Sixty years ago, due to a demonic scripture that could grant Immortal Ascension, the Demonic Sect, once at its peak, fractured into Three Palaces.
From then on, the two factions of the Righteous Path officially rose, but the remaining forces of the Demonic Sect were still powerful, and a protracted tug-of-war began between the Righteous and Demonic factions.
Amidst heavy rain, a small bird, frantically searching for shelter, flew into a house.
A beautiful woman in a simple blue cloth dress looked at the small bird with gentle eyes, tore off a small piece of cake from a bamboo basket nearby, and offered it to the bird.
The bird hesitated for a moment, then tentatively took two steps forward and ate a couple of bites.
The woman's eyes were like water as she stared blankly at the bird eating the cake.
After the heavy rain, the sky became clear and bright, and a small stream flowed gently by Lingxi Village.
Several young children were playing in the stream, and a woman, holding a wooden stick, sternly scolded them, "You little rascals, come out quickly! If you don't, I'll catch all of you and send you to your mothers with your bare bottoms! I'd like to see who doesn't get a beating!"
The children were not frightened, but laughing, they scrambled out of the stream onto the bank, their bare bottoms exposed, and disappeared in a flash.
Six-year-old Zhou Sheng was among them; he was one of the youngest, but that didn't stop him from being mischievous.
He playfully made a face at Aunt Li, then happily walked home.
Zhou Sheng's home was not inside Lingxi Village; his father was the village hunter, and to facilitate his work and avoid disturbance, he built their house on a hillside not far from the village.
Although he was only six, he was incredibly clever; he skillfully found the tree hollow where he hid his clothes and pulled them out.
The clothes were still dry, and he chuckled, knowing this meant he'd avoid a beating when he got home.
"Mommy~ I'm home~" Zhou Sheng furtively peeked into the house, and as soon as his head was inside, a beautiful hand grabbed his ear.
The woman was Zhang Xue, the same person who had fed the bird earlier, and she was Zhou Sheng's mother.
Zhang Xue smiled and playfully scolded him in a gentle tone, "You still remember to come home, do you! You little rascal, your wings have grown hard, haven't they? You didn't come home even with such heavy rain; do you want to worry me to death?"
"Mommy~ don't you know Sheng'er~? If it rains, I definitely know to hide~ I saw the rain was too heavy, so I went to Auntie's house to take shelter."
Zhou Sheng even spun around in front of his mother to prove that he hadn't gotten wet at all.
Zhang Xue looked at Zhou Sheng with loving eyes and gently said, "Xiao Sheng, are you hungry~? Have a piece of cake~ I just made it this morning~"
"Wow~ Mommy, I love it the most!" Zhou Sheng excitedly climbed onto the table, took a whole large cake from the bamboo basket with his hand.
The cake was pure white and as big as his head~ He chuckled and took a big bite.
Zhou Sheng's mother had an oval face, and even in the simplest blue cloth clothes, her captivating beauty was hard to conceal, though her complexion looked a bit pale.
In fact, it was precisely because of her face that Zhou Sheng's father decided to settle their home on the mountain; few people came here, so naturally, the gossip wouldn't reach Zhang Xue's ears.
She smiled and gently poked Zhou Sheng's forehead with her finger, "You little glutton, just like your father~ How is it? Is the cake Mommy made delicious?"
Zhou Sheng, while eating, replied in a sweet, soft voice, "Delicious! Mommy's cooking is the best in the world."
Zhang Xue lovingly stroked his head and said with a smile, "My Sheng'er is so well-behaved~"
At night, Zhou Xiong quietly entered the house, and a faint light illuminated the room; it was Zhou Sheng's mother who had lit the oil lamp.
Zhou Xiong sighed, walked to her side, and took her hand, saying, "Xue'er, you haven't slept yet. Don't wait up for me like this anymore; your health isn't good, you need more rest."
"It's fine, I'm used to it. I can't sleep when you're not home. You know, aren't you hungry? I'll go warm up the cake on the table for you."
Zhou Xiong casually picked up a piece of cake and said with a simple smile, "There's no need for such trouble. I always eat cold food in the mountains, and besides, Xue'er's cake is delicious."
Then he said somewhat apologetically, "Xue'er, I had another fruitless trip today. The trap I set yesterday caught something, but it broke free from my trap.
I didn't see any wild rabbits or anything in the mountains either, so we'll have to be frugal for the next few days.
However, I found a small stone on the way; look, it's still glowing green, and just wearing it makes me feel warm.
You should wear it."
Zhou Sheng's mother's eyes lit up, and she took the object, examining it carefully.
A flash of spiritual light within the small jade stone suggested its extraordinary origin; she first put the small jade stone into her bosom.
Zhang Xue gently said, "You've worked hard these past years~"
Zhou Xiong gently embraced Zhang Xue, inhaling her faint, clean fragrance.
"Xue'er~ With you here, I don't feel tired at all."
Late at night, Zhang Xue opened her eyes, looking at her sleeping husband and son beside her, a warmth swirling in her heart.
She gently kissed Zhou Xiong.
She took out the mysterious jade stone from her bosom; the jade stone emitted a soft glow, and a comfortable warmth emanated from it.
She wasn't entirely sure if this was that item; a drop of crimson blood condensed on her fingertip, and finally, the blood enveloped the jade stone.
The soft green light instantly turned red.
Zhang Xue gently placed it on Zhou Sheng's forehead; with a flash of red light, the jade stone disappeared.
She whispered in an almost imperceptible voice, "Sheng'er, this treasure shall be the first treasure your parents give you on your Path of cultivation~"
Good things in the world are not sturdy, and their beautiful life did not last long.
