Chapter 1: Birth of a Child
Dark clouds churned violently across the heavens as thunder roared without mercy. Rain fell like blades from the sky, soaking the land in cold despair. Amid the storm, a lone carriage raced forward at breakneck speed, its wheels splashing through pools of mud.
Surrounding it were several mysterious figures clad in black robes. Their faces were hidden, but the killing intent radiating from them was unmistakable. They attacked without hesitation, determined to end the life of the person inside the carriage.
Within the cramped space, a noble lady lay trembling, her body drenched in sweat despite the freezing rain outside. She was on the verge of giving birth. Her breath came in shallow gasps as waves of pain surged through her.
A servant knelt beside her, panic etched across his face. He leaned toward the front and shouted, "Driver! The lady can't hold on any longer!"
The man driving the carriage tightened his grip on the reins. His name was Helia, and his eyes shone with calm resolve. "Hold on," he said firmly. "This is the child's destined moment. The master has already made preparations."
Before his words could settle, the air suddenly trembled.
Boom!
Several blazing fireballs shot out from the darkness and slammed into the black-clothed attackers. Terrified screams echoed as bodies were thrown aside. Explosions erupted, shaking the earth, and thick smoke engulfed the battlefield.
Seizing the opportunity, Helia urged the horses forward. The carriage surged ahead like a beast breaking free, vanishing into the storm as thunder roared behind it.
would be difficult for them to relax, and they could not afford to wait much longer. After a few minutes, those people once again began to follow the carriage.
This time, the old man held a talisman in his hand and activated it. Smoke slowly flowed out, and the carriage disappeared, vanishing in all four directions at once.
Now, those black-clad people were confused and began whispering among themselves, unsure of what was happening. Soon, they split into two groups and followed the carriage in different directions.
A few seconds later, the carriage appeared again at the same place.
The old man took a deep breath and said, "It's almost time." He once again took out another talisman and activated it, intending to transfer the carriage. Suddenly, a sinister laughter echoed throughout the area.
The old man stood in front of the carriage and said coldly, "You may fool others, but not me. I am well aware of your formation. Those tricks do not work on me anymore. Show yourself—you can stop hiding now."
The old man who was driving the carriage said, "Cultivator, since you are so powerful, why do you want to kill us? We are just ordinary people."
The cultivator looked at the old man for a moment and then said calmly, "I do not want to kill you, but someone has given the order. People like us only follow commands."
As he spoke, his aura flared. Power surged from his body as he raised his hand toward the carriage.
Suddenly, the old man activated the talisman and shouted to his servant, "Be careful!"
The servant bowed respectfully and said, "Revered one, the young lady's birth is about to begin. We must hurry."
The old man nodded. "Understood."
At that moment, an overwhelming pressure descended, forcing the carriage to a halt. A massive hand-shaped imprint appeared in the air, attacking from above. A shocking phenomenon followed— the cry of a child rang out from inside the carriage.
The entire world seemed to freeze for a few seconds. Even the giant handprint stopped mid-air.
Then, the carriage broke free from the pressure and vanished without a trace.