text | un: AbyssalBlade

[alloriginalheavenlypillar]

This world has many conveniences that far outstrip those of my own. Some of the wealthiest nobles of my home would never imagine the quality of life one of middling status here would enjoy and it has been an eye-opening experience for this humble one.

That being said, there are some basic resources I have had difficulty procuring. I'm not sure if they are simply absent from this world or if I am - ah - what is the colourful turn of phrase? Barking at the wrong tree?

Something like that.

List of Required Materials:

Cinnabar

Mulberry paper

White silk (unpatterned)

Tortoise shell, ivory or bamboo timber

Black Sun Immortal Flame Tinder, or its components

Lacquer

Silk paint, or raw pigment

Ink sticks, ink stones, brushes

Snow Heart Radishes

A functioning qiankun bag - mine has somehow lost its enchantment and none of my storage talismans work.

A guqin or erhu of decent make

Almond oil

If anyone can point me to anything on this list, this humble one would be greatly in their debt.

This one has also been experimenting with the fashions of this world. Though my robes are comfortable, there is no need to make do with a single set of clothes when there are so many options. Would those who come from worlds contemporary to this one kindly offer their opinions about whether or not he has the gist of your attire? It is less modest than what I am personally used to, but not wholly different from the style of garments common throughout the demon realm.

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Comments

[abit_ofboth]

I am afraid I cannot help you with most of the items on your list, however seeing as there appears to be no animal life here, I would think no one can find you any tortoise shell or ivory, seeing as they come from animals. Not much help, but at least you know not to bother looking for those.

[alloriginalheavenlypillar]

I was hoping they might come from the same place as the meat in the grocer markets and leather in the tailor shops come from.

[abit_ofboth]

Oh yes, I see. I wonder if they have made exceptions due to cattle being a staple of human diet. Unless tortoise’s and elephants are also common in their diet? I admit I am unsure. Or perhaps the meat and leather are not real?

Every time I think I have something figured out about this place, it turns out I am incorrect and end up with more questions. I apologize I could not be of more help.

[alloriginalheavenlypillar]

Elephants? Oh, no, I was hoping to get my hands on the ivory of a Black Moon Rhinoceros Python.

Jests aside, can one simply make meat out of thin air? Or anything? When one gets down to it, where have all the materials to construct this city come from? It is not as though there are any mines or metal works or any notable means of acquiring raw materials, or refining them, no means of trading with other places - everything simply is.

text; un: Hob

[100more]

That's a very specific list. May I ask what those things are for?

[alloriginalheavenlypillar]

Most of it is for a gift. The cinnabar and mulberry paper are for creating talismans.

The ink sticks, ink stone, brushes, qiankun bag, qin and erhu should all be self-explanatory, I think? Unless painting, calligraphy, storage, and music have fallen out of favour where you're from.

Snow Heart Radishes are not uncommon so I'm surprised I haven't seen any here considering some of the more exotic fare available. The bulb is good for light, but fragrant soups, and the leaves, if prepared correctly, promote the health of spiritual veins. The almond oil is to keep hair lustrous and healthy as the fragrant liquid soaps used here simply dry it out.

text post; un: peerless_cucumber

[xiaoxiuya]

[Shen Yuan was going to explain about matches and normal radishes to Luo Binghe, but forgets in the face of...of...]

ARE THOSE PIERCINGS????

[alloriginalheavenlypillar]

Yes.

Are they to laoshi's taste?

[xiaoxiuya]

[Are they to his -- Binghe! Luo Binghe, you are killing him! You are killing your laoshi!]

What is that supposed to mean?? Is Binghe okay? Why did he do such a thing to himself??

[alloriginalheavenlypillar]

Why would this one not be 'okay'? They're just bits of metal.

Is laoshi worried about this humble one, perhaps?

[xiaoxiuya]

[SHIT he used Binghe's real name in a public post and it won't let him edit it, WHY WON'T IT LET HIM EDIT IT SY immediately changes the conversation to private]

Sorry, I was just surprised, that's all. Surprised enough I wrongly used Binghe's real name in public, please forgive me.

Ah, is Binghe pleased with his updated appearance?

[alloriginalheavenlypillar]

Don't fret, laoshi. I've been paying attention to the network and keeping an eye out. There are other cultivators here, but none seem to be from a world where my name carries weight.

If pressed, Feiyu can simply be a courtesy name.

I would like laoshi's opinion on my attire first. Whether it is pleasing to him or not, whether I would pass for someone from his world or not. If one is to cultivate an image, one must have a solid foundation first, no?

[100more]

Of course. Painting, sure, but I haven't seen anyone do proper caligraphy in ages. It's not really common where I come from.

I'm not sure if you'll find that sort of thing here, either, but perhaps some of the stores are stocked with craft items.

Maybe there's something similar to the radish you're looking for that'll work just sa well?

[alloriginalheavenlypillar]

Define "proper calligraphy" and we shall see if this humble disciple of Qing Jing Peak lives up to your lofty standards.

What kind of stores would one find craft items? I have been searching for any sign of artisan workshops where paper or ink would be made but I have found nothing of the sort.

Alas, none of the produce I have found contains much in ways of spiritual properties. While the Snow Heart Radish isn't much, its benefits are leagues beyond what I've seen in these grocer markets.

text, @bodaiju

[gurge]

Barking UP the wrong tree, but it was close enough to be understood. Look for an art or hobby store for the calligraphy items. It's still fairly popular in my country, but we're somewhere in the east. You may even want to look into making your own brushes, for a finer touch.

[ snipsnip, lbh ]

You will have significant difficulty finding the instruments, I'd say. There may be music shops around, but usually those are more custom items you'd find [ he's not gonna explain the internet, ] through a proprietor. If any of your belongings were enchanted, cursed, use magic, etc., I believe they're now inert.

