|
Name: Tingyun Titles: Character Details: A silver-tongued Foxian girl, Tingyun is the Head Representative of the Whistling Flames, a merchant guild officially approved by the Sky-Faring Commission.She has such a way with words that often leaves her audience eagerly waiting for more of her captivating tales. As a result of her supervision, the Xianzhou trade fairs are now known throughout the galaxy."Try one's best to avoid conflict when possible, and persuade those who can be persuaded" — that's Tingyun's motto. Character Stories I and II: Story I:here's a saying: "Foxians are born to do business." Linger a little while at the Sleepless Earl teahouse, and you'll come to appreciate this fact."There's something you don't know," says that Foxian woman, wafting her exquisite reticulated fan as she gazes at the skeptical man before her, "different lands raise their special type of life. If Sandcitrus seeds from the Bitterwater Confederacy are transplanted into the sacred soils of Vonwacq, then they will grow into sweet oranges. This is naturally due to the fertile and balanced soils of Vonwacq. And if the lightfish fry from Thalassa are introduced to my world and raised by the Vidyadhara at Scalegorge Waterscape, they can double in size to over three feet long.""The Whistling Flames' latest plan is to carefully select species with commercial potential, and relay them via trade starskiffs for safe transport. Within one month, you'll get the first batch of goods back. These goods would add to the glamours of the crystal palace at the bottom of the Thalassan abyss, and can even become a unique trading products for your nation."The man with gills blows out a few bubbles, which represents a slightly hesitant agreement in his culture. Then, his larynx pronounces some wondrous syllables: "I thought the Whistling Flames were speculative traders involved in arbitrage. Are you planning to change the current situation in the logistics industry, where the IPC reigns supreme? Tell me, how much do you want?""For a return service, we take ninety percent. A broker just flips product from one hand to the other. Or rather, from one finned limb to the other. As the saying goes, "Real business talks no profit." Only by benefiting others can we hope to benefit ourselves. As long as the Lord of the Abyss in the Crystal Palace assents, then I'd like to enter into a contr— Ahem, I mean a permanent partnership. What do you say?"On this day, Tingyun not only closed on a deal, but also formed a new friendship for the Alliance.Story II:Tingyun was always different from the others.Foxians are synonymous with the quick and the agile. Their lightning-fast reflexes and keen senses have resulted in this, and it also makes for cheeky, playful juvenile Foxians. But Tingyun? This pointy-eared girl always looks fluffy and soft. Not only does she not vigorously pull on others' fur when meeting someone, she herself remains calm even if someone pulls on her fur. With an innocent smile and her sweet voice, she would even urge the other person to stop...It's not hard to understand differences in human nature. But compared to her Foxian peers all busy tearing up their homes, Tingyun — who'd never been any good at combat — frustrated her parents who both served in the military at the Sky-Faring Commission. Seeing as Tingyun wouldn't inherit the family business, the two shook off their prejudices and let their daughter blossom freely...As a result, a dazzling new star of trade dawned aboard the Xianzhou Luofu. With her warm personality and talented skills, this Foxian girl successively completed trade missions to sixteen different planets, and re-signed another bilateral agreement with the IPC. The famous Xianzhou trade bonanza — the Grand Fair — also developed into a famous fiesta under her advocacy."In business, it's best to work with persuadable types. For those who are less persuadable, cooling them down with a fan works wonders."Tingyun's Theme ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: Yukong Titles: Character Details: The Xianzhou Luofu's Head of the Sky-Faring Commission is gentle, yet seasoned and authoritative.Having been a pilot since young, she had become the commission's head with her outstanding combat achievements, yet she no longer flies due to a particularly brutal battle.Now, her shine had already dimmed as she shifted her focus to official duties, but she is always seen guiding the course of the Luofu. Character Stories I and II: Story I:"You know, only three kinds of people can work for the Sky-Faring Commission. Those who have the gift of gab, those who seek excitement, and those who crave to return to the stars — no