The Xi Clan

Far away from the capital of Lyeaif, a group of black horses sporting shiny golden amor could be seen running down a road. This was no ordinary road, but the central road that connected the capital to all its neighboring kingdoms and cities. The road was filled with life, appearing like a sea of carts that stretched beyond the horizon. Merchants, Nobles, and wandering families could be seen. Each with their own life and objective. But one thing they were all found looking at was the group of black horses.

The golden armor, specific to the reigning kingdom of Lyeaif, carried with it its history of prestige, causing anyone to marble at its sighting. Riding on the golden armored horses were knights clad in pure silver. Though their faces were not visible, their urgency was made clear at the unusual speed that the normally reserved knights traveled at. The many carts that made up the sea split to make way to the speeding herd of horses.

As the horses made their way down the seemingly never ending road, they would often split off, setting off to the nearing major factions and kingdoms.

The lively sea that made up the central road resumed its daily life without any sense of suspicion, unaware of the impending calamity that will completely shift the state of the world that which was always known to them.

***

Xi Clan, Pylon Mountain Range, Great Province of Gek'hial.

Situated on a large plateau, hidden by the many clouds and dense forestry that surrounded it, resided the Xi Clan. With the sun rising up in the east, the atmosphere was still fairly dark, but the bustling streets of the Xi Clan filled with lights betrayed the time of day.

Today was the annual tournament of the younger generation, to show off progress of skills and cultivation. It was a very important event that fueled the egos of parents and displayed the up and coming geniuses that would be the future military might of the Xi Clan. Though this bout of competition seemed intriguing to most, a certain boy didn't seem to care.

***

Inner Residential Circle, Xi Clan

It was still early in the morning, when the sound of knocking rang out in a certain room. Xi Heji, although knowing who was knocking, still pretended to be asleep. As though knowing what Xi Heji was doing, the person walked in anyways.

At the doorway stood a young girl of the age of fifteen. Though younger than Xi Heji by a year, the air of pride and calmness seemed to give her an otherworldly aura of experience unbefitting of a girl of such young age. Knowing his act was revealed, Xi Heji turned around on his bed to face the beauty that was now entering the room. She wore elegant white robes that tightened at the waist to accentuate her curves. Her full bosom, although hidden in the robes, could still cause eyes to wander. With the little skin she revealed, it appeared white as snow, not a blemish to see. Her soft but cold, blue eyes reflected the light of the raising sun from the window. Xi Heji, still laying on the bed facing away from her opened his mouth to speak.

"Meiying, you already know of my thoughts on this tournament. My talent in cultivation is already known and has proven to be so poor. Why force me to experience further embarrassment?"

Xi Meiying, who paused her steps for a moment, then resumed walking.

"To not participate is to acknowledge the insults that surround you. Would Grandfather, who has supported you these past years in martial arts, be happy with you once again missing the tournament?"

Although Xi Meiying refereed to the fifth elder of the Xi Clan as 'Grandfather', Meiying was adopted by Xi Heji's mother as a young girl after she was found during an expedition in a fallen city. She then stayed within the Xi Clan. Her talent for cultivation was revealed when she awakened the Greater Element of Ice at the age of 10, being the first person in the history of the Xi Clan to awaken a Greater Element in the past 2,000 years since its founding. Her status in the Clan quickly soared after she beat out all of the younger generation at the age of 13, becoming an undefeatable goddess in the eyes of many.

As Xi Heji's mother adopted her, when Xi Heji's parents mysteriously died during a outing to one of the neighboring kingdoms, Xi Heji's grandfather took her in. She has been a saving grace for Xi Heji, as many elders and geniuses of the younger generation disapprove of Xi Heji remaining in the inner residential circle as his talent for cultivation is near nonexistent. But because of Xi Meiyings deep care for Xi Heji, she threatened to leave the Xi Clan should Xi Heji be removed from the Inner Circle. This helped secure Xi Heji's position as a disciple of the inner circle, as well as calm down the patriarch who was also against keeping Xi Heji within the inner circle, as it brought down the prestige and significance of being an inner circle disciple.

Xi Heji looked up at the blue, cold eyes that while others may see indifference, were filled with love and concern. Xi Heji exhaled a long breath, closing his eyes once more.

"Tell grandfather I'll be participating in the tournament"

Although Xi Meiying's face didn't change at all, her eyes that were previous dim lit up at his response. Xi Meiying let out a small smile.

"Of course, I will let him know."

Meiying then reached into her spatial ring and pulled out a clear bottle containing a bright green pill.

"This is the pill grandfather has been saving for your participation. He paid a significant amount to obtain this treasure. It is the Tri-colored leaf pill, allows you to achieve your body's best state and recover from any injuries."

Xi Meiying tossed the clear glass towards Xi Heji's hands. Xi Heji caught it and looked at it for a moment. He then raised his head again.

"Thank you"

Xi Meiying nodded then left the room. Xi Heji's 'Thank you' had another meaning. Although Xi Heji rarely interacted with the clan's affairs and mostly trained in martial arts with his grandfather due to poor talent for cultivation, he wasn't ill-informed. Xi Heji knew this was the reward for killing a Stage 3 class beast that was on the commission board a couple months ago. He knew that Xi Meiying had been gone for a couple of days and after her return, the commission was no longer available. He knew Xi Meiyings personality very well after living with her for over 10 years, she didn't show much care about Xi Heji on the surface, and didn't display emotions openly. But she cared deeply for him, and although has not directly told him the things she did, he knew that she has always taken care of him from the shadows, even when she was named the unrivaled goddess. Even though Xi Heji was regarded as 'useless' and unbefitting of a inner circle disciple, Xi Meiying never batted an eye to the many other geniuses that attempted to convince her to avoid him.

Xi Heji knew of the actions of Xi Meiying and smiled at her departing figure.

"Well, I could do at least this much for her."

Xi Heji stood up from the bed and put his combat uniform on. It was embroidered with red lining of the signature color of the Xi Clan. The black painted leather curled around Xi Heji to make the perfect fit. A golden line that ran across from shoulder to shoulder showed Xi Heji's status of a inner circle disciple.

Now fully dressed, Xi Heji grabbed his sheathed sword and mounted it on his waist. Xi Heji put the Tri-colored leaf pill into his spatial ring and made his way to the tournament arena.