“Two years or so,” Wang Jun said. “By then, I’ll have completed my family’s task. After that, I’ll return to Gold Leaf City.”
The frosty ground crunched beneath Hong Xin’s feet as she approached a red building in the distance. It was surrounded by a forest of golden trees. According to Hong Yinyue, it would only allow those with an invitation to enter.
“The leaves are strange,” Hong Xin whispered as she nabbed one off a nearby tree. Instead of the constant gold coloring that should have persisted across the seasons, it was covered in thin red lines. They increased in number until the trees near the Red Dust Pavilion had completely changed in color.
“Only two years,” Hong Xin said. “After two years in this place, I’ll finally be ready to help him. I won’t be a burden, and I won’t leave his side no matter what happens.”
She strengthened her resolve and walked toward the red building in the woods. She passed by the golden trees before arriving at a small clearing surrounded by red ones. As she stood there, the red leaves fell around her. The wind blew and whipped up thousands of leaves until her figure was completely obscured by corrupted crimson.
-- End Book 5 --
The Cultivation Systems
Qi Cultivation
• Qi Condensation – condense the qi of heaven and earth into a liquid in your dantian
o Stages 1-3: form a qi pool
o Stages 4-6: form a qi lake
o Stages 7-9: form a qi ocean
• Foundation Establishment – form pillars from your qi, setting a firm foundation for your future cultivation.
o Traditionally, a cultivator forms between one and nine pillars, which are affixed to the bottom of the qi oceans.
o The liquid qi in this stage is more viscous, its quantity and quality is dependent on the number of pillars.
o Pillars are grown from the bottom up, gradually forming the foundation with which to form your core
• Core Formation – condense your foundation into a core, the basis of your future growth
• Rune Carving -???
Body Cultivation
• Body Strengthening – basic body strengthening and purification. Typically, the body is fed with qi and then refined with an opposing qi, removing any impurities
• Bone Forging – bones are the basis of strength and durability. The strongest body is nothing without strong bones supporting it.
• Marrow Refining – marrow is the basis of your blood, which feeds the remainder of your body in turn.
Soul Cultivation
• Innate Soul – cultivators are born with an innate soul, and it grows as the cultivator advances in qi condensation. Eventually, the soul will make a rapid breakthrough into incandescence.
• Incandescent Soul – the soul begins to shine with incandescent light. Advanced soul manipulation of objects and mental communication is now possible.
• Resplendent Soul – wrap the soul in a resplendent vestment
Note to Readers
If you’ve enjoyed this book, I would greatly appreciate it if you left a rating on the site where you purchased it. Ratings lead to credibility in this competitive marketplace, and by leaving one, you signal to the world that this book is worth reading.
As some of you might know, I release each book as I write it. It wasn’t necessary for you to buy this book, but your support is greatly appreciated. If you are so inclined, you can continue reading as I write at:
https://royalroadl.com/fiction/16320/painting-the-mists
I can’t promise fully edited or proofread content, but I will do my best to continue maintaining frequent and high-quality releases.
If you would like to receive bimonthly updates on writing progress, releases, and the life of Patrick Laplante, subscribe to the Painting the Mists newsletter at http://eepurl.com/dymvO1. You can also find a link to the newsletter at www.paintingthemists.com. As a bonus for subscribing, you’ll receive exclusive biography sketches for each of the key characters, starting with Huxian!
Other ways to contact me or keep in touch:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RedMiragePtM/
Twitter: @RedMirage_PtM
Acknowledgments
As I continue to write, I find that this list of acknowledgments grows. There are far too many people to thank—if I missed you, I’m sorry. It wasn’t intentional.
First of all, thank you for the beta readers, Denis Laplante (my brother), Dave Yeung (who has been providing feedback since the start of the series), Sarah, Psiioniic (RR), Astrael (RR), and Savane (RR).
Just like before, I would like to acknowledge my parents, who continue to encourage me on my journey in writing this novel series. Special thanks go to my father this time, who started reading and caught up to the end of Book 4 in 3 weeks. Thank you to my two brothers and my sister.
Thank you to all my friends once again. I recently took some time off work to focus on writing, and after talking to them, I’m convinced that I’ve made the right decision.
Thank you to my girlfriend, Xing Wen, who continues to support me as I write this series.
Many thanks to Crystal Watanabe for her excellent support while editing my novel. My writing continues to improve with her help, so I’m glad to have her on board.
Thank you to Petros Stefanidis for the excellent cover and the new look.
Finally, thank you to my readers. I write to tell stories to people, and a story is worth nothing if it isn’t shared.
About the Author
Patrick Georges Laplante was born in a small town in the Canadian prairies in 1987. He began publishing Painting the Mists online under the pseudonym RedMirage in January 2018.
An engineer by trade, he graduated from the University of Alberta in 2009 and completed his master’s degree in 2011. While writing and engineering have little in common, he actively utilizes his experiences and attention to detail in fleshing out a vivid world and answering the “whys,” which are often left unanswered in Xianxia fiction.
As an avid vegan, he aims to prompt internal reflection in his readers through various themes like non-violence, choice, and begging the question: Is personhood restricted to humanity? And what is proper conduct, morality, and love?
His work is inspired by a combination of Western fiction, Dungeons and Dragons, Chinese web novels, and various Japanese, Korean, and Chinese comics and illustrated novels.
Other Wuxia Novels
Are you a compulsive reader of Wuxia and Xianxia like I am? Are you looking for something to binge read while you wait for the next book release? Be sure to check out these original English novels on Amazon.
World of Beasts by Tinalynge
Nirvana Rebirth by Shadowsfinger
Legends of Ogre Gate by Jeremy “Deathblade” Bai
Corrupted Crimson Page 41