History claimed that there once existed deities who possessed stones called 'Leeva'. Unlike any other core stone, the Leeva stones had unmatched power, ranking 5th in cultivation. They who possessed it, would be granted with remarkable power.
In a system of ten ranks, 1 being the strongest and 10 being the weakest, being in a 5th rank was considered incredibly capable.
Everyone saw these stones as a gate way to becoming the most powerful deity in a short time. Unfortunately, not everyone could claim these stones. Only the chosen ones.
The demons sought what they couldn't have. A Leeva stone never appeared within their realm, making them resentful and hateful.
And then…
The blood war came.
Nevertheless, the chosen ones were indeed capable and highly admired.
They fought tirelessly in battle. Protecting all immortals. Distinguished by colour. Each representing a Leeva stone. Their powers were mesmerised.
But
The battle took a turn.
The leader of the demon realm was stonger than ever before. They could no longer hold on. Using the last of their strength to no avail. One by one they got defeated.
Their clothes stained with blood. Eyes filled with agony. What they once swore to protect, was slipping through their hands. Every breath was heavy.
A nightmare
A disaster
The demon leader Xu Mo smiled. Victory was in his grip.
Out of nowhere Yue Guang appeared.The qi sword belonging to Lord Yin Yue. There was hope. The strongest Leeva stone. The silver moon.
Xu Mo had no fear. Didn't take one step back. Almost as if he had lost his mind. Ready to sacrifice it all.
But he overestimated himself. And Lord Yin Yue underestimated him. At the end he could only get sealed, and not killed. He was imprisoned in the heavenly prison. Never to see the outside world again.
The immortal realm celebrated victory.
But the once capable deities were gone.
Never mentioned again. Like they never existed.
Lord Yin Yue vanished soon after. In a deep sleep they said. The moon couldn't shine brighly anymore.
3000 years had passed . They never appeared again. Whether the Leeva stones would reincarnate, was up to destiny.
As for the silver moon…
Xin Rui!
Li Yuan's tall figure overshadowed the door outside.
Xin Rui!
He turned his head. His eyes were wide and twinkling. Feint footsteps were approaching. He looked attentively, almost as if he could hear them with his eyes. He started knocking anxiously, keeping his eyes in the direction of the footsteps.
'Senior' a woman's sleepy voice came from inside.
Master Yu,the leader of Tai Ming clan stood behind Li Yuan. He had grey hair and beard. His bearing was like a strict father.
Li Yuan pretended not knowing he's there, to avoid turning around.
'Xin Rui' he called out softly, almost as if he was about to cry.
Realising Xin Rui is not coming he slowly turned to face his master. Faking a smile.
"Master" he fell on his knees crying like a baby.
"S…she", continued ugly crying.
Master Yu pulled his lips down. Visibly irritated.
"Master", Xin Rui walked up from behind. "What's wrong senior?"
"You… master… ", Li Yuan didn't know who to look at. Not looking at his master will seem disrespectful, but looking at him will require him to explain himself.
"Master. I got up early to train." Xin Rui started. "I forgot to wake senior."
Li Yuan let out a sigh. "I'm dead", he mumbled
Master Yu's face turned red and he walked away harshly.
Xin Rui's face relaxed from relief. Just moments before she jumped out of bed seeing the shadow of her master at the door. She hurriedly threw on her shoes and made her way through a small hole that's been dug out in the wall at the back of her room. The ground outside was flattened, the way it was used often.
Li Yuan hit his legs that had turned numbed from kneeling on Qing Feng, a flat circular area made of selenite crystal. It was in the open and the wind was gentle but cold. Believed that it could blow away all your sins.
He pulled his clothes tighter to his body. He's the first deciple of master Yu. Sincere and upright, but somehow he always got in trouble. The only trick he learned to deceive his master, was crying!
He was tasked to look after Xin Rui and get her to train, but this morning she made it seem like it was he who was slacking. "How ridiculous"
He gazed in front of him.
'Are you angry' Xin Rui sits on the opposite side of the circle. Wearing thicker and extra layers of clothes. 'Do you blame me? Senior!'
Li Yuan got up angrily but his legs betrayed him and he fell right back down.
Xin Rui giggled. The second deciple of master Yu. She was lazy and childish but clever. Always made trouble and got her senior involved. Master Yu spoiled her and she almost never got punished.
"I'm not your senior!" He turned to the other direction. Felt completely defeated seeing a pair of shoes, knowing it's his master's
"Li Yuan" master Yu's voice echoed in his head.
Xin Rui came to kneel next to Li Yuan. "Master, it's my fault!"
"He instructed you to lie?"
Li Yuan looked up, in disbelief of what he just heard.
"Master…"
"Stop speaking for him! He doesn't have a mouth?"
Li Yuan opened his mouth.
"Keep quiet"
Li Yuan closed his mouth.
"You're both…(coughs)
"Master"
"Master"
"You think your small tricks can fool the enemies? They're even more sneakier than you! Will you beat them by crawling through that tiny hole?"
Xin Rui lowered her head. "Master found out?"
"Will you dig more of them?"
Li Yuan looked down in shame.
"What? You think I didn't know? Do think I'm stupid?
"Sorry master"
"Sorry master"
Master Yu pointed angrily at them and stormed off.
