The Faces of This Chapter:
Yena: Disciple of Lord Niruana | Cheerful yet contemplative, stubborn, curious
Zheng Rui: The War God, Former Commander of Royal Army, Guardian of Ruiyi Pavilion | Stern but caring, avoids the past.
Miao Miao: Yena's childhood best friend | Playful, caring, sharp-witted
Lord Niruana: The Water God — acting ruler of the Yuanian realm | Wise, composed, distant
Thunder God (Ding Ran): Embodiment of Thunder and Lightning | Blunt, dismissive, overconfident
Fire God: Embodiment of Fire | Passionate, strong-willed
Goddess of Space & Time: Overseer of Fate and the Cosmic Order | Wise, concerned, analytical
Goddess ofWisdom: Embodiment of Knowledge, Strategy, and Foresight | Diplomatic, insightful, patient
God of Wind & Storms: Controller of Air Currents, Storms, and Speed | Relaxed, observant, indirect
Yang Zi – Goddess of Essence and Emotion, Friend of Lord Niruana and Wen Rui | Quietly perceptive, understanding, patient
Wen Rui – War God, Commander of Royal Army, Friend of Lord Niruana and Yang Zi | Loyal, pragmatic, duty-driven
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Scene: Ruiyi pavilion
"No… no…" Yena murmured, caught in some unseen dream, her body briefly tensing. She jolted upright, eyes wide, breath catching in her throat.
"Another bad dream?" came a low voice from the doorway.
Zheng Rui stood with arms crossed, expression unreadable.
Yena eased her breath, brushing her hair from her face. "Perhaps. This place brings a little stillness to my mind… even if sleep isn't kind."
Zheng gave a low grunt, then gestured toward the door. "Then perhaps you can find stillness elsewhere. This pavilion isn't meant for daydreamers. I have a pile of duties waiting."
"Truly, Uncle?" Yena gave a soft scoff, her lips curving in mild amusement. "Would it trouble you so much if I stayed?"
He raised an eyebrow and tapped a cane against his palm with just enough force to hint at a response.
"Sigh… I give up. What else can I expect from a War God?" Yena sighed in defeat.
Yena tilted her head. "Ah… Of course. Spoken like a true War God."
Zheng's hands stilled. "...I'm not that anymore," he muttered, turning to dust the nearby shelves.
A quiet stillness fell between them.
Yena's voice was lower when she spoke again. "You never talk about her."
The air shifted. Zheng's hand froze mid-motion, then resumed as though nothing had been said.
Taking the cue, Yena stood. "I'll take my leave now. Take care, Uncle."
Still facing away, he replied after a pause, "You too, Yena."
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Scene: Yunshui Pavilion, Courtyard
Yena walked arm-in-arm with Miao Miao through the soft light of the courtyard, her gaze unfocused.
"Yena… Yena…!" Miao Miao huffed and stopped abruptly, shaking Yena's hand. "Aiyaah! Can you at least pretend to listen when I speak?"
Yena blinked back into the moment. "Mm? Sorry. I was thinking."
Miao Miao narrowed her eyes. "About what?"
"Yesterday, Uncle instructed me to study the Elementals. Today… nothing. Odd, isn't it? Do you think he's finally abandoned hope in me?"
Miao Miao sighed and tapped her forehead lightly. "Tch! You think too much, you know."
Yena arched a brow. "Do I?"
"You've been buried in scrolls for weeks. Of course you wouldn't know—The Great Sect Tournament is coming in three months. Everyone's talking about it."
Yena's tone was dry. "Is that so?"
Miao Miao threw her hands up. "Heavens! Of course it is! The tournament is practically a festival. Dancing, fireworks, delicacies…," She gulped. "One entire month of celebration."
Yena's response lacked enthusiasm. "Is that so…"
Yena's voice was even. "Sounds lively."
Miao Miao studied her friend. "...You do want to go, right? Or is it because you think you'll see him again?"
Yena's gaze shifted. Her tone didn't falter. "There's no reason to think our paths will cross again."
Miao Miao smirked. "Then… shall we go eavesdrop on the Divine Court?"
A rare spark flickered in Yena's eyes. "Now that sounds worthwhile."
They moved together, quiet as shadows, behind one of the great pillars of the court.
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Scene: The Divine Court
The gods had gathered.
Lord Niruana sat in his grand seat, listening to the voices echoing through the chamber.
Thunder God crossed his arms "It's natural for us to stay out of the affairs of commoners.The Divines are forbidden from interfering in the commoners matters."
Fire God countered "But it is our duty to maintain peace among the loks. Given the circumstances, postponing the tournament is the wisest course."
The Goddess of Space and time spoke, worry lacing her voice "The words of Akashvani can not be ignored. Holding the tournament at this time poses a grave risk." She hesitated. "Besides, we don't even know what Maya[1] truly wants."
"Her desires are irrelevant. She is a mere commoner." Thunder God snapped. "Even if she has ambition, what of it?"
