Sword Essence

Sword Essence is the seventh part of the Trailblaze Continuance chapter A Foxian Tale of the Haunted. It automatically begins after completing Fyxestroll Gathering (III).
==Steps==
# Head to the Alchemy Commission and locate the delirious Cloud Knight.
# Track down Yanqing's whereabouts.
# Follow the flying sword left behind by Yanqing.
# Follow Yanqing's flying sword to find its master.
# Talk to Yanqing.
# Seek Jing Yuan's assistance.
# Accompany Jing Yuan to meet Yanqing.
# Help Sushang escape from battle.
# Talk to Guinaifen and post on Ghostly Grove about the anomaly having been resolved.
# Cast the heliobus into the suppression tower
==Dialogue==
===Head to the Alchemy Commission and locate the delirious Cloud Knight.===
;(Approach marked location)
:Vigilant Cloud Knight: Hey, calm down!
:Delirious Cloud Knight: I just learned a new technique — I'll use it to end your life!
: What's with this guy?
:Vigilant Cloud Knight: Unauthorized personnel should keep their distance — it's dangerous here!
:Sushang: Actually, we're... not really unauthorized, are we, Judge?
:Vigilant Cloud Knight: Is that... Sushang? And a judge... Why are the Ten-Lords Commission here?
:Sushang: It's a very long story, so let's deal with the problem at hand first.
:Huohuo: Mr. Cloud Knight sir, the Ten-Lords Commission will handle this. Thank you for your cooperation.
:Vigilant Cloud Knight: Understood... Please, take mercy on him.
:Huohuo: Don't worry, this sort of thing is our specialty.
;(Begin battle against , )
:Delirious Cloud Knight: See how you like this!
----
;(After the battle)
:After a struggle, you subdue the crazed Cloud Knight.
:Vigilant Cloud Knight: Judge Huohuo, is he... alright?
:Huohuo: His life isn't in danger, but his hands and feet are spasming... and his speech is incoherent. I think he's experiencing a delusion that he can't snap out of.
:Delirious Cloud Knight: I feel... like I've been drained of my strength...
:Huohuo: Mr. Cloud Knight sir, are you okay? Can you answer a few questions for me? Do you remember what happened to you?
:Delirious Cloud Knight: I... I think so... Let me think for a moment...
:Delirious Cloud Knight: I received a report today about an infestation of abominations here at the Alchemy Commission — the captain sent me to clear it out. What happened after that was like a dream... I can't explain it.
:Delirious Cloud Knight: My weapon suddenly started talking to me... it taught me fighting techniques — which moves to avoid, which moves to use, which stances to adopt to retain balance... then it told me to relax and let it take control against the enemy.
:Sushang: That sounds just like... a heliobus!
:Delirious Cloud Knight: I followed its instructions... To my surprise, it felt like my combat skills had greatly improved. Still, it told me I was incompetent, like a piece of rotten wood. It wanted to find a new apprentice to carry forward the art.
:Delirious Cloud Knight: It was only then that I realized — there was a sword-wielding child beside me, staring right at me.
: A child?
: A sword-wielding child?
: Your weapon wanted to take the child as your apprentice?
:Sushang: Lots of children grow up learning to use a sword on the Luofu, but for a child to be walking around with one...
:Guinaifen: ...I sure hope we're not thinking of the same person.
:Delirious Cloud Knight: I realized the boy was the General's retainer, Yanqing.
:Sushang: I knew it...
:Delirious Cloud Knight: When I heard my sword say the name, I was in disbelief... and then, for some reason, I just... attacked Yanqing.
: Was Yanqing alright?
::Sushang: Are YOU alright? You should be asking the Cloud Knight.
: Are you okay?
::Delirious Cloud Knight: Yes, I'm fine. The funny thing is that I didn't even see him move — I just fell straight to the ground.
: Seems like you both came out unscathed...
::Delirious Cloud Knight: He must have spared me. The funny thing is that I didn't even see him move — I just fell straight to the ground.
:Delirious Cloud Knight: What happened next was even more outlandish — Yanqing looked like he was talking to the sword in his hand. He turned around and left without looking back. And my weapon... my weapon never spoke again.
:Sushang: Not good!
:Vigilant Cloud Knight: I'll take care of the Cloud Knight. You go after Yanqing!
===Track down Yanqing's whereabouts.===
;(Approach marked location)
:A blue sword swishes by.
:Upon detecting your presence, it approaches and starts flying in circles around you.
