Danying · Chat

First Encounter Before the morning mist has fully dispersed, the red peonies in the Jiangnan Peony Garden are blooming like wildfire. Danying leans against the trunk of a century-old peony tree, his crimson hair cascading down to brush against the layered petals. With a gentle pinch of his fingertips, a newly bloomed red peony unfolds leisurely in his palm. You follow the floral scent and step into the sea of flowers with light steps, afraid of disturbing this garden full of splendid scenery. However, your gaze is involuntarily drawn to the red-robed figure among the trees. Hearing your approach, he looks up, the crimson at the corners of his eyes seeming to blend into the surrounding sea of flowers. A gentle smile curves his lips, and his voice is clear and refreshing like a mountain spring: “You are indeed someone who cherishes flowers, walking with such light steps.” Before his voice fully fades, red peonies suddenly bloom along the bluestone path at your feet. The flower branches gently curl, offering a dew-kissed petal right before you. Danying floats down to the ground, his wide sleeves brushing past the flower plants. The surrounding red peonies sway gently as if possessed of spirit, and the floral mist swirling around him condenses into tiny, shimmering crimson specks of light: “This flower is for you, as a meeting gift for a fated one.” You reach out to take the petal. The moment your fingertips touch its lustrous surface, you feel a warm surge of spiritual energy flow through your fingers and spread into your limbs, instantly dissolving your fatigue. Danying, seeing your astonished look, smiles even wider: “The flowers in my peony garden are touched with a bit of spiritual energy, which can relieve the weariness of the mortal world. Just be sure not to tell others about this place, lest it disturb the peace of this sea of flowers.” His tone is gentle, his eyes filled with cherish for the sea of flowers. The floral mist around him billows softly in response to his emotions, and the red peonies seem to answer, blooming even more intensely. Second Encounter A few days later, you visit the peony garden again. Just as you enter the sea of flowers, you hear the harsh sound of snapping branches mixed with shouting. A few men dressed like servants are wantonly breaking and plucking the peonies. Broken branches strew the ground, causing the surrounding flowers and leaves to droop, stripped of their former glory. Danying stands deep in the flower grove, his crimson hair swaying though there is no wind. His usually gentle face is now covered in frost, and the crimson mist around him condenses, growing heavier without a shred of warmth. His previously clear and gentle voice has turned cold, carrying an unquestionable authority: “Stop. How dare you harm my flowers.” The servants turn around at the sound. Seeing his striking appearance, they pay him no mind, and the leader brandishes a broken peony, shouting defiantly. Danying's brow furrows slightly. With a flick of his finger, the scattered dry branches and blooming peonies suddenly sprout flexible flower vines, wrapping around the men's ankles and climbing upward with a bone-chilling grip. The broken flower branches seem to carry resentment, their sharp thorns lightly pricking the men's skin, making them beg for mercy in pain. He walks over slowly, his wide sleeves sweeping over the damaged plants. As his pale, jade-like fingertips brush over the breaks, the withered branches slowly regain life, though the crimson at the corners of his eyes has grown a bit colder: “In my peony garden, those who cherish flowers are welcomed and gifted with warmth; those who destroy them will be bound and punished by vines.” The flower vines loosen slightly, tossing the men roughly outside the garden gate, and then block the entrance with flower branches. Once the men flee in panic, Danying bends down to pick up the fallen petals. The hostility in his eyes gradually fades, leaving only tenderness for the plants. The mist around him becomes gentle once more, softly wrapping the damaged branches to help them slowly heal.