by Fat Bread
The two were fated to have different talents, destined to be apart.
They will be lovelorn and even though Yun Xi consciously knows that he will be dejected, he will not let Hua Huo stay. Rather, he chose to smile and let her go.
Such a genius like Hua Huo was not meant to stay in this small village.
"At that time, I must smile and send her off." Yun Xi patted his face, reminding himself of what to do when the time came.
That day was not far away as the Sword Palace exams were going to be held next week. For the entire White Lotus Sword Domain, it was a very crucial day.
Countless children on that day would be showcasing their talents and strength, proving that they were not worthless.
Countless poor children will also strive to do their best to catch a big break and become the carp that leaps over the dragon's gate.
The Sword Palace exams were only open to teenagers from 16-18 years old. After that time period, you could only try your luck at other sword schools.
In the White Lotus Sword Domain, the Sword Palace represented a supreme honor, along with the other schools and palaces.
In the entire White Lotus Sword Domain, none could compare to the Sword Palace. Looking over the numerous hills, one would see that the Sword Palace stood at the apex of them all, standing in supremacy.
The word "sword" in Sword Palace itself is a part of the Sky Sword God's Domain. Following the owner of the Sky Sword, it was founded as one of the most powerful sword schools and clans.
In the White Lotus Sword Domain, and even in the entire Sky Sword God's Domain, the main focus of the people living there was the "sword". Even the shape of every sword domain is in the form of a sword.
If the Sword Palace had to be defined on a sword, then it would be located at the tip.
Yun Xi along with every large clan, prestigious family, city, and town, had no choice but to live at the very bottom of the sword: the hilt. As for the blade itself, that would be the other schools and forces.
This was the way of the Sword Domains of God. The hilt for the people, the tip for the Sword Palace, and the rest of the other powers.
Between the sword domains was a star bridge that acted as a connector. The Sky Sword God's Domain is like one unique big sword that is made up of countless sword domains.
Located at the very top of the Sky Sword God's Domain was naturally the owner of the Sky Sword, the palace master of the Sky Palace.
One of the lowest of the countless sword domains in the Sky Sword God's Domain is the White Lotus Sword Domain, which was not a highly ranked sword domain.
However, the White Lotus Sword Domain possessed a special "secret treasure". Because of this, it caused the White Lotus Sword Domain's Sword Palace's name to be renowned throughout the vast sword domains of God.
Every time the White Lotus Sword Domain's Sword Palace held an exam, geniuses from the upper sword domains would also come rushing to participate.
Of course, everyone except Yun Xi.
The sword palace's exams were also to target those upper domain geniuses who had an eye out for their secret gem. However, to Yun Xi, that was just like floating clouds. (He had no interest).
He was going to continuously temper himself to make bread so that he would advance to a 4th-ranked Baker. Thus becoming the youngest in village to ever achieve a 4th Rank in a life occupation. (stuff like baker, seamstress, etc... anything not related to the sword or cultivating)
Many would get married when they turned 18 - the best time to be able to give birth to a boy and a girl. Yun Xi wanted to expand his store little by little, and pass it down from generation to generation. That was Yun Xi's life goal.
"Yes, I like you.
"From the ocean of many, I fell in love with you at first sight.
"Beautiful, can you smile for me?"
Humming the song from the Western God's Domain, Yun Xi began to prepare the ingredients to make the afternoon bread; it was important to have everything you need.
Step. Step. Step. A familiar footstep sounded near the door as it powerfully kicked the door open.
"Little Xi, I forgot something!" The morning exercises caused Hua Huo's cheeks to turn bright red as she held onto her knees for support, gasping for air, as she looked at the confused Yun Xi.
"If you're talking about the bread, there is none left." If he knew, he would have given some more to Hua Huo. Unfortunately, that wasn't so.
"Not bread!" Hua Huo's eyes crossed, burning, as she stared firmly at Yun Xi.
"What happened?" Yun Xi tried to make out what was going on. Besides the white flour on him, nothing was amiss.
"It's your heart! Just a moment ago, you were being unfaithful! I heard your soliloquy! Milei from the flower shop down the street, El'phyllis from the gem store in the neighboring village, as well as the adorable Ye Li from the cake shop across the street. I'm saying you were not being faithful!"
Hua Huo's face seemed contorted as she was aware of the unfaithfulness, "Do not quibble!" Yun Xi was barely able to squeeze a sentence out:
"The truth is..."
"How did you know?" In regards to Hua Huo's jealousy radar, it was so incomparably sharp that it left Yun Xi stunned.
