The moon hung like a pale jade disk above Crimson Jade City, casting its silver light over the bustling metropolis of three million souls. One of the most strategically important settlements on Qilin Continent, the city stood at the contested border between the Sacred Beast Empire and Demon Beast Empire territories, its position making it both coveted and dangerous.
Situated in the heart of the Sacred Beast Empire's Qilin Grove state, Crimson Jade City served as a crucial trading hub where spirit beast materials, rare herbs, and cultivation resources changed hands daily. The city's distinctive crimson-colored walls, built from locally quarried Flame Stone, glowed softly in the moonlight—a sight that had inspired its name, along with the rare crimson jade deposits found in the surrounding mountains.
Nine powerful forces controlled different districts within the city. Most prominent among the city's ancient clans were the Wei Clan, the Zhou Family, and the mysterious Shadow Moon Clan, maintaining a delicate balance of power that had persisted for over two centuries. Each faction understood that their survival depended on this carefully orchestrated equilibrium.
In the western wing of the Wei compound, where morning sunlight filtered through paper screens and the scent of medicinal herbs hung perpetually in the air, Wei Chen lay motionless upon his bed. As the eldest child who should have been leading the next generation, his continued frailty cast a shadow over the entire clan's future. Instead of training alongside peers or competing for sect positions, he remained as fragile as autumn leaves, his pale complexion a stark contrast to his family's robust health.
"Young Master, please try to drink this medicine," came a gentle voice beside his bed. Liu Qin, daughter of his mother's personal maid Yu Qin, carefully lifted a ceramic bowl containing a dark, bitter-smelling concoction. At seventeen herself, she had grown up alongside Wei Chen, serving as his constant companion during the long years of his mysterious illness.
Wei Chen's dark eyes fluttered open, focusing on the young woman's concerned face. Liu Qin possessed a natural beauty that remained unadorned by cosmetics or fine clothing—her servant's robes couldn't hide her graceful movements or the intelligence that sparkled in her amber eyes. Over the years, she had become far more than a servant; she was his closest friend, perhaps his only true friend in a world that saw him as the clan's failure.
"Another bitter brew from the physicians?" Wei Chen asked weakly, attempting to sit up with Liu Qin's assistance. His body trembled with the effort, betraying the constant war raging within his meridians.
"Elder Physician Wang says this one might help stabilize your internal energy," Liu Qin replied, though doubt colored her voice. They had tried dozens of treatments over the years, each promising hope but delivering only disappointment.
Wei Chen accepted the bowl with shaking hands, downing the medicine in one gulp to minimize the awful taste. As the liquid burned down his throat, he felt the familiar sensation of his body rejecting any attempt at cultivation—qi scattering the moment it formed, meridians spasming as if trying to tear themselves apart.
The Wei Clan's physicians had examined him countless times, each reaching the same conclusion: Wei Chen possessed a special physique that prevented normal cultivation. They had given it various names—"Blocked Meridian Constitution," "Qi Rejection Body," and most recently, "Cultivation Immune Physique." All were scholarly terms for a condition that made him utterly useless in a world where strength determined everything.
What they didn't know, what no one could know, was the true nature of Wei Chen's condition. Deep within his bloodline lay dormant the legacy of an ancient incubus—a demonic heritage that granted incredible power over desire and life force, but at the cost of traditional cultivation methods. This bloodline warred constantly with his second inheritance: the Celestial Nine Yang Body, a Divine Grade physique that should have made him one of the most powerful cultivators in the world.
The two opposing forces created chaos within his body. The incubus bloodline sought to absorb and manipulate life energy through intimate connection with others, while the Nine Yang Body wanted to generate pure yang energy through orthodox cultivation methods. Neither could fully manifest while the other existed, leaving Wei Chen caught between two incompatible natures that slowly tore him apart from within.
"Young Master," Liu Qin said softly, setting aside the empty bowl, "tomorrow marks your eighteenth birthday. The clan will expect you to attempt the Qi Gathering ritual again."
Wei Chen closed his eyes, dreading the approaching ceremony. Every Wei Clan member underwent the formal Qi Gathering ritual on their eighteenth birthday, a tradition dating back three hundred years. For most, it was a celebration marking their official entry into the cultivation world. For Wei Chen, it would be another public demonstration of his inadequacy.
"I know," he whispered. "Father has been avoiding me for weeks now. I can see the disappointment in his eyes, the way he looks at me like I'm some kind of curse upon the family name. Meanwhile, Lin excels in her external trials, and even Xuan shows more promise in a year than I have in my entire life."
Liu Qin's expression hardened slightly. "Your father loves you, Young Master. The entire clan worries about your health, not your cultivation ability."
"Do they?" Wei Chen laughed bitterly. "When was the last time any of my cousins visited? Lin's letters have become formal reports devoid of sisterly affection. They all know what I am—the crippled heir who will never amount to anything in the cultivation world."
Before Liu Qin could respond, footsteps echoed in the corridor outside. She quickly straightened, resuming her proper servant's posture as the door slid open to reveal Madam Liu Mei, Wei Chen's mother. Even at forty-five, she retained the graceful bearing of her youth, her late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation evident in her smooth skin and vibrant energy.
"Chen'er," she said warmly, moving to sit beside his bed. "How are you feeling today?"
"Better, Mother," Wei Chen lied smoothly, having learned long ago that honesty only brought worry and additional treatments. "Liu Qin has been taking excellent care of me."
Madam Liu Mei smiled at the young servant. "Qin'er has been like a sister to you all these years. I'm grateful for her devotion."
Liu Qin bowed deeply. "It is my honor to serve the young master, Madam."
"Chen'er, I wanted to discuss tomorrow's ceremony with you," Madam Liu Mei continued, her tone growing serious. "Your father and I have decided to keep it simple—just family and the inner disciples. There's no need for a grand celebration that might... that might cause you discomfort."
Wei Chen understood the unspoken meaning. They expected him to fail again, just as he had during private attempts over the years. The "simple" ceremony was designed to minimize his public humiliation when he inevitably proved unable to gather even the most basic qi.
"I understand, Mother."
Madam Liu Mei reached out to stroke his hair, her touch gentle but tinged with sadness. "Tomorrow night, regardless of what happens with the ritual, we will celebrate your eighteenth birthday properly. You are my son, and that matters more than any cultivation achievement."