The sounds of kicks and punches echoed through the clearing, blending with the sharp grunts of children locked in cruelty.
"Wanting us to respect you, ehh…?" one boy snarled through gritted teeth.
"…Just because you're the chief's son, ehh…?" another jeered, laughing as he drove his heel down.
Four boys encircled a small figure curled up on the muddy ground. Their feet struck him again and again, sending clumps of dirt into the air. The child trembled, arms wrapped tightly over his head, eyes squeezed shut—enduring the blows in silence.
That child was Ming Ling, barely four years old… beaten simply for being the clan chief's son.
Children could be cruel—far crueler than adults realized.
"Stop… it."
The sudden voice sliced through the air like the edge of a blade.
The bullies stiffened and turned.
Standing before them was a boy, arms planted firmly on his waist, chin high—his stance radiating a strangely heroic aura. He looked around six or seven, dressed in fluffy wolf-fur tribal clothes. Two black streaks of war paint slashed across his cheeks, giving his young face a fierce, unyielding edge.
This boy was Ming Niang—the child who would one day become the clan's future chief.
One of the bullies—a chubby boy around ten—stepped forward, puffing out his chest like he owned the whole clearing. The other three hovered behind him, skinny kids aged between seven and nine, clearly following his lead like a little elementary gang.
"Oh? Well, if it isn't the first son of the clan chief," the chubby leader sneered.
"You mean the elder brother of this wimp?" one of the boys added with a fake innocent tone, even though everyone knew it was just another mockery.
The skinniest kid of the group shuffled up next—every bully pack had that one leech, clinging to the strong only to feel strong himself.
"came to get a beating too…?" he baby-talked mockingly.
The others burst into mocking laughter.
"Let go of my brother."
Little Ming Niang's voice trembled with fury.
The chubby leader clicked his tongue. "And what if we say… no?"
"No?… huh."
A slow grin slid across Ming Niang's face.
Ming Niang took a long breath…
And the moment he exhaled—
WHOOOM!
A sudden burst of wind exploded from his small body, blasting outward.
The bullies staggered back, covering their faces as dust and leaves whipped into the air.
From within the swirling cloud—
Zzzt… zzzt…
A faint blue light flickered.
When the dust finally began to settle, the boys' eyes widened in panic.
Ming Niang's entire body was crackling with flickering blue lightning, arcs hissing across his arms and legs like tiny serpents of thunder.
"W-What is that…?"
They didn't get to finish the thought.
BOOM!
Ming Niang shot forward like a launched arrow.
Before the chubby gang leader could blink—
CRACK!
Ming Niang's knee smashed into his chin, lifting the older boy clean off the ground for a brief, stunned moment.
Then—
BOOM!
A second strike—Ming Niang's fist slammed into the bully's belly.
The chubby leader was blasted backward, crashing into two of his own gang members.
All three tumbled across the dirt in a chaotic heap, groaning as the impact knocked the breath out of them.
The chubby leader groaned in pain as he sat up—only to realize he had sat on something soft.
A muffled gasp came from beneath him.
He looked down.
The two boys he had crashed into were pinned under his weight, their arms flailing, their faces turning red as they struggled for air.
"H-Huh!?"
Realizing what he was sitting on, the chubby leader screamed in panic and scrambled off them.
Then he turned—and saw Ming Niang walking toward them, lightning still crackling faintly around his body.
His face drained of all color.
"M-Ming Niang is… h-he's a cultivator! A level 4!!" he shrieked as he bolted away, tripping over his own feet.
The two suffocating boys immediately forgot their pride.
Gasping, shaking, they scrambled after their leader.
"W-Wait for us!!"
"Don't leave us behind!!"
And just like that, the mighty "elementary gang" dissolved into a retreating, crying mess.
Only one was left.
The skinny boy—the one who had said, "Came to get a beating too?"—now stood frozen, abandoned by his gang, his earlier arrogance gone like smoke in the wind.
His legs trembled.
His hands shook.
He couldn't even breathe properly.
He turned around desperately to call for his friends—
But they were already long gone.
"…N-No…" he whispered in fear.
Slowly… he turned back.
And froze.
Ming Niang's face was right in front of his, close enough to feel his breath.
The young wolf warrior leaned forward, eyes narrowed, staring into the bully's soul as if he were a ghost come to drag him into the afterlife.
