Chapter 1 - Prologue

On the colossal St. Ancestral Mountain range, sunlight shone through the gap between the mountains into the deep canyons. On the hillside beside the valley, some snow remained.

Even though it's already the early summer, the snow has yet to melt. The cold here is exceptionally long. The roars of beasts can occasionally be heard.

On the surface of the valley stood a magnificent city.

The world outside of the St. Ancestral Mountains has been occupied by the beasts. The people living in the mountain range have not contacted the outside world for hundreds of years.

The people who live in the city are unsure of the situation of the outside world. It's been recorded that at the most glorious period of mankind, having thousands of Legend rank Fighters and Demon Spiritualists, the humans established many empires in the vast continent, but those empires have been wiped out.

The city, due to being stealthily located geographically, was well preserved from the Age of Darkness. They would occasionally encounter attacks from powerful Snow Wind Beasts within the St. Ancestral Mountains, however, after going through numerous devastating conflicts, the city was rebuilt again and again.

These motley walls were an indomitable monument.

This city is called Glory City, and it is a symbol of hope for humanity.

Within this magnificent city was a young boy around the age of 8 or 10 who had dirt and sweat accumulating on his face as he was chopping down wood in the mountains. His physique was well developed from his hard work despite never cultivating in his entire life and wore commoner clothes that were ragged and tearing yet his face was contrasting as he had a firm and mature expression having lived a life of tribulation and had overcome it.

The young boy was an orphan living off simple tasks and chopping wood that many children in his situation refused to take, preferring to steal to survive and roam the dark path. He was mature for his age and content with his life, smiling despite the trial.

"What a beautiful sight….I wish I could share it with someone one day."

He wiped the sweat running down his face turning to face the sun setting, showing a gorgeous and mesmerizing scene as if painted by skilled artisans. In this world, many seek money and more power but the young boy does not have any desire for it nor has grand ambition. His only wish was to live a fulfilling life with a wife waiting for him.

The young boy was Yun Tian, a name given to him by the orphanage that he lived in for a while until he decided to learn and survive as the age of an adult is 15 in this world expected for a young boy to know how to survive at an early age.

He smiled as the sun finally fall and the sky turn into a glistening night where stars twinkle dancing in his eyes and took his axe and tied the chopped wood that he had made carrying it on his back moving his down the forest back to the city walking the path he often roams to avoid the demon beast that lived in the forest.

Yun Tian suddenly heard someone scream for help and without a moment of hesitation jumped into action running as fast as he could despite the chances of dying since he isn't a fighter. He is a young boy who understands what kindness and generosity are even if how bleak life can be it will always find to shine.

Arriving at the screen found a horned sheep, a 1st rank bronze demon beast, something that is common and the weakest demon beast but even then it is something even Yun Tian hoped not to encounter. He noticed three little girls around the same age as him with the other two younger, shaken and frightened, hugging each other in fear and unable to escape even if they did the demon beast could easily chase them down unless they already started cultivating but they're age isn't the appropriate time nor is it ideal.

In front was a little girl with short pink hair that was older than others and was prettier than any girl that he had seen before. Though the other two weren't far from her beauty, a short purple-haired beauty and a long brownish-orange hair beauty trying to comfort each other.

Yun Tian noticed the horned sheep about to charge at them and immediately sprung to action and took a rock from the ground, throwing it at the demon beast who immediately shifted his anger to him.

"Hey! Over here!!"

The little girl whose heart was racing in fear suddenly felt relieved hearing someone have come to save them looking in a trance at their hero. They had heard something like this before when a hero saved the heroine from trouble and made their heart pound. The three were young yet this woman would become the seed that sprouted a connection unlike any other.

Yun Tian removed the logs that he was carrying holding the axe tightly afraid that he would fail to save them and the horned sheep charged its power spewing reddish energy from his body.

"Watch out!"

The pink-haired girl shouted while Yun Tian barely avoided the attack and winced when it scratched him but managed to swing the axe and was shocked that he could barely cut Horned sheep as it crashed into the nearby tree. Yun Tian checked the cut to see that it wasn't deep but enough for him to bleed.

"Are you alright!?"

The purple-haired girl shouted, noticing that he got injured from the attack despite having avoided it. Yun Tian knew his chances of winning were slimmed and death was certain. However, he didn't want them to be afraid anymore and turned with a bright smile.

