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Salt and Blood - Chapter 135
<< Chapter 134| Table of Contents| Chapter 136>>2.41 - A Very Smart GirlNo one really knows why the second stage of core advancement is so different to the rest. Chalk it up to a quirk of the tide-Excerpt from ‘A Study of the Arcane Core’ by Professor BillerRose had never felt a pressure this great. Not inside her body, anyway. It was insane and she felt as if she might sink into the sand.Awakening her core had nothing on this. It wasn’t quite painful. Instead it felt as if there was a huge gravity in the centre of her abdomen that wanted...
Dao of Healing - Chapter 77
<< Chapter 76| Index| Chapter 78>>“Oh? The little tiger and his cub died already? Pathetic,” said the familiar voice.I froze, a shiver running down my spine at the stranger’s arrival. Turning my head, I saw someone I never expected to see again.Jing Ma strolled from the entrance of the cavern towards the centre, his hands clasped behind his back as if he were out for a relaxing walk through the city rather than entering a battlefield.I couldn’t move, the weight of his cultivation keeping all of us frozen in place. A scowl twisted my fac...
Chapter mistake (whoops)
Earlier today I posted a chapter for Dao of Healing that was labelled Chapter 75, but was in fact Chapter 76! Oops...To make up for this I have posted the actual Chapter 75 under the correct title, and left Chapter 76 up but renamed it and fixed the links.Honestly, this just means that you get 2 chapters today instead of 1. I'll still be posting the extra chapter on Friday for First Mate tier, so overall this is a plus for anyone in the First Mate tier as they get 6 chaps this week instead of 5.If you already read Chapter 75 earlier, then s...
Dao of Healing - Chapter 76
<< Chapter 75| Index| Chapter 77>>Despite knowing this was Hu Qing leading the Azure Tigers to attack my sect, I wasn’t sure what his objective was. Wang Ren had spread news of the healing sect’s arrival, so we expected them to attack sooner or later.However, the way these two had rushed to the cavern immediately confused me. They knew it was here.I could tell myself they simply felt the life signatures of the mortals hiding here, but that would be a lie. They had come for the spirit stones.Or perhaps… the natural treasure.A single glance...
Dao of Healing - Chapter 75
<< Chapter 74| Index| Chapter 76>>I stood on the roof of my house, looking towards the building which had been destroyed. Thankfully, it was the grasping life palace.I wasn’t pleased that all of Yu Chun and Du Wen’s efforts in decorating it had gone to waste, but it was better an empty hall than the houses my sect members had painstakingly built and decorated for themselves.Half of the palace had been blown away, leaving the interior exposed and the supporting beams groaning dangerously. My eyes locked onto five figures clad in black with m...
Salt and Blood - Chapter 134
<< Chapter 133| Table of Contents| Chapter 135>>2.40 - Reverse EngineeringIt is in our moments of greatest panic and fear that the most genius inventions are thrust into our heads as if a gift from the gods-Quoted from The Mad TinkerJason grunted as arcane energy raced into his swelling core from the surroundings. Rose had a hand placed against his back and was doing her best to siphon off as much of the energy as she could to lower the intake.It was a delicate balancing act. He was at risk of his core exploding if the awakening process didn’...
Dao of Healing - Chapter 74
<< Chapter 73| Index| Chapter 75>>As it turned out, acting was damn hard. People on Earth would occasionally criticise actors, claiming they had easy lives and got paid too much for an easy job. How wrong those haters were…I was doing my utmost to keep my face locked into a pensive and thoughtful expression. My eyebrows were raised halfway, not enough to make me appear surprised but perfectly lifted so that they resembled two swords that swept across my forehead.Lips curled downwards yet my mouth was raised ever so slightly, giving the impres...
Dao of Healing - Chapter 73
<< Chapter 72| Index| Chapter 74>>I sat on the floor of the grasping life palace, holding a cup of tea in my hands. I held the warm porcelain to my face, inhaling the aromatic herbal aroma and sighing as it soothed my frayed nerves.This was the first of many gifts Wang Ren had returned with. He’d obtained it from a trader in Two Horse Town, one of the nearby settlements. I was glad for the comfort and the sense of normalcy it brang to have something as simple as a cup of tea.We’d been living rather savagely in our first few days here. We fo...