The skinny boy's scream shattered the silence.
The boy screamed in terror and stumbled backward, landing hard on his butt with a loud thud.
He trembled uncontrollably, as if he was staring straight into his doom.
Ming Niang crouched down, bringing his face level with the boy's.
"Where's your big mouth now?" he asked coldly.
The boy didn't answer.
"Didn't you say you were going to beat me up?" Ming Niang pressed, voice low and threatening.
"N-no… no…" The boy let out an awkward, shaky laugh.
Ming Niang's eyes darkened.
"Aren't you going to apologize to my brother?"
The boy's eyes snapped open. He jumped to his feet and, trembling, bowed deeply to Ming Ling, who sat silently on the ground, watching everything as if witnessing a miracle.
"We… we're s-sorry," the boy stammered.
"Will you ever bully him again?" Ming Niang asked, voice sharp and unforgiving.
"N-no, no, never," the boy hurriedly replied.
Ming Niang straightened and barked, "Now… get lost."
Without another word, the boy shot away like an arrow, kicking up thick clouds of dust as he fled the clearing.
Ming Niang hurried over to his brother, who was bleeding slightly from his kneecap and a few scrapes—especially at the corner of his mouth.
He crouched beside him, concern etched deep in his young face.
"Are you okay?"
Ming Ling's eyes shimmered with unshed tears.
"Brother… Mmm…" His voice was barely a whisper, trembling with pain and emotion.
With a gentle flick to Ming Ling's forehead, Ming Niang grinned, teeth flashing in a reassuring smile.
"Ahh… come on, don't cry. I'm here."
"Ahem…"
A deep, rumbling voice cut through the moment.
A large shadow suddenly fell over them, blotting out the harsh sunlight.
Ming Niang slowly turned around, his grin widening to reveal every tooth—like a kid caught but knowing exactly what was coming.
"Ahh… Father…"
He said, laughing awkwardly,
"Looks like I'm definitely in trouble now."
Night had already fallen, and the sky stretched wide and clear, barely touched by clouds.
Countless stars glittered like scattered jewels, painting the heavens in a tapestry of light—almost as if the sky were its own vast realm.
Two full moons hung side by side, ruling over the starry expanse.
Unlike other empires, the Sunrise Empire boasted two moons: one large and luminous, the other smaller but no less radiant, nestled close like a celestial companion.
Bats fluttered through the cool night air, silently hunting for their prey.
On the horizon lay a clan village known as the Blue Lightning Sky Wolf Clan.
The settlement was simple, made of weathered wooden houses that lent it a muted, grayish hue.
Yet despite the rustic homes, the trees and short grass within the village shimmered with a vibrant green, breathing life and hope into the place.
The entire village was quiet, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, as if its people had long since retired to sleep.
And yet—
From the very heart of the village, a sharp beating sound rang out, echoing through the stillness, followed by a child's anguished scream.
Inside a humble wooden house, a boy lay sprawled across his father's lap—
PHAK! PHAK! PHAK!
Sharp slaps landed one after another, each followed by the boy's stifled screams of pain.
The father sat sternly on the bed, his expression hard as he disciplined the child.
"What did I tell you about bullying the weak, huh?" he growled.
"And yet you keep causing trouble."
Outside the wide-open window, thick green bushes rustled softly.
Amid the leaves, a pair of eyes glinted—watching intently, silently witnessing the scene inside.
Those eyes belonged to Ming Ling.
He was sneaking a peek, hidden and quiet, observing the punishment unfolding before him.
And the boy being scolded and spanked?
None other than his brother—Ming Niang.
The punishment dragged on for nearly an hour before Ming Niang's father finally stood up and left the house, quietly closing the door behind him.
Seizing the chance, Ming Ling darted through the thick bushes, rustling leaves as he hurried.
Without hesitation, he shoved himself through the open window—
BOING!
He tripped spectacularly, landing face-first on the floor, his legs flailing awkwardly in the air like a toppled tower. He twitched for a moment, groaning in discomfort.
"Ouch…" Ming Ling grunted, rubbing his sore back as he pushed himself upright.
His eyes landed on his brother, who was staring at him with a raised brow while simultaneously rubbing his aching butt.
Ming Niang's surprise quickly dissolved into laughter as he watched his little brother's clumsy entrance.
