Dragon Fang and Soul Devourer

After closing all the doors and windows tightly, she began to condense all her magical energy into a tangible form, guiding it out of her body. The transparent magic flowed through her wand, slowly gathering in the air. With her left hand, she gripped her diary, using all her best sketching skills to complete the magical array.

The sealing sword’s magical array was placed within a simple formation by the diary; its lines and required energy were neither many nor complex, perfectly matching her current magical level. She carefully copied the array, not deviating a single detail from the sample, and wiped away cold sweat, repeatedly comparing it with the original until she was sure there were no mistakes, finally letting herself relax just a little.

The Soul-devouring Array appeared as a painting suspended in midair. From the central point, magic energy gathered, forming a sword slot just big enough to hold Dragonfang. Rings generated by condensed magic encircled the center, forming a circle, and several points of magical energy anchored it in the air, supporting the entire structure.

She signaled to Ringfall, who, with a cold expression and without a word, threw Dragonfang forward. The blade traced a beautiful arc through the air and landed perfectly in the array’s central slot.

With a gentle wave of her wand, the magical energy—long suppressed and yearning to reunite with its elemental companions—was finally released. Tearfully, it called forth all the elemental forces for a gathering. The elements responded, arriving in groups, filling the dim room (doors closed, windows shut, no lights on) with radiant hues.

Blue water, red fire, golden lightning, and soft white wind followed the paths she had drawn, merging like candy syrup, forming a flat round shape that looked oddly nourishing and delicious.

The syrup slowly fused toward the center, finally touching Dragonfang’s blade. The sword’s sharp edge was enveloped by the elements, gradually wrapped up like a festive gift.

Ringfall watched Dragonfang being covered, her eyes complicated, hands repeatedly loosening and tightening their grip, though her body remained motionless under the force of reason.

She, meanwhile, was brimming with excitement. Any reluctance to seal Dragonfang and her concern for Ringfall were drowned out by the impending triumph. To seal such a high-grade ancient divine sword on her first attempt at using a magical array was surely an epic achievement!

As the four elemental energies neared Dragonfang to seal it, everyone held their breath, all focus centered on the blade.

A sudden chime rang out—Dragonfang emitted a piercing, despairing cry. Her hand trembled, nearly losing grip on her wand.

Imagine, after millennia buried, finally seeing daylight and helping your master achieve glory, only for your master to seal you away forever—would you be pleased? Anyone would feel despair!

Dragonfang resisted fiercely, wielding its own power. As the sword of the battle god Feng Xi, it had a lifetime of legendary battles and bloodshed, refusing to submit so easily. A sharp cry echoed again; Dragonfang’s blade burst with light, blood-red radiance embodying millennia of accumulated resentment and grief, annihilating the colored energies trying to suppress it.

Soon, half of its blade was free.

Seeing things go awry, she increased her magical output, thickening the energy chains around Dragonfang. The sword stubbornly destroyed them, managing to keep half its blade exposed.

The cries grew louder. Sunflower hurried to cast a wind shield around the room to block the sound, which only intensified the effects inside, rivaling the finest FMACOUSTICS speakers. The Eternal Staff, another ancient artifact, began to join in, and its sensitive master, Liang Yin, was already tearing up.

Ringfall fought to control her emotions. For a weapon like Dragonfang, once bonded, it shared its master’s feelings and thoughts; sealing it was like sealing part of Ringfall herself—an unbearable prospect.

If I were sealing Dragonfang with the intent to destroy it, Ringfall would surely attack me… she thought, enduring Ringfall’s murderous gaze while struggling against Dragonfang. Her energy reserves were nearly depleted; Dragonfang remained half-sealed and unmoving.

Yet Dragonfang was also at its limit, the red glow around it fading, maintaining a tenuous balance with her.

The author spares you the lengthy details here. Suffice it to say, after an exhausting endurance match, our protagonist, with her flawless opening, dazzling tactics, and strong audience, finally collapsed at the climax—spectacularly, utterly defeated!

Her magical energy drained, she blacked out and fell to the floor. The array collapsed, and Dragonfang, victorious, landed proudly on the ground, casting a disdainful glance at her.

Afterwards, her memories blurred: Ringfall tried to return Dragonfang to its sheath but was wounded by the red aura; Sunflower concluded she needed more training; Liang Yin insisted on chatting with Dragonfang via the Eternal Staff, and, miraculously, the sword obediently returned to its sheath. And so on.

By the time she finally emerged from the shadow of her defeat and regained clarity, it was already the day of her departure.

Liang Yin fussed over her luggage: “This set is the mage robe and wand Aunt Sunflower gave you. Change into it soon—it’s much better than what you’re wearing. Use it well. These outfits are for the journey: casual and formal. When you get to the capital, if there’s a banquet or party, don’t let your attire embarrass you! And did you pay attention in Aunt Sunflower’s etiquette and history classes? Do you remember your false identity?”

She stared blankly for a moment before replying, “These formal and casual outfits—are they from your shopping trip? I thought you bought them for yourself…”

“Idiot!” Liang Yin smacked her forehead in exasperation. “Why would I expect you to remember all this? Sending Lance with you was absolutely right! He hasn’t shown up these past days—he must be preparing somewhere, unlike you, who only knows how to eat, sleep, and play!”

She protested, “I call this enjoying life, not self-torture. If you came with me, it’d go even better than going with Lance!”

“Oh? Still not enough trouble for me?” Liang Yin huffed, turning away with a proud blush.

Lance’s voice came from the doorway: “Ladies, are you done with your secrets? It’s time to leave!”