The Faces of This Chapter:
Yena: Disciple of Lord Niruana | Cheerful, stubborn, thoughtful
Rang Mi: Yena's caretaker and foster aunt | Sharp-tongued but caring, fiercely protective
Zheng Rui: The War God, Former Commander of Royal Army—The guardian of Ruiyi Pavilion | Stern but caring, avoids the past
Miao Miao: Yena's childhood best friend | a flower spirit | Playful, caring, sharp-witted
Lord Niruana: The Water God — acting ruler of the Yuanian realm | Calm, wise, distant, knows more than he says
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
Jin Yue – A young man from the Province of Huliya | Confident, resourceful, skilled in medicine and wilderness survival
---------------------------------------------------
Scene: Ruiyi pavilion
Rang Mi paced back and forth inside the chamber, her hands trembling with worry.
Seated calmly, Zheng Rui watched her every movement, his sharp gaze never leaving her. Finally, he sighed, his voice firm but measured.
"Would you please take a moment to rest? Your pacing is making me dizzy."
"How could I rest at a time like this?" Rang Mi snapped, her frustration palpable. "Have you not heard? Yena is going to Tianlok. I cannot allow her to do this... I must speak with Lord Niruana."
She spun toward the doorway, but before she could leave, Zheng Rui caught her arm—gentle, but firm enough to halt her. Seeing the raw emotion in her eyes, he released his grip just as quickly, his tone softening.
"And what would you say to him? That he should stop her? Yena made this decision herself."
Rang Mi's voice faltered. "But why?"
Zheng Rui's gaze hardened. "You know why... There are answers we cannot give her. She wants to seek those answers herself."
"She knows enough already—"
Zheng Rui cut in, his voice firm. "She hasn't. We cannot keep the truth from her forever. It is her right to know it."
Rang Mi's shoulders tensed. "Then I'll go with her."
Before Zheng Rui could respond, a calm voice entered.
"You cannot."
Lord Niruana appeared, serene yet absolute.
"She must walk this path alone, Rang Mi," he said, his voice gentle but unwavering. "To protect herself from the dangers ahead, she must awaken the power that lies dormant within her. This is a journey she must undertake."
"And who will protect her until then?" Rang Mi's voice cracked.
Lord Niruana met her gaze with quiet understanding. "Yena is more capable than you realize. She will not be harmed."
Rang Mi clenched her fists. "I doubt even you can promise that."
Zheng Rui watched them both, understanding what Rang Mi was truly implying.
"If not me," Niruana said quietly, "then believe in Yena." His voice left no room for protest. "She leaves at dawn. Give her your blessing, not your fear."
Without waiting for reply, he turned and left.
Rang Mi stood, speechless, trying to make sense of his words. Her legs buckled, and she sank onto the bed. Zheng Rui stepped forward, standing by her side in quiet support as she struggled to compose herself.
---------------------------------------------------
Scene: Yunshui Pavilion
The air was heavy with unspoken emotions as Yena stood before them—Rang Mi, Zheng Rui, Wen Rui, Yang Zi, Miao Miao, and Lord Niruana.
Yena smiled lightly. "I shall take my leave. Do try not to miss me too much."
She turned, but paused, glancing over her shoulder with playful mischief."Actually… Don't enjoy the peace so much that you forget me altogether."
A few soft chuckles stirred. Only Rang Mi remained unsmiling.
"Watch what you say, Yena," she scolded, her voice filled with concern. "Take care of yourself. Do not go causing trouble for whatever sect you end up in."
Yena offered her a gentle smile. "I'll take care. Don't worry too much."
Miao Miao chimed in. "Do not worry, Aunt Rang Mi. I'll watch over her."
Rang Mi's gaze softened faintly.
Yena smirked. "Watch over me? Are you sure it's not the other way around?"
The moment lightened—until Lord Niruana's voice cut through.
"Remember… No god has entered Tianlok since the Second Great Settlement. You're not just joining a sect. You're entering their world. Keep your identity hidden. Your divine powers shall be sealed, withheld until moments of true desperation. Only when the tournament begins will they be fully restored."
Yang Zi added, "In Tianlok, age is irrelevant. Yena, your true age—twenty-one—is fine. But Miao Miao…" she glanced meaningfully, "nineteen should suffice."
Yena raised a brow. "Nineteen? She's nearly four thousand."
Miao Miao flashed an unrepentant grin.
Yang Zi smiled. "Age means little. Cultivation defines status there… You may join any sect, in any province."
Rang Mi opened her mouth—but Zheng Rui's subtle shake of the head stopped her.
Lord Niruana continued, his voice low but firm. "You know well the places you must avoid. Choose wisely. A true sect will teach you to cultivate not only your magic but also your mind. That is what matters most."
Wen Rui stepped forward. "Yena… Use what I taught you. In Tianlok, strength of body will carry you further than mere power."
Zheng Rui, gave a small nod. "Enough words, I assume. Let them go—they will find their own way"
Yena and Miao Miao exchanged a final glance, filled with silent understanding.
And with that, they turned to leave.
As the two disappeared into the mist beyond the pavilion, the gods stood in solemn stillness.
---------------------------------------------------
Scene: Forests of Huliya
A dense, breathtaking forest stretched around them—verdant, untouched, alive with a quiet hum.
Miao Miao clung to Yena's back, letting out a giggle before noticing the sigh that escaped her friend beneath.
"Miao Miao, would you kindly get off me?"