After a while, the two brothers sat together on the bed. Ming Niang lay on his back, arms behind his head, while Ming Ling sat beside him stiffly, fidgeting with his fingers. He looked nervous—like he wanted to speak but didn't know how to begin.
Noticing his hesitation, Ming Niang let out a soft sigh.
"What do you want to talk about?"
Ming Ling's eyes brightened immediately, as though he had finally found the courage he needed.
"Brother… I'm sorry. It's all because of me. If—if I had been able to cultivate, none of this would've happened… if I was stronger… if I—if I—"
His words quickly crumbled into broken sounds, turning into a messy stream of gibberish that not even the greatest translator in the world could decipher. His voice cracked. Then the tears came.
Seeing his little brother crying so hard, Ming Niang sat up slightly and gently wiped the tears from Ming Ling's cheeks with his fingers.
"Ahh… you silly boy," he said softly. "Don't cry. I'm not mad at you."
But Ming Ling couldn't stop crying. His small shoulders shook and trembled, each hiccup making his whole little body jerk. No matter how much he wiped his face, the tears kept coming.
Ming Niang stared for a moment… then his eyes lit up with an idea.
"Hey," he said, leaning closer, "do you want to see something cool?"
Ming Ling froze mid-hiccup.
"...H-Huh?"
His crying didn't stop entirely, but it slowed. His hiccups still rattled his body like tiny earthquakes, but now there was something else in his expression—curiosity. Through his blurry, teary eyes, he stared at his brother with wide anticipation.
Ming Niang hopped off the bed and jogged to the center of the house where the lantern light was brighter. He pressed his fingers together, palms shifting through a series of strange signs—fast, precise, and practiced.
And then—
Zzzzt!! Zzzzt!!!
Thin bolts of lightning crackled across his body, dancing over his arms, shoulders, and chest like living snakes of light.
Ming Ling's breath caught.
Then—
Whooooooosh!!!
A thick white mist burst out of Ming Niang's body, rolling across the floor instantly and filling the entire room. It was cold, swirling, almost magical—like a cloud had descended into the house just for them.
The mist brushed Ming Ling's cheeks, cooling the trails of tears still dripping down his face.
For the first time since the beating earlier…
He forgot to cry.
Then—
BOOM!!! BOOM!!! BOOM!!!
Loud thumps echoed through the whole room, shaking the wooden walls.
Creak… creak…
The floorboards groaned under a growing, heavy pressure.
Ming Ling's eyes widened.
Fear and amazement tangled together inside him.
With every thunderous thump, his tiny heart skipped a beat—
his legs trembled,
his fingers curled tight,
his breath caught in his throat.
The mist shifted…
rolled aside…
and then—
THUD!!!
A massive shadow descended before him.
From the clearing veil of white fog… a giant wolf stepped out.
Covered in thick, faintly glowing blue fur—
Twice the height of Ming Ling—
Muscles rippling under its shimmering coat—
Lightning flickering like veins beneath its skin—
And eyes… sharp, bright, fierce…
The beast stared right at him.
For a full second, Ming Ling forgot to breathe.
Then suddenly—
his expression transformed.
His fear dissolved, turning into pure wonder.
"Brother…!" Ming Ling exclaimed with a bright smile spreading across his tiny face.
Because he knew.
He recognized the aura.
He recognized the lightning.
This towering blue wolf was no enemy.
It was Ming Niang—his elder brother revealing his true form.
"You can turn into your true form now…" Ming Ling whispered in awe, voice trembling with excitement.
And the wolf—Ming Niang—lowered his head gently, letting his little brother touch his fur.
The giant wolf turned his head toward the open window.
His ears twitched—once, twice—then he gave a slight shake, pointing his snout at the outside.
A clear signal.
"Let's sneak out."
Even without words, Ming Ling understood instantly.
His earlier crying was already a forgotten memory.
Now his entire face sparkled with excitement.
He nodded so fast his hair bounced. "Mm! Mm!!"
He dashed toward the bed, lifted the green silk sheet with both tiny hands, and revealed a chubby brown teddy bear underneath—round black pearl eyes, soft fur, and a tiny stitched smile.
"Found you!" he giggled, grabbing the doll and hugging it tightly before running back to his brother.
Ming Niang bent his massive wolf legs, lowering himself until his belly was only a breath above the wooden floor—an invitation.
