Ruyi stepped closer to the Glaive. It was unassuming and dull, and she wondered how this beast carried something so big. The weapon could only be described as enormous, as it stood as tall as Ruyi herself, even with half of its blade sunk into the ground.

The beast did nothing as she approached, though Ruyi wondered if she had gone too far. However, there was nothing else she could have done. Civilians did not need to see an Elder drawing a sword or witness bloodshed in general. This was the best course of action she could take.

Casting a sidelong glance at the departing farmer, she firmly grasped the pole of the Glaive. It was slim and frigidly cold, almost causing her hands to grow numb.

She tried to pull it, expecting to lift it up easily, but it did not budge, unaffected. She channeled Luminance into her hand and pulled even harder, yet the result did not change. Why? She wondered, but before her thoughts could run wild, footsteps disrupted her. They were familiar footsteps, ones that had always annoyed her. She let go of the pole and turned to face the owner of the footsteps.

"If it isn't Commander Jiang," Ruyi addressed him icily.

"Oh, what do we have here? Did the mighty Elder Yu, renowned for her impeccable skills, actually fail to grasp a measly, utterly worthless Glaive? How fortunate it was for you to dismiss the onlookers beforehand. Such a remarkable coincidence, wouldn't you agree?" His voice reeked of haughtiness and provocation, as if he took pleasure in reveling in belittling others.

Ruyi restrained herself from succumbing to such pathetic provocation, though a mischievous scheme danced within her thoughts. "You speak the truth, Commander Jiang. I would be ever so grateful if you could demonstrate how it's done," Ruyi replied, her voice laced with mockery that she made no effort to conceal. A flicker of annoyance passed over Jiang's lips, yet he forced a smile nonetheless.

"Ah, it appears this humbling experience has managed to awaken a minuscule glimmer of understanding within you," Jiang proclaimed, attempting to sound proud. But all Ruyi heard was a hollowness veiled by false pride.

Ruyi gracefully stepped aside, making way for Jiang to attempt the impossible task. She had not a shred of doubt that he would fail spectacularly.

Jiang approached, his robe swaying with arrogance, and laid his hand upon the pole. Yet, to his dismay, it remained steadfast, unyielding. His gaze turned towards Ruyi, his expression a mix of frustration and forced smiles.

Feigning an air of anticipation, Ruyi showed false excitement. Jiang's face contorted, but he struggled to maintain his smile. "I was merely testing its worthiness, you see, to ensure it is deserving of my efforts. And it has passed that test. Now, behold!"

Jiang's grip tightened around the pole, Luminance surging through his hand. But the moment his skin made contact with the surface, a bloodcurdling cry of agony erupted from his lips, and he instinctively recoiled, his hand trembling in pain.

"AAAAARGH!"

Ruyi's gaze fixated on the area where Jiang had touched the pole, now ominously blackened. She observed the dreadful transformation with a mix of curiosity and morbid fascination. Her eyes then shifted to Jiang, who writhed in torment, his entire hand engulfed in the inky darkness akin to frostbite. It seemed inevitable that amputation would be his only recourse unless he could find a skilled doctor in time.

"I see. It appears my suspicions were correct," Ruyi stated, reverting to her apathetic demeanor.

"What do you mean? Did you anticipate this outcome?!" Jiang bellowed, his face contorted with a mixture of anger and disgust.

"I had a mere speculation, but I assumed that if I remained unscathed, surely Commander Jiang would be as well," Ruyi replied with a measured tone.

"Explain yourself!" Jiang demanded, his voice raised.

"Now, now, Commander. Shouting at an Elder in a public place wouldn't befit your position, would it? However, in light of your noble sacrifice, I shall graciously bestow upon you the knowledge you rightfully deserve," Ruyi remarked, a hint of mockery lacing her words.

Jiang clenched his teeth tightly, but ultimately remained silent, unwilling to further jeopardize his already compromised standing.

"This, Commander Jiang, is known as a Ruler Key—a divine weapon of sorts, to put it in simpler terms," Ruyi explained with a touch of condescension. "It possesses a certain level of sentience, capable of discerning its rightful wielder. If my understanding serves me right, the weapon's creator already has an inkling of who will eventually wield it. Therefore, only that chosen individual can truly harness its power. However, some of these weapons have rather volatile personalities. Much like this one, if someone they deem an unworthy dares to lay hands upon it, they retaliate in the manner you have just experienced firsthand."

“Then why are you unharmed?” Jiang asked through his clenched jaw.

"Why am I unharmed, you ask?" Ruyi replied, a hint of superiority coloring her tone. "Well, Commander Jiang, it's quite simple. I am stronger than the current master of this weapon."

Jiang's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "And how exactly do you know that?"

"Because, dear Commander, this weapon failed to even graze me," Ruyi explained dismissively. "That would suggest that my strength surpasses its capabilities, or perhaps it simply refrains from harming anyone who meets its minimum criteria, a secret known only to its creator. Regardless, you should have your hand examined. I wouldn't want the esteemed Commander to face amputation on my account."

