The twelve Protector Blades were laid out before him, several of them in a masterless state.
Which one should he choose?
Looking at the catalogue filled with over-the-top, dramatic descriptions, Ye Ming thought for a moment, then turned to Raiden Mei. "Miss Raiden—" he began, but stopped when he noticed a flicker of displeasure on her face. He paused, then corrected himself, "Can one person become the master of only one Protector Blade?"
"Are you thinking of mastering several at once?" Raiden Mei replied calmly. "These Protector Blades were forged at an immense cost; each one is a strategic resource of the highest importance. Even for a qualified candidate, simply wielding one is a difficult task, let alone many."
Her words carried a clear warning, and though her tone was placid, her message was incredibly heavy.
"Besides," she continued, "using the power of a Protector Blade is a battle in itself and places an extreme burden on the wielder. Being able to withstand the power of a single Blade is already an incredible feat. To bear the power of multiple Blades simultaneously... even among those who have come from beyond our world, it's an exceedingly rare accomplishment. Anyone who could do so would have to pay an immense and irreversible price."
"The power of a single Protector Blade is already more than enough."
"Since that's the case," Ye Ming said, having made his decision, "I'll choose 'Lie'."
Hearing her explanation, Ye Ming didn't hesitate and made his choice quickly.
"The Lie Blade?" Raiden Mei's expression shifted, a hint of emotion finally breaking through her calm demeanor. "Are you saying that because you feel physically exhausted, or because you are confident you can handle its flames? You can try. It doesn't matter if you fail a few times. The key is whether you can demonstrate sufficient willpower after failing the trial."
She looked at Ye Ming, her gaze serious. "Ye Ming, why do you want to become the master of a Blade? Is it for the immense power it grants? Or do you wish to become a hero who saves the world?"
Hearing the question, Ye Ming thought for a moment before shaking his head. "Great power is certainly appealing, but I won't lose myself in pursuit of it. And yes, I do want to become a hero who can save people."
"And that is why you want to participate in this trial?"
"Honestly, I'm only here because I happened to end up on this path," Ye Ming explained. "My swordsmanship isn't bad, and others seemed to think I had talent, so I was recommended for the selection. After passing the initial tests, I was given the opportunity to touch a Protector Blade. Since I've already come this far, I intend to see it through. That's all there is to it. There's no other special reason."
"Is that so?" he asked.
Seeing his calm and straightforward demeanor, Raiden Mei seemed a little surprised. "It's just that..."
Ye Ming nodded, confirming his words, and added with quiet confidence, "I am very curious about the power of the Blades. And I look forward to fighting alongside someone like you. I hope that in the battles to come, I can find my true purpose."
"You say you just 'happened' to end up here... is it really by chance?" Raiden Mei mused, her tone turning serious. "Although, I suppose I have no right to question that..."
"If what you've said is true," she declared, "then I can acknowledge you as a worthy candidate to become a Blade's master. To inherit a Protector Blade, you must use its power to temper your own spirit, step by step. But this comes at a price. You must have an unshakable will, or the Blade's spirit will gradually contaminate your own, your will will fade, and you will become a monster."
"The will of the Lie Blade is especially volatile," she warned. "Any wielder whose will is not firm enough can be burned to ashes by its flames at any moment. Since its creation, the Lie Blade has had only one master. After that master fell, it has obliterated countless evil gods who coveted its power, and it has incinerated just as many unworthy wielders."
"I have a... subtle sense of your willpower," Raiden Mei said. "I'm telling you this so you can think it through carefully."
[System Note: She is being very kind to you. You are quite fortunate.]
[Narrative Insight: For a long time, the people Acheron has interacted with have been high-level military or political figures—mostly middle-aged or elderly, or preternaturally serious youths with whom she shared no common ground. In Ye Ming, who might become her partner in battle and is even younger than her own brother, she feels a sense of kinship she is determined to cherish.]
[System Note: However, before you worry about being her companion, you should worry about your own safety.]
[Narrative Insight: The moment the Lie Blade was forged, the essence of the primordial god Ame-no-Minakanushi began to reverse its flow. Its scabbard was recovered by mortals and has been kept under seal.]
[Narrative Insight: As a wielder of a Protector Blade, Acheron naturally stands on the front lines against the most dangerous threats. But she also recognizes that others have the right to choose their own path. In her eyes, though Ye Ming is young—younger than her own brother, even...]
"The reason I wasn't burned to ashes by its flames was because you reminded me to be cautious," Raiden Mei admitted. "Controlling the Blade is incredibly dangerous."
"I appreciate your concern, but I also believe in my own will," Ye Ming stated firmly.
A small smile touched Acheron's lips as she looked at his determined gaze. "I hope you pass the test tomorrow. I'll be looking forward to it," she said softly but firmly. Then, she turned and left. Her mind was made up: she would be watching the trial grounds tomorrow, and she wouldn't take her eyes off him for a second.
The next day, inside a sealed hall, Ye Ming saw it: one of the twelve Protector Blades, "Lie."
"So this is 'Lie'?"
Through a dense magical barrier in the heavily fortified secret chamber, a long sword pulsed with a faint red light as it floated in the air above a sacrificial altar. A transparent scabbard was inserted into a groove on the altar, but it couldn't completely contain the intense heat radiating from the long blade. Just by standing near the altar, Ye Ming could feel a palpable wave of heat wash over him.
"Yes," Raiden Mei said, standing beside him, a flicker of emotion in her eyes. "This is 'Lie', one of the twelve Protector Blades."
"Ever since its last wielder was turned to ash, the power of 'Lie' has remained in a constantly agitated state. The faint energy it emits is enough to scorch the earth. We can only seal it here with special wards, waiting for a second wielder strong enough to withstand its power to appear." She looked at him with concern. "Ye Ming, once you grip the hilt, if you feel you can't bear it, you must let go immediately. Don't force it..."
"I understand."
Ye Ming nodded, took a step forward, and reached out, his hand closing around the sword's hilt.
The moment he made contact, it felt as if all the scorching heat in the universe had converged into his palm. His entire body, even his very spirit, felt like it was about to be incinerated.
But then, spurred by the searing pain, an opposing force surged from within him. An intense, terrifying coldness seeped from his core, pushing back against the invasive heat. Under the stimulation of the Lie Blade, his innate extreme-yin constitution had been fully activated.
Despite the intense heat, his mind, fortified by his sheer force of will, remained perfectly clear.
After gripping the hilt and closing his eyes for a brief moment, Ye Ming opened them again, took a deep breath, and drew the sword from its sheath.
A wave of heat intense enough to melt gold erupted, shooting toward the sky.
-------
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