The Goddess of Wisdom interjected calmly, "Ding Ran, you are too quick to dismiss the past. History repeats when we refuse to learn from it." Her gaze calm and composed. "Moreover, delaying the tournament could create a rift between the gods and commoners."
Goddess of Space and Time pressed, "Isn't that exactly what she wants? Either way, the peace of the loks is at stake."
God of Wind and Storms exhaled lightly. "We have the Chosen One on our side. I don't believe the situation is as dire as you make it out to be."
A heavy silence followed.
"Come on, we all know about her. Pretending she doesn't exist will not alter her fate."
Murmurs spread through the court.
Lord Niruana's expression darkened. He raised his staff and struck it against the floor with a resounding bang, silencing the chamber.
His voice was steady yet firm. "It is premature to act on shadows and whispers. The Chosen One is our responsibility. We do not dictate fate. The path she chooses is hers alone."
Silence gripped the court.
Without shifting his gaze, Lord Niruana suddenly spoke again.
"What do you think about this… Yena?"
The entire hall stilled.
Behind the pillar, Miao Miao clutched Yena's sleeve in horror.
Yena stepped forward without hesitation. Composed.
"My opinion, Divine Lord?" Her voice did not waver.
"I believe the tournament should proceed. We do not know who the Chosen One truly is, nor what destiny awaits. If danger approaches, we must not shy from it."
Goddess of Wisdom's eyes softened. "You speak with reason. But are you certain this is the only path we have?"
"No," Yena said. "But it is the one we can choose. The future is unknown, so why we should let the fear dictate our decision"
Lord Niruana studied her. "Then I ask you this: will you go to Tianlok… and assess the situation yourself?"
Yena's eyes widened. "Me?"
His gaze was unreadable. "You are divine. It is time you begin walking the path meant for you. Or do you intend to remain in shadows forever?"
Silence.
Yena lifted her chin, quiet resolve anchoring her voice. "Then I shall go to Tianlok. And I promise—I will not fail you."
Miao Miao's concerned gaze lingered on her, but Yena kept her eyes locked on Lord Niruana.
"You may take your leave," Lord Niruana said, closing his eyes, signaling the discussion's end.
Miao Miao gently tugged Yena's sleeve, and the two quietly exited the court.
Once they were gone, Lord Niruana rose from his seat and walked toward the palace gardens, dismissing the assembly.
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Scene: Royal Palace's Garden
Yang Zi's voice carried a quiet reproach. "Weren't you a little too harsh just now?" she asked. "Why speak words you do not mean?"
Wen Rui sighed. "That's how he is. You know this"
Lord Niruana did not turn to them. His gaze remained fixed on the towering Kalp Tree. "She must learn. Until now, we stood beside her. But from this moment forward, she must decide her own course and bear the weight of her choices."
Yang Zi and Wen Rui exchanged glances—both understanding, yet conflicted.
"Talk to her. I can sense her presence here," Yang Zi murmured.
With that, they took their leave, leaving the garden in silence once more.
A faint, knowing smile touched Lord Niruana's lips. "If you wish to scold your uncle, you'll need to reveal yourself first."
From behind a tree, Yena stepped out, settling quietly into a tea chair, arms crossed.
Lord Niruana chuckled. "Is forgiveness so difficult? I can admit — I am rather infuriating at times."
Yena exhaled slowly, meeting his gaze. "I understand your reasons."
Lord Niruana regarded her with quiet amusement.
"Yet," Yena continued, her voice steady, "You always do this—say the cruel thing to push the result you want."
He smirked. "You could have gone to Tianlok four years ago. Yet you tarried… and chose Bhulok instead."
Though his words carried a playful tease, Yena could sense the underlying meaning.
Yena lowered her gaze. "I still… I am still uncertain about going."
Lord Niruana's eyes softened, though his words remained firm. "Have you abandoned your search for answers, then?"
Yena's head snapped up. "I have not!" The words left her almost too fast.
A knowing smile tugged at his lips. "Then go. The truth you seek cannot be found within the boundaries of the divine world."
Yena swallowed. "Will I… truly find my answers there?" Her voice dropped to a whisper. After a pause, she confessed, "Perhaps I'm afraid… of what I'll discover. Could I… live without knowing?"
Lord Niruana studied her in silence before answering. "That is for you to decide. But ask yourself — can you truly live without knowing the truth? You may delay it… deny it… but it will remain. And until you face it, your destiny is not your own."
A deep breath escaped Yena's lips. The weight of his words settled within her, pressing against the uncertainty in her heart.
At last, she rose.
"Then I shall go. Wherever the truth hides… I will seek it. Whatever was buried in the past — the forgotten past — I will find it."
Her voice held firm. The decision was hers.
She bowed deeply. Determination shone in her eyes.
Then, without another word, she turned and walked away.
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[1] Ruler of the Province of Shexing