Splitting two red mountains and allowing the pa.s.sage of a glittering, emerald river, in a world of magic and wonders, the Tribulation Valley wouldn't have seemed that peculiar, were it not for the oppressive fate power lying within.
Even while hovering above the mountains, Konrad could feel that oppressive force surround him from all side, and establis.h.i.+ng an unauthorized connection to his depraved soul.
His eyes lowered onto the emerald river below and recalling the old man's words, he began a slow descent on the emerald river. The lower he went, the more he felt his body laced by otherworldly fate powers, and the river calling for a nirvana of the soul.
Though he'd yet to step inside, his heart shook, and his soul trembled. The belief that should he step in, he would undoubtedly not return the same, caused a wave of hesitation to flash within his mind.
But as soon as it came, it left. To perfect his embryonic dao, and accelerate his growth, to build the foundation of his ascension, there was no trial he was unwilling to face.
Without hesitation, Konrad dived in, sinking into the river till he reached the center. There, as if standing in perfect equilibrium, his body no longer sank and, in a heartbeat, his consciousness faded.
With the invisible force guiding him, Konrad laid on his back with his arms outstretched, and his mind drifting to new worlds.
…
With his memories of the real world cast aside, after drifting for an inestimable amount of time, Konrad awoke as a twelve years old peasant boy.
In this new world, magic and cultivation didn't exist. Men were divided into four cla.s.ses; which, from highest to lowest were:
Gentry, peasants, craftsmen, and merchants. With slaves standing below the ranks and the imperial family above them all.
But while peasants ranked second, they usually were the poorest of the four cla.s.ses, owning their status solely to their contributions to the state.
In this life, though Konrad possessed the same body, without otherworldly bloodlines, cultivation or the support of an affluent family, he'd lost much of his entrancing looks.
Still, he stood in a league of his own, and none doubted that he would grow into a ladies' man.
Moreover, this world's Konrad was mischievous but gentle. Devoid of the innate ruthlessness of his previous self. He knew family love, kindness, and gentleness. And while life was difficult, he never complained.
A good boy, really.
But on this fated day, as he helped his mother in cleaning and arranging the house, his world collapsed!
The sound of a relentless horde thundered within the small village, echoing with a large dust cloud that followed the dozens of horses and their riders. Even from the room, Konrad could feel it all.
"Mom…w-what's going on?"
The nervous boy asked while raising his eyes toward his mother's. There, fright clearly shone!
Without hesitation, his mother hid him in a crate, urging him to say nothing and do nothing. Then exited the house. The booming laughter of the bandit horde soon merged with the screams of the men and women that fell under their blades.
Within his box, Konrad trembled, clenching on his arms, not daring to step out.
Alas, this was no fairy tale, and the boy wouldn't escape danger. The bandits soon dived in to sack the room, leaving no box untouched. The crate was forced open, and the boy pulled out by a tall, gruff and unshaved bandit.
"Tss, tss, tss, tss…you didn't really think you could escape this way, right? Stupid lad."
The bandit sneered, then tossed the immobile Konrad out of his little house. He landed in a scene of carnage, his eyes locking on his beheaded father whose head was being kicked between two bandits.
