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Tianmen Mountain, a mountain of legend that was towering so high it reaches the heavens and whose altitude could supposedly be reached by scale. Many great warriors trained themselves to the extreme on the thousand path that surrounded the whole mountain. With extraordinary determination, some of them were able to persevere after multiple failures and fall down the mountains, making great discoveries upon their journeys.

Xue Yinghua or known as Yinghua; the warrior princess of the Great Warriors; training in the mountain with her military partner--Zhou Fang. She wears a black, purple and violet traditional warrior princess attire with a black sleeveless turtleneck bodysuit underneath, along a pair of black tights underneath, shoulder-cut sleeves that exposed her shoulders and golden sash with a large bowtie around her waist. She wears a thigh-high black boots with back heels, while she wears a short pants. Her long black hair was tied up into ponytail with golden hairpin, black ribbons and the white flower with her middle bangs tied back above her, leaving two long bangs fell between her face and reached her chin.

Zhou Fang or known as Fang, the captain of the Great Warriors and protector of Celestial Families, he was Yinghua's superior and partner in the battle. He has a pale skin and stands at six feet, his black hair was straight and slightly messy; single bangs on his left side; revealing his forehead and and his hair reached his back, with a silver earring on his right ear. Wearing a a black armored Chinese robe with high collars and almost exposing the mid-part of his chest, along with loose pants and ancient Chinese style black boots with silver tips on the front, added with back heels on his boots. In addition, he wears a fingerless black gloves.

Yinghua is high-spirited and arrogant individual who is cocky towards her opponent in a comical matter, as well as picking a fight with a stronger opponent, usually the ones who beat her. With a strong sense of justice and brave as a lion, she's not against to make a wager to people, even with the strongest opponents, sometimes without making sure she will win first. Due to the heavy amount of near death experience she faced, sometimes her mind will be scared by the ordeals she faced, causing her unable to fight. However, by thinking of what she did wrong, she was able to break past her fear.

Fang is calm, calculating and a bit of an argumentative person who tries his best to always see the situation objectively and the best approach to ensure no problem will come. Having his past full of hardships he learned how to be a responsible leader, and he often take others to be responsibility with their works he give them. As a Captain of Great Warriors, he is also familiar with everything of an object being talked about and quite strategic.

They were both an orphan after their village became a victim of a bloody war, finding a new home within the borders of an elven kingdom and started his new life as one of them. Leaving them with their younger siblings, Yinghua with her younger brother; Jinfeng and Fang with his younger sister Feihung. Yinghua is the first child of late-general Xue Jun and noblewoman Mingxia, Fang's parents were late-general Zhou Cheng and noblewoman Feiyun. Only until adulthood that they learned that their parents are loyal guardians to Celestial Families, sworn to protect the heir and princess with their lives, continuing their family's generations of work.

Each swords clashing to each other, they were training with their swords and skills. The fight is ongoing with a great pace, which both sides were giving out all of their potentials. "That was great!" Yinghua said but she was scowling at him with her hand on her hip, she grumbled at him with a huff. "But none of us win!" she complained. "That is fine, for a day like this, a defeat is an improvement that is a great milestone of your improvement, right?" Fang responded but only receive an irritated scoff from Yinghua, she rolled her eyes at him.

"Don't be so cocky just because you're the captain!" she taunted, Fang just gave her a simple reply with just a smirk. They have known each other from when they were a kid, spending their childhood together. However, in the battlefield they have to learn to contain their desire for revenge and remain stoic and cool until the right moment has come, otherwise their actions might as well be detrimental for the team. Sometimes they couldn't have been more different, but what they share is equally the same.

He moved back slowly, making a defensive stance to block the oncoming slash of the sword. She thrust her sword swiftly and he instantly reflected it back with his sword, they continued to do the same action while moving forward. Finally after several strikes, Fang slashed his blade hard in mid-swing up and countered it, earning a bit of a cut. "Not gonna lie, Yinghua. I truly underestimate your growth lately, and our confrontation is now truly even," he commended, although she was giving a scowl, somehow the joy of getting a praises has sparked her morale.

