In the depths of the Shadow Realm,within the darkness where the silence of the underworld intertwines with the laments of its souls,spread the roots of Hui Lin—the Sacred Tree of Life,the Tree of Eternity, as the sages of old once named it.
Its roots were no ordinary wood; they glimmered with a silver-ivory light,twisting around one another as if to guard an eternal secret.They sank deep into the shadows, drawing upon the mysteries of that realm.From there, the trunks rose—thin at first, then expanding and branching out,as though tearing through the layers of the world to reach the surface of the Earthly Kingdom.
There, its shadow kissed the soil…but it did not stop.It climbed higher,up through the air,piercing the clouds until it reached the Heavenly Kingdom.
There, among the celestial domes, floated Hui Lin's blossom—a vast pink cloud drifting at the very edge of the divine realm.From afar, it seemed as if lights were dancing between its slender branches,yet in truth,those were translucent leaves—crystal-like petals swaying beside colorless flowers…flowers waiting to borrow the hues of others.
Each pulse of the tree was like a breath,beating with the rhythm of time itself.
There, the legendary Shui Guan spring poured its glass-like waters into the roots—dropping, drop by drop,through channels of light that never ceased to flow.
Around this living legend, Hui Lin,stood Masters Li and Wuxin, surrounded by their disciples—among them, Huo Feng.Silence filled the air,allowing wonder to speak in place of words.
Suddenly,Master Li's steady voice broke the stillness,deep and resonant—like the echo from within the tree itself:
"This is Hui Lin… not merely a tree,but the very heart of Heaven, Earth, and Shadow.Every flower upon it holds a secret.Our trial today is simple…simple, yet it carries eternity within its core."
Huo Feng's eyes shimmered with innocent curiosity.
"You said it's simple… are we going to sing to the tree?She loves that, you know!"
Everyone laughed, as always when she spoke.Even Master Li's sternness softened.He smiled faintly and said, with a gentleness that touched the soul:
"Step forward, and pluck one flower from this tree."
The words sounded easy—but their weight ran deeper than they seemed.For every flower chosen by one's spirit revealed the truth buried within.
The students approached one by one,their faces glowing with both anticipation and fear.They reached toward the glassy blossoms—yet every time a hand neared,the petals would close in upon themselves,as if seeking refuge…then vanish into the air, leaving behind only a chill of silence and disappointment.
All failed.Confusion spread.All—except Huo Feng, who didn't even try.
Mei turned toward her with a mocking smile.
"Giving up before you even try? How pitiful."
Huo Feng glanced sadly at the masters, then at the tree.
"Yes… I'm a failure," she said softly."I can't do it.I can't betray her by tearing a part of her away…She's my second mother."
A cruel laugh sliced through the air—Mei's,and it stung all who heard it.When she saw no support in the eyes around her,she stepped toward the tree.
"That's your excuse, Huo Feng?How ridiculous."
Without warning, Mei fixed her gaze on a single blossom that had not yet closed its petals.It shimmered faintly—watching her as she watched it.There was a strange link between them,as if the flower were whispering in a language only Mei could hear.
Quietly, she reached toward it…and murmured an ancient incantation under her breath—words slithering like serpents from her lips.Dark sorcery.The kind that coils and corrupts.
The charm wrapped around the transparent flower,smothering its light, drowning it in shadow.Then, with her other hand, Mei swiftly plucked another blossom nearby—one weakened by her spell.
Her smile widened—triumphant, deceitful, merciless.
"There. I've completed my task first, as always.No consolation for the weak."
She cast a venomous glance toward Huo Feng—who didn't even notice her.
The roots of Hui Lin trembled in sorrow,as though its sacred heart had been pierced by betrayal.A soft wail rose from its branches—a song of grief that seeped into the hearts of all who stood there.
Huo Feng felt it deeply—the ache of the tree echoed in her soul.Tears welled in her eyes,overflowing until they streamed down her cheeks.
She walked toward the tree—gently, reverently—as though approaching an old friend.She laid her hands upon its trunk,then embraced it, pressing her cheek to its cool bark.
A single kiss,tender as forgiveness.
Her tears fell one by one—watering the roots of Hui Lin.And with every drop,the warmth returned.The petals began to glow,soft hues of life reborn from sorrow.
The tree trembled in joy—as though that single embrace had freed it from centuries of pain.
Then came a voice—ancient and calm,filled with wisdom and gratitude:
"Old friend…You have restored trust to my heart.I bloom again.Child of the Wind…what is your wish?"
Huo Feng inhaled deeply.She placed her hand gently upon one of its leaves.
"I left my friends behind during the battle in the Beast Realm…and guilt has weighed on me ever since.I want to apologize.Grant me twelve flowers—a token of that apology."
The blossoms swayed as if understanding her plea.One by one, twelve crystal flowers rose into the air,floating slowly—suspended between heaven and earth.
Each called softly—whispering the name of its rightful owner.Ten disciples stepped forward in awe to receive them,their eyes shimmering with gratitude.
Two flowers remained,hovering gently in the air.
Huo Feng smiled playfully.She caught one and said, her tone teasing yet full of warmth:
"This one is for you, Master Li."
Then she reached for the other, her gaze tender, loyal—and turned to Wuxin.
"And this one… for you, Master Wuxin."
Master Li's smile glowed like the colors of his flower,bright and pure.But Wuxin stood silent—his heart seized by something darker.Jealousy—hot and painful.
The crimson light of his blossom mirrored his turmoil.He turned his eyes away,unable to bear the sight of that shared smile.
Then, as always, Mei's poisonous voice broke the moment:
"You failed, Huo Feng.You didn't get a flower of your own."
Before she could finish,Suo stepped forward suddenly, smiling with innocent warmth.
"Then take mine," he said. "It's my gift to you."
Huo Feng blinked, surprised, then giggled softly.She pinched his cheek playfully.
"And since when are gifts given twice, silly boy?"
She raised her hand gracefully—and from the branches above,a glowing twig fell into her palms—a whole branch, carrying more than fifty translucent flowers that shimmered like little stars.
For a heartbeat, time itself seemed to stop.Huo Feng lifted the radiant branch slowly,gazing at it with silent reverence—
And in that moment,as the sacred tree bloomed between her hands, none in the heavens saw what fate had quietly decided —that the heir of the Celestial Furnace, bearer of ruin and flame,had been touched once more by the blessing of life.
Between ash and blossom, between destruction and creation,Huo Feng's true trial began —to balance the two eternities within her:the power to end... and the power to begin anew.