*if (event_tangruo_skillcomp = 0) *set event_tangruo_skillcomp 1 When you arrive at the training grounds this morning, for your usual morning training, you are immediately attracted by the loud, booming [i]dragon roars[/i]. *choice #Investigate. *goto follow_the_sound #Continue on your way. You don't pay attention to the strange sounds, continuing on your way instead. *goto_scene free_roam *label follow_the_sound You follow the sound, curious as to who emits such noise and why. It doesn't take you long: you are far from alone in your inquisitiveness as you soon reach a crowd of disciples that watches one man train in fascination. The man, wearing only a pair of tight-fitting pants, swings his sword, each swing producing a howl of a mythological beast when it cuts through the air. The way he moves causes you, as a fellow Martial Artist, to gawk in fascination: his footwork is [i]perfect[/i]. Every step is steady and measured, yet instant in its execution. The man moves seamlessly, with a grace that can induce enlightenment in his observers, yet also acts with ferocity and in a straightforward manner. He's light on his feet, almost dancing with his blade, yet also seems to be unmovable and domineering. His whole sequence doesn't yield a sweat. You wonder, for how long he must've practiced for to make his upper body glisten underneath the sunlight? The man turns around and, if you had any doubts about who he is before, they disappear when those purple, prideful eyes land on you. [i]Tang Ruo.[/i] Seeing you, he stabs his sword into the ground, leans on its hilt and smirks. "Came for advice on how to properly train?" *temp won_against_tangruo false *temp fought_against_tangruo false *gosub_scene cslib_string find history "prologue_reached_houtian|" *if cslib_ret > 0 *set won_against_tangruo true *gosub_scene cslib_string find history "tourney_tigress_victory|" *if cslib_ret > 0 *set fought_against_tangruo true *choice *if (won_against_tangruo) #"Just wanted to make sure you aren't depressed after your loss." *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 1 "arrogant" "+" Tang Ruo chuckles, your words amusing him instead of causing offense. "You get full of yourself quite quickly." — he says as he tilts his head, running a hand through his blue hair — "Say, how about a small competition?" "A competition?" — you ask — "Why don't we just fight it out?" "Don't worry." — replies Tang Ruo as he straightens and picks up his sword — "The time for our next battle will come soon enough. Let's entertain ourself with this contest for now, shall we?" "Isn't your Wu Clan famous for its techniques?" — Tang Ruo questions — "Why don't we compete in Martial Skills?" *label why_dont_we_compete *temp enough_offensive_skills false *temp enough_defensive_skills false *temp enough_all_skills false *temp offensive_skill_used "" *temp defensive_skill_used "" *if ((mc_offensive_1_mastery >= 1) or (mc_offensive_2_mastery >= 1)) or ((mc_offensive_3_mastery >= 1) or (mc_offensive_4_mastery >= 1)) *set enough_offensive_skills true *if (mc_defensive_1_mastery >= 1) or (mc_defensive_2_mastery >= 1) *set enough_defensive_skills true *if ((enough_offensive_skills) and (enough_defensive_skills)) *set enough_all_skills true *choice *selectable_if (enough_all_skills) #"Sure." *label agreed_to_competition *set event_tangruo_skillcomp 1 "What are the rules?" — you ask. "Two rounds. One for offense and one for defense. In the first round, we'll compete on who can destroy more dummies. On the second, we'll see who can withstand more punches from Brother Gan." — Tang Ruo points to a buff young man standing nearby. Brother Gan nods at his gesture. "Sounds good?" "Yes." — you answer. "I'll let you go first." — says Tang Ruo as he sits down on the ground, cross-legged. You can feel the dozens of gazes focused on you: the disciples watch, observing you with interest. No doubt the rumors of this competition would be all over the sect by tomorrow. *choice #I'm quite nervous. *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 2 "arrogant" "-" You take a deep breath to calm down your animated nerves. #I'm confident that I can beat Tang Ruo. *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 1 "arrogant" "+" You've been training a lot, spending your days studying and comprehending Martial Skills — there's no way Tang Ruo could best you in this contest. #I'll give them a good show. *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 2 "arrogant" "+" You turn to the crowd, grin and wave at them. "Watch carefully. Blink and you might miss the best display of Skills in your lives." #I don't really want to do this, but couldn't let his challenge go answered. *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 1 "impulsive" "+" It is what it is and since you've already accepted, you will see this contest to the end. Ten dummies made from Iron Wood are before you. Your goal is to knock down as many of them as possible with a single Skill. *choice *if mc_offensive_1_mastery >= 1 #Use [i]Heaven Crushing Palm[/i]. *set offensive_skill_used "Heaven Crushing Palm" *if (skill_shouting) "[b]Heaven Crushing Palm![/b]" You concentrate and guide Inner Energy inside your palm, causing a gigantic apparition appear above your arm. You guide the enormous palm towards the dummies and slam it down. *gosub_scene subroutines stat_check "str" 15 *if (stat_check) The palm engulfs [b]6[/b] dummies, crushing them underneath its might. Still, although the Heaven Crushing Palm is almost unparalleled when it comes to pure strength, it's not the optimal choice for attacking multiple targets. *else The palm only manages to engulf [b]4[/b] dummies, crushing them underneath its might. Still, although the Heaven Crushing Palm is almost unparalleled when it comes to pure strength, it's not the optimal choice for attacking multiple targets. *if mc_offensive_2_mastery >= 1 #Use [i]Sixty-Four Earth Shaking Fists[/i]. *set offensive_skill_used "Sixty-Four Earth Shaking Fists" *if (skill_shouting) "[b]Sixty-Four Earth Shaking Fists![/b]" You concentrate and guide Inner Energy inside your fists, striking out with reckless abandon. Your arms soon turn into a blur for the disciples' eyes. *gosub_scene subroutines stat_check "agi" 12 *if (stat_check) You strike out twelve times and manage to hit all the dummies that you needed to hit. *else You strike out twelve times but miss and only manage to hit [b]8[/b] dummies. Still, there is no doubt in your mind: this is the most optimal Skill for the task. *if mc_offensive_3_mastery >= 1 #Use [i]Extreme Demon Finger[/i]. *set offensive_skill_used "Extreme Demon Finger" *if (skill_shouting) "[b]Extreme Demon Finger![/b]" You concentrate and guide Inner Energy inside your finger, before you slash towards the dummy. However, although Extreme Demon Finger is astonishingly lethal against a single opponent, what's the point of cutting wood? You only knock down a [b]single[/b] dummy. *if mc_offensive_4_mastery >= 1 #Use [i]Flesh Scorching Kicks[/i]. *set offensive_skill_used "Flesh Scorching Kicks" *if (skill_shouting) "[b]Flesh Scorching Kicks![/b]" You concentrate and guide Inner Energy inside your legs, before striking out at the dummies. Your kicks [i]burn[/i] through the wooden dummies. *gosub_scene subroutines stat_check "agi" 12 *if (stat_check) You manage to knock down [b]8[/b] dummies. *else You manage to knock down [b]5[/b] dummies. Although the Flesh Scorching Kicks are dangerous beyond measure, the fire contained inside capable of burning through clothes and flesh, they are not exactly the most optimal choice for this many targets. For the second round, the muscular man who was introduced as Brother Gan walks up to you, rolling his sleeves. "Are you ready?" — he asks. "Give me your best shot." Brother Gan chuckles in response. "Let's see if you can withstand 10% first. I don't want to accidentally kill you." He winds up his arm and let's loose a punch. Your eyes widen — if that's just ten percent of his strength, then this Brother Gan is quite terrifying: this punch carries the same power as an attack of an Early Houtian! *choice *if mc_defensive_1_mastery >= 1 #Use [i]Celestial Shell[/i]. *set defensive_skill_used "Celestial Shell" *if (skill_shouting) "[b]Celestial Shell![b]" Before the punch connects, a golden barrier springs into existence, shielding you from the impact. The fist is stopped in its tracks, unable to even shake your protective shell. "Oh?" — Brother Gan smiles — "You've got some interesting skills. 10%!" Brother Gan punches again, putting the weight of his huge body behind the strike. *gosub_scene subroutines stat_check "con" 15 *if (stat_check) Your shell holds as the attack with the power close to Late Houtian is repelled. "A truly marvelous technique. Allowing someone of your level to withstand 10% of my strength… Let's see what happens when I use 20%!" *gosub_scene subroutines stat_check "con" 18 *if stat_check Even his this amount of power is not enough to crack your shield. "You are very impressive, ${polite_address} ${mc_name}. I'm Yang Gan, I hope we can meet in the Arena someday." He clasps his hands, gives you a polite nod and returns back into the crowd. *else *goto cracked_shell *else *label cracked_shell His fist slams into the golden shell and shatters it into pieces without stopping. When the punch is but an inch away from your face — and you can already taste the inevitable pain — Brother Gan halts his attack. "You are impressive for someone at your level. I'm Yang Gan. May we meet someday in the arena." He clasps his hands, gives you a polite nod and returns back into the crowd. *if mc_defensive_2_mastery >= 1 #Use [i]Void Step[/i]. *set defensive_skill_used "Void Step" *if (skill_shouting) "[b]Void Step![b]" Before the punch connects, your take a single step — your body teleports a dozen feet away. "Oh?" — Brother Gan smiles — "You've got some interesting skills. 