Murim Recurve

The figure before Ki'Nua was someone everyone in their race knew about. After all, he was a legend, one that had changed the status of their race and made history; the one with the most tragic history among all the pinnacle beings of their race and the most short-lived one with the grandest feat.

The First Celestial Emperor!

Before that, their race was ruled over by the Treka, a race that had been immensely powerful back in those periods. The Treka had three Celestial Emperors. They were a powerhouse race that didn't fear anyone.

As a race ruled over by them, the Kalki lead hard lives. But, everything changed with the arrival of the First Celestial Emperor. He freed their race, made them a place to call their own, and actively promoted the growth of their race.

Unfortunately, the object he had used to become a Celestial Emperor had been the property of one of the Treka's Celestial Emperors. Due to the incompatibility, he had suffered through his life as a Celestial Emperor. 

Eventually, his injuries accumulated as he faced the attacks from every other race that wished to snatch the device in his hands in order to birth a Celestial Emperor of their own. And, he soon passed away, leaving behind his legacy and making enough arrangements for their race to birth the Second Celestial Emperor.

Thanks to that legacy, their race prospered and were now under the rule of the Fourth Celestial Emperor.

The Celestial Emperors were the pinnacle beings of their race, ones that shouldered their race's fate singlehandedly during their times of rule. So, whenever a newborn was birthed, before seeing its parents, the figures of the four Celestial Emperors were shown to it first.

And every city had the statue of the four Celestial Emperors in the centre of the city and was flocked over by the people to pray daily. It was an act that gave them mental peace. For, as long as they were assured they were watched over by the Celestial Emperors, they could face any difficulties in life.

It wasn't a sentiment shared by the commoners alone. Even the Harmonisers were the same. Rather, the sense of worship they felt was even greater than the commoners. After all, whenever they gazed at the statues of the Celestial Emperors, the Elemental Qi in their bodies would tremble and prostrate.

That was why Ki'Nua could instantly recognise the identity of the other party. Before she could even register the identity of the other party in her mind, her body moved suit in reflex, prostrating on the ground as she showed her proper respects.

"You've done well, child." A sonorous voice resounded from the First Celestial Emperor, causing Ki'Nua to tear up immediately. To most people, just hearing the voice of their Celestial Emperor would make them give up their lives. So, her emotions were justified.

She was happy to hear his voice. Moreover, she was elated to be offered words of praise. For a moment, she had forgotten the fact that their First Celestial Emperor had died numerous centuries ago.

"You might have a lot of questions. But, I'll keep it short. If you stay before me for too long, your mind would shatter." The First Celestial Emperor spoke, "First of all, after my death, all the pain, resentment, etc. I suffered throughout my life collated in me. And, as I was the spiritual pillar of our race, their entirety of negative emotions condensed in me and revived me as a Sha."

Ki'Nua listened in silence, not daring to interrupt the other party. After all, to her, or anyone else from her race, the Celestial Emperor's words were the law.

"I was confused at first. But as years passed, I slowly regained my bearings and sought to work based on the negative emotions that birthed me," He slowly smiled, "Thankfully, the emotions of everyone was worry about the race, worry about their safety, and worry about their race's future. It is a wonder that all of them perfectly aligned with the same convictions I possessed when alive. So, I hadn't turned into a monster after becoming a Sha."

"And," He said with a tone of pride when talking about his people, "It was their genuine worries that made me into who I am today. It did take me many centuries before I could move and plan accordingly. If I had moved any sooner, I would have lost my way like a normal Sha. Once I could move, I created this Withered Courtyard, a city of Sha that works in secret, eliminating threats of our race."

"Thanks to a certain mysterious organisation, too many problems are cropping up in our lands. They are endangering our people without our knowledge. And hence…" His eyes focused on Ki'Nua, "To combat them, I slowly convert potential talents among my people into a Sha after their death. And, to ensure they wouldn't lose the convictions they possessed when they were alive, I make a connection when they were an infant itself. This connection maintains a tether to their mind and keeps them as sane as when they had been alive."

His eyes shifted a little before focusing back on Ki'Nua, "I believe Ju'Tha has informed you about some things. Now, I'll tell you the real purpose of why I brought you here."

Ki'Nua nodded, looking forward with an expression of anticipation.

Seeing her devoted look, the First Celestial Emperor's eyes turned a tad gentle, speaking with a tone of authority, but one suffused with the care for his people, "Unlike the others where my preparation on them hindered their lives, yours is more perfect. After all, you are my bloodline and among everyone in our race, your affinity to Ghost Qi is the highest."

"Normally, after the changes, the person I chose would be unable to wield the other elements. Unable to endure the changes, they committed suicide most of the time and became a Sha immediately. But as a Sha, we do have limitations in the actions we can take." Followed by a mild sigh, his eyes looked up once.

He then spoke, "But twenty years ago, the appearance of a certain Human gave me an opportunity."