In the village of Koyh, there were only three buildings that were not homes to the locals. One was the forge of the village smith, a two-story-high building made out of plain acacia wood. He had four apprentices, who were quadruplets, and with them supplied the whole village with tools to build and farm.

The other one was the village doctor’s little booth, with a body of oak and pillars of stones. She had been working here for seven years after her graduation at the Arasheir Medical Expertise Course, where she studied medicine and herbs to become an Herb Sage. She had a long way to go, it wasn’t an easy road to become an Herb Sage. Yet her skills were evident from the lack of mortality in the several years of her presence. For this, Chi Jian deeply admired the doctor.

And the last of the three was a three-story high inn, or a bar, as the owner called it. Bar Of Lu Dian. It was made out of limestone imported from Denizage, polished by Lu Dian himself. It looked classy and was lively. As the single source of enjoyment other than the weekly gatherings at the center square, he had a good amount of customers almost all hours of the day.

Today was one such day.

Some two dozen people sat around on stools, clutching iron mugs filled with a green Acid Shot. The invention of Lu Dian, it made the throat burn and made one feel as if they melted in their belly. It also stunk like a rotten carcass, and its stink spread fast and wide. So by the time he descended the stairs to the mess of a celebration and the fast-paced zither playing, Chi Jian already regretted his decision.

Clogging his nose with his thumb and index finger, he strolled to the counter and sat on a longer stool, facing Lu Dian.

‘’Oh, you look better!’’ Lu Dian smiled and plucked a bottle of Acid Shot, then poured it into a dozen mugs in front of him. ‘’Is it the same inside?’’

‘’It is,’’ Chi Jian replied. ‘’But Shengbing isn’t.’’

‘’You said he was Sir He’s nephew, of course he would be bitter about his uncle.’’

‘’Perhaps.’’ Chi Jian looked over at one of the empty mugs and grasped it before Lu Dian could.’’ Give me some grape wine.’’

‘’Ehm-’’ Lu Dian coughed. He took one out of his spatial pouch and poured, then put in front of Chi Jian.

‘’Why perhaps?’’ Lu Dian asked. ‘’I could see the adoration on his face every time he gazed on Sir He.’’

‘’Not in that way,’’ Chi Jian said. ‘’He isn't bitter. He is angry.’’

‘’At that immortal?’’

‘’Immortal of the forest? No. At Sir He.’’

‘’Oh!’’ Lu Dian exclaimed. ‘’Some kind of inferiority syndrome? Or some rivalry thing?’’

‘’Seems like his mother told the boy Sir He murdered his father for two hundred soulstones. Revenge thing, not unusual.’’

‘’Ahh, blood debt, my favorite! But Sir He didn’t seem like one to do thievery. You know, like from how he carries himself and all. ’’

‘’I do agree,’’ Chi Jian nodded, someone at his back shouted Lu Dian for more drinks. A few more asked, then some more.

‘’Come get it yourself, you old fools!’’ Lu Dian shouted, then turned to Chi Jian again. ‘’Then what about the other boy?’’

‘’Bu Chong? Better than me, although his pride is hurt.’’

‘’Better than his life.’’

‘’Again, agreed.’’ Chi Jian shook his head. ‘’Well, it's a pity. Sir He liked Bu Chong like a foster son, after all.’’

‘’It is more of a pity none of you care about my brother Zhifang, he was a good drinker!’’ Lu Dian turned towards the people scrambling to get some drinks. ‘’Better than you all! You hear me! How come you get this drunk from a cup!?’’

‘’Lu Dian! I’ll slit your throat you bastard! Dare fight me ten bouts!?’’

‘’Oh shit, you definitely can. I believe in you, brother.’’ Lu Dian clicked his tongue. The man approached him, then collapsed to the ground with a thud. Someone came over to raise him, then he fell over too.

‘’...anything else?’’ Lu Dian said, looking at Chi Jian’s annoyed gaze.

‘’I forgot to ask, did you know of that man?’’

‘’There always was an immortal of the forest.’’ Lu Dian said. ‘’ I only heard of three. One was a hunter, one was an old soldier, and the other was a Cindersnow disciple.’’

‘’The sect’s?’’ Chi Jian dropped the empty mug to the counter. ‘’Wait, there are three?’’

‘’No, there were three. The Cindersnow disciple died some sixty-five years ago, the soldier forty or so. The hunter recently passed away, six or seven years at most.’’ Chi Jian froze for a moment.

‘’And the current one is...’’

