Chapter 1

Flames crinkles through a half burnt household, the only sound that can be heard. A pair of sooted hands clutches onto a charm, trembling as a group of cultivators in white enters through the front door with a loud creak. A young man looks up, his eyes red from tears and face painted black.

"I-it's over there," he shakily points towards the shed.

The group of cultivators were rather solemn, each step they take the sound of the bells around them trickle into the wind. A young disciple at the back emitting even more sound as he trembles that is partially not because of the sinister energy that is blowing from the shed.

"This looks like a rather powerful spirit, stay vigilant" their senior martial brother warns without turning back.

The closer they got, more sound of bells and wind are made.

"Shidi, could you please stop your shaking?" One of the disciple asks, very much annoyed with it but as he turned, the sounds continues to trinkle but the junior wasn't behind him.

"Shidi?!" He exclaims.

They all turned around but in front of them, the shed door abruptly bursts open prompting them to brandish their swords at it.

But soon after the sound of harsh winds died down along with the sound of bells.

The owner of the house whimpers helplessly, he was shaking so much that when a hand lands onto his shoulders, he almost fell over and his head whipped upwards, a scream stuck in his throat.

"You'll be rewarded for your service~" a cold voice says and the front door closes. The normal looking village returns to be void of sound ... and life...

Further ahead is a forest, leaves rustling in a more gentle wind. A light pink flower breaks off from it's fragile branch and lands onto a chest with a yellow sparrow symbol on the front of his robe.

This young man, with a peaceful, sleeping expression looks to be a youthful man with status. With bright colours and accessories, a pretty face, he may look to be an immortal undisturbed by the mortal world.

A beautiful looking girl peers above him. She has bright and small features, with the same robes as him, from the same sect. Her expression however, is sour.

"Wang Liufeng!" She exclaims, startling the guy awake he hurriedly caught the flower with quick reflexes before it could fall onto the ground... or on his senior martial sister... which might be worse.

"Master has been looking for you everywhere!" She exclaims," the sun is already so high in the air!"

He looks up, so it is... slightly setting however... he looks at her sheepishly and yawns to get rid of sleep.

"Sorry Hong-shijie, I'll go immediately," he replies slowly before leisurely walking towards the main house of the sect, Hong Fang walking behind him shaking her head with a stern expression.

"To learn cultivation is to train one's mind to be free to earthly needs, so forget about your ties with the human world and connect nature to yourself," the voice is gentle and feminine, from their sect leader Su. She wears a golden coloured robe with a phoenix rather than a sparrow, it's design shiny and intricate.

She notice Wang Jun enter and she dismissed the disciples for the day. Hong Fang walks behind greeting her as well.

"Master, you have called me?" Wang Jun asks. Su MingDan smiles at him with affection evident in her expression. Some however might not like that, given Wang Jun's status but who can complain really.

"Yes, there has been a new incident recently, in TianChen town," she replies, Wang Jun lowers his head at that.

"I'm sure you'd be very interested in resolving this?" She asks. Wang Jun contemplates for a beat before replying to her.

"This disciple is useless and is unable to accept this mission," he says, prompting Hong Fang behind him to whip to the side to look at him in disbelief. Su MingDan is secretly surprised as well, after all, it's his hometown.

"May I ask why so?" She asks, her tone not unlike talking to a disciple, rather like talking to an equal. But Wang Jun kept his head down in denial. She looks at Hong Fang who also look at her helplessly.

They stood there in silence for a moment.

"Well if you say so, there is no one else but Fang-er that can go," she replies, turning to her, Hong Fang nods.

"This disciple will take the case and not fail master," she replies. Su MingDan nods and dismisses them.

On the way out, Hong Fang kicks Wang Jun in the leg who flinch with a smile but didn't bother dodging.

"Wang-shidi, what were you thinking? Don't you want to go back to your hometown?" She hisses. Wang Jun sighs, raising his arms behind his head.

"It's not my home anymore," he replies nonchalantly.

"Still, you parents have defended that town for years, are you willing ignore it?"

"Well shijie is going isn't she?" Wang Jun smiles.

Hong Fang shakes her head," if you don't take this chance you won't improve, what's the point of learning the techniques Master Su have given to you then?" She asks.

Wang Jun didn't reply, pretending he didn't hear her, alone, he walks ahead. Hong Fang crosses her arms and stood at the foot of the stairs, she would probe further but she has to prepare to take off. She shakes her head and leaves.