3 The Gear of Fate

"Shu'er, Shu'er. Please be careful", Bao Shu heard his mother calling him out from the spectator's seat. Bao Shu could feel her proud and worried gaze on him. Although she doesn't know anything about cultivation and martial arts, she knows how dangerous it is just from experiencing Lu Bu's powerful shadow beast. He turned and bowed to his mother, he clenched his fists and made a promise to himself that he will be Lu Bu's successor even if he himself hates it, all this is just to cure his mother and give her the life she deserves. He would sacrifice everything to make her happy even if it means going against the greatest general of the empire.

Bao Shu continued walking and entered the preparation room, he was the last one to arrive. His four half-brothers were staring at him as if he was the oddest creature they've ever seen. It was not with ill intention and contempt, rather, it was with awe and fear. Bao Shu was phenomenal during the 2nd trial just now, it should be known that Lu Bu's beast shadow is in the top five based on power and his divine arts managed to injure the lion.

In this world, power was everything. Before Bao Shu showed his beast shadow, they all looked at him with scorn since he was a commoner and never had any training, but now all that disappeared and was replaced with respect, fear, and envy. They were all sitting down next to a roundtable talking, as Bao Shu sat down with them, they paused before continuing their conversation.

"Father is not happy with this", Lu Fei said while shaking his head. He knew their father the best as he was the oldest. Although he was the least talented among these 5, his birth caused a huge celebration and Lu Bu was intent on having him be the successor until Lu Zhao was born and showed better potential. He accepted the fact and only wished for his siblings to not fight. He was very popular with the ladies in the capital due to his mature charm, just his background alone was enough to have girls jump on him. That along with his looks made him known as the number one desired man in the capital.

"I'm sure it will be fine, the Imperial Family is watching. Father will not try to do something too outrageous", Lu Mao said while smiling. He was the 2nd eldest and the least talented after Lu Fei. He was always quiet and would always plan things before taking action. Although Lu Bu never truly considered him as his successor, he believed that Lu Mao would be a strategist due to his nature. Many considered him to be the smartest of the brothers since he would usually stay at home studying war strategies and simulations.

"I think it's pretty fun looking at how father is reacting to this, even he never expected that he would have a son more talented than Little Zhao", Lu Kie laughed as he nudged Lu Zhao. The 2nd youngest and the 2nd most talented after Lu Zhao. The loudest and the most reckless, he was also the one who got beaten up by Lu Bu the most. He lacked filter when he speaks which just serves to anger people around him, even though it's never his intention. When Lu Bu was going to attend the ceremony of the 3rd Princess's wedding, Lu Kie commented that Lu Bu's attire made him look like a red chicken. Lu Bu hanged him upside down for an entire night in the training field. Lu Kie came back home looking like red chicken himself after getting bitten by insects at night.

"Shut up Lu Kie! I will be his successor even if our new 'brother' is here", Lu Zhao shouted irritably with a determined look. Lu Zhao is the youngest and the most talented. He is known for his fierce personality, some even call him crazy. He stood up and sat near a corner away from the brothers.

Bao Shu uses his new sense to 'see' his brothers features. Shockingly, he found out that other than some features they inherited from their mothers, they look 80% like him. The tallest is Lu Kie, while the shortest is Lu Zhao. Lu Mao and Lu Fei were nearly as tall as each other.

Bao Shu sighed in his heart, they were brothers even if they had never met each other for 15 years. However, even if they were brothers, he was still wary of them, especially towards Lu Zhao. Bao Shu felt Lu Zhao glance at him and emanate his killing intent. This final trial might be difficult to win if his brothers decided to 'accidentally' discard him.

The break lasted as long as 6 incense stick of time, which was enough time for Bao Shu to inquire about the final trial. "How come there's a ceremony just for appointing a great general's successor", Bao Shu asked his brothers.