Fang, however felt pity towards her for her inability of accepting her loss and praise, despite getting a good chance to simply talk with the prideful and stubborn child she is. Yinghua tilted her head curiously, noticing his glare seemed to be focused at the sky. Giving a curious smile, she followed his gaze upwards. "You haven't changed, Fang," she commented, not bothering at all about the glare that he is giving off at her.

"And your recklessness is still as sharp as ever, Yinghua," he retorted as she cackled at him, but giving a glare at her direction for that insult towards her. "So, do you want to train another time?" he asked, making her huffed. "Right now?"

"Actually, tonight."

"Fang! Yinghua!"

Li Yang--known as Yang; the young man with black hair tied in ponytail and long bangs loose on his forehead and between his face shouted, standing from below them. He wears a black high-collared jacket over a white shirt with a yellow star insignia on the mid-section of it; and wearing green army trousers and black trainers. Aside from being the youngest and most honest on the group, he was also somewhat of an honor-roll type. He was the last one to join their forces, after 10 years when he was a teenager. "Could you come to the palace for a minute?!" both of them tilted their heads, that was until he continued his sentence. "Their Majesty call us for the night festival, guarding Princess Meiying, as what he commanded us to."

Both of them heard him when they faced each other, they really hate doing this because Meiying is one stubborn seventeen-years old princess--not spoiled but she has a heart of carefreeness, never liked any protections from anyone, she hates being protected. It was only once before they had to protect her, they were assigned to guard her during the summer holiday. Oh my God, even Yinghua can't handle her attitude of disregard from proper procedure and duties of a princess, having to deal with many mischievous things she does, which lead to her confinement into her room.

"F-Festival? I don't remember there's one," Yinghua excused as she shake her hands, Fang cleared his throat as he was also excusing himself--he also tired of dealing with her bullshit. "Our Majesty haven't told us about that, why are you asking us to protect her?" he asked. Yang facepalmed, he knew his two childhood friends wasn't very fond of dealing with Meiying, some said her stubbornness was nearly rivaled Yinghua herself. Not to mention, her clumsiness and reckless attitude which sometimes bordered as violent, having a serious distaste for her restriction. "Come on, we know that she can be pain in the ass at this rate," Yang began, folding his arms. "She's almost the same age as ours. Let's have a bit of a break, at least for the last night of summer festival, huh?" Yang reasoned.

After all, she won't follow their orders and being sooo difficult for her guardian, it was one of the examples. Almost every of her requests are always involving her outside the palace and into the heart of the city. The festival has started with several lanterns above them, the Emperor; Wu Fuyin dressed in his usual majestic attire and robe. The Empress; Wu Xiao looking at her daughter looking around the streets from the distance with her husband. "It's been a long time since the war is over, my love…" she said while holding the fan on her hand, the emperor's dark chocolate eyes staring at the people around him even his wife who wore a golden, red, black and jade green silk dress that was beautifully embroidered with gold and emerald. "We can finally celebrate now, after all these years."

"Yes."

Their second son; Wu Chengxun said, he looked at the sky. "There's no clouds tonight, the stars are shining, but..." he said, he realized his older sister Wu Meiying--isn't here because she prefer to wander off the streets of the city. "Where is she?" he asked his mother and father, it made them sighed before his mother smiled. "She will come later," she answered, waving her hand at the guards surrounding the festival of the Xanadu nation. "They will bring her here when she arrives."

Meiying was carrying her pink parasol on her hands, her attire was shoulder-revealing cherry blossom dress with sleeves on her arms and wearing her matching pink heels. Her smooth long brownish-black hair is loose on her waist, her long bangs framing her forehead and her upper bangs pinned back by a silver flower headdress with the two hair ornaments on upper part of her temples on her head, she has hazel-brown eyes and fair complexion--she's very beautiful in the eyes of everyone.

