[Age 13: Your swordsmanship reaches new heights. Even Yao Guang acknowledges Jingtian's foresight - your talent brings glory to Yuque's Cloud Knights]
No one dared belittle your mortal lifespan now. In thirteen short years, you'd surpassed centuries-old warriors.
"Anming."
"Cloud Knight Lieutenant."
Yao Guang presented the azure jade token himself - a rare honor.
"Thank you, General."
"Formalities suit you ill." The Blade-Monarch's approval warmed his stern features. From this day, Yuque's legends would whisper a new name.
The Prodigy Lieutenant.
Sword Soul Incarnate.
Grand Diviner's Successor.
Yet accolades changed nothing. Dawn still found Anming beneath peach blossoms, blade dancing as petals swirled. Only the war drums' growing frequency hinted at coming storms.
...
"After consulting the Ten Directions Stellar Revelation..."
"I confirmed..."
"My fate ends by your hand."
Fu Xuan would never forget that day - her ever-smiling master calmly announcing his ordained death, revealing their master-disciple bond itself was destiny's cruel joke.
Jingtian gazed at the starscape, serene as ever. "The path of fate..."
"...has only one road."
Fu Xuan jolted awake, drenched in cold sweat. The recurring nightmare clung like cobwebs - that accursed prophecy born alongside her first breath.
"Not this... Not again!"
"Senior Sister!"
The door exploded inward. Frost-edged steel pressed against Fu Xuan's throat as Anming materialized - eyes glacial, sword intent freezing condensation on the walls. Outside, peach blossoms withered mid-fall.
"Nightmare." She tugged her quilt higher, shivering. "Just... a nightmare."
Anming's blade clattered as laughter erupted. "The mighty Fu Xuan, bested by bad dreams?"
Crimson bloomed across her cheeks. "You'll pay for this insolence!"
As candlelight softened the room, Fu Xuan traced her teacup's rim. "A story, junior. Of fate... and defiance."
[Age 14: Yuque's diviners converge to operate the Ten Directions Stellar Revelation. Jingtian dedicates himself wholly, seeking to minimize casualties in the looming war. Despite frontline demands, Yao Guang keeps you stationed at headquarters]
"What future did you see, Master?"
Anming finally confronted Jingtian in the astral chamber. The Grand Diviner's fan paused mid-flutter.
"Disciple."
"Your sister claims I worship destiny... yet even I once rebelled."
Jingtian's gaze pierced through flesh to the golden ichor within - Yaoshi's dormant blessing contradicting Anming's mortal frailty.
"Our meeting was fated." He revealed the vision that haunted him: Yuque's destruction, and the amber-eyed child who'd sever its fate.
"You... would cut down Yuque?!"
The wooden practice sword felt suddenly alien in Anming's grip.
"Yet you also bring dawn after darkness." Jingtian smiled wistfully. "This isn't a Grand Diviner's decree... but a teacher's hope."
Outside, peach petals swirled around Fu Xuan's approaching figure. Anming rushed to meet her, the sword soul within burning brighter than ever.
"Early this year, Sister?"
"Shall I come later next time?"
"Never!"
Jingtian watched them through the window, fingers brushing the weathered practice blade. This child of contradictions - Yuque's prophesied ruin and salvation - carried destiny's weight like autumn leaves bearing morning frost.
The darkest hour approaches...
But after midnight comes the dawn.