exceptions."We are different from the Xianzhou natives with their unending lives. Even though Foxians are also considered a long-life species, our lives span only three centuries. Therefore, many of us are more passionate about enjoying the fun in life — chasing the best moments in life with all our heart and soul.Me? I am currently 246 years old. I am one step into my grave and have long gone past my days of merriment. You might know of my decisive and dashing ways when I was younger. In the tales of older Xianzhou natives, you might even hear of my achievement — such as running six consecutive red lights.I had just become an adult back then, and I was dragged in front of the general for the infringement... Guess what happened? The general wanted me to join the Sky-Faring Commission purely because of my piloting prowess, and he thought I was going to make it big in the Sky-Faring Commission.Back then, he used to call me the "Delinquent Girl." Later on, they all called me "Ace."Story II:"Old decrepits are useless, like torn strips of clothes hanging on a wooden stick."Years ago, I heard an old poem not from here. Its structure, rhyme, and form were different from Xianzhou poems. I don't like it, but this particular sentence stayed with me, like a ghost I could not chase away.I've witnessed how Outworlders age, how their skin sag, their muscles shrink, how their brains degenerate irreversibly, how their bones weaken, and their eyes cloud over...I can understand their envy towards us. I used to think the same way, that we will never grow old, that we will maintain the same appearance of youth.Every time we head out for a battle, I always promise my comrades, "You just worry about holding onto your weapon. I'll bring you back to Xianzhou."But I broke my promise. After that fateful battle, only I returned to the Sky-Faring Commission, dragging my own damaged body.I can never return. I understood that then.From then on, I tunnel-visioned on official documents, abandoning any dream of returning to the sky.I grew old."Some were born to be poets, some to be warriors — I was born to mingle among the stars."Luofu Battle Theme ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: Huohuo (& Tail) Titles: Character Details: While this Foxian girl may seem fragile and weak, she is actually a judge-in-training of the Ten-Lords Commission, responsible for capturing evil.The judges sealed a heliobus named "Tail" onto her tail, making her a "Cursed One" with a tendency to attract evil beings.Despite trembling at the sight of evil spirits, she is always entrusted with the arduous task of eradicating their presence.She is well aware of her incompetence but lacks the courage to resign, so she forces herself to press on despite her fear. Character Stories I and II: Story I:When Huohuo awakes at the Ten-Lords Commission, she finds herself confronted not with novelty, but with an atmosphere that sent shivers down her spine.Sensing her unease, a white-haired judge addresses her with gentleness."Tell me, little girl, how did you come across that fire?""...It was along the roadside and about to extinguish, so I... I wished to help it.""So you put that fire on your tail? Why did you do that?""I... I don't know... It happened before I realized it... I'm so sorry.""You don't need to apologize, kind-hearted girl. However, you'll be under our custody from now onwards.""Th—Thank you, Madam.""Call me Hanya.""Ah, thank you, Madam Hanya. I... my name is Huohuo."The thoughts of the judge named Hanya wandered back to a few days ago.The Ten-Lords Commission received a distress call, and she took the task to locate the Foxian girl who was about to be consumed by a heliobus. At the moment, Hanya couldn't repel the heliobus by force without posing a threat to Huohuo, who was still a little girl. As a result, she had to seal the heliobus onto the girl's tail. Fortunately, the heliobus decided to start from her tail, giving Hanya a chance to save her life."...Was my decision right or wrong?"Hanya mutters to herself.Story II:While the heliobus is short-tempered and arrogant, it is not impossible to communicate with. It could not tolerate Huohuo's sobbing and wailing, and didn't quite understand how Foxians socialize — for example, it didn't understand why the girl would be ostracized by her classmates due to "her tail being on fire.""You! Tear off that talisman!""No! Madam Hanya said the talisman must not be removed under any circumstances...""Did you hear them? How dare they mock me!? I've never been humiliated like this before!""No... they're not mocking you... but me...""Then you go teach them a lesson yourself. If you can't avenge me for this insult, then don't talk to me anymore.""B—But... I'm scared...""Alright, fine. You know what? Just take a deep breath, make your mind go blank, and don't think about anything. I'll handle this problem for you.""B—But... Madam Hanya said... the talisman must not be removed...""Don't worry. Just do what I say."