‘’New, a young man at most in his twenties.’’

‘’How do you know that?’’

‘’The man said himself before he passed away. You know, I’ve been here for twenty-three years. I only heard about the other two from the hunter guy, they were his children it seems.’’

‘’Oh, and the current one is also his son.’’ Lu Dian added. Chi Jian pondered for a few seconds then nodded and stood up.

‘’Drink money?’’

Chi Jian he rushed to the door.

‘’No you don’t dare!’’

*********

‘’Tea?’’ Hong Seng shook his head. ‘’It ran out yesterday. And I didn’t drink even a drop of it these five days! Won’t you have some mercy on me?’’

Ubel gazed at Hong Seng for a moment, then sighed. They both sat next to the dais of The Raven, this time accompanied by the Embodiment.

The dark-purple giant faced them both, he was large enough to be capable of that, and clutched the sides of his skirt. Even he seemed to be perplexed by his choice of dress.

‘’That skirt would go better with some flowers,’’ Priest Hong said. ‘’Sunflowers, especially.’’

Embodiment raised his head and looked at Hong Seng, then nodded.

Nodded.

Ubel sighed again.

Embodiment started acting strange. Weird.

In the past few times he summoned him, Embodiment was more like a guardian spirit or a summoned devil familiar. It acted on orders or instinct, couldn’t convey emotion or choice. Yet, now, he could even assess the beauty standards?

‘’He knows the beauty of nature.’’ Hong Seng said, smiling.

Embodiment nodded again.

Ubel turned his head away from them. Instead, his eyes locked on the dais.

‘’Priest Hong,’’ Ubel called, ‘’Today should be the day your fellow believer arrives, right?’’

‘’Oh, she is already here.’’

‘’Then?’’

‘’Well, there are some difficulties that make it harder for her to travel. She should be around the perimeters of the forest by now.’’

‘’Want me to go receive her?’’ He wanted to see the second believer of The Raven. Ubel wondered if all had the same attitude.

‘’Ooh-’’ Hong Seng exclaimed. ‘’I never thought of that. May I trouble you, then?’’

‘’Directions?’’ Ubel asked and stood up. Embodiment followed his steps and readied himself.

‘’One moment, please.’’ Hong Seng followed suit and stood before the dais. From the hem of his robes, he dropped two drops of dark liquid, then took out a vial of powder and scattered them over the dais.

A dark light shone within and in moments was gone. Instead of the remaining powder or drops, the surface of the dais swelled and turned into the map of the forest. At the southwest of the shrine, a few thousand steps away was the shape of a raven.

‘’There you go.’’ Hong Seng said and plopped down again. Ubel looked at the map for a few more seconds, drawing the quickest route he could think of, then left with Embodiment.

*********

Not long after Embodiment’s senses tingled. He transmitted this feeling through their link with Ubel, and Ubel understood where their visitor was.

Jumping down from a tree branch they descended and continued to walk for a few more seconds, among the lush green and wide trees they heard a rustling. From within, a voice lovelier than a bird’s chirping sounded.

‘’Oh my, what privilege!’’ A woman brushed past the few trees in her way and Ubel glimpsed on her blonde ponytail. ‘’I wonder, are you the little boy Ubel?’’

‘’Um-’’ Ubel was about to answer when the woman came over, letting them see her in full. She had good features, even with the mark of a burn covering half of her left face. Her dull, black eyes gleamed when their eyes met, then following his gaze fell on her protruding belly.

‘’Pregnant?’’ Ubel muttered. How did a pregnant woman walk through the forest? It shouldn’t be easy, Ubel thought, and from the beads of sweat traveling down her copper skin his guess seemed right.

‘’I am, little boy,’’ A gentle smile spread to her lips. ‘’Have you never seen one?’’

‘’Yes-no, umm...I never saw one that could travel miles, at least.’’ Ubel said. ‘’But...cultivation is indeed strange.’’

‘’Rather than your musings, boy, can you help me for a moment?’’ She asked, exhaling from her nostrils.

‘’Oh-’’ Before he could move, Embodiment stepped forward and picked up the woman, carrying her in his arms. ‘’How bold, I am married though, Sir Spirit.’’

Embodiment gazed down at her, then at Ubel, then at her again. He nodded and started walking back.

Ubel watched him leave, then followed after. He had a strange feeling in his heart that Embodiment felt embarrassed at the moment.

Strange, too strange!

