Tianxu Dynasty.

The once clear sky turned cloudy in an instant, casting an ominous atmosphere over the small village where Li Mei lived. Black clouds gathered over the hills, and strong winds blew dry dust into the air. Villagers, who had been busy with their daily activities, now stepped out of their homes with worried faces.

Li Mei stood in front of her house, staring at the darkening horizon. The sound of approaching hoofbeats rumbled in the distance, shaking the ground and stirring unease in her chest. "What's happening?" she muttered, sensing something was wrong.

"Li Mei, get inside now!" her mother shouted, pulling her arm. "It must be the Tianxu forces! They never come without a reason."

But Li Mei remained rooted to the spot, her eyes fixed on the row of soldiers in black armor that had now become visible at the edge of the road. Their leader, a large man with a face scarred from battles, rode a black horse. The troops stopped in the middle of the village, kicking up a cloud of dust.

"We are looking for a girl," the leader bellowed, his voice echoing through the village. "She bears a birthmark shaped like fire. Surrender her, and your village will be spared."

The villagers exchanged confused glances. They whispered among themselves, trying to recall who might have such a mark. Li Mei felt her blood run cold. The man's words sent shivers down her spine. She felt the mark on her back grow warm, as if reacting to something.

"If no one speaks," the leader continued, "we will search for her ourselves." With a wave of his hand, the soldiers spread out, searching every house with no regard for courtesy.

Terrified villagers tried to resist, but they were powerless against the armed soldiers. Screams echoed from every direction. Li Mei realized she was in danger.

"Li Mei! Hide!" her mother pushed her back into the house, but it was too late. A soldier spotted her. "There she is!" he shouted, pointing at Li Mei.

Without thinking, Li Mei bolted out of the house, sprinting past the fields and trees at the edge of the village. Her heart pounded as her legs carried her as fast as they could. But behind her, the sound of horses' hooves grew louder.

When she was nearly cornered at the edge of the forest, a soldier dismounted from his horse, drawing his sword. "Surrender, little girl," he sneered with a cruel smile.

Li Mei stepped back, her body trembling. But before the soldier could approach, a shadow darted out from the trees, striking him down in an instant.

Li Mei stared at the figure in shock. A man in a black cloak stood before her, holding a long, gleaming sword.

"Who are you?" Li Mei asked, her voice shaking.

The man didn't answer. His sharp eyes studied Li Mei as if assessing her. Before she could ask again, more soldiers appeared from behind.

"Get out of here," the man said curtly before attacking the approaching soldiers. His movements were swift and lethal. Within seconds, all the soldiers lay defeated around him.

Li Mei stood frozen, unable to believe what she had just witnessed. The man sheathed his sword and turned to her. "Do you want to die here?" he asked coldly.

Li Mei shook her head. "I… I don't know where to go."

"Follow me," the man commanded, then began walking into the forest without waiting for a reply.

Li Mei hesitated for a moment, but the sound of more soldiers approaching left her no choice. Reluctantly, she followed the man into the forest.

After walking for several minutes, Li Mei couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. "Why did you help me?" she asked.

The man stopped and looked at her sharply. "I have my reasons. You shouldn't be here."

"What do you mean?" Li Mei asked, confused.

"You know why they're after you, don't you?" the man asked.

Li Mei shook her head. "I don't know. I'm just an ordinary village girl."

The man scoffed. "Ordinary? There's nothing ordinary about you." He stared at Li Mei for a moment before continuing, "They're after the mark on your back. It's not just a birthmark."

Li Mei felt her body tremble. "What do you mean? I don't understand."

The man didn't answer, but his eyes suggested he knew something significant about her.

They continued their journey until nightfall. Li Mei felt exhausted, but her fear kept her alert. Finally, they stopped at a small cave in the middle of the forest.

"We'll stay here for the night," the man said.

Li Mei sat on a rock, hugging her knees. She was still haunted by the events of the day. "I never asked for any of this," she muttered softly.

The man lit a small fire and sat across from her. "No one asks for their destiny," he said flatly. "But destiny doesn't care what you want."

Li Mei looked at him with questioning eyes. "Who are you, really?"

The man was silent for a moment before answering, "My name is Feng Wei. That's all you need to know for now."

Li Mei felt the name sounded familiar, but she didn't dare ask further. She only knew that her life had changed forever.

Outside the cave, the cold night wind blew. Li Mei tried to sleep, but the memory of the attack on her village kept replaying in her mind. The mark on her back felt warm again, as if reminding her of something great that awaited her.

Feng Wei sat near the fire, watching Li Mei as she slept with an unreadable expression. Deep down, he knew this journey had only just begun.

As the fire crackled softly, Feng Wei's gaze lingered on Li Mei. She stirred in her sleep, her face etched with unease. The mark on her back faintly glowed beneath her clothes, a sign he couldn't ignore.

His grip tightened on his sword. "Why did it have to be her?" he muttered to himself, frustration evident in his tone. Yet, he knew the answer.

Li Mei, oblivious to his inner turmoil, murmured in her sleep, "Why me?" Feng Wei exhaled deeply, his resolve hardening.