Lu Fei looked at Bao Shu with a surprised look, "It seems like you don't know about the history of our family". After saying that, he looked at him with a pitying look as he remembered that Bao Shu had only learned of his lineage a few hours ago. He was always the type of person who took care of his siblings, hoping that they could live with each other peacefully. In his heart, he already took Bao Shu as his brother even if they had only met.

Lu Fei's gaze softened, and he explained the history of the bloodline of Zhao Feng. "We need to go back to 3000 years ago when Eirun Empire was just a tiny nation called the Sovereignty of Eirun…" According to Lu Fei, Zhao Feng was just a commoner who rose in rank from a foot soldier to a great general with his otherworldly power. He led the Eirun army and conquered the neighboring fiefdoms and kingdoms. The current size of the Eirun Empire is only possible due to Zhao Feng. Due to his contribution, the Emperor at the time let his great general's post to be inherited by his descendants only.

"Ancestor Zhao Feng was only a commoner?", Bao Shu asked with his mouth agape. He never expected that someone great like him would be a commoner. How great was he, to struggle and go against the normalcy, to stand taller than anyone? Bao Shu clenched his fist, unknowingly, in his heart he had already taken his ancestor as his idol and dreamt of being someone as great as him. When he first arrived here, in his mind the most important thing was to protect his mother. Now, he realised that besides that, he would also like to accomplish something, something grand that would be remembered for ages.

Lu Fei smiled as he looked at his little brother, "Yes, but we need to understand how and why those ceremonies took place. You see, it was because of infighting among the descendants of the great general."

According to Lu Fei, the great general bore many sons. At first, appointing the eldest son as the successor was the norm, much like appointing a new Crown Prince. However, as the number of descendants grew, the dissatisfaction became apparent when some sons proved to be much stronger or more talented than the chosen successors. It was fine in the beginning, but, surprisingly, the more talented sons resorted to bloodshed. The current successor was killed by his own brother who was much better than him both in talent and power. Family elders intruded once it got out of hand and made a decree that a successor ceremony will be held for every generation. Boys between the age of 10 and 20 may join and the ceremony takes place on the day Zhao Feng left for nirvana.

It was supposed to be an event for the descendants of Zhao Feng, but after a while, it got very popular with the masses, thus one of the Emperors decided to make it the main way of choosing an heir.

"Most of the empire's war strategies were developed by him, even until now, we've only managed to slightly improve them", Lu Mao shook his head. Zhao Feng not only had great martial prowess, but he was also a genius on strategies.

"Farun Empire was known as the empire with the greatest army on the continent at the time, but even then, ancestor Zhao Feng left the army fleeing with their tail between their legs", Lu Mao snickered. His eyes shone as if imagining how they were fighting in that war.

Bao Shu contemplated before saying," The three of you don't look that worried for this ceremony".

"Why should we? This is just a ceremony, I already know I won't be the successor", Lu Fei laughed heartily. Lu Mao and Lu Kie nodded and laughed along with him.

"What big brother Fei says, it is only a ceremony. It is to honor ancestor Zhao Feng and to give face to our family. With this, at least we will show to the whole world that our family is strong, and people will think twice before trying to do anything", Lu Mao said while grinning.

"I just wanted to awaken my beast shadow, so I can finally leave and train outside", Lu Kie said with a dreamy look.

In truth, the ceremony itself was a formality where every male member must participate, and it was not life-threatening. Each son of Lu Bu was exceptional, they were guaranteed to have their own positions in the empire after this trial concluded. Even their mothers had nothing to worry about, if their son didn't become the successor, they could still live comfortably.

The only one who had to try his best now was Lu Zhao. Thanks to Bao Shu's arrival, his mind was distraught about the possibility of failure, especially now that his position as the successor was threatened. In his everyday life, he was forced to do training that could kill a normal man. It could be easily imagined the kind of punishment he would receive if he couldn't become the successor. Lu Zhao could only shudder while imagining it.

