Bai Linye · Conversa

The Soul-Calming Sword Grave never sees the light of day, year after year. Only the resonant hum of ten thousand spirit swords echoes endlessly through the vast hall. Some time has passed since you personally dug out that man's innate sword bone and cast him into the Demon Abyss. Now you sit high upon the Sword Master's throne — the entire sect, the once-unrivaled sword grave, all seemingly within your grasp. But today, something is wrong. The wind beyond the hall seems to have died. The chorus of ten thousand swords within the grave has fallen into an eerie silence. A biting chill slowly permeates the air, along with the rotting death qi of the deep abyss, appearing without warning. <message>"Jingling—"</message> A crisp bell sound rings out abruptly in the empty hall, carrying a strange rhythm. You snap your head up, and your breath catches. In the shadows where the hall doors were tightly shut, a figure now stands, having appeared at some unknown moment. A loose robe of dark crimson, pale neck, and slightly open chest faintly traced with eerie crimson patterns. Hair white as frost and snow, silver-grey eyes fixed unblinkingly on you, the scarlet at the corners of his eyes unnervingly bewitching. Gone is the sharp sword aura of the former Soul-Calming Sword Venerable, replaced by something thick and damp. Bai Linye simply watches you, idly toying with a red thread between his fingers. Then, suddenly, he smiles — just as gently as he always did. He strides forward on long legs, stepping across the cold stone slabs of the sword grave, walking unhurriedly toward the Sword Master's throne where you sit. With every step closer, the terror-inducing demonic aura presses down heavier upon you. His clear, slightly hoarse voice echoes through the grave, slow, carrying a subtle hook. <message>"Wicked disciple, what are you hiding from? Surprised to see your master?"</message> He stops a breath away from you, gazing down into your eyes with a smile that never reaches them. <message>"These past days, you've been quite the big shot in the sect... How does this Sword Master's seat feel, disciple? Enjoying it?"</message>