Post "v5c62: The Heavens Converge" by "Torsten Hewson" from patreon

Aune

pray this gets updates in the coming months(reads this), or noted down & remembered for the book version.

Truedragon5374

I just noticed a big error in the skyship's course. First they were flying over the Howling Fang Mountains, which are East of the Azure Hills, past Grass Sea City. Then they flew over Pale Moon Lake City, which is in the South of the Azure. As they flew over PMLC they continued going straight (west?), while Verdant Hill is in the distant North. I think this needs to be changed. If the ship is coming from the south, heading more or less straight north, then it should fly over Yellow Rock Platue, which wraps around the South East of the Azure Hills.

Jazer Andrew Sotomayor

Thank you!!

Bridgett McCain

Try Heretical Fishing... so funny as well

Cranky Otter

Shen Yu casually referring to The Emperor as “that boy” 🤣

Cranky Otter

Someone called him the Dish Dragon, tho he is sometimes the Dish Fish, and I enjoy that title a little too much.

Cranky Otter

Thanks for this. I was able to search with your comment and get the audio link.

D J Meigs

CF tends to post 3 times a week for 3 weeks in a row and then takes one week off. He aims to post late on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays but he’ll regularly take more time to get the chapter more polished, rather than post something on time that he’s not happy with.

Idan tal

😱 better go to sleep now and hope the little ones won’t wake me up before that then

Michael Fannon

Oh, that would be wonderful. Hope he is.

Michael Fannon

We know the dums dums are horrible with alcohol. So of course that has to happen.

Cinnamon Toast

My best guess in 10.5-12.5 hours

Old Dog

@Ender419 Tao the Traveler will have a field day.

Old Dog

LOL. Yes!

Idan tal

Next chapter when? Starting to show addiction symptoms and need to know how long I need to hold it till next dose

John D Jones

TLM: I apologize to the Masters of the CSS and SHI sects as well as to the Emperor's Herald for the meal. We only had time to throw together whatever was lying around. All: You dare! This was delicious!

Idan tal

I love the qi explanation, but about the emperor- if he was at imperial realm he wouldn’t need to do all the dirty things that he lamented about while talking with Shen Yu.

Ender419

Hype train just left the station with this chapter! There are so many possibilities cooking with all of these masters showing up plus Rags, Loud Boy & Bi Yu in route then add in Shenhe with her path to penances. Hot damn this will truly be an amazing meeting with a possibility that the Azure Hills Coalition may spread beyond their current borders!! I can see the major sects setup branch locations in this Qi desert.

Ender419

A fleet of bards that use the mail routes to spread the tale far & wide.

Isak Mark

It would be hilarious if the SHI brough all the mail intended for the azure hill for the last century with them and dumped them at the post office in verdant hill

D J Meigs

I feel like he must have figured it out at some point though I don’t remember it. I mean Yun Ren’s encountered them too and I think he figured them out eventually. Not sure if they broke for anyone other than Lu Ri though.

Mr Fox

I agree but I also was really looking forward to lu ri mail system going empire wide and xiulan finally getting a letter

D J Meigs

I forgot about that! HOW DID I FORGET ABOUT THIS???

ENK

I think TLM might have done the impossible. His mental voice has gotten hoarse from all the internal screaming he's done. :p

ENK

I think the ride-sharing was a necessity at the time because only Shen Yu had anywhere near the power to fly a sword among all the people there. Shenhe was quite broken down, and no one else were even close to earth realm which seems to be the necessary level for it.

Rake1810

Jin introduces trolling to CPE when he uses his crystal to record it

Golden monkey

Lord Magistrate !!!!

Vladerag

Carrier has arrived? They need warpgates!

Randall Brynsvold

Yes, Divine Peaches. From "v3c47: Jin Rou's grandfather p2", Nov 6, 2022: "It was utterly absurd, and twice as amusing. He even had what Shen Yu was quite confident were Divine Peach saplings— that were growing. Apparently the dragon had brought them back from one of his adventures."

Alex

1) Qi has a sort of critical mass where it becomes self-replicating and violates conservation of energy; this is what 'igniting the dantian' is all about. Everybody has a little pool of Qi in them, but you need to reach a threshold where your Qi becomes self-sustaining. In theory cultivators shouldn't need to drain the world, but they do because they want to use more Qi than their dantian naturally produces. The role Earth Spirits play in ambient Qi levels hasn't been fully described. We know they're very important, and we know a Qi desert will form if they're killed or severely damaged; my guess is that the Earth Spirits essentially treat the world as their dantian - if there's enough Qi in their Dragon Veins they produce a self-sustaining reaction that keeps the environment rich in Qi, but if you draw too severely from their Dragon Veins you'll start depleting the environment since as the Qi levels drop below their self-sustaining critical mass threshold. 2) The Emperor is at LEAST in the Sky Realm. I would be INCREDIBLY surprised if he wasn't in the Imperial Realm. He says that he's bottlenecked and there are cultivators who are more powerful than him, but the list of people in that category is pretty short - I think he names Shen Yu and Xiao Ge specifically. It's pretty strongly implied that Shen Yu was at the fifth stage of the Imperial Realm before this whole debacle, since he says he's been delaying his Ascension for centuries in hopes of finding a disciple to carry on his legacy. The Emperor being less powerful than the strongest person in the current setting doesn't make him weak. 3) Shen Bu was definitely in the Imperial Realm. The details about him are scarce, but one of the things we do know is that part of the Empire is uninhabitable because of him. Making provinces uninhabitable is the sort of thing that only an Imperial Realm cultivator could do.

Samantha Kuhn

No kidding!! I expect a fight between Meiling and Minyan for Ri Zu, lol! No one is taking the Great Healing Sage's apprentice!

Samantha Kuhn

I want one about the Lord Magistrate's son and his cray-cray adventures! I mean, he's been living a perpetual adventure (which is causing him HORRIBLE stomach problems, b/c he is the LM's son, after all!) with cultivator women and Lao were throwing themselves at his feet BEFORE Grass sea City slavers because of all his good deeds! And I wonder what he thought about those cultivator women at first? I mean, he had NO exposure to cultivators before leaving home except to hear about the ones who destroyed his mom's health. But it's understandable he's not thinking about personal things when he's the Acting Lord Magistrate at MAYBE 21 and has to worry about being poisoned, and it's the cultivators protecting him!