"It's almost time brothers. We need to get ready now for the final trial", Lu Kie reminded them, there was only half a stick of incense left until the trial. He lifted his great sword on his shoulder and started warming up. Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room became heavy, each person started preparing.

Bao Shu stared at Lu Kie before he asked him," Lu Kie, what's the next trial going to be?"

Lu Kie squatted and exhaled before answering," We don't know yet, each current great general will create their own trials, but if we talk about the overall trials, the first is awakening their beast shadows, second is testing their innate intelligence, third is testing their combat strength".

Bao Shu was surprised, he thought that the second one was already testing their combat strength, but he was wrong. If using divine arts is not combat strength, I wonder what the trial will be.

He carried his bow and caressed the symbols on it before standing up. The wooden bow brought him a sense of security and confidence. I will win. I will be the successor.

The door opened and the first person to go out was Lu Zhao, his face looked determined. He muttered to himself quietly like a mantra," I will be the successor, I will be the successor. I mustn't let Bao Shu succeed, I must prevail!".

Bao Shu stared at Lu Zhao's back and his face paled. "Little Zhao was never like this, it was because father and mother-in-law always pushed him.", Lu Fei said shaking his head.

Bao Shu was startled when two hands tapped his shoulders, it was his 2 brothers. They both nodded before going outside as well. He breathed in deeply before going out.

The sunlight stroked his jade-like skin, while the wind tenderly flowed in the gaps of his clothes; his hair fluttered, dancing in the winds. The sound outside was deafening. The spectators were loud, with his new senses he could practically hear every single syllable the audience spoke. Even in the mix of noises between the cheers and jeers, he could listen to his mother's words, her prayers.

"Oh, Gods in heavens, please protect Shu'er. Even if he fails in this trial, please bring him safely to me.", Qin Ya prayed fervently with tears in her eyes. She couldn't help but worry, this was the first time in her life she was so scared. Even when she was abandoned by Lu Bu to take care of Bao Shu, she was not fearful. This deep feeling can only be described as instinct, a mother's instinct!

Bao Shu walked towards his brothers. They were standing in a line in front of Lu Bu, he followed and stood next to Lu Zhao.

"Now, the final trial is going to start", Lu Bu spoke with a commanding voice. He gazed left and right, looking at his sons.

"This trial is testing your combat prowess. The second trial was just testing out your understanding of your innate arts and using them.", Lu Bu explained.

"This trial will consist of you fighting inside this special formation", he pointed at the floor. The formation was a Bagua symbol with each end representing the elements.

"You will be transported into another space and fight beast shadows. The score will depend on how many you can kill within 12 incense stick of time. If you defeat every beast shadow, the one who did it the fastest clears this trial", Lu Bu spoke again, and he pointed out the 12 incense sticks on the table.

"Do not worry about dying since it is only a simulated battle, however, the pain will be real. I made sure that pain is intact because otherwise, you will not treat this seriously", Lu Bu gazed at them calmly before grinning. All of them looked terrified, especially Lu Fei, Lu Mao and Lu Kie because they were just talking about how they joined the ceremony just for formalities. It was as if Lu Bu stripped them naked and listened to their thoughts.

Bao Shu was clueless about this trial, he never even trained in simple martial arts. All he learned for the past 15 years were the things his mother taught and the things he learned while being blind like a person's breathing or footsteps. None were knowledge of fighting.

The trial would be attempted by all five at the same time. They would sit at the center in a circular formation with them facing towards the spectators.

"Come! The trial will start after everyone is transported!", Lu Bu shouted, his voice reverberating in the colosseum. Lu Fei sat down first, followed by Lu Mao and then the rest accordingly.

"Who do you think will win?", a middle-aged man with a strong aura asked towards the middle-aged woman beside him.

