2023-09-27 08:24
Modified:
description
<p>Evan grew up hearing tales of power, wealth, and immortality. How could he not? The world ran on Substance, from the people to the buildings, and Substance beget everything. As a street kid, growing up in the sprawling underbelly of Starspire, Substance was everything he needed and more. An opportunity, a chance to make it big and fly away on a Voidship.</p> <p>The problem was that while everyone could cultivate Substance, few would accomplish more than a few Collapses in their life – Substance was valuable and expensive. An impossible feat for most unless one was willing to join the war or venture out of the metropolis, tracking down Substance-laden creatures and plants and risking life and limb in the process.</p> <p>Evan, it turned out, hated fighting – it only took getting roughed up a couple times to figure that out. Thankfully, what he lacked in brawn he made up for with his wits; there was another way, one that promised more wealth and less violence. Crafting.</p> <p>Crafters were rare, as it required talent, ability, and dedication. Given the various fields required to support the metropolis and war efforts both, crafters were – relatively – few in number and in high demand, high enough that Starspire would offer a sponsorship to those able and willing, provided they offered their services for a time.</p> <p>Despite his misgivings, Evan desperately yearned for such an opportunity, and so on his 18th birthday – or close enough – he lined up to have his talent tested, hopeful beyond measure.</p> <p>***</p> <p>Posting twice weekly (Monday/Friday). Chapters are 2.5k+.</p> <p>Unique power system based around Substance.</p> <p>Weak to strong progression.</p> <p>Anti-hero MC (but also not some papercut villain). This is xianxia though, so we might be on a slippery slope to villainous actions in the future.</p> <p>Crafting focus (if it wasn't obvious).</p> <p>Xianxia inspired crafting - MC starts by learning formations (a profession that seems rarely explored) but won't stop there. Arrays, treasure refining (formations, here), talismans, and alchemy.</p> <p>Not a romance or harem novel.</p> <p>Space opera elements, with a grand setting including space travel and space-based operations. (Slice of life though, so it will be a while. Might add the tag when we get there.)</p> <p>MC isn't a sword or saber fanatic.</p>
rss-feeder