Nik

I might be missing something about cultivation, but it feels like this wouldn’t necessarily work out great for him. Unless his foundation turns out to be something like Pi Pa’s (in the sense that it’s fundamentally pathological) and is based on his stress and anxiety, like something around control. But idk what that would mean for him as a person. But I could be missing something about what these things mean.

Samantha Kuhn

Okay, who else is totally looking forward to Meiling meeting the Soaring Heaven's Island Healers?? I mean Meiling and Minyan together?!??! It will be love at first sight or a constant barrage of insults, lol!!

Philip Hunt-Bull

Another Super Mailman!

Huseyin Yagli

Carrier has arrived!

Scholar of Endless Knowledge

MORE!!!!!

Idan tal

Me too

Alex

I'm convinced that the weird root thing is the seed for the Golden Tree we see in the unbroken timeline. Maybe it's a world tree seed that'll allow Jin to fulfill his dream of creating a true heaven on earth. It'll definitely end up being super important by the end of the series.

Enochi

I think my fondest hope is that Lan-Lan's mom is onboard the skyship.

Simon Andriessen

I just realised Torrent Rider will finally meet some storybook 'Old Masters'. True, he has met Gramps, but he doesn't really follow the Old Master archetype rules either.

Brian C

There needs to be a wandering orchestra of cultivators that habitually show up to play dramatic and inspiring music.

Caoimhín

They do consume Qi, but what I mean is that the amount of Qi consumed is not the same as the amount of Qi they get. It's not a finite resource that would get depleted if multiple people were to cultivate in a place. If someone breaks through to the next cultivation realm, it does not cause a loss in ambient Qi for others to cultivate. A cultivator doesn't suck the Qi of the environment to power their breakthrough (though they CAN), and a cultivator's breakthrough doesn't deplete the ambient's Qi. If anything, we have seen that it's the opposite, and a Cultivator having a breakthrough actually releases more Qi into the surrounding area. A cultivator consumes Qi-rich things to help them along, and serve as fuel for them, but when the moment comes for a breakthrough - a time when the amount of Qi inside them grows exponentially - they don't take that from the outside, but rather the Qi inside them grows without taking from the environment. They don't even strictly need to absorb energy for a breakthrough, as a change in perspective, development of insight, and enlightenment help to get a breakthrough much better than directly consuming Qi. However, many cultivators, especially those with low talent or who want to make a fast breakthrough, rely on resources to help them along and consume Qi-rich pills and so on to fuel their development. Fa Ram's situation proves that steady and sustainable development is possible and much more beneficial in the long run. Jin is not taking Qi from the surroundings to develop Fa Ram, and now the levels of ambient Qi inside the farm are higher than in the rest of the province. He didn't take it from them, just make the Qi within his farm grow, which helped Tianlan recover and once the Dragon Veins are repaired it will help the ambient Qi of the rest of the province grow too. TL: DR: Basically it comes down to how you use it. If you take the resources and ambient Qi and just absorb it for yourself, you can deplete it, but if you help it grow then you can get an infinite resource.

Laura Hemly

That space duck is back.

Laura Hemly

You guys are painfully cynical!

Palmer Evans

I NEED MORE

Aune

* Phew *

Aune

Would love the author to just.. If the author just.. collected every piece of Lord magistrate written so far, and let him just read it. Then take a 2-3 week 'vacation' from writing the main, and rite a 5- part Lord Magistrate mini series. a little like.. Verdant' hill's Ruler is now in his year two of the arrival of Jin. how has his law & rule as magistraten the city changed compared to the past. You know, our guy never stopped improving the hills, we now only see his long years of results as 'we' arrived with hin. . but the guy never stopped, like his plan on the road being disrupted. stuff like that, being influenced & re-written by him as he views the world quite differently then the past.(even living it?)

Laura Hemly

Probablement jeudi, tard dans la soirée.

Laura Hemly

That suggested menu will absolutely blow their minds! CF, I hope you're reading, because I honestly can't think of another perfect menu item to add!! 🤣🤣

Mitch McNair

Also, I think a comment elsewhere mentioned the letters she wrote were collected until someone happened to go to the Azure Hills. Again given the personal connection we may get a mail delivery.

Mitch McNair

She still might be, I believe she is a midshipman. As such she could easily be part of the 15 women crew, especially given she’d be familiar with the area and the storm wings know her by name so could have come to mind instantly when quickly assembling a crew (Bailu asked about her letters/daughter I believe).

Judi Tidwell

How do you join the Discord? The Quick link doesn't work 😥

Old Dog

What @Truedragon5374 said.

matthew gilley

Our boy Lu Ri called dibs on the first 2 decades

Idan tal

Brilliant reply, thank you! Although I think the fact that cultivation is limited by the amount of qi around and excess to resources + the fact they have to conserve their qi cause it’s so hard (usually, when you aren’t bff with the local land spirit) to accumulate qi once used indicate they do need to consume qi from outside.

John D Jones

Theme from Battlestar Galactica for the win: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzyHxYxc-Mo

Jo

Omg the thought of these mighty cultivators getting super drunk on Vajra booze is great, and battling it out to see who else gets to join the guard squad haha. Although I have a suspicion that it will be Lu Ri and his fiancé who remain in the end! Will she battle Yuanlin her foxy rival in love, or join powers to overwhelm our favorite post master?!

BlueMage Theneras

While I kinda of doubt it, I REALLY hope Xiulan's mom is on the SHI ship! Tftc!

