A Thousand Li

A series on immortal cultivation, wondrous martial arts, evil cultivation sects and spirit beasts. This series will be loved by those searching for wuxia and xianxia works and those looking for a more westernised cultivation story. 

A Thousand Li: the First Step cover
A Thousand Li: Book 1

The First Step

Given a chance at immortality, can Wu Ying grasp the fleeting opportunity?

Long Wu Ying never expected to join a Sect or become a real cultivator. His days were spent studying, planting rice on the family farm and spending time with his friends. Fate, however, has different plans for Wu Ying and when the army arrives at his village, he and many other members of the village are conscripted. Given the opportunity to join the Verdant Green Waters Sect, Wu Ying must decide between his pedestrian, common life and the exciting, blood soaked life of a cultivator.

Join Wu Ying as he takes his first step on his Thousand Li journey to become an immortal cultivator.

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The First Stop Audiobook Cover
A Thousand Li: Book 2

The First Stop

Who knew immortal cultivation came with so many decisions?

As an inner sect member in the Verdant Green Waters, Long Wu Ying must navigate the customs of the cultivators and choose his secondary occupation. From immortal alchemists, blacksmiths, physicians, martial specialists and more, Wu Ying must find an occupation that defines and contributes to his dao. Outside, the drums of war continue to beat and the Sect is about to be pulled deeper into the battle for supremacy between states. The Sect Elders will take Wu Ying and his friends on a desperate gamble to prepare for the upcoming war, putting to test everything that Wu Ying has learnt.

As Wu Ying stops and takes account of himself and the Sect, he will need to accept his place in this new martial world, put aside his past and strive for the future.

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A Thousand Li: Book 3

The First War

As war threatens his family, Wu Ying must decide on his path to immortality and the mortal ties that bind

Winter has passed, taking with it the hope of peace. The state of Wei deploy an increasing number of cultivators and soldiers, intent on taking over the state of Shen. Caught in-between the armies is Wu Ying’s village and all those that he cares about.

Advised to keep away from the approaching war, Wu Ying will have to decide what is more important – his journey to immortality or the ties to the mortal that he holds onto still. Or perhaps, there is a third way, one that balances both the needs of Heaven and destiny and the karmic ties of the family.

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A Thousand Li The Second Expedition Audiobook Cover
A Thousand Li: Book 4

The Second Expedition

Even the great may fall.

Wu Ying’s idle winter, one filled with training and recovery, is thrown awry when his Master and Elder Yang return, injured. The Three Seasons poison fills Master Cheng’s veins, slowly killing the powerful Elder. His only hope – a rare antidote. But the ingredients for such an antidote are scarce and located in the deepest wilds.

Together, Wu Ying and Elder Yang take it upon themselves to embark on a Second Expedition to acquire the necessary materials. It would be a dangerous journey through the State of Wei normally, but in the shadows, enemies await to finish the job. Wu Ying is once again pitched against dark forces as a Sect war looms.

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A Thousand Li: Book 5

The Second Sect

Not All Injuries Heal True

Wu Ying saved his master from the machinations of the dark sect but was gravely injured during the process. His body has changed, his bloodline awakened and his cultivation compromised. Physicians and healers at the Verdant Green Water can do nothing for him.

Forced to travel to a new sect for healing, Wu Ying might find opportunity in his distress. But the dark sect is not done with him, or their machinations. Caught up in the winds of war, Wu Ying and his friends must continue to balance their journey to immortality against the pull of mortal politics.

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A Thousand Li: Book 6

The Second Storm

When War Wages, Even Innocents Perish

Two years have passed and the war between the kingdoms of Shen and Wei rages on. The dark sect moves in the shadows, striking against the noble Verdant Green Waters Sect, damaging, killing and kidnapping their members.

Among the victims – Fairy Yang, Wu Ying’s martial sister. On a desperate quest to retrieve her, Wu Ying finds himself caught up in inter-sect politics and headed straight for a trap.

Tragedy awaits, but some paths, a man must walk. No matter the cost.

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A Thousand Li: Book 7

The Third Kingdom

Banished, alone, adrift. A new beginning. 

Long Wu Ying has been banished from the Verdant Green Waters Sect for defying the orders of the Elders. Forced to prove himself in the outer world before he is allowed to return, Wu Ying begins a journey that will have him visiting old haunts and a new kingdom.

