1: REINCARNATION
An intense light flashed through his closed eyes, forcing him awake. A muffled groan escaped his lips as Lei Lian opened his eyes, only to be hit by a blinding flash. Instinctively, he turned on his side, trying to escape from the light that was stronger than the sun. His body ached as if he had been crushed by a colossal beast, his head was spinning and the world around him seemed to be in constant motion.
Where... am I?
His thoughts made the pain in his head even worse.
Then a soft voice rang out, muffled in Lei Lian's ears.
"You're finally awake."
Lei Lian turned quickly in the direction of the voice, his state becoming alert. The vulnerability of the moment did not go unnoticed by him. Anyone could take advantage of his weakness at that very moment.
At the door, a young woman stood holding a small tray. Her clothes were simple and she had a small, messy bun on the side, but the smile she wore was too innocent to be genuine.
The girl took a few light steps towards the bed. "How are you feeling?"
Lei Lian watched her for a moment, trying to decipher her intentions.
"Well... a bit dizzy, and in pain..." Lei Lian paused, his eyes still disoriented. "But nothing unbearable."
The young woman let out a relieved sigh. "Ah, good!"
Lei Lian, still with some difficulty, sat down, trembling slightly with every movement, "Who are you?"
The girl smiled gently, as if she didn't know how else to smile. "My name is Shu Min, nice to meet you, Wang Yao."
Wang Yao?
Lei Lian's surprise lasted only a moment, and his mind was soon trying to process the information. But before he could come to any conclusions, Shu Min continued as if he were just following protocol.
"Oh! I almost forgot... I brought your medicine."
She handed him a glass of water and a small capsule.
Lei Lian looked at the medicine hesitantly, but the pain was unbearable, like a knife in his body, and without thinking twice, he took the capsule and swallowed it with difficulty.
"Thank you..." he mumbled, handing the glass back.
"No need to thank me." Shu Min's smile was once again on his face.
Lei Lian looked away, observing the room around him. It wasn't grand, but the small details gave off a subtle richness: paintings adorning the vases, golden ornaments, and a faint scent of flowers.
"Where am I?"
"At the Feng Mansion."
Lei Lian frowned. "Feng Mansion...?"
The name wasn't strange to Lei Lian, it sounded familiar, but for some reason, he couldn't remember where he knew the name.
Shu Min tilted his head slightly. "You know... The Feng, one of the richest families in the Wenyu Nation."
Ah, of course... the Feng.
The initial doubt disappeared, replaced by a feeling of annoyance.
The Feng were rich, handsome, elegant and intelligent... Not so much, they were more arrogant than their fortune would justify, always acting on impulse if they were in a dangerous situation. "Money solves."
They were one of the most influential families, which didn't surprise him. In a nation like Wenyu, gold was more important than common sense and a minimum of basic knowledge.
Lei Lian sighed, "Ah... it's been a long time since I was here."
Shu Min, however, didn't seem to notice Lei Lian's tone, which clearly showed nervousness. "Your Lordship wishes to see you as soon as you feel better."
With one last impish smile, the young woman left.
Lei Lian watched her disappear through the door before collapsing against the soft sheets.
Why, of all possible places, did it have to be right here!
He groaned, covering his face with a pillow, the pain in his body still present. Lei Lian wanted to get out of that place as quickly as possible, he knew it wouldn't be easy, but it wasn't impossible either.
As he moved the pillow away, something caught his eye: a discreet mark on his wrist.
So that was it...
Lei Lian hadn't stolen someone's body as he imagined, but had been offered one through an array*, an ancient method that, although risky, was still used by those who defied death. Legend had it that anyone who used this technique could lose their soul, leaving their body vulnerable to wandering spirits.
Exaggerated rumors?...Perhaps, but Lei Lian was practically the living example that they weren't all that false.
He sighed in frustration.
Wang Yao, hm? What a great idea you've come up with.
Rising from the bed with some reluctance, Lei Lian could feel weakness in his muscles, but he preferred not to wait for the worst.
As he approached the door, the corridor was strangely silent. In the distance, however, he could hear the dragging of furniture, the metallic clink of kitchen utensils and an irritated voice.
His situation couldn't get any worse, could it?
Yes, he could.
