Volume 1 Chapter 1

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Chapter 1: The Spirits

Preface

Shenzhou Continent, a land that has existed for an unknown amount of time, where demon beasts roam freely, and the climate is harsh. Since ancient times, countless powerful beings have fought daily for the limited resources and space needed to survive. Yet, even these powerful beings seem very small in the face of the might of nature.

No one knows when it happened, whether through natural evolution or the unintentional work of an immortal, humanity was born.

Compared to the demon beasts and races that have existed since ancient times, human strength seems insignificant, but they possess astonishing abilities to learn and create. Humans learned to make fire, weave nets, plant crops, and build houses, managing to carve out a space to survive in this harsh environment despite their small power.

However, human desire is never-ending. After solving the problems of survival and food, driven by the spirit of overcoming nature, countless brilliant individuals began to strive toward a new goal: eternal life.

Since the dawn of humanity, people have envied the powerful abilities and long lives of the ancient races. After tens of thousands of years of exploration and learning, humans finally developed their own cultivation method, using their bodies as a small universe to absorb the energy of heaven and earth to strengthen themselves.

Although only a very small number of people have enough talent to practice these cultivation methods, and it is far from achieving immortality, it does allow those who can cultivate to live many more years beyond their average lifespan of a hundred years. As for personal strength, it can reach a level that brings tears to the gods and spirits, and at the peak of cultivation, one can even compete with those ancient races.

Although there are more and more powerful individuals among humans who can practice the true arts of cultivation, their determination to dominate the Shenzhou Continent has also grown stronger. Finally, with everyone’s efforts combined, the ancient races were either sealed away or driven out, and this land began to fall under human control. Although there are still occasional demon beasts attacking human settlements, overall, human society has started to develop safely and steadily under the leadership of cultivators. At this time, this land began to be called the Shenzhou Continent.

Those very few humans who can practice the cultivation methods are called cultivators or demon cultivators, collectively known as practitioners, and are worshiped by ordinary humans through generations. They are divided into righteous and demonic paths and different sects based on their understanding of the truths of heaven and earth, their attitudes, and their dispositions. After humans occupied the Shenzhou Continent, without outside worries, the righteous and demonic sects began endless internal conflicts, which were even fiercer than the previous struggles with the various ancient races.

As time goes by, the practitioners gradually forget how powerful those ancient races were. But will these ancient races truly be willing to let humans enjoy the Shenzhou Continent alone?

Our story begins in a cultivation sect called Jiuhua Gate.

……

In the southern part of the Shenzhou Continent, there lies an expanse of endless barren mountains spanning a hundred thousand. The land here is desolate, filled with swamps and poisonous insects, and there are even rumors of powerful demon beasts from ancient times lurking here. Therefore, aside from those who can use Qi Refining to fly and burrow, ordinary humans are truly unfit to live here. Long ago, people had basically given up on this place, with most residing in the central and eastern parts of the Shenzhou Continent, where the land is fertile, flat, and the climate is mild.

However, wherever there are people, there will be class and conflict. The ruling class enjoys the fruits of labor without working, while the ruled work hard yet lack clothing and food. Some have lamented, “Harsh rule is fiercer than a tiger.” Under oppression, many people, driven by survival, fled their homes to this place, establishing strongholds to defend against fierce beasts, working hard on the barren land to obtain food. Though it is tough, they are far from the court’s rule, free from war and taxes, allowing for at least a pathway to survive.

Of course, they do not dare to venture deep into the Southern Wasteland, but if they only establish villages at the edges of the Southern Wasteland, people still have some means of self-protection. Gradually, the edges of the Southern Wasteland saw a bit of prosperity. Far from court oppression, there was even a hint of freedom and ease.

Xu Fan’s ancestors were like this; three hundred years ago, they led their people to the outskirts of these vast, wild mountains and established Xu Family Village. Though it was just a small settlement on a little hill, no larger than a hundred feet, with only a few hundred people, the Xu family had practiced martial arts and built their strength over generations, allowing them to stand strong in the Southern Wasteland for hundreds of years.

But everything changed three days ago.

Three days ago, a special kind of mushroom, the Nine-Leaved Lingzhi, which had been carefully nurtured for hundreds of years in Xu Family Village, was finally about to mature! If they could turn this mushroom into a potion, the many skilled warriors in Xu Family Village would greatly increase their power. This would lead to a much better life for Xu Family Village for decades to come.

This was the source of hope for Xu Family Village, but it also became the beginning of their destruction!

As the mushroom was about to mature, the rich Spirit Qi it released became extremely intense, almost impossible to hide. The elders of Xu Family Village were initially very happy because practicing in such abundant Spirit Qi would allow martial artists to improve very quickly.

