The Scroll

An old man could be seen standing on top of the large city walls, his black hair was combed neatly and his dark robe was fluttering alongside the wind, giving people the impression of an immortal sage.

This old man is Long Gen, the former gang leader of the Long Gang.

Long Gen was stroking his black beard while observing a certain area in the city, his hawk-like gaze seemingly able to pierce through the many city structures, landing on a group of children that were tangling with the city guards.

"Six. Caught."

His voice was so low that, if one did not pay great attention, he would not have heard what he said.

His gaze moved to another place as he observed three bodies getting wrapped up by a medical team, when he saw this, he raised an eyebrow as he was a bit surprised by the death of the three children, but then he resumed his nonchalant expression as he sighed:

"Three dead…"

And finally, his gaze landed on a chained up 10 year old who was tied up to a Noble carriage.

"Another one caught… sigh… Looks like this year's Sect recruitment is an utter failure... However, I'm pretty sure this one is an exception."

When he spoke of the exception, he was clearly referring to Ximen Wei.

The moment he met him, he was a bit surprised by his extraordinary Qi affinity, he was like a natural magnet as Qi stuck close to his body.

If he was to be groomed properly, he will surely become a Qi Expert, however, the Sect's rules are strict.

No matter how extraordinary his Qi affinity is, he has to pass the Sect test in order to get accepted as a disciple, however, rules can be mended if someone shows shocking potential.

"He lasted three minutes and twenty four seconds against a cultivator, although it was a mere Level 1 Qi Trainee, it is still a commendable feat for a 10 year old child who has not cultivated before."

The old man pulled out a scroll from nowhere.

The scroll was quite antique, the paper was a bit yellow and the corners were shrivelled, but this very scroll is enough to bankrupt Noble families and even cause powerful organizations to wage war amongst themselves.

This scroll contains an Elementary Qi Meditation Technique, if one wants to become a Level 3 Qi Trainee, he just has to spend some time practising the Meditation Technique and he will attain an unfathomable cultivation base that puts him above the common people.

"Ximen Wei right? I'll lend you a small hand… I hope you don't disappoint me."

Long Gen murmured once again, but this time, his body emitted powerful energy undulations as he used a technique only Qi Experts can use.

"Qi Technique – Void Transfer!"

Space cracked as a terrifying hole formed in the air, it swallowed the scroll in an instant before disappearing, everything happened in a fraction of a second.

The old man, Long Gen, was unfazed by what he did, he looked up towards the clear, blue sky and indulged himself in the sight of the colorful sky lanterns.

"I'm feeling a faint connection between us as well… You may be the one I'm waiting for, Ximen Wei..."

Air blew as Long Gen's illusory figure disappeared from the city walls, it is as if he disintegrated alongside the wind breeze.

…

Ximen Wei, alongside other children, were forced to walk all the way from the Criminals District to the Song family mansion.

Everyone wore despondent, despairing looks, their eyes were filled with hopelessness and dejectedness, they knew what terrors the Song family's dungeon hold, and now, they are probably going to spend the rest of their life there.

Well, everyone thought so except for Ximen Wei, since he escaped once, why can he not escape a second time?

If Song Peizhi was late by any second, he would have lost his life, since he is alive and well, there is hope.

Song Peizhi, alongside Old Mao and two other guards, was standing atop the carriage. His "hunt" was fruitful and he succeeded in restoring back his family's name and prestige.

He can not hide his happiness and excitement as a wide smile was plastered on his chubby face, he looked at some children with lust and started preparing for tonight's "meal".

Old Mao was used to his master's actions and habits so he was not bothered, but the other two Level 2 Qi Trainees guards' brows were furrowed as they looked at Song Peizhi in disgust.

Why is such a person a Noble? How can he get away with this?

If not for his powerful father, people would have already flayed this fatty alive.

Unfortunately, this world revolves around strength.

If you have the corresponding strength to back you up, you can do anything you want. Although Song Peizhi is not a cultivator, his father is a revered Rank 1 Qi Expert who is also a protector of Green Lotus City!

Individuals such as Song Peizhi's father are in high demand, especially in times of war like this.

Green Lotus City borders Su Dynasty and Western Wen, without the protection of Qi Experts and Qi Trainees, the city would have already fallen years ago!

Therefore, the higher ups can turn a blind eye to what Song Peizhi is doing, even if he massacred hundreds of people, they will just criticism him in public but actually do nothing.

This is the deterrence of strength, this is the deterrence of powerful Qi Experts!

When Ximen Wei saw Old Mao, who is a Level 1 Qi Trainee, exceed his weak and feeble body's limits by leaps and bounds, he longed to become a Qi Expert even more!

If a weak old man who got one foot in the coffin possesses such terrifying strength, just because he is a Level 1 Qi Trainee, then how powerful will he get when he reaches the same level with his young and energetic body?

Plus, if Level 1 Qi Experts are this powerful, then what about Level 2 Qi Trainees who control Qi, Level 3 Qi Trainees whose bodies are strengthened by Qi itself or even legitimate Qi Experts?

When Ximen Wei saw the potential of Qi Experts, he became even hopeful despite getting captured.

'Going back home is definitely not an impossibility!'

Yes! Going back home! This is the sole reason why Ximen Wei is still persisting in this foreign world!

If not for having friends and families waiting back for him there, he would have already committed suicide the moment he was born here.

"Quicker!"

A guard holding a whip disrupted Ximen Wei's thoughts, Ximen Wei looked around him as the sight of enslaved children entered his eyes.

If this happened in modern Earth, Song Peizhi would have become the number one public enemy of all the nations. No matter how powerful his backing is, he will be hunted down and put in trial, his death will be guaranteed as justice will be served.

'But here? Ptoo!'

Eventually, a large luxurious mansion appeared in the horizon.

It was a grand and ancient Siheyuan with multiple towering pavilions scattered around it, the doors were tall and formidable, emitting a stifling historical aura that gave rise to many feelings inside Ximen Wei.

When the majestic doors opened, two large, life-like statues of an ancient Chinese dragon greeted Ximen Wei.

'Such an extravagant lifestyle… Lives up to the name of Song Family.'

Ximen Wei assumed a carefree expression as he observed the surroundings and took in this beautiful sight that was once lost in history back in Modern Earth.

'I may as well enjoy the sight while I'm at it.'

The guards looked at Ximen Wei with sympathy and pity, poor man doesn't know what is going to happen to him once he enters that terrible place…

Unfortunately for Ximen Wei, he did not get to enjoy the scenery in the Song Family mansion as he was led inside a dark dungeon and thrown into a jail.

Although he did not get to see anything because everything was dark, just the putrid smell of blood, faeces and piss is more than enough to know what happens here.

Inside the jail cell he was thrown inside, there were many torture devices stained with dried blood he saw for the first time.

When he tried to take a deep breath to calm his nerves, the foul odour of this place assaulted his nostrils as he felt an urge to puke.

"Sigh, I guess I will have to lay low and wait for an opportunity."

After sorting through his thoughts, Ximen Wei sat down on the cold, hard floor of the jail cell and studied the devices around him for curiosity's sake.

That's when he noticed a piece of paper in a corner, behind one of the devices, he grabbed it and opened it up.

When he did… His deep, abyss-like eyes, shined ever so brightly.