The Faces of This Chapter:
Yena: Lord Sian Yi and Huang Zhenyan[1]'s Daughter; Half-divine, half-commoner | Determined, Strategic, protective, and introspective
Miao Miao: Close companion of Yena | a flower spirit | Playful, protective, slightly anxious
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Lost in thought, Yena made her way upstairs, Jin Yue's words still echoing in her mind. As she reached their room and pushed open the door, her gaze immediately fell on Miao Miao, who was resting in bed.
Without hesitation, she walked over and wrapped her arms around her.
"Sorry, little Miao Miao. You suffered a lot."
Miao Miao sighed, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "I won't say I didn't. But can I hear your explanation now?"
Yena nodded and began recounting everything that had happened in the Ironwood Artifact House. Miao Miao listened intently, her eyes widening in shock as the pieces fell into place.
"I didn't know your father was an Elemental… That explains your Phoenix Spirit."
Yena smiled faintly. "I concealed my Phoenix Spirit for that very reason." Her expression dimmed with guilt. "I'm sorry I couldn't tell you sooner… When I first learned about it four years ago, I was shattered. I had so many questions for my father, but no one to ask. I didn't want to burden you with my worries."
Miao Miao's gaze softened. "I'm always here for you, and your troubles don't burden me." Though emotional, she quickly pouted to shift the mood. "But from now on, don't leave me out of anything."
After a pause, she asked, "Do you think the artificer knew that you're a Divine too?"
Yena shook her head. "I don't think so. He didn't even know that Lord Sian Yi was my mother. Even when he mentioned her, it was only because of the Sword of Everflame."
Miao Miao gasped. "The Sword of Everflame! The legendary sword that vanished after the Second Great Settlement!"
Yena nodded. "To be precise… after my mother's death." Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the fabric of her robe. "But what I'm curious about is how the master smith's father got the Moonstone."
"Didn't you say he claimed to have received it from your father?" Miao Miao asked, frowning.
Yena's expression hardened. "Even as an Elemental, the only Divine essence he should have had access to was the Phoenix Soulflame of his province."
"Then… do you think your mother gave it to him?"
"Possibly," Yena admitted. "But the Moonstone is a Divine relic. It doesn't belong in mortal hands." She explained, "It grants visions, but at a cost. If the Moonstone rejects its bearer, even a single glimpse can trap them in a lifetime of illusions. Many who have tried… lost their minds."
In her mind, thoughts reeled—[Mother would never hand it over to him. It's not right for an Elemental to possess two Divine essences... Even more so if he meant to use it for my spirit weapon. But then, who?]
Miao Miao's voice broke Yena from her thoughts. "I've heard of that… but your mother would never allow something like that to happen."
"You're right." Yena let out a hollow chuckle. "Even before the artificer mentioned it, Uncle Niruana once told me that the Sword of Everflame was forged from the Phoenix Soulflame." Her voice dropped lower. "Do you know what that is? It's the Divine essence left behind by the Great Phoenix for the Province of Fenixia."
Miao Miao's eyes widened. "So the artificer had no idea… The Phoenix Soulflame isn't just any divine material—it's the very essence of Mythicals. And your father… he used his province's sacred essence to forge the sword—for your mother?"
Yena's expression was unreadable. "I don't know why he did it." She hesitated, then added, "Few people know that Divine essences exist in Tianlok—gifts left behind by the Mythical Beasts to protect their respective provinces. Soulflame is one of them."
Then, as if the realization struck her mid-sentence, her next words slipped out without thinking—"Could it be? The Moonstone is another."
Miao Miao frowned. "But who would willingly give up their province's Divine essence? Losing it would mean losing their power. And how did it end up in your father's hands?"
Yena met her gaze. "That's what we need to find out—where this Moonstone came from, how it ended up here, and why it is no longer in its rightful province."
Miao Miao hesitated before voicing another concern. "Tell me… why do you think you didn't experience any prophetic visions or glimpses of the past when you touched the Moonstone Whip? Could it be that it hasn't accepted you?" Worry flickered in her eyes. "If that's the case, then it can't be your spirit weapon. Let's return it. You know how dangerous forced use of the Moonstone can be."