"I'm fine, it's just a scratch. Just don't try to run."

His calming and reassuring voice believed him hoping for his safety as Yun Tian turned to face the Horned Sheep once again. He knows that the three little girls were lost and letting them go would only make their encounter more dangerous therefore he needs to win and help them get back. It was already dark and he is the only one who knows the forest more than anyone else to avoid danger.

Unknown to them, someone was watching from afar intently observing the boy with admiration for his action, curious how things would go.

'He is pure in a world of cruelty. The young boy is mature for his age and content with his life….I wonder if he gains power would he be a master or a slave?'

The watcher thought to himself witnessing Yun Tian gritting his teeth showcasing a quality rare from people in the world.

"Hey, come and get me!"

Yun Tian knew he would lose against it therefore he decided to take it somewhere else and lose the horned sheep instead of fighting it. He decisively took its attention throwing rocks and running into the forest where he knew it at the back of his hands. The three girls were relieved when they saw the horned sheep disappear but afraid for Yun Tian.

The horned sheep followed Yun Tian and it soon lost sight of him where it tried to look around but he was nowhere to be found. Yun Tian hides in the trees and quietly sneaks away having the same odor as the forest, therefore unable to find him, allowing him to escape without much problem.

He quickly returned to find the three girls overjoyed upon seeing him and didn't expect them to get closer looking at him with concerned eyes.

"A-Are you alright!?"

"What happened to the Horned Sheep?"

"You're hurt!?"

Yun Tian felt awkward noticing their extravagant and beautiful dress showing that they are from a noble family unsure which but the quality of it answered and remained respectful since he was a commoner and they are nobles.

"I'm fine, young ladies. I am happy to be of help to the three of you."

He gave a bright smile that smitten the young hearts of the three. His tone was unlike a child having learned that it is courtesy to be respectful for anyone from the noble family as they are people who would often protect the city from bigger threats like the dark guild.

"My name is Huyan Lanruo, what's yours?"

"I'm Xiao Ning'er."

"I'm Ye Ziyun, thank you for saving us."

Yun Tian realized that he was correct in his assumption and immediately bowed in respect, afraid that he might offend them for not showing the appropriate gesture and surprising them.

"Lady Lanruo, Lady Ziyun, Lady Ning'er, this one name is Yun Tian, I didn't know that you three are from Major Families until now."

They were surprised that he acted that way and Yun Tian wasn't doing this for some reward rather he simply believed that someone like him should show respect to them.

"Eeh you don't need to be like that! You're our savior!"

Huyan Lanruo boldly went to hug him, surprising Yun Tian while the other two were jealous and immediately went to take his other hand where Xiao Ning'er took the right while Ye Ziyun took the left.

"That's right, you don't need to apologize."(Ning'er)

"Just call us by our name, no need to add honorifics."(Ziyun)

They embrace him tighter, making him wryly smile, soiling their expensive dress with his dirt and sweat. Yun Tian is unsure what to do considering it is disrespectful to speak informally but it would also disrespect them if he declines.

"Uhmmm….I-I can't do that since I'm a commoner and you three are noble. Also, please let go, I don't want to ruin your dress."

"No! Call me Lanruo!"(Lanruo)

"Me too!"(Ning'er)

"Me three!"(Ziyun)

Yun Tian awkwardly smiled looking at them pouting angrily forcing him to casually say their name and felt their hugs grow tighter then gave up on their wishes.

"A-Alrighr, Lad-I mean, Lanruo, Ziyun, Ning'er."

Hearing their names caused them to smile and continue to embrace him until they had to go back following Yun Tian asking him questions about himself. Eventually, they arrived at the gate to find a group of people waiting for them.

"Father!"

All three shouted to find their father and they quickly ran to hug their father who looked relieved to see them safe. Yun Tian smiled happily that he was able to save them and if he didn't encounter them then they would be in trouble.

"Ziyun!? Where did you three go? Your mother was worried sick."

Yun Tian saw the current city lord, Ye Zong questioning his daughter glancing at Yun Tian who had a wound on his chest and it didn't take long for them to understand the situation.

"We just wanted to play outside when a horned sheep came to attack us but thankfully Tian save us!"(Ning'er)

Xiao Yunfeng nodded looking at Yun Tian who walked up to them and kneel showing them respect.