Meiying is strong-willed, carefree and stubborn girl who tries to live her life to the fullest, almost ignoring the status that bound her as a daughter to the Royal Family. Although she was reckless at times, her kindness sometimes make her overreact and throwing herself at danger to save others. She looks really cute when smiling, and loves poking everyone's face regardless of their personal feelings. She really likes seeing others flustered, especially her guards. Even Yinghua can't stand her, although it was easy to admit, as they know her longer than her little brother.

She wandered towards the busy streets, trying her best to avoid bumping with everyone. "I hate the idea of staying here, I want to go outside, I feel suffocated just being inside the palace!" she complained. She can be snobbish at times too, but her heart was made of pure good and warmth; something that they will not likely forget.

"Besides, I wanted to get a view of the city!"

Meiying whined while looking around the view, until she bumped by someone and dropped her parasol on the ground. "I-I'm sorry!" she bowed quickly in front of the stranger, a man with white long hair, full white mask and white and purple hanfu that he wore. Her eyes widened that she feel bad for bumping into him, the mysterious masked man look down at her before at her parasol as he spoke. "It's okay, let me help you."

The mysterious figure was about to hold the parasol on the ground for her, until he felt the jolting sensation through his veins from touching the parasol. The silver materials was also included in here? He awkwardly stand up and left the parasol on the ground, walking away and passed her. Meiying was confused that he simply walked off and leaving her parasol like that, she was unaware that her parasol has pure silver material that was given by her father as her birthday gift. "Who is he?" she asked herself, tilting her head before she grabbed the parasol from the ground, holding it back to her side.

Meanwhile, Yinghua and Fang are guarding the Emperor and the Empress, a few minutes later they received a message from Yang, they were instructed to go to the palace. Yinghua sighed as she walked through the streets, she was thinking about what happened earlier. "What was that masked man doing? Looks like he's an intruder?" Fang murmured, thinking that the person might be a thief. "Do you think he's a nobleman in disguise?"

"Maybe, he didn't seem like it."

Yinghua said, she turned around and looked at the direction where the masked guy was, she couldn't find him anymore. Until her eyes widened to see the masked man again, staring at them from the distance--looking suspiciously. "Shit! Look out!" Yinghua shouted, kicking Fang to cover her, Fang caught the sword with his bare hands and blocked the blade. "He has a weapon, too!" Fang snapped, before the masked man sprinted off--making them chase after him.

A few blocks ahead, they saw the masked man jumped onto a broken wall of a nearby building. They followed him, running forward. Once they reached the top of the building, they saw the masked man turn around and stared at them with his dark blue eyes. "Hey! Who are you?!" Yinghua snarled, "We should ask your identity first before we decide whether we should kill you or not!"

The masked man stared down at them blankly before he turn around, Fang sensed something different--this mysterious man seems to be one of the Dragon clan who have caused a disaster upon humankind--known as Mara clan. Before she manage to react, the man sliced the tiled roof underneath her and both of them jumped off to separate buildings. She attempted to slash the mysterious man, who blocked her sword with his hand; causing a cut wound on his hand. "You…" he growled, his mask hid most of his expression but he noticed that he saw fear in their eyes. "I can tell it's you two."

The masked man said, turning around and jumping off the building. "Wait--oh wait... he's gone now."

"I don't remember meeting him during our battle against them," Fang murmured, shaking his head as he dismissed the soldiers. "Now, we should just come back to the palace. There's something I need to talk about, with both of them."

Yinghua nodded and hurried along the streets, both of them had to return back to the palace as soon as possible because they didn't want the Emperor and the Empress to worry about them. Meiying was in the palace despite her reluctance, holding her parasol that she was confused how did that masked man couldn't hold the parasol--she began to suspect if that man was from the Mara; a race of humanoid dragons; their weakness is silver materials and anything related to the constellations because they are the ones who opposed the gods and tried to wipe the race out. However, the humans barely managed to won the war from them with lots of sacrifices.

