wiki is https://forgeofdestiny.miraheze.org/wiki/Main\_Page**

An original xianxia quest by yrsillar hosted on the Sufficient Velocity forums. The first thread has ended, and the second thread covering the next section of the quest began on November 8th, 2018.

An edited version of Forge of Destiny is being posted on Royal Road. An anthology of side stories is being posted on Royal Road as Tales of Destiny once completed for yrsillar's patrons.

Readers can support yrsillar through his Patreon, vote for the Royal Road version of Forge of Destiny on Top Web Fiction, or join the Discord to chat with other readers.

## Opening

The Emerald Seas Province is a wild place on the edge of the Celestial Empire, bordered to the south by jagged and near impassible mountains that are home to many nomadic tribes who look upon the soft men and women of the lowlands with scornful, envious eyes. It is only by the strength of the Immortal Sects which lie on that border that keep their sky raiders from reaching the richer and more prosperous provinces further north.

It is only the continued recruitment of those with the talent for shaping Qi and binding spirits that the Sects maintain the line, for despite their name, very few of those who walk the path of the warrior or sage reach the status of true Immortality.

Ling Qi is among those who have been brought to the foot of the mountains to be inducted as a disciple of the Argent Peak Sect, one of the three great sects of the province. As the quest starts, it remains to be seen whether she will make a name for herself… or simply be lost among the crowd.

## Latest activity

Photos and videos are a great way to add visuals to your wiki. Add one below!
Zeqing's Final Trial

Zeqing's final trial was one of endings and beginnings. Instigated by Zeqing's inevitable death, and seemingly a desire to allow Hanyi to have an existence outside of Zeqing, this trial was the most dangerous and difficult trial that she has created for Ling Qi. The goal was simple, to escape Zeqing's home with Hanyi while Zeqing died. Zeqing would assist Ling Qi as far as she was able, to prevent Ling Qi from being instantly consumed in the fury of the storm.

Ling Qi chose to give Hanyi a piggyback ride, in order to prevent their separation during the storm. While the decision proved its own challenges, given Hanyi's ever-increasing weight during the trial, it proved prudent as the storm violently attempted to split them apart and Hanyi was able to give accurate information on how Ling Qi was to proceed through the warping manor.

However, the storm and the warping manor were not the only dangers to endure in the trial. Indeed, as Zeqing's death continued apace, aspects of Zeqing tried to keep Hanyi from leaving. The first of this was Ling Qi being enthralled with a scenario from her past which defined her and leads to suffering as well as a scenario of impossible perfection with friends and family all happy with no cares in the world and completely devoted to Ling Qi's desires. While Ling Qi was able to escape these scenarios and realize the falsehood of them, it allowed her to impart upon her domain an aspect of family and home she had never fully contemplated before. That one person's desires cannot, alone, make a family.

Confronting what Ling Qi called a muscle spasm created by Zeqing's very nature and desire rebelling against each other, Ling Qi affirmed her determination to persevere through trials and tribulations for the sake of family. Ultimately succeeding in escaping the collapsing house, Ling Qi watched Hanyi give her goodbyes to Zeqing with Zeqing imparting a last gift to the daughter she loved.

> *Ling Qi gave a faint nod of acknowledgement to the muse’s words and moved over to Hanyi, kneeling in the snow herself to wrap the young girl in a hug. “I’m sorry junior sister,” she said quietly. “But… she was happy at the end, wasn’t she?”*
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> “She was,” Hanyi sniffled. “She said she was proud of me, and...and she was glad she got to see me grown up.”
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Cai Tienli

The third member of the Cai Clan and the second child of Cai Shenhua, basically nothing is known about the child beyond her gender. What is apparent is that the child was conceived as a piece in Cai Shenhua's overlapping plots, with their existence serving multiple possible ends at once. Born a few months into Ling Qi and Cai Renxiang's 2nd year at the Argent Sect.

The playerbase has expressed desires to be kind to the child when they are born and ensure Cai Renxiang and her younger sibling can have a healthy relationship.

## Trivia

* Referred to as Tiny Oppression Baby on the Discord and amongst some players as a joking reference to Cai Shenhua and the themes of the Cai family.
Year 43, Week 23

Summary

## Appearing Characters

Ling Qi, Zhengui, Gu Xiulan, Linhuo, Xuan Shi, Han Jian, Heijin, Huang Da, Cai Renxiang, Gan Guangli, Bai Meizhen, Fu Xiang

## Winning Vote

* [X] Plan Focus on Fundamentals
* -[X] Use from inventory: 2 RSS, 1 YSS
* -[X] Buy and use: Soul Concentrating Elixir + Flowing Rivers Pill + Gushing Spring Pill + Clear Wind Pill + Bright Sky Pill + Soaring Spirits Pill (26 RSS)
* -[X] Direct overflow to Qi
* -[X] Spend time researching and rearing your new spirit.
* -[X] Visit the Archive
* --[X] Research the moon element and the phase spirits(counts as cultivation of EPC)
* --[X] Continue getting to know Xuan Shi, he was a helpful and reasonable sort
* -[X] Train by hunting with Han Jian and his group
* --[X] FVM
* -[X] Train at the vent with Suyin and Su Ling
* --[X] Spiritual
* -[X] Train with Bai Meizhen
* --[X] FSA
* -[X] Gu Xiulan seems awfully smug about something, and has dropped hints that she wants to go out together, indulge her.
* -[X] Han Jian seems to be planning something, perhaps you can see if you can help?
* -[X] Cai Renxiang has put out notice for a proper second meeting to discuss the future
* [X] [name] Zhengui

