The sun was at its zenith, casting its golden rays across the bustling Yan Clan grounds. Disciples moved about in their daily routines—some engaged in intense training, their qi flowing like rivers, while others gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing as though the world was untouched by turmoil. On the surface, everything appeared serene. But within the heart of the Yan Clan, a storm was brewing.
Yan Ru, wrapped in an elegant scarf that concealed most of her face, walked with purpose toward the main hall. Her steps were steady and unyielding, exuding an aura of cold determination. The scarf left only her piercing, emotionless eyes visible, and those who passed her couldn't help but feel a chill as her gaze swept past them.
Whispers followed her.
"Is that Yan Ru?" one disciple murmured.
"She looks... different. So distant, so cold," another replied.
"Something must have happened."
Ignoring the chatter, Yan Ru pushed open the grand doors to the main hall and stepped inside.
---
Inside the Clan Hall
The grand hall was quiet except for the soft rustling of scrolls and the occasional faint hum of cultivation energy from the disciples working nearby. The high wooden beams that supported the ceiling stretched towards the heavens, decorated with intricate carvings of dragons and phoenixes, their eyes sparkling with gems. The soft glow of torches reflected off the polished stone floor, casting long shadows that danced in the stillness.
Yan Shengtian, the clan leader, sat at the center of this regal space, an air of authority surrounding him like an invisible cloak. His silver hair shimmered in the candlelight, and his sharp gaze never seemed to soften. In front of him, several ancient scrolls were laid out on the stone table, his fingers lightly tracing the words of the text as he muttered quietly to himself. Elder Gaung stood to his side, hands clasped behind his back, observing his leader with a look of reverence mixed with curiosity.
When the doors of the hall creaked open, a hush fell over the room. Yan Ru stepped inside, her figure a contrast to the lively atmosphere of the clan. The bright sunlight that shone from outside seemed to fade as she walked in, her presence commanding attention without uttering a word. Her scarf, tightly wrapped around her face, only allowed her sharp, emotionless eyes to be seen. Eyes that had once been filled with warmth, now cold and distant, as though they had seen the world's cruelties and had chosen to shut out anything resembling hope.
Elder Gaung, who had been lost in thought, turned as he heard her footsteps. His eyes softened momentarily as he saw his daughter, but his expression quickly hardened when he noticed the stark difference in her demeanor. Gone was the once carefree, gentle young woman he had raised. In her place stood a figure whose emotions seemed as cold as the ice beneath her feet.
"Ru'er," Elder Gaung greeted, his voice laced with concern. "What brings you here? Is there something troubling you?"
Yan Ru did not reply immediately. She stood at the entrance, her eyes scanning the hall before focusing on her father and then the clan leader. The weight of her decision was apparent, but she remained unwavering, her back straight and her expression as cold as a winter's night.
Without a hint of warmth, she spoke, her voice firm and clear, carrying a weight that only a few could understand. "Clan leader, I wish to request permission to go into seclusion practice. For one year."
The clan leader, Yan Shengtian, paused mid-motion, his hand frozen above a scroll. He looked up at his daughter, a slight frown forming on his usually calm face. He had never expected this from her. Seclusion practice was not a trivial matter, especially when it involved someone of Yan Ru's status. It required great commitment and focus, and her sudden request left him questioning the motivations behind it.
"Seclusion practice, you say?" Yan Shengtian's voice was tinged with curiosity, but he quickly masked it with a calm tone. "Where do you intend to go for this practice? Do you have a specific place in mind?"
Yan Ru's gaze did not waver. She had already decided what she wanted, and nothing would change her resolve. "Aurora Veil City," she stated matter-of-factly, her voice devoid of any emotion.
Elder Gaung's eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "Aurora Veil City?" His voice carried an undertone of confusion and concern. "Ru'er, why would you want to go there? The clan provides everything you need for cultivation. The resources here are plentiful. Why leave when you could stay and cultivate with your family? You—"
Before he could finish, Yan Ru cut him off with an icy tone that sent a chill through the room. "I have made my decision, Father. There is nothing more to discuss."