While Ubel mused over what could have caused this change in Embodiment and listened to the exclaims and small talks of the pregnant priestess, they reached the Shrine Of The Raven and saw Hong Seng waiting in front. He flung his arms wide and strolled forward. Meanwhile, Embodiment let down the priestess and retreated to Ubel’s side. He also sent a message.

Ubel shivered as if a bucket of ice-cold water poured down his head into his heart. From the intent behind Embodiment’s message, he glimpsed upon some kind of a demon.

Now looking once more at the woman, Ubel felt his instincts scream at him to run. Then it disappeared.

‘’Sister Muqin!’’ Hong Seng called out and grasped the hands of his fellow believer. ‘’You are here at last! How long had it been? Thirty-five years?’’

‘’Exactly, my dear Hong.’’ Zi Muqin smiled and let go of Hong Seng’s hands.

‘’How have you been these days? Or wait, my mistake.’’ He looked down at her belly and his smile widened. ‘’Is it?’’

‘’Yes, from Heshang.’’ Her smile blossomed like a spring flower.

‘’How joyous! Come inside, and Ubel and your spirit too!’’ He called and led them inside. He had been preparing it seemed, there was already cushions placed and tea boiled.

Ubel raised his eyebrow at Hong Seng, the man in question shrugged off with a wide smile.

‘’Sit, sit!’’ Though he wanted to ask, Ubel couldn’t get himself to part this man from his excitement. Had he ever seen him this ecstatic?

They all sat down, Ubel and Hong Seng took their usual seats next to the dais’ sides. Right at the dais’ feet sat Zi Muqin and Embodiment was seated across her. She pulled the hem of her robes and sat in a more comfortable position, leaning her back to the dais.

‘’I hope you don’t mind, dear Hong.’’ She said.

‘’Of course not, sister Muqin,’’ He replied, waving his hand. ‘’Relax, don’t force yourself.’’

‘’Thank you.’’

‘’So, how old are they?’’

‘’You mean my boy?’’ She patted her bulging belly. ‘’He is six months old already. Quite healthy, he kicks a bit lesser than his compatriots though.’’

‘’Don’t believe in hearsay, sister Muqin. They said I kicked my mother so hard the village elder had to use a spell to calm me down in her pregnancy. And look at me now.’’

‘’You are as successful as you are, dear Hong.’’

‘’Not as good as those old naggers say.’’ Hong Seng smiled. ‘’But anyway, why don’t you take a sip? My Lord cast some divine techniques to make them soothe pain and cleanse the fetus from impurities. He said it would be helpful in the future.’’

‘’My lord is generous,’’ Zi Muqin’s eyes flashed and her eyebrows dropped low, a thin smile at her lips. ‘’I am forever grateful.’’ She took one of the cups and sipped. Ubel watched as her expression went from dull to strange, then turn into a wide smile.

He reached out to the one in front of him as well and took a small gulp, but nothing happened. It was plain old tea. He shot another glance at Hong Seng, the man in question smiled wider again.

Haah- Ubel sighed in his heart. He gazed at Zi Muqin, contemplating, and then the dais exploded into a shower of lights.

All three shot to their feet except Zi Muqin, who picked herself up in slow motion.

As they all faced the dais, the lights faded and a small raven appeared in its stead.

Chirp Chirp Chirp

The bird let out a few sounds, both Hong Seng and Zi Muqin bowed their heads. Ubel didn’t understand what transpired, nor did the Embodiment.

Chirp Chirp Chirp

The raven continued its words, Hong Seng bowed once more and Zi Muqin smiled. Then the raven wailed and turned into dust.

Ubel gazed at the duo, then at the dais.

Strange, too strange.

*********

Late in the evening, Chi Jian came back with a purse filled with two-hundred silvers and delivered them to Lu Dian with apologies. Feeling satisfied, Lu Dian allowed the man and his group to stay for another two nights, Chi Jian accepted without extra words. He gave an extra pouch of twenty silver, saying he had something to do tomorrow and asked him to watch over the two boys.

Lu Dian accepted without a word as well. Then the following morning, Chi Jian departed.

Once he left through the door of the inn, Lu Dian moved. His eyes flashed with icy cold, one that would make soul shiver. He grasped a broom waiting at the side. Wearing his morning suit, a brown pants and a black robe, he ascended the stairs and came before one of the fourteen doors in the bar.

Then he kicked down the door.

The door broke from its beams and blew up, flying towards the beds near the window.

‘’Who!’’ A voice came beside him, followed by a streak of red. Lu Dian tilted his head and a crimson javelin passed right before his long nose’s tip, then sunk into the remaining part of the door’s beam.