Amidst new cultivators, new politics and new challenges, Wu Ying must find the center of his dao and rise to the challenge.

Or be forgotten on the steps to immortality.

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A Thousand Li: Book 8

The Third Realm

Heaven commands and the Middle Kingdom Obeys

Or so the story goes. Yet, as Wu Ying travels the lands beyond the kingdom of Shen, he sees both the minor and major truth of reality. Disparate forms of government, among kingdoms and villages, among immortal sects and mortal governance abound, each with their own interpretation.

As Wu Ying chases the traces of the Heaven’s Wind, grasping at the truth it so elusively dangles before him, he must also contend with his own place under the Heaven’s. Or among them.

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Short stories in the A Thousand Li Universe

The Favored Son

Winter is a time of reflection and cultivation for the Verdant Green Waters Sect. For Wu Ying, this peaceful interlude is interrupted by a new assignment that pits him against the mortal world’s conventions of class and privilege.

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A Healer's Gift Google Play Page
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The Storming White Clouds Sect

Legends and folklore blend

There are numerous stories and proverbs passed on to young Sect initiates, and the story of the Storming White Cloud Sect is but one of them. Such stories entertain and teach, providing new sect member guidance and a path to enlightenment.

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On Gods and Demons

What Do Gods & Demons Have in Common?

Perhaps nothing, perhaps a lot. A glimpse into a world where an immortal and a demon partake in meal while plotting moves that will shake the middle kingdom and share gossip of other, more contentious issues.

This is a 3,000 word short story set in the A Thousand Li universe featuring as yet to be seen characters in the universe. Does not need to be read to follow the main series.

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Clifftop Crisis and Transformation

A martial artist falls from a cliff to his death. A rival stands, triumphant above.

The beginning of an all too familiar story. Yet, in the time of recuperation and return, time passes and sometimes, the transformation that occurs is not the one you expect.

This is a 4,500 word short story set in the A Thousand Li universe featuring as yet to be seen characters in the universe. Does not need to be read to follow the main series.

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Imperial March

The march to the throne is littered with the bodies of the great and small in equal measure

Born an Imperial Prince, Qu Yuan always knew his options were to strive for the throne or escape. When he’s forced to put his escape plan into action too early, he’s forced out of the imperial palace into the countryside where the war for the throne rages.

Walking blood-soaked fields and burnt out villages, Qu Yuan will be forced to ask a simple question.

Is his search for immortality more important than the lives of his kingdom?

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Villages and Illnesses

Expectation conceals the truth. 

Noblewoman and cultivator Li Yao is called to a small village to investigate a mysterious illness that has drained residents of their chi. Accompanying her are her suitors Xiang An and Shen Wei, both more trouble than they’re worth in Li Yao’s eyes. 

Perhaps not all is as it seems. In the village and her suitors.

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Descent from the Mountain

Take a step. Take a bow. Look around, how far you’ve come.

For an immortal, the mortal world has little to offer them. Except, perhaps, perspective.

This story can be read as a stand-alone. There are no spoilers for later works and the short story does not include individuals from the main series.

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The Divine Peak

“When living in peace, one must think of danger.”

These were the words Protector Chan’s Master had left him. Now, the greedy eye of a king has landed on their sect once more. In the search to reach the Divine Peak, all too many will fall by the wayside, ground under the bitter dust of desire.

Between craving and enlightenment, between the heavens and earth, lies a single man. Making a choice, over what, in the end; is most important in the search for immortality.

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Fish Ball Quest

Sect Assignments Can Get a Little Fishy

Not every assignment in the Verdant Green Waters Sect involves life ending journeys. Not every task requires a sharp sword. Sometimes, a kinder touch is required, especially when it involves something as simple as…

Fish balls.

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Ten Thousand and One Fates

A prequel story for A Thousand Li featuring Master Cheng and Fairy Yang.

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Timeline

A Thousand Li Short Story Timeline
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  1. The Storming White Clouds Sect
  2. The Divine Peak
  3. Clifftop Crisis & Transformation
  4. The Favored Son
  5. Imperial March
  6. Villages and Illnesses
  7. On Gods and Demons
  8. Fish Ball Quest
  9. Descent from the Mountain