The coldness in her words was sharp, and it left Elder Gaung momentarily speechless. His mouth opened, but no words came out. He had known his daughter to be strong-willed, but never had she been so distant, so detached.
Yan Shengtian, observing the exchange, stroked his chin thoughtfully. His eyes were calculating, but there was a hint of admiration hidden within. Despite the shock of her sudden decision, he could see the determination in her eyes—the same determination that had once propelled him to rise within the clan.
"Hmmm…" Yan Shengtian mused, his voice deep and steady. "Aurora Veil City, eh? I've heard the cultivation halls there are quite advanced, and the weapon forgers are some of the best in the world. Perhaps it's a wise choice after all. You will have access to high-level weapons and faster cultivation. This will undoubtedly accelerate your progress." He paused, his gaze softening for a moment as he looked at Yan Ru. "You have my permission to go . But be sure to make preparations before you leave. Take whatever you need."
Elder Gaung, though not entirely convinced, nodded in agreement. "Yes, yes, if that's what you want, Ru'er… We only wish for your happiness and success. But…" He hesitated. "You'll need some support. Take these spirit stones with you." He reached for a pouch that hung at his waist, but before he could offer them to her, Yan Ru's cold voice sliced through the air once more.
"There is no need," she replied, her tone sharp like a dagger.
Elder Gaung's hand froze in midair, the spirit stones still dangling from his fingers. The shock on his face was evident, his expression a mixture of confusion and hurt. It was as if her refusal to accept his offering was a silent rejection of him as a father.
Yan Ru did not pause to explain. Without another word, she turned sharply on her heel and began walking toward the door. The scarf fluttered slightly in the air as she moved, her movements precise and calculated.
Her father's voice followed her, filled with concern but tinged with helplessness. "Ru'er, wait—"
But Yan Ru did not look back. She simply walked out of the hall, the doors swinging shut behind her with a quiet thud, leaving the two men in stunned silence.
Elder Gaung stood there for a moment, his hand still extended, the spirit stones now an empty gesture. His face twisted with uncertainty, his brow furrowing as he tried to comprehend what had just transpired.
Yan Shengtian's voice broke the silence, his gaze still locked on the door. "People change, Gaung. It seems Yan Ru has chosen a different path. We must allow her to walk it, even if we don't understand it."
But Elder Gaung was not so easily comforted. His thoughts churned as he turned slowly to face the clan leader. "She's not the same. She's not our Ru'er anymore. Something has changed in her. Something…"
Yan Shengtian remained silent for a moment before answering, his voice tinged with a quiet sadness. "Yes… something has changed. But we must trust her to find her way."
Elder Gaung did not respond. He simply stood there, lost in his thoughts, as the weight of Yan Ru's transformation hung heavy in the air.
Outside the Hall
As Yan Ru stepped into the sunlight, the whispers around her grew louder. She paid them no mind, her mind focused on the road ahead. She could feel the stares, the questions in their eyes, but none dared to approach her.
Her heart, however, was a storm. The memories of Elder Gong's mocking laughter, the indifference of her father, and the face of Yan Zi flashed through her mind like haunting phantoms.
"I don't need them," she whispered to herself, her voice steely. "I'll rise on my own. I'll find my strength, my way."
Her gaze turned to the horizon, where Aurora Veil City awaited. The city was known for its unforgiving trials and powerful cultivators. It was the perfect place to grow stronger, to harden her heart, and to find the clarity she sought.
As she walked back to her chambers to prepare, her grip tightened on the scarf covering her face. It wasn't just a shield from the world—it was a symbol of the walls she had built around her heart. Walls she would reinforce with every step forward.
For Yan Ru, the path to Aurora Veil City wasn't just about cultivation. It was the beginning of a journey to redefine herself, to bury the past and forge a future free of weakness, free of the chains that bound her to the pain she carried.