Heart full of music, hands soaked in blood.

Ren had a good life—until debt-collectors enslaved his family and threw him out onto the streets.

As barbarians press the borders and bandits plague the roads, Ren must take the first steps on the path to become an immortal cultivator and save his country and his family.

From the dark alleys of Katarn to the gilded halls of the crumbling Red Dragon Empire, the threads of Ren's journey intertwine with dark gods, creatures of the deep, and mystic secrets harbored by wandering madmen.

After his spirit is tainted by the venom of a Mythical Beast, will the song in his soul, a lost cultivation technique, and an incomplete manual be enough to survive?

What to Expect:

-Weak to Strong Progression Fantasy- Grounded in emotion and personal motivation. Progression is a more or less constant element, and this story will take the time to ensure it feels meaningful in a broader sense. While Ren will receive a few advantages at several points, the goal is progression that feels earned.

-Gritty, Well Thought Out Combat- Trying to fight against a spear with your sword? Better find a way to compensate for the gap in reach. Fighting an armored opponent? You'll need to find a way to get past that armor. Break a leg in combat? Say goodbye to footwork (or standing). Take an arrow to the face? You're taking a dirt nap. Fireball? I think you can see where I'm going. Complete with tactical fighting, archery, martial arts, and magic.

-A Non-Typical Xianxia Setting- An original world that takes inspiration from the blending of cultures facilitated by the Silk Road at its height. The world is in a constant state of flux and over the course of the story we will see it transform as power changes hands and new technologies shift the balance of civilization. Heavily flavored with middle-eastern influence and dollops of classic fantasy, this is not another clone of ancient china, though eventually we will see some of the classic tropes such as young masters, honor duels, and cultivator sects. Some of these will be deconstructed, some will be played with because they are fun and/or awesome. Don't worry, this is not a harem story.

-Lovingly Crafted Prose-

-An Intelligent Yet Flawed Main Character-

-An Animal Companion-

-An Unfolding Story That Will Eventually Span the Globe-

-Adult Themes and Honest Exploration of Character and the Human Experience- This is a story that will explore the light and the dark. Beauty and horror. While I aim to avoid being needlessly gratuitous, this story does not shy away from the horrors of war and painful psychological challenges that come with a life filled with tribulation. It will also linger in moments of connection, beauty, and peace. This is not Grimdark, though it can be dark at times.

Author's Note:

I drew inspiration for this story from countless sources, but the most obvious are: The Name of the Wind, Cradle, Dragon Heart, Dawn of Awakening, Beware of Chicken, (1,001)Arabian Nights, a broad smattering of Myths and FolkTales, and my own time spent studying and practicing martial arts and mystical traditions from across the globe (looking at you Hafiz).

I love Cultivation stories, especially when they manage to stay grounded in the plights of mortals and strong character development. This is my own personal spin set in a world of my own design inspired by the concept and mythos of the silk road as a thread that has drawn together stories from many places. I hope you enjoy reading about Ren's journey as much as I enjoy writing it.