As a child to present day, so long as he showed even the littlest of affection for another girl, his heart rate would change. Just a little hazy amount of favoritism and Hua Huo would discover it and arrive immediately.
"Uncle and aunty repeatedly warned me to never let you get carried away!" One look at Hua Huo and Yun Xi could tell that she was panting with rage. He already had her as a childhood sweetheart, why couldn't he be satisfied!
As a child, one does not make an appointment to get married in the future.
Childhood sweethearts, was of course, naturally... ah... and for Yun Xi, the memories of the last ten years together was more precious than any treasure.
In order to beat back those girls who were attracted to Yun Xi and madly wanted to get close to him, she had no choice but to practice to the 3rd Rank, becoming the first true master of the village.
Yun Xi was a big idiot. After all, he wasn't aware of how attractive he was to other girls.
But to protect him and cover him from those who harbored errant thoughts and older sisters who wanted to "eat him up", she completely wiped them out, leaving nothing behind.
Ever since they were children, Yun Xi had yet to discover that he was very attractive to girls.
And even back then, in primary school, every Valentine's day, the number of girls who lined up to give him chocolate could easily form a squadron.
"Uh... I was found out?" Yun Xi remained silent after saying that, as he thought about Hua Huo's reaction.
She had to have some magical ability... clairvoyance?
"Stupid, stupid! Countlessly saying that you will only marry me!" Hua Huo took out her long sword and directed it at Yun Xi's neck, "Don't marry me and I'll give you a bloody ending."
Well, the perfect Hua Huo, the genius Hua Huo, the village's pride Hua Huo had one small shortcoming.
She was incredibly jealous.
It truly caused her childhood sweetheart to have terrible headaches.
****
At the end of the business day, Yun Xi closed up and prepared for tomorrow's sales. After Yun Xi inspected the store, he headed up to the second floor to go to his room.
The small family store had already been passed down for four generations. The wooden staircase was somewhat old-fashioned because as one went up, it issued a "Creak! Creak!" sound. But for Yun Xi, it was something he was fond of.
"Hua Huo, you really need to go." In the mornings of the past, Hua Huo always played pranks on Yun Xi but he never paid any attention to it until she started to switch to her sword.
Her simple cyan long sword's hilt was engraved with a white lotus.
The White Lotus Sword Palace gave all its disciples a sword. And just like Yun Xi, Hua Huo decided to advance and obtain the Sword Palace's approval.
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A 16-year-old 3rd-ranked combatant was far beyond the Sword Palace's entry requirement. Even her sword was one that only elite disciples could get, showing that Hua Huo's talent was genuine.
‘Sure enough, childhood sweethearts can't get married.’ Although he was only 16-years-old, he had already decided to inherit the family business and to become a bread store owner. Yun Xi sighed, abandoning an unrealistic fantasy.
He and Hua Huo were not fated to be together.
They met at the age of 6. It's already been 10 years of school, and having graduated not too long ago, they began to choose their future.
The 16-year-old Yun Xi and Hua Huo have already begun to embark on different paths.
"Really... is the cake shop's Ye Li better?" Yun Xi laid on his bed, looking out his window at the stars.
On the table near the window, was a very small cake with a candle on it. Of course, Yun Xi prepared his own birthday cake.
At 12 o'clock tonight, he would officially be 16.
Tonight, would he dream of the maiden guarding the gate?
For Yun Xi, turning 16 was nothing special.
Perhaps every day of his life would be like today, ordinarily passing by.
Closing his eyes, Yun Xi began to wish.
He had a dream... a dream relating to the stars.
Chapter 3: Heavenly Dream
The starlight filled the sky, from hundreds of millions of light-years away, through countless journeys, the gap between dream and reality, was shining on Yun Xi's body.
The beautiful nebula, the long river of stars, were revolving around Yun Xi - flowing around him.
The stars came together and issued a sound to Yun Xi.
In the distant sky, countless of stars radiated in joy, converging together over the small village, forming a beautiful and brilliant sea of stars.
Infinite radiance fell from the sky as if they were bestowing upon this small village an unlimited amount of blessings from the stars.
At that moment, the motionless wheels of time revolved again.
Yun Xi heard the voices of the stars in the sky... a blessing, but also a warning.
"Be careful... almost there..."
"They... are searching this Star Domain..."
"Scheduled awakening at 18... moved up..."
"WARNING... hurry and complete the trial... otherwise you... will be consigned to eternal damnation!"
Who was that?
What's awakening at 18?
Hurry up and complete the trial? What trial?
Yun Xi opened his sleepy eyes, finding that he wasn't in his bed. He was floating amidst the starry sky.