Even though he was in a new body, his appearance remained the same. Wang Yao looked like an exact copy of Lei Lian, which could be a problem; if he were recognized here, his situation could worsen by leaps and bounds.
Scanning the room with his eyes, he spotted a silver mask on the dressing table. Without hesitation, he picked it up and put it on his face. It wasn't the best solution, but at the moment it was all he had.
The hallway was illuminated by the golden light of the sun, which reflected off the ornaments, and the windows revealed a view of a lake surrounded by trees whose leaves were scattered across the water.
He paused for a moment, allowing himself to admire the scene and appreciate the peace the sight brought. His eyes sparkled briefly and, for a moment, he felt a rare sense of tranquillity.
Before that feeling had lasted a few minutes, his peace was abruptly shattered.
"Hey, you!"
Lei Lian froze.
Not now...
He slowly turned around, finding a young woman in simple clothes, probably another maid, with a curious look on her face.
"Who are you? I've never seen you around here before."
Damn... why now?!
"A-ah... I..." Lei Lian tried to improvise, but before he could come up with a convincing excuse, a firm voice interrupted him:
"He's our guest of honor. Show some respect."
An elegant woman appeared in the hallway, with impeccable posture and eyes full of arrogance. The maid instantly turned pale, and the slight trembling in the girl's hands was visible to anyone who paid attention.
"S-Sir!" She hastily knelt down. "Pardon me! I-I hadn't been informed about such an important guest..."
The woman let out an impatient sigh. "Tsk... As usual, incompetent."
She turned her eyes to Lei Lian.
"Come with me, I'll take you to the hall."
Lei Lian followed her without saying a word, just with a fake smile on his face.
Having seen the girl trembling slightly, he thought it would be better to hold back than to put himself at risk.
The hall was large and luxurious, with tall pillars that seemed to touch the sky and an artificial lake that ran the length of the room, reflecting the light of the hanging lanterns. The scent of fresh flowers floated in the air, mingling with the delicious smell of food. Maids scurried around, adjusting the last details of the small tables, carrying food on trays, as well as elegant plates and cutlery.
At the center of all the commotion, a woman dressed in exquisite clothes watched her, a subtle smile curving her lips.
"Darling, I'm glad you're finally awake, you were very lucky to have been found by us."
Lucky?
Lei Lian held back a bitter laugh. If that was luck, then perhaps he should throw himself into the mouth of a monster and test his "fortune" again.
"When we found him, there were certain talismans* in his pockets." The woman continued, her tone too calm.
Lei Lian narrowed his eyes.
"Did you go through my things?"
The woman tilted her head slightly, as if the question was absurd.
"Of course, we needed to check your identity."
"Ah, yes." Lei Lian crossed his arms, his expression grim, "I didn't expect the Fengs to go through people's personal things without at least waking them up first."
"Ah!... we've already returned everything to you. You don't have to look like that." The woman smiled, but the mocking glint in her eyes caused Lei Lian even more discomfort. "By the way... why are you wearing that horrible mask again?"
"So you took it off too?"
"Of course! We couldn't just bring a stranger with such a... hideous mask into our house." The woman laughed, as if it were the most ridiculous thing in the world, but despite the joke, she was still right about something.
Lei Lian sighed, already feeling his headache growing.
"In that case, can I leave? I don't intend to offend the family's elegance any longer."
The woman's expression hardened.
"Leave?" Her voice, once sweet and mocking, became sharp. She rose from her seat, her sleeves fluttering with the movement, "Did anyone even give you permission to leave?"
Lei Lian raised an eyebrow.
"Do I need permission?"
The woman laughed, but there was no humor in her laughter.
"You're in my house, under my roof. That means you owe me obedience." The woman let out a dry laugh, without a trace of humor.
"Ah... of course, I understand..." He leaned back against the column, crossing his arms, "So being dragged here unconscious automatically means I have no choice?"
"Of course! It's thanks to me that you're alive!" The woman raised her voice, as if her indignation was enough to intimidate Lei Lian. "I might as well have left you to die of cold or hunger!"
Lei Lian tilted his head, taking in her words calmly.
"Well... thank you very much, Madam Feng," he smiled coldly. "Now, if you don't mind, I'll be on my way."
"You'll be working for our family."
Lei Lian's body froze.
...That woman is joking...who does she think she is?!
Before he could protest, a desperate cry echoed through the hall.
