In the realm of Yggdrasil—a place where all else existed around a gigantic tree whose trunk couldn't be measured protruding through the eternal Heaven.
In today's era, the people honored it with a name— The Sacred Tree Of Origin.
With the Sacred Tree Of Origin as the pillar of support, its massive roots reached every corner of the crumbling seven realms. They pulled everything that remained together and unified into one single landmass named Green-Wood Divine Continent.
Its land was vast and almost infinite while also filled with chaos and opportunities for just anyone.
Although countless years have passed while all that exist is temporary, man's civilizations face constant destructions and are forgotten under the dust, sword and shield alike rust and crumble. Yet, so are the many ancient clans that survived the conflagration of war...
However... one thing never changed, not now and not in the future.
Ultimate strength reigns supreme!
...
Over the blue sky of the Cloudia Kingdom, one of the many tiers four forces in the Southeast's Inner Region of the Green-Wood Divine Continent.
A dim golden light was quietly floating along with the spring breeze.
After an unknown period of aimlessly floating, something then attracted the faint golden light toward the Braveheart Clan's residence in the Cloudia Kingdom's capital city.
Without anyone knowing, the golden light then passed through the rooftop of a building and entered a particular room.
Gently, it flew toward the perfect figure of a beautiful blond-haired woman who sat by the open window, sipping away her afternoon tea.
...
One year later.
On top of the capital of Cloudia Kingdom, the clear blue sky a moment ago suddenly changed as black clouds gathered, covering the surrounding ten thousand miles.
Soon, there came a heavy downpour and furious lightning flashing through the sky, raining down destruction while producing earth-shattering roars.
The sudden turn of events quickly alerted many Grandmasters and a few Transcendent powerhouses.
Some wondered if there was a Rank Four Spirit Beast was trying to make a breakthrough to the next rank, or a precious treasure was born.
'To be able to cause this much commotion, it would surely be an extraordinary Spirit Beast.'
'A precious opportunity!'
In an instant, the many powerhouses summoned their War Soul, figures of the giant beasts with imposing aura began sweeping for the cause of the chaos.
But no matter how hard they investigated, no one was able to find anything. So finally, after many fruitless attempts, they began to look up to the sky but then shake their head in resignation.
No one dares to fly up there to check out the situation. If it were really a Heavenly Tribulation, there would be no escape once they get dragged inside.
It was no different than suicide.
__
Outside of a particular room situated somewhere inside the Braveheart Clan's residence, a man who appears to be in his middle-age was walking back and forth with an anxious expression.
The middle-aged man's name was William, William Braveheart, an outsider who married into the Braveheart Clan and was granted its surname.
"Argh! Arghhh!!!"
Hearing the painful scream of his wife inside, William looks concerned and clenches his fist tightly. His nails dug deep into his skin as droplets of blood fell onto the stone floor.
"Hannah, please... hang on and give birth to our child," Facing the door, William muttered in a worried voice and prayed in his heart, wishing that his wife and child would be fine.
Waaaahhh!*
Then, after hours of labor, Hannah finally managed to give birth to a healthy baby as the cry of a newborn child soon rang inside the room.
In a split second, William busted the door open and rushed inside.
"How is the baby?!" Unable to control himself, he roared like the booming thunder outside. The room trembled slightly.
Realizing what he has done, William takes a deep breath and restrains himself.
"Congratulations, Sir William, it's a healthy baby boy!" The midwife turns to the agitated William and presents the crying baby boy while reassuring him that everything was safe and sound.
William was overwhelmed with emotions as he gently held the newborn child into his arm and looked at his wife, Hannah.
"Thank you, thank you so much for everything!"
"This child... is the fruit of our love. But, darling, why don't you give him a name?" Hannah looked back at William and said with a sweet smile on her face despite feeling incredibly exhausted with sweat profusely dripping from her forehead.
"Myah, our child's name will be Myah. Myah Braveheart!" Caressing little Myah, William felt a ray of hope coursing through his heart.
'This child is my chance!'
...
Meanwhile, at another place inside the Braveheart Clan's residence, another boy was born. The grandson of the current Leader of the Braveheart Clan. Outside of the door were elders and essential members of the Clan waiting solemnly.
In the open courtyard, the Clan elders send their congratulations as the noises of discussion slowly grow louder and louder.
"Time flies too quickly. In the blink of an eye, another important member of our Clan is born."
"Congratulations, Clan Leader. We wish that the young master will grow up to be a talented person like you and become the pillar of our Clan in the future."
"Yes, I agreed. But, unfortunately, it has been so long since any genius has appeared in our Braveheart Clan. May God bless the young master with providence and luck!"
"Congratulations, Clan Leader! May the young master grow up to be a young genius and become the pillar of the Clan! A true Braveheart!"
"A true Braveheart!" The others yelled out in unison with proud expressions. They take pride in their surname, for it represents the symbol of power and status.
The Clan Head, Thoran Braveheart, steps forward while holding his newborn grandson. A rare and hardy smile emerged on his aged face.
"This child will be named Theo Braveheart! Once he awakened his Soul Origin Crystal at his sixth birthday, he will officially become the heir to the Braveheart Clan!" With a serious look, Clan Leader Thoran declared as an invisible suppression shrouded everyone present.
There was no room for negotiation!
At once, all the elders and core members of the Clan quickly cheer and give their blessing to the young Theo, and no one doubted the Clan Leader, for he is one of the few Transcendent powerhouses in the whole Cloudia Kingdom.
As the saying goes, a tiger doesn't have a dog son.
The deceased son of the Clan Leader was a genius. But, unfortunately, he died young due to misfortune.
As a direct descendant of a Transcendent powerhouse, Theo has an extremely high chance to awaken a B-grade Soul Origin Crystal. And it's also entirely possible that he could awaken an A-grade Soul Origin Crystal just like the Clan Leader himself.
With careful nurturing, there would be another Transcendent powerhouse in the future that could guarantee the prosperity of the Braveheart Clan for another few hundred years.
None of them were stupid.
It's better to be the tail of a phoenix than the head of a chicken.
Without a Transcendent powerhouse guarding the Braveheart Clan, it would have long been torn to shred by the vying eyes of those coveting their wealth and resources.
"It's already late, and the weather is worsening; everyone should go back and rest." Gazing at the raging storm in the sky, Clan Leader Thoran said to the Clan elders. "Also, don't forget to attend the meeting tomorrow and strengthen the defense. You all know what I mean."
Not long after that, the courtyard became empty after the Clan elders bid farewell and dispersed, each having their own thoughts.
"No.1, come out!"
"Go and prepare the specially made medicine bath for my grandson." At Thoran's words, a shadow behind him quivered for a moment before forming a silhouette of a man dressed in black before disappearing entirely.
'Hm?' He then looked at a specific direction of the Clan's resident. 'Another child also born today? What a coincidence.'