10%!" Brother Gan punches again, putting the weight of his huge body behind the strike. *gosub_scene subroutines stat_check "agi" 15 *if (stat_check) You manage to evade the punch once again, despite it's tremendous speed. "A truly marvelous technique. Allowing someone of your level to withstand 20% of my strength… Let's see what happens!" *gosub_scene subroutines stat_check "agi" 18 *if stat_check The punch go wide, you are far out of its reach . Even at his best, Brother Gan is not fast enough to catch you before the Void's embrace. "You are very impressive, ${polite_address} ${mc_name}. I'm Yang Gan, I hope we can meet in the Arena someday." He clasps his hands, gives you a polite nod and returns back into the crowd. *else *goto void_failure *else *label void_failure Before you merge into the Void, the fist catches you in the chest: you are thrown backwards, flying for a decent distance. However, the punch did not carry the power it should've: you guess that Brother Gan pulled back at the last possible moment. "You are very impressive, ${polite_address} ${mc_name}. I'm Yang Gan, I hope we can meet in the Arena someday." He clasps his hands, gives you a polite nod and returns back into the crowd. You turn to Tang Ruo. *fake_choice #"Still think that you can beat me?" #"It's your turn." #"Don't disappoint your little fans now." Tang Ruo, however, just laughs out loud. His laughter contains ridicule, mocking and snippy. You glance at Yang Gan, who sheepishly scratches his head. Noticing your confusion, he sighs and explains. "Competing with Brother Ruo in Martial Skills, especially those that only require comprehension is… not the smartest idea." As he speaks, Tang Ruo arrives before the next set of dummies. He gives you a look — one of unmatched haughtiness — and uses his Skill. Well, can it really be considered [i]his[/i] Skill? "[b]${offensive_skill_used}![/b]" — shouts Tang Ruo. And, underneath your disbelieving gaze, *if offensive_skill_used = "Heaven Crushing Palm" an enormous palm appears above him. The same exact one that you had, down to the smallest details — "Good skill." *elseif offensive_skill_used = "Sixty-Four Earth Shaking Fists" his arms turn into a blur as he punches out in rapid succession, copying your movement to the exact detail — "At least you picked the right skill for this." *elseif offensive_skill_used = "Extreme Demon Finger" his finger glows with red light as he slashes at the dummy. Tang Ruo snorts — "You really picked the most useless skill for this, didn't you?" *elseif offensive_skill_used = "Flesh Scorching Kicks" his legs glow crimson as he kicks at the dummies, burning holes through them — "Isn't this the skill of your father? Grandpa praised it to me as the best skill developed in the last three hundred years." Tang Ruo knocks out an identical number of dummies as you do. When it's time for the second round, and Yang Gan once again steps forward, the Prince gives you a cocky grin. "I think it's obvious what will happen next, isn't it?" "[b]${defensive_skill_used}![/b]" *if defensive_skill_used = "Celestial Shell" A golden barrier envelops him, protecting Tang Ruo against the punch in the similar way it has defended you. *elseif defensive_skill_used = "Void Step" Tang Ruo disappears, the punch of Yang Gan missing in the similar way it has missed with you. "We'll call this a draw so that you wouldn't be too embarrassed." *choice #"What have you arranged this charade for?" *set event_tangruo_skillcomp 3 "It's not like you to engage in trickery, Prince Ruo." Tang Ruo shrugs his shoulders. "Even I get bored from time to time." — he explains and you notice his playfulness fade away, replaced by the cold, scornful expression he usually wears — "You can find me here in the mornings, should you have anything to relieve the sect's tedium." He summons a robe to cover his torso and leaves. *selectable_if (mc_int >= 13) #"Eyes of Perfect Replication?" *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 4 1 "+" *set event_tangruo_skillcomp 3 Tang Ruo nods and you notice his playfulness fade away, replaced by the cold, scornful expression he usually wears. "You are quite knowledgeable." — praises the Prince — "Yes. It's an inborn talent of mine." "Aren't they useless past Initial Success? As far as I'm aware, they can only grasp the skills up to that mastery." "For normal people, that is indeed the case." — he confirms, a mysterious smile tingling at his lips. You stare at him, wordlessly edging him to elaborate, but soon it becomes clear that he has no plans of doing so. "Fine. Keep your secrets." — you roll your eyes at him. Prince summons a robe to cover his torso. "Come find me here in the mornings, should you have anything to relieve the sect's tedium." — he says before leaving. #"Brother Ruo is truly impressive." *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 4 2 "+" *set event_tangruo_skillcomp 3 "It's merely an inborn talent of mine — nothing that I deserve applaud for." — Tang Ruo explains and you notice his playfulness fade away, replaced by the cold, scornful expression he usually wears. "I didn't think you to be humble." "I'm not." — refutes the Prince — "Although I accept all of my gifts and utilize them to the fullest, is an ability granted to me