Salt and Blood - Chapter 133
<< Chapter 132| Table of Contents| Chapter 134>>2.39 - Core MechanicsSometimes, trying to figure out how something was made is more difficult than creating it yourself from scratch-Quoted from Elmer Saff, of Saff & CompanyRose stood beside Daniel, staring at the complex workings of the tidestone engine. To her surprise, the ship they had stolen had an entirely unique design.She had figured out how the flagship’s engine worked, but it took a little bit of extra effort to figure this one out. Even knowing how the arcane energy flowed through th...
Dao of Healing - Chapter 72
<< Chapter 71| Index| Chapter 73>>“What happened to going slowly, foolish boy?” I scolded Teng Sheng, holding him up by the scruff of his neck until he was able to grasp hold of the cliff face himself.“Sorry,” he replied sheepishly, refusing to meet my gaze.I hadn’t meant to be so harsh, but we had almost died when he smashed into me and little Cui, knocking one of my hands from the stone. Luckily for all of us, my cultivation realm of six-star Qi Gathering allowed me to float in the air briefly and I was able to catch him before rega...
Salt and Blood - Chapter 132
<< Chapter 131| Table of Contents| Chapter 133>>2.38 - The Power of BloodNo one is closer to you than family. Even if you are split apart by feuds and hatred, nothing binds two souls deeper than blood.-Excerpt from ‘Annals of the Endless Oceans’ by various contributors“Your mother is huge!” Rose giggled, watching as an octopus larger than her village pounded and smashed the navy’s ships apart.The octopus she was sitting on shivered in agreement. She didn’t get words, only images and feelings, but they were all positive—the little ...
Dao of Healing - Chapter 71
<< Chapter 70| Index| Chapter 72>>Jing Ma stood at the base of Million Flowers Celestial Peak, just beyond the stone gate which we’d raised a few days earlier. Wang Ren and I stood with him to offer our final farewells.He’d said goodbye to the others before we descended the mountain and they were all busy with their own tasks. “Your visit was unexpected, but most welcome. I would be happy to have you as a guest in future, if your travels bring you this way again, Brother Jing,” I said with a nod of my head.“Indeed. You made a great sp...
Salt and Blood - Chapter 131
<< Chapter 130| Table of Contents| Chapter 132>>2.37 - Mama SquidWhat’s scarier than a colossal sea monster? A bigger one.-Excerpt from ‘Silversea Saga’ by Norris HowellRose froze in the water as the eerie sound reverberated through the surrounding ocean. The last time she’d heard a noise that deafening, it had been when she called on the ocean through her blessing.There was one issue—she hadn’t made a prayer.Which meant that whatever sea monster was on its way had simply stumbled upon the battle by chance. Rose knew that the creatu...
Dao of Healing - Chapter 70
<< Chapter 69| Index| Chapter 71>>I gazed at the stalactite that hung from the ceiling of the cave. The walls glistened gold, an endless treasure trove of spirit stones. I’d struck it rich, but that wasn’t even what my gaze was focused on.The stone stalactite looked plain to mortal eyes, but when observing it through spiritual senses, it was dazzling. The most concentrated drop of spiritual energy I’d ever encountered in my life lay within.With tentative steps I approached the stalactite, my gaze never leaving the energy held inside. As I...
Dao of Healing - Chapter 69
<< Chapter 68| Index| Chapter 70>>I sat on the roof of a wooden building, constructed in the traditional style of the Celestial Jade Empire. It resembled an ancient Chinese pagoda, but was far simpler in construction and made from wood harvested on Million Flowers Celestial Peak.We had to ensure they didn’t interrupt the natural formations while gathering materials to start building homes and buildings for the Grasping Life Sect, but it was mostly the flowers which powered the formation so it wasn’t too difficult.I felt somewhat lost. The f...
