The rising sun that shone over Linzi City also cast its light impartially over Ji City in Great Marsh Prefecture.
But some found it warm and glorious, while others found it scorching and agonizing.
Liu Xiao was not of the direct line.
In fact, he had not originally been surnamed Liu at all, and he did not know what his surname should have been.
When he was young, Old Master Liu had found him abandoned by the roadside. It had been a passing act of kindness: he took the baby in and raised him among the clan, as just one more household-born son.
But even at a very young age, Liu Xiao showed an extraordinary talent for the Martial Dao.
A precious Vein-Opening Pill could hardly be wasted on a household-born son. Yet Old Master Liu had overruled all objections and given him one.
And Liu Xiao had more than justified the choice. Whether in mastering secret arts and Daoist Arts or in the pace of his cultivation, he far surpassed everyone else.
Old Master Liu came to value him more and more, supplying him with resources all along the way. Liu Xiao had lived up to every expectation: every bit of support had brought ample returns, and he had grown into the Divine Presence expert he was today.
While Old Master Liu was alive, Liu Xiao had been utterly loyal to the Liu Clan and rendered outstanding service. After the old master died, he had also given his full support to the new Earl Xuanhuai, Liu Yingqi.
When Liu Shentong died, Liu Xiao had been the first to rush to Changming Prefecture, vowing to intercept Tian Anping on his way back. Unfortunately, he had failed.
After that battle, the Liu Clan had fallen into decline.
There would never be