Chapter 1 - Memories Awakening

In the bustling streets of the Falling Star Empire's imperial city, a beggar huddled against a wall, his clothes tattered and his face streaked with dirt.

His eyes fixated on a young man nearby, engrossed in a transaction.

"Dear sir, spare a coin for a humble soul?" the beggar pleaded, his voice raspy with hunger. "I've not tasted a morsel in days."

Before the young man could respond, the shopkeeper intervened, shoving the beggar aside with a scowl.

"Get out of here, beggar! You're scaring away my customers," he scolded before retreating into his store.

Unfazed, the young man completed his purchase and departed, leaving the beggar sprawled on the ground, his head throbbing from the impact.

A surge of pain shot through the beggar's skull. Disoriented, he struggled to make sense of his surroundings as the world spun in a nauseating blur.

Memories of opulence, battles waged with steel, and torrents of blood flooded his consciousness.

The shopkeeper eyed the beggar with suspicion, wondering if he had struck him too forcefully. "Has he lost his Mind?" he muttered.

"Guard!" he called out, signaling to the patrolling city watch. "Take this vagrant away; he's been causing a ruckus."

The guards, accustomed to dealing with such nuisances, seized the beggar and hauled him away to a nearby refuse heap.

Relief washed over the shopkeeper as he watched them go. "Good riddance," he muttered.

Meanwhile, the beggar grappled with his newfound memories, realizing he had been reborn into a new life.

He looked around at the refuse heap, overwhelmed by the stench of rot and decay. This must be the waste yard of the capital, he thought.

Closing his eyes, he focused on his memories, trying to remember his past. His name was Hun Yu, once a prince of a neighboring empire.

A powerful sect had taken over his empire, killing his parents. He had escaped through a secret passage as a toddler, accompanied by a loyal servant who ensured his safe arrival in the Falling Star Empire, though she did not survive.

Hun Yu decided not to dwell on the past and instead focus on the future. He had wasted many years as a beggar.

If he had focused on something else, perhaps he would be living a better life.

He remembered this was a world of cultivation, where one could become strong enough to shake mountains and fly.

Today, various sects were coming to recruit disciples. If he was lucky, maybe he could get selected.

Thinking about the future as a cultivator, a smile appeared on his face. "Kekeke."

Looking at his dirty clothes, he knew that if he went to the event in such attire, he would either be kicked out or ignored.

But he still had to try; it might be better than nothing.

With this in mind, Hun Yu slowly walked towards the event location. After about 20-25 minutes of walking, he arrived.

Just as he did, he became the center of attention.

"What is this beggar doing here?" one person whispered to another.

"Don't tell me he's here to look for a sect," another responded in disbelief.

"No way," echoed the sentiments of the crowd, all dumbfounded by the idea that a beggar could aspire to become a disciple.

But little did they know, sometimes greatness emerges from the most unexpected places.

As the gossiping continued, an elderly man arrived. "Recruitment will begin."

"If your talent in cultivation is good, then the sects will show interest in you. It's up to you to decide whom to join."

"And on this special occasion, the second prince will be present here to watch the young talents," said the elder, directing everyone's attention to a young boy dressed in elaborate imperial garments.

He had sharp features, defined cheekbones, and a strong jawline, exuding an air of regal elegance beyond his years.

He smiled at the crowd, then raised his hand. "Everyone, today I, Huang Mao, the second prince, am here to watch all of you—the future talents of the empire."

Hun Yu glanced at the prince, sensing that Huang Mao was not a good person. Although he was a beggar, he had a good eye for judging character.

"This is the second prince, oh my god."

"If only I could catch the second prince's attention," whispered others, and soon gossip started spreading like wildfire.

"Okay, everyone, one by one, place your hands on this ball," instructed an elder. "This ball can reveal someone's potential."

"It will glow blue for normal potential, yellow for good, red for very good, and lastly, it will glow orangish-yellow for excellent."

As the old man finished explaining, one by one, people started to place their hands on the ball. Mostly, it glowed blue, indicating no significant interest from the sects.

Suddenly, a young man in white attire with long hair and a decent face walked forward and placed his hand on the orb.

It glowed red, indicating very good potential. Seeing this, representatives from various sects stood up.

Everyone looked at the young man, and even the prince's attention was drawn to him.

If he could get this genius to join the imperial family, then... Everyone who was there to recruit disciples vied for his attention.

"Young man, choose which one you want to join," said the elder.

Suddenly, Huang Mao interrupted. "I present an offer. If you work under me, I can provide you with the best resources and training possible.

And if there is anything you need—wealth, money—I can provide..."

Everyone fell silent. The sects present were not giants, nor were they small. They could be called mediocre sects, and how could these sects be compared to the imperial family?

But suddenly, another voice sounded.

"Hmm, although the Sky Wind Sect cannot promise such things, you could be eligible for being an inner disciple if you are willing to join." A woman came into view.

Hun Yu looked at the woman. Unlike the prince, she appeared dignified and serene.

If he were in the place of this young man, he would choose to join the Sky Wind Sect without a doubt.

Although other sects might not be on the level of the imperial family, Sky Wind could surely give the imperial family big trouble if messed with.

"If you join, although we can't offer what the prince can, you can gain the title of inner disciple, relying on your talent."

Everyone looked at the young man with envy, receiving offers from both the imperial family and the Sky Wind Sect. How lucky could he be?

But the young man looked at the woman with disdain. "I won't join Sky Wind, even if death comes to me." With that said, he walked towards the prince.

The woman who presented the offer remained silent, her long hair and face hidden behind a veil.

"It's your loss, then," she said before she sat back in her place.

She is head of servant management in the Sky Wind Sect. Although she didn't usually attend these events, the elder had asked her to visit and see if there were good disciples to recruit.

"Continue," the elder prompted, breaking the tense moment.

Finally, it was Hun Yu's turn. He looked around and walked forward. Seeing him, everyone was surprised; it was the first time they had seen a beggar testing his potential.

Everyone seemed curious about the potential this beggar might have, so no one stopped him.

As he placed his hand on the orb, he had some confidence since he was a prince, his cultivation talent should be good.

But as he placed it, nothing happened. For a moment, even the elder was in disbelief. "Try again," he suggested.

Hun Yu tried again, but still, nothing happened.

The prince, high on the platform, sneered. "He is talentless."

"Throw him out; he is talentless," the prince commanded, prompting an attendant to forcefully remove Hun Yu from the premises.

His gaze turned to the prince, who looked at him with disgust. Talentless? How could he believe it? There must be some mistake, he thought.

But before he could think of anything, he was dragged out and thrown onto the street.

He sighed, laying on the ground motionless. As he lay there, his mind raced with different possibilities.

Amidst his brooding, he heard approaching footsteps. Raising his head, he was surprised to see the same woman standing before him.