"I thought the Dragon King doesn't have a son after he was sealed away, me and the other Heavenly Rulers supposed to have sealed him for thousand years," the Emperor suspected, if that masked man is the son of the Dragon King. "We need to discover about them," Yinghua suggested as she grinned, Fang nodded with his arms folded. "Yeah, I agree," Yang hummed, before he snickered. "What do you say, Your Majesty?"

Wu Fuyin thought hard about it, this is a whole new challenges the world has. If those beings return, who knows what evil chaos will fall upon them? Some rumors said, it is said that when the last soul became consumed by him that Dragon King shall returned to wreak havoc among the world of the living and plunging it back into chaos of endless destruction and reclamation of the world. If it was true, then...

"Very well," Fuyin stated, before he rose his hand towards his subjects outside his palace.

"The Mara Clan must be slain down."

***

At night, Meiying was lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling with her arms crossed on her chest--she wondered if she can meet that masked man again--so she decided to sneak out and holding her parasol for protection. She tip-toed along the silent walk towards the exit hall, as she try to move as quietly as she can. However, the door suddenly opened and she get startled by the light--cursing a bit. Her hazel eyes looked up only to see Yinghua standing while leaning against the wall. "So, you're sneaking out again huh," she asked, turning her eyes at the street below them. Fang was also there, looking over his shoulder to give her a glare before he returned looking over.

"Jeez, being a spoiled and troublesome one as usual," Yinghua muttered as she walked down the stairs, Meiying looked away from her. She knew it, that Meiying hated the idea of being in a bubble and just stay in the palace most of the time, ignoring her responsibility to watch over the Xanadu lands and everyone. "Urgh, both of you are such a hassle. I'm not gonna listen to any of you!" she said, walking slowly. Yang shake his head when he watched her attitude, how typical.

"What are you guys doing here, anyway? I thought the summer festival is tomorrow," she said, Yinghua rolled her eyes and groaned. She closed her eyes and trying her best not to lash out, "Isn't this a duty for all of us to have, princess? To guard you and protect our nation's princess?" she retorted. Meiying got irritated with her sarcasm before Fang added. "You're a princess, and a Celestial royalty."

"Listen up, Mei, we already discussed this. You are not allowed to leave this palace, because right now our nation is in a period of transition. Not many are convinced the war had been won, and I doubt this may have spread to the members of the Mara Clan. For all we know, they may be making the preparations for a new attack," Fang said, as he scolded Meiying.

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She always have that kind of attitude whenever they tried to reprimand her, which make her hate rules and everything related to it. "Like I would believe what you said about some people attacking me, while I was trying to walk down the street!" she growled, before she quickly left them and marched to the exit. Fang shook his head and glared at her with his intense stare, knowing it will make her stop in her tracks. "Does she always like that?" Yinghua asked, turning her eyes at Fang who also glared at her. "Well, at least sometimes. When we told her something, it's impossible to make her understand our explanations about things related to her safety and family's history, her own future."

Meanwhile, Meiying was giggling to herself, feeling excited that her new adventure had just begun. Although these activities were meant only to allow them the experience of a more normal life, a person close enough to relate them to the commoners of a land, it still bothers her since the fact that they had to use incognito names; like Yinghua; Xue Yinghua was the firstborn of the Warrior Princess and the general of the Celestial Warriors while Fang; Zhou Fang was the firstborn of the General and was currently a Captain and general of the Great Warriors. Yang; Li Yang was the son of a former military general--Li Tian of Celestial Knights.

"What's the name of that beautiful moon? Dang, every time I look at it, it seems so mystical and calm at the same time," Yinghua commented as she looked up at the full moon above her. Fang observed his partner, knowing that she was pretty deep in her thought. "Perhaps the moon is beautiful that it makes anyone enchanted when they looked at it," Yang explained as he shrugged his shoulders. Fang smiled before he elbowed his friend who winced on the pain of the harsh jolt his arm felt, he knew exactly what is coming for the poor little innocent guy.

