Longquan

Overview

Longquan (龙泉) is a major administrative region and cultivation hub in the northern reaches of the Baoping Continent, governed by the Dali Empire (大骊王朝). The region was originally the isolated Lizhu Grotto-Heaven (骊珠洞天), which merged into the main world after its dissolution.

Owing to its profound geographical significance, deeply rooted martial and cultivation fortunes, and the presence of the Dali Empire's Northern Peak, Piyun Mountain (披云山), the region experienced rapid political elevation. Over a few decades, it transformed from a mere county into a massive state-level prefecture. It serves as a critical anchor for the Dali Empire's national destiny and is the ancestral homeland of many powerful cultivators, including Chen Ping'an and the members of Luopo Mountain (落魄山).

History and Administrative Upgrades

The administrative history of Longquan reflects the Dali Empire's strategic emphasis on the region's spiritual and geographic resources.

• Longquan County (龙泉县): Immediately following the fall of the Lizhu Grotto-Heaven, the territory was integrated into the Dali Empire as Longquan County, initially under the jurisdiction of Yongjia Commandery (永嘉郡). The empire appointed Wu Yuan (吴鸢), a student of National Teacher Cui Chan, as its first county magistrate to oversee the complex integration of the local population and manage the influx of outside cultivators.
• Longquan Commandery (龙泉郡): Due to the region's soaring importance, it was quickly upgraded from a county to a commandery. Wu Yuan was promoted to the position of its first governor (太守/郡守). With this elevation, the central town that had once been the heart of the grotto-heaven was renamed Huaihuang County (槐黄县), functioning as the local seat of government within the broader commandery.
• Longzhou (龙州): As the Dali Empire expanded and its national power surged, Longquan Commandery was elevated to the status of Longzhou (Long Prefecture). This massive new administrative zone oversaw four subordinate commanderies: Qingci (青瓷), Baoxi (宝溪), Sanjiang (三江), and Xianghuo (香火). Wei Li (魏礼), a former official of the vassal Huangting State, was exceptionally promoted to become the Inspector (刺史) of Longzhou.
• Chuzhou (处州): Years later, the state of Longzhou was officially renamed Chuzhou, further cementing its integration into the Dali Empire's standard administrative hierarchy while retaining its status as a premier cultivation and political center.

Geography and Notable Sites

The geography of Longquan is defined by the former footprint of the Lizhu Grotto-Heaven, characterized by a vast network of mountains to the west and a dense web of rivers.

• Piyun Mountain (披云山): The Northern Peak of the Dali Empire, governed by the Mountain God Wei Bo. It is a central hub for the region's mountain and water fortunes and frequently hosts the famous Night Wanderer Banquets.
• Western Mountains: The sprawling mountain ranges to the west of the central town contain numerous immortal peaks. Key locations include Luopo Mountain (Chen Ping'an's sect), Shenxiu Mountain (the founding site of the Dragon Springs Sword Sect before its relocation north), Zhenzhu Mountain, and numerous other peaks leased or purchased by Luopo Mountain.
• Rivers and Waterways: The region is nourished by heavily fortified and officially recognized waterways, including the Longxu River (龙须河), Tiefu River (铁符江), Chongdan River (冲澹江), Xiuhua River (绣花江), and Yuye River (玉液江). Each of these rivers is overseen by an officially canonized water deity.
• Dragon Kilns and Old Porcelain Mountain: The region retains the remnants of the ancient dragon kilns that once fired destiny-bound porcelain (本命瓷), alongside sites like Old Porcelain Mountain (老瓷山) and Gods' Grave (神仙坟), which were repurposed to construct the grand civil and martial temples (文武庙) of the prefecture.

Ruling Factions and Demographics

Longquan's demographics represent a mix of original small-town natives, an influx of wealthy immigrant families from across the empire, and a heavy presence of cultivators and mountain deities.

• Dali Empire Officials: The secular governance is firmly in the hands of Dali officials. Key historical and current figures include Inspector Wei Li, Qingci Commandery Governor Yuan Zhengding (袁正定, from the Shangzhuguo Yuan clan), Baoxi Commandery Governor Fu Yu (傅玉), and Kiln Inspector Cao Gengxin (曹耕心).
• Luopo Mountain (落魄山): Following the northern relocation of the Dragon Springs Sword Sect's main forces, Luopo Mountain emerged as the undisputed dominant cultivation sect in the region, bringing together sword cultivators, pure martial artists, and diverse mountain spirits.
• Local Deities: The region's spiritual governance is led by Northern Peak Mountain God Wei Bo, alongside the state City God (州城隍) and the various river gods, creating a tightly regulated environment where secular law and mountain rules intersect under the watchful eye of the Dali Empire.

References

• 剑来2：忽为远行客, 第三章 — 树倒: Establishes the fall of Lizhu Grotto-Heaven and its initial integration as Longyuan/Longquan under Yongjia Commandery.
• 剑来5：山水有相逢, 第三章 — 黄雀去又返: Confirms the upgrade from Longquan County to a commandery, the renaming of the central town to Huaihuang County, and Wu Yuan's role.
• 剑来17：一洲皆起剑, 第四章 — 思无邪: Details the massive upgrade from Longquan Commandery to Longzhou, listing the four subordinate commanderies (Qingci, Baoxi, Sanjiang, Xianghuo) and the appointment of Wei Li and Fu Yu.
• 剑来24：新酒等旧人, 第三章 — 江湖见面道辛苦: Mentions the governance of Longzhou by Wei Li, Yuan Zhengding, and Cao Gengxin, alongside the rapid development of the state City God temple.
• 剑来35：一笑抚青萍, 第四章 — 次第花开: Confirms the official administrative renaming of Longzhou to Chuzhou.