With a nonchalant gesture, Ruyi extracted a stick from her robe's sleeve and tossed it towards Jiang. "Take this to the alchemy department. Their head still owes me a favor, and he will ensure you have a functioning hand once again."

"Now leave," Ruyi commanded, her gaze fixed on Jiang. He seemed poised to say something, but ultimately, he hesitated and retreated from the plaza, leaving with a sense of defeat.

"He should be fine," she heard a soothing voice say from behind. Turning around, she discovered an elderly man approaching. His once-dark hair had gracefully transitioned into shades of gray, carefully secured by a single long pin atop his head. With a serene countenance, he tenderly smoothed his lengthy goatee.

Draped in a simple yet dignified black robe, a white shawl adorned his shoulders, embellished with an intricate pattern depicting a majestic white dragon. This shawl symbolized the utmost authority within the esteemed Youling Clan, a lineage deeply connected to the realm of shadows. And by virtue of his mastery over shadows, he held the esteemed position of the clan's leader—Ying Zi.

Of course, she had failed to hear the footsteps, for the master of shadows made none. In the entire Youling Clan, his were the only footsteps that eluded her senses. "As silent as ever, Uncle," she remarked with a smile.

"Ah, my child, you are simply far too young to hear my footsteps," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Give it another decade or two, and you will possess the keen ability to discern my presence even from half a city's distance. Your senses will sharpen with time."

"I have been hearing that for a decade already," she replied simply, her voice tinged with a touch of resignation.

"But such is life," he mused, his gaze thoughtful. "We can only anticipate and let fate guide us, just as it has brought us here today." He walked past her, his steps unhurried, and knelt down to examine the scared lion on the ground.

"It has suffered greatly," he observed, his tone laced with concern.

"I had little choice," Ruyi responded, her voice tinged with regret. "There was a crowd, I couldn't draw my weapon."

Ying looked at her, a mix of understanding and curiosity in his eyes. "You're still afraid of drawing your weapon in front of people," he stated, his voice gentle yet probing.

"I don't want them to ever see me holding a weapon," Ruyi explained earnestly, her voice carrying a sense of conviction. "That would imply they were in mortal peril. And civilians should never have to bear that weight of that fear. They deserve a life free from such thoughts."

Ying’s face showed pride and understanding. "You've grown, my dear," he acknowledged warmly. "I can finally find solace knowing that I can entrust this clan to your capable hands."

Ruyi politely shook her head, feeling unworthy of such a position. "I'm unfit for such a responsibility," she protested humbly. "You would have to wait until someone else, someone like you, appears."

"We shall see," Ying responded with a hint of mystery in his voice. "Speaking of appearances, what do we have here?" He gestured towards an unassuming object.

"It's an unassuming ruler key," Ruyi replied, a touch of confusion coloring her words. However, she was certain that there was nothing else that matched its distinctive character.

"Ironic to think of a ruler key as unassuming," Ying remarked with a soft chuckle. "But indeed, it should be nothing else." He paused, a glint of recognition sparking in his eyes. "I know of this key, and yes, it is a ruler key. One that I have read about before."

"I've never heard of it," Ruyi replied honestly, her curiosity piqued.

"Of course, you would need to take an interest in a particular kingdom to come across its tale," Ying responded knowingly.

"Vritra," Ruyi stated.

"Yes, it might be related to them. But first, let me share with you the story as I've read it in various iterations," Ying offered.

"If it's anything interesting, why not?" Ruyi agreed.

"So it is called the Solstice, one that eclipses the sun, a rather pompous name," Ying began. "But have you heard of Griehal?"

"Yes, the tragic blacksmith who paid a heavy price for his greed," Ruyi recalled, her voice tinged with sadness. “A children’s fairytale.”

"That story is derived from the creator of this weapon," Ying continued, his voice filled with intrigue. "Griehal dedicated his entire life to crafting a single weapon, one that was deemed worthy of a ruler who would reign supreme. The materials he used remain a mystery, with records suggesting that they were nothing short of fantastical. But despite the doubts, the weapon exists, right before you."

Ruyi examined the weapon with a hint of skepticism. "I don't mean to belittle the dead, but if Griehal spent his entire life creating this seemingly dull object, then he must have failed in an unimaginable degree."

Ying nodded in acknowledgement and shared further insights. "The Records of Herth provide two interpretations of this weapon. One is from the greatest blacksmith of that time, Reina, who described it as follows: 'It was a beauty that would awe any blacksmith. The artisan mastery displayed in its creation surpassed anything I had ever witnessed. Its brilliance and presence outshone all my works. The moment my eyes beheld it, I fell to my knees and begged Griehal to accept me as his student, to teach me the art of crafting such a remarkable weapon.”

“Griehal, humbled by the praise, responded, ‘I am no master of weapons like you, my lord. I am merely an entity guided by fate, destined to stumble upon the materials capable of forging such a remarkable weapon. The credit goes to the extraordinary properties of those materials. My role was nothing more than that of a labourer, to bring them together.’‘Perhaps your humility and unwavering dedication led fate to grant you this exceptional opportunity.’ This excerpt was extracted from the renowned literary work known as "The Life of a Blacksmith."