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-9010153
Year 43, Week 8

## Appearing Characters

Ling Qi, Sun Liling, Cai Renxiang, Gan Guangli, Lu Feng, Hong Lin, Elder Su, Li Suyin

## Winning Vote

* [X] Plan Arts are king
* -[X] Resources
* --[X]1 Sable Light Pills
* --[X]1 Qi Foundation Pill
* --[X]2 red spirit stones
* --[X] 1 Gushing Spring Pill
* --[X] Meizhen's Tea
* -[X] Meridians with Elder Su
* --[X] Lung, Heart
* --[X] Ask a question like "Are there any disadvantage to getting to late red before AS4 or Yellow before AS5, or any advantages for doing the opposite?" to Elder Su.
* -[X] (Tea)
* --[X] Leg
* [x] Continue your cooperative cultivation with Suyin
* --[X] Zephyr's Breath
* -[X] Practice on your own
* --[X] Forgotten Vale Melody
* --[X] Sable Crescent Step x2
* [X] Overflow from opening all three meridians to Heart Meridian, then spiritual cultivation

## Cultivation Progress

* 2 Heart Meridians
* 1 Lung Meridian
* 1 Leg Meridian
* Sable Crescent Step 1
* Forgotten Vale Melody 1

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-8366686
Year 43, Week 27

Summary

## Winning Vote

* [X] Resources: 3 red spirit stones, 1 yellow spirit stone, 1 soul concentrating elixir, 1 rippling lake pill, 1 Stalwart Mountain Pill, 1 first level wood pill, 1-second level wood pill, 1-second level lake pill, 1-second level Mountain pill. (Total 1 yellow stone, 38 red stones)
* [X] Overflow: Qi
* [X] Spend time taking care of and raising Zhengui
* [X] Train with Elder jiao (LOCKED)
* -[X] Investigations
* --[X] Argent Mirror
* -[X] Formations
* --[X] Try to figure out the locking formations on the bags you looted from the shaman
* --[X] Question! How far should we progress in EPC before breaking into green?
* [X] Train at the vent
* -[X] TRF
* [X] Train with Meizhen
* -[X] SCS
* -[X] Tell her of the Black Pool
* [X] Continue Investigating Yan Renshu and Sun Liling’s whereabouts
* [X] Compose a letter back to mother
* [X] Su Ling didn’t look like she was in good shape, spend some time with her and try to see if you can help?

## Cultivation Progress

* Argent Mirror 3
* Sable Crescent Step 4
* Thousand Ring Fortress 2

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-9423460
Year 43, Week 16

## Appearing Characters

Ling Qi, Li Suyin, Han Jian, Gu Xiulan, Han Fang, Fan Yu, Bai Meizhen

## Winning Vote

* [X] Plan Moongernized
* -[X] Resources: Starlight Elixir, Argent Elixir, 3 red stones, Steady Growth Pill, bear marrow elixir
* -[x] Major Actions
* --[X] Starlight Elixir
* --[X] Train with Han Jian and his group
* ---[X] SCS
* --[x] Train at the vent with Suyin and Su Ling
* ---[X] Physical
* ---[X] You are still worried about Suyin, perhaps the two of you could study formations together? It might get her mind off things
* --[x] Visit the Archive
* ---[X] Research the egg. What does it need to hatch?
* --[x] Cultivate Argent Mirror with Bai Meizhen
* --[X] Cultivate on your own
* ---[X] EPC
* -[x] Minor Actions
* --[x] Spend some time with Han Jian outside of training, what do they do for fun?
* ---[X] Tell him about the tokens
* --[x] Go out with Xiulan in your downtime, perhaps she can help you do something with your hair
* ---[x] Ask about inviting Bai Meizhen
* --[X] Try to puzzle out the tokens left from the test
* -[X] Overflow to Physical.
* [X] Bow
* [X] Heavy Polearm

## Cultivation Progress

* Argent Soul 5
* Argent Mirror 1

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-8680101
Thunderdome Redux 2

Summary

## Appearing Characters

Ling Qi, Han Jian, Han Fang, Bai Meizhen, Cui, Gu Xiulan, Cai Renxiang, Gan Guangli, Xuan Shi, Huang Da, Sun Liling, Lu Feng, Kang Zihao, Ji Rong

## Winning Vote

* [X] Focus first on aiding Xiulan, she’s wounded badly, and Kang’s spirit hound has the scent of blood.

## Citation

https://forums.sufficientvelocity.com/threads/forge-of-destiny-xianxia-quest.35583/post-8789900