Dao of Healing - Chapter 68
<< Chapter 67| Index| Chapter 69>>Guan Chaoxing felt as if her life was being burnt away as a wildfire of qi raged within her dantian and into her vessel. Maintaining this form was still difficult. She’d barely broken through to two-star Core Forging with her master’s help.Her bloodline was becoming harder and harder to suppress with every star she achieved. That wasn’t a bad thing, but it made it more difficult to blend into the human-centric Celestial Jade Empire.The boy already knew her secret, or had guessed at it. The first time they...
Salt and Blood - Chapter 130
<< Chapter 129| Table of Contents| Chapter 131>>2.36 - The Watcher on the WavesThe names we give to the gods are not always the all encompassing truth of their existence. We can only give words to what we understand, but often the complexities of the divine elude our mortal understanding. How can we, whose lives are as ephemeral as a single wave to the deities of the pantheon, fathom what an endless existence might mean?-Quoted from the last words of Crestreader EshallianA weathered fisherman sat upon a rock, staring out at the endless blue exp...
Dao of Healing - Chapter 67
<< Chapter 66| Index| Chapter 68>>Once again I stumbled off the large flying sword after it buried itself in the ground. This time we were outside Young Miss Yu’s Blossom Parlour.I had not been here since the time I healed Du Wen from the fake pills that the Gao Clan spread through the city. I sighed as I realised in all the chaos I’d never had the chance to clear my reputation and eradicate the supply of the pills entirely.The Cloudy Falls Sect or Teng Shi would hopefully help the citizens in the aftermath, but I would’ve preferred to do...
Salt and Blood - Chapter 129
<< Chapter 128| Table of Contents| Chapter 130>>2.35 - Gutted and SearedEvery voyage leaves its mark. Death, destruction, love, adventure, betrayal. Whatever happens on the high seas, a person is forever changed by their experiences. The soul is not simply a reflection of our inner self, but a journal of our lives-Excerpt from ‘The Book of Berelis,’ by Jatharis the TidetouchedRose stumbled slightly as Everyn smacked into her arms. The prince was wiped out. Blood dripped from his mouth and nose and his eyes fluttered open and shut.She would ...
Dao of Healing - Chapter 66
<< Chapter 65| Index| Chapter 67>>I stared at the cat-turned-human cultivator who’d saved me from Elder Jin with an incredulous look in my eyes. She didn’t flinch under my gaze, standing there proudly after declaring that she was a threat to the entire Cloudy Falls Sect.“Even though a few bad apples are out to get me, don’t tell me you plan to destroy the sect?”“What? Of course not, idiot. Did your mother drop you on your head when you were born?” she snapped.“What do you mean by saying you are a terrifying threat to the Cloudy ...
Dao of Healing - Chapter 65
<< Chapter 64| Index| Chapter 66>>I could barely sense what was happening around me, even after Wang Ren fed me the healing pill. All I felt was the constant shaking of the earth and the titanic presences of Foundation Building masters clashing above my head.I regretted not having the chance to witness such a battle. It would surely allow my comprehension to advance in leaps and bounds. Perhaps healing them after would let me skip ahead a few small realms in my cultivation.However, I was unable to even raise my arms. Such dreams were pointless....
Salt and Blood - Chapter 128
<< Chapter 127| Table of Contents| Chapter 129>>2.34 - Crimson BaptismThe impact of a battle is often greater than the physical marks it leaves. Mental scars are invisible, yet cut us the deepest-Excerpt from ‘The Lasting Impacts of War and Death,’ by Professor Rathmere GreelRose flicked the blood from her borrowed blade. Even holding it loosely in her hand it felt wrong.Sunsplitter danced through the air as if it were an extension of her own body. Her arcane energy flowed through it uninterrupted and it sang as it cleaved through flesh and...
