The forest was silent, save for the distant rustling of leaves stirred by the wind. Huang, a fifteen-year-old boy standing about five feet seven inches tall, with a lean, fair yet athletic build, walked shirtlessâhis shirts often tore for no apparent reason. He wore dark pants and simple sandals. Crouched behind a tree, his heart pounded in his chest. He could hear the heavy breathing of the beast pursuing him.
It was a Rank 1 beastâmonstrous, humanoid rabbit nearly two meters tall, with glowing red eyes and razor-sharp fangs.
Huang knew he was in danger. He was just a mortal, with no martial training, but life at the orphanage had taught him resilience. He gripped a piece of wood he had found on the groundâhis only weapon against the creature now staring at him with a sadistic grin, its teeth stained with blood.
With an agile leap, the rabbit lunged, moving with surprising speed. Huang barely managed to react, narrowly dodging its fangs. Spinning, he tried to strike the beast with the stick, but it was too fast, easily evading his clumsy blows.
The fight was clearly one-sided, and Huang knew it. He was exhausted, his legs trembling from fatigue, and his wounds were bleeding heavily. But he couldnât give up. He thought of the other children at the orphanage, who depended on him for food and protection. With a shout of determination, he attacked again, aiming for the beastâs eyes.
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Suddenly, a powerful presence made the air around him tremble. Huang felt a surge of energy flow through his body, and the rabbit froze mid-attack, its eyes wide with fear. The boy looked around, trying to find the source of the overwhelming sensation.
About a hundred meters away, an elder hovered in the air. He wore a green robe with golden patterns and accessories that amplified his power. His penetrating gaze was fixed on the scene belowâhe was the cultivator of the Lower Sky Rank, an imposing figure with an aura of authority and wisdom. With a simple gesture, he unleashed an ocular technique that caused the beast to explode into a cloud of dust.
Still stunned, Huang watched the Elder descend slowly to the ground. His green robe bore the insignia of a diamond crane with emerald eyes. The elder smiled enigmatically.
âYou have courage, boy,â the elder said, his voice deep and resonant. âBut courage alone is not enough. Come with me, and Iâll teach you the true path of martial arts.â
Huang stood in silence, both shocked and grateful. He knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Hesitantly, he asked the manâs name.
The elder chuckled.
âYou may call me Elder Emerald. And you, young one?â
âHuang,â he replied instinctively.
âThen you shall be Di Huang,â the elder said with a smile.
Huang grimaced.
âHow about Huang Di? That sounds better, doesnât it?â
The elder hesitated. Giving oneâs family name to another was a high honor, and the boy didnât seem to understand that. Still, he agreed, though slightly disappointed.
That day would forever be marked on Huang Diâs life calendar as March 9th, 1548, of the Empire, on the Blue Waters Continent.