The sky had been clear—
a flawless blue, stretched wide like a tranquil summer painting.
Gentle winds drifted across the Eastern Continent of the Great Qian Dynasty, brushing past rivers and plains, carrying warmth and calm. For a brief moment, heaven seemed benevolent.
Then—
Above the distant wilderness, Mount Tianluo stirred.
Without warning, the air shuddered.
Clouds that had lazily wandered across the sky halted as if seized by an unseen hand. From every direction, storm clouds surged toward the Ten Thousand Beast Mountains, rolling and colliding like raging tides. The sunlight vanished, swallowed by layers of darkened sky.
The world dimmed.
Thunder rumbled—low at first, then violent, shaking mountains and cities alike.
Lightning tore across the heavens.
In the next instant—
BAM!
A pillar of blinding light descended from the sky.
It struck the peak of Mount Tianluo with earth-shattering force.
The explosion of radiance pierced the clouds, illuminating the world as if a second sun had been born. Shockwaves rippled through the vast mountain range, flattening ancient trees and sending beasts fleeing in terror.
The beam did not fade.
For days, the light continued to shine—
visible from thousands of miles away.
A heavenly phenomenon.
An omen that could not be ignored.
And so, it drew eyes.
Scene Shift
Within the territory of the Great Qian Dynasty, atop a secluded mountain pavilion, two elderly men stood facing the horizon.
Both wore cultivator robes that fluttered gently in the turbulent wind. Their hair and beards were long and white, marks of decades—perhaps centuries—spent cultivating. Their eyes, however, were sharp and filled with greed thinly veiled as curiosity.
Unknown: "Looks like a heavenly treasure is being born."
The other man narrowed his eyes, staring at the distant pillar of light.
Unknown: "Indeed. From the direction of that radiance… it's seems to be coming from the Ten Thousand Beast Mountains."
The first man stiffened slightly.
Unknown: "The Ten Thousand Beast Mountains?"
He paused, then frowned.
Unknown: "Those beasts have been unusually quiet for years. If a heavenly treasure truly appears there, the balance will break. The beasts may go berserk."
The second man laughed softly, stroking his beard.
Unknown: "Who do you think you're fooling? I've known you for decades. You're just using that as an excuse to mobilize the sect disciples to seize the treasure first."
The first man snorted.
Unknown: "If we don't act quickly, other sects will. I'll mobilize our disciples immediately."
As if in response to his words—
Across the Eastern Continent, sects stirred.
Flying swords pierced the skies.
Cultivators shot through the air like shooting stars, robes snapping violently as they accelerated toward the same destination.
"We can't let others get their hands on it!"
"Move faster!"
"That treasure belongs to our sect!"
The calm heavens were torn apart by ambition.
Scene Shift
Far away, atop a mountain wreathed in mist and glowing spiritual light, stood an immortal sect.
Palaces carved from white jade hovered among the clouds, connected by bridges of flowing light. Waterfalls cascaded endlessly from the peaks, dispersing into mist before touching the ground. Spirit cranes circled gracefully, their cries echoing through the air.
This was a fairy mountain—a place untouched by mortal dust.
Within the grand hall at its peak, footsteps echoed.
A woman entered.
She wore flowing cultivation robes of pale azure and silver, embroidered with faint cloud patterns that shimmered with every movement. Her waist was slender, her posture elegant, and her long black hair was bound loosely behind her back, swaying like silk.
Her face was calm and refined, beauty tempered by composure rather than flamboyance. Her eyes were clear—deep as still water.
As she stepped inside, voices filled the hall.
Elders sat in rows, each exuding a distinct presence. Some were thin and sharp-eyed, their gazes piercing. Others were broad-shouldered and sturdy, radiating restrained power. White beards flowed down their chests like frozen waterfalls.
At the head of the hall sat a man upon a golden throne.
The chair was carved with intricate runes and coiling dragon motifs, its surface gleaming softly under spiritual light. The man leaned against its armrest, fingers tapping lightly against his temple. One eye glowed faintly, shimmering with spiritual radiance.
Sect Leader: "The Ten Thousand Beast Mountains is a seal forbidden zone."
His voice was calm but heavy.
Sect Leader: "The chances of returning alive are slim. Sending too many disciples would be reckless—and it would leave us vulnerable if other sects choose to strike."
Silence fell over the hall.
No one spoke.
No one volunteered.
The elders avoided each other's gazes, fear hidden beneath calm expressions.
Just as the sect leader was about to dismiss the meeting—
A hand rose.
A voice followed—soft, composed, and clear like a blooming rose.
Elder Li: "I volunteer."
All eyes turned.
It was the woman who had entered moments earlier.
She stepped forward slightly, her expression unwavering.
Elder Li: "I will lead the sect disciples to the Ten Thousand Beast Mountains to investigate the phenomenon."
The hall remained silent.
Not a single elder spoke.
Seeing no objections, the sect leader nodded slowly.
Sect Leader: "Does anyone wish to accompany Elder Li?"
No one moved.
Elder Li inclined her head slightly, then turned and left the hall without hesitation.
Outside—
With a single wave of her hand, bells rang across the sect.
Disciples surged forward, mounting flying swords one after another, converging toward the sky like ants swarming toward sugar.
The heavens once again filled with streaks of light.
All headed toward the same place.
Scene Shift
Deep within the Ten Thousand Beast Mountains—
Inside a hidden cave beneath Mount Tianluo—
Darkness stirred.
From the shadows, a massive silhouette slowly stepped forward.
Stone cracked beneath its weight.
A single foot emerged into the faint light.
And with it—
An ancient presence returned to the world.