Ranshan Sect
Wandering scholars and reclusive mystics — masters of incantation and divination that ordinary eyes can never quite follow.
NeutralRival: Kongsang SectFinger / Sword / Odd Techniques
Ranshan Sect devotes itself to two paths at once: the way of the traveling scholar, and the way of the recluse. The traveling scholar studies widely, reasons clearly, and speaks with a persuasion no one can counter. The recluse cultivates body and spirit alike, takes in restorative elixirs, wards off illness, extends life — and waits, in time, for transcendence. Based in the Shandong–Mount Ran region, its arts run on the Violet Mist elemental attribute.
Ranshan Sect is politically Neutral, opposed to Kongsang Sect, and its members lean toward the Neutral/Moderate stance.
Sect Philosophy
Its arts span finger techniques, sword, and a talisman-based Odd Technique style — largely secret Daoist arts of uncanny power, capable of summoning wind and thunder, commanding spirits and ghosts. Ordinary onlookers can rarely make sense of what they’re seeing. Its manuals are dense with incantations and mnemonic verses: study from manuals is 100% faster than normal, but learning through actual combat is 80% slower (this modifier does not apply to a manual’s overall framework). Techniques run on Numerology and Miscellaneous Knowledge aptitude. Ranshan members can be asked to tutor Poetry & Literature, Numerology, Craftsmanship, Daoism, and Miscellaneous Knowledge.
Full Technique Roster
| Type | 9th | 8th | 7th | 6th | 5th | 4th | 3rd | 2nd | 1st |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Power | Nurture Aspiration Method | Turning Circle Method | Solid Intent Method | Diminish-Delight Method | Flourishing Spirit Method | Dispersing Might Method | Scattering Force Method | Mystic Subtle True Art | Heaven-Marrow Sacred Register |
| Movement | 5 Ghosts Step | Wind-Riding Talisman | Great Mira Step | Cloud-and-Mist Raising Method | Immortal-Trace Step | 10,000-Mile Divine Travel Chant | Transcending the Six Voids | — | |
| Ultimate | 5 Ghosts Relocation Method | Far-Seeing, Sharp-Hearing Technique | Yin-Yang Eye Technique | Great Soul-Capturing Method | 6 Ding 6 Jia Array | Heaven-Net Chant | Image-Mimicry Turning Technique | 10,000 Transformations Return As One | — |
| Finger | 3 Purities Finger | Hook-and-Clamp Finger | 5-Word 5-Form Hand | Grasping the Pivot Style | Convergence Finger | Great Yin-Yang Crosswise Hand | Heaven-Earth Origin Unity Finger | — | |
| Sword | Coming-and-Going Swordplay | 3 Purities Swordplay | Flying Sword Technique | Opening-Closing Swordplay | Mother-Follows-Child Sword | Grand Treasure 9-Splendor Sword | Yin-Yang Reversal Sword | Primordial Beginning Sword Qi | 10,000 Transformations 14 Swords |
| Odd (Talismans) | Tumbling Meishan Chant | Body-Binding Method | Ghost-Startling Talisman | 5 Thunders Summoning Chant | 9-Character True Chant | Wood Lord’s Chant | 7 Whites Body-Breaking Method | 9 Stars Golden Light Chant | Talisman-Unlocking Divine Power |
Favor Interaction: Wang Chan’s Classics
Study one book you own up to 9 additional times.
Regional Story: “Jade-Green Immortal Pavilion”
Legend holds that an immortal dwells in seclusion somewhere on Mount Ran, all-knowing of heaven and earth, leaving no trace to be found — appearing only once every three sects hold their triennial martial contest, to bestow blessings of fortune upon the worthy.
Now, Ranshan’s wandering disciples have returned from the four corners of the world for the Three Sects Contest — yet none can say where, deep in the swirling mist, the path to immortality truly leads…
| Trigger | Ranshan’s support reaches 50%, 3 Rare Books have already surfaced in the world, and a month rolls over while you’re not in a corrupted region |
|---|---|
| Reward | Jade-Green Return-to-Mystery Seal |
| Sequel unlock condition | Hold Vajra Sect’s treasure, the Charnel Skull Crown |
| Sequel reward | Great Unity Return-to-One Seal |
Signature Mechanic: Entrust the Rare Book
Completing “Jade-Green Immortal Pavilion” unlocks Ranshan’s centerpiece feature: entrusting any Rare Book you own to one of Three Corpse Spirits, shielding it from being contested by other characters — or sending a Corpse Spirit to shadow a rival who holds a Rare Book you want, wearing down their resolve until they give it up.
Unlock
Interact with the three special characters tied to “Jade-Green Immortal Pavilion”: Huaju, Xuanzhi, and Yingjiao.
Entrusting a book
Each Corpse Spirit can hold up to 2 Rare Books at once. An entrusted book can still be studied and still provides its normal effects — it simply can no longer be contested by other characters. You can retrieve an entrusted book from this screen at any time.
Severing another’s attachment
Send a Corpse Spirit to follow a character who holds a Rare Book you want, wearing down their resolve over time. Choose an intensity — Light Touch, Within Reason, or Relentless — higher intensities cost more but shadow the target longer and succeed more reliably.
| Corpse Spirit | Cost by intensity | What it judges |
|---|---|---|
| Huaju | 12,500 / 25,000 / 50,000 silver | Lower Strength/Constitution, higher social rank, more extreme mood → easier to succeed |
| Xuanzhi | 1,250 / 2,500 / 5,000 Prestige | Lower Agility/Comprehension, higher social rank, more extreme mood → easier to succeed |
| Yingjiao | 6,250 / 12,500 / 25,000 Experience | Lower Willpower/Physique, higher fertility, more extreme mood → easier to succeed |
Once dispatched, the Corpse Spirit trails the target for 12/18/24 months (by intensity), shifting the target’s mood by 5/10/15 points each month toward an extreme (either euphoric or despairing). Every 3 months, a success check runs based on the stats above. On success, the target loses the Rare Book, which resurfaces elsewhere in the world after some time.