Fatherly Asura

-not a thing that stood to any ceremony, for here this Daoist faced a disparity of cultivators beneath the spectrum of realms.

A girl of eight moons rode tall on her [Spirit Horse], and lowered her qiang in obvious challenge. An [Ice Affinity] pit against one servant, whose death by my order did not brighten the mood of any tribal soul.

Fourteen of my household were gifted in this manner, proving only what waste their paths merited and how wonting they were against the enigmas beneath these canvas tents.

Children, Elders, and all those between, no eyelids raised with judgement save for those overcome with their lust.

I would paint the scene.

The corpses of my household, noted now by me to be of composite parts- intended for the young girl’s use. [Water Qi], and [Air Qi], and shapings of the [Dao] that pushed it from [Mist] or a facet of [Rain] to take the form of [Ice].

Amidst the tents, she descended, and showed why these cousins live in their self-styled Sacred Lands.

Her hand came down, and plucked, returning not their souls to the Wheel, but to the torment of the void. For her actions had them cinder, and ash, and in place of silent mounds they became a pearl of tumultuous white.

A pill of demonic inspiration, that she swallowed thereafter.

- “Tribes at War, an Introduction” - Collated tales by Daoist [Laughing Yellow Plain]

It was the following morning that Fu faced the scrutiny of the miserly Contribution Hall senior, and his ill-entertained gaze.

“-with the tithe,” explained Fu.

“The gains from missions are to be doled out by your Squad Leader, disciple. In presentation, and by your words, am I to take it that these were gained outside their permissions?”

The Heavens are indeed cruel this [Season].

With a neutral expression, Fu made to return his looted spoils from the counter where they were splayed. Though a hand rose to stop him. “It is possible to judge these with an unbiased view, and award contribution as such. But know, disciple, that you may come off less favourably than if your Squad Leader had awarded you personally. The Sect will take their tithe based on value, and once the ratio is met whatever is left is your own. Yes?”

“My Squad Leader’s duties have him well occupied, and this junior would appreciate any assistance the senior may provide.”

The topography of wrinkles atop the man’s brow shifted, arching one brow. “What a diligent disciple, one whose sole intentions are to spare their betters from trouble. I am sure.”

Fu’s intentions were truly as clear as limpid water, it seemed.

However the man before him swept a hand across the herbs, pills and trinkets all the same, and had many vanish into nothing. “A {Qi Condensation Pill]” he remarked. “This will be returned, for why would a disciple rid himself of a Sect-created gift? They do not go spare, yes?”

The fool swallowed the lump that rose in his throat. “As you say, senior. This junior had surely mistaken his own belongings for what he intends to exchange.”

“Yes, for there are few reasons why a disciple would have these in such abundance that they might be sold,” warned the senior, to Fu’s wary nod. “The conversion for this remaining sum nears two thousand contribution points, will you accept it?”

A second nod came, and he materialised his [Contribution Array] after confirmation.