"I-I can't be alone!"
A young woman rushed into the room, her eyes wide and her hands trembling as she clung to Madame Feng's skirt as if her life depended on it.
"My child..." the woman softened her tone, running her hand through the young woman's hair. "I told you, there's nothing to be afraid of!"
Lei Lian looked at the two of them, holding back his laughter at seeing such an unprecedented scene.
The Fengs really hadn't changed at all...
The girl seemed to be around 17 years old, and she looked at her mother, looking unconvinced. Her body was shaking uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face while the make-up she was wearing was smeared.
"I-I saw it! I saw them with my own eyes!"
The woman let out a sigh, "I told you! There are no ghosts in this house!" Mrs. Feng shouted as she clenched her fists.
"M-But I saw them! I swear! They want to kill me!"
Lei Lian watched the scene, not knowing whether to feel empathy or boredom.
Ghosts, huh? Looks like I'll be having an affair today..
"Since when do you see them?" Lei Lian asked, moving away from the column."Are there more than one?"
Lady Feng gave him a cutting look, "You-" but before she could finish her speech, her daughter hastily turned to Lei Lian.
"Y-Yes! There are three!"
Lei Lian put his hand to his chin, thoughtful.
Three?...in one place and no one but her saw them? That doesn't make sense... why would only she see them?
The girl ran up to Lei Lian, and grabbed his hands in a strong, rough movement, "Do you know how to get rid of them?! They've been chasing me for months!"
Lei Lian looks at her blankly, with a slightly uneasy smile. "Ah...well...I-"
A young woman entered the hall accompanied by two boys, interrupting Lei Lian in his speech.
"Madam, the students from the Jing Ye Meng Sect* have arrived."
Lei Lian felt every muscle in his body tense when he heard that name.
Jing Ye Meng Sect?...Shit!
Without thinking twice, he moved quickly, hiding behind one of the columns.
"Ah, good of you to arrive!" the woman smiled. "My daughter was getting desperate again."
"It's a pleasure to see you again!" An orange-haired boy said, smiling calmly as he bowed to the woman. "Did something go wrong?"
"Yes, some time after you left, she started saying she was seeing ghosts again..."
Lei Lian peeked out from behind the column and saw two young men. They were both wearing the characteristic garb of the Jing sect.
It's amazing that the Jing sect hasn't changed at all to this day...they're still wearing that same tacky uniform...Pft.
"That's strange...", the brown-haired young man muttered, frowning.
On noticing the two of them, the girl immediately ran over to the boys and desperately clung to the brown-haired boy's arm.
"I'm glad you're back! The ghosts are still after me!"
He looked at her with a slight smile, but held back his laughter. "Maybe they like you." he joked, his voice light, a lie that seemed to be made for children.
"If they did, they wouldn't be trying to kill me by throwing things at me!" , the girl, her eyes wide, raised the pitch of her voice.
The brown-haired boy sighed, as if the situation was more ridiculous than it really seemed. "Throwing things at you? Just throw it back at them," the boy said, tossing back his strands of hair while wearing a sarcastic smile on his lips.
Lei Lian arched an eyebrow, an amused smile appearing on his lips.
Throwing them back?...Since when did these students become so irrational?...Of course it wouldn't expel ghosts!
The orange-haired boy, who nevertheless seemed calmer, watched the girl with a certain concern and empathy, "Are you sure you see them? Sometimes they're just illusions."
"N-No! I swear! They're still there!" the girl squeezed the young man's arm even tighter, while hiding her face in the soft fabric of the young man's uniform.
"Look...will you...let me go?!" The boy asked, trying to break free of her grip.
The orange-haired boy just let out a sigh with a slight laugh, and turned his attention to Madame Feng, "Can we go and check the situation out?"
"Of course! Just let me introduce you-" Madame Feng paused abruptly as she looked around, "Wait, where's the young master?"
Lei Lian soon learned that he wouldn't be able to stay hidden for long.
Ah... of course she would notice.
"You called me?" Lei Lian stepped out from behind the column with his hands behind his head, assuming a relaxed posture.
"Ah, there you are!" Madame Feng took her arm and pulled her close. "We need your help."
Lei Lian looked at her with a certain boredom in his eyes, "With the ghosts, right?"
"Y-Yes! Please help me!" the girl clung to Lei Lian again, who tried to hold back a sigh.
