Chapter 2: Dawn

  Four figures cloaked in darkness sat at a table; their faces varied with expression from anger to indifference. The room enveloped in a deathly atmosphere, as the participants of this confrontation sat in silence. The sheer pressure of these four caused the temperature to drop substantially in this small confined space, resulting in icicles forming in the corners.

  “They have awoken again,” a deep, rasping voice broke the tension of the group.

  “Only one of them for now,” another cold and emotion lacking voice replied.

  “It’s been so long, they finally came out of hiding,” the third figure smirked, “we killed them once, there wouldn’t be any trouble if we slaughtered them again”

  “Don’t be so confident, even if they have been dead for centuries now, they are still prepared,” the cold voice reminded, “If they chose to be reincarnated now, then they must have prepared. We can not let down our guards, even if his strength is still; recovering”

  The scheming conference continued with each second passing. It was a magnificent plan to say the least, utilizing the entire six great nations and their land to weave a ploy involving all. And outcoming their desire to live forever. The wheel of fate turns slowly, the people in the mist meet and depart. They think it is destiny but little do they know, it is all within the control of a great hand.

  Far off east of this land, a supreme castle protruded from a mountain. Various vegetation grew on this structure, slowly eating away at the remaining signs of human activity. But this natural tranquility was disturbed today; soldiers lined every corner, as if the kingdom had returned to its pinnacle. A grand throne seated within the highest point of this castle, looking over the land. Intricate patterns and carvings engraved the sides of this throne; they seemed to radiate something divine. The faint red stain tainted this royal seating, reminiscing a tragic story. Behind the throne, two solemn statues glared down at whoever had the audacity to set foot in this sanctuary.

  Three people had kneeled before the throne since the start of the ceremony. They were very old, and so frail a slight breeze would crumble them but powerful auras radiated from their body. These three patriarchs were the lifeblood of the three great families of the east. What could possibly compel them to bow? Days passed with no sign of activity; the soldiers stood rigid like statues, and the crowd that gathered in front of the castle grew restless. But soon, some things changed.

  The clouds abroad gathered, and the winds stirred. The earth trembled as lightning streaked across the sky. A supernatural event had begun – something magnificent. A booming sound echoed across the land, like drums pounding rhythmically, with each pulse causing the ground to shake. From the throne, a divine aura spread out, forcing all beings to bow before the supreme. The people who gathered, hoping to witness the dawning of something almighty, now crumbled under the pressure of this transcended force. As the space contorted all around the throne room, his presence was to be known upon this world.

  His heartbeat echoed across the land rhythmically like the drums. The distortion of space soon healed itself as the reverberating pulse also quieted. The three leading figures dared not to look at the great, newly seated upon the throne. Appearing was an ordinarily looking boy with slightly long black hair and an unassuming face.. The only thing peculiar about this individual was his right eye, possessing a luxurious gold tone, contrasting to the other. Rising from his seat, he stepped forward, his footsteps reverberating within the hearts of the patriarchs. One step… Two steps… Three steps… Four… The tapping sound ceased for a moment and then – THUD! An old man of the three dared to glance upwards to see the figure collapsed on the floor. He appeared beside the crippled down boy, quickly scooping the body up and ordering immediate aid.

  His head hurting, Qiao Zimo awoke in a silk woven bed, the phrase, “Do you want to see the stars with me?” still within his thoughts. The boy sat up, taking in the surroundings: a somewhat lavish bedroom with a beautifully carved nightstand, a window looking out onto a shimmering moon and a desk situated beside the bed, currently empty of any stationery. The sheets were soft under his touch and radiated a somewhat cold temperature.

  “Yo! They spent some time gathering this moonwing moth silk,” remarked a teasing voice, “a very precious and rare resource indeed…”

  The moonwing moth is very hard to find as they usually reside on the highest of mountains and only appear several days of the year. The silk releases a cool feel and protects whatever behind it from extreme temperatures. Although soft and velvety the material possesses a contrasting toughness, unable to be torn easily.

  “What do you want,” Qiao Zimo replied, “What is this place?”

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  “That’s a question to find out for yourself,” the voice said as he slowly materialized from being invisible.

  The space shimmered revealing some mint green hair, a teal neck rag and a smirking face. He was of mediocre height and skinny just like Qiao Zimo himself.

  “So you are the guy who caused all the people around me to think I’m a schizophrenic,” Qiao Zimo exclaimed.

  “That’s not important,” said the quirky boy, “I have something to tell you, my brother. This world is in need of a hero. Do you want to be the hero? ”

  “I don’t have an option do I? You pulled me into this place and now I'm kinda stuck,” he said, lying back in bed.