But soon, the elders could no longer smile. The rich Spirit Qi was too noticeable, like a bright full moon in the dark Southern Wasteland, attracting countless troubles to Xu Family Village. First, there were spies from other villages, then attacks from low-level demon beasts, and eventually, the mushroom even attracted a powerful beast—a Blue-eyed Cloud-hoofed Beast!

The strength of martial artists is only great compared to ordinary people; martial arts has not yet reached the mystery and height of true cultivation methods. So when facing the Blue-eyed Cloud-hoofed Beast, the people of Xu Family Village had no power to resist. Swords and daggers struck its body without leaving even a scratch. A single charge from the Blue-eyed Cloud-hoofed Beast could kill many villagers in an instant. Not to mention its terrifying fangs and flames! Even Xu Family Village’s Grand Elder Xu Hui, who had reached great martial skill after many years of practice, could only last half an hour before the Blue-eyed Cloud-hoofed Beast bit off his head.

But while Xu Hui desperately fought against the Blue-eyed Cloud-hoofed Beast, Xu Fan and a dozen other teenagers from Xu Family Village managed to escape their former home, protected by their parents and relatives who were fighting with their lives.

They were not afraid of death; they wanted to stay and help their parents defend their home against the demon beast. But they also had the important duty of continuing the Xu family bloodline, so they had to survive.

“You all run quickly! This is not the time for loyalty or righteousness! We have lived long enough. Even if we are eaten by the demon beast, we have no regrets in this life. But you are still young. The hope for rebuilding Xu Family Village and continuing the Xu family bloodline depends on you. Hurry and go!”

Originally, Xu Fan and a few peers were going to fight the demon beast with their parents, but Second Elder Xu Wen suddenly appeared and stopped everyone, saying these words.

Second Elder has been weak and sickly since childhood and is the only one in Xu Family Village who cannot use martial arts. However, because he is smart, literate, and good at organizing, everyone chose him as Second Elder. He is kind-hearted and often teaches the younger generation, so he is respected in the village no less than the strong Grand Elder. Yet, when the usually gentle Second Elder spoke, his expression was so solemn and commanding that Xu Fan and the others did not dare to disobey.

Once home to over three hundred people, Xu Family Village has now escaped with fewer than ten. Facing the endless barren mountains and unknown dangers of the Southern Wasteland, these people have no ability to protect themselves. Even if they manage to survive in the wild, how will they live?

In other words, the hope for the remaining people of Xu Family Village to survive is very small.

But compared to Xu Fan, they are undoubtedly luckier because at least they are still together and have companions to rely on. Xu Fan, however, has become separated from everyone else.

When fleeing the village, Xu Fan ran with the crowd outside, hearing the cries and screams of his parents and relatives fighting the demon beast behind him. His heart felt like it was being torn apart. His parents, in their forties, were risking their lives to protect him, a seventeen-year-old. This was something Xu Fan could not accept.

Although Xu Fan followed the others out of the village under Second Elder’s orders, it was not out of his own will. The thought of his parents facing great danger and possibly not surviving filled him with pain, and tears blurred his vision. Every scream felt like it was from his parents. At that moment of distraction, Xu Fan didn’t watch his step and accidentally tripped over a dry branch lying on the ground, rolling uncontrollably down the slope. The group, eager to escape, did not notice that Xu Fan had rolled farther away from them.

When Xu Fan finally stopped rolling and stood up, where were his original companions?

And so, Xu Fan got separated from everyone.

In fact, when he was in Xu Family Village, Xu Fan felt a bit out of place compared to other kids his age. Unlike them, he didn’t enjoy playing with swords and spears. Besides his daily meditation and practicing his inner strength, he preferred to avoid martial arts. Instead, he often ran to Second Elder Xu Wen to learn various subjects, including a book called the “I Ching” that nobody else in the village could understand except for Second Elder. Because of this, Xu Fan grew up without a close friend, lacking a common language with anyone. So, his disappearance probably wouldn’t cause much of a stir. Perhaps some people might even feel relieved to no longer have a burden around them.

After losing sight of the others, Xu Fan ran frantically in the direction he remembered, feeling lost and scared, hoping to catch up with his companions. Unfortunately, he ran all afternoon without seeing anyone. He didn’t know how long he had been running or how many wild mountains he had crossed. Eventually, he was too tired to run anymore, feeling both sleepy and hungry, while the gray sky of the Southern Wasteland slowly grew darker.

Traveling at night in the Southern Wasteland is very dangerous. Xu Fan knew this well. Although he usually preferred quiet over movement, he had grown up in the southern border and at least had some survival skills in the wild. Knowing that it was unlikely he would catch up with the main group, he forced himself to stay calm after noticing it was getting dark. He found a small hill, sheltered from the wind, and built a fire to keep warm. He then gathered some safe wild fruits to eat. After eating, he lay down on the ground, quietly watching the dark sky, feeling lost and sad.