"Perhaps it lost its light during the millennia it was left unused?" Ruyi pondered aloud, her thoughts drifting into the realm of speculation.

Ying considered her words before responding, “However, a secondary account refutes this supposition. It harkens back to an epoch when Griehal sought an audience with the revered blacksmiths of the long-fallen Rishton Kingdom. His plea was to safeguard the weapon until an heir worthy of its weight was fated to emerge. The testament discloses that this relic, though bearing the title of a Ruler Key, presented itself as a lacklustre and inconspicuous mass of metal. Its semblance mirrored that of a neophyte who chanced upon rarefied materials, yet lacked the finesse to fashion a weapon befitting even the humblest of soldiers.”

“Nonetheless, its true essence lay in its ability to recoil with unbridled force against any hand that dared to command it to others' will. A sight most lamentable, to witness such an ostensibly futile creation classified among the pantheon of divine artifacts. My heart aches for the reclusive sage who squandered a lifetime in the pursuit of an instrument so incapable of finding a worthy bearer. Yet, if ever a soul truly deserving of a Ruler Key were to be born, they would never profligate their existence in its employ." Ying's voice carried a poignant sigh.

He concluded, "Thus, the Rishton Kingdom safeguarded this relic until the ravages of time laid waste to its once-mighty realm. And with the kingdom's fall, this weapon and all its attendant lore were consigned to the recesses of bygone epochs, swallowed by the unfathomable depths of history."

"So, the first account is a fabrication, or could there have been intervening circumstances during that period?" Ruyi inquired, she was little curios.

"That remains an enigma," Ying responded, his voice tinged with an air of intrigue. "However, I have formulated a personal conjecture. I am of the belief that the true radiance of the Blade can only manifest in the hands of a worthy wielder. When the blacksmith displayed the weapon to Riena, he was the one who brandished it with authority. As the years took their toll and his grasp weakened, he passed the Blade to the Rishton Kingdom, perhaps hoping that they would produce an heir befitting this remarkable weapon."

"Uncle, unlike you, I am not a fervent enthusiast of weaponry. The origins of this Blade hold less interest for me. Rather, I am curious about how and why it found its way to our compound, and its potential connection to Vritra," Ruyi inquired, her voice filled with genuine intrigue.

Ying nodded, understanding her perspective. "A certain princess, now but a convicted miserable soul, was last seen wielding a weapon, a Glaive to be precise. Coincidentally, it radiated an awe-inspiring brilliance, casting a luminous white glow. However, after her capture, the weapon mysteriously vanished. And now, days later, it has come to find residence within our very compound. It leads me to believe that something significant is on the horizon. As for how it managed to enter here, it appears that this lion possesses a peculiar ability to traverse any barrier without leaving a trace, almost like an ethereal entity," Ying explained, his voice filled with a sense of wonder.

"I think," Ruyi responded, her thoughts deep in contemplation. "The existence of a mysterious princess, whose very visage and name remains a mystery, seems almost unbelievable. Yet, the fact that we caught a glimpse of her weapon seem far too convenient, are you certain, it is not a misinformation?”

"It seems you're behind the current accounts, Elder. The news about the princess is now common knowledge in the kingdom. Her name is Ittya, and it is known to all. According to reports, she was presented in the royal court in chains, and observers noted that she seemed to have been injected with a high amount of Dusk Etheria. She was described as follows: 'A beauty worthy of the name Dragon Princess, her hair white as snow, and golden eyes filled with command and authority.' The identity and circumstances of Princess Ittya are no longer a mystery or a secret."

Ruyi replied, "Unlike other elders in Youling who idle away their days gossiping about the Vritra's every action, I have no interest in such matters. Perhaps the Vritra are marching toward their doom. By 'convicted,' do you mean the princess is sentenced to execution?"

Ying said, "As if the Vritra could ever be so kind. No, she has been sentenced to reflect upon herself in the Heishen Altar."

"Perhaps cruelty runs in their blood," Ruyi mused. "Regardless, I will handle the weapon. You may rest easy, Uncle."

Ruyi watched as a commander in red armor rushed into the plaza, followed by many soldiers.

Ruyi addressed the commander with disinterest. "Commander, in light of your prior inaction, I shall require a comprehensive written report. As of this moment, I hereby designate this incident as a matter of utmost gravity, warranting classification under the Special Class category. No individual shall be granted entry into this plaza without possessing a jade seal bearing the inscriptions of either myself or the esteemed clan head. In the interim, the responsibility of overseeing this operation falls upon your lazy shoulders. Following a period of rest, I shall personally assign a new team to assume control. It is imperative that even the elders refrain from venturing into this vicinity. Convey to the general populace that unauthorized entry into the plaza shall be deemed a capital offence, subject to my discretionary judgment should they fail to adhere to this directive."

"Let the lion rest and prepare a makeshift shelter and arrange food for it. It is a guest of Youling and is to be treated as such."

Ruyi sighed as she walked past the commander. Now she would have to complete far more paperwork than she ever wished.