Miao Miao slid down hastily. "Ah! Sorry. My spell… misfired…"
Yena dusted herself off. "No harm done. But… where are we?"
Miao Miao studied their surroundings carefully, her brows furrowing.
"Hmm… we are in…,"she hesitated, then shrugged, turning to Yena with an innocent smile "I have no idea."
Yena chuckled softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Then we'll find our way. Together."
Miao Miao brightened at her words, a soft smile forming.
"You've changed… You remind me of how you were four years ago."
Yena, glancing at her curiously while scanning the bushes, tilted her head slightly.
"And how was I?"
Miao Miao softened. "You smiled—not as a shield, but because you meant it. You were stubborn. Fearless. But after that journey… you've been quieter."
A small smile touched Yena's lips. "Perhaps I'm finding myself again. I've hidden long enough… It's time I sought the truth with my own hands."
Miao Miao nodded. "Then—welcome back, Yena."
They embraced briefly.
As they pulled apart, Miao Miao glanced around, her voice turning hesitant. "But… where exactly are we? This forest is stunning, yet it carries a certain… unease."
Yena answered calmly, "Don't be afraid, Miao Miao. Judging by the surroundings, I believe we are in the Province of Huliya."
Miao Miao's eyes widened. "Huliya?"
Yena nodded. "Hmm. Its forests are not only vast but filled with untamed beauty. And listen…,"she closed her eyes briefly. "There are other beings here."
Miao Miao's expression turned wary. "That only makes it all the more dangerous."
Yena offered a calm smile. "How can a divine spirit fear a mere forest? I am with you—there is nothing to be afraid of." Rising to her feet, she extended her hand. "Come. Let us find a way out before nightfall."
Miao Miao grasped her hand, and together, they began searching for an exit.
Hand in hand, they ventured deeper into the woods. Miao Miao fretted over Yena's safety as usual, and in turn, used her bond with the flowers to guide their way. After hours of wandering, they stumbled upon a clearing awash in golden light, alive with small creatures—rabbits, birds, delicate insects—thriving among soft petals.
Miao Miao finally collapsed onto the soft grass with a huff and tugged at Yena's sleeve, her voice lilting with playful pleading. "Let's rest… please?"
Yena sighed in defeat. "Alright, alright. I doubt we'll make it out before dark. We'll stay here until morning."
Fixing Miao Miao with a firm look, she warned, "Stay here. I'll search for food. Don't wander. And if there's trouble—call for me."
Miao Miao grinned mischievously. "Understood! But take your time—just return with plenty of fruit." Then, with a sheepish pout, she added, "Oh! And water… I might wither away without enough to drink."
Yena let out an amused chuckle, shaking her head. "How can I let my little flower wilt? Just wait for me." And with that, she disappeared into the forest.
But when she returned half an hour later, carrying food and water, Miao Miao was gone.
A sharp pang struck Yena's chest. Before panic could seize her fully, a noise broke the air—raised voices, a scuffle. Without a second thought, she bolted toward the sound.
As she arrived, she was greeted with an unexpected scene—Miao Miao had seized a young man by his ear, tugging mercilessly, while he winced in pain, struggling to free himself.
"Miao Miao…?" Yena called out, both baffled and concerned.
At the sound of her friend's voice, Miao Miao turned, releasing the young man. He immediately exhaled in relief, rubbing his reddened ear.
"What is going on here? And… who is this?" Yena asked, her voice cool but sharp.
Miao Miao huffed, pointing an accusing finger at the man. "I caught him mistreating that poor rabbit!" Nearby, a small rabbit lay unconscious on the grass. "He was hurting it!"
The young man sighed heavily. "You… honestly…"
Miao Miao snapped, "You what? I caught you red-handed. Lying won't help you now!"
He looked between them, his patience visibly thinning. "You didn't even stop to understand the situation. The rabbit was poisoned. I was neutralizing the venom when you attacked me."
Yena turned to Miao Miao, considering his words. "Is this true?"
Miao Miao hesitated, finally glancing at the rabbit with uncertainty.
Yena knelt beside it, inspecting its condition. After a moment, she looked up. "He's telling the truth. The rabbit is stable now, only unconscious due to the treatment."
Miao Miao's cheeks reddened as she lowered her gaze, murmuring a soft apology.
The young man waved a hand dismissively. "It's fine… as long as you understand now."
Miao Miao crossed her arms with a sniff. "You should have explained sooner."
He shot her a look. "How could I, when you were too busy attacking me?" With a dramatic sigh, he pulled a small mirror from his bag and checked his reflection. "At least my face isn't bruised."
Both girls stared at him in disbelief.
Satisfied, he slipped the mirror away and gave a shallow bow. "Jin Yue. From the Province of Huliya." He straightened, studying them. "And you two? You don't look like you're from around here."
Miao Miao crossed her arms. "And what's that supposed to mean? Are you saying we don't look good enough to be Huliyans?"
Jin Yue held up his hands. "That's not what I—"
"Whatever," Miao Miao huffed, turning her back.
Yena cut in gently. "It's getting late. We should move somewhere safer."
But before they could leave, Jin Yue's voice stopped them.
"Don't you think… it's strange?"
They both turned.
Yena met his steady gaze. "What do you mean?"
Jin Yue stepped closer, his face mere inches from hers, his eyes sharp and searching.
"You tell me."
A breath of silence stretched between them, charged yet uncertain.