...When she regained consciousness, the legend of "the possessed demoness" was already circulating.After that, Huohuo went and found out a lot about the heliobus' past. Eons ago, a heliobus named Ignamar was defeated by a Luofu general and fragmented into numerous shards, then sealed in the Creation Furnace. This particular shard escaped, and it represents the arrogant side of Ignamar and wouldn't condescend to possessing anything, living as a vagabond for centuries... until Huohuo chanced upon it in its utter exhaustion."Then I'll call you 'Tail' to avoid unwanted attention..."The heliobus said nothing, its silence being a sign of acquiescence."I can use this banner to dispel demons... but it also comes in handy when signaling my surrender..."Huohuo's Theme ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: Jing Yuan Titles: The Divine Foresight Character Details: The Divine Foresight, one of the Seven Arbiter-Generals. Although his appearance may be one of indolence, he is more meticulous than seemingly meets the eye. He does not consider saving a situation from the brink of disaster to be a show of wisdom, and is thus fastidious with routine affairs to avoid any potential problems. Due to his careful management, Xianzhou has enjoyed many years of peace, with Jing Yuan's seemingly lazy demeanor having earned him the moniker of the "Dozing General." Character Stories I and II: Story I:"Master Diviner, why do we use a square board but round pieces for starchess?""Perhaps it's based around the round sky and square earth? Ancient civilizations believed the earth was flat. This set is modeled after the old days of nation-states and imperial conquest over a singular planet, so naturally it's square. As for the pieces... People back then believed the sky was a round dome, and chess pieces spun around like stars in that dome to reflect in human lives. That's why they are also round.""No, no. That's incorrect.""I've already predicted your next forty-eight moves. Jing Yuan, if you want to distract me with questions, I urge you to stop.""Ah, how could you suspect such malice?""Don't interrupt me. Keep talking.""It's true that chess is a metaphor and describes the human condition. The rules of war are clearly established, with each piece's actions fixed — advance, retreat, and jump. Advance or retreat is always in an orderly manner, which is why the board's square in its orderliness. As for the pieces, the sages said "use intellect with subtlety and suaveness." As each piece is meant to be sentient individuals, they are therefore circular.""The origins of starchess are covered in the Gleaned Pearls of Verdure. I've read lots, Jing Yuan — why are you brazenly lying to me!""Cloud Knight moves to C3, taking your King. You lost, Lady Fu.""Hang on! How did I not see this in my predictions? B—Back up. Let me see that move again.""Chess pieces are like people. Each has its own sentience. There is no going back on the chessboard. How can anyone return to the past? Haha, how can the head of a Commission act like a sore loser?"Story II:Of an alliance spanning six mighty Xianzhou ships, the Cloud Knights emerged out of the ashes of the Flaming Catastrophe. They swore an oath to defend the Xianzhou ships and follow Reignbow's decree of The Hunt, a tradition carried out to this day. Despite the incredible longevity of long-life species, few generals have been able to pass the century mark after taking up the mantle due to the bloody nature of warfare. This is not so much fate as it is tradition. As the armed defenders of Xianzhou against crusading abominations, generals not only must take the lead for planning and dispatching, but also take the lead into battle. Amidst countless names erased too quickly and too cruelly in the annals of history, the Divine Foresight Jing Yuan, leader of the Cloud Knights of the Xianzhou Luofu, stands out from the rest with his centuries-old reign. Under his wise strategy, the Luofu's Cloud Knights have made a name for themselves among the Alliance, achieving an exemplary record. While there are those who complained that he feared combat so much so that he seldom resorted to arms, it remains true that his intellect is no less resourceful than the tip of the sharpest sword in solving thorny problems."A truly masterful chess player has no brilliant moves. People clamor excitedly over displays of extreme