Yu Sui and Wei Xiong had set off on their path...silent, but carrying dangerous intent. Though Yu Sui tried to keep his distance from Mo Yan, he could never truly abandon him. From the shadows or from afar, Yu Sui would always be there to protect him. He knew the danger looming over Mo Yan now was no ordinary threat. It was a betrayal that transcended all previous betrayals.....something unseen, something dangerous.
Far away, in a serene valley beside the cascading waterfalls of the Seven Mountains, the five warriors had reached the final stage of their spiritual rite.
Wuzu, Lao Duan, Mo Yan, Su Nian, and Duie....each stood ready to summon the essence of their spiritual beasts.
One by one, they called the names of their soul-bonded companions, with reverence, pride, and deep devotion.
---
Wuzu stepped forward first.
She called out the name:
"Chee Won."
A majestic Fire Fox responded, closing its eyes gracefully.
Before her, a sword appeared.....floating in midair.
It gleamed a fiery red, with flames and intricate ember patterns dancing across its sheath.
Not only could this blade strike with fire, but it could also blaze without burning its master.
Wuzu gripped the sword with pride, and the Fire Fox merged into the blade.
From now on, whenever the sword was unsheathed, it would be Chee Won that the enemy would first face.
---
Then came Su Nian.
With bowed head and folded hands, he spoke:
"Lang Jian."
The mighty Earth Wolf stepped forward, closed its eyes, and lowered its head.
A sword of gentle blue hues materialized in front of Su Nian, adorned with etchings of flowers and minerals in purple-toned metals.
The sword shimmered with the tranquil grace of the earth.
Su Nian picked up the sword, and Lang Jian's essence dissolved into it....becoming one.
---
Next was Duie, who had been sitting silently all this time.
He whispered the name gently, his voice tinged with something unspoken:
"Ying Shi."
At once, a magnificent eagle soared into the sky, spreading its wide, elegant wings.
With a respectful nod, it closed its eyes.
A blade appeared before Duie....sky-blue, adorned with ripples of water and air-like waves.
The sword was beautiful, calm, and powerful.....an echo of Duie's soul.
He extended his hand, and Ying Shi merged into the blade without a sound.
---
Mo Yan, who had remained still as a statue of ice, finally opened his eyes.
He bowed lightly, voice low and sacred:
"Bai Long."
With a thunderous cry, the White Dragon shot into the skies, circling above like a storm long awaited.
In front of Mo Yan, a double-hued sword emerged.....its hilt and upper blade pure white, while the lower edge was crimson.
Curiously, the blade bore golden lotus flowers and delicate pink peach blossoms.
Yet the blade itself... was black.
A mysterious sword unlike any other.
The others watched in awe.
This sword was more than a weapon.....it was an omen, a secret, a legend.
Mo Yan grasped the hilt, and Bai Long roared as he descended, his essence merging into the sword like thunder returning to the clouds.
---
Last came Lao Duan.
His spiritual beast, a rabbit, was still nestled calmly against his back.
Lao Duan took a long breath and said:
"Huan Tu."
The rabbit's ears twitched.
In one swift leap, it landed in front of him, crimson eyes sparkling, snow-white fur soft as whispers.
It bowed and closed its eyes.
Before Lao Duan, two weapons appeared.....one a maroon sword, the other a matching maroon bow.
His soul-beast knew well: Lao Duan was a marksman above all else.
Smiling, he took both weapons in his hands.
The rabbit's soul split in two, merging into both blade and bow.....becoming a part of him forever.
---
The rite was complete.
The night had already passed.
They had already lost 18 days.
Mo Yan could no longer wait.
He stood up, looked back at the others ....his expression calm, unreadable.
But they understood.
The journey... had begun once more.