When peach blossoms fall, the past will chase you.
The small courtyard held too many memories—their first meeting in youth, their bond, their love.
As night faded and dawn's first light blurred the horizon, Fu Xuan arrived at Yuque at the final moment. Beads of sweat proved she hadn't paused once, fearing even a second's delay might cost her last glimpse of her beloved.
"Junior Brother."
"Anming."
"Call me Senior Sister when we're outside!"
"Anming."
"—Anming!"
Echoes of their past overlapped with her grief-stricken cries. Her petite figure pierced the darkness, racing toward him from the breaking dawn. Like every time the world had doubted him, Fu Xuan had been his light, charging into shadows to embrace him, vowing to stand by him even against all creation.
Whenever his sword heart dimmed, her hands pulled him from the abyss.
"Let me face the world with you!"
A light.
Cleansing the gloom shrouding his blade.
Anming never feared the dark.
He knew someone would hold him tight, whisper he wasn't alone.
Nightless plunged into the earth, its edge radiating unexpected gentleness—as if afraid to harm Fu Xuan.
"Fool… fool!" Tears traced silver lines down her cheeks as she pushed through the sword's aura, throwing herself into his arms.
Aged hands released the blade to cradle his love.
"Stay… Reinforcements are coming. Stay with me. Please."
"Xu'er."
Anming's weathered eyes softened, fingers brushing her hair. His life hadn't been grand, its end long foretold. But meeting her made even fate worthwhile.
"If there's a next life…"
If they could meet again.
Even if just a selfish wish.
"Beneath the peach tree."
"We'll reunite."
He gently withdrew, resolve crystallizing in his gaze.
None choose defeat. He would confront Abundance. Sever destiny's final thread.
Nightless hummed. Dawn's glow kissed its scabbard as the blade slid free, inch by inch, darkness falling like snowflakes to reveal pristine moonlight.
Memory's Ceremony
First Bow to Heaven and Earth:
"I'll acknowledge no one but you in this life. Don't dare flee!"
Second Bow to Ancestors:
"When you find your lifelong partner, give her this red thread."
Third Bow to Each Other:
"Then propose to me!"
Peach petals brushed his face, guiding him back to their beginning—beneath the tree where he'd met his destiny.
That warm spring day, she'd roused him from his nap.
Golden radiance erupted behind Anming. Nightless' restored blade mirrored his entirety—every memory, every heartbeat.
Flames engulfed him, rewriting time. White hair blackened. Bent posture straightened. Wrinkled hands grew smooth.
At dawn's brink, the youth who'd vowed "I'll become the greatest Cloud Knight!" drew Nightless once more.
One might buy osmanthus wine to relive youth,
But never again tread that carefree path.
He'd spend his life's essence to shatter Fu Xuan's chains.
Golden fire ignited Nightless' edge. As the blade fully unsheathed, Anming stepped forward, embracing Fu Xuan one last time.
Tears pooled in her eyes. Before her stood the 18-year-old boy who'd once flashed a roguish grin after practicing sword forms: "Senior Sister Xu'er!"
"Xu'er."
"I love you."
As he always had.
As he always would.
Abundance's golden blood boiled through his veins, etching living tattoos across his skin. Emerald vines sprouted—a cursed blessing of immortality.
Their final kiss lingered. Fu Xuan clung to him, but couldn't halt his departure.
Nightless cleaved the earth, unveiling an abyss. Anming stood beyond it, smiling tenderly as memories burned to ash.
"Senior Sister."
"Farewell."
Before dawn, the sky is always darkest.
Only through that void does the sunrise blaze brighter.
Anming's retreating silhouette was the dawn. He carried Yuque's night with him, summoning the first true light.
Recall the ambitions of youth—
That vow to stand above all.
The boy with a sword outshone the coming day.
He was Anming.
The unacknowledged Sword Sovereign.
The hero who'd sever fate itself!
Blood burned. His sword heart pulsed wildly. For the first time, he knew—with steel in hand, all could be rewritten.
First Strike:
Nightless arced upward, a dawn-slash scattering the mist. Abundance's fleet detonated into a fiery sea.
Second Strike:
The horizon blushed. Dawn's promise rained moonlight shards, reversing the battle's tide in an instant.
Terror gripped the Abundance horde. Before them stood a god—a lone swordsman carving through armies.
"Coordinates set! Retreat!"
Panic spread. Yet their goal was achieved. Behind the mountainous Táowù, a planetary activation beacon hummed. Yuque's doom was sealed—no second瞰云镜 to save it now.
Vines engulfed the ship. Yuque became Abundance's garden.
Life demands endless choices:
Option A.
Option B.
The nonexistent C.
None choose failure.
But when all paths lead to ruin?
The golden blade struck the beast, blazing like the sun.
None choose failure.
So he swung.
This was Anming's answer.