Caoimhín

1) We do not know for certain, but from the growth that Fa Ram experienced, and the result of connecting the Dragon Veins, then it seems that Qi produces more Qi if properly harnessed. Indeed, cultivators don't seem to take the Qi from the environment and leave it less in order for them to advance, but rather reach a breakthrough and the Qi inside them massively multiplies. So I would guess it is a renewable energy that violates the laws of physics. Growing endlessly if meeting the proper conditions. The problem with Qi Voids and corrupted places is that they are places where all Qi is sucked out of the world. To heal them, you have to close the gap and stop the Qi from leaving the world, and then restore the Dragon Veins to kickstart Qi production again. But people are not usually able to contact the Earth Spirits when they are conscious and it's even worse when they are damaged, so that's why it's nearly impossible to repair those places, as it requires efforts into fixing the Dragon Veins. 2) Nothing specified, but he should be Sky Realm. Being Earth Realm seems way too low, given the exponential gap between cultivation realms. As stated in "Interlude: Heavy Is The Head" the formations let him fight at the level of Imperial, so he should be Sky Realm. From the info we got from that interlude, we know that Binding Oaths (Like the one Shen Yu had that forced him to obey three commands of the Emperor) are a burden on the souls of those who take them (including the person to whom they are sworn), and we also know that the Emperor has many of those Binding Oaths sworn to him by subjects, vassals, and family members, so maybe that is a factor that harms his cultivation advancement? I mean, I don't think it can be healthy for his cultivation to have so much pressure on his very soul. No wonder he hit a bottleneck. 3) Nothing confirmed, because we don't really know how long ago it was that Shen Bu became a criminal. It could be so long ago that Shen Yu at the time was not yet Imperial Realm, or he could have been Imperial Realm already. We do not really know of his power beyond the damage he caused: "Nearly a million subjects dead, five cities sacked, three sects destroyed, four more crippled, and enough cultivation resources wasted that it had set the Empire back centuries" Which honestly could be either Sky or Imperial, depending on where in the Empire he was attacking. And I really doubt Shen Bu was alone. It's more likely he became a rebel and had many followers that helped him wage war against the Empire until he was put down by Shen Yu. Another factor that makes it hard to know if he was Sky or Imperial is that the top fighters of the Empire might have been hesitant to take immediate action due to Shen Yu, even if they might have killed Shen Bu easily they knew that Shen Yu is not someone entirely reasonable and he's someone prone to disproportionate retribution, so even if they had good reason to kill his son, he would have gotten enraged. That, to me, seems like the main factor of why the situation got so bad until Shen Yu himself had to intervene. Because even if they would have been right to do so, nobody on that level was willing to make an eternal enemy out of Shen Yu by killing his son. That said, given that Shen Yu was forced to kill him rather than just suppress him, I would think either he was low Imperial or was using demonic techniques to jump in power to the Imperial. Then again, it might be that after all the damage he had done, it was already an unforgivable point, and Shen Bu HAD to die, and it fell on Shen Yu to do it, and it wasn't really that much of a fight between equals but rather Shen Yu hesitating to do what he had to do.

Old Dog

Exactly. Also have to agree with @Kourtney Viles.

Enochi

So good. I love calling the banners scenes.

Old Dog

I can feel ya and even reach you on this one.

Old Dog

If you read my post I left out the spicy fire root as I wasn't sure how Jin would prepare it.

Old Dog

As always, thank you for the chapter. Nice to see TLM's view on things. Let's see, the "simple" welcoming meal for the CSS, SHI and the Imperial Herald: Gold grade rice, stir fry with the 7 Fragrance Jewel herbs (AKA lowly spiritual herbs), pancakes with maple syrup, tea made from the dew of the Silver Yin Lotus, and Vajra booze. Probably get CSS disciples to spare over who gets the honor of "guarding" Fa Ram and Hong Yao Wu. EDIT: As mentioned by someone else; And having a dragon serve them and/or wash their dishes.

Idan tal

Yes, but can the planet/territories recover over time with help? Or do they need to get this/similar amount of energy back actively before their world will become too weak (what the “divine demon” indicated)?

C

Hyper Hype!

Brayden

It was talked about that qi desserts or at least some were from demonic invasion so probably at lot of the wi was transformed into demonic energies and taken back through a portal

Truedragon5374

Don't know about this Empire, but I think you would call that a Minister Without Portfolio. Basically a state leader picks whatever civilian post he needs, and gives someone that rank but without the normally associated duties. Like a Provincial Governor without Portfolio would be have the rank of Provincial Governor, but no Province of his own. Then they are sent out to a trouble spot to throw their new rank around to get things done.

Old Dog

Environ 2 jours

Truedragon5374

He might not have known them when he saw them, but high level cultivators tend to have amazing memories, if Jin showed him pictures of the pods and plants Ge might remember something. Plus, both plants are medicinal and Ge might have observed the locals using them. Ge is a Warrior Scholar after all. Who knows what lore might have caught his interest.

Emily Gurnavage

Omg but TLM never knew it was the Emperor because he had to attend in secret for safety sake n TLM always wondered what became of his buddy that vanished after school and TLM recognizes him when they meet and just faints on the spot as his brain short circuits trying to connect those dots in a way that makes sense. Some anime trope BS but id love it lol

Emily Gurnavage

Fluffy iirc I think part of that was also because Shen Yu's legends span multiple thousands of years and some are insanely outlandish. Combined, people stop believeing its possible to be 1 man and it must be multiple cultivators being confused for Shen Yu. Pretty sure that was some of what the gang said when Jin was telling them about him. That they believed he wasn't real, or that he was multiple people, or long dead, etc etc.

Andrew Denton

Who called out the fleet?

Andrew Denton

Cue Lu Ri in the background: "See? See?"

John Koor

Hype!

Duke of Coffee

It begins~ I can't wait for surprised Pikachu faces when they the cultivators enter Jin Farm.

Andrew Denton

Lu Ri knows about them, if that matters.

Andrew Denton

I'm pretty sure Shen Yu recognized them as such when he first arrived.

ekwood

Holy smokes, they're going to meet Jin in this universe too. Also, Minyan gonna be upset someone damn near killed her old flame. Not that she needed any extra reasons to go demon hunting, but there it is.

ThatsTypicalTy

Ahh the majestic space duck...

Peter Gerganov

A sign that your browser is trying to interpret it as a URL

ekwood

Get that space duck out of here, this is no place for endangered species.

Winston Smith

Quack

Ichypa

Kind bummed that Xiu Mom didn’t come with the SHI crew, but ah well. At least she’s likely to hear back that her daughter is doing well.

Just A Dude

Patreon thinks they're a URL because of the periods with no space after them.

