The Cursed

The wind whistled through the jagged peaks of Mount Forgotten. Standing tall above the sky, as though challenging the heavens with its might, even the strongest immortals feared this place. As if it was truly forgotten by the heavens, not event a tiny strand of immortal Qi was found in the air.

A man passed through the deep vegetation of Mount Forgotten, when he heard a hysterical crying sound coming from a bush. Getting closer to the source of the noise, he found a violet eyed, white haired baby, screaming with all his might. He was carelessly wrapped on a purple cloth, with a small tag hanging in his neck.

"Who is the monster that abandoned this baby is such a place?" mumbled the man, as he hugged the child, making him stop crying. "You are coming with me now, don't worry. Zhao Kui, I guess that's your name, right?" he said, looking at the tag hanged in his neck.

His fingers glowed white, as the pressed his hands on the baby's chest. As though water in the ocean, the light scanned the child's body, finding his spirit foundation. "How could such a curse be placed on a small child? Even I cannot do anything to disperse this." he said, looking further into the child's body. 

"Not only his spirit foundation, even his bloodline and souls are sealed! He will never be able to cultivate like that. What a shame..." sadly said the man, dispersing the light. As he tried to take his hands away, he felt a strong hand holding his, preventing him from moving away. "You have a strong grip, haven't you?" he said laughing, taking the child away from the forest.

The morning had just arrived, but a small village, at the mountain's foot, was already awake. Outside the bright-colored houses, gathered the villagers, at the entrance gate. In the middle of the crowd stood a white-haired teen, rubbing his tired violet eyes.

"Granny Yue, it's so early! Are you sure Uncle Li is coming back today?" mumbled the boy, barely awake. "I'm in my growth spurt, if I don't sleep enough I'll be this short forever!"

"What growth spurt, Zhao Kui, you are already fifteen years old! The ladies don't care that much about how tall you are." joked the mature lady. "Your uncle is finally coming back, its been almost three year! Maybe this time, he will have finally found it..." said the gentle-looking woman, holding back tears.

Deep in the landscape, a tall robed man was approaching. With a long beard, colored like burning ashes, he exuded a fierce, but gentle aura. A crimson gourd, intricately carved and humming with an unseen energy, swung from his belt. Around his neck, a necklace of gleaming white pearls contrasted sharply with his piercing blue eyes.

"Sunflower village, hum? This place hasn't changed even a bit." said the man, as he entered the village's gate.

As he passed the gates, little Kui was finally able to see the old man. He broke free from Granny Yue's embrace, sprinting to meet the man. 

"Uncle Li, you are are finally back, you old bastard! How dare you leave grandma alone all this time" shouted little Kui, as he tried to punch the man's belly.

"Shush it, Zhao Kui. It shouldn't have taken this long, but it wasn't easy to find this beauty" said the man, as he threw little Kui the crimson gourd. "Here, take it. You can't afford it right now, but I'm willing to let you make installment payments for it." said the man laughing.

"What do you mean, you spend three years looking for a wine gourd?" said Zhao Kui, with an angry expression.

"Hey, Zhao Kui! Don't talk like that to your uncle, it's not what you think!" said Granny Yue, shutting down Zhao Kui's complaints.

"Don't mind him, Yue. This is not a wine gourd, you brat. This is an immortal treasure, if you are fated, you will know more about it." explained Uncle Li. "Come here, let me take a close look at you. It's been a while" As he pulled Zhao Kui closer.

As he did on the foot of the mountain, almost fifteen years ago, Uncle Li focused his spirit Qi on his fingers, sending it scanning Zhao Kui's meridians and spirit foundation. As his qi touched Zhao Kui's meridians, he screamed.

"At dawn, we leave at dawn!" Uncle Li declared, his voice laced with urgency. "I can't believe it worked! The curse... it's weakened! We will be going to the Holy Sword Sect, it's finally time to put that favor into use."