Almond oil you can simply find in the grocery. Depending on what you're using it for, however,

[ IS IT LUBE, SIR ]

we may have better (and better flavored) alternatives.

Now, as for your choice in attire... you've somehow selected from a niche genre of fashion. As it's not mainstream, there will be a wide variety of opinions.

[alloriginalheavenlypillar]

This humble one thanks you for the correction. I would be inclined to make my own, but raw materials are limited. I see none of the mystical beasts I would usually hunt for brush hairs, let alone the common beasts like goats or stone badgers for more mundane crafts. I'm not sure if there are any animals around at all.

[He isn't snipping shit!]

I will have to keep my eye out for proprietors or craftsmen capable of making such. In the meantime, I will keep looking.

And you're right. I had a working qiankun bag, but when it lost its enchantment, a number of my belongings stowed away in there were lost. I suppose just finding a working pill furnace is out of the question as well?

And I'm not too fussed about the taste of the oil only that it is relatively neutral and of good quality. The stuff in the grocer markets was all well and good for cooking, but not for the purposes I had in mind.

[...It's almost definitely lube.]

Ah, this seemed to be the fashion of choice in the tailor shop I went to; the displays were appealing as any other and I used them as a guide. I had no idea it was niche - the clothes seemed as thin and immodest as anywhere else. Would the good gentlemen tell me what is more mainstream or distinguished?

[gurge]

There's always human hair. [ no specifying whose... ]

A pill furnace isn't familiar to me. Again, if it works on enchantment or spirit energy, I believe it's out of the question.

I see. In that case, I recommend simply looking for a sex shop. It and all of its wares should keep you entertained for, oh... a few hours. [ along comes a map link. hopefully lbh has figured out his phone enough to click it for navigation. you're welcome ♥ ] Isn't the future magnificent?

"Athleisure" sits at the crossroads of comfort and style for what's more casual, but as far as distinguished... Try this store.

[ another map link. it's a bespoke gentleman's suit emporium. heheheh. ]

[alloriginalheavenlypillar]

I'm sure such a brush may just wind up becoming cursed. Useful in some respects, but not for the purposes I have in mind.

Do sex shops sell hair oils? That seems somewhat counterintuitive, but many things here are so different from what I'm used to. But this humble one will keep it in mind for future endeavors.

"Athleisure". Is that a portmanteau of "athleticism" and "leisure"?

Once again, the good gentleman has this one's thanks. The clothing here looks distinguished indeed.

[RIP to Shen Yuan's brain when Binghe comes home in one of these.]

un: Liebing

[zewu_jun]

Oh, that list is luxurious. Are these items for yourself or someone else?

So then Liu-daren is familiar with the styles commonly worn in the demon realm?

[alloriginalheavenlypillar]

Some are intended as a gift, others for general household use. I wouldn't mind having some warming and cooling talismans on hand in case the machines fail, and the many shampoos and conditioners available do not, in fact, do as their labels advertise, so I am on the lookout for good hair oils. Almond is my preference, but osmanthus would be agreeable enough.

I am familiar with such styles. The Emperor has merged the realms of demons, humans, and immortals, so we've had to learn to live together and tolerate each other's customs. Demons are quite hardy so their clothing choices tend to be revealing.

The kindly gentleman might find it very scandalous.

[zewu_jun]

I wonder if the shops here carry similar items? They must have something, at least for hair and room care. Attire might be more difficult, but gifts don't seem impossible.

I don't think it's wrong to learn about other ways of life. Understanding is the virtue of any community, even if it seems strange. I would like to learn more about immortals and demons.

[That might have been a little reckless. Ah well. No one's looking!]

If it's natural for them, then. Then I cannot complain. I also have to learn in order to better educate myself.

[alloriginalheavenlypillar]

The shops don't contain much in ways of cultivation equipment it seems. You can't even rent a spiritual blade.

Oddly enough, attire and room care have been the easiest to sort out. Once one understands the appliances and their purposes, there are many that are quite useful. The machine known as a Roomba? It is truly a worthy opponent in the art of good housekeeping.

[The Bing-mei-ification has truly taken root.]

I have some knowledge of demon customs, though as I am mortal, my information may not be entirely reliable. What would the kindly gentleman wish to know about? Their styles of dress? Their courtship rituals? Cuisine?

[100more]

Sorry. It's more of an art form where I come from. I'm sure you're more than talented.

Paper and such can be found at most corner shops where I live, but I don't know if they'll be good enough for whatever work you have in mind.

Spiritual... fruit? I don't know that there's anything like that here.

[zewu_jun]

Roomba? I have not seen it.

They do have many different machines here. Perhaps they do not require tools for cultivation?

[Not everyone dedicates themselves to cultivating. The city is so big, he finds it strange that no one seems connected at all, but it's really a different world. Maybe the nobles here have found an alternative. What Lan Xichen does pick up on is how knowledgeable Binghe is about domestic needs. So he does have a cute side!]

Liu-gongzi may laugh at my question, but I will not withdraw it. I would like to know more about the customs of both immortals and demons. I imagine that living together must have improved your knowledge a great deal.

[Courtship rituals indeed! He won't be scared off by this man! He can handle talk about demons!]

[alloriginalheavenlypillar]

Yes? Of course it is an art form? Are the great arts not studied where you are from?

Ah, right. Paper itself is not a problem. There is much to be found. But it is not to the specifications I need - not for talismans anyway. I am not sure what it is the paper is treated with that makes it so inert, but it is disconcerting.

Do spiritual plants not grow in your world? I run into them often.

[Usually the kinds that spray sex pollen, fuck his life.]