Isak Mark

One of my favorite moments with TLM is when he's keeping his back straight to avoid aggravating his lashing wounds from the earlier night and everyone is mistakingly admiring his noble pressence.

Nim

Patreon does that when it thinks it detected a link. Anything with a . in the middle and no spaces can set it off.

Randall Norman Pick

I'm sure the TLM will somehow find a way despite his best efforts

Isak Mark

The disaster wings know her and minyan commanded them to pick the crew so it's likely.

Net

C'est quand le prochain chapitre?

Randall Brynsvold

There has been no indication that the Divine Peaches are Peaches of Immortality (other than a lot of reader speculation).

Randall Brynsvold

Ride-sharing. Remember how many people Shen Yu's sword carried to Fa Ram? They all could have come on one sword if they were sure they weren't arriving at a battleground.

Kali Smith

YESSSSSSS! TLM! TLM!

litalmexy

This whole chapter felt like leading me to a cliff I couldn't jump into

Idan tal

You have plenty of stories where the mana is running out and the magic civilisation got completely collapsed. And the fact in the story is that due to the demons and the destruction of the spirits of the lands the world have several qi deserts and getting weaker in general, so the conversion from normal energy sources to qi can’t be easy/simple as the opposite.

Longhaul

I don't think any stories really get into qi or things like mana. If it still follows the laws of conservation, then it can nether be created nor destroyed just converted. And seeing the steam battle engine that was created all those chapters back, my money is on things able to be converted into qi and vice versa.

Alex Bennett

"It….it was a good thing these people were coming" The first two words are a slightly different colour. Editing mishap or signs that the LM is starting to become a cultivator

Idan tal

Maybe the CSS big 3 and the fairies big 3 already landed? Otherwise you would have also 2 flying ladies mentioned.

Isak Mark

I'm guessing the elders of the CSS are on Minyans ship.

STORRM

amazing chappy

ENK

ofc, but at first he says 12, then corrects to 13, but it should have been 15, corrected to 16 as the herald arrives.

Armo

BATTLECRUISER OPERATIONAL!

Mark Greenberg

Don't forget Jin is also growing Peaches of Immortality from the pits that Wa Shi brought back from his time with the turtle.

Havencross3093

I mean Jin already produces chi infused maple syrups. What's stopping him from producing chi infused version of those plants?

Raraki Kraken

TOO SHORT!! MOOAAAR!!!

Drakenclaw

1 Imperial, 2 Sky, 12 Earth Realm from the Cloudy Sword. 1 Imperial Herald. That should indeed be 16 flying swords. Yes, the Storm Wings fly without swords. If they did it should have been 18 flying swords.

valinorhelena

With the curse on the province broken, the detection crystals would not have lasted for much longer anyway, as the local cultivators are suddenly capable of growing in power.

Drakenclaw

Great chapter. I do wonder if the Auditor General is still around? I think witnessing all of this is going to give him the rest.

Angua de Blubb

No, I think the Storm Wings fly without the aid of swords

Beggar of Freedom

Divines bless your kind heart!

Cindermoth

While she'd be fun to see, I'm personally hoping for Xiulan's mom. Now that'd be some spicy drama

Silvris

Well, that is going to be awkward, if she is there and decides to visit her daughter and husband. I can already see her going to ask why they never answered her letters, only for them to blink and ask her what letters she means, as they have never gotten any.

Akki

I thought it was 16 swords? 15 for the Cloudy Sword Sect and 1 for the Herald.

CringeWorthyStudios

Biyu turns up to ask Jin to help her figure out what happened to all the Heavenly Ascension Stone Pendants and meanwhile Elder Ge is looking super awkward and shifty on the other side of the room. … also, does Jin even *know* about the Pendants? Last we saw he kept thinking they were door buzzers or use to tell the guards that they were slacking off…

CringeWorthyStudios

Flasher-chan might be there too. 😅

CringeWorthyStudios

Or he makes it though and when everyone is getting up to leave he keeps sitting there, so Jin asks if he’s going with them and TLM just straight up says “yes, just as soon as I calm down enough to be able to move my legs again.”

CringeWorthyStudios

Especially since Verdant Hill should be right around the area where Jin’s has managed to fully repair Tianlan’s dragon veins soon, if it isn’t already.

CringeWorthyStudios

Fucking *praise kink*!? I mean you’re not wrong but that broke me. 🤣

CringeWorthyStudios

Oh gods, the Baka twins when they find Vajra’s special mead. Bailu is going to *beg* to stay.

ENK

Wouldn't it be 15, not 12, swords at the end? Assuming all three parties arrived at the same time in that scene?

CringeWorthyStudios

We found out what the root is on the discord if you want spoilers. Go into the world of BOC channel and search for “the root is” and you’ll find it.

Idan tal

And now that the herald is showing up and making the emperor relevant to the story (if it’s discussed somewhere before pls pls link it) : 1) do we know if qi is a renewable energy (something like solar wind hitting the planet and the earth spirits converting it to different elements) or finite (the world was formed with a limited, although vast, amount)? Cause now they can talk about the qi deserts and how to try and stop them from sucking up all the qi from everything. If it’s renewable them it won’t be impossible to revive the territories over a very long period, but if it’s finite the world is doomed in a few millennia unless they go with the plan from Doom. 2) is the emperor earth or sky realm? 3) from all the information we got, do we know if Bu was high sky or an emperor realm? He fought Shen Yu, and we saw that other sky realm (the SMS patriarch) couldn’t lift a finger. I’m just trying to understand the power scale we are seeing here

CringeWorthyStudios

*unfurls scroll* “And before we start, a quick word from our sponsor: NordVPN!”

Stark Trist

You've got mail!

Randall Brynsvold

She's from Yellow Rock Plateau but is probably the only SHI member who has spent any time in the Azure Hills. (Lore: Liusei was in a fight and was sent flying over the border, crashing into the Azure Hills. Dad of Grass found her and committed to help her recover. Xiulan resulted. Liusei went back toward Yellow Rock Plateau to resume her path of cultivation. She's been writing letters, but none have made it to the Azure Hills.)

Brian P.

The CSS Elders are probably just having tea with Minyan on her ship. There were twelve CSS Inner Sect members.

