Far in the past, the start of the Secret World in the eastern parts of the world started as 'Martial Arts'.
Those who believed there was internal power that could be cultivated so long as they worked hard.
But this also lead to rampant misuse of the power.
Xiao Man stretched her arms while thinking that today would be the day she got into a good Sect.
One of the educational institutions that Martial Artists joined in order to join bigger organisations.
With that being said: 'Martial Sects' in the far-gone pasts acted as both bigger organisations and a educational institutes specifically raising members that would be of use. The weak were rejected.
Since Xiao Man lived in Ancient China (a time when women literally had zero rights), her prospects as a Martial Artist wasn't good. She may have had really high talent thanks to her body, but that was it.
In the small hut-like house in the middle of a sprawling village, the skinny woman held the hand of her sick mother. She was getting desperate to prove herself and obtain support from a Sect.
"Don't worry… I'll get you some food." Xiao Man gave her mother the last scraps they had left.
Leaving to make her final visit to the nearest Sect.
She had a wooden sword by her side. Grabbing onto it while walking along the busy streets slowly.
Staggering with each step.
When she finally got to the familiar doors of the Northblade Sect, she was greeted by a long line.
Today was the day they tested younger children to find gems. After all, young kids were easier used.
As an educational institute, the Northblade Sect wanted loyalty from their members to keep peace.
Outwardly, it was so members wouldn't misuse their strength to harm regular citizens of the state.
Which was why the emperor let them be.
"You again?" One of the guards at the door recognised her, but didn't stop the rest halting her.
"Stop there. Come another day if you have any problems." There was an indifference in his eyes.
"I'm here to prove myself. I am more worthy of joining the Sect than anyone." Xiao Man said loud.
The guard who recognised her walked in front of the rest of them. He looked at the girl with pity.
"You can have a better life if you work at a brothel instead. Don't come here anymore." The guard's eyes wasn't any different from the others, but his words sounded harsh to the ears of this woman.
She couldn't accept such insults.
"Get out of my way!" She grabbed the wooden sword on her waist and fought the guards herself.
They dare look down on her origins?
Xiao Man was a woman who couldn't be tamed nor discouraged. She chased her dreams stubbornly.
A singleminded resolve to save her good mother.
And to take revenge on her father for leaving them.
The guards immediately reacted to her pressure. It was without hesitation they released their inner Qi.
"Catch her!" They came at her all at once, but she wasn't the least bit threatened by their charge.
Xiao Man was innately born with a 'Sword Physique' of her own. She had heavenly talent.
Even without formal training, the wooden sword in her hand was enough to disarm most of them.
It was with swift and accurate motions that she grasped at their weaknesses using only her muscles. Without using Internal Qi, she managed to neutralise the guards without harming them.
However, it was at that moment the atmosphere changed. She looked towards the Sect's front gate.
A man with a long goatee walked out with dignity.
The presence of a master Martial Artist that had reached a good level of attainment in strength.
When the elder of the Northblade Sect silently looked over the situation, Xiao Man bowed at him.
"I'm sorry… I have been disrespectful to the elder with my actions. Please believe me when I say this was only to prove my strength. That I'm worthy of entering the Sect!" She spoke her practiced lines.
It was both smooth and respectful, unlike her appearance as a beggar without any backing.
The man with the goatee responded in turn: "A woman like you can't have defeated these guards with your own strength. I see you have learnt unorthodox martial arts to harm common people."
"Wait! That's now what I-" Before she could even make her case, a blade interrupted her words.
Cutting into her neck to kill her outright.
It was such a natural motion that she seemed unable to do anything despite her natural talent.
The elder had reached a level of proficiency in martial arts that was way beyond her current level.
It was why she died so anticlimactically.
Her body fell to the ground powerlessly, and the guard from before closed his eyes out of pity.
As if knowing this would happen to her.
He knew that the elder was a stubborn rock down the toilet. A piece of shit who only believed himself.
Of course, it wasn't rare for talents to pop up.
However, some people truly believed that there was no way that women could stand up to men.
If she was born a man instead, then the elder would have welcomed her with open arms.
The difference was the era.
Similar to how there was a time in old Medieval Europe where women were considered witches.
Even if there was one person who believed otherwise, they wouldn't be able to fight the flow.
Only going along with what everyone else spoke.
"Continue to protect the gates." With the elder's words, the guard saluted and returned to his post.
Thinking of how unfair this situation really was.
She didn't even get to show her true strength, and the Sect lost a potential member that could help.
Truly, Xiao Man was just unlucky at this point.
Her body was dragged away and thrown in a nearby forest. All to let wolves take care of her.
They were unknowing that a Shaman watched them the entire time. She followed her daughter.
Xiao Man's mother almost had a breakdown.
Seeing her only daughter being dragged into a nearby forest for disposal, she followed them there.
Embracing her daughter as soon as they left.