Lei Lian looked at her blankly.
Why do these things only happen to me?...Ahg! Wang Yao, you pay me!
"Did you come because of the ghosts too?" the orange-haired young man asked, his voice low and respectful.
Lei Lian gave him a casual glance, a slight smile on his lips, "It's a long story..."
The other, with brown hair, narrowed his eyes, looking at him as if he were suspecting his intentions, or simply judging Lei Lian's attire.
"And why are you wearing that mask?"
"Gao Yixuan!" the first young man hissed, embarrassed.
Lei Lian just laughed.
The boy with orange hair bowed in front of Lei Lian, "Sorry for my colleague's questioning..."
Suddenly, the boy felt a light touch on his shoulder. He looked up, only to find Lei Lian with a slight smile on his face, this time a genuine smile.
"Don't apologize for something that isn't your fault. Besides... I don't really care about these questions."
The boy looked at him and a sincere smile appeared on his lips.
"Can we resolve this soon?!" The young girl interrupted the moment, her voice sharp as a needle echoing through the hall.
The boy looked at her, "Ah, yes, of course."
Lady Feng smiled and directed them down a corridor to the right, "Come, I'll take you to the room."
And again, Lei Lian found himself in a long corridor, with the same view of the lake, but from a different perspective and new to his eyes. However, everything now seemed calmer, as if from this side, any noise from the rest of the house was evaporated. Only the soft sound of water, disturbed by the small fish, kept the atmosphere calm but not dominated by silence.
Lei Lian looked around and closed his eyes, sighing in relief.
This feeling of peace is so nice... I should look for more places like this, maybe in the mountains... Hmm... what was the name of that place again?...
His peace didn't last five minutes before the unbearable voice of the girl broke the silence, causing a slight startle among the people present.
"I-I don't want to go anymore!" she whined, clutching Lei Lian's robes, making it difficult for him to move.
Lei Lian looked at her with a slight grimace, "Can you let go?.. I can't even walk properly!" he said while practically dragging the girl with each step.
"N-No! No way! You're here to protect me!" The girl almost shouted, her trembling hands making an aggressive movement on Lei Lian's robes.
"Me?!-"
Lei Lian quickly cast a glance at the boys.
Heh, strong personality, huh?.. Let's see then.
"Why don't you hold onto 'chocolate hair' there, I guarantee he'll protect you better than I would." Lei Lian said casually, pointing at the boy with brown hair.
The boy didn't take even a second before looking at Lei Lian, "Hey! What?!-", and the girl immediately grabbed onto his robes.
Lei Lian looked at him and tried to smile gently, but there was clearly some amusement in his expression.
Good luck, you'll definitely need it.
His thoughts almost resulted in a small laugh, but Lei Lian was quick enough to hide the smile on his lips.
"If you'll allow me... How long have you two been students of the Jing Ye Meng Sect?" he asked, turning his attention back to the other young man.
"Not long... We joined the Sect a year ago," the boy with orange hair answered softly.
Lei Lian raised an eyebrow and smiled.
A year?.. No wonder there are still ghosts around here. Long-time students of the Jing Ye Meng Clan always found a way to deal with ghosts at the first opportunity, but these two... They don't even seem to know what they're doing.
"And you? Are you from any Sect?" The boy with orange hair asked, his voice weak, almost as if he were afraid of disrespecting Lei Lian or saying something that would cause offense.
"I?.. I used to be, but I decided to follow my own path," Lei Lian said, smiling.
"And which Sect were you from?" asked the brown-haired boy, with a hint of amusement in his voice, clearly intrigued.
Quickly, his friend shot a glance at him, who simply shrugged and returned his attention to Lei Lian.
Lei Lian rested his hands behind his head, as if talking about something trivial. "Jing Ye Meng."
The two froze instantly. The silence that followed was tense, and their gazes shifted from surprise to a mix of curiosity and respect for Lei Lian, who maintained his calm posture. They hadn't expected such a direct answer, especially not that kind of information.
"Have you ever been a student in our sect?" the boy with orange hair asked, his voice louder now, and he approached Lei Lian.
Lei Lian glanced at him and smiled, "It's been a long time."
Finally, Lady Feng's voice was heard after her long silence, "That's great!" she glanced at him, "I believe it won't be difficult to resolve our case this way."