"Senior", Xin Rui said softly.
Li Yuan got up and walked away slowly to control his sleepy legs.
"Is he really angry? That won't do!"
She ran after him and jumped on his back.
" Get off! Let go!"
He turned roughly trying to shake her off while she started laughing uncontrollably. She held tightly onto him. With more attempts to get her off, he could no longer keep his straight face and laughter took over. He jumped up and down and turned in circles until they were both dizzy and fell to the ground.
Master Yu watched them from afar with a gentle smile.
Night came and gone. Two days had passed. Master Yu looked over the limited horizon. Their clan lived on a mountain, surrounded by a barrier.
The beads in his hand suddenly broke. He bend down to pick up the one that fell. A men wearing black appeared behind him.
"What is it?" He asked the the black clothed men.
"The Leeva stones have appeared" he spoke from under his mask."
"When was this"
"Twenty years ago. Some is already in the immortal realm. Others are linked to the mortal realm."
Master Yu was full of concern but kept a straight face.
"My master is awaiting your answer. If you don't hand over both of them, there's no way he'll spare your clan"
The man jumped off the cliff.
"No one has the right to intervene in one's destiny. What they'll do in the future will depend on what they should do."
"Master, I'll become a hero and protect you!" Xin Rui's young voice played in his head.
" When I grow up , I'll protect both of you! I'll build our clan to become the most prestigious! Young Li Yuan followed. "My name means stability. I'll carry all the responsibility!"
"Does my name also have a meaning?" Xin Rui asked.
"Of course" master comforted her. "I named you Xin Rui, Xin meaning heart and Rui meaning sharp, hoping that you'll trust yourself, follow your heart and never fear the unknown.
Xin Rui and Li Yuan would smile proudly.
" I hope you'll find yourself again" master Yu sighed.
That night the moon was almost full but barely making any difference to the darkness.
Day came and Xin Rui and Li Yuan were up early practicing their qi swordsplay. A technique their master had been teaching them since young. It involved making a sword completely using Qi. Although it looked like a real sword, as soon as you'd retract, it vanished. The footwork was one of a kind. Light and flowy, almost looked like dancing. But for those who didn't know it, it would come off as a complex movement, confusing them, and allowing a fatal strike in one go. Since they both memorised the moves by heart they could only end up in a tie.
After practice they went to the kitchen. Li Yuan took out all the pots and ingredients. Besides swordsplay, he was also skilled in cooking. After a few moments four dishes were ready. He went outside to put it on the table where Xin Rui was waiting excitedly. "Wait!" He slapped her hand away.
"Remember, this the last time! If you want food, make it yourself." He said.
"But yours is the best." Xin Rui said with a sad tone.
"That's true", Li Yuan said proudly. "Eat! These ones are especially delicious."
As they picked up their chopsticks, noise came from the inner circle. Smoke quickly filled the air.
Xin Rui and Li Yuan jumped up.
Demons had infiltrated. Killing the clansman like hunting down animals.
Their black qi power were everywhere.
"Demons" the clan members yelled.
Xin Rui and Li Yuan striked the demons. Saved the people they were about to attack. Their moves were in union. A fatal blow killed five demons in one go. The more they killed the more came.
"We're just human cultivators! Why kill us!?" Li Yuan demanded an answer.
Qi Liang, one of the demon lord's subordinates came to the front. "Your master didn't comply. Too bad everyone has to pay for it. Capture them both alive!"
"Go find master!"
Xin Rui ran off. Jumping and flying over the approaching demons. Killing many on her way.
She reached master Yu's study. Turning her qi sword into a qi bow and arrow, and killed the demon who got to the door.
When she entered, her master was coughing terribly. Even blood came out.
"Master what happened?" She asked anxiously.
Master Yu collapsed down but she quickly reacted and caught him in her arms.
"Master" her voice trembled.
"Xin Rui", he took her hand. His voice weak. Remember what I told you?
"Master!"
"Stop suppressing it. "
"I don't want to hear it!"
"Go… Leeva… it has resurfaced. You'll find … the truth. Leeva stones. Go!"
The demons entered.
Master Yu used all his strength to gather his qi. Pushed his palm open and threw Xin Rui into a portal.
"Master!"
A tear fell as he closed his eyes and dropped his head.
She reached out with her hand while being sucked into the portal. Her eyes heavy with tears.
She was brought to the outside barrier. Having a three dimensional view, she could see everything that was happening inside. She cried and hit the barrier with no way to enter.
Meanwhile Li Yuan fought with all his strength. One against seven. His strength was depleted. A sword struck through his stomach. Blood poured out of his mouth. He stumbled a step back. He could barely keep his eyes open, but he still looked up to Xin Rui as if he could see her. "Your senior kept his promise."
Xin Rui froze. Shook her head in denial. Her hands trembled. She forgot how to breath for a few seconds until she let out a scream…
"Senior!", her voice broke. She hit the barrier with all her strength, but her hands couldn't reach the inside.
It only began to glitch. Started to fade. Getting thinner and thinner, untill it finally disappeared. Leaving nothing but an empty field.
She fell to her knees. Wailed at the top of her lungs, until no sound came out. The pain was unbearable. Her heart was shattered. She fell down, sobbing. Unable to bear the pain, she lost consciousness.