The Divine Artifact Clan's territory, outside Artifact Valley.
The setting sun stained Mirror Moon Lake a pool of golden amber. Yang Xiu sat on a bluestone by the lakeside, absently tracing the water with his fingertips. The ripples shattered the rosy light across the lake.
Youying hovered beside him, its blue-violet swordlight softened by the dusk as it patiently listened to Yang Xiu's story.
By now, Yang Xiu had fully immersed himself in the role he had spun for himself.
His voice was hoarse as he spoke, his gaze fixed on the wavering moon reflected in the middle of the lake, as if he could see his "tragic" past in its mirror.
"So you're from a clan called the Moonshadow Clan?"
At that, Yang Xiu's eyes filled with nostalgia, as though he'd been reminded of happier times.
"We lived in treehouses in the Mistveil Forest. Every morning, we'd hear the elders play leaf flutes, and the children would chase glowing butterflies through the woods. Our hunters never took more than they needed. Every time they returned from a hunt, they'd share the choicest cuts with the old and the young..."
As he spoke, he suddenly clenched his fist until his knuckles turned white. His voice began to tremble.
"Until three months ago, when the evil forces descended."
"A pitch-black tower rose from our land. A bloody waning crescent hung over the sky, and countless evil creatures poured down like raindrops as black fog billowed."
"The things born in that black fog flooded into the forest like mad. I'll never forget the crackling sound of the treehouses being smashed down, the children crying everywhere, and the elders blowing themselves up to protect us and cover our escape..."
He lowered his head, his shoulders shaking violently.
"The clan leader split us young