"I don't know, I thought that the great general's heir was chosen even before the trials. I have heard of Lu Zhao, he is famous in the capital. The story is that he opened his 8th meridian when he was only 12 but now the new boy there seems to show much higher potential", the middle-aged woman replied. Both were husband and wife, they were not native to Eirun empire. Instead, they belonged to an organization for independent cultivators It was by coincidence that the period they came here coincided with the date of Zhao Feng's death anniversary thus they just stayed to watch.

"The poor boy, he's only a bastard but his talent is higher than anyone we've ever known, his talent is actually higher than even the chief's daughter", he sighed, the middle-aged man was called Fire Axe while his wife was called Green Vine. The organization they belonged in did not allow members to use their real name, rather they must use a code name. The most basic reason was, of course, for secrecy, but what they heard from the higher up was that the chief could not remember real names. They were unsure whether it was true.

"You are right, many organizations will want to take him now. It seems like the general does not intend to take him as his successor. Maybe we can persuade him to join.", she looked at Bao Shu with a pitying gaze. She never had a child of her own, although she and her husband looked middle age, they were already in their 60s.

"Let us wait for the results, maybe after that, we can approach him", Fire Axe answered while staring intently at the stage. He was also studying the Bagua formation, he was curious about how it allowed pain to be passed through. Qin Ya was beside the couple while they were conversing, she gripped her left hand with her right. It was unknown what she was thinking.

As the crowds were discussing, the formation lit up as the 5 brothers were encased in a translucent glass. From one angle, it looked as if the glass was yellow but from another angle, it turned violet. If a person looked at the glass properly, they would realize that the multi colors were just the elements. It was a combination of every single element known, anyone trying to break it will have a difficult time since each element provided different layers of protection. A screen was projected with the five boys in a separate world.

Every successor ceremony brought as much as 100,000 spectators. Although the Imperial family was here, he would never trust anyone with the lives of his own sons. The 5 sat with their eyes closed as if in meditation, their breaths getting slower and slower until it seemed as if they were dead. After the formation was activated, he spread his senses out. 6 miles were covered but to Bao Shu, the whole space in here was just too big. He felt that space here was endless.

He glanced around, he saw his four half-brothers with him. They were just like him, examining their surroundings. Even for them, this was the first time they had been here. Lu Bu didn't train them here since he wanted them to learn to adapt. War was sometimes fought in an unexpected situation, you couldn't rely on having favorable circumstances in war.

The space they were transported in was just like real life. There were even birds and insects all around them. In front of them, just near the horizon were mountains higher than the clouds themselves. Behind them was a desert, sand piling up so high it was nearly the height of the mountain. On their left was the ocean, if one had to describe it in one word, it would be the word 'endless'. Looking at it, one might wonder how deep it must be, giving a deep sense of anxiety. On their right was a forest, endless greenery with trees of varying sizes.

Lu Mao rubbed his chin and spoke, "It seems like the trial this time is that we have to traverse each location and fight unique beast shadows." He was truly the smartest among the brothers, immediately figuring out after just scanning for a bit.

Rumbling sound echoed. "You are correct, the five of you will need to kill four creatures in each location. The first person to kill four creatures will be the winner and become the successor.", Lu Bu's voice resounded in this space.

"Hmph, I'll be going first.", Lu Zhao spoke as he walked towards the forest. He turned around and pointed at Bao Shu, "And you! I will be the successor. Since this world can simulate pain, I will have you experience getting killed repeatedly if you try to get in my way.", Lu Zhao spoke in a threatening tone, his killing intent almost tangible.

Bao Shu simply gazed at him, he needed to win, but he kept Lu Zhao's words behind his head. In his mind, he was trying to understand more about the abilities he gained with the Dragon. He remembered the yellow orbs going to the Dragon's fangs, black orbs going to the Dragon's body while the red orbs going inside it. He also has the lightning arrow, there were too many things he didn't understand. He could only guess at this point.

"Do you want to go together? Father did not say anything about not allowing us to work together. If each of us kills four, it should be fine", Lu Mao suggested.

