120,000 years after the catastrophe, as the Blue World regained its strength and martial arts spread, practitioners' lifespans became extremely long. However, some mortals were unable to practice because they lacked spiritual roots that connected them to the heavenly law, preventing them from absorbing energy from the sky. 

They became like sheep for slaughter, but the academies and major powers of the world enacted laws to protect them and prevent interference in the mortal realm.

...

In the Fire Empire, in the state of Hawks, in a small town, many people gathered around a fighting ring, talking among themselves.

"...Is Raed an idiot? How can he challenge Saeed? Didn't he get beaten nearly to death last time and lay bedridden for two months? If not for his grandfather's healing elixir, he wouldn't have recovered for half a year,"

someone sneered at their companion.

"...He's pitiful. I heard he can't train, but he's very brave and never gives up. The look in his eyes annoys people, and they say he has no spiritual roots," 

someone else said with pity.

Another person responded mockingly, 

"Hmph, trash like him is a disgrace to the Najjar family. No one knows who his mother, once the flower of the Fire Empire, carried him for, but he's complete garbage and dares to challenge Saeed, who is in the second level of Qi Gathering. He's just asking for death."

Voices rose as they pointed towards the ring, where two boys stood. One had a mocking smile, a proud, somewhat ugly look, and stared provocatively at the young man in front of him.

"...You dare challenge me, you bastard trash?"

On the other side was a handsome young man, somewhat pale as if ill, but his looks and sharp eyes were undeniable. With sword-like eyebrows, he appeared around fifteen years old, but his eyes seemed to carry the weight of much more. He looked coldly at Saeed and said,

 "...How dare you insult my mother, you damned pig?"

Suddenly, the entire field fell silent, then erupted in laughter again.

"...Hahaha, look at this fool. He's really brave."

"I heard his mother left him last year to find her husband, and the bullying has increased since then, even within the Najjar family. It seems he's become foolish, hahaha... If not for his grandfather, he would have been kicked out."

-

Another person said

 "...I heard Saeed mocked his mother, saying she gave birth to him out of wedlock and that he's a bastard, hahaha..."

The mocking voices continued, but Raed's expression remained unchanged. He didn't care about the ridicule and obscene words. After years of bullying, he had developed a maturity beyond his years and understood the nature of people's hearts.

"...Damn it, who are you calling a pig, you bastard who bears his mother's name? Hehehe... Raed Najjar, what a disgrace."

Saeed looked at Raed and continued to mock him, but Raed responded, 

"...I'll tell you my name after I defeat you, you damned pig."

The smile faded from Saeed's face, replaced by sudden anger.

"...Damn it, I'll kill you, bastard... Referee, let's start the fight."

Although martial arts had become widespread, fights had to occur in official arenas like this to prevent chaos, or during imperial wars.

"...Alright, let's start the fight, but no killing. This isn't a life-and-death duel..."

"...Damn it, you'll survive again, bastard, but I'll leave you between life and death," 

Saeed said, charging at Raed with great force. Despite being only at the second level, he was far stronger than mortals and could easily kill them if they weren't trained.

Raed's gaze remained calm, like the sea, without any fear. As Saeed approached quickly, a sneer appeared on his ugly face, but in the next moment, his expression twisted with disgust, and the entire field fell silent.

They saw that Raed's foot had landed between Saeed's thighs. Saeed let out a pained scream and flew through the air like a slaughtered pig, howling.

Raed approached him and said loudly, 

"...My name is Raed Al-Hukm..."