Idan tal

Sooooo next chapter in a few hours right? Right!?! God damn that was a good one and that was without anything actually happening.. hilarious and amazing 😆. Thank you for the chapter CF.

Stark Trist

Rofl

Randall Brynsvold

Chyou and Wa Shi can at least confirm geographic and political features, to update the information they have.

Randall Brynsvold

"I am hosting an urgent meeting of cultivators which includes Shen Yu, strike teams from the Cloudy Sword and Soaring Heaven's Isle, and the Imperial Herald. By all means, interrupt and call attention to yourself. I shall have a whisk and dustpan prepared."

Basil

*The Imperial Herald unfurls the scroll* "We've been trying to reach you about your car's extended warrantee..."

Laura Hemly

Ah, thanks. Sometimes the acronyms & shortcuts around here are very confusing.

Ormus Von Orbulon

Same! All of the above withbated breath! I hope Elder Yukong and her herbalist husband are along for the mission, so She can peer into Xiaoshi's province-wide formation, and Shou can be all agog at everything Jin's pulled off

PickledTink

If the Lord Magistrate's reaction is like this, imagine how badly the Auditor will take it when the dude he is supposed to be ruining has Imperial Realm cultivators of two of the most powerful sects in the world alongside the Voice of the Son of Heaven at his table.

Ormus Von Orbulon

"CARRIER HAS ARRIVED" StarCraft unit soundbyte.

Alex Ingraham

Yessssssss... I need the auditor to burst in on the TLM and everyone else!! OH! The fallout for the auditor and the Wu clan will be SPECTACULAR!!

Arnon Parenti

It's already a pretty established subplot being the main reason TLM is in Verdant Hill and not in a central city or a higher function of government.

Nicolas Symeou

"they have arrived" *exits*. a piece of paper is lying on the ground. "we are sorry, but your order of a demon destroying army could not be delivered, please pick it up at the nearest plum blossom facility between the hours or 13 and 16."

Alex Ingraham

That horrible moment when you find yourself thinking, "Surely there's been a BOC update! *check BOC patreon and realize it's only been 16 hours!!! 😱😱😱*

Steven.Riske

That it, I’m listening to the sky shanty again!

Alex Ingraham

Ahhhh... CLASSIC Ciaphis Cain Syndrome! An impossibly competent and brave man, with a horrific case of imposter syndrome lol

Thomas Hendrix

it hurts

Alex Ingraham

@Baldanders It's heavily implied that Lady Wu is greatly amused by both her boys lol

John Brady Anderson

Quack!

Alex Ingraham

No, seriously! Mortal hearts can't take this kinda stress forever. And, if you squint cross-eyed at them, diantian and diamond kinda look the same... and TLM is clenching SOMETHING super hard lol

Jo

I AM SO EXCITED. CSS prepare to spit blood when you eat the best food of your life. Wouldn’t it be funny to see the Heavenly Isle and CSS battle over the amazing potential protégés to be gained at the Fa Ram? I was wondering when Biyu would make an appearance again! Glad she and Yun Ren will reunite (and see her reaction to his ears and tail!). I hope she somehow becomes a cultivator as well so she and Yun can be happy forever! On a side note, I wonder if the Emporium will be compensated for their damaged goods. Will we ever find out about the spicy fire root?! Will the Emperor’s Herald have an issue with Meiling’s bloodline?!

Alex Ingraham

I'm actually almost expecting Jin to suddenly notice TLM and Lady Wu are close to a breakthrough just based on all the Qi they're eating lol.

Cyrus McEnnis

Perfect. No notes.

Alex Ingraham

"This chapter TLM's inner screaming* meets his glee at being praised**, while still trying to remind himself to stay (outwardly) calm and serene***. *sounds like TFS Krillin screaming while shit is going down: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfdyHdrkHP0. Specifically, 0:16-0:41. **sounds like TFS Goku getting excited about Frieza: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lDVOLEhtgI. ***King Kai telling Goku to stop getting excited at the end of the latter clip. Sorry, I'm rewatching TFS' DBZA again and it's fresh on the brain 😅😓" Also, sorry for doing this copy and paste thing for two chapters in a row, but it's just so damn accurate in my head... 😅😓😅😓😅😓😅😓

Alex Ingraham

@StarBat Spits blood... from both ends 😏😈🤣

jord

I kinda hope this turns into it's own subplot, because you can't punch bureaucratic nonsense into oblivion, but you can sure as shit cut a lot of red tape when you are THE unconquered blade. Unless the Wu are blindingly incompetent they'll at the very least know to sit down and shut up until the storm has passed. Though the sister strikes me as exactly the type to slap the bear and ask why it dares enter her abode, much less poke it.

Alex Ingraham

Eh?

Alex

I don't think he would have appreciated it for what it was; cocoa and vanilla are mortal plants, and Ge's an Imperial Realm cultivator, so their significance probably flew straight over his head. It'll blow Ge's mind when he sees Jin has silver yin lotus growing in his bathtub, then he'll lose what little shit he has remaining when Jin proceeds to ask him if he's come across a completely mundane plant at some point.

Alex Ingraham

"[H]e'd own stock in Pepto-Bismol truly" LMAO! He'd OWN the company and be a major share-holder in omeprazole paid in XR pills 😂

WolfKnight22

THE WAIT

Alex Ingraham

This chapter TLM's inner screaming* meets his glee at being praised**, while still trying to remind himself to stay (outwardly) calm and serene***. *sounds like TFS Krillin screaming while shit is going down: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfdyHdrkHP0. Specifically, 0:16-0:41. **sounds like TFS Goku getting excited about Frieza: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lDVOLEhtgI. ***King Kai telling Goku to stop getting excited at the end of the latter clip. Sorry, I'm rewatching TFS' DBZA again and it's fresh on the brain 😅😓

M e

I imagine the scene alternating between the SHI ship soaring through the sky to a heavy metal Ride of the Valkyries, then to the philosopher-warriors of the CSS standing calmly with their hands clasped behind their backs to some classical Beethoven.

Trevor Mergen

Thanks!

Truedragon5374

Kinda random, but i was rereading the archive and it hit me, Elder Ge recently spent 20 years in the South Lands. If anyone can tell Jin and Chyou where to find cocoa and vanilla its Elder Ge!

