Life Anew

Many years ago, after the cataclysmic attack by the 13th divine astral beast, mankind suffered dearly. But, not all astral beast were bloodthirsty and viewed themselves as the sole rulers of the world. The other 12 divine astral beasts were quite fond of the humans around them, and when one of their own sought to bring an end to "the filth" of the world, they stepped in at the last minute to save and revitalized what was left. Though, it was a very big toll on the 12 to restore life and stop their own, most of their qi had already been spent. Yet, before their eternal slumber, they created 4 houses. Each house ruled over its respective land, and was charged with the duty of protecting an astral key. When they restrained the 13th, they locked the 13th away and split the powers of the 13th divine astral beast into 4 parts. Scattering it to locations unknown to mankind. But without the respective keys, those powers would never come to light ever again. And thus, with their houses created and with the trouble maker put away, the 12 divine astral beasts began their eternal slumber...and all was well once again.

"Years have passed since the cataclysmic attack and in honor of the 12 divine astral beasts. The revitalized continent was named the Astral Continent. The stories of the 12 were passed down from generation to generation. And the 4 houses that were built created their own schools to pass down the legacy of their respective divine astral beast. The houses began to grow over time and became rulers of the respective land. Though even though the 4 houses are deeply rooted in the divine astral beasts, humans naturally form enmities with one another and houses that were once unitely joined were then split. Factions began to rise: The Nightmare Ravens, Cryo Wolves, and the most mysterious of them all, only known by their mark of a majestic Qilin. Now, who can tell me what each of the factions here represent, Xing Huang?"

"Ah! Hmm, is it already lunch time?"

'Haha, what an idiot. Always thinking about food and sleeping, if he wasn't the sole heir to the 3rd house of Dragon/Ox/Rabbit, he wouldn't have even been able to attend the school of Azure Wind.' Muttered the students around him.

*sigh* "No Xing Huang, it is not lunch time. But please see me after school. Okay, Meili, can you please tell me what each of the factions represent?"

"Yes Ms.Meifen. The Nightmare Ravens are mainly known as an assassination organization. They will kill anyone for the right amount. The Cyro Wolves are mainly known for their mercenary work and are guards for hire. While the oldest faction and is known to be the most powerful and mysterious, is the Qilins. Of course, everyone knows that the Qilins is not what they are truly called, but no one knows their organization's name and only calls them the Qilins as that is the symbol of their organization. After any mysterious movement or activity is done and a Qilin mark is left behind, one knows that they were the ones there. Of course, all three factions are known to be respected by all as no faction ever oversteps their bounds and condone filthy actions."

"Very good Meili. You summarized it up very well. Well, we will end class here, everyone may now pack up. Xing Huang and Song Meili, you two have duty today so please do not forget. Class is dismissed."

'Phew, that was such a long class. I though Ms.Meifen would make us stay back longer because of that idiot.' The students murmured.

"Wake up sleepy head, class is over now, stop pretending. I don't know why you have to act all stupid in class when you are probably the smartest person around. What do I do with you? You better make me dumplings today."

"You will never understand my troubles Meili. If I am to be smart, I might cause the world to explode due to my awesomeness."

"Yeah, yeah, and I will grow wings. Hurry up and clean, I'm hungry."

Xing Huang and Meili have been together since they were children. Xing Huang being the sole heir of the 3rd divine house, he garnered much attention ever since he was born. Within the 3rd house, like any other house, there were always three divisions. Each division centered on one divine astral beast. In the case of the 3rd house, the Phantasmal Dragon Division was under the direct control of the Patriarch. One could say that they were his shadow guards. The Iron Ox Division and Swift Rabbit Division have their own jobs and responsibilities. The Iron Ox Division was in charge of the protection of the 3rd house and security for their businesses. The Swift Rabbit Division took care of intel. Out of the four houses, the 3rd house could be said to be its own powerhouse. Of course, that is only of one were talking about power between the houses.

Meili born within the 3rd house was a child of one of the nobles in the house. Each house had its patriarch (ruler) and its following classes down the line. Meili's parents and the patriarchal family have some close ties so naturally, their children grew up with each other. In front of others, Meili would be very ladylike and mannered. But in front of her lifelong friend, there was no need for such pretense.

After an hour of cleaning and helping the teacher prepare for tomorrow's class, Xing Huang and Meili headed off to Ms.Meifen's office.

"Huang, I know that there must be a reason for you acting this way in class, but you must remember that you are the heir of the 3rd house. You cannot continue to act this way, how will your parents face others when everyone is speaking of you being a little brat?"

"..."

"Fine, fine. I don't know what to do with you anymore. Can you at least please answer my questions correctly when I call on you from now on? I won't ask you to listen but please at least stay awake. Okay, you two should go back home now. I will see you tomorrow."