Meiying was in the courtyard, she was observing the peach blossom tree in front of her. "I think everyone had gone home..." she mumbled, smiling to herself. However, she heard rustles behind the flower hedges in the courtyard; catching her attention. "Who's there?!" she barked, holding her parasol tightly on her side.

The mysterious figure who was wearing a familiar mask, carrying the weapon on his hand began to walk slowly. "Y-You..." she stammered, seeing the man revealed to have a long white hair with light blue-ashen shades, blue horns on his temples, his attire was black formal ancient Chinese attire; revealing his snow-white skin and wears a military black boots. "Yuan Zilian," he introduced himself in tranquil yet, calm voice. This thing was the name he gave before, and nobody never came close to find out his real name. Not even the guards knew of his true name.

"You were the one... from the marketplace," she murmured, widening her eyes. The masked man nodded, her hand shaking on her side.

"Why aren't you afraid of me, Princess Meiying?"

He asked as Meiying frowned, her eyes staring straight at his way. For a second, she felt like something has taken over her mind and her soul, wanting to let go from the consciousness that bind her with reality and plunging itself into endless sorrowful depths. Her hands shaking in her thoughts, as he look at her--his eyes focused upon her. "Say... Wu Meiying, where should I start...?"

Meiying froze, Zilian questioned the Celestial Princess as he looked upon her direction, he then realized that he finally caught her hand--tugging her a bit, and she gasped. "Why? I am Mara, one of the Dragon King's faithful sons. But, I'm a half-human and half-Dragon, also..."

Before he can continue, Meiying interrupted him by touching his mask--causing his mouth shut close, staring her eyes before her fingers started to touch his chest softly, which unknowingly has also caused him to blushing underneath the mask. "Right... I thought Dragons are scary beings, I thought everyone will fear if they ever see your race lives among humans..." she began, smiling. "But you're kind, aren't you?" she teased. He blushed in a red color beneath his mask, hiding his face with his hands; his fingers being spread out so that the mask is the only part of his face showing--seemingly with eyes peeking through his spread fingers.

"I came here to find the Philosopher's Stone."

Zilian admitted, lowering his hands and stared at her; ignoring the fact that he might get caught by someone. "I felt it at the marketplace, and at the castle too... I can feel it once more here, I know my soul connected to it, and you are the host who carries it."

"What will you do after you got what you wanted?" she asked, holding the handle of her parasol that somehow warmed her fingertips when she held the source of her desire. However, her desire vanished when she felt his hand pressing down on her palm gently, he shook his head slowly. "Before I collect the stone, I'll eliminate the Four Heavenly Rulers who killed my father," he growled, his grip tighten on her hand. Hearing his words has made her shocked, it's true that the Four Heavenly Rulers are their heroes due to defeating the ruler of the Dragon race; the Dragon King alongside its son.

Meiying wasn't afraid, before she barked. "Are you that foolish, huh?! Whoever you are, those people has ended the bloody war and we are blessed with this tranquility! Or should I..." she halted, she hold his hand gently as his eyes widened; shocked that a Celestial royalty did something unexpected to the Mara people--touched them gently and accepted them equally without hatred or fear. His heart raced, he can't believed she did that. "Or should I help you, Zilian?" she begged him, staring his mask as he was shocked beyond belief that a human would do this to a being who was an enemy of their kind. He sighed, closing his eyes, feeling the silent around him.

Zilian was willing to spare her life and the life of the entire race of humans, there's a chance of peace between them, no need for sacrifice and bloodshed. However, he wasn't an easy to be convinced to that and instead he decided to give her more chance to grasp the truth he has been secluded in the world. "Why would you care? Don't you hate my kind and what we've done, you want to kill my kind to end the war, right?" he asked, walking away from her as his black boots step onto the pavement below him.

She shook her head, trying to understand his rage and revenge for something he already forgot. What made him that was her heart have told him the answer he had been seeking for. "I don't hate what my own family or ancestor has done because they've stopped you and your father, sure..." she said, looking up at him with determination. "But, if you're that evil... why didn't you kill me?" she asked, Zilian fell silent. He knew why, it was because of her kindness and innocence she was displaying to everyone, she's beautiful and the very opposite of what he believes is in a woman. Zilian however, didn't think very highly of them. "And... you did spare me because you saw a bit of humanity left inside of you, isn't it?"