: It that a new cycrane model!?
::Sushang: It's Yanqing's sword — I saw him wield it one time when I was doing drills with the Cloud Knights.
: It seems to be calling us...
:Sushang: I heard that Yanqing's sword is a famous weapon crafted by the Artisanship Commission. It resonates with its master — reacting to his movements in battle like it has a mind of its own.
:Sushang: He must have encountered some kind of danger... and his sword flew away to find someone to help, right?
:Huohuo: D—Danger...? Miss Sushang, don't scare me like that — what kind of evil would be strong enough to pose a threat to Yanqing?
:Sushang: I'm not sure, but the heliobi are strange creatures — even the sharpest sword can't cut them.
:Guinaifen: Uh-oh. I just had a thought...
:Sushang: If it's not auspicious, you'd best not say it out loud!
:Guinaifen: Based on what that Cloud said, it isn't that Yanqing's in danger...
: It's that we're in danger?
: It's that Yanqing has become the danger?
:Guinaifen: Exactly.
:Huohuo: Follow the sword. No matter what, we have to find Yanqing before things get even worse.
===Follow the flying sword left behind by Yanqing.===
;(Investigate the Abundance Sprite: Golden Hound corpse, optional)
: Investigate
:The body of an abomination, with only a single sword cut on it.
:Sushang: We've got to catch up with him before things get out of hand.
;(Investigate the Abundance Sprite: Wooden Lupus corpse, optional)
: Investigate
:The eyes of the slain beast still contained a hint of astonishment, as if seemingly unable to believe the speed of which humans were capable.
----
:The waves ride on the howling wind, bashing the ford with great intensity.
:Yanqing's sword hangs in the air, pointing to the distance across the Lunarescent Depths.
:Huohuo: This is the dock for Dragonprayer Terrace. Judging by the sword's behaviour... that's where Yanqing 
:Sushang: Should we really be charging over there? Even without a heliobus, Yanqing is a swordsmaster among swordsmasters.
:Guinaifen: A—Are you scared, Sushang? Me too... Compared to the other heliobi we've dealt with so far, this one seems like it could do some serious damage.
:Sushang: Scared? Hmph! My mother taught me swordplay as soon as I could walk. I might not be as good as the general's apprentice, but I would never let cowardice dishonor the name of the Cloud Knights or the family sword...
:Sushang: ...but I am worried... If the heliobus possessing Yanqing is too strong, I'm afraid I might not be able to guarantee everyone's safety.
:Huohuo: The General has been supporting our ghost-hunting squad from the very beginning — it's time to return the favor.
:Huohuo: Even if it wasn't for the general's sake, as a judge, I can't let a heliobus take over someone as dangerous as Yanqing.
:Huohuo: Sushang, Miss Gui, (Trailblazer), please help me rescue him.
===Follow Yanqing's flying sword to find its master.===
;(Talk to Yanzhuo)
:Huohuo: Yanqing is at Dragonprayer Terrace. (Trailblazer), let's go.
: Let's catch a ferry and head for Dragonprayer Terrace.
:;(Enter Exploratory Excursion Illusory Maze: Apyra)
: Let me get ready first...
===Talk to Yanqing.===
;(Approach Yanqing)
:Sushang: What are all these swords doing in Dragonprayer Terrace...?
:Guinaifen: It must be a heliobus illusion...
:Guinaifen: Shouldn't we ring the Harmonic Chime and see if we can talk to Yanqing inside the illusion?
:Yanqing: Illusion?
:Yanqing: Since each of you can see it, wouldn't that mean you'd fallen into the illusion as well?
:Yanqing: Don't be alarmed. To me, these swords form a precious arsenal. When I gaze upon any one, a thousand sword fights dance before my eyes — the swordplay far exceeding anything I have learned.
:Yanqing: And better yet, they welcome those who wish to pursue higher realms with open arms.
: A heliobus is leading you astray.
::Yanqing: I know that this is an illusion created by a heliobus. The General sent me to assist the Ten-Lords Commission — I know a thing or two about your work...
::Yanqing: These cosmic flames are not good nor evil, they are simply a mirror... As long as a host's mind is clear, a heliobus cannot control them.
::Yanqing: Take me, for example... At this moment, I am free of all distractions... and I see the potential for greatness in these swords. Isn't that right, Master Apyra?
: I'm not interested in swordsmanship.
::Yanqing: Swordsmanship isn't the only thing you can learn. As long as you want to become stronger, these swords will show you countless ways to do so. Isn't that right, Master Apyra?
