"The Ugly Sovereign: Ascending Beyond Mortal Scorn"

A Life of Isolation

Luo Feng grew up in the small, drafty hut with Granny Wen. The other clan children were forbidden to play with him. Every morning, he'd peek through the cracked door, watching boys his age practice sword drills and girls chase butterflies.

Daily Routine:

Granny Wen taught him to sweep floors and wash clothes.

He ate leftover rice porridge, often mixed with wild herbs she foraged.

At night, rats scurried across the floor, keeping him awake.

First Words:

At age five, Luo Feng pointed to the moon and mumbled, "Bright." Granny Wen hugged him, tears in her eyes. "Yes, child… the moon is bright."

---

The Stray Dog

One winter day, Luo Feng found a shaggy brown dog digging through trash outside the clan kitchen. It had a torn ear and a limp.

Friendship Blooms:

He named the dog Xiao Hei ("Little Black"), though it was brown.

He saved scraps of bone and bread for it, hiding them under his robe.

Xiao Hei slept at the foot of his bed, growling at rats.

Secret Adventures:

They explored the forest's edge together. Xiao Hei chased rabbits while Luo Feng collected shiny rocks, pretending they were spirit stones.

---

Yan Mo's Cruelty

Yan Mo, a young guard of the Yan Clan, patrolled the Luo Clan's borders. He was thin and mean, with a scar across his chin.

First Encounter:

Yan Mo caught Luo Feng feeding Xiao Hei.

"Disgusting!" he spat. "Even dogs don't want your filth!"

He kicked Xiao Hei, laughing as the dog yelped and fled.

Luo Feng's Anger:

For the first time, Luo Feng screamed, "Stop!"

Yan Mo froze, startled. Then he smirked. "What'll you do, monster? Cry?"

---

The Terrible Day

A week later, Luo Feng heard Xiao Hei barking wildly. He ran outside to find Yan Mo holding the dog by the neck with a rope.

The Threat:

"Beg for its life," Yan Mo sneered. "Go on—grovel like the beast you are."

Luo Feng's Choice:

Trembling, Luo Feng knelt in the mud. "P-Please…"

Yan Mo laughed—then snapped Xiao Hei's neck with a sharp twist.

Aftermath:

Luo Feng cradled Xiao Hei's body, sobbing silently.

Yan Mo tossed a copper coin at him. "Buy yourself a new rat."

---

Granny Wen's Comfort

That night, Granny Wen buried Xiao Hei under a maple tree. She sang a lullaby, her voice cracking:

"The stars weep for the brave,

Little dog, rest in your grave…"

The Amulet's Warmth:

As Luo Feng cried, the black jade amulet glowed faintly in his pocket. A soft warmth spread through his chest, easing the ache—just a little.

A New Resolve:

Granny Wen wiped his tears. "Hate won't heal you, child. But remember this pain… let it make you stronger."

---

Foreshadowing

In his dreams, Luo Feng saw the golden serpent again. This time, it circled Xiao Hei's grave, its eyes glowing like molten gold. "Strength… comes… slowly," it hissed.