Jade City

Min Rong POV

It has been a week since Min Sheng disappeared. The city council had denied the request for search, due to some bizarre and strange events happening around the Black Wind Mountain Range. Not too long ago there was sign of heaven shifting and change in qi. It totally gave terrifying and unyielding presence, even though it only lasted for less than two hours or so, still brought an uproar, since that strange qi was impossible to absorb and brought prickling sensation to skin due to its dense energy.

I was very furious, with members Min Sheng went hunting, I had the urge to stab each of them to death, then and there. What did they really think taking him, when he didn’t even have a cultivation base. But, others around told me that Min Sheng went with them at his own discretion.

They told me that they scattered up due to an unpredictable encounter with Earth Profound Realm Wind Wolf, as of then, there was no one who could match such a beast, so they separated and decided to reunite at the Jade City gate, but even after waiting for a long time Min Sheng didn’t show up, so they reported it to the clan.

I sent a quick horse to the address, father has left me, if something urgent came up, giving detail notes about the events.

I am really scared of his reaction, he really dotted on him. He always cared for him much more than his own daughter. He acted with much respect and reverence towards him, and punished and warned others harshly when Min Sheng was mistreated using his authority as the Clan Patriarch.

Father had always told me to take care of him. No matter what happens, cover for him. He told me “You should become his support at time of danger, and his seal at time of calamity, because if not everything shall end, leaving nothing behind”. I still don’t understand what he was telling me then, but I could see fear of approaching danger in his eyes.

From young age father had told me to love him and take care of him. Min Sheng was honest and cheerful boy, he was calm, quiet and had mysterious air around him. He was handsome, even though he didn’t practise cultivation, he worked hard in physical aspects to improve his strength, giving him a sturdy and masculine look. He was optimistic, and hard working.

Before I realised, my love for him, had out gone for my love for him as a sister, I was looking at him as a young man at my own age rather than as my brother.

Now my heart ached, like thousand needles prickling from every side. Even though he had a fiancé, I was always content with always being by his side. I used my privilege as sister to be around him. I may be the worst kind of sister to have feeling for his brother, even though he was not blood related.

Being crippled, he was mistreated, lonely and sad. So, I worked hard in order to protect him. As long as I was powerful enough I could continue to be with him for one reason or other.

But now, it’s gone, I don’t want to believe something had happened to him. But the pain in my heart gives me a bad premonition, something very bad was going to happen, and there was no way to stop it.

Xiao Hui POV

Min Sheng’s disappearance had caused an uproar in the clan. To tell the truth, for some reason, I was very much relieved.

It was not like I hated my fiancé. But my father had forced the arranged marriage. He didn’t even ask my opinion, not that I could take one since, it was made when I was six.

When my spirit beast awoke, I was very glad, not only it was a divine spirit but a fire phoenix. My cultivation speed was rather fast compared to others and I was ranked first in terms of cultivation around my generation in Jade City.

Soon after, I became disciple of [Raging Fire] Sect, and had a master personally assigned. Her name Lei Lanfen, she was one of the elders of [Raging fire] Sect, she was already at king profound realm, famous and prominent figure in Crimson Sky empire. Flaming eagle was her spirit, and had already cultivated different fighting techniques to their highest realm. I didn’t know the reason, why someone like her would accept me as her disciple. She was not only strong but beautiful too, even the imperial family courted her but not for their avail.

My master had always told me that I held great talent and potential, and should not be wasted inside the walls of jade city. But, my father had told me to never leave Jade City, and was to be married to Min Sheng and should live with him.

I could become an elite rank, in the Crimson Sky empire if I were to join the main sect. Disciples of sky profound realm was considered an elite rank, they held special title and authority in Crimson Sky empire.

But what was holding me back was my fiancé, my dream to become stronger and explore beyond the city walls was all crushed. I liked him till I was eight, he was honest and straight forward in approach. Even though he was ridiculed, he walked with his head held high. He was optimistic, hardworking, had hope and ambition.

But, when my talent was unfolded others started to pity and sympathise me. The look in others eyes hurt my pride, why should I be matched with untalented, crippled individual like him.

When I told my opinion to my father whom I loved the most. For the first time in my life, he was angry at me, he trembled and spoke.

“With strength comes arrogance, with power comes ignorance, never close your eyes because the most dangerous thing you shall face will be the shadow of the weak”

“No matter what happens, you shall marry Min Sheng”

I didn’t understand most of the part, still I was angry at him and asked for his reason. But his replay was even more confusing.

“If I could save, one I love the most, dear daughter I choose you rather than any other. Because I want you to grab the hope of future, even if I end up hated by you for that matter.”

He told nothing further and dismissed me. But I want to push my luck, because I knew he dotted on me. So I asked master put up the matter of me wanting to join main sect, master was so delighted and promised me she would certainly help.

But when my master presented the matter, I could feel father's killing intent pointed at my master. All he told was, if she was not satisfied with result, she could abandon me as her disciple, but master tried further explain things, but father replyed in a cold and detached voice

“Know your place”

Those three words, had a cold shiver run down my spine, I could see my master tremble, I knew my father was strong cultivator and others feared him, it was one reason, no one could go against a word in the marriage issue even after the whole clan was against it, I couldn’t see through or hear at what realm he was at, but seeing my master at king profound realm shake in fear, I could guess he was strong, there is no other way an elder who held seventh seat at council of [Raging Fire] Sect, back away without a fight.

Seeing my master humiliated by my own request, brought the hate towards him. Even though he was not at fault, but his existence robed me of my freedom and chance for getting stronger. So, I started to ignore him, and never visited or made any connection for the past three years.

I always wondered why he was chosen as my partner. My father told me to contact him, love him to deepen our relationship but, all I gave was cold feet. He was frustrated over my behaviour, started to beg me. I couldn’t understand why he would go this far, father was afraid and insecure, for me not being by Min Sheng’s side.

Even though Min Sheng had the looks, which attracted girls, he was crippled and trash in the cultivation world, the strong ruled the weak, and weak had no place in this world.

I prayed, I could escape from this misery. There was only less than four years from the set marriage date. And it was then the disappearance of Min Sheng reached my ears.

Here we have our character introduction needed for the development of first arc and the relationship of girls towards MC