since birth worthy of praise? Only achievements acquired through hard work can be a source of pride." Prince summons a robe to cover his torso. "Come find me here in the mornings, should you have anything to relieve the sect's tedium." — he says before leaving. #Attack him. *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 4 3 "-" *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 2 "violent" "+" How dares he to trick you like this?! Who does he think he is?! You load your fist with Inner Energy and strike at the Prince. *gosub_scene subroutines stat_check "agi" 15 *if (stat_check) Your attack catches him off-guard, but Tang Ruo is still Tang Ruo: just as it is about to hit, his whole figure [i]shimmers[/i] and your punch goes right through him. "You haven't wasted your time, I see." — Tang Ruo praises as he steps to the side — "But trust when I say, you don't want me to retaliate." *label tangruo_second_attack You notice his playfulness fade away, replaced by the cold, scornful expression he usually wears. *choice #"I want you to try." *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 2 "arrogant" "+" Tang Ruo blazes with fighting spirit: his whole being screams with the desire for battle, his hands itching on the hilt of his blade. But, in the end, he chooses against further escalation. "You'll find the death you're courting, no need to rush it." He summons a robe to cover his torso and leaves. #Attack him again. *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 2 "violent" "+" *gosub_scene subroutines change_opinion 4 3 "+" You don't care about his words: your fist, his face — nothing else matters. Tang Ruo blazes with fighting spirit: his whole being screams with the desire for battle, his hands itching on the hilt of his blade. Just when draws the steel out and just when your punch comes close to its target, your fist is engulfed by a large palm. Yang Gan stops your attack in its tracks and no matter how much you wiggle your hand, his grip cannot be broken. "${polite_address} ${mc_name} why don't you let it go? This is neither the time nor the place for a serious battle." — Yang Gan argues, before he turns to Tang Ruo — "Brother Ruo, if I knew you two were on such unfriendly terms, I wouldn't have helped you." But Tang Ruo refuses to back down. "Don't think too highly of yourself." — Tang Ruo spits — "Nothing but a brute lucky enough to be born with the Divine Bull's Physique." "That might be so." — Yang Gan agrees — "But for now, you're still not my match." "Remember your words in year." — Tang Ruo says, before he summons a robe to cover his torso and leaves. Yang Gan shakes his head and turns to you. "Brother Ruo has always been hot-tempered, don't take it to heart." — Yang Gan chuckles — "But, just a friendly advice. Do not seek trouble with him: the depth of his abilities is quite terrifying, even to me." #Just snort and let it go. *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 2 "arrogant" "-" "Good decision." — Tang Ruo says as he summons a robe to cover his torso and leaves *else He simply tilts his head and before you can retract your arm, strikes you in the stomach. He obviously doesn't use the full extent of his strength, yet still knocks out the breath out of you with ease. "What were you doing all this time?" — he asks in contempt — "Forget it. Such a weak attempt does not warrant a retaliation." *goto tangruo_second_attack *page_break Return *goto_scene free_roam *selectable_if (not (enough_all_skills)) #"I haven't learned enough Skills yet." *label havent_learned_enough_skills "Then come back when you do." — replies Tang Ruo — "I'll be waiting." *set event_tangruo_skillcomp 2 *page_break Return *goto_scene free_roam #"And show you all my trump cards? Don't be ridiculous." "You can't be that afraid of me, can you?" — snickers Tang Ruo — "Come on, show me what you've got." The crowd stirs in excitement. Disappointing them might hurt your reputation. *choice *selectable_if (enough_all_skills) #Agree to the competition. *goto agreed_to_competition *selectable_if (not (enough_all_skills)) #"I haven't learned enough Skills yet." *goto havent_learned_enough_skills #Refuse. *gosub_scene subroutines prestige_change 5 "-" "Ah." — Tang Ruo sighs in disappointment — "That's a shame. Well, if you think of something else to relieve the boredom of the sect, you can find me here every morning." *set event_tangruo_skillcomp 3 *page_break Return *goto_scene free_roam #"I doubt there is anything that you can teach me." *gosub_scene subroutines change_personality 2 "arrogant" "+" "You would be surprised." — Tang Ruo chuckles — "How about we put it to a test?" "What do you mean?" "Isn't your Wu Clan famous for its techniques?" — Tang Ruo questions — "Why don't we compete in Martial Skills?" *goto why_dont_we_compete #"Just passing by." "Since you're here, how about a little competition?" "What do you mean?" "Isn't your Wu Clan famous for its techniques?" — Tang Ruo questions — "Why don't we compete in Martial Skills?" *goto why_dont_we_compete *goto_scene free_roam