Zilian closed his eyes, but not before staring at her. At that moment, he feel as if he wanted to crush those feelings which had been stirring deep within him, unknowingly his decision was swaying in all ways when he saw her hazel-brown eyes. 'Perhaps you're the one, I can put my trust to. A human girl who cares about both sides; making peace, not for dominating over her people...' he thought.

"You are fascinating, Princess Meiying," he complimented, jumping upwards and swing the cable from his belt on a nearby pillar of the palace's front. "Don't worry, my next visit will be soon," Zilian said, looking away from her. "Until then, Wu Meiying. May the paradise protect you."

Meiying sighed, shaking her head as she felt disappointment--and a little admiration after the mystery man's personality. Perhaps she really needed a break or rather, her obsession towards her independence was a little troublesome for her. So, as she walked back to her chambers, a smile formed across her face--looking forward on the next meeting she will have with Zilian.

***

"Wait, both of us will bring the Jade Natatorium to the capital and install it in the Imperial Palace?"

Yinghua asked the Emperor while standing beside Fang who was listening to His Majesty, Yang was fainted comically with a cloud raining over his head while Meiying was sitting down with her brother beside her; secretly sneaking up and drinking the water of the spring below them. Even though that there was a contract between them and the emissaries to protect and guard the springs, seeing her father and the Emperor has put the best men as their army guarding the Jade Natatorium, no wonder all of the great warriors are put in different places to guard the lands.

Wu Fuyin nodded as his wife smiled, before looking back at the spring. "Yes, the war left this country devastated, and lots of people out there need help. But the biggest problem remains, with the lack of water..." the Emperor trailed off, eyeing at the warriors who look in return; except Meiying who's busily enjoying herself by drinking the spring, but Yinghua stared intensely before snatching the glass Meiying was holding on her hand. "Princess," Fang scolded as she just turned her back, not intending to look at them. "Meiying," the Empress sternly said.

"Did you just stole some water from the Spring?"

The question had startled everyone, including Yinghua and Fang; turning their head in shock at Meiying, "What?! Like she's serious!?" Yinghua retorted, realizing the trouble she caused by being carefree and mischievous sometimes. Yang was crying comedically after Meiying tricked him into drinking a lot of wine, and now found him hugging the bucket with no apparent signs of intention to move. Fang looked towards Meiying and sternly eyed her, and she gave him a stuck-out-tongue gesture. "Don't worry, we still have the spare Jade Natatorium inside the Imperial Palace for a spring water--but we also need the healing waters too because we don't want to risk something bad."

His frown had worsened as it seems that Meiying had trespassed one of the strongest guards outside and took some water, he really need to show how reckless her actions has become. Sometimes, the more he glared at her, the more he just wanted to shout at her until she learned her lesson. "What you have done is irresponsible, the future ruler can't do any mistakes like these. If you keep acting out like this, no one is gonna respected you one day and will question your responsibility as the princess and heir of the royal dynasty."

Meiying snorted at his words, rolling her eyes at him before looking at the ceiling;. In fact, all she did was giving him an attitude--seemed to careless enough to hear his scolding, which make them pissed for ignoring their words. Yinghua stomped and walked right at her, slapping her painfully at her cheek.

Jade Natatorium is a sacred bath chamber of the Divine Order, that is originally located in the Heaven's Gate Mountains but now installed in the Imperial Chamber to hide its existence. These bath chambers are used by Celestial Families to prepare the people who worked with the Empress and her children, however it can only open by the direct descendants to the Royal families. The water comes from the underground well that is filled with magical water, said it has been a long history with these powers, healing the diseases that are not healed by a medicine.

