Copper Flowers Born of Ancient Blood

“Ash-gray bone dust, cinnabar-red sand; old blood seeps into copper, blooming into flowers.”

A sword lies buried in the earth. For a hundred years, drops of ancient blood have stained its ringing bronze, blossoming into copper flowers. In every life, He Jiao feeds the sword with her blood, trading the slowly dimming night sky for peace, day after day.

As the sword's light flashes, Qi Yaoguang sees prosperity and war, the sun dipping low and the moon growing full. Where the sword is raised, strings and flutes play softly and silk sleeves dance. Where it falls, temples crumble and incense burns out. A hundred years of rise and ruin turn to dust in an instant.

“He Jiao, you probably don't know this. A hundred years ago, you once took up your sword to slay the emperor, and once ventured alone through the martial world. Back then, you were the banner of the three armies and the deity of the court. Whenever the sword's radiance swallowed you, the stars of the Big Dipper went dark one by one. The last star of the Big Dipper shines bright. It is the final star in this world. The night sky of all the people under heaven cannot be without starlight.”

Deng Xinghui gazed at the last star in the Big Dipper and said, “Don't worry about the next day yet. First, save the part of yourself that's been slowly fading over these long years.”

Theme: Strive to be a positive and aspiring young person