‘’Lu Dian!? What ar-’’ Bu Chong tried to speak but Lu Dian didn’t give him the chance. He grasped the handle of the broom and pulled. Instantly, the hidden sword inside the broom appeared. Lights of the dawning sun gleamed upon the blade, then blood splattered.

‘’BRGH-!’’ Bu Chong coughed, his neck muscles tightened around the glistening white of the blade.

‘’Bu Chong!’’ Shengbing shouted under the door over his head. With a kick, he sent it flying at Lu Dian.

Lu Dian clenched the hilt, traces of Qi escaped from his palm. The blade buzzed, then with a streak of light cut through the already dangling neck. Flesh and blood dripped to the ground and the head fell.

The door arrived at that time, but Lu Dian didn’t even change his expression. His eyes carried the same cold, ice-like ruthlessness. With a kick of his own, he sent the door flying again. Shengbing rose from his position and punched at the door. The moment they contacted, the door burst into splinters and, like arrows, they pierced through the walls and crashed onto furniture.

Yet before he could act again, he saw Lu Dian kick the falling head.

Half of the head turned into meat paste from the kick’s force, the other half flew like a meteorite and crashed right into Shengbing’s face. A gruesome crack sounded, both heads collapsed into pieces of bones and meat and their blood mixed.

Shengbing’s rising body collapsed into the ground with a thud.

As blood seeped out of both bodies lying on the ground, Lu Dian sheathed his blade into the broom. Then he swept the head of the broom and a crystalline white light appeared. It spread like a wave and wherever it touched, all the stains disappeared. Even the bleeding of the corpses stopped.

Then he made a few quick seals and pointed with his index finger. The broken pieces of furniture and the door rose into the air, then flew into each other to create balls of wood. With another wave of his hand, Lu Dian sent the ball of wood crashing onto the broken furniture. The moment they collided, the ball of wood split into smaller parts and merged with the damaged door and bed and cupboards.

Soon, the room became exceptionally clean except the two corpses, which he stowed away into his spatial pouch.

Taking one last look at the room, he jumped out of the open window and left towards the northeast of the bar.

Yesterday he had planted a Qi seal into the drink of that bastard Chi Jian so that he could track him. It was a choice made out after considerable research, and fueled by hatred.

Lu Dian closed his eyes for a moment to feel the seal’s place, then opened his eyes. The ruthlessness in his eyes increased after killing the two, now his gaze almost spouted lightning.

With a step, he disappeared from his place and appeared some thirty meters away. His speed equaled to someone at the peak of Path Establishing. This was the power he got from his father, or the power of the manual, and his father had gotten this manual from the kind Immortal Of The Forest.

Immortal Of The Forest was a kind, old man. He was always sickly, even when he came to their village thirty-two years ago when he was but a small child. His father always said the immortal wasn’t like this before, that he was a burly fellow in his youth. That was also when they met, seventy-nine years ago at a bandit raid to the village. He always said how heroic it was at that moment, and how sad it was to see him degrade like this.

He could imagine that, actually. Inside the eyes of that kind, old hunter laid a beast he had never seen before. Even when he departed for Okyanung to find himself an immortal master, he never saw someone with that subtle aura of wildness. So he had respect for that kind, old, Immortal Of The Forest.

He was the one who granted his father a manual, one that differed from the State Manuals every generation was bound to practice. He was also the one who saved them from the bandit raid and helped the village to learn about the patterns of wild animals. This caused them to preserve on their own with beast meat and gave them time to get into farming. So he really liked that kind, old hunter.

That was why he felt that he owed him. No, it wasn’t a feeling. He owed him, and his son. Were it not for his old habit of not questioning travelers before their business was done, he knew he could prevent the boy from getting hurt. Not that he died, he thought of the moment Chi Jian spat with hatred. But he was still in danger because of him. Because of his incompetence.

Lu Dian shook his head and continued to sprint through the road. After a few minutes, he felt the seal stop at a place. If he guessed it correctly, it was near the outpost of the Kabsah. Lu Dian’s eyes flashed and he slowed down, then used his merging art.

Instantly, his body merged into the ground and turned into earth. He dove a dozen meters down and started swimming in the earth towards the seal’s place.

Half a minute later, he was standing twenty-meters behind the seal’s location. With careful movements, he slowly submerged over the ground and gazed at an intersection near the road, where the line of trees near Orabura started. Behind the trees stood Chi Jian, bowing to a woman wearing a bright blue robe. A symbol of a beautiful, blue haired woman, holding a scripture and a vase was painted over it.

