Painting the Mists Series by Patrick G. Laplante

Once, there was nothing, and the Mists were lonely. A simple brush painted all of creation. The Clear Sky Brush vanished for countless ages. And now it’s back… Life for Cha Ming is a daily grind. A rat race where people don’t make any real decisions. When he asks the universe for something more, fate itself answers his prayer. A talisman brush older than time itself sends him to another world, where magic, fortune, and danger await.Now, the world is at his fingertips... moreOnce, there was nothing, and the Mists were lonely. A simple brush painted all of creation. The Clear Sky Brush vanished for countless ages. And now it’s back… Life for Cha Ming is a daily grind. A rat race where people don’t make any real decisions. When he asks the universe for something more, fate itself answers his prayer. A talisman brush older than time itself sends him to another world, where magic, fortune, and danger await.Now, the world is at his fingertips. He has a new life, a new body, and can wield the five elements. It’s too bad his new home is a place where might makes right, and immortal cultivators and demons fight at the drop of a hat.A game of universal proportions is unfolding. The Clear Sky Brush is at its center. The power to choose comes at a heavy price, and creation itself will pay it. less

Following the events in the spirit woods, Cha Ming and his friends make a complete recovery. But not everyone is the same, and more trouble is on the horizon. Guided by destiny, Cha Ming and Huxian face a sinister plot. In his penance, Feng Ming discovers a horrifying, devil-worshipping cult that will change the fate of the Song Kingdom. Meanwhile, Gong Lan struggles to find her way, her grief fueling an insatiable lust for power... moreFollowing the events in the spirit woods, Cha Ming and his friends make a complete recovery. But not everyone is the same, and more trouble is on the horizon. Guided by destiny, Cha Ming and Huxian face a sinister plot. In his penance, Feng Ming discovers a horrifying, devil-worshipping cult that will change the fate of the Song Kingdom. Meanwhile, Gong Lan struggles to find her way, her grief fueling an insatiable lust for power. Can she use this power wisely, or will she hurt her friends in the process? Facing the rising tide of darkness, Wang Jun fights the oracle’s apprentice, Zhou Li, in a battle of wits. The forces of evil are mobilizing, and the coming struggle will change our heroes immensely—for better or for worse. Note: This novel is an Eastern fantasy novel, which means it contains a lot of martial arts, Asian mythical creatures, and many references to Buddhism and Daoism. Cultivators fight to pursue immortality, fight demons and devils, and engage in ancient crafts like alchemy and weapon forging. If you've never tried an Eastern fantasy novel before, give it a try. You'll like it! less

Peace has returned to Fairweather County thanks to the timely interference of Cha Ming and his friends. Zhou Xian and the Merchant have been defeated, and the surviving residents have begun piecing their lives back together. But things have been better for the young heroes. Cha Ming has been maimed and crippled. Alone and alienated, he must find a new place for himself in a new society. Meanwhile, Huxian is stranded on an isolated mountain... morePeace has returned to Fairweather County thanks to the timely interference of Cha Ming and his friends. Zhou Xian and the Merchant have been defeated, and the surviving residents have begun piecing their lives back together. But things have been better for the young heroes. Cha Ming has been maimed and crippled. Alone and alienated, he must find a new place for himself in a new society. Meanwhile, Huxian is stranded on an isolated mountain. Having spent most of his life as a domesticated animal companion, he must awaken his animal instincts or die trying. Gong Lan is losing herself with every passing day. Is this the price for power, or is there a better way? Hong Xin has disappeared, and Wang Jun is desperate to find her—for even the most wretched souls need light in their world of darkness. Note: This novel is an Eastern fantasy novel, which means it contains a lot of martial arts, asian mythical creatures, and many references to Budhism and Daoism. Cultivators fight to pursue immortality, fight demons and devils, and engage in ancient crafts like alchemy and weapon forging. If you've never tried an Eastern fantasy novel before, give it a try. You'll like it! less

Peace has returned to Crystal Falls with the destruction of the Serpentine Swords bandit group. Cha Ming helps the small village rebuild, for it will soon leave its traditional isolation behind and embrace a broader community mindset. He can’t stay long, however. Danger is coming, and he must do his utmost to strengthen himself for the upcoming conflict. Meanwhile, Huxian is enjoying his newfound power... morePeace has returned to Crystal Falls with the destruction of the Serpentine Swords bandit group. Cha Ming helps the small village rebuild, for it will soon leave its traditional isolation behind and embrace a broader community mindset. He can’t stay long, however. Danger is coming, and he must do his utmost to strengthen himself for the upcoming conflict. Meanwhile, Huxian is enjoying his newfound power. Unsatisfied with sovereignty, he has set his sights on a new goal: taming the falcon Silverwing that roams the mountain range. Trouble is brewing in the capital of the Song Kingdom. Wang Jun, hard pressed to fulfill his family’s mission, stumbles upon a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—a newly discovered immortal-jade mine. He must wade through tricky political currents and foreign interference to win the mining rights. If he doesn’t, the opportunity he most desires will slip through his fingers forever. Note: This novel is an Eastern fantasy novel, which means it contains a lot of martial arts, Asian mythical creatures, and many references to Buddhism and Daoism. Cultivators fight to pursue immortality, fight demons and devils, and engage in ancient crafts like alchemy and weapon forging. If you've never tried an Eastern fantasy novel before, give it a try. You'll like it! less