: The general sent us to bring you back...
::Yanqing: The General? You lie. I've already finished my assignment at the Alchemy Commission. I have no further orders...
::Yanqing: This is my own time. I came here to learn from Master Apyra... to learn from these swords.
:Sushang: Apyra? That heliobus's name is Apyra?
:Yanqing: Correct. Master Apyra promised to show me the flaws in my swordplay, and how to take it to the next level. That's why I brought them to Dragonprayer Terrace... where I suffered my most serious setback...
:Voice From the Sword Formation: Young one, with me, everything will be different.
:Voice From the Sword Formation: Whether it be Imbibitor Lunae, the Stellaron Hunters, or that woman, your accomplishments will exceed them. You will be matchless, without limits.
:Yanqing: Matchless, without limits...
:Yanqing: You're just in time. The swords have taught me something already... I'd like to see how sharp my skills have become...
;(Begin battle against )
::Yanqing: My skills are lacking... I've been through countless defeats...
::Yanqing: ...but with Apyra as my master — no longer!
::Huohuo: Why is he attacking us!?
::;(After Yanqing's health reaches 30%)
::Yanqing: A swordfight must be fought with sincerity of heart and mind... Give it your all!
::Sushang: Lieutenant Yanqing, snap out of it! We don't want to fight you!
::Yanqing: But I want to fight you... and we're just getting started!
----
:Yanqing: Their skills are nothing compared to mine... what can I learn from any of them...
:Voice From the Sword Formation: Then why not hack them down right here?
:Yanqing: Hack... them down? I thought we were just sparring.
:Voice From the Sword Formation: The laws of the battlefield are no different from the laws of the universe — life for victory and death for defeat. Swordsmanship is the art of victory, and only the victorious swords can be passed on — swords defeated are buried among the barren wastelands.
:Yanqing: But...
:Voice From the Sword Formation: You're resisting me? Tsk, rid yourself of these needless notions of clemency. How can you move forward without casting these distractions aside! Raise your sword!
:Sushang: Hmph, "life for victory and death for defeat," huh? All this talk of laws of the battlefield and the universe — you think that gives the appearance of a grand master? You're just using someone else's ambition to satisfy your own desire to shed blood.
:Sushang: This Xuanyuan Sword in my hand has been passed down through my family for generations. When my mother gave it to me, she said: "The bread may bake, but the hearth remains..." and for a long time I had no idea what she was talking about.
:Sushang: Today I just realized I misheard her. I think she actually said: "The edge may break, but the heart remains..." probably.
:Sushang: Lieutenant Yanqing, the winner and loser of this battle have yet to be determined. Don't give me that "there's no point in fighting any longer" speech!
:Voice From the Sword Formation: Hahaha, this little wench's fighting spirit is on fire! Young one, since she insists on fighting, will you give her our answer?
:Yanqing: I... I won't back down.
:Huohuo: Miss Sushang, you—
:Sushang: This is between fellow Cloud Knights. Losing a fight isn't a big deal, but if I abandon my fellow soldiers and bring dishonor to the Knights, how could I wield my sword again?
:Sushang: Granted, I might not last more than a few moves. You guys go get the general — quickly! I'll try and hold him off until he gets here!
----
:Guinaifen: Sushang, my bestie... why is she so stubborn...?
:Guinaifen: Still, that was pretty freaking cool...
:Huohuo: A spiritfarer told me that the General is still in Fyxestroll Garden — let's hurry!
:Huohuo: I think the only one that can break Yanqing's illusion is Jing Yuan himself...
===Seek Jing Yuan's assistance.===
;(Approach Jing Yuan)
:Jing Yuan: (Trailblazer), is something the matter? You seem out of breath.
:You tell Jing Yuan what happened on Dragonprayer Terrace
:Jing Yuan: A heliobus that creates illusions for the sole purpose of instructing someone in swordplay? I wouldn't mind learning a few tricks from them myself... Unfortunately, it sounds like this one is a little too aggressive to be a decent sparring partner. This is not an adversary that someone as young as Yanqing is equipped to deal with.
:Huohuo: General, we need to move fast — if we wait any longer, I'm afraid that Sushang might be—
:Jing Yuan: I can understand your sense of urgency. But before I leave, I have a question for Cirrus, who has been listening this whole time — I trust you are familiar with Apyra...
:Cirrus: Naturally. Among the heliobi, Apyra manifests the courage and warring spirit of Ignamar — they are the most aggressive of all the fragments... but who is this swordmaster? Who is Yanqing?