Priestess of Mazu!

His family didn’t have a pleasant past with them, as his mother was a past priestess. He knew of the inner doings of the religion, and the cruel atrocities they committed at southeast deserts of the Sheng Empire. Well, they call themselves Shamo Khanate now, and their situation seems precarious with the Shuanguang.

‘’Four dead! Pieces of trash!’’ The priestess shouted at Chi Jian and slapped him. It was backed with a force surpassing Chi Jian’s second Qi destructioner by two times, so it wasn’t a surprise that he crashed into the ground head first.

‘’Now I need to clear this on my own, or mother will be angry.’’ The priestess sighed. ‘’Stand up.’’ She ordered and Chi Jian pushed himself to stand up.

The exact moment Lu Dian merged into the ground again, rushed in the earth, then, with a rumble, broke through the earth under those two’s feet.

‘’Eh?’’ The priestess yelped as she lost her footing, while Chi Jian collapsed onto the ground again. Between the dust and rocks flying into the air, the gleaming tip of a blade appeared and stabbed towards the priestess.

‘’You dare!’’ The priestess made a few seals mid-air and spat out, a blazing monster core flew out and collided with the blade.

Flames exploded at the moment of contact and the core shattered into pieces. Monstrous flames spread to the surroundings, the few meters afar trees caught fire. The stink of ash appeared as Lu Dian emerged fully and stabbed towards the priestess again.

Of their cultivation, Lu Dian was a third-layer Path Establishment cultivator while priestess was a two-layer Path Finding cultivator. The difference between these two stages was like Qi Creation and Qi destruction, there was only a distinction of their Qi capacity, with Lu Dian’s being at most two times higher than her. So unless they refined their bodies, which Lu Dian did, and had a great deal of experience to hone their reflexes, which Lu Dian did again, there were no other discrepancies between the two of them.

But unluckily for the priestess, there was, and Lu Dian’s sword reacher sooner than whatever technique she intended to use.

With a buzzing, silver light gleamed on the blade and pierced through the priestess’ white neck. The tip protruded from the nape and drew blood, then Lu Dian retracted the blade.

The blade cut through the remainder again and the priestess’ head fell off, her eyes still wide open. Lu Dian then turned to look at crying Chi Jian climbing to his feet.

‘’Lu Dian! Spare me, please! I didn’t do anything wrong, why must you kill me!?’’ Confusion filled his tear-ridden eyes.

Lu Dian didn’t bat an eye and swung his sword, Chi Jian’s head fell off his shoulders. Blood spurted like a fountain and his body collapsed.

With a shake, Lu Dian cleaned his blade of the blood, then gazed at his back, into the burning patch of forest. He slightly turned around and clasped his fist to the shadows inside, a small growl sounded.

Step by step, he heard, something approached. Then it came before the blazing lights of the fire, revealing its red and white fur. A long jaw and two wolf-like ears.

It was a fox, an old fox, and the familiar of the Immortal Of The Forest.

‘’Senior,’’ Lu Dian said and pointed with his finger to the two corpses. ‘’These two are my gift to you. Sorry for stealing your prey.’’

The fox grumbled again and approached the two corpses, Lu Dian took a step back and narrowed his eyes. The fox smelled the corpses and shot him a look filled with warmth, then opened its mouth.

Suddenly, the small jaw widened into a one-meter mouth filled with rows of spike-like glinting teeth. There were nine tongues instead of one inside, and the flesh surrounding it was the color of ash.

The mouth clamped around Chi Jian’s corpse and started digging down. As if it was ravenous, the not-anymore fox bit and tore apart flesh bite by bite. Blood splattered everywhere, muscle tissues and skin flew around. Some painted over Lu Dian, even seeped into his nostrils, but he waited.

Once it completely trashed the unidentifiable corpse, the nine tongues of the fox lunged forward like tentacles and swept the ground of the blood and flesh. Wherever the tongues passed, deep gashes appeared. Within a few seconds, the road was cleaner than it was before, yet two inches lower.

Then the fox turned to priestess’ corpse, then with its tongues pulled it inside the huge mouth. Instead of devouring it like a wild ghost, it swallowed the corpse whole. Deep crunches sounded as it broke down the corpse down to its bones, then closed its mouth.

It burped, and its appearance turned to normal.

