Chapter One: Crimson Birthday, Rift in Time and Space

The vast world stretched boundless, mysterious and perilous beyond measure.

Amid swirling mists and abundant spiritual energy lay a secluded and enigmatic clan—the Ning family.

On this day, the Ning household was ablaze with lanterns and festivity, lively and jubilant. It was the fifteenth birthday of Ning Jiuyou, the youngest daughter, renowned for her extraordinary gifts. Joy suffused the clan; laughter lit every face.

Clad in an exquisite pink dress, Ning Jiuyou darted through the crowd like a sprightly fawn, weaving between elders and her playmates.

Yet this happiness was but fleeting.

Suddenly, a piercing, shrill whistle cut through the sky. In its wake, a host of mysterious figures in black robes and veiled faces appeared above the Ning estate like phantoms. An evil chill radiated from their forms; their weapons glinted with a cold, spectral light.

“Enemy attack!”

The Ning guards reacted at once, drawing their weapons and bracing for battle. The clan members, startled from their revelry, were seized by terror. Several elders quickly gathered, eyes wary as they regarded the uninvited foes.

The clan chief, an elderly man with white hair yet an imposing presence, raised his voice with stern authority. “Who are you? Why have you trespassed upon the Ning family?”

The leader of the black-robed intruders responded with a sinister, chilling laugh—harsh as a night owl’s cry. “The Ning family? Today marks your extinction! Surrender the artifact, and perhaps you may yet survive.”

The chief’s heart sank, a flicker of grim resolve in his eyes. “Foolish dreamers! The Ning family will never yield to the likes of you!”

“In that case, do not blame us for what follows. Kill them all!”

At his command, the black-robed figures attacked like wolves upon prey. In an instant, the estate was plunged into chaos—shouts, the clash of steel, the flash of blades. Though the Ning guards fought valiantly, the enemy’s power and numbers wore down their defenses.

Ning Jiuyou, pale with fear at the sudden violence, cowered behind her father, her body trembling.

Seeing his daughter’s terror, the clan chief’s heart twisted in pain. He turned urgently to the Grand Elder at his side. “Grand Elder, take Jiuyou and go! You must keep her safe!”

The Grand Elder nodded, his gaze steely with resolve. “Rest assured, Clan Chief. I will protect Jiuyou with my life!”

With that, he swept Ning Jiuyou into his arms and, in a flash of movement, bolted toward the rear gate.

As they fled, Ning Jiuyou looked back at the estate, now stained red with blood, her loved ones writhing beneath the enemy’s blades. Tears blurred her vision, and a deep hatred welled within her.

The Grand Elder ran at full speed, the sounds of battle fading behind them. Yet before they had gone far, another group of black-robed assailants blocked their path.

Their leader spoke coldly, “Trying to run? Not so easy!”

The Grand Elder shielded Ning Jiuyou, a look of final resolve in his eyes. “If you want to harm Jiuyou, you’ll have to step over my corpse first!”

He swung his weapon, engaging the attackers in a fierce battle. His formidable strength kept them at bay for a time, the fight deadlocked.

But the enemy were many, ruthless and unrestrained. Wounds soon covered the Grand Elder’s body, blood soaking his robes.

“Grand Elder!”

Summoning his last reserves, he drove the assailants back and shouted at Ning Jiuyou, “Jiuyou, don’t worry about me—run!”

At that moment, a violent distortion rippled through the air. Black fissures opened across the sky—a rupture in time and space.

The Grand Elder’s heart leapt. Perhaps this was Jiuyou’s only chance to escape. He turned, gazing at her with sorrow and hope. “Remember, Jiuyou—live on! Avenge the Ning family!”

With those words, he hurled her into the rift, transmitting all the clan’s secret arts to her as she went.

Ning Jiuyou struggled, but the Grand Elder’s power held her fast. She cried out, tears streaming, “Grand Elder!”

Watching her swallowed by the rift, the Grand Elder managed a faint, relieved smile.

But then a black light flashed—an enemy’s blade pierced his chest.

The black-robed leader sneered, “The Ning family is finished. Sooner or later, your secret will be ours.”

The Grand Elder’s eyes flared with defiance, then dimmed as he collapsed, never to rise again.

Meanwhile, swept into the vortex, Ning Jiuyou’s body was ravaged by the forces of space and time. She slipped into unconsciousness…

…

Wutan City, Xiao family.

Today was a day of deepest humiliation in the life of Xiao Yan, a scion of the Xiao clan.

The Xiao estate was crowded with onlookers, all eyes fixed upon the two figures at the center of the courtyard.

One was Nalan Yanran, her exquisite attire and pretty features tinged with pride and disdain. The other was Xiao Yan—tall and straight, his eyes stubborn and resentful.

Nalan Yanran spoke. “Xiao Yan, I have come today to annul our engagement before all these witnesses!”

She tilted her chin, her gaze full of contempt for the young man before her.

Xiao Yan’s fists clenched, his face flushing and paling in turn as waves of humiliation crashed over him. Once hailed as Wutan City’s youthful prodigy, he now found himself publicly cast aside.

Through gritted teeth, he replied, “Very well. Nalan Yanran, I will remember this day and the shame you bring! The river shifts course every thirty years—never look down on the young and destitute!”

Nalan Yanran scoffed. “Let’s see if you ever earn the right to speak so.”

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Xiao Yan alone, exposed to the crowd’s pity and ridicule.

Swallowing his pain and anger, Xiao Yan walked away, heading toward the rear hills of the Xiao estate.

Once a prodigy, now scorned as useless—such a reversal was hard to bear.

In the solitude of the hills, his heart slowly calmed. This was his usual refuge, a place of quiet where he found peace.

He seated himself on a stone, lost in thought amid the dusk.

Suddenly, a ripple disturbed the air. A faint, shimmering figure appeared before him.

From the light, an ancient, mysterious voice intoned, “Young one, I sense the bitterness and fury in your heart.”

Startled, Xiao Yan leapt to his feet, eyeing the apparition warily. “Who are you?”