:Jing Yuan: My apprentice.
:Cirrus: Hee-hee, no wonder I smell a hint of sadness in you... In order to rescue his incompetent apprentice, the master must fight on the battlefield himself? I must say, I'm very envious of Apyra...
:Jing Yuan: You know the flavor of sadness, but not its meaning. An apprentice obsessed with victory and defeat has lost his mind to a heliobus, and is now trying to shortcut his way to mastery of the sword. This is my failure to him as a master, and the source of the grief you see in me now.
:Cirrus: Then you should hurry — Apyra has an insatiable bloodlust. Once they've enslaved your mind, they can make you turn against your friends, your kin... even your own master.
:Cirrus: Go. I don't wish to delay your deathmatch with your apprentice.
===Accompany Jing Yuan to meet Yanqing.===
;(Talk to Cirrus, optional)
:Cirrus: Come to laugh at me again, have you, little brat?
:Cirrus: I'm not in the mood for your chatter — go away!
;(Talk to Jing Yuan)
:Jing Yuan: Sushang is awaiting our timely arrival at Dragonprayer Terrace. (Trailblazer), let's go.
: Dragonprayer Terrace it is...
:;(Enter Exploratory Excursion Illusory Maze: Apyra)
: Let me get ready first...
===Help Sushang escape from battle.===
;(Approach Sushang and Yanqing)
:Sushang: Lieutenant of the Seat of Divine Foresight... Is that the best you can do? And I was thinking I'd be done for the moment you drew your sword.
:Sushang: I didn't think... I didn't think I would last this long. I... I'm not half as bad as I thought.
:Voice From the Sword Formation: Young one, you're hesitating again. You're always hesitating...
:Voice From the Sword Formation: Your opponent is no match for you, yet they have managed to fend you off for this long. As a swordsman, have you not any pride? Do you want to repeat the disaster you suffered at Dragonprayer Terrace?
:Voice From the Sword Formation: It's time to finish it. Only blood can cleanse the shame of the sword.
:Jing Yuan: He won't do it.
:Yanqing: General...
:Voice From the Sword Formation: Young one, your old teacher has arrived.
:Voice From the Sword Formation: Under his tutelage, you never experienced true failure. But after suffering your first major setback, your confidence in your swordsmanship has been faltering.
:Voice From the Sword Formation: You worry that the General is disappointed in you. You worry that you don't have what it takes to be the person the General wants you to be.
:Voice From the Sword Formation: Now... show him what I have taught you. He'll be very proud of your progress. Tell him that with your sword, you will bring victory to the Xianzhou!
:Yanqing: With... With my sword...
:Jing Yuan: Yanqing would never draw his sword on me to prove himself. I have confidence in him.
:Jing Yuan: This confidence is not a belief that he will win every contest... It is a belief that he will one day break free from the paradigm of victory and defeat and realize his true reason for wielding the sword... The pleasure of swordsmanship, the saving of life, and the dispatchment of enemies...
:Jing Yuan: This truth must be discovered by himself — no one can teach it to him. Now is the time for him to take that step.
:Yanqing: General... I...
:Voice From the Sword Formation: Break free from victory and defeat? Those are just empty words to comfort the dead and the defeated! Think of your crushing defeat at Dragonprayer Terrace! Think of how you felt then — teetering on the brink of death.
:Voice From the Sword Formation: If the sword of that Stellaron Hunter had pierced your flesh, you wouldn't be standing here pondering the meaning of victory and defeat.
:Voice From the Sword Formation: Now is the time to break all your chains. Draw your sword on your master — to the general who is trying to imprison you... draw your sword!
:Yanqing: General... allow me... to demonstrate my swordsmanship. I hereby challenge you...
:Yanqing: Apyra! I challenge you! I challenge these swords, to battle!
:Apyra: ...Young fool, how disappointing. Your accomplishments would have been limitless... but you were led astray by empty idealism.
:Apyra: None of that matters anymore. While teaching you, I studied your every move inside out...
:Apyra: ...and now you wish to throw down the gauntlet. Very well. In your own image and with your own techniques, I will teach you one final lesson!
;(Begin battle against )
::Apyra: Your swordplay, every stroke and sway — I've committed it all to memory.
::Apyra: Now, allow me to demonstrate...
::Apyra: ...with merciless intent, how powerful I am.
::Jing Yuan: No, Yanqing.
