The world was divided into nine continents separated by oceans. Those continents were divided into multiple kingdoms and empires. Each king and emperor had the absolute authority inside his territory. Why? They were the strongest. At least the strongest who aimed for domination inside the territory.

The world of Ghot was dictated by strength. As long as one managed to become stronger they could do whatever they wanted without being defied. However, there was a limit to what a person could do. This limit was called talent. And most people would never reach their limit black of resources, guidance, luck and most of all, time. A gifted child won’t amount to much if he were to die at an early age. It only meant that his fate was grim, to begin with.

Some decided to challenge their fate by trying to overcome their limit. Needless to say, that they failed. Those bound to die, died, those bound to live, lived, those bound to suffer, suffered. There was no escape from it.

In the desolate northern region of the Caiga continent, small villages composed of unfortunate people lived there.

They didn’t have to fear thieves and other types of danger from going to their home since their land had nothing interesting, to begin with. Kingdoms and empire didn’t even bother revendicating it since the mana and qi fluctuation was way too poor. Even a stone grade sect wouldn’t want a single bit of it.

The villagers had to rely on themselves to live. Each and every day in they would feel the chillness from the wind and the burning hunger in their stomach daily.

In total, they numbered around 4000 people. They were separated in multiple small villages on different mountain peak. Their land could be considered vast and minuscule at the same time. Vast because their land, the Desolate Ice Wind Valley, could be considered as one of the biggest in Caiga continent. Minuscule, because they couldn’t afford to explore it so their point of view of their territory was restricted and the cultivable soil was just enough for each village to not die of hunger.

Today was the beginning of the year. The snow covering the peaks was slowly diminishing and the sound of laughter could be heard.

At this time of the year, all the village will reunite and share some time together. In this godforsaken land, the needed to stay united in order to survive.

The elders were monitoring the children who had yet to come of age and gave them appropriate tasks for their age. The men who had already come of age had left early in the morning for the White Fang mountain range in order to look for some easy preys.

They seldom go there as the risks are way too important. It just wasn’t worth scarifying someone for few kilograms of meat. A man who knew how to manage the field could harvest tens of kilograms of cereals in his life to supply his family and his neighbors. And this, throughout his life.

Thus, hunting for food was done in groups of ten. They stayed at voice reach of each other. The different groups would take separate ways at the foot of the mountain range. However, someone called will stay in between these groups, generally an experimented hunter, who could relay messages around if two groups were to be too far from one another.

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The reason for that was simple, if an F or E grade beast was to appear, it was completely forbidden for a single group to engage the fight. None of them knew martial arts or magic besides strengthening and basic healing.

Today, the harvest was plentiful. Each group managed to bring back at least 7 kilograms of meat. It was the biggest harvest they ever made.

“Looks like tonight we may be able to eat our fill…”

An elder with dry voice spoke to his friend next to him.

“This year, it seems like luck will be on our side… I hope my granddaughter manage to give birth safely…”

“Look at you old fool! You’re bringing ill omen whenever you talk! When your great grandchild will be born, don’t forget to invite me for dinner!”

The other snorted.

“You just want free food! Can you still eat that much after all these years? Maybe you’re not human but a beast?”

“You’re a beast! Who stole aunt’s Me-“

His voice came to a halt. Not only him, everyone present couldn’t speak any further.

In the darkness of the night, under the new moon, a young man with long black hair and a handsome face descended from the sky.

The eyes of nearly 4000 people were glued on the same person as they saw him, like a deity coming down in the mortal world.

This was the first time since decades that a stranger had set foot on their land.

The young man opened his eyes, a purplish glim emanating from them. As he watched around him, a gentle smile appeared on his face.

“I am sorry for interrupting. I have come here today because I wish to claim this Desolate Ice Wind Valley.”

Hearing his words, the adults put themselves in front of the children, those young women hid themselves inside the nearby houses.

After few breaths of time passed, an elder who lacked his left arm walked out of the mass and faced the young man.

“We do not own these land, young immortal… However, we just hope that you could let us live here since we have nowhere to go…”

“I know. I won’t ask you to cross the rift.”

“Thank you…”

“And, I think you are mistaking about my appearance and I am not an immortal. I came here to establish my sect. My Crimson Night sect. And I need people.”

His gaze was still warm and his words were spoken with confidence and strength, however, his aura wasn’t domineering.

“This… Young man… You should know that our land is extremely poor in resources, so poor that whatever sect you wish to build here it wouldn’t be able to last a year… And those villagers and I can’t help you with that…”

“You can.”

The young man flicked his hand and a huge multicolored bead appeared in his hand. The bead shone of all colors, making those looking at it nearly go blind. And with another flick of his finger, it disappeared.

“What you just saw is an item of mine which will help me, no, us. It will purify the ground and the air all over the Desolate Ice Wind Valley. However, it will take time, but it won’t be a problem.”

“Young man… This… Why are you doing this?”

The young man’s amethyst eyes were wide open as he gazed at all those who were still present.

“I wish to create a sect. And I want you to be within my sect. Why? Because you all have the potential to aim for something higher. I won’t be asking much. All I want is for you all to have the resolve to dream for something better. This may sound unrealistic to you all but… I can and will help achieve whatever you want. I know my action will have consequences on your lives. Maybe some will die on their way because I told them to aim for a dream. However, I will do it. I offer you a chance to become stronger, to live without fearing about what you could eat tomorrow, to live in a warm house, to be able to freely leave this place, discover the mysteries of the world and come back. This is what I offer you all. And all I want is to be your young ancestor, with you as the disciples, elders, great elders and sect master of my Crimson Night sect.”