Chapter 1 - A Step Forward
"Cough! Cough!"
Chu Qing Han rolled across the ground, landing several meters away before slowly pushing himself to his feet. His body trembled from weakness, and his eyes turned cold as he glared at the three young men approaching him.
"The Sacred Family again? What the hell is going on?" he thought, clenching his fists.
"Hey, brat! Don't look at me like that, or I'll rip your damn eyes out!" one of the youths snapped, visibly shaken by Chu Qing Han's piercing gaze.
"Hmph. Try it if you dare." Chu Qing Han replied with equal venom. But his voice was hoarse, and his frail body barely allowed him to stay upright.
"Damn it… it really feels like I've gone back in time—to my darkest days…" He looked down at his trembling hands, frustration building.
"Aaah!!"
A sharp scream ripped through the alley, drawing everyone's attention. Turning toward the sound, Chu Qing Han saw one of the beggar kids being pinned down, his arm twisted painfully behind his back while one of the Sacred Family boys laughed like a lunatic.
"You! You bastards!" Chu Qing Han shouted, his vision reddening with rage as he saw others—children and elders alike—being beaten simply for lacking money.
Without hesitation, he dashed forward, throwing his fist directly into the arrogant youth's face. The blow landed cleanly, knocking the boy back three steps before he crumpled to the ground with a blackened eye.
"You little shit! What do you think you're doing!?"
The other two rushed him, fury in their eyes.
"Blargh! Even like this, you're still not enough to take me down!" Chu Qing Han growled. A faint blue glow lit up around his hand, briefly strengthening his muscles and bones.
Thud! Thud!
Both attackers hit the ground hard, blood trickling from their noses. None of them had become demon spiritualists yet—and even at his weakest, Chu Qing Han's battle instincts were leagues above theirs.
"Y-You beggar! Who the hell do you think you are, laying your filthy hands on us!? Do you even know who we are!?"
"Sacred Family?" Chu Qing Han scoffed. "So what? You're just the trash of the Sacred Family. What are you gonna do about it?"
Ignoring them, he walked toward the injured boy whose arm had been twisted.
"Are you alright? Need help?" he asked softly, crouching beside him.
The boy was filthy, like everyone else in the alley, but beneath the grime, Chu Qing Han noticed something unique—silver hair and pale gray eyes, striking even under dirt.
"I-I'm okay… it just hurts a little." The boy winced but tried to smile.
"What's your name?" Chu Qing Han asked, offering a hand to help him up.
"Ling Feng," the boy replied, hesitating slightly before accepting the help.
Soft… Chu Qing Han noted the feeling briefly but said nothing, pulling the boy gently to his feet.
"Come with me. I know a place where we can fix your arm."
A broken arm wasn't a serious injury in this world. With the right pill or knowledge of spiritual energy and anatomy, it could be healed within minutes. Chu Qing Han knew both methods, but right now, only one was within reach.
Ling Feng hesitated, glancing back at the alley—the spot where he usually made the most money. But seeing the bright confidence in Chu Qing Han's eyes, he followed without another word.
"Alright," he nodded.
As they left the alley, the other beggars stared at them strangely. That corner had been a prime spot, where people would occasionally toss coins or leftover food. Now that it was free, a chaotic scramble immediately broke out behind them.
"Brother Feng, can I call you that?" Chu Qing Han asked as they walked. "How long have you been living on the streets?"
Ling Feng shot him a strange look. "Brother Qing, did you hit your head back there? Everyone knows I've lived in that alley since I was seven!"
Chu Qing Han chuckled. "Well, I don't want to live like this anymore. It's too dangerous for us. What about you, Brother Feng? How about we apply to the Institute next month? I heard they have dorms, hot baths, free meals—and they'll teach us how to become demon spiritualists!"
"The Institute?" Ling Feng blinked. "You mean… the Sacred Orchid Institute? You think we can actually get in?"
"Yes! They're holding a talent test next month for anyone under thirteen. We're both still twelve, so we're eligible!" Chu Qing Han smiled. In his past life, he had wrongly believed that one's soul color dictated their fate. But now he knew better. He wouldn't let this opportunity slip by again.
"Hmmm… If that's really true, I'm in!" Ling Feng grinned, his gray eyes lighting up. "Count me in, Brother Qing!"
For someone who'd lived on the streets most of his life, the thought of clean water and warm food was enough to ignite hope in Ling Feng's heart. He couldn't even remember the last time he'd had a proper bath.
"Then it's settled!" Chu Qing Han declared, laughing. "Next month, we're getting into the Sacred Orchid Institute no matter what—even if we have to crash through the gates!"
He paused, looking at Ling Feng's arm.
"But first… let's get that arm of yours taken care of."