Ming Ling grunted softly as he hopped onto his brother's back.
"Ooooh! Brother, you're so fluffy!"
His tiny hands sank into the thick blue fur, squeezing and patting with pure delight.
The wolf's tail swished once, amused.
Outside the window, the night waited—two moons glowing, the wind whispering through the village.
A perfect moment for two brothers to escape into the darkness.
With a swift swoosh, Ming Niang leaped through the open window, Ming Ling's excited shout trailing behind him.
"Yay!!!"
They landed softly on the cool, dewy grass outside.
Ming Niang spun around, squinting one eye at Ming Ling—
a clear, side-eye glare that screamed,
"Really, dude? Shut up. We're sneaking out…"
Ming Ling's grin faded instantly.
Realizing his mistake, he quickly clamped his hand over his mouth, then gave a guilty nod and a sheepish smile.
An hour later, the brothers were deep in the thick forest near their village, running full tilt.Towering trees surrounded them on all sides, their ancient limbs weaving a tangled maze.
Ming Ling's hair whipped violently in the cold wind, his furry clothes rustling as the breeze slipped through every gap.
Meanwhile, Ming Niang pushed forward, muscles burning as he sprinted—urgency driving every powerful stride.
There was something important he needed to show his brother.
Up ahead, a massive rotten tree had fallen, suspended mid-air between two trunks, blocking their path.
Ming Ling's eyes went wide as he skidded to a stop.
"Brother… I don't know if we can get past that…" he whispered nervously.
Ming Niang gave no sign. His gaze was fixed, steady.
The tree trunk hovered just inches from Ming Ling's face.
Panic bubbled up.
"Brother… brother… ahhh!"
Suddenly, Ming Niang reached behind Ming Ling and gave a sharp upward shake of his back—more like a powerful heave or hoist.
In an instant, Ming Ling was launched into the air, soaring sky-high—right up to the edge of the forest canopy.
Ming Niang slipped under the fallen tree trunk easily—his shorter height giving him the advantage.
High above, Ming Ling screamed as he tumbled through the air.
Within seconds—ten, maybe less—he landed hard with a thud right on Ming Niang's back.
Without breaking stride, Ming Niang kept running as if nothing had happened.
Ming Ling froze in shock, fear gripping him tight.
His hair was a wild mess, whipped upward by the rushing wind as he fell.
Then, suddenly, a bright grin broke across his face.
"Yay!!!"
Joy exploded through his trembling body.
After a few more heart-pounding leaps over fallen trunks and crawling through narrow caves, an hour later Ming Ling finally spotted something new ahead—a wide open field blanketed in soft, short green grass.
Ming Niang slowed as they entered the clearing, stopping in the center.
Ming Ling slid off his brother's back and crouched on the grass, eyes wide as he scanned the vast expanse.
No trees. No shadows. Just endless green under a sprawling sky.
He glanced up—and froze.
The night sky above was a masterpiece, scattered with countless stars shimmering in dazzling colors.
He'd never seen anything like it before.
Suddenly, a soft whoosh filled the air behind him.
Ming Ling spun around to see his brother shifting back into human form, a thin veil of thick white mist swirling around him.
Ming Niang reached out, grabbing Ming Ling's hand firmly.
"Come on! We have to move, or we'll miss it," he urged, already sprinting uphill.
"Where are you taking me, brother?" Ming Ling asked, his voice a mix of curiosity and wonder.
Ming Niang didn't answer, his eyes fixed on the horizon ahead.
After a few steps, Ming Ling caught a glimpse of the breathtaking sight before them. Both brothers came to a halt, their breaths caught by the view.
The two moons ruled the night sky like majestic emperors, glowing softly yet commanding the heavens. Countless stars shimmered below them, like loyal civilians lighting up the vast darkness.
Ming Ling stood frozen, mesmerized by the beauty. It was not just his first time seeing something so magnificent—it was the first time he had sneaked out. This moment, this place, felt like the best day of his life.
"Brother… how did you know about this place?" Ming Ling finally asked in awe.
Ming Niang smiled faintly, his eyes reflecting the stars. "Many times I snuck out in the middle of the night. Years ago, I found this place by chance. It has the most amazing view of the sky—so I thought I'd bring you here one day. But you were too young back then. I waited until now."