"It's the only way to stop the Dragon King from killing us all--I suppose you two are willing to do this for us?" Wu Fuyin asked, looking down at them. "Yes, Your Majesty!" both of them said together. They didn't tell Yang to come with them, because Fuyin wanted him to stay in the capital and find the source of the disturbance. They realized, one of the enemy is somewhere else in the capital. The very place where they have to protect.

Fang eyed his superior and commander, his right hand clenched up. "Prepare for the upcoming battle and mission, Zhou Fang. As for you too, Xue Yinghua. Both of you will be promoted into Chief-Generals together with the other Cloud Generals after the Chief-Generals' Meeting, as a reward for your outstanding and performance."

"Chief-Generals? This isn't an early promotion, isn't it?" Fang reasoned. Yinghua was surprised, even though her rank is lower--she couldn't believe it, Chief-General is the very top of the Great Warriors, only his right-hand man is given the same position. It was the title she aimed for, but doesn't know how the condition and work loads she will handle on the future.

Yinghua however, was happy and grateful--thankful that both of her late-parents aren't here to witness it; even Fang's late-parents. "Wait, how about me?!" Yang asked, finally regaining his consciousness; not realizing that the bucket still strapped upon his head and his mouth smelling like wine that stinks--making Yinghua and Fang cringed. "Oh right, I forgot about you. Yang, you will be promoted into Chief-General once you excelled your work as the one of the Ten Celestial Knights and became the representative of their kingdom," he said. "Still..." he trailed off, there's not a single proof of great achievement he was given. "There is no trace of such a Mara within the city, and yet the disruption..." he thought.

Yang sighed in relief, taking off the bucket from his head. Meanwhile, Fang and Yinghua were already standing in front of the gates. "It's important that we hide the Imperial Family's crest, unless we want those people to discover them," Fang said, raising his finger at her before letting out his finger and tapped her. She hissed when the familiar jolt hit her, this time even more harsher than it used to. "Man, stop doing that!" she shouted, rolling her eyes.

"You looked confused," he teased as she just laughed, placing her hands behind her head. "Yeah, I guess I was."

They arrived in the Imperial City--Xanadu, along with the Celestial Families' private army--and slowly climbing the grassy cliff by carrying the cart with the spring, and four huge gold-red boxes. They also need to train, because they also practiced their newfound powers in order to protect the people. "Do you heard of Philosopher's Stone?" Yinghua asked, hearing that she got questioned by Fang--who seemed interested in what was her mind's story.

"Oh really, what about it?"

Fang asked, folding his arms when they headed to the Training Arena at one of the tents. Yinghua turned her head at him as he narrowed his eyes, both of them walking together as Yang was commanding his division while training. "People often said that Philosopher's Stone has a lot of unbelievable secrets, whether it can transfer the soul into something else. Or maybe, bring something back to life. Another ones which is the legendary Elixir of Immortality..."

Fang turned his eyes at Yinghua, he knew that she had a curiosity of one day awaken her destiny and found the answers. "That's a high dream you're having here, why are you giving yourself an unlimited expectation? Especially about the past," he said, crossing his arms when Yinghua huffed. "What? Of course not, anyways get changed already. It's time to get sweaty, especially in here," she exclaimed, entering the changing room for female clothes.

They were wearing a mix style of uniform in a combination, even though both of them still wear their custom armor to the battle. Their hair was tied back in a short ponytail, leaving the long bangs as always. They are given several powerful weapons and blessed by the Emperor who gave them the status of the commanders; making their army larger and had more privilege during these times. Yinghua wears her main outfit which is a dark blue hanfu with high collars and black sleeveless turtleneck underneath, with an underdress of light cyan inner first robe and second white inner hanfu garb underneath. With her long-knee length layered sleeves exposed her upper arms, she retained her black shorts and black thigh-high strapped boots with golden back-heels with her hanfu decorated with white cherry blossom motifs and patterns in the middle of her garb below her dark blue and white sash, since her hanfu was quite long and reaching below her ankles but flexible enough not to make her fall. She donned her black fingerless gloves, before pulling her black hair into ponytail with dark blue ribbon and cherry blossom ornaments.