"I'm sorry…! I'm weak. If I was stronger, then you wouldn't have ended up like this!" She cried.
In a fit of desperation, she drew a forbidden Magic Circle her master had taught her never to use.
A 'Demon Summoning' Magic Circle…
"Bring her back to me… Bring my lovely child back to me!" A shrill scream left her mouth in obsession.
The magic circle activated…
…..
….
…
..
.
When I had woken up, I saw an older woman in old fashioned clothing speaking in a foreign language.
However, I understood what she meant in full.
As soon as I appeared, some words unconsciously left my mouth after understanding the situation:
"Too far…" I slipped too far back in time.
"Pardon?" The woman interrupted me.
"Why do you know how to speak English?" (Adam)
I asked, but the response was naturally:
"What's English?" Those words made me realise that my mind was automatically translating words.
I put this to the side.
But now wasn't the time to be dazed in wonder. I decided to do all I could to fulfil the first 'request'.
Grabbing the reigns and taking initiative to speak:
"Ahem… What can you give me in return for reviving her?" I wasn't expecting much valuables.
Only asking this just in case she had something.
"I… M-my family is secretly part of the Blood Demon's Main Branch. I've inherited the secret manuals of the Immortal Blood Demon Sect." The woman took out some ancient-looking books.
Although many Demons would find this useless pieces of text, I was quite interested in how cool the words 'Blood Demon' went together. It made me wonder if they were similar to vampires.
Regardless, her Sect was weak at this point.
Though these manuals weren't much for someone like me, who could turn into a Demon at any time I desired, there was worth in my summoner. She was able to do a Body Summoning on me quite easily.
Therefore…
"You can keep the manuals. In return for your daughter, I want the fallen 'Immortal Blood Demon Sect'." I leaned in closer to the woman before gazing into her eyes: "And you as my servant."
She hesitated, but gradually accepted my offer.
Before my body faded away, I took out the Gift Marble containing my 'Toxic Blade' and threw it at the fallen figure. Xiao Man, who was lifeless on the ground, suddenly shuddered and regained her life.
I also altered the 'Physical Data' of my contractor to turn her into a Demon. At least partially that.
"Don't look for me then. I'll find you myself." Were the words I left her before terminating the link.
My body vanished from the spot in front of her.
…..
….
…
..
.
Xiao Man's mother, Xiao Yin, was much more emotional and irrational than she outwardly looked.
When her daughter was killed, she immediately used a forbidden technique regardless of the risks.
And there were more reasons to call this 'irrational'.
Like how she clearly understood that the Technique-based Ritual Magic Circle she used only summoned Lesser Demons. Those who weren't at the level of being able to be defined to one 'Sin'.
Asuras and even an Incubus could be considered at least a Greater Demon, but Adam was unique.
The most special characteristic was that he could suppress, erase, and awaken demonic powers easily. Thus, he could be considered the single entity that didn't abide by the laws of Demonkind.
When Xiao Yin felt the changes that happened to her body, she realised that this was 'giving talent'.
Special types of bodies known as 'Divine Physiques' rarely appeared, but they weren't unknown. Her daughter was born with an extremely rare 'Sword Physique', so she knew what it was.
There were also talks of many Martial Artists changing their bodies using techniques, which would end up as a mutation passed down to their successor. Divine Physiques were a little like that.
Xiao Yin intrinsically understood she was 'Tainted'.
Even though the Immortal Blood Demon Sect had the world 'Demon' in their name, they weren't of the Demonic Faction. The worst you could associate them with was the Unorthodox Faction.
Though they sounded the same. It differed.
The former used techniques in vile ways for their selfish motives, while the latter was just ruffians.
Gangsters who made life hard for the privileged in the Orthodox Faction. Such as bandits and thieves.
Now that Xiao Yin and her daughter, Xiao Man, had their bodies tainted, they had no choice in life.
Regardless of their intentions, they would be considered 'Evils' that needed to be purged.
It made her feel lost…
However, this feeling was fleeting in front of the sound of her daughter violently coughing in pain.
A sound that made her demeanour fall apart.
Xiao Man had been devoid of life signs when she found her, but now she was back to the living.
"My baby…!" The mother held her unconscious daughter, and memorised the specific coding in the Magic Circle that brought out 'Adam' in particular. It was going to be her family heirloom at this point.
Since he fulfilled his end of the bargain, Xiao Yin was honourable enough to keep her promise.
A woman of her word…
However, as it looked like he'd be gone for a good while, she decided on what to do from now on.
For the crime of harming her daughter while she was sick, and forcing her to use some of her Life Force to give chase… She'd make sure the Northblade Sect was erased- No, 'annihilated'.
It will be a slow death filled with suffering…
Xiao Yin wiped the tears from her face and resolved herself to recreate her Sect from scratch.
She'd do it no matter what evils were required.