Lei Lian looked at her with a fake smile appearing on his lips.
If my luck keeps going like this, it'll be worse than difficult... Especially with these two!
Lady Feng suddenly stopped. The corridor ended in a small staircase.
"We've arrived, this is her room." She stepped aside, allowing Lei Lian to see what was in front of him.
The room was located away from the rest of the house, and it seemed to be at the center of a nightmare, filled with talismans covering windows, doors, and even cracks in the walls. The place was surrounded by a strange energy, and the atmosphere was suffocating.
The floor was covered in broken glass, dried blood stains that seemed to have been there for months, and wilted plants, whose once vibrant flowers now only had dead petals.
Lei Lian carefully observed the place, paying attention to every small detail. Despite seeming calm, a discomfort grew within him.
This situation is more serious than I thought, even though there are three ghosts... if they were weak, they wouldn't need so many talismans. But this place is filled with them. What are these two planning?..
He turned to the boys, "Did you two put up the talismans?"
"Yes, we placed some, but I don't remember it being such... a grand quantity," the boy with orange hair responded with a disturbed look.
He observed the boy for a moment, his gaze absorbing the surrounding scene. Finally, without saying anything more, he began walking slowly towards the stairs, his steps silent on the cold floor. As he ascended, his eyes scanned the room, analyzing every small detail. Lei Lian stopped in front of the walls covered with talismans, his gaze lingering on each one with meticulous attention.
Analyzing the symbols, a slight frustration began to show on his face. The protective talismans were few, as the boy had said, but there was something else. Something didn't feel right.
He lightly touched one of the papers with his fingertips; the calligraphy was familiar, but... Other talismans seemed different and strange. Besides lacking the same writing, they didn't carry the same energy.
Someone had tried to alter these spells, Lei Lian quickly began to question.
Why alter the spell if it was working?..
He moved even closer to the wall and, carefully, slowly removed two talismans. One of them was clearly a protective talisman, while the other seemed like a distorted attempt at the original. His gaze fixed on the paper with more intensity.
Altered spells, huh?.. Whoever did this was clever, altering the spell using letters similar to the original spell. It could even fool someone from a distance, but if you look carefully... Pft, it's clearly a different spell.
"You two, come here." Lei Lian commanded, pointing to the boys.
The two exchanged suspicious glances, hesitating for a moment before starting to walk towards him.
"Which one of you wrote the talismans?" he asked as they approached.
The boy with orange hair raised his hand, a bit hesitant. "I wrote them."
Lei Lian looked at him and showed him the two talismans, "Which one is yours?"
The boy analyzed the talismans with a tense look before recognizing his, "This one," he pointed to the paper on the right.
"Is this yours?" Lei Lian handed the talisman with the different calligraphy to the other boy.
The boy held it in his hand, "No, I didn't write any talismans." He examined it closely before letting out an ironic laugh, "Pft! I don't have such horrible handwriting!"
His friend quickly grabbed the talisman from his hand, almost tearing it away. His body stiffened, and his expression grew more serious than what those close to him would consider normal.
"This talisman... It seems the spell isn't right."
Lei Lian smiled calmly as he carefully put the two talismans away.
"Not bad for an apprentice, you got it right on the first try," Lei Lian paused and turned to the wall. "Indeed, these talismans have been altered, most of them," he pointed to the different talismans.
The two young men looked at him in shock, practically frozen in place.
"What do you mean?!" the boy with brown hair raised his voice.
Lei Lian looked at the talismans, thinking calmly.
Something's wrong. Ghosts can't create talismans, even if they write them, they still need spiritual energy to work... Unless someone else wrote them. If that's the case... that person must have spiritual energy, but who else in this house could have that?
Characters ◇ Name Guide.
LEI LIAN
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雷炼 - Lei: "thunder", symbolizing power and energy.
Lian : "lotus", a flower associated with purity, enlightenment and renewal in Chinese culture.
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Title: Martial God of LiangLe Nation; Young Master Lei
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A young man known for his courage and resilience, and of course, being one of the main reasons for ridicule among the Gods. Since his youth, he has shown himself to be someone with strong opinions, and difficult to change. He has always defended the people, regardless of their social class, which led the Gods to consider him weak and incompetent for his position.
