Outside Artifact Valley, in the Divine Artifact Clan's territory.
The setting sun dyed Mirror Moon Lake into a pool of golden amber. Yang Xiu sat on a bluestone by the shore, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the water, the spreading ripples shattering the sunset's reflection.
Youying hovered beside him, its blue-violet sword light softened by the dusk as it patiently listened to his account.
By now, Yang Xiu had immersed himself in the character and story he had woven.
His voice was hoarse as he spoke, his gaze fixed on the swaying reflection of the moon at the lake's center, as though he could see his own "tragic" past through its mirrored surface.
"So you come from a people called the Moonshadow Race?"
At this, a hint of nostalgia surfaced in Yang Xiu's eyes, as though fond memories had been stirred:
"We lived in treehouses in Mistveil Forest. Every morning, we could hear the elder playing his leaf flute. The children would chase Glowlight Butterflies through the woods. Our hunters never took more than they needed. Whenever they returned from a hunt, they would give the best cuts of meat to the old and weak..."
At this point, he suddenly clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white, and his voice began to tremble:
"Until three months ago, when evil forces descended."
"A pitch-black High Tower rose from our land. A blood-colored crescent moon shrouded the sky, and countless evil creatures fell like raindrops amid the surging black fog."
"The things born in the black fog poured into the forest like mad. The crack of treehouses being knocked down, the children crying everywhere, the elder blowing himself up to protect us and cover our retreat... I still can't forget it."
He lowered his head, his shoulders shaking violently:
"The clan leader