  “I guess you don't have a choice. My name is Chen yue.” Chen Yue introduced, and suddenly became serious, “You do not have a choice, many people want to be the hero and many don't because they don’t have enough power, they back down. And you are the only one that can and will do it.”

  The full moon spread a cool glow in the room. The two boys stayed together for a brief while, taking in the scenery Chen Yue disappeared as someone knocked on the door. A short rattish looking man wearing a taoist robe stood behind the entrance. Qiao Zimo welcomed him into the room and closed the door. Sitting face to face, the rattish man discussed the current situation.

  “So what are you here for?” Qiao Zimo Asked.

  “Your majesty, I am just here to inform you on some information,” the short man answered, taking a sip out of the tea he just brewed, “You just woke up?”

  “Yeah”

  “Your Majesty, your test is soon, In an hour or so. We must get going and I will explain on the way”

  Two figures—one young and thin, the other old and hunched—walked around the castle, occasionally stopping to admire the view. From this conversation he learnt a brief history of the world around him. Twenty thousand years ago, the two gods Chen 晨 and Ming 冥 fought for 49 days, dividing the land into seven pieces, now ruled by five god kings. At last, on the brink of dawn, Ming pierced his sword into Chen’s chest, pinning him to his own throne. The great creator coughed, but no blood came; it had all dried. Chen disappeared after that, without a trace. With their leaders gone, the god kings separated more. Even their territories separated into five large pieces of land. Soon, it was impossible for the average person to cross this gap without getting ripped by the disturbance of matter.

  For the past few thousands, ten-thousand years, technology advanced and the communication between the lands grew easier. From the dust, four powerful organizations rose, rivaling even the followers of the gods. The Monster Association, the heart of trade and commerce throughout the seven divided nations, distributes quests and tasks for adventurers to complete. Keeping different spirit and demon families in check, this organization keeps the relationship of different parties at peace. Morning Star Academy, having a close alliance to the gods of ice and fire, is the place of great knowledge, holding valuable arts, styles, ingredients and more. All cultivators of the world aspire to study under this academy, crossing the continents just to witness its glory. The Jade Citadel houses millions of elites, primed and ready. This truly formidable army rivals even the forces of the five lands. Lastly, Hundreds Demon Abyss, a mysterious organization, known by many but seen by none. Their goals are never known but they are always lurking within the shadows of the world.

  The five continents remained in a relatively peaceful state for hundreds of years. Shady business was of course inevitable with the infighting and conflict of different political powers. Many heroes came and went, offering sentimental tales and lasting memories. This peace was soon to be disturbed.

  “Your majesty, we're here”

  The rattish man, Shu Wuliang,explained a brief history of the world to Qiao Zimo as they arrived at their destination – the throne room. Contrary to its previous appearance, this throne room was now fully refurbished; the torn banners were replaced, the cracked stone somehow healed itself, and the once broken chandelier was also back in place. Qiao Zimo walked forward, approaching the throne. A glowing orb floated in front of the throne, emitting a faint glow. Upon contacting this orb, the energy of the heavens and earth would be siphoned towards the origin.

  “Your task is to activate this artifact, absorbing the energy it draws,” the man said, “This energy is of the purest form. Only a god can withstand such force”

  Qiao Zimo reached out and the surface of the orb rippled before shattering. A vortex of energy formed swiftly, funneling all the power towards him. Under this pressure, his mortal body expanded with vitality, his veins and arteries glowing a divine gold. With this energy, his meridians loosened and successfully stepped into the art of cultivation. Unfortunately it was not that easy, vast reserves of this pure energy poured within the vessel, expanding it to near failure. Qiao Zimo had to find a way to release the power stored within him, otherwise death is inevitable. Swelling pain surged across his body; his surface area had increased by no less than two times. Soon he went black.

  “Sigh, you’re not strong enough to handle what you used to possess,” Chen yue’s voice echoed as time seemed to slow down, “Let me help then. Let me help you regain your glory ”

  Gradually, the inflammation of energy died down and breathing was steady. In Front of the throne, a lone boy sat, crossed legged, absorbing the sea of energy, endlessly drawn towards him. If you squint and observe closely, a small figured hovered around the figure, selecting and refining the strands of qi before permitting it to enter Qiao Zimo’s body. Although this qi was the purest of its kind, impurities were still present and the power of gods do not allow such adulteration.The aura around Qiao Zimo slowly intensified - rising from Mortal, to Novice, Intermediate, Master, Grandmaster, Myth, and finally, Divinity. Everyone in the room had long since evacuated, leaving this monster alone. The spike of his cultivation level quickly faded, leaving Qiao Zimo at Novice.