Let me start by introducing myself properly. My name's Ling Ziyang. I live in this little place called Longyao Town, in the Wanshou Dynasty.
It's a quiet town. The people here are so damn kind that if you ever scammed them out of money, they'd probably give you extra, thinking you were some poor bastard doing it out of desperation. Their kindness almost makes you forget they were once fearsome warriors who fought in the War of Three Skies. Maybe they're just tired of all the bloodshed. Maybe they're atoning for their sins. Who knows, and honestly, who gives a shit? I love them all the same.
I was born into the Ling family, just an ordinary family in town. No siblings, just me, my mother, and father. They gave me everything. A good school, solid physical training, even vacations now and then, you know, the whole damn package. I never felt like anything was missing. They loved me, and I loved them back.
If you're waiting for something terrible to happen to them in this 'so far so good' backstory of mine, not really. My parents were super fine and they still are, and so this story isn't much about them. Given how the world is, I'd say I'm pretty damn lucky for having such a smooth sailing family life and I'm honestly grateful for it in that aspect.
My story, the actual story, begins after graduation. I was 22 then, and not to brag, but I passed with flying colors. My circle of friends? Pretty small. I had one best friend, Shen Liangyu. The most powerful Earth Cultivator in all of Tianlan Academy. Okay, maybe the second most powerful. But don't tell him I said that.
Anyway, it was a heavenly day at Tianlan Academy. Damn good sunlight, birds chirping, fresh air, the whole works. Liangyu and I were sitting outside Master Juechen's office, waiting. I was calm and quiet, just soaking it in. But Liangyu? He was so wound up you'd think yaomo, demons in case you're wondering, were about to leap out of the shadows.
"There he is!" I said.
"Where?! Where is he?!" Liangyu practically jumped.
I just shook my head and grinned.
"Asshole," he muttered. "I'm not jealous, you know."
"Yeah, sure."
"He beat me by ONE point! You think that even matters in a real fight? And besides, the judges were biased. He bought them drinks on his birthday!"
"Like anyone's throwing away credibility for a couple of drinks."
"I'm just saying, man. He's really good at buttering people up."
Right then, a guard arrived and told us Master Juechen was ready. Liangyu looked pleased, probably thinking Jian was late, or maybe not even chosen, for whatever important task we'd been summoned for.
We stepped inside and, there he was. Jian, the Academy's top Earth Cultivator, sitting with pride, smug as hell. Liangyu couldn't handle the humiliation of being called in after him, removed his tiny blade from his robes and fucking killed himself on the spot.
Haha! Just kidding. Jian wasn't there. But it would've been really funny if he did. Anyway, we bowed, Master Juechen gestured for us to sit, and we did.
"Master Juechen, your humble student sits before you on this blissful morning in honor of your wise presence," Liangyu said.
By the heavens, that guy could kiss ass. Actually, thinking about it, he usually was kissing ass.
"Spare me the flattery, Liangyu," Master Juechen said. "The two of you have been summoned to undertake a task."
Liangyu looked damn happy. A task from Master Juechen, one of the Academy's most respected masters, was no small thing. It meant he was taking you under his wing. No job hunting, no struggling for work after graduation. This was basically on-campus hiring.
I was happy too. I mean, out of a class of thirty-five students this year, he picked us. Which meant we were the best of the best.
"What is it, Master Juechen?" I asked.
"After tomorrow's official event, where the two of you will be given badges and officially inducted into my Azure Flame Sect, you will begin your search immediately. The search for the Spirit Devouring Pearl." He held up an orb from his desk. "It looks like this, about a handful in size, except it glows pink. You two will embark on a long, arduous journey to find it."
"Yes, Master!" Liangyu barked.
The dude didn't even hesitate. Didn't even think. Just wanted to impress so bad.
"If I may, Master Juechen, why us?" I asked.
Liangyu shot me a look.
"Your skill set, Ziyang," Master Juechen said. "The pearl lies deep in mountains and caves. Liangyu's earth expertise, combined with your sharp mind and fighting skills, make you both the right choice. On top of that, you're best friends. Your teamwork will be highly effective."
"Well then… why not Jian?" I pressed.
Another look from Liangyu.
"He has already been taken in by another master for a separate task as of now. Which is why I chose the second-best option."
You should've seen Liangyu's face. The line shot him like an arrow and you could tell he was dead inside.
"May I ask the purpose of this task?" I asked.
"To prepare for the fall of… Longwei," Master Juechen replied.
Longwei. The guy who called himself the Ego Venerable. In case you don't know, the world is crawling with martial masters, Venerables, if you will. There's a Water Venerable, a Fire Venerable, and to let you know how deep this iceberg goes, there's even a fucking Toenail Clipping Venerable. Yeah, you heard me. Six hundred and fifty disciples under his wing, learning the art of clipping toenails.
And so, years ago, apparently there was this dude, Longwei, who got pissed at a few sect masters and went on a killing spree. He was able to kill anyone who opposed him. Nobody knows where his power even came from but his answer to why he's doing all of whatever he's doing? "I'm doing whatever the fuck I want."
When questioned about his power, he told them he's simply growing his power through sheer will and ego. Masters didn't even think it was possible. To this day they don't. He's definitely hiding something but nobody knows what it exactly is. This shit has been going on for more than eight hundred years believe it or not.
The Spirit Devouring Pearl, supposedly, can absorb any qi or dark energy he's hoarding and strip him powerless. The Academy only recently got intel confirming its existence.
Master Juechen explained we weren't the first team sent out. Multiple groups had already been dispatched, scouring every corner for the pearl.
We simply bowed, thanked him, wrapped up the formalities the next day, and got to work.