Remembering the tragedy in Xu Family Village and his parents’ uncertain fate, Xu Fan felt even more sorrowful after a long day. His father’s teachings and his mother’s love felt like they had just happened. But in just one day, everything changed—the village was gone, the people were gone, and his parents were gone too. It seemed like he was the only one left, lonely and suffering in this dangerous Southern Wasteland. How could he survive alone? With this thought, the despair and pain in Xu Fan’s heart grew stronger. His face, which had always looked gentle and refined from reading since childhood, turned even paler.

However, Xu Fan’s naturally quiet personality kept his emotions from showing, even when he was alone. So, on the outside, he seemed very gloomy, but who could see the sorrow and confusion in his heart?

The desolate Southern Wasteland had no people at night, and after dark, it was covered with thick clouds, leaving no moonlight.

In this darkness, the only source of light was the campfire next to Xu Fan, but although the fire was bright, it could not chase away even a hint of darkness from his heart.

“From now on, I am all alone,” Xu Fan thought to himself.

In the Southern Wasteland, the night sky is so dark that even the stars are hard to see. Xu Fan couldn’t help but think of how the Second Elder described the nights in Middle-earth. It is said that there, the night sky not only has a round and large moon, but also is filled with bright and beautiful stars.

Unfortunately, the Second Elder, who often told him stories, has also been killed by a demon beast.

“I must learn skills and come back to take revenge for my parents and the Second Elder.” Thinking of the love his parents and the Second Elder had shown him, Xu Fan could not hold back his anger and said loudly to himself. Two lines of tears unknowingly rolled down his face.

After encouraging himself, Xu Fan fell silent again because he knew deep down that while this wish was beautiful, achieving it would be very difficult. The Grand Elder’s martial arts had already reached a high level, and even a casual kick or punch carried immense power, yet even that could not harm the demon beast at all. How could he, Xu Fan, do any better?

With this thought, Xu Fan’s once fiery heart turned cold again, for he knew his talent for martial arts was limited. Reaching the Grand Elder’s level was already very hard, let alone killing that terrifying demon beast.

“Maybe, I can only seek out the legendary immortals and ask them to take me as their apprentice, then I might have a chance for revenge?” Remembering some fragments from his studies, Xu Fan whispered to himself.

The so-called immortals live on wind and dew, traveling to the Northern Sea in the morning and returning to the mountains by evening; what a marvelous existence!

Just as Xu Fan lay on the ground lost in thought, two glowing green lights slowly approached him without a sound. When these two green lights got within ten feet of Xu Fan, he finally sensed something was wrong. A wave of blood smell rushed to his chest and nose, making Xu Fan’s stomach churn. Looking up, he discovered that the two glowing green lights were actually the eyes of a monster! He couldn’t help but exclaim, “Mountain Spirit Wood Monster!”

Even though Xu Fan always prided himself on staying calm in the face of danger, his voice trembled with fear at that moment.

The Mountain Spirit Wood Monster is a terrifying creature in the desolate mountains, resembling a tree and made of neither metal, stone, nor wood. Every morning and evening, it absorbs the Wood-type Qi from the world. It loves to feast on the blood and flesh of tigers and leopards. Xu Fan often heard stories of other hunters from nearby villages falling victim to the Mountain Spirit Wood Monster. It has a terrible reputation for silencing the cries of children in the Southern Wasteland.

Seeing the Mountain Spirit Wood Monster towering several feet high like a giant tree, Xu Fan realized that this creature must have been cultivating its power for over a thousand years. Even when facing the Blue-eyed Cloud-hoofed Beast, it would have a good chance of winning, but he never expected to encounter it himself.

Thoughts about the Mountain Spirit Wood Monster flashed through Xu Fan’s mind like lightning, filling him with panic. He quickly scrambled to his feet and ran in the opposite direction without daring to look back.

However, after just a few steps, he suddenly felt something wrap around his ankle, causing him to fall to the ground. Despite his body rushing forward, Xu Fan fell awkwardly. Ignoring the pain in his body, he looked down and saw a thin branch had somehow wrapped around his ankle.

Then, the branch began to slowly pull Xu Fan toward the Mountain Spirit Wood Monster. It turned out that what had grasped his ankle was not a branch, but a tentacle of the Mountain Spirit Wood Monster!

As Xu Fan got closer to the Mountain Spirit Wood Monster, its face, resembling a tree trunk, slowly opened a big mouth filled with sharp teeth, and a foul smell hit him. The branch-like tentacle was pulling Xu Fan toward its mouth.

As the monster’s mouth drew nearer, Xu Fan struggled and yelled loudly. But the Mountain Spirit Wood Monster was not something he could escape from. Soon, Xu Qingfan realized that his struggles were in vain. He sighed, understanding that this time he was doomed. Strangely, he felt no fear, only despair.

“If I had known this would happen, I would rather fight alongside my parents against the Blue-eyed Cloud-hoofed Beast. At least I could die with them.”

This was the last thought in Xu Fan’s mind at that moment.