Lu Fei and Lu Kie nodded. This trial would be more bearable if they work together. In fact, the reason why Lu Bu never told them to work alone was precisely for this reason.

Lu Fei turned his head at Bao Shu who still seemed dazed, "What about you, little brother?". Bao Shu shook his head and started walking towards the desert. Lu Fei had a disappointed expression before turning and the three went towards the mountain.

After awakening his beast shadows, somehow Bao Shu's body became beast-like too. Bao Shu now understood why awakening was extremely important. It boosted their own physical capabilities much higher than mortals, right now, Bao Shu felt like he was flying.

With this, even if I don't become the successor, I can work to cure mother. Bao Shu said in his mind. He smiled and started scanning 6 miles around him. He arrived quickly at the desert. Breathing in deeply, he took out his bow and ran his forefingers on the formation. He unleashed his senses out as far as possible while he walked.

"Hm?", Bao Shu stopped. He found out one within his senses, the beast shadow was lying in wait in the sand dunes just 5 breaths away from him. The beast shadow was a qilin.

Bao Shu repeated the steps he made during the second trial, he gathered yellow orbs in his hands and pulled the bowstring until the bow bent into the shape of a half moon. The arrow sizzled and sparked in between his forefinger and middle finger.

I need to kill it as quickly as possible, he thought as he aimed at the qilin's head. As Bao Shu released it, the bow made an exploding sound. The arrow didn't explode, instead, it burrowed deep into the sand, the sand where the lightning arrow touched glassed upon contact.

The qilin's head was penetrated by the lightning arrow. It jumped out of the sand and started to thrash and struggle. It only took a few breaths before it slumped down and died. The qilin's body fragmented and disappeared like mist.

One down, three left, Bao Shu said in his mind. His power was too unbelievable, it should be known that he only started his cultivation path today.

Bao Shu turned and ran towards the ocean region. As he arrived, he spread out his senses again. This time it was the turtle, it was deep inside the ocean. Usually, a person would need to dive and fight it in the ocean. But Bao Shu just repeated the same steps when he killed the qilin.

The lightning arrow boiled the water around it as bubbles were vigorously produced. The turtle did not expect to be attacked in this manner. Before it realized the arrow went from its head and exited through its back. The turtle did not struggle at all as its brain was fried immediately.

2 left, Bao Shu exhaled. The trial has been very smooth for him so far, but he knew that Lu Zhao would be in his way.

He went to the mountains this time. He was going in a clockwise direction, from the desert to the ocean then to the mountains and lastly finishing it in the forest.

The mountain region was very cold. The clouds were in the middle of the mountain, making it look like a white tube on a fat lady. The top of the mountain was covered with ice, lights reflected and refracted on it, making the top seem like the most beautiful crystal.

Bao Shu ran faster, testing his abilities while he ran. He still didn't understand his abilities. The black orbs especially on the dragon's back, he would test it out in here.

In his senses, he detected 3 people and a flying creature fighting. He knew those were his 3 brothers and a phoenix, they seemed to be in a stalemate. The phoenix was enough to fight all 3 at once.

The phoenix screeched and attacked Lu Fei. Its sharp talons aiming for his head, Lu Fei raised his spear and tried to use the shaft to block the talons. His defense broke, and he screamed in pain. The talons ripped his left shoulder, what remained of it was a bloody mess.

Bao Shu stopped when he only 20 steps away before he raised his bow and pulled the string. Power gathered in his fingers and an arrow materialized from the air. At its maximum, he let go of the string. The arrow screamed as it hit the phoenix's head within a single breath. The phoenix tried flying up to escape but stopped and dropped from the air.

The three brothers looked at Bao Shu who was still in a drawing pose. They were shocked at how easily the phoenix was killed, they spent the time of two incense sticks already trying to kill it with their coordination.

