In the vast region of the Eternal Clouds, the Aurios Clan rose, dominating with unquestionable authority. Among all clans, they were the only ones to possess a specialist of the Spiritual Attunement Realm, consolidating their prestige. Their wealth and influence were evident in every corner of the region, making the clan a central force that all respected.
On that day, the clan was living a special moment: the patriarch's first son was about to be born. Servants ran from one side to the other, preparing every detail with precision.
The birth occurred in the Lady's Chamber, a functional room in the main fortress. The smooth stone walls emanated firmness, while simple tapestries, embroidered with the Jade Dragon emblem, hung under the soft light of jade lanterns. In the center, a dark wood bed covered by white silks was flanked by trays with medicinal herbs and crystalline water, ready for the heir's arrival.
Lady Mei, the patriarch's wife and cultivator of Elemental Essence, lay on the bed, her face serene despite the tension of childbirth. Her hands firmly gripped the bed, while her spiritual energy kept her body stable. Maids in simple tunics applied compresses with trembling hands, faces marked by worry. Servants brought herbs and water, their attentive gazes reflecting care, in stark contrast to Mei's imperturbable calm.
With each contraction, a wave of cold coursed through the lady's body, making the servants recoil in fear. Quickly, they brought preparations to calm her, aware that any loss of control could put the baby's life at risk. And any damage to the child would mean death for those responsible. Even in haste, no servant approached the patriarch's side, Lin Tianzuo, whose stoic gaze swept the room, watching every movement.
The moment arrived. Mei gave birth with controlled effort, and the hall plunged into silence. The baby, Kairon, was born without emitting a single cry.
The servants, nervous, whispered about a bad omen, but carried the baby to Mei. She raised her eyes, her cold gaze evaluating the child. Upon taking him in her arms, a flash of doubt crossed her expression, quickly suppressed.
Lin Tianzuo remained at a distance, narrowing his eyes as he observed his son in absolute silence. Without uttering a single word, he withdrew, leaving the room immersed in heavy quietude.
Mei, with a firm voice, ordered the shadow that served her:
— "Without spiritual root... Say the baby died."
Then, she turned her gaze to the servants around. Upon meeting her eyes, they began to plead, but a simple gesture from the lady made their faces freeze in absolute silence. In moments, all the servants present transformed into ice statues, motionless, as if Mei's very essence had petrified the air around her.
Without showing the slightest sign of effort or fatigue, she rose from the bed, calm steps, her posture so firm and serene that no one would have imagined that moments before she had faced childbirth.
She looked at the baby and let out a sigh.
—"Take him to the mortal clan. I don't want him in my presence."
In the same instant, a shadow moved quickly through the room — it was the lady's personal servant, her presence silent and lethal. She glided to her with precision, wrapping the baby in her arms, before disappearing, taking Kairon with her.
Only Mei remained, surrounded by ice statues that shattered across the floor.
On that day, the Aurios Clan received news that the patriarch's son had been the target of a curse and had died at birth. The family's specialists immediately mobilized in search of the culprit, but, to ensure that no accomplice remained, all servants involved in the birth were executed. The supposed curse was also used to eliminate internal adversaries, consolidating the family's power and sending a warning message to all.
Meanwhile, a shadow descended the clan's main mountain, carrying the baby to the perimeter of the Mortal Clan, where a special hall awaited him.
The old man looked at the shadow servant and took his notebook. It wasn't the first time a shadow servant had brought a baby; in fact, it was quite common. However, this one was particularly different, and he treated the case with seriousness.
"What is his name? And what are the parents' cultivations?" — he asked. It was a standard procedure to register the child and relate him to the cultivators.
"No name, body temperament." — The shadow servant responded directly.
"I can't put that name, it would draw too much attention... And what body realm? I need to specify, were both parents?" — The old man was already experienced in these matters.
"Kairon... Both parents are cultivators of the Awakening Realm." — As soon as she pronounced this, she left the baby on the table and withdrew.
— "Name: Kairon. Both parents are cultivators of the Awakening Realm, from the shadow lineage." — The old man registered quickly, inventing Kairon's supposed lineage in his notebook.
He was a man who had survived until old age. He knew exactly when he shouldn't ask questions and simply remain silent and cooperate.
That was the destiny of all children without spiritual root from the clan, a place destined to ensure that the lineage didn't spread outside. From time to time, one of these children would generate descendants with spiritual root; in these cases, they were taken directly to the main branch, to serve the family.
This wasn't bad for children without spiritual root. The stronger the cultivators, the lower their chances of having children and the higher the chances of generating someone with spiritual root. Therefore, the Mortal Clan had few direct descendants of cultivators, but these were treated as true kings in the mortal world, precisely because they had a greater probability of generating a child with spiritual root.
Kairon was received with the greatest prestige. With both parents in the Awakening Realm — the highest level the clan had ever registered — there had never been news of a descendant of members of the Spiritual Attunement Realm or higher born without spiritual root. Therefore, Kairon, having both parents in the Awakening Realm, received the maximum possible prestige within the Mortal Clan.
Soon, they took Kairon to a heated room, specially prepared for newborns. A safe and comfortable environment, with soft blankets and gentle light, carefully organized to protect him from the mountain cold. A wet nurse was immediately provided to care for him, ensuring that the heir received all the necessary attention.
Kairon, having gone through all that experience, only thought: — "What the hell was that!?"