"We can finally go eat now, I was about to die."

"Seriously Meili, all you think about is food and snacks. I can't believe that you don't even gain any weight from all the food that you eat. Where does it all go?"

"Hmph, what would you know! It goes into my beauty, alright?! Anyways, I want some bbq so lets head to the Jade House. I like their interior and they offer private rooms. I can eat all I want without judgement that way."

There are many restaurants in the land of the 3rd house, but if the Jade House were to say that they were number two in food quality, there would not be a number one. When the Jade House was first established, they were laughed at for being named like an auction house or some brothel. No one knows who the owner of the Jade House is, but for a person to have opened branched all over the Astral Continent almost overnight, that person definitely is not someone simple.

As the two arrived at the destination, they were welcome by two beauties at the door, gesturing them in politely. Of course, the road is narrow and for such a popular food house, many people would normally dine there. When there is people, there would be good people, bad people, and those who really have probably been nurtured in cow manure.

"Hahaha, look who the wind blew in. Young Master Huang, how are you? Shouldn't you be at home studying? I feel so sorry for your parents, they got stuck with such a useless son. Miss Meili, you shouldn't hang out with trash, it will taint your beauty. Please join me, I will ensure that you will have a very fulfilling night." Feng Jiao sleazily said.

"Hmph, who are you calling trash? You have such a dirty mouth, how can you even be the Young Master of the 1st house? Have you no shame!"

"Enough, no need to argue, lets go to our room. I'm getting hungry now as well." Xing Huang said. Of course, no one saw but at the moment that Feng Jiao spoke of Meili spending a fulfilling night with him, Xing Huang's eyes flashed with a cold killing intent. But it was quickly calmed as no one was able to notice it.

"What a wimp. No brains and now, no balls."

As Feng Jiao and his gang continued their mockery, Xing Huang and Meili headed up stairs. A hostess asked Xing Huang, "The usual, Boss?"

"Yeah, and give us an extra set of meat today, I'm feeling a bit hungry as well."

"Of course, I will get that ready now. Your room is ready for you as usual. I will see you in a bit."

I guess it is a bit confusing without a more thorough understanding of what's going on here. Xing Huang was not a pompous scion of a powerful house, rather he can probably be called Heaven's Child. When Xing Huang was born, auspicious signs appeared within the chamber of his birth. The flowers and potted plants began to thrive and flourish, a rainbow dew then began to form above his mother's head, and when all that were present thought that it couldn't be any more miraculous. As Xing Huang was finally born, on each of his star acupoints, a symbol of each divine astral beast was formed.

Of course, the auspicious sign didn't last long much after, but it left all who were there in awe. No word of the event was ever let out for fear that someone might try to hurt Xing Huang. His parents fawned over their little boy, he was worth more than their lives, and they made sure that he would have a bright future ahead of him.

Though unbeknownst to his parents, Xing Huang truly was not like other children. As he grew up and hit the age of 5, something happened to him one night. It was around 10 PM that night in Xing Huang's room, as he was sleeping, he began to see a strange "dream".

It began with the images of 12 humans fighting an army and someone that looked like its leader. Xing Huang could see that the 12 humans were quite pleasing to the eye, but no matter how he tried to view the opposing leader's face, all he could make out were faint blurs.

The war raged on and in the end, the opposing force was subdued by the 12 humans. What Xing Huang saw next was each of the 12 humans then emitted a strange image that looked like different animals. The 12 images then swirled around the human from the other side and soon formed some sort of barrier around it. Then, one of the 12 seemed to have ripped open up the air and all that could be seen was a pitch black darkness. The barrier with the human in it soon was dragged into the ripped space as the space closed itself up once it fully consumed the barrier.

As the space was sealed, the 12 split into four groups of three and began to cut their fingers one by one. Soon a single drop of golden blood had formed at the tips of each of their fingers. The four groups split up and when they stopped, three golden drops of blood fell unto the ground and a golden glyph was formed.

As they finished building their respective houses, the 12 once again met at the site of the battle. When the 12 got their, it was as if they knew that Xing Huang was watching. At that moment, 12 pair of eyes looked over at where Xing Huang was floating. The 12 smiled at him and soon, they slowly entered their respective spaces.

The world then flashed before his eyes. Of course, Xing Huang would soon be shocked to learn that what he saw in his dreams was the apocalyptic war of old and beginning of the four houses.

Though, if it ended there, there would be no point in explaining the past. As the world flashed after the 12 went into their slumber. Xing Huang found himself in a majestic and seemingly radiant place. As he slowly looked to see where he was, he saw countless golden statutes that were erected around him. They all had different auras that seemed to be radiating from them. As he was entranced by the statues, he soon heard a voice call out his name, " Child birthed from the embrace of the stars, you are greater than what you think. Have faith in all you do, and know that the stars will always guide you…"