"I greet the city lord, my name is Yun Tian."(Tian)

Ye Zong sternly stared at the young boy who exude a level of maturity unlike his age and said.

"Yun Tian, I am grateful that you have saved my daughter in danger, if there is anything you wish I will grant it to you."

"It might sound rude but I am satisfied to see Lady Z-"

"Tian, I told you to call us only by our name!"

The father of the three girls seemed surprised and looked at their daughters then to Yun Tian who wryly smiled and unknowingly took their hearts at young ages.

'Bastard stole my little girl's heart!'

Huyan Xiaong thought to himself, chuckling to himself, liking the boy at the way he spoke and acted, unlike people he had seen before.

"As I was saying, I'm happy Ziyun, Ning'er, and Lanruo are safe and reunited with the three of you."

They smiled hearing their names rather than a single one being called, making the father awkwardly smile at the screen.

"Are you sure, Yun Tian? We can reward you handsomely for protecting and saving our daughters."

Xaio Ning'er's father, Xiao Yunfeng, considered having three favors from a noble family could change the life of a simple commoner and save them from poverty.

"I am content with how I am."

Ye Zong saw that he is adamant about how things are and didn't have any utter motives for saving them. It is unusual to suspect a little boy to conspire but it is difficult to know your enemy if you use common sense too often.

"Then if you do not wish to be rewarded then just know you have a favor from us and if you ever find yourself in trouble then we are willing to help. Here's an elixir to heal yourself."

Yun Tian saw the pills in Ye Zong's hands and was reluctant to accept them but didn't want to be disrespectful even more. Ye Zong was pleased with the attitude that he was displaying and bowed to him then said.

"I thank you, city lord, I am sure to keep in mind your words. Until then, I shall take my leave."

"Wait, Yun Tian! Will we meet again!? We want to play with you!"(Lanruo)

She said walking closer to him while the other two little girls nodded and said.

"Yeah, I want to see you again, Tian."(Ning'er)

"Me too, I want to show you around our garden!"(Ziyun)

Yun Tian's sweat dropped while three fathers couldn't help but be dumbfounded and couldn't believe how their daughters were behaving.

"S-Sure, I'll try to visit you."

"Promise?"

The three asked while he simply nodded, making them smile embracing him only stopping when Ye Zong coughed to their attention.

"Alright, we should go or your mother won't stop worrying."

Ye Ziyun nodded letting go of Yun Tian as the three went back home while Yun Tian waved them goodbye as he headed back to his home which was a small hut in the outskirts. He laid the pile of wood for him to sell the next day Yun Tian inspected the pill and took one causing his wounds instantly healed stopping the bleeding. Yun Tian was amazed at the effect of the pills, never expecting that he'll get a bottle of them knowing how expensive they can be.

He decided to take a bath heading towards a nearby lake that he often uses to wash himself. Yun Tian took off his clothes and submerged in the water removing the fatigue accumulated in his body. He leaned back smiling at the fact he was able to save the three girls later thanking the heavens for letting him be at the right place at the right time.

The next day, Yun Tian went to his usual routine of selling the chopped wood and went hunting for some animals for him to eat. He looked around and unexpectedly found himself falling into a cave where the escape had been blocked. Yun Tian tried to find a way out but to avail, turning his attention to exploring the place instead. He didn't panic nor fear, only the thought of moving forward always had the mentality that if he couldn't control how things are, at least he controlled himself on how to react to things.

Yun Tian knew that succumbing to fear wouldn't do anything therefore he at least found a way to escape. He was walking down the dark corridor of the passage where there were torches that illuminated the pathways and saw they were ancient writings on the walls and imagery that he did not understand.

Eventually, he found himself in a Monument where it had a statue of an old man dressed in familiar yet different kinds of clothes that made him look divine. Yun Tian was in awe and reverence staring at it as if the statue was alive. He decided to rest not knowing how long he had been moving as he couldn't see the sun to know the time. Yun Tian had a few berries and fruits that he ate until he took a nap where he dozed off.

Moments later, light shone and the same old man from the statue appeared before Yun Tian intently staring at him judging him and thought.

'You are fated for great things boy, this power I bless shall be your test. If you remain kind and generous even after gaining power then you are worthy to have it.'