Nestled amidst the swirling mists veiling the summit of the supreme sect's peak in the vast expanse of the Murim world, the mistress of Celestial Dragon Mountain let out a piercing cry that echoed through the heavens. As the midwife tenderly brushed away beads of sweat from her furrowed brow, the air crackled with anticipation. Under the cover of darkness, with the clock inching closer to the stroke of two, the midwife caught the first glimpse of the unborn heir's crown, a beacon of hope amid the shadows of the world.
"I can see the head, madam! One last push!" the midwife sobbed with joy despite the excruciating scream from the lady in labour.
With the newborn princess safely in the world, the midwife's attention turned to the exhausted Madam Zhao, the wife of the supreme sect leader. She called for the doctor, her hands never leaving the new mother's side.Â
"You did very well, Madam. The baby is safely born," the midwife claimed, wiping the mother down with a fresh towel and warm water. Have you thought of a name?"
Before Madam Zhao could answer, the baby's sharp cry interrupted their conversation. However, their happiness was short-lived when the physician cried out in panic.
The bedroom trembled violently, its walls vibrating with energy so potent that even the guards stationed outside felt a shiver run down their spines. With a sense of urgency gripping the air, the patriarch of the Celestial Dragon Sect wasted no time, bursting into the room with determination to get rid of the intruder etched on his face. But as his eyes fell upon the epicentre of the disturbance, his confidence wavered, replaced by a mixture of shock and disbelief. This was no ordinary intruder. As he locked eyes on his newborn daughter, who wielded a power reserved only for those who had attained the revered status of a Radiant Core Cultivator, Zhao Mingfeng's eyes darkened.
As a cultivator, he grappled with the weight of his decision, torn between the instincts of a protective father and the obligations of his martial lineage. To unleash such a drastic measure upon anyone, let alone his own flesh and blood, went against every fibre of his being. Yet, as he gazed upon his fragile and innocent newborn daughter, he knew there was no other choice.
The potent energy coursing through her tiny frame threatened to consume her from within. It was a dangerous force too immense for her tiny vessel to handle. With each passing moment, the pressure threatened to snuff out the flicker of life before it could truly begin.
It was a heart-wrenching decision, but Zhao Mingfeng knew it had to be done. He had to sever her connection to the qi, knowing the repercussions it would bring. Compared to the glory of a cultivating genius for a second, he would rather have his younger daughter live the mundane life of a mortal for many years to come.
"Seal!"
As a brilliant burst of light illuminated the surroundings, Zhao Mingfeng stood in awe of the astonishing prowess displayed by his youngest daughter. Even with all his formidable power, containing the boundless potential of a functional Radiant Core, with the capability to ascend to the coveted status of a Heavenly Core, was a formidable challenge.
Throughout his life, Zhao Mingfeng navigated the arduous path of cultivation with unwavering determination. It was a journey fraught with hardships and sacrifices. In his youth, he strove relentlessly, eventually attaining the pinnacle of cultivation with a Divine Core. Yet he was never able to attain the Supreme Core. In the face of his daughter's incredible innate talent, Zhao Mingfeng harboured no envy or resentment. Instead, his heart swelled with fatherly pride. Knowing that all the toil and training he had endured could be used to save his daughter on this day was his biggest joy.
After a long battle to subdue the Radiant Core, Zhao Mingfeng stared at his sleepy daughter, who had gone back to sleep from exhaustion. His eyes softened as he cradled her for the first time in his arms.
"Forget the prestige of cultivators," he sniffled. "This father just wants you to grow up safe and healthy. Your name will be Anji. Even if you become the world's unrivalled weakling, you will always be the pride and joy of our Celestial Dragon Sect."
On that chilly autumn night atop Celestial Dragon Mountain, Murim's youngest and weakest princess, Zhao Anji, was born.