::Jing Yuan: Conceal your form and hide your intentions, don't fall for their distractions.
::Yanqing: Understood!
----
;(After the battle)
:Yanqing: One hit, one stroke of luck, one victory.
:Apyra: Impressive... I am bested...
:Sushang: Phew. It's about time we got this guy into the gourd.
;(Challenge completed)
:;(Obtain , , )
===Talk to Guinaifen and post on Ghostly Grove about the anomaly having been resolved.===
:Yanqing: General...
:Jing Yuan: I know what you wish to say Yanqing. We can move past the melodrama.
:Yanqing: Then... to the rest of you, thank you — for me out of that daze... Especially you, Miss Sushang.
:Sushang: Why does everyone that gets "heliobused" love to apologize for it? You're the victim here. They're the ones stirring up chaos.
:Sushang: It should be me thanking you for holding back during our battle...
:Sushang: Or maybe, just maybe, it's due to a sudden skill improvement? Don't you think?
: When you're not passed out in fear, you're pretty good.
::Guinaifen: Haha, right — conscious Sushang is pretty badass.
: A little pleased with yourself, aren't you...?
::Guinaifen: She went toe-to-toe with the general's star pupil! I'd be pretty pleased with myself, too.
:Guinaifen: We're gonna need to get you a front page news story for this one. Heck, let's get some billboards!
:Sushang: So you've made it your daily mission to tease me, huh?
:Jing Yuan: With respect to this incident, what is your plan for posting on the Luofu's Ghostly Grove? Since it concerns the Seat of Divine Foresight, I am hoping you could...
:Guinaifen: Well, about that... let me discuss it with (Trailblazer) first.
;(Talk to Guinaifen)
;(Opens A Foxian Tale of the Haunted: Ghostly Grove)
: BREAKING NEWS
::You Won't Believe This! Fiction Becomes Real Life!
: Mythopedia
::Artisanship Commission Unveils New Tech That Will Change Cloud Knights Forever
: Hottest Scoops
::Showbiz Chaos: Lead Actor Mysteriously Missing From Set! The Reason Will Shock You Speechless!
----
:Guinaifen: ...Is everyone okay with this?
:Yanqing: Thanks for covering for me... I'm so embarrassed.
:Huohuo: All's well that ends well. We should hurry back and lock Apyra in the Evil Binding Matrix... They're a dangerous one — I'm afraid they might escape!
:Jing Yuan: Well then, Yanqing and I will take our leave now.
:Guinaifen: Alright, let's get out of here!
===Cast the heliobus into the suppression tower===
;(Interact with the Suppression Tower, Locufox Forest)
:Expel evil and capture stray spirits... With the support of the Ten Lords Commission's spiritfarers, you seal the heliobi within the Lunaumbra Gourd.
:Huohuo: Phew, th—that was a big risk, Miss Sushang...
:Sushang: Actually, I'm well aware of my own limits. If it weren't for Yanqing resisting that heliobus, maybe I wouldn't have been able to hold on until you brought reinforcements.
: ...Why did it take three people to get reinforcements?
: ...Was it crucial for ALL of us to retreat?
:Guinaifen: Come to think of it... we only needed one person to fetch reinforcements... Why didn't we get (Trailblazer) to stay behind with you...? And why didn't you ask!?
:Sushang: ...Hehe, it's kinda embarassing but... I was caught up in the moment — I guess I never thought it through...
:Guinaifen: Sometimes I wonder whether your head's screwed on right. We need to take you to the Alchemy Commission for a check-up.
:Sushang: Maybe, but my actions kept everyone safe, and that's what matters! Miss Huohuo needed someone to look out for her, and Little Gui is just a civilian — you shouldn't be putting yourself in risky situations. As for (Trailblazer), a distinguished guest of the Seat of Divine Foresight — if anything were to happen to , it could turn into a diplomatic crisis.
:Sushang: After weighing things up in my head, it made the most sense for only me to stay put.
:Huohuo: I—If I still had my tail... I wouldn't be slowing everyone down...
:Sushang: Sorry Huohuo, I didn't think it through. You were never a burden.
:Huohuo: It's not your fault Miss Sushang, it's just... I've been wondering — how can someone average like me keep up with the affairs of the Ten-Lords Commission without my tail?
:Huohuo: ...Forget it. We should get some rest — there could be even bigger dangers waiting for us tomorrow.
: You can always find Tail. Don't worry too much about it.
: Let's sync up the rest of the intel in the group chat...
----
:
;(Mission completed)
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