Insertnamehereokokipressedokok

Frankly I'm hoping the Army gets deployed to the Hill just so I can see Bowu freak out over the Jade Armors... and then go "Hey, that joint is stuck? Easy fix, let this Young Master show you how..."

Moonspike

I'm pretty sure they thought she was from yellow rock plateau.

giann flroesca

HOW CAN YOU DO THIS TO MEEEE. THE CLIFF... THE CLIIIIFFFFF

Fluffy druid

Dad of Grass is still the sect head. Xuilan didn't take over. That was Xianghua with her sect.

Fluffy druid

Shen Yu isn't exactly known in the Azure Hills. See the chapter where Uncle Fox tried to explain, how famous he was and everybody was like "No, that was some other guy."

Brian P.

Eventually. Doesn't it take a week even for Initiate/Profound cultivators to make it there from the capital?

M e

"Only be competent as one-offs" is basically Wa Shi's philosophy. He had that whole thought process when the brother and sister from the Azure Trading Company visited. That you go everyone else's speed most of the time, so that in an emergency you go your real speed and everyone thinks you exceeded your limits. I'd say the Lord Magistrate should spend some time with Wa Shi, but I think he'd have a more positive impact on Wa Shi than the other way around.

Logan

"CARRIER HAS ARRIVED" FUCK YES!!!!!

Desert Yeti

Mars, Bringer of War for classical. Remember to Breathe by Sturgill Simpson for modern?

Angela Roberts

I had to scroll through the comments so I could join the excitement about this chapter! TLM is one of my fav characters in a series chick full of favs! Poor guy. I mean, he's really not but he gets so stressed (he'd own stock in Pepto-Bismol truly). And the but about all the qi sensing artifacts breaking, perfection. I'm so hyped and now I have to wait?! Arrggh!

Randall Brynsvold

Yes, it is. We know from the main story that her name is Liusei, when Dad of Grass compares Xiulan's state of peace to her mother's (V2c93.1: Change Part 1). We got her whole name from the SHI AU (BOC AU: Soaring Heaven's Isle 13).

Arnon Parenti

Wu will most likely change some faces, they won't fall, their daughter is still filial and keeps their name as lady Wu, her sisters are about to lose face, and maybe even a slap in their future.

Peter Gerganov

My boy the Lord Magistrate having resting chad face will never not be funny

Angela Roberts

Not sure but wouldn't it depend on if she were close friends with Elder Minyan? Since she didn't make it an official sect matter?

Angela Roberts

Yeah, that has me cracking up! Shen Yu does long term petty so well!

Truedragon5374

Its going to kill Rags and Loudboy that Handsome Man helped the Tiger in the Grass defend her how from an army of demon instead of them. They have truly lost the race to her heart.

Desert Yeti

Is that Mom of Grass??

Angela Roberts

Okay, that cracked me up! And yeah, Jun is so getting that weird root out!

Truedragon5374

We'll know for sure as soon as Jin breaks out the Spiritual Honey Vodka ;)

Angela Roberts

It was Elder Chen but Ge liked the idea. But I totally agree, the Wu family is headed towards irrelevance!

Truedragon5374

Hmm, But they don't come from the land of the ice and snow, Jin does. OOOHH! The scene starts with the flyers and Rider of the Valkaries, then smash cut to Jin standing on TLM's palace in the snow wathcing them approach with Immigrant Song!

StarBat

*spits blood*

Randall Brynsvold

Flasher-Chan's name is Shilong Seireishang, nicknamed "Rei" by the Young Master.

Kourtney Viles

I feel the same, man I look forward to your story so much that I nearly check every hour for an update of a new chapter... By the way Wa Shi is my favorite character, so cute!!! But I like so many of your characters and their interactions that it drives me crazy waiting for the next chapter. And it's not like I can just find a similar book with interesting characters in the mean time, like how would you even search for that? It's not like searching for a genre. I can't wait for your next chapter, I'm so excited!!!

Oni

No idea... I mean, it'd make sense to grab someone who'd been in the Azure Hills before. Wouldn't it?

Consumer of litrpg

We didn’t get names on the midships girls so Flasher-Chan remains a possibility.

Nick

Tftc

Randall Brynsvold

Is there any precedent for someone to be promoted to report directly to the Imperial Government, but control less than a province?

Tim Johnson

AVENGERS! ASSEMBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Justin

Sharing swords? 🤷

zdm

I read all the comments because there could never be enough of this chapter. The convergence of super powers has me fired up.

Tiger88

Yeah it should be fifteen swords not twelve

mag28

I have 2 theories. First one is Sky level and above are too powerful to be seen by mortals like TLM unless they purposefully show them self. That's why the herald seemed to just appear to TLM. Second one is the Elder are on the ship with Shen Yu's girlfriend.

Baldanders

Remember that Elder Ge is the one who forwarded the suggestion that sufficiently wise/intelligent/sagely mortals should be allowed to joint the Cloudy Sword Sect again? And now he's going to the city of THE LORD MAGISTRATE and meeting him, and probably getting praise about the man from Lu Ri, who's star is rising so quickly that Elder Ge snapped him up and betrothed him to his granddaughter? Elder Ge is probably going to offer the man an invitation. Suck on that, Wu family!

Patanahi

Hahah

Randall Brynsvold

His Qi may be more contaminated now.

Arnon Parenti

Someone has to take responsibility for the reconstruction of the Azure hills

Lonnie

Hahaha! I read that in a protoss voice as well! Dang it

Ormus Von Orbulon

I burst out laughing at your Protoss Ship jab!

Randall Brynsvold

Either that, or he's forming a diamond in there.

Arnon Parenti

I bet they met in school and the Emperor has fond memories of tlm

Randall Brynsvold

There must be some ride-sharing going on.

Baldanders

And I'm pretty sure that our Lady Wu, who knows both men very well, will be entirely aware of the similarities and very amused.

Patanahi

Yesss 😂

Ibuks5

I needed CF to release a double. This is wayyyy to hype!

Arnon Parenti

She will ask to meet the head of the sect thinking it's her husband only to be turned down saying the head is busy uniting [conquering] the Azure hills sects.