cunning, forgetting to worry about the overall dangers of the situation." Jing Yuan's Theme------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: Luocha Titles: Character Details: An elegant and handsome blond young man who carries a giant coffin on his back.As an intergalactic merchant, he was unfortunately caught in the Xianzhou Luofu's Stellaron crisis.And that is how he found his mastery of medicine to come in handy. Character Stories I and II: Story I:"What's your occupation?""Traveling merchant.""What is the purpose of your entry?""Commercial business.""Do you vow not to violate the laws and regulations of the Xianzhou Alliance, to conduct business activities in accordance with the law, and not to conduct activities outside the scope of the visa permit?""Of course. I will follow the law.""Do you vow not to conduct any illegal research related to immortality?""I... promise.""Great, please sign here.""Mr. Luocha, welcome to the Xianzhou Luofu."Story II:"Hey, do you still remember that guy? Came here often, carries a huge box...""You mean Luocha?""Yeah, Luocha... He's an Outworder, right? But from the way he works and speaks, he feels like those older Xianzhou natives. Has he lived here for long? But then again, he had kept his unique and exotic fashion style...""Who knows? Maybe it's because his blond hair doesn't match the clothing of Xianzhou."He would sometimes think of home.The devils, the church, the insanity... None of those are good memories.People would clamber to high places in groups just so they could witness their city's demise.If everything were to end, then there shall be at least one witness."Why do you still wear the clothes of your home world?" Someone asked."It reminds me of the path I must keep treading. That is all," Luocha answered."This coffin isn't mine. I was merely entrusted to take the body back to the Luofu."Luocha's Theme------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: Yanqing Titles: Character Details: The spirited lieutenant of the Xianzhou Luofu, and also its most proficient swordsman.He was born for the sword and is obsessed with it. Whenever a sword rests in Yanqing's hand, none would dare underestimate this genius still in the early days of his youth.Perhaps the only thing capable of dulling his treasured blade's sharp edge is time. Character Stories I and II: Story I:Youngest lieutenant in the history of the Cloud Knights. Retainer to General Jing Yuan. Collector of antique swords from the Artisanship Commission... With all these auspicious titles and street gossip swirling around this one wunderkind, it's scarcely believable that he is still a child.Ever since he could remember, Yanqing would follow Jing Yuan around like a shadow, helping the Seat of Divine Foresight resolve problems. And Jing Yuan in return taught him the art of swordplay — and the art of war. After years of training, Yanqing's mind is as quick and sharp as the spotless sword he keeps.Cloud Knight combat drills attest that controlling six simultaneous flying daggers is something even Cloud Knight chief drillmasters can't master in a century. The phrase agreed among the Xianzhou people to describe the combat talents of Yanqing is "A gifted swordsman born to fight."Story II:It's recorded in the military annals of the Cloud Knights how Jing Yuan came to discover the young boy, stood his ground against public opinion, and incorporated him into the armed forces. However, in the family lineage column, Yanqing's lineage was relegated to the category of unknown.Most talented officers display military talent from childhood. For millennia, several talented unicorns have emerged ahead of the pack during the hunt. However, Yanqing earned a military commission before he even reached the age of majority. Some would criticize that "the general is absurd" on this matter.However, this genius' debut on the battlefield was even more explosive, and any critical voices soon fell silent.When hunting near a distant star, the monstrously huge mechabeast Windguard created by the Denizens of Abundance was pulverizing defense forces as though they were ants. But this young boy met against it face-to-face, claiming its head and routing the enemy to the point of collapse.As for subsequent victories: He broke the borisin's Devouring Wolf formation with Jing Yuan, beheading three Brood Lords. He also fought viciously against the wingweavers, ultimately sinking their almighty Cloudseizer Fleet... These are just a small footnote in the annals of his courageous swordplay."I only called you 'teacher' because I admire your skill in this area. Don't expect me to start taking it easy on you."Yanqing's Theme
|
awake
blah
