In an unknown location.
A massive tree stood tall at the center. Various green plants and herbs grew around it, expanding for miles. Various insects roamed the greenery.
Near the massive tree was a large wooden house. Beside the house was a courtyard filled with beautiful flowers and ponds as a path went to the door of the wooden house.
Occasionally a wind would blow jerking the flowers as a sweet scent would spread in the atmosphere.
Sunlight dazzled the place leaving warmth wherever it fell. The blue sky filled with clouds seemed to be just as endless as an ocean.
"Ha!... Ha!... Ha!..."
Constant sounds came from behind the house like a lion was roaring.
Upon careful listening it seemed to be the shout of a person.
Behind the house.
Beside a stone table sat two people drinking and chatting as they looked at a person.
It was this person who constantly made loud shouts as he did pushups with a heavy stone on his back.
His figure seemed a bit smaller than the stone he was carrying. No taller than four feet was a young kid doing pushups with a stone of dozens of kilograms.
His face was red bulging with veins. Sweat drenched his whole body and some of it entered his eyes forcing him to close them. He looked to be utterly exhausted as his limbs trembled with each motion.
Up...down...up...down...
He couldn't think of anything else at the moment. His lips were tightly closed as he clenched his teeth and persevered through.
"89... 90..."
The figure in green clothes counted the number of pushups. He seemed to be unruffled by the state the kid was in contrary to the figure beside him.
The other figure was that of a beautiful woman in light yellow clothes. Her skin was fair with golden eyes and black hair. She seemed like a mature young woman.
At the moment she looked tense as sweat appeared on her forehead with anxiety overflowing in her eyes. In her pupils was the reflection of the small kid who appeared to be on the brink of fainting. She wanted to help him and didn't wish for him to go through all this. She wished for him to have a happy childhood but she was not strong enough to protect him for all his life. As such countless times she had thought of escaping with him and living in a secluded place as to not be affected by the worldly affairs. But likewise she didn't wish for him to be isolated from the outside world as it would be detrimental for his growth.
At the end, she allowed him to train to become strong enough to protect himself under the conditions he would not push himself beyond his capabilities. But the sight she currently witnessed had obviously left her in anger as her conditions were overlooked. Yet her concern overtook her anger as she continuously tapped at the stone table. She was just a slight push away from running to remove that damned rock on her son.
"Lady Feng...Lady Feng..."
At this moment that figure in green clothes spoke softly.
But his efforts were futile as Feng Qian seemed to be completely focused and prepared to take action for her son's safety.
Just as He Qi was preparing to speak a little louder, Feng Han who was pushing his luck collapsed. His limbs went limp as he quickly fell down ready to be crushed under that heavy rock.
"Hmph." With a cold exclamation, Feng Qian rushed to Feng Han and kicked the rock away. She then swiftly caught him in her arms as a fainted Feng Han relaxed upon sensing the familiar warmth.
Her expression showed pain as she felt hurt from seeing her son in such a state.
"Mother is here. Go to sleep now. You have worked hard." She gently said as she kissed him on forehead and carried him back to the wooden house.
On the way she glanced at He Qi and said indifferently, "Today's training is over."
Without giving He Qi a chance to speak she entered the house.
He could only choose to slowly close his open mouth as he sighed.
Sigh...
"It will not be easy at the current rate. It's indeed remarkable that he could grow to such an extent in a year but it will take more than that if he wishes to stand at the top. Not to mention..."
Sigh...
He Qi again sighed helplessly as he shook his head.
As he sighed he thought about the time a year before. It was when he was out wandering in the forest hoping to die in regret. Just at that time he met Feng Han and his mother. After everything he listened to, he deduced Feng Han to be the Saint. This random encounter ignited his once lost motivation as he decided to make Feng Han stand at the top.
Unfortunately, fate played a game and Feng Han was born as a Half-Saint.
A Half-Saint was a rare existence even among Saints. He was probably the only Half-Saint to be born in countless years. There were a few records of Half-Saint being born and their fate was to die in childhood without exception.
A Half-Saint was born when there was an obstruction or external force which restricted the birth of Saint or wished to extract the Saint Qi needed for the birth of Saint. In an attempt to prevent the misuse of itself, Saint Qi would reject the body it had previously chosen. Then Saint Qi would disperse leaving the womb.
This rejection would result in Heavenly Dao placing a curse upon the body due to the backlash of being rejected by Saint Qi; else the body would directly die. And Feng Han for his fate seemed to be given The Cursed Dao Body.
