Hōrai

**Hōrai** (ほうらい) is the center region of Kotaku and was formerly under the rule of Lord Tensen, where they live, train, and conduct experiments. The Dōshi also reside in Hōrai as students and servants of Lord Tensen.

## History

### Past

After making landfall on the island that would come to be known as Kotaku, Jofuku made the center of the island his base of operations to conduct his research on immorality through the way of Tao. Upon Jofuku's passing, Rien, Jofuku's wife, took over as the new ruler and trained the Tensens in the ways of Tao, while also conducting her research on trying to revive Jofuku. After discovering how Rien had been bringing the Hōko as sacrifices for the Tensens to recover their Tao and for her research, Mei tried to stop Rien from going any further but was punished for her actions. She soon managed to escape and was saved by an Arborified citizen of the Hōko.

After several years had passed, the Tensens started to lure in humans from the mainland and converted them into Tan. Rien also used the humans to create the Banko within the Main Temple.

### Edo Period

#### Confrontation at the Outer Section

At some point during Japan's Edo period, a group of human criminals and executioners arrived on Kotaku after receiving a mission from their shogun to capture the Elixir of Life and made their way to Hōrai. Mu Dan anticipated the arrival of three of the humans, Yamada Asaemon Sagiri, Yuzuriha, and Senta, as well as their companion, Hōko, and allowed them to enter the outer section of Hōrai with the intention of toying with them for his amusement. Mu Dan then fought uncontrollable against Yamada Asaemon Shion in his Kishikai but was defeated. As a result of the battle, the outer section was left damaged. Mu Dan's corpse also remained within the area and caused the section to be covered in peonies.

#### Hōrai's Invasion

After allowing the human Aza Chōbei to join their inner circle, Lord Tensen received information about the humans who came to the island and how they would eventually come to infiltrate the palace. Upon their arrival, Lord Tensen decided to use this as an opportunity to commence the Rite of Just Consumption and ambushed the invaders at each of their respective temples. Meanwhile, at the floodgates, Rien prepared herself to depart to Japan to initiate her plan. Lord Tensen suffered a major defeat after the members, Ran, Ju Fa, and Tao Fa, were killed by the humans, and its other member, Zhu Jin, was put out of commission in their fight against Shion. Shortly after, Hōrai became under attack by another group of humans, which sparked a war between the two groups and the Dōshi who were ordered by Rien to defend the palace.

Being driven to complete their task, Zhu Jin assimilates themselves with the Banko and takes over Hōrai to gather enough Tao for the Rite of Just Consumption. However, they were soon defeated after Chōbei sacrificed himself to destroy both them and the Banko. After the chaos ended, all the traces left by the Zhu Jin-fused Banko melted and left Hōrai in ruin.

## Layout

The palace was constructed as a massive fortress modeled after China's Epang Palace. Since it was constructed like a traditional palace, it was divided between a large inner castle and outer structures.

Within the inner castle were **temples** (宮, *Kyū*?, *Viz:* Sanctums) based on the Five Training Methods of Immortality each Tensen specialized in. The palace's interior followed the principles of Feng Shui to have harmony with the surrounding environment, however, since the paths of the Ryumyaku was endlessly changing with the Ryuketsu, the point of Tao singularity, the palace was constantly renovated to maintain the harmony. The task of incorporating Feng Shui was given to Ran who used his ability to manipulate the Tao of inorganics to reconstruct the palace's buildings and statues, which he could do with no time wasted.

A Tao vision of Hōrai before the Banko's take over.Hōrai after the Banko's take overThe layout of Hōrai.The locations of the palace's temples after Ran's recent renovation.
### Gate

Hōrai is protected by a wall and can only be entered through a massive gate.

### Outer Section

The outer section is surrounded by golden mystic statues and leads to a building that connects to the palace through a bridge. The house holds a supply of clothing and a bed that either serves as a guest house or a storage room. After Mu Dan's rampage, the outer section became partially destroyed. Upon his death, Mu Dan's Kishikai corpse remained lying and filled the area with peony flowers.

### Inner Castle

#### Bōchū Jutsu Temple

The **Bōchū Jutsu Temple** (房中術宮, *Bōchū Jutsu Kyū*?, *Viz:* Bochu Jutsu Sanctum) is the domain of Ju Fa and Tao Fa. The temple focuses on Bōchū Jutsu training — immortality through sexual congress. The training area contains bedchambers suited for the practice.

#### Taisoku Temple

The **Taisoku Temple** (胎息宮, *Taisoku Kyū*?, *Viz:* Taisoku Sanctum) is the domain of Zhu Jin. The temple focuses on Taisoku — immortality through breathing techniques. The training area is structured with a bridge and two pools with candles on top of lily pads.

#### Dō'in Temple

The **Dō'in Temple** (導引宮, *Dō'in Kyū*?, *Viz:* Dō'in Sanctum) is the domain of Ran. The temple focuses on Dō'in — immortality through exercise. The temple also serves as an area for the Hermit Ascendance Ritual.

#### Shu'itsu Temple

The **Shu'itsu Temple** (守一宮, *Shu'itsu Kyū*?, *Viz:* Shu'itsu Sanctum) is the domain of Gui Fa. The temple focuses on Shu'itsu — immortality through meditation.

#### Shūten Temple

The **Shūten Temple** (周天宮, *Shūten Kyū*?, *Viz:* Shūten Sanctum) is the domain of Mu Dan. The temple focuses on Shūten — immortality through pathways of the body and organs. The training area has a wide collection of literacy.

#### Rentan Temple

The **Rentan Temple** (煉丹宮, *Rentan Kyū*?, *Viz:* Rentan Sanctum) is a laboratory where Rien conducts her experiments. For the purpose of using the Basin, replica plant ovules of the Tensens are housed in the temple if one or more of them were to die. Within the laboratory lies a hidden door where Rien's main body resides to control her puppets from behind the scenes. Previously, the temple was partially owned by Mei until her banishment. The Tan elixir is said to be housed there.

#### Main Temple

The **Main Temple** (本宮, *Hongū*?, *Viz:* Main Sanctum) is Rien's laboratory where she conducts her experiments and extensive research. The temple also serves to house her main body in a secret room, the gilded corpse of Jofuku and the Banko, a giant Waitanhua flower that is meant to complete Rien's research in creating high quantity Tao. According to Gui Fa, the Tensens are forbidden from stepping foot inside the temple. The main temple was once previously owned by Mei before her banishment from Lord Tensen.

##### Annex

The main temple includes an annex that houses the Basin for safe keeping.

#### New Training Area

Sometime ago, while dealing with the human travelers, a new training area was added that combines the five training studies of immortality. The training area is set up similar to a resort area. As explained by Rien, the outdoor pool allows for underwater exercises and breathing practices that employ's training in Dō'in and Taisoku, while the music played by the Dōshi allows for meditation that employ's training in Shu'itsu and Shūten. There are also bedchambers for Bōchū Jutsu training. The training area is located near the Bōchū Jutsu temple.

#### Underground Floodgate

Deep within the palace is a floodgate containing numerous ships. In preparation for when she perfected the Tan elixir, Rien constructed the ships to travel to the mainland and initiate her plan of turning every human in Japan into Tan.

## Trivia

* Hōrai is based off Mount Penglai, which is known as Hōrai in Japanese mythology, a legendary land the Eight Immortals reside where everything on the mountain seems white, while its palaces were made from gold and platinum, and the trees grew jewels.