This story is set in a fictional dynasty, Longyuan, built around a Chinese-style system of government.
The Longyuan dynasty first rose to power with the help of eight foreign clans, each possessing special abilities. In the end, however, it also split into two countries because of those same eight clans: Longyan and Changyuan. The story revolves around these two countries and the clans.
A divided dynasty where the flames of war never die.
Two nations, born of the same source yet opposed to each other: Longyan and Changyuan.
Eight clans wielding strange spell-like powers.
A conspiracy a century in the making, willing to pay any price for lasting peace and prosperity.
Qiantian, Kanshui, Duize, Kundi, Lihuo, Xunfeng, Zhenlei, and Genshan: the eight clans with special abilities once upheld the Longyuan dynasty, but in the end it fell to infighting among those very clans.
The Longyuan dynasty split into the two nations of Longyan and Changyuan. At first glance, they seem as incompatible as fire and water, yet everything between them is closely intertwined.
When the people of Longyan flee to Changyuan because of a famine, Changyuan is unable to bear the burden. Meanwhile, the seemingly settled succession struggle in Changyuan flares up once more...
The truth about the past buried in history, including the rebellion of the Qiantian and Kanshui clans against the Longyuan dynasty, is gradually coming to light...
Each of the eight clans has its own distinctive traits.
The Qiantian clan can control people's minds. Their ability to read minds has instead made them distrustful and wary of human nature.
The Kanshui clan can control water, and its members are as hard to read as water itself.
The Genshan clan commands the earth. It is modeled on the Mohists... and is a remarkably kind, pacifist group.
The Xunfeng clan commands the wind. Its members are profit-driven and scrupulous about every last coin.
The Lihuo clan controls fire, and its members are earnest and single-minded.
The Zhenlei clan... naturally, controls thunder and lightning. Its members are straightforward and simple-hearted, and unmatched on the battlefield.
The powers of the Duize clan fall somewhere between those of Genshan and Kanshui. Long regarded as a branch of those two clans, it gained independence very late. Its clan culture is free and open, with diverse ways of thinking.
The Kundi clan's power lies in barrier techniques, which can even neutralize the attacks and injuries inflicted by other clans. Its members are gentle and kind, and have no love of fighting...