Yena gently placed a reassuring hand on Miao Miao's shoulder. "How can I just abandon it? I've waited years to get closer to the truth. This is one of the missing links. Besides, I believe I am its master. It hasn't chosen anyone because I was still alive all this time…" Determination laced her voice as she added, "There's only one way to be sure—I have to try linking it with my mind sea."
Miao Miao's face paled. "What are you thinking, Yena?! Your mind sea is unstable! Without reaching level one hundred, you can't control it. Connecting with a powerful relic now will only make things worse! It's too dangerous—I won't let you do it!"
She clenched her fists. "I think we should just go back to the Divine World. I know it's hard for you to move on from your mother's death, but I won't let you put yourself in harm's way."
Yena understood her concern. Miao Miao had always cared deeply for her. And as a bud, she was still young—perhaps even frightened by the risks ahead.
Softly, Yena spoke. "Miao Miao."
The warmth in her voice calmed Miao Miao, but the worry in her eyes didn't fade.
"You know that if I don't reach level one hundred, I can't even return to my home—Ruiyi," Yena continued. "Because I'm half commoner, half god, my powers have always been a mystery." She took a deep breath before adding, "Besides, we knew this journey wouldn't be easy. We aren't just here for me—we're here for the Divine World, too. Have you forgotten our assignment? We must find out what's going to happen at the Great Sect Tournament."
She exhaled slowly. "I have to regain my full powers before the prophecy of Akashvani[2] comes into play. That's the only way to protect everyone."
Miao Miao sighed but finally nodded. "Alright… but don't push yourself too hard. You don't even know what the prophecy entails. The other Divines think you're the chosen one, but they don't know who you really are. They don't know you're Lord Sian Yi's daughter. That's why they think Uncle Niruana is guiding you—because they believe you're the prophesized one. Do you believe you are?"
Miao Miao agreed. "Don't worry. I've got your back. Just don't overdo it. If you can't do it now, there will be other chances later."
Yena nodded in reassurance and settled onto the bed, closing her eyes as she attempted to link the Moonstone Whip with her mind sea.
Miao Miao stood by, silently watching over her as she began to meditate.
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Scene:(Yena in her mind sea)
As Yena drifted into meditation, her surroundings faded. She felt as though she were falling through endless space—until she was enveloped by the familiar expanse of her mind sea.
It was dark yet calm, stretching infinitely in all directions. Below her, a crystal-clear ocean burned with golden flames, flickering within the water instead of consuming it. Above, the sky was a deep violet-blue, scattered with distant stars. The air was cool, yet a faint warmth lingered—neither fire nor water fully dominated this space.
She was surrounded by water on all sides, yet there was no solid ground beneath her. A reflection of her own unsteadiness—she could enter her mind sea, but she could never find rest in it. No place to stand. No place to root herself.
Yena hovered above the ocean, meditating in midair, her energy pulsing—connected to everything around her.
However, as she began the process, the once-calm waters rebelled. The golden flames intensified, heating the ocean beneath her. Ripples turned into violent waves, and suddenly, eruptions burst forth from the water's surface, sending glowing embers into the air.
A sharp pain shot through her mind.
A powerful force wrenched her downward, dragging her into the depths of her own mind sea.
Her body went limp, her consciousness slipping away.
Miao Miao rushed to her side, her heart pounding with worry. She quickly checked Yena's pulse—it was weak. Her body grew hotter and hotter, her temperature rising at an alarming rate.
Miao Miao carefully adjusted Yena's position, placing a pillow under her head for support. "Maybe this is a reaction to connecting the Divine Stone with her mind sea… Her mind sea isn't stable. I shouldn't have agreed to this!"
Her hands trembled, but she steadied herself. "I have to enter her mind sea. That's the only way to wake her up."
She sat beside Yena, channeling her inner power. Sweat beaded on her forehead as she focused, her expression growing tense.
Then, with a sharp gasp, she opened her eyes.
She had failed.
[1] Current ruler of the Province of Fenixia and Yena's father.
[2] It refers to divine or supernatural messages delivered without a visible speaker. It is a celestial message, usually foretelling an important event, warning of danger, or revealing a prophecy.