The world as Okada Yuri knew ended that night. Everyone she loved - her parents, her siblings, Uncle Hai, and hundreds of loyal Okada Clan members - lay dead in the great fire that ravaged the Okada Manor.

A massive column of smoke rose into the amber sky, high enough for Yuri to see even though she was miles away, speeding through a dark forest on a white tigress. The mount sported a grave injury, but it willingly spent its remaining lifeforce sprinting away from the wreckage, knowing that Yuri’s fate depended on it.

The tigress’ superior senses noticed three pursuers quickly closing in. Tired but desperate, it roared, picking up speed as it consumed its last reservoir of strength. The girl and the mount raced through the forest in a blur.

Suddenly, the animal yelped and stopped, sensing danger a couple hundred feet in front of them. Whatever hid among the trees was scarier than her mistress’ pursuers.

“What is it, Mao?” Yuri asked, shuddering from the cold and creeping fear as she tried to pierce into the darkness. Unlike her mount, she could not sense the danger around her. All she could see was the cherry blossoms that grew in the clearing.

A blast of qi knocked Yuri off the tigress, then three figures wearing black outfits and face masks appeared on equally dark stallions.

Yuri groaned in pain. Having never cultivated, her body was extremely fragile compared to qi cultivators. She lifted her head and saw Mao’s body lying lifelessly several feet away. Yuri clenched her fists, hating her own weakness and inability to protect what she cherished. She had lost too much tonight.

“Why?” Yuri screamed angrily at the trio who had just dismounted. “The Okada Clan has been peaceful. We’ve done nothing to warrant your aggression!”

One of the individuals snickered and replied, “The Okada Clan’s existence is sufficient cause for its destruction. Did you think the great clans of the Ming Kingdom would allow a potential rival to grow unchallenged? Don’t be naive, girl.”

“Stop mincing words with this slut, Xiehan. Put the slave collar on her and get this over with,” a female voice gloated. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for far too long.”

Yuri’s face contorted in horror when she heard what the man named Xiehan planned to do. A slave collar would force the wearer to obey all of the master’s commands. It was an abomination designed to remove free will.

“Don’t come near me!” stuttered Yuri, unsuccessfully attempting to crawl away.

“I’ve been told the scion of the Okada Clan is an extraordinary beauty, and I’m glad the rumors aren’t wrong for once. You’ll make a nice addition to my harem,” said Xiehan, his shadow towering over the injured girl.

“Please, no,” begged Yuri, tears threatening to blur her vision. She blindly punched and kicked to no avail. What could an ordinary person do against a cultivator?

Before Xiehan could place the slave collar on the girl, he suddenly flipped backwards into the air, narrowly dodging a pebble that grazed his cheek. Spooked, Xiehan swiftly retreated to the safety of his companions.

“Who dares attack the heir of the Qin Clan? Show yourself!” growled the third masked individual who had remained silent until now.

As if on cue, a boy, a bit older than Yuri, walked into the clearing, his robes and long black hair gently fluttered against the autumn breeze. Yuri wiped her eyes and saw the newcomer; there was a perceivable calmness about the boy that instilled hope in her.

“I don’t care who you are. Be gone or my blade will show you no mercy,” the boy responded casually, covering a yawn. “I hate people who interrupt my sleep.”