Lei Lian was a handsome young man, but with thoughts that were completely "abnormal" for his time. He is considered a great warrior, who can handle his sword even in complicated moments. A student of the Jing Ye Meng Clan, he learned about cultivation from an early age.
SHU MIN
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舒敏 - Shu: "comfort", "softness", "relaxation" or "tranquility".
Min : "quick", "intelligent", "insightful" or "sensitive".
──── ◇ ──────── ◇ ────
Title: Nurse Shu
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A young woman who had worked for the Feng family since birth had been left at the door of the family home, and was soon found by one of the employees who took her to the Fengs. When they saw her, they said they would take care of her, as long as in the future all the care the family provided would be rewarded with unpaid work. Nowadays, Shu Min works without receiving any kind of money, only care and a home for herself.
She is a young woman known for her kindness and shyness. When she speaks, her voice barely comes out, and the minimum that can be heard seems to be just a whisper. In addition to her calmness in the most difficult moments, she still manages to smile, even if it is a weak smile.
GAO YIXUAN
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Gao (高): It is a common surname in China, meaning "high" or "elevated", symbolizing a person with high status or a good social position. It can also convey the idea of something noble or grand.
Yixuan (一轩): This name is composed of two characters:
Yi (一): It means "one" or "unique". It can symbolize uniqueness, unity or perfection.
Xuan (轩): It means "elevated", "pavilion" or "refined". It can also refer to a beautiful, elevated space, or be associated with something high-level or sophisticated.
──── ◇ ──────── ◇ ────
Gao Yixuan is a young disciple of the Jing Ye Meng sect, known for his strong personality and striking presence. Always outgoing and full of energy, he loves to be the center of attention and makes a point of cheering up those around him, whether with jokes, challenges or grand gestures. Since he was little, he was taught never to show weakness or vulnerability, which led him to hide his insecurities behind a confident smile and bold attitudes.
Although his determination is unshakable, this mentality has always prevented him from asking for help when he needs it, which eventually resulted in those close to him distancing himself from him, since whenever help was offered, Gao Yixuan would refuse with a sarcastic smile.
FAMILIES | SECTS
FENG
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Feng - 丰 : "abundance" or "prosperity", representing wealth and fullness.
──── ◇ ──────── ◇ ────
A family with almost 4 generations, its first generation was made up of simple people, they didn't have much, but from the beginning they had worked hard to achieve the wealth they have.
From the 3rd generation onwards, the members stopped caring about effort and work, and began to have total arrogance and ego, which gradually ruined the family's image.
JING YE MENG SECT
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净夜盟 - Peaceful Night Alliance
──── ◇ ──────── ◇ ────
LeLiang Nation sect, uses musical instruments and art as a form of cultivation. It has one of the most renowned masters in the area of cultivation, and is known mainly for the freedom its students have.
PLACES
HEAVENLY KINGDOM
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A place located in the heavens, almost like a better replica of the original, the kingdom of heaven is exactly like earth, with all the nations located in their proper places. However, the only difference is that, besides being among the clouds, everyone lives in peace and joy.
On a higher plane, there is the Main Street of heaven, where the most renowned masters and gods live. In the center, there is the Celestial Palace, an elegant building that has an enormous red carpet throughout its interior and columns on the sides that divide the stands where the noblest of heaven sit during meetings. And obviously, the center of attention, the enormous staircase that leads to the Throne of the Emperor of Heaven.
WENYU NATION
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Located in the Southeast, the Wenyu nation is renowned for its great wealth and power. The nation has a separation that separates the common people and lower class from the nobility, with extreme rules, among which was that the common people could not enter the noble division unless it was for work or commerce.
The nation's main Main Street had a variety of goods, from arts bought from other nations to fruits grown in the region, streets that further proved that Wenyu was a noble and luxurious place, buildings all wrapped in gold, even the simple lampposts that illuminated the streets.
LIANGLE NATION
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Located in the south, the LiangLe nation is known for its diverse art and culture. Along its streets, you can see many walls with paintings in many different styles.
A lively nation, in every small place, such as cafes or simple shops, there will be music and a contagious energy. LiangLe is known for its diverse market, which is located on the Wenxin Jie Main Street, groups of people showcasing their dances or talents to the public, musicians trying to promote their art alongside talented artists, and of course, merchants with their strong voices echoing through the market, presenting their wares.
