1 Meng Hao

Meng Hao sighed as he got up from his bed. Only one month was left for his birthday. On his Seventh birthday, his cultivation level will be tested by the clan elders.

He had failed to awaken his spirit by the age of five. If he could not awaken his spirit by his seventh birthday, he would be striped of his position as the clan heir. Not even his father, the clan leader, would be able to stop this.

Meng Hao was born with a blocked meridian. No matter how hard he tried, he was unable to gather energy. Thus, he could still not awaken his spirit.

His father, Meng Hu, was a fearsome character, not only in the clan but in the whole of Jiang province. At the age of three, he had awakened his spirit and became the youngest to achieve the Essence Gathering realm. At the age of ten, while other children were still stuck at essence gathering realm, his father did the unthinkable and entered the Pulse Purification realm. Currently, his father was at the Peak Foundation Building realm, just one step away from the Houtian realm.

Houtian realm was considered to be the apex of human body cultivation. After Houtian realm, the mortal body did undergo a shocking transformation. The people at this realm, the Xiantian realm, were considered Gods in human flesh. They could wipe out an entire army all by themselves. There were only two people in the entire Jiang province who had achieved this realm, the City lord He Mo and Meng Lee, his Grandfather.

His grandfather was the honorable elder of the clan and the previous clan leader. Meng Lee became very sad when he heard that Meng Hao was born with a blocked meridian. He gave up all hopes on him and diverted all his attention towards Ye Wen, Meng Hao's cousin and the current genius of the Meng clan.

Ye Wen awakened a snake spirit at the age of four and was currently at advanced essence gathering realm. He was very well built and powerful for his age and thus quite arrogant. He always made fun of Meng Hao and was the biggest bully.

Meng Hao wanted to teach him a lesson, but was quite weak. His father had told him to sort out his matters himself, when he complained against Ye wen.

In this world, only strong could survive and weak people were left to rot. His clan was one of the top three clans in the entire Jiang province. Despite being from a reputed clan and being the clan heir, Meng Hao was looked with disdain not only by his clan members, but even outside populace made fun of him.

And after one month, he would be ridiculed furthermore and striped of his status. What a grand way to celebrate his birthday!

Sighing, Meng Hao left his chambers and headed outside.

"You are awake this early, my child. Come, lets have breakfast." A beautiful woman who looked to be around thirty, spoke. She was Yu Yan, Meng Hao's mother.

"Mother, I am not hungry. I will eat afterwards." Meng Hao said as he ran outside.

"Wait Hao'er!" She sighed as Meng Hao ran away. Tears came to her eyes as she thought about him.

Meng Hao was a very hardworking child. But, he could not get the results he desired. She cried thinking about his future. Men who could not cultivate were treated quite harshly in this cruel world.

She only wanted a good future for her child. But alas! all desires could not be fulfilled. She had made up her mind. If Meng Hao's spirit could not awaken till his birthday, she would talk to her husband and beg him to let Meng Hao study scriptures to become a scholar. At least by becoming a scholar he would not be ridiculed by others.

Meng Hao ran outside his clan compound towards Dragonfang mountains. Dragonfang mountain was a very dangerous place for people with no spirit energy, as many spirit beasts roamed there. Meng Hao planed to go there to temper himself and hope for a miracle to happen. He had heard his father say that the mountain is filled with many treasures and herbs. He thought maybe he could find a rare herb to cure his meridians. As he was running, he was suddenly stopped by someone calling out to him.

"Where are you heading off to looser?"

"Chu Li, I go where I want to. Who are you to stop me? Remember, I am the heir. You can't speak to me like an equal."

"You! In just one month you will be striped of your status. We will see who is arrogant then. Hmph.."

"We'll see!"

Meng Hao jumped high onto a nearby roof and ran away. He could not waste his time on such people. He continued running towards the mountain. The peak of the mountain was now coming into view.

The mountain looked completely green, covered by huge vegetation. All around the mountain were forests with trees so large that even one of those trees could stretch to the length of half of the Jiang Province.

Meng Hao continued in his path and reached the outer periphery of the forest. He stopped a little to strengthen his resolve and went further inside. This was a do or die situation for him.

Meanwhile back in the clan, Chu Li ran towards Ye Wen's living room. Ye Wen was meditating in his quarters. His body was glowing due to his energy. Seeing Chu Li, he opened his eyes.

"What happened? I told you not to disturb me while I am cultivating." He said with a disdain.

"Lord Wen, I just saw Meng Hao running towards the Dragonfang mountain. I am sure he is up to something."

Ye Wen just smiled at him.

"Huh! what could that fool do while being this weak. He is just a crippled fellow. I will just report to grandfather, that he went outside to such a dangerous place despite being told not to do so. Lets see how he gets punished."

"Hmph..and when Lord Wen becomes the heir, I will make him suffer very much" Chu Li laughed.

"Hush... lets go."

'I will take everything you have Meng Hao and then I will let you eat the dirt you deserve.' Ye Wen's eyes shone with an evil glint as he walked towards Meng Lee's compound.