Li Xia

Dragon's pearl sect.

This sect is a sect that occupies innumerable buildings and lands in the reputed Stone city of the Luo kingdom. It teaches its students or disciples how to cultivate. It is located deep in the mountains hidden by a waterfall array. It has thousands of students, male and female. There are places very suitable for cultivation given only to top students. It is very hard to get into the school as one has to be a dual-element cultivator before entering. He also has to pass various tests and score at least 70% before being given the chance to enter. Also, only those of royalty or high influence and cultivation is allowed to bring one or two servants into the school. In one of the most beautiful courtyards given to the top students, a girl of 15 is sweeping the passageway of the courtyard dressed in a pale yellow dress in contrast with her brown short hair. If one didn't take a good look, one would conclude that she was a male. She is a servant of the third prince Nalan Qiao who had four elements and had scored 92% in the test which had broken the record. He is the top geniuses' leader and his place is the biggest and most beautiful. She is one of the two maids who had been taken into the school to serve him and do his dirty work whenever the need be. In less than 3 months, the other maid was able to gain favor in the third prince's eyes and she became the head maid and left all the work to her when he wasn't around. She eats just twice a day due to all the work pushed unto her. Well, she can only blame her luck. She isn't pretty nor blessed with assets or talents like the other maid, Cao Yue who was able to play the flute and dance really well. Thus she was able to gain favor since the prince likes music. As for her, it's like she never existed in his eyes. Sometimes, she wished to go back to the palace, at least there are others to talk to, but here, she's all alone. She sighed and continued sweeping.

Suddenly, a beautiful young maiden of about 16 appeared in the corridor with an unhappy face.

"You brat, how long will it take to clean up this courtyard. You're just so lazy. Hurry up and head to the laundry spot to wash. You didn't finish your work yesterday." barked the maiden who happened to be Cao Yue. She is dressed in red robes, white boots and she is holding a white fan. Her hair is adorned with a few hairpins and she is wearing light makeup and red earrings along with a few pieces of jewelry.

"Cao Yue, I'm sorry. I'll...I'll do it right away. But I have to finish sweeping or his highness might not be happy."

"Li Shan, what did you just call me? What right do you have to call me by my name you low life?"Cao Yue snapped.

"I'm sorry! But I really have to sweep here first afterward you can do whatever you want. And please, keep your temper down. It's not nice if the prince sees you like this. As for me, I am destined to be your shadow forever. Please pity this lowlife" Li Shan said.

"You..whatever.Just hurry up. And also before washing, be sure to make me tea"Cao Yue said before storming off.

Li Shan shook her head and continued sweeping at a faster rate.

While she was still sweeping, a butterfly flew past and returned landing on her hand.

"Such a beautiful little butterfly," she exclaimed. For a moment she was envious of this butterfly. It was free and beautiful, the total opposite of her. If only she could be at least free one day....

While she was thinking, the butterfly turned into a light and entered her wrist forming a butterfly tattoo on her left wrist.

"What...." Li Shan was stunned. What just happened? The next thing she saw was incoming darkness.

Plop! She fell to the floor after passing out.