1 Birth of a Shadow

Jian YingLei was an earthling who enjoy playing the cat while being a lion. One day he was killed in an accident of a crossfire between thugs. Jian YingLei was reborn in a baron land of Empire of War and the only child of in his family.

Few days after Jian YingLei was born, his mother passed on due to much exhaustion on giving birth. At the age of 3, he was deemed a retard for his lack of speech and emotion, unknowning to the them this was an act. Despite being called a retard his father was still as loving and caring towards him doing everything within his ability to help his son to grow normally and only wanted was his son to live a peaceful live.

At the age of 5, Jian YingLei constantly sneaks out without his parent knowledge so as to increase his knowledge of the current world by exploring the very baron land he was born in.

At the age of 7, Jian YingLei cross upon a manual "Rise of the Shadow" while venturing in a deep forest that was the border of 2 kingdoms. The manual allows the user to create human like shadow that follows the order of the creator without question. Jian YingLei tried to create a shadow but not only did he fail, he was completely exhaust as he has yet to refine his body. After 2 days of sleep YingLei woke up with a grumbling stomach. It took YingLei 2 full days after being awake to return to the gates of the baron land.

He immdiately rush back to his room hoping that he wont be found by his father, and by luck his father was in seclusion trying to break through.

6 months later the awaken ceremony begins. Every year children at the age of 8 they will go through an awaken ceremony to allow them to cultivate by gathering energy from the surroundings. After the ceremony YingLei rushed home not to informed his father but to try and create a shadow. After several hours, YingLei was able to create his first shadow. The shadow's cultivation will grow with the user so YingLei was not worried about how weak the shadow is currently. Throughout the night YingLei tested what the shadows was capable off.

Next day, YingLei when to visit his father to inform him about his sucess in the awaken ceremony but upom his arrival at his fathers room all he saw was a weak old man who has almost no energy left. But that was not the thing that cause his limbs to go weak. It was those scars that he saw on his father that make him want to question his father where did those scars come from neck to hip his father was covered in holes, scars and stitches. One could barely find a spot without any wounds.

Despite the state his father was he still smiled at YingLei and congratulate him on his success on the ceremony. YingLei wanted to ask his father about those scars but no words came out. His father told him

"YingLei is time for him to go to school and get educated."

YingLei was surprise about going to school because despite spending years gatheeing knowledge he never once heard people talking or seeing a school himself. Suddenly his father spoke again

"YingLei which path do you want to choose : Scholar , Cultivator, Merchant, Alchemist or Blacksmith."YingLei replied instantly saying "The path of cultivation without a doubt." His father showed a sad expression but changed back to his normal self which YingLei saw. His father said tomorrow will be the start of a new term and told him to get ready.

Later that day, a hidden figure appeared in YingLei father room. The figure spoke

"Its been a while since we last saw each other. Hope you have been well. I am sure you did not call me for some tea."

YingLei father replied

"My son chose the path of cultivation I want him to join your academy."

The figure replied

"tsk, here I thought you are going to return. I will enlist your son in the academy, but just because we are friends that does not give him an advantage in the academy."

Yinglei father replied

"Him without advantage is the best way he can grow stronger. Do create and identity for him and make sure is not easy to be doubt. If anyone question his identity ..."

The figure replied

"I understand what to do. Everyone is awaiting your return."

He bowed and left.