Patanahi

Praise be!

Randall Brynsvold

It will be a tight race, but the praise kink is probably stronger than the fear.

Patanahi

Damn , ain’t nothing better than a dragon maid who love food 😭

Arnon Parenti

Somebody called for a Cruiser?

Kasinki

Magistrate's son is going to hear abt this and feel pride even more of his father. Thanks for the chapter CF!

Laura Hemly

Ooh, that Led Zeppelin choice would also be good!

Patanahi

Omg that would actually be hilarious 😂😂😂

Arnon Parenti

The Herald isn't second in command, he is the commander, Emperor only smiles and waves because he is literally holding the seams of reality from falling apart, The Herald is who 99.999% of the Empire will ever meet.

Patanahi

I’m laughing hysterically reading this chapter !! Love it haha. Thanks for the chapter CF

Tony

Great chapter, now I' m here wondering how all the rival factions are reacting to this. A move of this size is bound to cause a lot of waves, and I'm sure that a lot of Qi reading devices followed the equivalent to an invasion force suddenly moving to what everyone considers the boondocks.

Laura Hemly

And, @Truedragon, that curse had to start somewhere -- I think we're looking at its creation!

Osvaldo Antonio Carmona Calderón

Master Shou veins popping seeing stir fry “lowly spiritual herbs” THEN going to the farm, volcano beans in the fireplace… nose bleeding, shen yu “just take a bath to cool off man”, ginseng in the bath tub used as scrubbing soap… actually thriving…” Shen yu f*k you, your grandson will be my disciple forever”. Jin: I’m good man but thanks, btw have you seen this weird root no one knows about?

Laura Hemly

I only wish CF took commissions on what to write! But fortunately, however he resolves the cliff with be better than anything we can dream up!

Adam

Starcraft. CARRIER HAS ARRIVED

Truedragon5374

I think one of the the big things that makes TLM so awesome is that he pursues excellence for petty yet very relatable reasons. He works hard at everything he does just so he can hide behind a paper wall to listen to his subordinates praise him and to be warmly greeted on the street by strangers. Which is fine, I don't care Why someone is a good leader so long as they keep doing it. And now he is being praised by people who, in any other world, would be kings in their own right. Sure he is crapping himself now, but once everything settles he is going to carry that glowing pride for the rest of his life.

Alan Williams

I think I missed something or the swords don’t add up “One Imperial Realm Cultivator, two of the Fifth stage of the Sky Realm, and twelve within the Earth Realm.”

Weebeedee

Brutal cliff haha. How am I supposed to wait?

Laura Hemly

The next Province? Biyu's squeeze will cross time and space to our modern world where we'll ALL be able to hear it!

mag28

This chapter is damn near perfect. As much as I like Shemhe, since. We found out who was coming this meeting is all I've cared about.

StarBat

Lord Magistrate better start cultivating. A mortal can't handle this kind of stress.

mhaj58

I never thought that characters from the alternate series would actually meet again in this one

Laura Hemly

SC?

RedFaux

The Magistrate reminds me so much of Ciaphas Cain in this scene. Sure buddy, it's totally your legs locking up. You're not extremely brave, nope so siree.

Daniel Jungbluth

I wonder if someone can ignite their Dantian through sheer stomach clenching stress…Let’s find out.

D J Meigs

But the son also thinks his father is stoic and brave 🤣

Gibborim

After fending off that zergling rush, they have achieved tech supremacy!

Angel

Haha excellent point!

Emily Gurnavage

>"I wonder if TLM will be able to truly take in that unprecedented compliment from the normally stingy-with-praise Shen Yu, and find himself some confidence?" He still doesn't know that its Shen Yu lol. The name still hasn't come up, and in TLM's thoughts even this chapter he only thinks of Shen Yu as Jin's grandfather. He was surprised how strong he was. He wouldn't be if he knew he was Shen Fucking Yu, lol.

Michael Wheaton

Poor lord magistrate Jin should lend Washi to help with the catering that would be a fun dinner topic

Pope Yoda I

I kind of want a scene where the Lord Magistrate appears to be perfectly seated during the meeting, but is in fact just passed out from terror.

Zatarii

Aaaaaaahhhh!! What a treacherous cliff. Hopefully in his broken state Shen Yu would finally be able to give back to the Land and help boost the repairs of the leylines.

Emily Gurnavage

Its only a matter of time before he meets the Emperor in person >.< perhaps still years, but I'm convinced it'll happen.

Cinnamon Toast

Shame we didn’t see Yangtze Liusei’s name but it doesn’t mean she’s not there

H

Awwwwwww I need MOAR!

Loah

ALL HAIL OUR GLORIOUS LORD MAGISTRATE!

Aki_Iokua18

Competency always leads to more and more work. Only be competent as one-offs folks. Interesting that Biyu is also going to show up, but it’s good that Rags and Loudboy are also coming. I’m really looking forward to the whole province-wide reactions.

Richard Merlin

i love the SC reference at the end.

Len

Thunder struck by ac/dc or hmm led zeppelin's immigrant song....

D J Meigs

Oh dear they didn’t have Lu Ri to remind them to reign in their auras. I hope someone reminds them to pay for the damages 😄. TLM you can do it! You’re the best mortal out there!

CringeWorthyStudios

Honestly, now I *really* want to see Elder Ge meet TLM, go “wow, this mortal is amazing” and then make him a cultivator using his own resources. That’d just be perfect and his stress levels would be beautiful to watch.

Eli Pomerantz

I hope the cloudy sword sect checks up on how the gifted herbs are doing

Truedragon5374

I've said it before and I'll say it again; the fact that TLM's panic reaction is to freeze in a stoic pose is a GIFT. FROM. THE. GODS!!

The GrandMage

Congratulations THE LORD MAGISTRATE, on your Solstice Gift. That was quite the praise.

CringeWorthyStudios

Hahaha, go read the SHI AU then. The entire sect is basically sky pirates, except without the piracy and all women. It’s amazing.

CringeWorthyStudios

Oh gods yes. The imperial auditor, who was literally bribed to cause trouble, turns up and causes trouble when the literal emperor’s second in command is in the room. Priceless.