Lu Dian opened his eyes and gazed at the fox, then gave a deep bow. With a step, he merged into the ground again and steered his direction to Koyh. The fox behind him watched for a while and let out a roar as if it was a lion, defying its nature as a fox. With its roar shockwaves spread and extinguished the flames. It took one last look before returning into the forest.

*********

Two days later, The Raven told Ubel about the mysterious retreat of the priestess, and so he could receive what he wanted to learn.

He did, so The Raven kicked out his two believers from the Shrine for three hours as he told Ubel about the general workings of the current Northern Continent.

After three hours, Ubel left with a deep frown on his face. When Hong Seng asked his lord about it The Raven replied with one sentence.

‘’He started to realize the burden he is carrying, both as a Cindersnow and as a Shamo.’’

*********

Ubel ignored everything around him as he walked towards his home.

It wasn’t that he intentionally did it, rather it was a subconscious action his mind took; to let him focus on the disastrous, intriguing, and scary news.

At the extreme south of the continent’s border, the evil sects appeared near Shaowei empire’s territory, bringing thousands of forsaken heads and spoils of war.

They were accepted into the country with celebrations and chants of victory.

The Han Empire bordering Sheng, Shuangguang, and Haishen empires fell after a month of siege into the hands of the free city of Cindersnow.

The city magistrate was assassinated before the main army returned with the news.

Haishen Empire launched a naval assault on the sea beasts at the Western Great Ocean, twenty-three thousand troops were lost.

Among the casualties was the Third Sea Emperor, ruler of the Western Great Ocean.

Shuanguang empire declared war upon the Sheng Empire, now known as Shamo Khanate, and started to gather his ministers and generals.

Vast amounts of grain and soulstones disappeared overnight from the internal market.

Ubel shook his head and settled down under an oak tree. Leaning his back towards the trunk, he crossed his arms and gazed up.

Three of the four happened near him, one of them was directly related.

Shamo Khanate.

The Raven didn’t seem willing to give this information at first, or he hesitated. Or he was not, Ubel didn’t know how a deity’s mind worked. It could all be an act, he supposed, but even if it was what he learned was more important than what it took for The Raven to tell it.

‘’Do what you want with that knowledge,’’ He said, ‘’But what I suggest is to see for yourself. The holy desert.’’

What would he see if he went? Ubel heard and read about all people on the continent, they all had some differing qualities than others. Shamo were like him, they had tanned or slightly dark skin and blue eyes. Some had brown eyes as well, and ones with brown always had talent in using glaives and javelins, rather than the traditional bows and mounts.

His appearance, or his father’s, was enough of an evidence to his relation. His father also had dark skin and blue eyes. But what made it apparent was the comment of that forsaken.

‘’Hahaha...a child of Shamo and the Forsaken? What kind of abomination are you!?’’

If his father was of Sheng, of Shamo Khanate, then was his mother a forsaken? So he carried the blood of forsakens? People that everyone in the continent hated deep down their bones?

Ubel wasn’t willing to accept that.

Why was he? He never felt a connection to any of the people, or any of the races. He grew up in a forest, all alone with a sole man and old mother. He learned writing and reading from them, he learned about simple etiquette and what was different about men and women from them. He learned how to hold a bow, how to shoot a prey, how to tend to herbs and vegetables, how to respect his elders, how to find his way in a complex environment, what was the best way to strangle a dying bear, how he could spot the tracks of wild beasts, or wild humans, and at last, how he could survive on his own.

But he never, ever, heard them talking about connection to any group of people. Not to the sect, not to the Shamo, not to the Forsakens. Only filial piety and mutual trust were important in building his relationships, he learned.

Then why was he unwilling?

It was an instinct, an instant heartbeat that accelerated his blood circulation. As if his body felt an immense hatred at the thought of being related to a Forsaken.

It was an inferiority complex.

He felt inferior to them.

So he wasn’t willing.

Bullshit...

*********

Once Ubel stood up from his place, it was already past evening. Sun had set, the moon had risen, and the clouds seemed to devour the endless sky.

After standing up, he walked towards the Shrine Of The Raven.

No matter how dire the news seemed, the last one among them was what troubled him the most, even more than the matter of his relationship with his mother.

It was the Cindersnow mountain’s disappearance to the extreme north. Ubel’s eyes became, for the first time in his life, cold.

Like the ice mountains of the Barren Lands, the last piece of land where a portal to the starry sky remained.

The portal’s name was the Glorious Portal, and that was where Cindersnow fought with alien cultivators.