Twisted

"Greetings, seniors from the capital. It must have been a long journey for you, please rest while our servants serve the food." The Hu clan elders of the Cloudspring City welcomed Hu Xe and Hu Zie warmly.

"Hm. We have sent messengers to the Hu families in Firelash city and the others that the competition will be held here in three days. The quota this year is two for this region as always. That's all, we will rest here." The Hu seniors were not happy in this place.

"Alright, we will take our leave then," said the elders and took their leave.

Although they were happy that the competition took place in their hometown, they were disappointed that the quota didn't increase at all. It is said that the quota of a region increases once in a while after a family of said place produces an outstanding talent who flourished in the capital. They were not happy precisely because of that.

Hu Yan, a homegrown talent of the Cloudspring Hu clan, has become an inner court disciple this year at the Hu clan in the capital. He could be said to be their best talent in this century who reached inner court just six years after the recruitment competition. As such, they were hopeful that the quota will increase at least twofold this year, but contrary to their expectations, it stayed the same. It was such a massive disappointment, such was the importance they placed on these quotas, as it determined the future of their family as nearly all the talents who went to the capital could be counted as the pillars of their family. The reason why they emphasized on these quotas was that it was their family who won almost all the quotas in recent years. The Hu families of the nearby cities were pitifully weak.

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Antique Market Lane, Firelash City.

"So you decided on participating in the competition yet?" Hu Feng asked Yi Zhihao who was sitting in a chair nearby in front of an old antique shop he visited frequently.

The Hu clan annual recruitment competition was not limited only to the Hu clan themselves. Outstanding talents from other sects and families were allowed. Of course, they shouldn't be from one of the top sects in the Windsprout nation.

"Decided on participating yet? How many times did I tell you I'm coming with you to the Hu family in the capital buddy. Why do you keep asking me as if I hadn't decided before yet?" Indeed Yi Zhihao was already hell bend on participating in the competition once he heard that outsiders could participate as long as they are not from one of the top sects in the nation.

"I am only asking because it is risky for you, as you once were of the ancient Yi clan."

"Of course, most of the people in this city don't know that I'm a descendant of the Yi clan. Even if they knew they don't believe it. Hell, even I am suspicious sometimes. I will just say that I am not from the Yi clan of the past," convinced Yi Zhihao.

This year they turned twelve. Most of the participants from this region were 14 as it was when they had the best chance. But this competition was already 'over' in their eyes.

"Alright, then make sure you don't mention that you are from the Yi clan, the competition will be held in two days, we will prepare tomorrow. I still have to convince Hu Zheng to bring you along."

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2020 AD, China, Earth.

"Fuck you, surnamed Hou!" It was a joyous mood as Song Wu's friends celebrated his birthday in an upscale restaurant in Beijing. One of them managed to cake his face causing him to curse out loud, as it was being recorded.

"Haha buddy, why curse out loud? All the belles in the campus forum will see this footage firsthand tomorrow, before releasing it everywhere else, haha," Lei Hou shouted as he ran out of the room with the mobile in his hand still recording.

Soon, everyone left one by one as Song Wu sighed. It was his twentieth birthday, it was his second year in college. His family was very accomplished and he could focus on studies alone, unlike many who has to work part-time.

Song Wu left the restaurant as he called a taxi and went home. Even though his family was well off they still lived a normal life, not spending too much on anything, except of course on his blonde dyed hair. He loved his hair too much.

The taxi was passing through a bridge, speeding up, every light looked like a neon line, an aesthetical view appeared in front of him. He loved this bridge as it had the most beautiful view in his opinion.

'This is...'

The taxi kept speeding up, still in the long bridge, only the long neon lights could be visible now as everything else lost their color, he kept silent throughout this ride. His hair was messed up blowing in all directions as the window was open with the wind seemingly infinite. The music in the taxi seemed to slow down as he only thought of the neon lights outside, as he closed his eyes slowly.

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Year 10,013 of the official Crystalfire continent calendar.

A handsome youth with short hair could be seen laying down in a rock near a waterfall in a dense forest located 6 kilometers south of the Firelash City.

"Of course this Yi Zhihao didn't die because of those minor injuries those kids gave him." Yi Zhihao slowly opened his eyes, muttering something.

"This is the place where I reincarnated, just after the previous host died. He obtained an ancient cultivating manual here before seemingly dying? Did he try to cultivate it? Just how did he die, even after trying to look over his last memories, I couldn't find anything. It was all blurred. This manual is all he left behind, inside this ring, which can seemingly store things inside." Yi Zhihao turned his hand to inspect the plain black ring, which looked insignificant on the outside.

"More importantly, how did that guy reincarnate at the same time, it's just impossible. I can sense another spirit energy from him, he was not a human in his previous life. If it's not because of the timing, why else would I stick with him."

*WOOSH*

Yi Zhihao instantly reached one of the huge rocks directly beside the waterfall. There was something written seemingly with black ink in that rock. It seemed to be from another language. He took one last glance at it before heading towards Firelash city.