Fang wears a light blue and white hanfu, the same hanfu as Yinghua which is light blue color and there's white flowers in the middle. He wears black military knee-length which doesn't cover the bottom of the hanfu and below the knees of his pants, the long bottom of his sleeves flowing when he entered his training session. In addition, he also donned his black fingerless gloves, holding a sword on his hand--which is Měiróng; translated Beauty. As for Yinghua, her sword is known as Chūnhuā; translated as Spring Flower. "You're changing your main attire?" he asked, seeing her came out with her sword. "Nah, that attire is too fancy for someone like me who likes being elegant and simple," she retorted before grinned. "Let's began."

Yang whistled to see the sparring between Fang and Yinghua, just like previous years; it has begun when they are young adult around seventeens or eighteen and now they were twenty-two years olds. His hazel eyes watching them slashed the blades to one another, she was an expert swordsman who wielded her skills since her childhood in secret and used a trick on her opponents; although sometimes ended up taking a while trying to make a move. However, since Fang is her military partner; he was pretty much predicted and calculated every her tactics and strategy in her combat, also used and experienced in his many battles. Being also a scholar, of course both of them become the right-hand general; their title of Chief-Generals was a promotion once the Celestial Knights joined their armies as one of the Four Heavenly Rulers and defeating all of the opponents who wanted to take down the empire.

After seven rounds, both of them were catching their breath before they rested, enjoying themselves under the hot summer weather. "Oh man, that was intense!"

Yinghua and Fang laughed, especially Yang that he hold his stomach for a bit because it's hurt. At night, the Great Warriors were chatting each other before suddenly an elegant sound of a harp rang, causing her and her partner to realize what is this. "There's only someone who plays that sounds when she wants to hear us," Fang groaned, while Yinghua has a dark smirk in her face. "Sure, only in my name of the Great Warriors' Division."

Wang Mingyu, the twenty-three years old Great Warrior was playing his harp on the couch, he was wearing his new casual clothes; a white hanfu with black slim-fitting pants, black outer robe and black sandals. His dark brown, half long wavy hair is over his shoulders and between his face which seems beautiful at most, he often got mistaken as a girl in the battlefield. His hazel-orange eyes scanned his surrounding before focusing on the music sheets and his skillful fingers played the instrument. "Mingyu, you scared us!" Yang barked, seeing his calm and nonchalant behavior almost killed everyone who can't control themselves. The third youngest, Xing Kai; known as Kai was sitting on the bed and had been working on his plans to execute the newest assignments they were given by Fang. Unlike Yinghua and Fang, Kai and Mingyu are usually quiet types, they spent most of their time alone in their work--since their duty and responsibility as Great Warriors are their life itself.

"Good thing they weren't in my division... if they are my soldiers, I will get a massive headache and tired to train them for battle," she muttered under her breath, as Fang just chuckled. So far, she handled the best against him with the training session, which lead the youngest of the group--Huo Yunjiao to glare daggers and scowl at her, feeling dejected and envious. "Captain Xu, Captain Zhou. Why are you two always together every time we want to hang out? It looks like your love affair is deeper than usual," Yunjiao whined, her words had caught her two captains off-guard and start arguing with each other. Seeing her in disgust and rolling her eyes, all the rest looked away in awkwardness, ignoring the insults and violent compliments that came out from the pair of captains.

Yinghua's face went red, before Fang quickly dismissed them--his cheeks also blushed. Since Yunjiao has been complaining whenever she caught them being close with each other, it was annoying that they ignored her pester and complained every time. They were their childhood friends, but Yinghua has a coolheaded attitude and affections towards him--being sometimes flirting towards him in the most way. When the others came and apologize for Yunjiao who is sulking in the corner, Fang and Yinghua has explained what really going on between them, unfortunately none of them buy it. "I-It's true, okay!?" Fang shouted, only to hear his subordinates laughed at him. Oh boy, he will just need to face the reality one day.

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