1 Xiao Yan

"ARGHHHHH!"

A hoarse cry echoed out into the night sky, originating from within a detached courtyard within a large compound. It was already late at night and most lights throughout the entire compound had already been extinguished, however, this one particular courtyard was still brightly lit.

In the middle of the courtyard, surrounded by wooden practice dolls, lay a young man who had blood seeping down the sides of his lips. The young man's hair was a long black which seemed to absorb the moonlight, with sunken eyes and a pale face the youth looked into the starry skies above with only the sound of his heavy breathing assaulting his own ears.

"Damn you, Yang Kai, no. The Yang Family, not only did you injure my brother in the past… but you also went even further and crippled my cultivation…" mummbled the youth, still currently sprawled out on the courtyards stone grounds. His eyes containing a fierce gaze as he spoke. "I, Xiao Yan, will recover! And when I do, I'll cripple your entire family!"

Hidden at a far corner of the courtyard, two figures watched Xiao Yan as he talked bitterly to himself. One was a middle aged man who appeared to have not slept much as of late as he looked worn out, with his unshaven stubble. The other was a woman who was at least half a head shorter than the man, she too had the look of being exhausted, with a look of worry in her eyes.

"Dear, the Yang Family has gone too far now. First they maliciously injured our first son in the past which has drastically slowed down the progress of his cultivation, but now, they even went and crippled our second son during a supposed spar…" Said the woman, a look of contempt flashing across her face as she recalled the events. She was none other than Xiao Yan's mother, and the man beside her was her husband.

"I know… but… the Yang Family has grown so much in power. In the past I could have easily exterminated them, but now not only do they have two genius young masters, they also have the backing of the city lord." replied Xiao Yan's father. He was the patriarch of the Xiao Family and possed a high level of cultivation, reaching the 8th Qi Layer he was second only to the grand elder within the family.

"With the backing of the city lord who is at the 9th Qi Layer, we couldn't do anything to harm the Yang Family. Our family's grand elder is already over a hundred years old, hoping to extend his life by breaking through to the Soul Layer. He won't come out of seclusion even if we face being exterminated…" Xiao Yan's father could do nothing but sigh, of course if it was just the Yang Family on their own he would seek immediate compensation from them, but even he wouldn't dare offend the city lord.

"I understand dear, they have ruined our future generation. At the age of 15, Yan'er had actually reached the 4th Qi Layer… Given time he could have been another 9th Qi Layer cultivator within the family…" Grumbled Xiao Yan's mother, a look of reluctance was clear on her face. The Yang Family's deeds were obviously malicious in attempts to ruin the future generation of the Xiao Family.

"Enough, we should leave Yan'er alone. Let's go."

"Yes." replied Xiao Yan's mother, taking one more glance at the body of her son still laying on the ground.

During the entire time his parents were watching him, it remained unnoticed to Xiao Yan whos heavy breathing had finally become stabilised. Blood had returned to his face, causing his cheeks to turn a rosey red. After remaining silently on the ground for a little longer, Xiao Yan finally stood up. Wobbling, he struggled to maintain his balance.

"Pufff." Heaving a large sigh, Xiao Yan took a look around before extinguishing the lights in his courtyard and returning to his room. Xiao Yan lived in a remote area from the main building, originally he had asked for this room and courtyard for his own private cultivation but now it was where he hid from all the ridicule from others. Xiao Family's number one genius, a title that used to belong to him was now nothing but a joke.

The hours trickled in, but Xiao Yan remained wide awake while he lay in his bed wriggling about, unable to fall into slumber. His attempts to change positions to find the most comfortable one which would allow him to sleep were all futile. Finally giving in, he began staring at his ceiling. In complete silence, he could hear the sounds of the sprawling wild life outside, the sounds of crickets floated into his ears and began to sooth him. Listening to those sounds, his eyes started to become heavier and heavier, before finally closing completely.

As he fell deeper into his sleep, the sounds of crickets and other wildlife ceased to exist, as if they had never been there to begin with. Small amounts of white liquid began to flood into his room from his ceiling and began to join together in the centre of the room. As more and more of this white liquid seeped into the room, it formed into a miniscule ball at first, and continued to grow in size. Along with its size, the white ball being formed began to emit a dazzling light which grew in intensity, illuminating the entire room.

"Ehmm." Sounds escaped Xiao Yan's mouth, has the bright light disturbed his sleep. Pulling up his sheets, he covered his face, as if not wanting to be awoken from his sleep. However, as the light grew in intensity, the sheets could only hold out for so long before being unable to shade Xiao Yan from the light. Grunting, Xiao Yan seemed to struggle, refusing to awaken.

"Young one." A voice resounding throughout the room, causing Xiao Yan to jolt up in surprise. But, unable to see anything, he resorted to covering his eyes as a cold sweat formed on his back. "What the hell?!" Exclaimed Xiao Yan as he shielded himself from the blinding light.

As the light began to fade, the voice once again entered Xiao Yan's ears. "You can open your eyes now, there is no need to be afraid." The voice had no traces of emotions, however it vibrated throughout Xiao Yan's entire body.

'This person is powerful.' Was all Xiao Yan could think of at this current moment in time. He slowly began to uncover his eyes, once he had done so, what he found in the centre of his room was a man adorned in purple robes. The mans chest was exposed, revealing a slender body which was neither muscular or fat. The man seemed to be in his youth, but his hair had already turned gray.

Wait. Could this person even be called human? First of all, he wasn't standing but floating in the air, from his waist below there was nothing. White smoke was emitted from the bottom half his body instead. "A ghost!" Xiao Yan exclaimed, unable to keep his shock in. Taking a closer look, Xiao Yan also released he couldn't make out the facial features of the man in front of him either.

"A ghost? I guess that is fitting, seeing as I am only a small soul fragment. It has chosen you as the next in line, a cripple, not only that but you are also from such a low-level plain of existence. But as a soul fragment with no powers, I can only obey its wishes, even if you aren't worthy." The purple robed man spoke, which baffled Xiao Yan.

'A soul fragment? And what is it that chose me? What the hell is going on!' Thoughts continuously sprouted in Xiao Yan's mind, however he had no clue who this soul fragment is and what he wanted. Swallowing down his saliva, he responded to the soul fragment. "Who are you? And what is this thing that has chosen me?"

The soul fragment remained in the same position, with no changes in its posture or position, as if it were a deity from heavens who was uninterested in all mortal things. "I am but a soul fragment, I have no memory of who I am. My only purpose is to pass it onto you, once it has merged with you, you will naturally know what it is."

"What do you mean? What will merge with me? What is it?" Xiao Yan shouted out his questions, for all he knew, he could be possessed and controlled by this soul fragment. Fearing for his life he backed away, but quickly hit his wall, after all he had remained on his bed and the only thing behind him was his wall.

Refusing to answer anymore questions, the soul fragment raised its right hand and with its index finger, pointed directly at Xiao Yan. Backed into a corner, Xiao Yan had no chance to escape, also with him being crippled he was weaker than even ordinary people. Unable to do anything he watched as the soul fragment raised its hand and pointed at him.

Suddenly, at the tip of the soul fragments finger a golden light shot out towards Xiao Yan. This golden light emitted an overbearing pressure which suffocated Xiao Yan, he couldn't even twitch let alone move. The golden light stabbed directly into Xiao Yan's forehead, causing excruciating pain at the point of contact which led to him fainting on the spot.

'System Integration Complete.' resounded throughout Xiao Yan's mind.