NOVEL NEXT 130: Dim-lit Viewing Parties
Having survived their first mission in Westriver—with a few extra complications—Lin Songmei, Yan Mingqing, Han Youhong, Wang Taigang, and Zhao Liying settled into a groove after recovering from their respective wounds.
They’d do a week of missions, learning, battling, and gaining new insights. They’d then take one or two weeks off to recuperate from their wounds, rest, and digest. At the same time, they also tried to have a game night every few days. Of course, it was only a game night in name. The activities would vary more than not. Whether it was an improv night, a video game night, a board game night, a long meal and chat night, or a combination of multiple, the goal was just to have fun.
And fun they had! With their lives in rhythm, it wasn’t long before a little over a year passed in the blink of an eye.
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Meanwhile, far from Westriver, in a lavish theater room decked out with long tables of food... Though only filled with a handful of people, the room was boisterous. A wine glass was present in every hand, long evening dresses, high heels, immaculate suits, shined shoes, everyone was dressed to the tens.
Yet, in contrast to their luxurious outfits, the small group was splayed out across a couple of couches, chatting as a remote was passed around to queue videos on the big screen.
“Daoist Times put out a new video, anyone want to watch? It’s a special on last year’s loaded cultivation class.” One young man asked the group. Being the youngest by a fair margin, the man, though comfortable on a couch, still spoke in the most formal and respectful tone out of everyone there.
“Of course, put it on! It’s always a must-watch!”
Shrugging at the older woman who gave an exuberant affirmation, the man put it on, dimming the lights at the same time.
[Welcome back to the Daoist Times! Specifically, welcome back to our new ongoing series: The Cultivation of Talent!]
[Today’s episode is a special feature on the meteoric rise of last year’s cultivation class. We’ll be bringing you all exclusive information about these young cultivators just bursting with talent. Specifically, we’ll be focusing on their current cultivation progress and context towards their reputations. As your host, as always, I’ve gathered here today a number of experts from a variety of sects. Please welcome them!]
Fast forwarding through the introductions, the young man played the video once more from where the discussion actually began—the ten minute mark. How did the Daoist Times have so many sponsorships?
[So, I guess, as the host, I should guide our discussion. The first question I want to ask then is what separates this specific disciple class? Why should we focus on it more so than let's say... the year before last year, or this year’s class?]
[That’s a really great question,] an older man answered, stroking his long white beard as the camera switched to focus on him. [I’ve been analyzing and tracking cultivation classes for close to a century now, and I must say, there’s not much you can’t say about this class. It’s loaded with talent from the top to the bottom. Of course, though, the main talking point is about high-end talent. The top of the top. They’re truly unique.]
Raising his eyebrows, the host drummed his fingers against the table, motioning for other experts to chime in as well. [Why so unique? Give me a few names I can tangibly look towards to define the future.]
[Well, there’s one party that immediately jumps to mind.] One lady chimed in, rifling through a stack of papers, pulling out one with a number of colorful tabs stuck to it. [They haven’t registered under an official name yet. They’ve gone through ‘Taigang’s gym bros,’ ‘Lowly maids and butlers of the ice queen,’ ‘#1 consumer of lychee jelly,’ among a number of others. However, we experts have given them the nickname ‘Ghost Legion.’]
With a series of “Ohhh”’s and “Nice name!”’s sounding out through the dark room, everyone quieted down once more to listen to the video.
[My, what a name! If you would, care to explain and give me some context as to who’s in ‘Ghost Legion’? And give me some of their feats as well. I'm sure our listeners are sitting at the edges of their seats, starving for information about this exclusive information.] The host murmured, leaning forward as he motioned for anyone to take the floor.
[Sure, I can take over,] a handsome young man grinned, pushing his glasses up. [I was part of the group that actually decided on this name. It’s a bit of a two-fold meaning actually.]
[So advanced!]
[No, no, the party deserves it,] The expert reassured, [I’ll start with the members. Zhao Liying, Yan Mingqing, Wang Taigang, Han Youhong, and Lin Songmei. All of which are direct disciples. Heavy hitter names, I know. Contrary to most parties of famous up-and-coming stars, the party is very small, very low-key, and seems to be focused more on quality rather than quantity.]
[I see... Then let me ask the question I’m sure many are already thinking. Why don’t we see this happening more often then?] The host asked, a puzzled expression clear on his face.
[Well, it’s just their egos,] The earlier woman chimed in, stroking her chin as she pondered it over. [It’s rare to see this many children of such famous families put aside their egos and actually work together. Many times they will just surround themselves with disciples weaker than themselves. Inner disciples, from the same sect maybe, or other less talented direct disciples.]
[Indeed, we don’t have much information either on how this came to be,] the expert with the glasses continued, [One reason the party is called the Ghost Legion is because they’re so low-key. Only Zhao Liying and Wang Taigang have an active presence on social media, and both of them do not reveal any information regarding their cultivation levels or party movements. It’s because of this that we have no idea how this party came to be, or how they recruit! Is it a rigorous interview process? Is it a trial by combat? How tough must it be to have such a cohesive party?]
[Truly... mystifying,] The host agreed, appearing to sink into thought as he let a dramatic silence fall onto the episode.
With the episode cutting to an ad-break and sponsorship break, everyone in the room groaned, asking for a fast-forward. Obliging to the requests of the others, the young man in control of the remote—or delegated with responsibility of the remote, depending on how one saw it—fast-forwarded, letting the video continue as the host dove back into the discussion.
[What’s the other reason then, for this amazing party to be called the Ghost Legion?]
