CC3: Spoilers and discussion

Getting close to being done with the third book and was curious about something. What levels are the masters at the Jade Fist? There are a lot for references to the levels of cultivators. It seems that the first plane the majority of people were spirit refiners with a few higher than that. I believe Jia's brother was a peak Spirit Refiner and Locke told Ashe that Gen could beat him so ...... where does he sit? Li-Yong also... Or is more of it brought out at the end of book 3? :)

Allen Goerl

Imprisonment may only be the lead in to another arc.

Worlok

It would be interesting to see if later on Ash tries to behave even more like the brides' husband. I can picture him asking Locke to help him memorize every bride's name, face, likes and dislikes, along with perfect recall of every interaction that he has had with each bride untill then. obviously those memories would be artificially reinforced and would feel more distant(probably to the extreme) than his actual memmories with his main harem, but it would make sure that the brides are happy and loyal. He has basically made a hug and a kiss the official greeting for the bride's to their husband, so it looks like he WANTS them to feel at least a little bit cared for and loved by him, having the brides feel like he knows each of them individually would be something relatively low effort and would allow the brides to feel that care and love, not as much as they would feel as if they were in a one-on-one marriage, but certainly more than they would feel if they were in another cultivator's harem. Every interaction in which Ash approaches some random bride and says something like, "hey [bride's name], how is your brother's leg doing?" would strengthen their bonds to him.

Eliseo Rios

You guys all forgot why Locke is there. He is there to marshal forces against the demons. Ash can organize a loyal group of powerful immortals. That translates to godlike beings. The emperor in his caprice has made the Nine Kingdoms more vulnerable to the demons and demon cultivators. He needs to go. Can't wait to see how Ash offs him.

Peter

Awesome book, but man that cliffhanger was brutal.

Marauder

Yes, I can deffinetly see thar happening. Each individual bride going to Gen and committing a "crime" like insulting his shoes or something dumb, then getting the gulag expres straight to ash.🤣

Eliseo Rios

I also refer you to context cues. Warm brown eyes, handsome smile. Agreeing soul stealing for power seems demonic in nature. Putting Gen of all people as the new Realm Lord and raising him up. Gen can do more now for Ashley his family and his alliance while he is away then he ever could.

Jameric

I think the Emperor knows alot. I think alot of what he did is deliberate. Ashe gained more power in the last two weeks then any before it. But even Ashe noticed his weakness, experiance. The Emperor knows this as well, notice he sends Locke and his healer with him as well? This is the forging of the blade, people he has to protect and save. Endless targets to push yourself to your limits without having to hold back. Incentive in loved ones to get home to. No my friends the Emperor KNOWS what he is doing.

Jameric

ptff. That cliffhanger is super slow pitch. :D I admit even I want to read more and I wrote it, though.

William D. Arand

Killing me with that cliffhanger dude.

deadeyemax

Bought, read, and rated! So so much fun!

Alex Lindsay

Depends entirely on reviews and sales.

William D. Arand

My only question is how soon till book 4?

Kenneth Darlin

Prison break.. If Shen is in jail then this is where you go when the Realm Lord puts you in Jail. All it will take is for Jia and Mei to go to Old Gen and demand they get locked up... all of them... All the brides... Prison broken!

Jeff Ford

It's such an easy cliffhanger though. Only Moira is a question mark.

William D. Arand

Feel like we oughta hit you with a pool noodle for that cliffhanger :P

Bootleg Sid

I also feel like Ash won’t be without knowledge to what is happening outside the prison. His dao is connected to Liu. Their souls are connected, so to speak. If Ash meditates, he will probably be able to communicate with the Brides through her. Perhaps they can even help with getting him out early!

oops. meant to make this a reply to the earlier chain. oh well :)

Corwin Amber

@Eloren: depends on who the punishment is directed at. If it is directed at those in the prison, then getting stuck fighting for your life for years, decades, centuries, etc is still a punishment. Especially if you are constantly forced to get stronger so you can live longer and still be alive and able to leave when your sentence is over. If it is directed at the those you left behind, then that is a totally different situation. also it might not take extra power. It might just be an alternate realm/pocket universe that already goes faster than their home realm. If that is the case it wouldn't take any extra power. It just would need power enough to open the portal and toss people through.

Corwin Amber

I didn’t even think about that. It would almost need to be, right? The whole charade of forced rewards and punishments doesn’t make sense otherwise.

David Fletcher

Is the prison in a time altered place? Meaning; if they spend 200 years there, how much time passes for everyone else outside of the prison realm/zone/etc?

Corwin Amber

Mind telling us how she survived or is that in the next book?

Eloren Koori

Na is okay. I'll spare you that.

William D. Arand

Knowing Will it could be either. Suspense is killing me.

Mezmer

Chance of Moira being alive? Without Roe probably low to none, but... I guess I hope? Also... Ash in a prison with Keep What You Kill.... chance of Ash getting out early? Cann’t really imagine Ash just Sitting there for hundreds of years.

Eloren Koori

Body Refiner Mortal Refiner Spirit Refiner Empowered Mortal Enlightened Mortal Awakened Mortal Sovereign Immortal Dreadful Immortal Heavens Defying Immortal

William D. Arand

Is there anyway we can get a list of cultivation ranks in order of power?

Jaymes Wiles