FENG MANSION
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A huge house surrounded by a lake, it has an elegant structure, from columns with gold leaf details to decorations from rare collections. It has almost 8 rooms in total, all decorated with the greatest luxury, the central hall being described as an elegant and cozy place.
The lake is surrounded by various plants known in the region, such as lotuses, and grand trees whose leaves fall over the water.
GLOSSARY
CULTIVATORS/CULTIVATION: Cultivators are practitioners of spirituality and martial arts who seek to gain understanding of the will of the universe while achieving personal strength and extending their lifespan. Cultivation is a long process marked by "stages." Traditionally, there are nine stages, but this is often simplified in fiction. Some common stages are noted below, though the exact definitions of each stage may depend on the setting.
◇ Qi Condensation/Qi Refinement
◇ Establishment of the Foundation
◇ Nucleus formation/golden core
◇ Nascent Soul (Yuan Yao)
◇ Transformation of Divinity
◇ Great Ascension
◇Heavenly Tribulation
CULTIVATION MANUAL: Cultivation manuals and sutras are common plot devices in xianxia/wuxia novels. They provide detailed instructions on secret or advanced training techniques and are sought after by those wishing to advance their cultivation levels.
Flowers:
LOTUS: Associated with Buddhism. It emerges unsullied from the muddy waters in which it grows and thus symbolizes the utmost purity of heart and mind.
PINE (TREE): Symbol of everlasting feeling/eternal affection.
PLUM (FLOWERING TREE): A symbol of endurance, as it blooms in the depths of winter. The plum blossom is also one of the four flowers of the ideal Confucian gentleman.
WILLOW (TREE): A symbol of lasting affection and friendship. It is also a symbol of farewell and can mean "to ask someone to stay." "Meeting under the willows" can connote a rendezvous.
GHOSTS: Ghosts are the restless spirits of deceased sentient creatures. Ghosts produce yin energy and crave yang energy. They come in a variety of previous personalities or are entirely mindless, and may actively attempt to interact with the living world to achieve a goal or be little more than a remnant shadow of their former lives.
DAOISM: Taoism is the philosophy of the dao (道), known as "the way." Following the dao involves coming into harmony with the natural order of the universe, which makes one a "true human, safe from external harm and able to affect the world without intentional action." Cultivation is a concept based on Taoist beliefs.
DEMONS: A race of immensely powerful and innately supernatural beings. They are almost always aligned with evil.
DISCIPLES: Members of the cultivation sect are known as disciples. Disciples live on sect grounds and have a strict hierarchy based on skill and seniority. They are divided into Core, Inner, and Outer ranks, with Core being the highest. Higher-ranking disciples receive better housing and other resources.
Upon formally joining a sect as a disciple or student, the sect becomes like the disciple's new family: teachers are like parents and peers are like siblings. Because of this, betrayal or abandonment of the sect is considered a profound transgression of the Confucian values of filial piety. This is also the origin of many of the honorifics and titles used for martial arts.
SECT*: A cultivation sect is an organization of individuals united by their dedication to the practice of a particular cultivation method or martial arts. A sect may have a signature style. Sects are led by a single leader, who is supported by sect seniors. They are not necessarily related by blood.
Colors :
WHITE: Death, mourning, purity. Used at funerals for both the deceased and the bereaved.
BLACK: Represents the Heavens and the Tao.
RED: Happiness, good fortune. Used for weddings.
YELLOW/GOLD: Wealth and prosperity, often reserved for the emperor.
BLUE/GREEN (CYAN): Health, prosperity, and harmony.
PURPLE: Divinity and immortality, often associated with nobility
TERMINOLOGY
*ARRAY:
Area containing magic circles, anyone who finds themselves within an array falls under the effect of the magic(s) associated with the array.
*TALISMANS:
They can be written on paper with ink, or even drawn in the air, and can usually be used in different ways, such as protection, attack, sealing and communication. To activate them, spiritual or divine energy is required, becoming stronger depending on the power of the person using them.
BOWING:
Bowing is a social custom in many Asian nations. There are several varieties of bowing in Chinese culture, distinguished by how low the bow goes, as well as any associated hand gestures. A deeper bow indicates more respect and those of low status. The kowtow is the most respectful level of bowing. "Standing in a bow" means maintaining a bowing position while leaving someone's presence.