A shadow has fallen on the Song Kingdom. Its ancient luster has dulled, and what was once a golden land has been corrupted beyond redemption. The king is dying, and no one can determine the origin of his ailment. In Songjing City, a fierce battle for succession is escalating. Wang Jun and Cha Ming wage an economic war to support Prince Lei. As Cha Ming fights with staff and sigil in the light, Wang Jun must dance with daggers in the dark. Meanwhile, Feng Ming is stranded in the capital... moreA shadow has fallen on the Song Kingdom. Its ancient luster has dulled, and what was once a golden land has been corrupted beyond redemption. The king is dying, and no one can determine the origin of his ailment. In Songjing City, a fierce battle for succession is escalating. Wang Jun and Cha Ming wage an economic war to support Prince Lei. As Cha Ming fights with staff and sigil in the light, Wang Jun must dance with daggers in the dark. Meanwhile, Feng Ming is stranded in the capital. Not satisfied with being pulled out of the battlefield, he aims to sow as much chaos as possible. While everyone is concerned with the present, Gong Lan delves into the past. She must learn the truth behind the chaos in Songjing and unfetter the chains that bind its destiny. But the road is long and red, tainted with corrupted crimson. less

On a Jade Moon between the stars, Cha Ming finds true love. But can he save her? Cha Ming’s qi core is broken. Practicing martial arts is difficult and painful. But the Monkey King is fading fast, and he’ll need something stronger than mortal medicine to recover.To that end, Cha Ming must cross the Bridge of Stars. The competition is stiff, and it will be hard to pass, even with the three-tailed fox Huxian by his side. It’s a good thing he meets a pretty lady who’s only too happy to help... moreOn a Jade Moon between the stars, Cha Ming finds true love. But can he save her? Cha Ming’s qi core is broken. Practicing martial arts is difficult and painful. But the Monkey King is fading fast, and he’ll need something stronger than mortal medicine to recover.To that end, Cha Ming must cross the Bridge of Stars. The competition is stiff, and it will be hard to pass, even with the three-tailed fox Huxian by his side. It’s a good thing he meets a pretty lady who’s only too happy to help.Yu Wen is kind, intelligent, and everything Cha Ming could ever hope for. Their bond grows every day. But a great evil has been following her for as long as she can remember, and now it knows exactly where to find her… less

A phoenix suffers five burnings to ascend. Five flames. Five colors. Rebirth in iridescence.The Burning Lake Prefecture has declared war on the demon lands. The human invaders are mighty, and even Stargazer City’s new seer can’t stop them. Cha Ming would love to help, but his hands are tied. He has a death match to attend, and only six months to prepare.To survive, he’ll need to awaken his divine blood using the Iridescent Phoenix’s inheritance... moreA phoenix suffers five burnings to ascend. Five flames. Five colors. Rebirth in iridescence.The Burning Lake Prefecture has declared war on the demon lands. The human invaders are mighty, and even Stargazer City’s new seer can’t stop them. Cha Ming would love to help, but his hands are tied. He has a death match to attend, and only six months to prepare.To survive, he’ll need to awaken his divine blood using the Iridescent Phoenix’s inheritance. But such a precious treasure is not easy to obtain. Cha Ming’s competitors are strong and have been preparing all their lives. They wield alchemical skills that exceed his own, and iridescent flames that turn emotions into reality.Cha Ming’s friends fight to buy him as much time as they can, because should he win the death match, he will take control of the Burning Lake Prefecture. Should he lose, however, not only will he and Huxian die, but every demon tribe in the north will be forced to surrender or perish. less

An ancient ruin. A dreadful curse. A race for the fate of the realm.Three years have passed since Cha Ming’s arrival in Verdant Crossroads. He would like nothing more than to settle down, but his peaceful days have come to an end.To fully revive the Monkey King, he agrees to journey to the Sacred Kerava Desert. The Runebound Clan seeks the ruins of an ancient city, as well as the treasures that lie within.They are not the only seekers... moreAn ancient ruin. A dreadful curse. A race for the fate of the realm.Three years have passed since Cha Ming’s arrival in Verdant Crossroads. He would like nothing more than to settle down, but his peaceful days have come to an end.To fully revive the Monkey King, he agrees to journey to the Sacred Kerava Desert. The Runebound Clan seeks the ruins of an ancient city, as well as the treasures that lie within.They are not the only seekers. Darker forces have joined the hunt and are one step ahead of them. To succeed in their quest, their motley group of demons, clergymen, and outcast Daoists will need to learn to work together.Little do they know that the ruins they seek are beyond redemption. The seal is breaking. The city is lost. Only madness awaits them. less

To help his allies, he’ll make the world his enemy.Cha Ming is back in Verdant Crossroads, and for now, his allies are safe. The Thread Seer has chosen to honor her promise and has begun crafting a new body for the Monkey King.Her seclusion has not gone unnoticed, however. Verdant Crossroads’ traditional allies are giving them the cold shoulder, and their neighbor, the Republic of Fendal, is now eyeing their territory... moreTo help his allies, he’ll make the world his enemy.Cha Ming is back in Verdant Crossroads, and for now, his allies are safe. The Thread Seer has chosen to honor her promise and has begun crafting a new body for the Monkey King.Her seclusion has not gone unnoticed, however. Verdant Crossroads’ traditional allies are giving them the cold shoulder, and their neighbor, the Republic of Fendal, is now eyeing their territory.It falls to the junior Thread Seer, Clever Dusk, to cobble together a defense—and to Cha Ming, her teacher, to help her. As a craftsman, Cha Ming has no trouble finding allies. But he and his friends are much better at finding trouble instead.But maybe all the chaos they’ll cause is a good thing? Cha Ming’s research on rankers and Daoism infringes on the domain of the gods. The last thing he needs is for Mendin’s deities to notice him. less