“Phew, no more training, no more training.”

Underneath a starlit night within the confines of the Yang Manor, Yang Han took a stance, distributing energy to his lower abdomen while cocking his left fist at his chest and his right fist at his waist. It appeared as if he was muster his strength, but then swiftly, he chose to disperse it anyway.

Yang Han had been persistently practicing boxing each night for three hours, strengthening his body since he was five years old. He never missed a day in ten years. But today, this routine was broken for the first time.

Turning his head to glance at the desolate door behind him, Yang Han heaved a small sigh. He finished his training, stood, and then seated himself by a small lake in the court, lost in thought, looking at the inverted reflection of the moon on the water surface.

“Who would have thought Fang Qingrong could be so despicable. I’ve always thought of her as family, but she would do such a thing for one measly Rising Dragon Pill. My elder brother's heartbroken and he left home. I have no idea when we'll meet again." meditating for quite some time, Yang Han violently threw a rock into the lake.

The second young master from the Yang Manor, Yang Han, harbors a secret unknown to others. He is not actually from this world. An accident ten years ago caused him to reincarnate into the body of the young man named Yang Han, who had drowned.

Being reincarnated in a different world, Yang Han treasured his life deeply; he lived at the bottom of society in his previous life, struggling for survival each day.

His rebirth however brought around a turn of events. Not only was he the second young master of the Yang Manor in the Morning Star City, with a loving elder brother and a stern yet kind father, but the warmth of familial love was something he valued and wished to protect most in this life.

However, his peaceful life was disrupted three days ago. The incident started when his father, Yang Haichuan, went on a trip and managed to obtain a couple of Rising Dragon Pills - pills that could enhance one’s martial prowess.

The matter was initially known only by him and his father, but his elder brother, Yang Cheng, accidentally revealed it to his fiancée, Fang Qingrong from the Fang family in the Morning Star City.

Contrary to her usual gentle and virtuous persona, Fang Qingrong, overwhelmed by greed, plotted a scheme involving her family and the He Lou Manor, thus causing major trouble for the Yang family. Unable to bear the betrayal from his beloved, Yang Cheng left home, his whereabouts unknown.

“He Lou Manor, Fang family, I will remember this disgrace.”

Thinking of what had transpired three days ago, Yang Han was still enraged. Clenching his fists so tightly that his fingernails dug into his palms.

“Only, I’m of feeble capability, my flesh unable to hold the heroic spirit, I’m unable to help my father shoulder the burdens.”

The world Yang Han currently existed in was different to his previous one. There was no technology, but martial arts had developed to an extreme level. The powerful True Martial practitioners, capable of moving mountains, sailing through winds— possessing mighty godly skills— they stood tall amidst everyone else, ruling over the world, and truly holding its reins.

Yang Han is a martial enthusiast who fervently desires to become a powerhouse. Although his aptitude is average, ten years of arduous cultivation has enabled him to reach the third level of the Embryonic Breathing phase.

This rate of progress, though not exceptional among the young men of the Yang family, is indeed on the slow side. This leads to much gossip and mockery behind his back, yet Yang Han remains unfazed.

When reborn, he merged with the soul essence of "Yang Han", which had not dissipated in this body, making his soul power far superior to ordinary people and gradually growing over the years.

In Martial Arts cultivation, apart from innate aptitude, there is another foundation that is even more important, which is the Spirit Warrior image.

Over the eons, countless powerful creatures have been born into this world. They compete for supremacy, scramble for the Celestial fortune, but the Dao is heartless. Even mighty creatures cannot escape the shackles of destiny. Only a fraction of their regrets and wishes return to the Hall of Spirit Warriors.

Those who practice martial arts communicate with the lingering wishes of these Spirit Warriors, invoking star power to recreate the Spirit Warrior image. This image aids human cultivation.

Those possessing a Spirit Warrior image not only progress rapidly in their cultivation, but also have the special characteristics of these warriors.

For example, those with the Thunder Elephant spirit are considered more vigorous and powerful, excelling in overpowering moves, and their vitality and life force also increase substantially.

Those who possess a Fierce Sword spirit are vigorous and fierce, having a deeper understanding of the art of the sword. Yang Han's ancestors were powerful martial artists who successfully condensed the spirit of a Nine Heavens Sword.

However, those who have forged a Spirit Warrior image are rare, as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns; yet, each one of them is a force to be reckoned with.

To ever hope of forging a Spirit Warrior image, apart from enlightenment, the key lies in the power of the soul.

Yang Han firmly believes that he will be able to forge a Spirit Warrior image. Over the past ten years, he has been constantly refining his physical body, waiting for the day when his body can sustain the power of a Spirit Warrior image, he will then metamorphose into a dragon and skyrocket.

“Whiz.”

While Yang Han was deep in thought, he suddenly heard a faint sound of air being torn apart from above.

He lifted his gaze and saw a faint glimmer streaking across the night sky, illuminated by twinkling stars. With a "plop", it fell into the small lake before him, causing water to splash in all directions.

"Hmm, what's that!" Yang Han exclaimed, flabbergasted.

He gazed towards the small lake. In its clear waters, he spotted a completely black tiny bead slowly rolling. He wasn’t sure whether it was due to the water's undulation or the bead itself, but the moment it moved to a patch where moonlight was profuse, it came to a sudden halt.

Moonlight pooled about three feet in front of the bead, transforming into a thread as thin as hair that shimmered with a dim silver glow. This thread of moonlight seemed to be absorbed by the black bead, disappearing without a trace!

"What an odd bead!"

Surprised, Yang Han stared intently at the water. The black bead, about the size of a fingernail, lay serene in the water, showing no peculiarities.

