Chapter 1 Chapter 1. The Scum of the Black Cloud Sect

That afternoon at the Black Cloud Sect, a frail figure was carrying out his duties as a servant. Ren Ji was lifting a bucket filled with water.

His steps suddenly halted as he was about to pass a group of elite disciples sitting in the Black Cloud Sect’s backyard. Their laughter rang out, echoing throughout the area.

Ren Ji took a deep breath; there was no other way to get to the kitchen. With slow, deliberate steps, he carefully made his way past the group of elite disciples. However, his frail body suddenly lost its balance, and the water in the bucket spilled.

“Wow… look at him! What a useless piece of trash. Can’t even carry a bucket properly!”

Their laughter filled the backyard; several of the gray-robed disciples stood pointing at the skinny young man kneeling in the muddy ground.

Ren Ji lowered his head, not daring to look at the group beside him. Sweat mixed with blood dripped from the corner of his lips; his hands trembled as he tried to lift the two large wooden buckets again, which now held only half their water.

Just as he was about to stand up, someone suddenly shoved his frail body. The buckets fell again, spilling water that soaked his already tattered clothes. Ren Ji took a deep breath. He wanted to get angry, but he kept it bottled up inside because he knew who he was.

“You’re useless,” taunted a large student as he kicked Ren Ji in the shoulder, sending his body crashing to the ground.

“That’s only two buckets. Even a little kid could carry them,” said another disciple, laughing mockingly at Ren Ji.

Ren Ji heard this and clenched his fists tightly, but he didn’t fight back because he knew what would happen if he retaliated: beatings, torture, or worse—being expelled from the sect and starving to death out there. Honestly, he wasn’t ready. In the cultivation world, the weak aren’t considered human.

“Hurry up and clean the main hall’s courtyard after this. If you’re not done by nightfall, don’t expect to get any food!” threatened the burly student.

“I understand,” Ren Ji replied softly, almost inaudibly.

The disciples then left, laughing heartily. After they disappeared, Ren Ji slowly stood up. His shoulder ached from the earlier kick; his gaze was vacant as he stared at the overturned bucket. “How long will they keep making things difficult for me?”

It had been three years since he’d lived in the Black Cloud Sect, three years as a servant, three years of being humiliated and hearing the same words: “You have no spirit seal.”

In this world, every human is born with a spirit seal that determines their cultivation potential. The stronger the seal, the brighter one’s future. Fire, lightning, ice, spiritual beasts, and legendary spirits.

But Ren Ji had none of these. His body was as empty as a void, and that was why he was considered trash. He once again hoisted his bucket toward the well.

His steps were heavy, but his eyes refused to give up because he still remembered his father’s words before the man passed away. “The weak are not those who lack strength… but those who give up before they’ve had a chance.”

Ren Ji took a deep breath, but suddenly he felt a blunt object strike the back of his head. “Agh…”

Ren Ji’s body staggered. Fresh blood trickled from his head. He saw a rock lying not far from him.

“Hey, Trash!” shouted an elite disciple, walking closer with a sneer.

The dark blue robe he wore made the other disciples immediately bow in respect—he was a core disciple. His name was Zhao Feng. One of the young geniuses of the Black Cloud Sect. He stepped closer to Ren Ji. “I heard you were staring at my younger sister this morning.”

Ren Ji immediately shook his head. “I didn’t—”

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Feng suddenly punched him, striking his stomach hard. Ren Ji coughed up blood and fell to his knees.

“Dare to answer back! A dog like you isn’t even worthy of looking at my family.” Zhao Feng roughly grabbed Ren Ji’s hair.

“I really didn’t—”

Zhao Feng heard Ren Ji about to defend himself again; his anger flared up instantly, and he landed a second punch, sending Ren Ji’s face crashing into the ground.

The servants nearby just bowed their heads in fear; none dared to help. Not even to approach their coworker. It was as if they hadn’t seen what happened.

Zhao Feng smiled coldly as he pressed Ren Ji’s head down with his foot. “You know what? I hate the look in your eyes the most. The look of a poor man who thinks he can change his fate.”

Ren Ji gritted his teeth until blood filled his mouth; those words cut deeper than the blows he had just received.

“You piece of trash!” Zhao Feng shouted, about to strike again, but suddenly someone stopped him.

“Enough!” The Elder’s voice boomed, terrifyingly loud.

The elderly man in the black robe glared coldly at Zhao Feng. All the disciples immediately bowed in respect. “Greetings, Elder Mo.”

“Hmph… There’s a task for you, Ren Ji.” Elder Mo snorted and then looked at Ren Ji.

His gaze was sharp, as if piercing through Ren Ji’s body. Ren Ji remained silent for a moment, then looked at Elder Mo before bowing his head again. “What task, Elder?”

“Go to the Forbidden Mountain tonight.”

Hearing that, everyone’s faces turned pale. The Forbidden Mountain was the most terrifying place around the sect. Rumor had it that it was filled with demonic beasts and spirits of death. Many disciples had gone in there and never returned. Even Zhao Feng looked shocked.

Elder Mo tossed a small pouch onto the ground. “There’s a spiritual plant there; take it and bring it back before dawn.”

Ren Ji clenched his fists. He knew this wasn’t a task but a death sentence. However, a servant had no right to refuse. “Alright.”

Elder Mo’s expression shifted slightly upon hearing that reply, as if the old man hadn’t expected Ren Ji to accept it without protest. “Leave now.”

Ren Ji nodded, took the bag, and then walked slowly away from everyone.

The disciples’ gazes were full of mockery. “He’s definitely going to die.”

“Good riddance. The sect will be cleaner without that trash.”

“I don’t think his body will even be found.”

Ren Ji heard it all. Yet, his steps did not falter. The sky was growing dark as he arrived at the foot of the forbidden mountain. Black mist shrouded the trees; the air felt bone-chillingly cold.

A strange sound came from deep within the forest, like the whisper of a spirit; Ren Ji swallowed hard. For the first time in his life, he was truly afraid. Yet, just as he was about to step inside, his eyes narrowed.

In the distance, through the thick fog, a red light shone from within the mountain. And for some reason? His heart began to race. As if something out there was calling his name.

Black mist shrouded the entire forest like a sea of living shadows; Ren Ji’s footsteps sounded soft among the wet leaves. His hand gripped a small, rusty knife—the only weapon he possessed.

The red light in the distance still flickered faintly. The closer he walked, the stranger his feelings became. His heart pounded hard, not out of fear but because of something he couldn’t quite explain.

The blood in his body seemed to be reacting to that mysterious call; he looked to the right and left. “What on earth is that…?”