> [Location: Emberveil Nexus – Inner Citadel, Forge Ring & Training Galleries]
Time Since Last Battle: 31 Hours
Participants: Jiang Han, Tian Xue, Lin Suyin, Yan Qirou, Yan Feng, Phoenix Sovereignling, Nexus Initiates
Mission: Regroup, Rebuild, Refine
Training Focus: Flame Phase Stability, Equipment Resonance, Soulpet Combat Synchronization
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Day One: The Forge Ring Awakens
In the circular heart of the Nexus—below the sky altar and above the system core—lay the Forge Ring, a sacred site once used by Long Chen himself.
It had remained sealed… until now.
> "The Monolith recognizes you," Yan Feng said to Jiang Han, as the glyph doors rumbled open. "Which means it's ready to forge flame into something the world hasn't seen yet."
Inside, the forge wasn't fire—it was will.
Flames of every color danced in stasis, waiting to be shaped not with hammer or mold—but by intention.
Tian Xue stepped in beside him.
> "Do you feel that?"
Jiang nodded.
> "It's not testing us."
> "It's listening."
---
System Prompt – Flameforge Initiation
> [Welcome to Flameforge Ring]
Available Functions: Artifact Imprint • Flame Thread Synthesis • Memory Weapon Awakening • Nexus Gear Integration
Daily Flame Allowance: 3 Hours (Per Initiate)
Note: Passive training boosts in effect. Time dilation x2 within forge chamber.
---
First Training Session
Jiang Han focused on Echofang, drawing the blade across a resonance plate to test its awakening rate.
Every echo sparked an image: past fights, near-deaths, flickers of alternate outcomes.
Each swing refined the blade.
And his flame.
> "You're not a weapon," he whispered. "You're the proof I survived."
> [Echofang Awakening: 83% → 89%]
New Trait: "Last Echo" – Deals 2% of total battle damage after 5 seconds as a phantom strike
Meanwhile, Tian Xue trained with Crimson Reaver Blades, threading emotion into each cut.
> "Not just speed," Yan Qirou said. "Memory. Make your flame remember what losing felt like."
She did.
And the flames turned sharp.
---
Nightfall: Bonds and Quiet Fires
Outside the forge, the Nexus glowed with soft ember-lamps. No alarms. No sirens. Only the hum of rebuilding and breath.
Jiang and Tian Xue sat at the edge of the relay pool, feet in the warm water, Phoenix Sovereignling curled beside them.
> "Feels almost normal," she said.
> "Almost," he replied. "Except we're rebuilding the flame system while being hunted by gods."
She smirked.
> "You're terrible at romantic moments."
> "That was romantic," Jiang said. "You just missed it."
A beat of silence.
Then she leaned her head on his shoulder.
> "Promise me we'll still be doing this when the war's over."
Jiang didn't hesitate.
> "I promise."
> And the flame between them pulsed, just once. In perfect sync.