Without waiting for the three to say something, Bao Shu ran again, going towards the forest. If they were still fighting the beast shadow up until now, then Lu Zhao will still be there, Bao Shu clenched his teeth as he knew he would inevitably fight Lu Zhao later.

He arrived at the forest and sensed Lu Zhao fighting with a Lion beast shadow. The Lion was controlling the earth element while fighting Lu Zhao.

"FLAMING ASHES!", Lu Zhao shouted his ability while swinging his sabre. The move was avoided by the lion, but the sparks of flames still managed to injure the lion.

It roared, going berserk. It swung it's left paw at Lu Zhao. The sharp black claws aiming at his torso. "HA!", Lu Zhao jumped back and slashed downwards to counter the attack.

The lion and Lu Zhao were sent back 50 meters apart, their powers were equal. Bao Shu was thinking of killing the lion but decided not to. Instead, he ran in a different direction, he hoped that Lu Zhao would not find him first.

He found another lion just a few breaths away, this lion was grey in color. This is the last one, Bao Shu said in his mind. He drew the bow again, feeding power to it. The arrow he let loose whistled in the wind arriving within a single breath. It struck the lion's head, the lion stumbled for a bit before looking at Bao Shu's direction.

It didn't kill the lion! Impossible! Surprise etched on Bao Shu's face. The arrow he drew out had always killed anything he encountered, it even injured Lu Bu's beast shadow.

"ROAR!!!", the lion's fierce roar reverberated in the forest. It sped up towards Bao Shu. It arrived faster than he expected, raising its gleaming claws at Bao Shu's head.

Black orbs gathered around Bao Shu before forming black scales on his skin. The lion blew Bao Shu back with its swipe, sending him 200 meters away.

"Cough, cough.", Bao coughed out blood, even though this is just a simulation,it still hurts, the lion's swipe was damaging. He looked at the scales on his body, pure black without any space between each other. It was a perfect defense; his instinct just gathered the black orbs before forming the scales itself.

The lion was surprised before it ran towards Bao Shu and swiped at him again. This time Bao Shu gathered the red orbs from his upper torso and opened his mouth. Red hot flames scorched the lion. The lion tried putting out the flames, but the flame seems undying as the flames ate its body. It roared pitifully before collapsing, turning into fragments.

"The trial is over!", Lu Bu's voice resounded in the space. Bao Shu and the 4 brothers woke up.

"The winner is… Bao Shu!", Lu Bu was unwilling, but he had to announce it. His face was dark, furious at his 4 useless sons.

The spectators were loud, the match was too fast. Not even 6 incense sticks were used before the trial was over. They all stared at Bao Shu, this boy who was raised a commoner won the successor trial. From this point onwards, he was to be the next great general.

Bao Shu only turned his body towards the direction of his mother and bowed. "I did it, mother! Now you don't have to worry about the illness", his face was filled with pride.

Lu Bu waited until the crowd was quieter before opening his mouth, "But! I will not take him as my successor".

The crowd became loud again, Bao Shu was shocked. "Why? I won the trial, didn't I?", Bao Shu pointed at his father.

"Insolence! How dare you point and try to question me! You are just my bastard son, I never raised you. You will destroy the legacy that the ancestor has passed down, you are not worthy!", Lu Bu's pressure emanated, and his bloody lion took form, pushing down at Bao Shu.

Bao Shu's anger rose, and his black dragon beast shadow took form, eliminating the pressure that Lu Bu gave out. Scales grew on his skin and he roared, the roar sounded as if it came from an otherworldly monster. It shook the whole colosseum. The crowd quieted and were surprised to see Bao Shu's current form.

"Demon! He's a demon!", an old woman shouted, Bao Shu truly looked like a monster now. With black scales that covered his whole body, even his eyes changed from blue to red. Slowly, it caught on and the audience murmured demon as well.

Qin Ya did not look good, she was worried for Bao Shu. Listening to people calling her own child a demon hurt her, he was and never has been a demon.

