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" Wángùshítou (Stubborn Stone, 顽固石头)" You call out, the smokey hided mule lifting up their head passively with a laziness you couldn't help but to respect as a housecat, he had a similar coloring to Huili, looking scorched and ashen with a few bright orange, yellow and red furs that made it seem as if his coat held live embers "You are the ultimate victor of the alchemy trial, the potent blackpowder you mixed was enough to earn yourself a place in the roster of the eminent palace of natural laws"
His eyes flared like a lit fuse and he bowed his head, dipping his front legs unsteadily, his tail flicking rapidly revealing the surprise and glee he hid so well on his burned snout
"I am honored, your majesty" He says with a yokel dialect and a hick accent that reminds you of Chicken farmer Ho.
"Hmm, you must not have learned the recipe from an official tutor, I'm guessing you used to live with miners or bandits" You hum, as you pace around him, admiring how well he repressed his prey instincts as he was stalked by one of the greatest predators beneath the heavens
"You would be correct, your majesty, ain't sure what they was, but the one who fed me and brushed my coat knew chemistry" He explains, head still bowed
"hmm, might've been a disgraced imperial alchemist or engineer. The dead dynasty did make itself many enemy out of its servants" You snicker, before tapping him on the back of his head "And hold your head high, boy, you're my direct student now and a member of the palace of natural laws. Don't act so meek. Be proud, shameless, you're one of the elite now. Or will soon be, once we've figured out your talents'
He brays and lifts up his head, and the few who laugh shut up when you flash a fierce glare in their way, then you turn to the novice Artisans and smile.
"Chuānyǐngzi (River Shadow, 川 影子 ), you are not the first snake, river or shadow to be part of our illustrious sect, but you are the first living serpent and the first painter" You tell the large, violet scaled anaconda that much like her idol Chuandapo, resemble very much the shadows beneath water, though her underbelly is a striking, sky blue. The snake stares, flicking out her tongue. She is smaller than Yujijiao was...is, but that is because horned serpents are larger than even constrictors like Chuanyingzi! She does look big enough to swallow a horse whole, but her presence is smaller than Xiaoyu's who is the smallest magical beast in your sect currently
"I am...honored" She hisses quietly
"You should be, you captured my likeness well, even if the shade of my fur wasn't right" You tell her, staring deep into her eyes, nose to nose with her as she goes a bit cross eyed trying to avoid meeting your gaze "you've got some talent, to wield a brush so gracefully, without any hands. I'm sure you'll live up to the legacy of the late, but still present, Yujijiao"
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