Tears suddenly streamed down Ming Ling's pale cheeks, glistening in the moonlight.
"Brother… I'm sorry. I'm the reason you always get beaten by Father," he sobbed, voice breaking.
All the pain he had buried deep in his heart spilled out now. Despite everything—the beatings, the hardships—his brother was still here, caring for him, protecting him. That love overwhelmed Ming Ling, and he couldn't hold back the flood of emotions any longer.
Seeing his weeping brother, Ming Niang gently brushed away the tears from Ming Ling's cheeks.
"Ahh… come on, don't cry. The reason I brought you here is to stop you from crying," he said softly, trying to lighten the mood.
But Ming Ling, still just a child, couldn't hold back.
"Only if I could cultivate like you, brother… then you wouldn't have any problems," he sniffled.
Ming Niang smiled warmly and ruffled his brother's hair.
"Ahh, don't worry. The Elders say you have the potential to cultivate. Besides, you're only four years old—there's still three more years before your awakening."
He paused, brushing away the next wave of tears as if they were nothing more than a gentle river.
"And I got my awakening when I was six, and now I'm only nine. I bet one day during those three years, you'll awaken too. And when that day comes, you'll be an even better cultivator than me."
Ming Ling looked up, eyes wide with hope.
Ming Niang continued, his voice calm and reassuring.
"An awakening is when a child takes their first step into cultivation. It happens between the ages of one and seven. When a child is born, they release an aura that others can sense this determines if that child could cultivate. The sooner the awakening happens, the stronger the talent—they say it shows how high your potential really is. Some try to force it out early, but that usually just destroys the ability to cultivate."
Ming Ling's tears slowed, replaced by a flicker of determination.
A gentle smile spread across Ming Niang's face.
"So… don't try to force it out, okay?"
"Mmm," Ming Ling murmured, finally calming his tears.
Ming Niang grinned wider, then pulled back his sleeve and started flexing his muscles, striking exaggerated poses.
"Besides, getting beaten only helps me grow stronger."
He puffed out his chest and shouted, stiffening his body into a salute like a soldier taking an oath.
"As your older brother, I promise you this: no matter what, I'll always have your back. I'll protect you from any danger, and I'll always do my best to make you happy."
Ming Ling couldn't help it — he burst out laughing at his brother's goofy poses.
"Then in the future, I'll have your back too, sir," Ming Ling said, copying the stiff salute perfectly before bursting into laughter again.
Ming Niang joined in the laughter, his eyes bright. He raised a fist, motioning for a fist bump. "Brothers forever..."
Ming Ling eagerly raised his own fist —
BOOP!
Their fists met with a soft smack.
"Brothers forever..."Ming Ling replied.
Together, they both turned their heads toward the twin moons above. Ming Niang's form shimmered and shifted, transforming into a majestic blue wolf, while Ming Ling's eyes sparkled with awe.
AUUUWWWW!!!
Their howls rang out, loud and clear. Ming Niang's was deep and wild, like a true wolf's. Ming Ling's was higher and more playful, full of youthful energy—but no less powerful.
The two brothers stayed at the sacred place for nearly two more hours, basking in the beauty of the night sky and playing with the carefree joy only children know.
...
Still under the cloak of night, the brothers crouched low by their front grassy porch, inching closer to their home step by cautious step. After their playful night, sneaking back inside without getting caught was now their biggest challenge.
Ming Ling reached out, fingers trembling slightly, and grasped the cold metal doorknob. Just as he was about to turn it—
SLAM!
The door burst open with a harsh gust of wind that slammed into Ming Ling's face, nearly blinding him. Slowly, he blinked through the sudden light flooding the doorway.
The house was just as bright as before. The only difference was the figure standing there—their greatest threat at the moment.
Their mother.
She held a thin but solid freshly cut bamboo stick, her palm smacking it rhythmically as she hissed, "Oh, you're in for a treat."
"Oh… mother," Ming Ling said, voice trembling with awkward fear.
"Looks like you two went out for a little walk, huh?" she sneered. "Come on in, let me give you a present."
Suddenly, a sharp gust of wind swept across the porch. A few rapid footsteps faded into the night.
Ming Ling turned his head—his protector was gone.
Panic gripped him, and all he could do was scream with everything he had, loud enough for the heavens to hear.
"Ahhh... brother!"