*Smack*

“Kiddo, no dawdling when training!” A gigantic man, similar to a brute screamed at him obviously displeased.

“I’m sorry sir! Please forgive me!” The kid said in an innocent tone, seemingly not understanding what he had done wrong.

The kid had brown colored hair, similar to the color of a hazelnut, and blue eyes like the sky, clear like a ice cold pond in the night. His face had a beautiful yet strong and firm outline. The kid would surely grow up to become a lady killer. He wore basic training garments, same as everyone else given out by the instructor.

The instructor started yet again to explain the basics to those who didn’t get it, paying no heed to the little kid’s answer.

“Kids! This is a very important step in your cultivation, to connect with your own star you first need refine your body so it can handle the pressure from the connection.” he said in a serious tone.

“Now, give me thirty push-ups!” he continued as a wide grin spread across his face.

The bunch of kids cursed inside but could only obey as per their parent’s orders to train under the instructor and to follow his commands.

The day was coming to its end and philip was walking his way back home. His muscles were sore and he had an annoying headache from the instructor’s loud speaking, well, yelling to be exact.

“Mom, I’m home.” he said while going into the front door.

“Welcome back home sweetie, did you have a fun day today?” Inside the home, he was greeted by his mother who hurriedly walked forward and gave him warm big hug

“Yeah… I suppose so” he replied while looking rather distant.

They lived in a village north of the capital in the country of canoi. Their village was ruled by the Firecloud sect and it was a great honor if one could become a discipline of the sect.

To become a disciple, you had to pass a trial. To come and take the test in the trial you had to be at the very least ten years of age.

They had this, according to some villagers, Weird-looking stone or that could measure what star you got and rank kr something, he doesn't know really well.

If one was to become a firecloud sect discipline, he or she would be handed out a pill which boosted their training efficiency.

He had no clue if it was only age they were testing since the village wasn’t exactly a popular traveling place for outsiders.

The village was rather isolated except for some connection with the firecloud sect now and then.

Of course, passing or not is not something for someone of five years age to be concerned about.

Philip’s dad was a worker in a farm in the village, that’s what happens when you don’t pass the test, you have to work with ordinary professions such as farmer. Living your life dull and grey without adventures and experiences.

Philip absolutely didn’t want that, he wanted to become someone of great magnitude.

His goal was to become a person who could do anything he wanted without restraint. Whilst It may sound childish, it was his dream.

He felt something lacking with the training under the instructor. Maybe he needs to train differently or elsewhere. He had no clue of what it was, maybe it was intuition or instinct.

“Well, whatever” he thought, he has to follow the wishes of his parents who raised him.

…….

The next day he went to the instructor again to yet again slave under th–

*Ahem*

“... train diligently”

Suddenly as everyone were training their body according the commands given to them by the instructor, screams and huge noises were heard nearby in the village.

…….

Everyone ran out to see what had happened but they were met with something horrifying.

In the village which was supposed to be bustling with happy people, blood was flowing on the ground and body parts were all over the place.

Vile creatures were lurking on the ground savoring human flesh.

The instructor had come out before them to see the horrible vision and quickly screamed “Quick! Go inside and hide in the basement!!”

The kids, even if they were young, understood that this was a matter of life and death and sprinted back into the building towards the basement.

Meanwhile, the instructor sighed loudly and as he released a dazzling light.

The instructor was actually an elder from the firecloud sect here to teach the children.

But, even if he was he teaching children, he was by no means a weakling.

The dazzling light converged and formed a ball of light similar to a star in the air over him.”

The creatures, by instinct, felt fear from the man. They immediately tried to retreat but it was to late, the dazzling star shot out bolts of light which pierced the creatures.

“For a couple of lesser shadow lurkers to attack a village in broad daylight, truly out of the ordinary.” He murmured as he drew the light back into his body.

He thought it was very weird for lesser shadow lurkers to attack in daylight since their strength was diminished from coming into contact with sunshine.

“Let’s see how many people died in this attack.” he continued as he walked around and counted the dead, or what was left of them at least.

…….

Philip as well as the others were hiding in the basement waiting for someone to get them.

“What if everyone have died?” Said a weak-looking guy whose face was a mess, tears streaming down, and snot coming out from his noose.

Nobody could blame him though, the kids were not old and were very worried about their parents and, if they had, siblings.

“Don't think like that, brute is strong!” A strong-built kid said. The kid was one of the stronger one in the group and understood that he had to Call down everyone.

“Exactly.” Another one said

“Let’s just sit down and wait, we can’t do anything with our measly strength either way”

The strong-built kid continued.

Philip cursed himself inwardly for not having practiced enough. He felt like an ant who could be crushed by practically anything at any moment.

…….

And after what seemed like an endless wait the basement, the door was opened.

“Come out now kids, the danger is over.”

A strong yet familiar voice sounded in their ears.

The group immediately thought of their instructor and rushed towards the stairs to climb out from the horizontal door.

When they came out after walking through the building they were met with a foul stench of blood.

Some of the kids puked right after they smelled the stench.

“Be strong, stay firm.” Philip thought to himself and gritted his teeth hoping that his parents were okay and that they were not wounded or worse.

“Come with me, this is something you have to get used to, cultivation is not fair or just.” He said

“The law of the jungle is and has always been that the strong prey on the weak. The weak are only fodder for the strong and if you want to become strong you need to accept your situation as weak and become strong!” He continued.

“Now, go find your parents dead or alive” he ordered them and walked away to report to the sect about what had transpired.

…….

Philip ran as fast as his legs could carry him towards their house. It was less than a kilometer so he quickly arrived.

“N-n-nooo!! P-p-pplease it c-can't be t-true!”

He screamed as he saw two piles of flesh resembling his parents.

Philip fell down on his knees, tears flowing out like a waterfall as he screamed.

“W-w-why! WHYYYY!!” He continued to scream as his mind slowly succumbed to the darkness as everything went blank.