Dao of Healing - Chapter 64
<< Chapter 63| Index| Chapter 65>>“You dare reap the life of my Gao Clan’s younger generations in front of this grandfather!?” roared a man with jet black hair that hung down to his waist and a sharp nose like a sword.He fell from the heavens like a meteor and crashed against the street in front of Wang Ren. Every house within a dozen metres was flattened from the force of his landing.Killing intent rolled out of him in waves. Every mortal nearby exploded into a shower of blood instantly and Wang Ren was forced to his knees, even with the...
Dao of Healing - Chapter 63
<< Chapter 62| Index| Chapter 64>>I was on my knees. Blood streamed from my eyes in rivers, pouring down my chin and filling my mouth with the tang of iron. My soul felt as though it was being crushed into dust by the invisible hand of the heavens.Somehow I still resisted. The forbidden technique of the Gao Clan was as insidious and cruel as the rest of their techniques. I felt that even a one-star Foundation Building master might not be able to resist this technique from Gao Shan.My muscles and bones held on, the damage to my physical body min...
Salt and Blood - Chapter 127
<< Chapter 126| Table of Contents| Chapter 128>>2.33 - A Warrior’s ResolveWhen a determined man puts his mind to a task, there is little that can stop him in his tracks, save for the cold grasp of death itself-Quoted from Castell SaltbeardEveryn roared defiance to the heavens and the unfeeling oceans as he swung his sword. This was the final clash.Whoever’s resolve was stronger would determine the victor of this battle. In the wake of his swing, the golden sphere was ripped apart.The golden light was drawn into the commodore’s body, revea...
Dao of Healing - Chapter 62
<< Chapter 61| Index| Chapter 63>>Even as my chest was torn apart and I felt an immense pressure descending onto my very soul, I couldn’t help but grin through bloody teeth at Gao Shan. “Worm, you say?” I chuckled. “Worms are stronger than you think, arrogant bastard.”Gao Shan’s strength was ridiculous. Even with the numerous temperings my physical body had gone through he was still able to tear through my defences.However, that was false power. He was burning his vital qi as fuel to empower his technique. Right now it was a battle ...
Salt and Blood - Chapter 126
<< Chapter 125| Table of Contents| Chapter 127>>2.32 - Faith and PrideBlind devotion to the pantheon is a terrifying thing. Men can become devils while believing every death on their hands is an act of mercy-Excerpt from ‘The Darkness of Divinity’ by Alain Webb“The words of a sinner are nothing but sacrilege. You will fall and your soul will be cleansed by the almighty redeemer!” the commodore roared, stomping his foot against the deck.A wave of golden light burst forth, smashing into Aaron and Everyn like a charging doori. He gasped as...
Dao of Healing - Chapter 61
<< Chapter 60| Index| Chapter 62>>In every direction as far as I could sense, stretched a fleshy mass of pure white. It was difficult to tell for sure given the astronomical scale of the being, but I instantly knew what I was looking at.A worm larger than anything I’d ever known.Telling the true size of everything I was seeing was hard, being a sliver of consciousness in an almost empty void. We could’ve been shrunk down to the size of an atom for all I knew, but something told me that wasn’t the case.The rumbling hiss was the sound of th...
Dao of Healing - Chapter 60
<< Chapter 59| Index| Chapter 61>>I thought the void in my dantian was only a benefit, but it had produced this fearsome little devil that might put me into an early grave. Then again, could I blame the worm for looting a burning house?I coughed blood a dozen times as I fought to regain control against the spreading poison. My flesh blackened and rotted in its wake, my physique not powerful enough to resist.A tiny corner of my mind was trying to keep watch over the strange worm now crawling out of my broken dantian. I wondered if the damage was...
Salt and Blood - Chapter 125
<< Chapter 124| Table of Contents| Chapter 126>>2.31 - Olivan the OrdainedGods raised themselves from the world, but it is mortals who elevate them to the heavens-Excerpt from ‘Studies of the Pantheon’ by Archbishop Professor AlathanorPrince Everyn roared as he swung his colossal sword. Despite the mockery he faced for using such an unwieldy blade and the embarrassing loss he’d faced at the hands of Commodore Foulter, he refused to lay it down.He knew that this was his path and giving it up would be a betrayal of his pride and honour. How...