As he reached into the water to pick up the bead, Yang Han carefully examined it and found that it was made of a material that felt like wood, yet not wood, like iron, yet not iron. However, it was exceptionally hard and roundly smooth all over, slightly cold to touch.

"How strange, why isn't it reacting anymore? Could it be due to its absorption of the moonlight?" Yang Han held onto the bead and inquired intently, but after a while, he found no answers.

"The bead, able to absorb the essence of the moonlight, must not be ordinary. I will keep it and consult Father about it tomorrow." Yang Han thought for a while and put the bead safely into his robe.

"Han’er, why did you finish your practice so early today? Still thinking about your brother?" As he was about to return to his room after storing the bead, a stern yet gentle voice sounded from behind him.

Yang Han turned around, it was his father, strong-bodied Yang HaiChuan, the current head of the Yang family. He was casting a kind gaze on him, albeit with a hint of sorrow lurking between his brows.

"Father." On seeing his father, Yang Han quickly paid his respects.

"I'm a little concerned. Big brother said before leaving that he brought a catastrophe upon our family. He felt too ashamed to stay, so he wanted to go to a well-known family to learn martial arts in order to make up for his mistakes one day. But I have no idea when he will return."

Yang HaiChuan, knowing the deep brotherly bond they shared, comforted Yang Han: "It might be better for him to leave. Staying here will only sink him deeper into despair. The misfortune that befell the Yang family originated from him, so he should be the one to atone for it. Carrying this burden might not necessarily be a bad thing."

"What father said, I have also considered, but I'm afraid that big brother, feeling hopeless, might…" Yang Han started.

"If he can't even pass this hurdle, how is he worthy of being from the Yang family!" Yang HaiChuan interrupted. He looked at Yang Han and changed the topic, “And it's not just him, Han’er, you have to leave the Yang family too!"

"What, why is that?" Yang Han exclaimed in surprise, a little puzzled.

"Han, do you remember the demand He Loutian and Fang Yuan made three days ago when they broke into our Yang family and took away the Shenglong Pill?" Yang Haichuan didn't answer Yang Han, instead he asked.

"I remember," Yang Han clenched his fist, his words almost struggling out from between his very teeth: "After a month, they want our Yang family to forfeit 70% of our assets and make—make my father..." Yang Han cut his words off halfway, unable to finish.

"To keep watch at the front gate of He Lou Mansion and serve as He Loutian’s bodyguard for three years. If not, they would annihilate our entire Yang family." Yang Haichuan sneered.

"Father, their bullying has gone too far. I'd rather shed my blood than see you humiliated!" Yang Han declared firmly.

"I was originally planning to gather friends to resist He Lou Mansion and Fang family. There might even be a chance to win, but today something significant happened in He Lou Mansion that made me abandon this idea."

Hearing Yang Han’s words, Yang Haichuan revealed a relieved smile, but immediately he sighed and handed a slip of paper from his chest to Yang Han.

Yang Han took the paper, and after a brief glance, his expression drastically changed, showing utter surprise: "He Louzhi, the eldest son of He Lou Mansion, was enveloped by the tricolored star cloud during his cultivation, a precursor of condensing a warrior spirit."

Paper sliding to the ground, Yang Han could not help sneering bitterly: "Condensing a mundane warrior spirit is already one in ten thousand, a martial warrior spirit is even rarer, reserved only for the cream of the crop. If one condensed a military Rank Spirit, it could rock the whole North, and certainly attract the recruitment of powerful sects. Is Father really going to endure such humiliation?"

Practitioners varied in strength, and so did the ranks of warrior spirits. Even if they are all blade-type spirits, a mundane warrior spirit like the Golden Back Knife has a world of difference in power compared to a martial warrior spirit like the Heavenly Punishing Fierce Knife.

For ordinary warriors, any warrior spirit holder is held in high regard, and to the less powerful warriors, high-level warrior spirit holders are insurmountable powerhouses.

Those with high-level warrior spirits have limitless potential, they are the targets powerful sects would like to win over. In comparison to a Sect’s power, the Yang Mansion was like a candle light, while the Sect’s was as majestic as the sun and moon.

"Personal humiliation is nothing. However, He Lou Mansion intends to annihilate us, our Yang family. If we capitulate, the day of our extinction will not be far off. I have decided to stake everything on this fight, and you must leave."

Yang Haichuan spoke in a stern voice: "Han, don't lose heart. If there’s a line of our Yang family left, there will always be a time for resurgence. I have an old friend who once promised me a favor. After three days, I will send you to him. Remember, if you do not have the strength, never harbor thoughts of revenge!"

"Father!" Yang Han knelt down, his heart filled with grief. They had been together for ten years, and he saw Yang Haichuan as his own father. But as Yang Haichuan had said, even if he stayed it wouldn't help. Remembering the past decade of kindness, Yang Han kowtowed and blood trickled down his forehead, dripping from his cheek...

After his father left, Yang Han sat in the middle of the courtyard, gazing at his eldest brother, Yang Cheng's empty room, and reflecting on the past ten years of their life together. His heart was filled with unbearable resentment.

"Is there truly no way out? I'm filled with hatred, so much hatred."

"If I had the power to reach heaven and earth, how could I allow my family to face today's disaster? How could I let my father and brother bear such great humiliations and suffer the pain of parting in life and death?" Yang Han was stirred in his heart, clenched his fists, and cried out.

The surge of emotion caused Yang Han's blood to rush, and even his robust soul power began to spin wildly under his emotional excitement, gradually losing control and nearly bursting out of his body.

And in the next moment, the black pearl that Yang Han had put away without giving his father a chance to see, as if summoned by the vigorous soul power within Yang Han's body, actually flew out from Yang Han's embrace and hovered in mid-air. An dazzling radiance erupted from the black pearl, enveloping Yang Han's entire body.