Three thousand li west of Cold Crow City, the territory of Black Wind Stronghold.
The cold autumn rain had pattered down all day, soaking the mass grave's earth into soft, muddy sludge. Before a freshly mounded grave, Hong Longxiang knelt in the rain, motionless.
There was no headstone before the grave—only a withered stick thrust into the earth. The one lying inside was the old beggar who had raised him for fifteen years, the only person he'd had in this world.
Three days ago, the old man hadn't been able to survive this bitter autumn. He'd passed away silently in the straw pile of their ruined temple.
In his final moments, his clouded eyes had cleared with rare lucidity for just an instant. His withered hand had gripped Hong Longxiang's arm tightly, lips trembling as though trying to say something. In the end, he only exhaled one last breath and was gone.
Rainwater ran down his tangled, matted hair, tracing the sharp angles of the youth's gaunt face. At fifteen, chronic malnutrition made him look smaller and thinner than his years—but those eyes were startlingly sharp, carrying a world-weariness and resilience far beyond his age.
Fifteen years.
Since the day he'd sworn his oath in that ruined temple five years ago, not a single day had passed without him training desperately. No resources? He stole and scavenged, braving the deep mountains to gather the lowest-grade spirit herbs. No cultivation technique? He relied on the secret methods he remembered from the lower realm, forcing open a path through sheer will.
When starving, he'd gnawed tree bark. When freezing, he'd fought wild dogs for their dens. Being beaten black-and-blue was just another ordinary day.
But he had never given up. Because he knew what he carried on his shoulders.
Finally, three months ago, with astonishing perseverance and talent, he had shattered through Body Tempering and stepped into the Item Control Realm!
An Item Control Realm cultivator was nothing remarkable in the Spirit Realm—but to him, it meant a true turning point. He could finally be considered the most basic of cultivators.
He had planned to wait until spring, when the weather warmed, then take the old beggar and leave this Cold Crow City territory that had trapped him for fifteen years. He'd search for greater opportunities in a wider world, and look for his other companions.
But the old man hadn't lived to see spring.
He kowtowed three times heavily, his forehead caked with mud. Then he rose resolutely, cast one last look at the lonely grave, and walked into the rain.
...
Three days later, at the largest cultivator market in Black Wind Stronghold—the Hundred Treasure Pavilion auction.
Hong Longxiang had changed into a set of coarse cloth clothes that were barely presentable. He mingled with the crowd, sharp eyes sweeping the venue. He needed resources—desperately. Item Control Realm was only the beginning; without resources, he was still going nowhere.
And that Blood Essence Ginseng up for auction was his best hope for obtaining resources quickly. The spirit ginseng would be enough to stabilize his Item Control Realm cultivation, perhaps even let him attempt a breakthrough to the mid-stage.
But he didn't have a single coin to his name.
His only option was to steal.
The auction reached its climax. When that Blood Essence Ginseng—crimson through and through, brimming with spiritual energy—was brought forward, every eye in the hall was drawn to it. Even the guards' attention faltered for a brief moment.
Now!
Hong Longxiang moved like a panther that had lain in wait for ages. His figure was ghostly fast, weaving through the gaps in the crowd, exploiting every blind spot. His fingers shot forth like lightning, reaching for the jade box holding the spirit ginseng!
He was about to succeed—
"You've got nerve, little thief!" A furious shout cracked like thunder!
A powerful divine sense instantly locked onto Hong Longxiang! It was the Profound Mysteries Realm expert overseeing this low-tier auction!
Hong Longxiang's scalp went numb. Without thinking, he snatched the jade box that was nearly in his grasp. The thin spiritual energy in his body circulated frantically as he charged toward the nearest window!
"Stop him!"
"Catch that little bastard!"
Angry shouts and the sound of slicing wind erupted behind him! Several powerful auras locked onto him in an instant!
Hong Longxiang gritted his teeth and pushed his speed to the absolute limit, fleeing for his life through the narrow alleys. His Item Control Realm cultivation erupted at full power, yet he still couldn't shake the growing number of pursuers.
Black Wind Stronghold was a gathering place for bandit cultivators—ruthless and vicious. If caught, death was certain!
WHIZ! A poison-laced crossbow bolt grazed his cheek, trailing a string of blood beads.
Hong Longxiang's heart sank. Was this where he'd fall today?
Just as a sword beam was about to cleave him, a green-clad figure burst from an oblique angle!
"This way!"
The green figure seized his arm with startling strength, yanking him into a narrow, dark alley! At the same time, a reverse sweep of azure sword gang shot out, precisely deflecting the incoming attacks!
"Follow me!"
The green figure called out in a low voice, dragging him through the labyrinth of alleys at high speed. This person seemed intimately familiar with Black Wind Stronghold's terrain—a few twists and turns, and they'd temporarily shaken the pursuers.
Moments later, the two crawled through a damaged drainage hole in the stronghold wall and emerged into the wilderness forest outside.
"Safe for now." The green figure released him and caught his breath.
Only now did Hong Longxiang get a clear look at his savior—a young man who appeared to be about seventeen or eighteen, with handsome features and an air of casual ease about his brows. But also... a weariness he couldn't quite hide.
His blue robes were faded from washing and patched in places. His cultivation aura... seemed to only be at the Profound Mysteries Realm?
Profound Mysteries Realm? Hong Longxiang blinked. The sheer ferocity of that earlier strike didn't seem like a Profound Mysteries Realm cultivator at all.
The young man was also looking at Hong Longxiang, sizing him up. A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. "Item Control Realm? Little brother, you... uh..." He seemed to want to say something, then thought better of it, biting the words back. But the sympathy in his eyes was practically overflowing.
An Item Control Realm cultivator, so down on his luck that he had to come to a place like Black Wind Stronghold to steal... Just how miserable could things get?
Hong Longxiang shifted uncomfortably under that pitying gaze. But the man had just saved his life, so he cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for saving me, brother. I am Hong Longxiang. May I ask my benefactor's name?"
The young man waved his hand with a bright laugh. "You don't recognize me? I'm Jiang Che."
Jiang Che?
Hong Longxiang felt the name was vaguely familiar. He searched his memory instinctively... the lower realm... the Immortal Spirit Holy Land... sister...
His head snapped up, disbelief blazing in his eyes. "Jiang Che?! You're... my sister's... senior brother?!"
The two stared at each other. The air went suddenly still.
A full dozen breaths passed before Jiang Che sighed, sensing that faint yet exquisitely pure Item Control Realm aura. The sympathy in his eyes practically solidified into compassion. "You... how have you survived these fifteen years?"
Hong Longxiang's face darkened under that utterly unfiltered look of pity. But then he caught himself and carefully sensed Jiang Che's aura—early Profound Mysteries Realm, and the foundation seemed... not particularly solid? His outfit was even more threadbare than his own?
The two former prodigies from the lower realm looked at each other once more.
This time, the thick sympathy in both their eyes froze simultaneously—then slowly curdled into bitter smiles.
Hong Longxiang thought of his fifteen years of wandering, freezing and starving, fighting wild dogs for scraps of food...
Jiang Che thought of his fifteen years of hiding, scraping by with nothing, living in constant fear and anxiety...
So he wasn't the only one this miserable?
"Ahem..." Jiang Che broke the awkward silence first, rubbing his nose with a wry smile. "It seems... Junior Brother Hong, your start here wasn't very smooth either?"
Hong Longxiang sighed, tossing the Blood Essence Ginseng he'd nearly died for in his palm. His smile was pure bitterness. "Likewise... Senior Brother Jiang, your Profound Mysteries Realm cultivation is really... solid."
The two looked at each other, speechless.
...
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