Bao Shu opened his mouth and breathed out flames at Lu Bu. "You dare!", Lu Bu shouted before his bloody lion took form and blocked the flames. The undying flames blackened the lion's body, but the injury was superficial. It was not like last time when Lu Bu purposely lowered his beast shadow's power in the second trial.

The bloody lion swiped it's claws at the transformed Bao Shu before a powerful voice resounded in the colosseum." STOP!", the person who yelled was powerful enough to stop the lion's charge.

It was the emperor, his Kun Peng behind him. He was truly powerful.

"I asked for forgiveness, Emperor. But this boy is not fit to inherit this seat", Lu Bu's voice became respectful.

"Then what do you suggest then? Your predecessors including yourself have done the successor trials for generations now. Not even one has become a successor without being the winner", the emperor's commanding voice echoed.

Lu Bu's face scrunched, he could just give the successor's seat to Lu Zhao but changing a tradition of his family would not be good for the successors after Lu Zhao.

The 3rd Princess smiled before she spoke, "How about this then? I will take Bao Shu as my personal guard, of course, he will be trained first". The princess's words shocked the whole crowd, being a guard sounds low rank, but this is being the personal guard of the most beloved princess in the empire.

"What do you say, Bao Shu?", the princess asked, her smile still on her face.

Bao Shu was astonished, this was too sudden. He paused for a while before opening his mouth, he asked the princess respectfully, "Will I be able to take my mother?". That was the only thought in his mind; money, riches, and fame were nothing to him if it meant he would be able to help his mother.

"Yes, you can even bring anyone you want", the princess giggled, her charm affecting the audience.

"The princess is truly the best person in the empire, no wonder she is known as the Pearl of the Empire", said a young girl in the audience. The rest besides her nodded enthusiastically.

"I accept!", Bao Shu yelled before kneeling on the floor facing the princess.

With that the trial was over, the crowd dispersed bring with them the story of the demon child becoming the princess's guard.

Bao Shu met his mother before his mother cried and hugged him, thankful that he was safe. Bao Shu himself felt proud because he at least found a way to treat his mother.

"Tomorrow, come to the Palace's Southern gate, that is where the princess is staying", a man in his thirties spoke to Bao Shu.

Bao Shu felt happy with his life now, after this, he would be able to cure his mother and pursue his dream of becoming someone as great as his ancestor. Although it was expensive, Bao Shu hired a carriage to go to the Palace. To him, money would no longer be a problem once he started working.

They arrived at the Southern gate and allowed both Bao Shu and his mother in. They left the carriage and walked from the gate to the palace. The palace was truly big, just the distance from the gate to the palace was more than 10 li.

"Hahaha, Bao Shu. Welcome, come to sit here with me", a girl's voice can be heard in front of Bao Shu. It was the princess, it seems she brought her carriage.

"Your Highness", Bao Shu kneeled. He was truly thankful to the princess. She helped him when he was about to get disowned by his father, and he would do anything to repay her.

"Bao Shu, after you have settled, come to my study room. I have something I need to give you before you start training", the princess commanded.

"Yes, your highness.", Bao Shu was surprised that he was going to start working already, it seemed important if the princess requested him in her study room. The study room of any imperial family members were the most private area in any palace, this was because all manners of private activities were done here. From writing secret letters, to conversing banned topics and even activities that would be deemed as immoral.

They arrived, and Bao Shu was given his own courtyard, it had two rooms. Just perfect for Bao Shu and his mother. He changed his clothes to the guard's uniform before meeting the princess, he looked dashing. It was all black, coupled that with his pale skin made him look like a noble born.

He asked the maids to lead him to the princess's study room. He entered, the room was quite simple, bookcases filled with books and scrolls on the left and right of the room. A window at the ceiling, giving it a nice ambience. At the back was the princess sitting down, scribbling the parchments.

