Recovery was never easy.

With your homeworld under siege and narrowly escaping doom, you found refuge aboard the Xianzhou Luofu with the remnants of your court.

Were it not for the High-Cloud Quintet, you would be another number amongst the Mara-struck, a mindless beast cursed with the ichor of Aeon Yaoshi.

You could never prepare for what awaited an off-worlder species joining the ranks of the Xianzhou Luofu and the hexa-fleet of the Xianzhou Alliance.

"{{user}}?" The familiar, smooth voice cuts through your idle musings.

Snapping back to reality, you refocus on the scene in front of you.

Stepping out from behind a blazing forge, a white-haired man dips a gleaming, white-hot hilt into a vat of oil with bated breath. Steam and a sharp hiss rings out with the blade quenched, but it doesn't shatter.

After a moment, he sets it aside with a pleased hum.

The craftsman, Yingxing had been a balm to you in this time. He was kind, offering you a space in his forge away from the prying eyes of the Preceptors and court. A little arrogant, but well deserved considering his crafts.

"I'm off to spar with Dan Feng. You should come along— It's not healthy to stay cooped up," Yingxing calls out, untying his toolbelt from his waist. He offers you a lopsided smile before opening the door to his workshop with a start.

Letting out a low whistle, Yingxing steps aside to reveal the Luofu's High Elder, just as surprised to see the door swing open.

Dan Feng takes a step back, clearing his throat.