The Cursed Dao Body.
As its name suggests it was a body cursed by Heavenly Dao. Unable to cultivate ever in their life was the fate of the Cursed Dao Body. No matter what they did or consumed heavenly treasures their body could not cultivate.
It could not be said if it was a blessing; as the Half-Saint were meant to die. The curse would only prolong their suffering. Maybe it was the compassion of Heavenly Dao to let the Half-Saint be born at least otherwise they would have died when Saint Qi rejected them.
But who could say?
No matter, Feng Han now only had two options. Either live an ordinary life hiding away from the world with a new identity or become the strongest.
The former was relatively easy and also what his mother had planned even though she was unaware her own son was a Half-Saint. The latter was what He Qi had planned but he dismissed it when he found Feng Han was a Half-Saint.
So it all comes down to Feng Han as to what choice he will make.
Thinking of that, he sighed once more.
Last year, when he had talked with Feng Han and Feng Qian about the matter (not mentioning Half-Saint part) he told them that Feng Han had the Cursed Dao Body.
Feng Qian was utterly dumbstruck as her lips trembled and eyes moistened. A normal reaction.
Meanwhile Feng Han was relatively abnormal as he appeared far too calm for someone in his position. He only curiously inquired about the related information and what it meant he could do in future.
And He Qi could never forget that moment when Feng Han said with indifference as a cold light flashed in the depths of his eyes.
"Cursed huh?" Feng Han's lips curled into a grin as he said with a cold expression on his slightly mature and cute face.
"I will let the world experience what being Cursed actually means."
He then glanced at He Qi who looked to be amazed with his demeanor.
"Sir He. I wish to tread on the path, the one which the world has never seen in the past or it will ever in the future. The path to the peak with a curse." Feng Han spoke with a serious expression as he gazed at the green eyes.
He Qi came out of his daze and suddenly laughed as he intently looked at the serious expression on a little kid.
No. He could not be called a kid with that mentality. If it were not for his body size and his mother sitting next to him he would believe it if someone said he was an adult.
"Hahahaha. I underestimated you. You kid- No. Feng Han. You have some crazy ambitions. But to say and to do are two entirely different things. Just with the resolve alone you can't achieve your goal. Not in your current situation." He Qi said as he tried to read the thoughts of the other party who seemed completely relaxed and composed.
"I know that. And for that reason I have made a decision." Feng Han then looked at his mother who seemed to be in a dream as she couldn't come to terms with reality.
How could her son who just played around all day long a few days ago suddenly develop to such an extent? Just how? Is this what they call that time teaches everything? But isn't this too fast? Moreover she didn't even get the chance to teach him, scold him for skipping classes, pamper him if he was injured, defend him if he was bullied, get complaints from his teachers, first aid him when he came from duels, give him love advice, see him bring home a girlfriend, they marry, have kids, they call her grandma...
Was it all over? Just like that?
Even though she knew a bit about magic she wished for her child to have an ordinary and happy life... Not this nonsense of killing others and slapping others.
"Mom. I know it sounds like a dream. But please wake up. We need to accept this reality. I know it will be better for me to change my identity and live an ordinary life but I don't want to be under the mercy of others. Not especially when this world gave us such a bad present. How could we not reciprocate? We need to become strong to protect ourselves and not let ourselves be ever taken as a pushover or an ant to be crushed as they wish. We have to-" Feng Han was giving his convincing speech just when he was interrupted by a sweet voice.
"How could I not understand? I have lived far more than you. But... I just wish for you to be happy. Please don't let a moment of impulse cloud your decision which you might regret." Feng Qian spoke in a tender voice as she held his hand.
Feng Han lost his composure as he couldn't speak anything except stuttering.
For a time, the room entered silence.
Inhale- Exhale-
After a deep breath Feng Han spoke in a determined tone.
"Understood."
Feng Qian didn't say anything else and just nodded with a smile.
Anything more would be forceful. She could now only support him and hope he succeeded.
"Sir He." Feng Han turned to He Qi who was looking melancholic at the moment, startling him.
"I request your assistance. Please help me."
He Qi looked thoughtful as he said.
"Okay."
"Just like that?"
"Just like that. Under two conditions. First, become my disciple. Second, help me when you have sufficient strength." He Qi said as he lifted two fingers.
And just like that. Feng Han embarked on his journey to overturn the world with his cursed body.