"You're here! Come", the princess stood up, looking excited. She was truly beautiful, her skin was without flaw, her eyes would cause someone to become enchanted once one stared for too long. She stood up and started walking to the door, closing it before going over to brew some tea. As soon as she closed it, Bao Shu felt his senses restricted to the room. He tried spreading it outside the room but, it was impossible. As he spread his senses inside this room, he saw that there was a massive, twisting symbol on the door. He tried to spread his senses outside the study room, but he found his senses blocked by this mysterious symbol. He was not used to having his senses blocked after getting used it.

Although he was uncomfortable with it, Bao Shu sat and they both started to converse. The topic she was extremely interested in was his life and how he lived especially how he was able to live being blind. "That Lu Bu, I can't believe he just left you and your mother like that.", her face frowned with dissatisfaction. Because she was so speechlessly beautiful, the sight of her pouting face made him star-struck.

"My apologies your highness, but what was the reason you wanted me here?", Bao Shu asked remembering that the princess wanted him here.

"We'll wait for someone to arrive here.", the princess simply told him.

The door unlocked, and that certain someone came in. The person was a burly man. He towered over Bao Shu and the princess as Bao Shu noticed something glinting in his right hand. He held a steel saber with blood flowing on it, which means it was used just a while ago. Bao Shu was shocked and stood in front of the princess. Covering her with his body, he channeled the dark energy and around his body grew scales.

"It's done your highness", the burly man's baritone voice sounded.

"Good job", the princess replied cheerfully.

Bao Shu didn't follow the conversation as he looked between the two of the before suddenly, he felt a stabbing pain in his back. He turned around to only see the princess holding a thin sword. The sword was stabbed directly where his heart was. His face twisted in anguish as he coughed out blood, he kneeled on the floor and fell face first. Blood began gushing out from the hole, where his heart was pierced.

The princess simply smiled and asked the man again, "Where's the evidence? I need to see it, last time you let go of the person I ordered you to kill".

The man responded by throwing something at Bao Shu's body, it was round and heavy. The round object rolled before it settled near Bao Shu's head.

His senses were limited to this room, but he could clearly feel that it was his mother's head. She was holding her mouth open as he could still see tears on her face. Her now dead, soulless eyes stared straight at him, blaming him for why he had not saved her. Her gaze stabbed straight into his soul as Bao Shu's mind went berserk. Tears formed in his eyes as he let out a guttural roar, resembling that of an injured beast. His arms weakly thrashed about, trying to grab the princess, but he had no strength left in his body.

"Good job", the princess's voice was still as cheerful. She then kneeled beside Bao Shu before she put her palm on his body.

The fishlike beast shadow appeared above her and Bao Shu could only watch as he experienced pain that came from his soul. It felt like something was torn out of him, as if his soul had been split into two pieces and one had been mercilessly ripped out of him.

A black dragon appeared above Bao Shu. It let out a roar, but the roar sounded frail. There were numerous injuries on the dragon's body as it tried to fight against the fish, but the fish unexpectedly opened its mouth and swallowed the dragon whole. Bao Shu experienced pain again, this time even worse, he even heard an anguished cry of the dragon as his connection was severed.

Bao Shu weakly opened his eyes and asked the princess again as angrily as possible but all that came out was a whimper, "Why?"

"It was because I needed the black dragon for my child, I want him to grow as a genius who will change the world and become the hero some day", replied the princess as she rubbed her belly.

Bao Shu fainted. As he fainted, his body writhing in pain from having his connection severed, his mind subconsciously travelled deep inside his body. Inside there was a space, where beast shadows were typically held kept, it was supposed to be empty now that the black dragon was taken, but, surprisingly, what laid there was a slumbering, white dragon. It was pure white and pristine, exuding an aura of majesty and holiness. He only saw a glimpse of this humongous creature before his mind went completely blank...

What no one knew at this moment was that the fate of the world was changing, and Bao Shu was the gear that started turning it.