The brilliant golden-red sun, the magnificent silver-white moon, bright shining stars, all surrounded him. Containing countless information, it almost caused Yun Xi's head to burst.
The sun, the moon, and the stars all revolved around him.
Among the stars was a silhouette similar to his figure. It was like looking at an image of himself on the water's surface...
Amongst the brilliant starry sky, a group of stars emitted a distant and ancient light that illuminated the deep dark void.
Inside the endless void... was a young boy adorned in white garments, embracing a golden puppy… the two have yet to come out from their cocoons. It was a sight to see as endless amounts of starlight encircled them.
"This time, it shall be done." A bright group of stars radiated once as Yun Xi felt that the youngster's heart was filled with worries.
It was as if something misfortunate was about to happen to him.
"Woo!" The youngster's dog restlessly whimpered. Afraid, it used its paws to blocks its eyes. Apparently, it could not bear to look at what was about to happen.
The stars continued to shine, Yun Xi did not know why, but he suddenly understood the stars' collective warning to him.
Every time the group of stars sparkled, the youngster in white began to slowly advance away from death.
Some near the end of their lifespan even took the initiative to detonate into countless pieces of meteors to cover-up his escape tracks.
However, it was no use, everything had already come to an end. It was the end of the line.
Why die? Who will kill him? Yun Xi from the water mirror looked at the youngster, full of questions.
"Ah, with the view of meteor shower... little guy, are you afraid?" The youngster in white raised the puppy in his arms. Up till now, the only one who accompanied this leftover was this little God.
"Ah... woo!" The golden puppy gleamed with tears as it cried, looking at its owner. It tried hard to bite down on its teeth to not make a sound. Clearly, it had already been extremely afraid earlier, however, it had to endure from not speaking out by nature.
"You're a good girl..." The young boy kissed the little god who was the last to have stayed by his side, then showed a determined expression.
Nowhere to go, in that case, they could only accept the fate of the trial!
Fortunately, because he had already anticipated this bitter-blood ending, he was ready in advance.
"Go, you will have good luck." Intentionally escaping to this small void was not without any reason. He had long left behind a legacy, it was now time to play his role.
As a golden light flashed, the golden puppy disappeared from the young man's hands, carrying the seeds of hope for the future.
Soon after, the other two in the cocoons that had yet to come out were also thrown into the vast starry sea, disappearing into the starry sky.
"I hope you can properly grow up. Although I don't know when I'll be able to meet you again, but so long as I'm alive, we will surely meet again." Letting go of the three little ones, the white youngster muttered to himself, exposing gentle and soft eyes, "The stars will protect you until I return one day."
"Rumble!" From the midst of a group of stars, an immense silhouette appeared. It was big enough to cover an entire star domain.
It passed through the barriers between dimensions as it was certainly a powerful force. Above all, even the heavens would have to fear this mighty force.
In front of Yun Xi, the stars began to change and form characters, countless writings that displayed the broken groups of great lifeforms.
In the entire starry sky, those who possessed the highest existence of power were very few and could be counted on one's fingers, were overlords. She was one of those overlords.
Dragon God Yasha - ruler of the star dragons, Lord of the Dragon God's Domain.
She was the dragon of order, the mother of time and space, the godly creator. And at the same time, she was the symbol of birth, life, and death.
Yasha's true body was the dragon of the void, housed and immersed in the light of the stars. She had a pair of gem-like black wings, as there were endless amounts of stars shining on them.
They were real stars, encompassing the wings of the dragon of order as her children.
Her scales were pitch-black, like the color of the void between the stars. However, her skin shined bright, like stardust.
Her eyes shone with a gentle silver color like a beautiful gemstone. Her tail was made up of numerous scales, each scale was a young dragon waiting for her to awaken.
All miracles, all words of praise, could be imposed on her. She was the myth of the stars, an eternal legend.
"At last, I've found you. This time, you must pay the price." Arriving from across the stars, she eventually locked onto her goal. She said so slowly, but still, the world trembled under her voice.
"Yasha... sister..." The youngster was filled with helplessness.
Before the youngster could open his mouth to explain, three different forces crossed over the star river to arrive at the void.
From within the first ray of light, was an ancient floating city. The city of Sigil, which connected with many worlds, appeared, as a woman covered with a veil coldly looked over.
This was the ancient root of pain, the God of the unknown, the nameless lady, the owner of the city
.
In the second ray of light, was an endless black ocean that was constantly churning. From time to time, there was a body with a huge tentacle that appeared, it was indescribable.
This was beyond the description of terror. The incarnation of disorder and primordial chaos - the Naiya God's Domain.
