Chapter 1 - Arrival

Strength: In this world of cultivation, the Six Daeva Realms, there is no word more important. Weakness is a sin, and ambition overrides compassion.

Ascension in status is a simple process of challenging those you find inferior and claiming what is theirs.

Of course, there are rules. All cultures, even those who operate by survival of the fittest, must have some boundaries. Fortunately, If one possesses a high enough degree of power, even the laws that bind can be overcome.

In a small stable on a minor world in the First Daemon Realm, a young man, woke up in a pile of hay, covered in blood and bruises.

"Tss...what the hell happened to me.." He said lowly as he looked himself over, feeling like he had been hit by a train

Suddenly the sound of approaching footsteps and laughter caught his attention

"Haha! Well I left that little shit Xin Jin in here." Said the first voice

"You sure he's dead?" Said the second

"Of course! You think that useless trash could survive the beating he took? No way!" Replied the first

Xin Jin didn't understand what was happening to him at the moment but there was one thing he did know, that these people wouldn't let him go wether he was the same jin they were looking for or not because he had overhead their conversation.

He hurridly looked around and noticed a small hole in the base of the wall, just big enough to crawl through.

Just as the door to to the stable opened he made his way through and ran weakly into the forest.

"So...where is he?" Asked the second man after looking around for a moment

"What do you mean? He's right over..." Started the first man but when he realized that the body that should have been there was gone he jolted

"Shit! Why is he gone?! If Young Master Zhou figures out Xin Jin is still alive, he'll have our heads!" He said in a panic

"Don't worry. Even if he is still alive, with his injuries, he'll be dead soon anyway. May as well tell the Young Master that we buried him and claim our reward." Reasoned the second

The first man thought deep with a furrowed brow for a moment before deciding.

"Fine. We'll do that. But I'm blaming you if something happens." He said with a wry grin.

"Ha! Fine, but you have buy the first round when we get back then!" Replied the second man with a big smile

"Yes, yes. No problem."

Soon the two men disappeared into the night headed back to the house they served.

Meanwhile, Xin Jin was stumbling his way through the forest

After what felt like half an hour he noticed a faint glow up ahead. He soon came across a small pond in the middle of a clearing. the bright full moon reflected off the surface, there were numerous white and pink water lillies, and the water seemed to have a faint luminous glow to it.

Xin Jin was momentarily speechless when he saw the scene before him. however he quickly shook his head and sat next to the waters edge. after scooping some water with his hands he washed his face and arms.

The water was cool and refreshing on his skin and it almost felt like his injuries were no longer as painful as the were before.

Once he was clean...cleaner, he took the chance to look at his face in the surface of the water. What he saw shocked him and he nearly fell backwards. the face staring back at him was not his own.

He seemed to be in the body of a 19 year old kid with sword shaped eyebrows, a strong nose and a chiseled jaw line, along with his long Black hair and Golden eyes combined with the other features made him resemble a young heroic figure. He supposed that this body could be considered to be on the more handsome side.

Unfortunately he didn't know how this situation could have come about. The last thing he remembered before waking up was leaving from the bar after drowning his sorrows after losing yet another job.

Of course that wasn't the only thing that had that day since he had also been dumped by his girlfriend and kicked out of his parents house.

However, none of these could be considered rare occurrences, since Xin Jin had been cursed with the worst luck since he was born.

but waking up in another body? this for sure took the cake as the most bizarre thing to happen to him. Even topping the time he was chased by a horde of angry squirrels.

"Sigh, what am I gonna do now...?" he wondered out loud.

"You should try sleeping. It's quite late, you know?" came a gentle reply

"Yes, yes. I should slee-" suddenly Jin realized that someone had just replied to his question.

"Who's there?!" he asked in a panicked voice as he looked around for the other person.

"Hehe, where are you looking, I'm over here." said the calm and gentle voice again.

Xin Jin finally noticed that standing in the middle of the pond was a large white crane almost 3 meters tall. it seemed to be almost ethereal under the moonlight.

His eyes went wide and he nearly gasped.

"W-who...what are you?" he asked

"Now that's rude. You stumble into my home, uninvited, are you ask me 'what' I am?" Said the crane, appearing to be mildly displeased.

Xin Jin was silent for a moment before saying "I apologize. I didn't mean to offend."

"Well, at least you still have some manners." The Crane seemed to look him up and down before continuing "As I said, you should get some rest. You're in no condition to make it through the forest tonight anyhow. And don't worry, no demon beasts can enter my barrier. So you'll be perfectly safe."

After a moment of thought Xin Jin said "I'll do that then. Thank you for your hospitality." He then sat against a tree and quickly fell into a deep slumber.