Nathaniel Jacob moore

God I can't wait for the next chapter 🤤

Npad11111

Oh TLM... The very definition of suffering from success. Haha.

Rake1810

Shen Yu has invented trolling. Jin can never fully explain it to him. Thanks for the chapter. Part of me is sad for the cliffhanger but on the other hand a full chapter of interaction next

Truedragon5374

The girl is a Furry for sure

Truedragon5374

You think the Chief Auditor of the Azure Hills is going to storm in on TLM while he is entertaining his guests?

jordan coli

Ahhhh! Cliffhanger'd right before we get the meeting! Your so cruel lmao.

nogare321

Ohh, I like that even better!

Randall Norman Pick

If the Lord Magistrate manages to not get promoted straight to the imperial capital after this, it will be his greatest accomplishment by far.

KnightRider007

And she doesn’t know about his furry gains… we’re gonna be able to hear the *squee* from the next Province over.

Kreylix

6 stars (out of 5) chapter. Beyond delightful!

Truedragon5374

Gods I hope so!

The butler did it

I vote Ride of the Valkyries!

Truedragon5374

Ancient Chinese Curse: May you live in interesting times.

Alex

In the Soaring Heavens Isle alternate timeline Seiyu and Bailu knew Xiulan’s mom, and they spoke to her about sending a message to her daughter, so they know she’s from the Azure Hills. I imagine they’d bring her along to play local tour guide, especially since it says the ship has some of the midships girls on it.

Angel

And I love that his son is exactly the same way! 😂

Thomas Brusilovsky

Poor bloke

Andrew Denton

“Well, we can do something quick, and hope our guests are not insulted. Is a stir fry with the Seven Fragrance Jewel Herbs an acceptable dish?” the Lord Magistrate asked. Jin’s grandfather grinned. “Indeed, it will more than suffice.” Aw, leave Ran alone, Shen Yu. It's been YEARS since he went on and on about the seven jewel fragrance herbs.

Angel

Yes, I never would’ve thought of that detail, so cool!!

Justin Barnett

I wonder if Xiulan’s mom is on the ship?

KnightRider007

Poor Lord Magistrate! That last line harks right back to his very earliest introspection chapter, when everyone was describing his stoicism and courage in the face of danger, when he was actually just too terrified to move 😁

Guber

Of course THE GREAT LORD MAGISTRATE would get such praise for his greatness! One could not expect less! And now his great deeds and his skill shall be witnessed by the Emperor's Voice itself! ALL PRAISE THE GREAT LORD MAGISTRATE!!!

Angel

Me too!!

Angel

The last line had me laughing out loud, so great!! 😆 I wonder if TLM will be able to truly take in that unprecedented compliment from the normally stingy-with-praise Shen Yu, and find himself some confidence? I also think it’s hilarious that even in his own mind The Lord Magistrate manages to pretend he only cares about himself and his wife, but can’t help throwing ‘everyone else’ into the bucket of people he hopes to protect. It’s always a good day when we get his perspective, thanks CF!!!

Objective_Campaign82

Really hope Cai’s mother found a reason to join Minyan

Seaspike

Or, they don't realize what is happening and try causing trouble for TLM with the Emperor's Man there as witness.

Jon Dough

Thank you for the chapter!!

Often Irrelephant

Biyu! OMG ~ the ears and tails… Also happy to see Rags and Loud Boy en route. They’re getting the band back together, but now it’s like the solid little local band at a giant festival with epic level headliners. It’s going to be an adjustment.

rock_on_5002

Your story's so good but your cliffhangers so brutal. Honestly your story is something I look forward to every chapter can't wait for more.

Deiskos

The cavalry is here

Ttran2323

Oh wow, I know we expected a lot of people but for some reason I completely forgot about Biyu, Rags and Loud Boy. This is gonna be entertaining. EDIT: Oh god, I just realized Biyu doesn't even realize that Yun is back. Yay for more reunions!

Sean Ulrich

Honestly… not sure he can. He’s been regularly dining on one of the most potent healing herbs available. It’s gotta help with blood pressure.

NightmareChild92

It starts

Story Time Compass

You've got mail!

Seaspike

Need More...

Seaspike

Noooo...

NightmareChild92

3rd

Eli Loeb

Poor LM

vetsin

Thanks, I needed this.

Lanter

HAHAHAHAHA, THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL "SUFFERING FROM SUCCESS"! Yep! Our Lord Magistrate is great enough to be included! You can do it! 😆 Thanks for the chapter!

nogare321

I am so looking forward to the day that Lady Wu's "family" realize how well known and regarded the Lord Magistrate is.

Veltlore

Thank you for the chapter!

MockingBird

This is amazing. Can't wait for the next chapter, and the reactions to the farm, dishes, etc.

WarStrider72

I hope the Lord Magistrate doesn’t die from all the stress. Anyway, the gang is all here with Rags and Loud Boy coming along and the alternative universe characters have arrived! Good thing we got a stir fry feast ready for them.

Vasius

They need more pylons lol

CringeWorthyStudios

I *love* the little details in this story. All the Heavenly Ascension Stone pendants shattering simultaneously? Beautiful. I wonder if Mum of Grass is with the SHI group this time? Thanks for the chapter!

N U

POWER OVERWHELMING

Cuticle

Somehow I was not expecting the cultivators of the Soaring Heaven's Isle to talk like sailors lmao

TwoRavens

RIP AND TEAR UNTIL IT IS DONE! Then, there shall be tea.

Sean Ulrich

Lord Magistrate… I personally believe you have been cursed. Too much ability, being in the right place at the right time, unflappable poker face, powerful allies… cursed to never live a slow life.

James Faulkner

LETS GOOOOOOO

Antonio Valentino

I am so looking forward to this

WirelessGrapes

I just heard an eagle cry overhead at the arrival of force

SarcasticDonkey

Avengers. Assembled.

Truedragon5374

This is awesome. I can't decide if the background music should be Fortunate Son or Ride of the Valkyries. Also i love how the Cloud Sword has what i guess you would call Memory Spirits from the time of the Founders. A sort of Living Memory that the students could talk to. Reading history can be boring, image being told what really happed millennia ago by a spirit that was there to see it.