Let time turn back a little.
The Overseas Immortal Island.
Penglai.
At the center of the island.
There was a big house.
At its entrance.
A man held a tablet, explaining at length:
"So, after receiving the information and video from Shen Ye, I immediately notified the Five Great Aristocratic Families and the major institutions. They've already surrounded the place."
"But we're up against the Nine Evil Gods!"
"So I hope you'll intervene just this once, to prevent upheaval in this world."
The door remained tightly shut.
The man sighed and pleaded softly, "Please, help us out. This really is a major incident."
Video game sound effects came from behind the door.
Looking utterly miserable, the man had no choice but to take a card from inside his clothes.
Depicted on the card was an uncanny longsword.
Layers of phantom images radiated from the entire sword. A black gemstone was set in its hilt, with the light of a sky full of stars flickering within it from time to time. The blade was translucent, and if one listened quietly, one could hear bouts of weeping coming from within the sword.
The man cleared his throat and said:
"This Sword Artifact was recently unearthed in the Sky Jialan Ruins. No one has examined it yet, and its origins are unknown."
"If you want it, it's yours."
Bang!
The door finally opened.
The man let out a huge sigh of relief and entered the room, holding the card.
The card flew from his hand and, with a snap, became a tangible longsword. It hopped around on the floor before a delicate, beautiful hand finally caught it.
That hand took the sword and drew it from its sheath. After just one glance, it sheathed the sword again and tossed it carelessly onto the