Story About 15000 Years Ago.

A beautiful lady stood gracefully on the surface of the lake, a serene smile on her face. Her robe fluttered like a gentle breeze, and her long hair was a striking shade of blue. She had warm brown eyes that regarded Alex with kindness.

Taken aback, Alex quickly retreated a few steps. "Who are you?" he demanded.

"Oh, such a young one," the lady responded with a soft chuckle. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lady Lan Xiuqing, a spirit in service to Yuanze Fengying."

"You're her servant? Alright, then. Why have you appeared before me, Lady Xiuqing?" Alex questioned with a measured tone. Despite her ethereal presence, he couldn't sense any threatening power, which gave him a degree of assurance.

"I'm here to request a favor from you, Zhi Li," Lan Xiuqing replied.

"A favor? What kind of favor?" Alex inquired further.

"I would like you to protect Yuanze Fengying in the future. Shield her from any harm that may come her way, and keep her hidden," Lan Xiuqing began before being swiftly interrupted.

"FUCK NO WHAT? Why on earth would I do that? She's my disciple, but I'm not responsible for her protection," Alex responded firmly.

"I suppose the technique I was going to suggest won't be necessary now. I understand, though... I respect your decision, Zhi Li," Lan Xiuqing said with a playful tone.

Three minutes later...

"Why are you still here?" Alex's patience was wearing thin. He wished for her to leave him alone so he could focus on his practice.

"You're not going to stop me?" Lan Xiuqing seemed genuinely surprised. Her approach had typically succeeded in dissuading others, making this the first time it had failed.

"Of course not. Please, I'm trying to practice here, and it's hard with someone watching. If you don't mind, leave," Alex responded, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"No, wait... that technique is truly formidable. It could greatly enhance your strength..." Lan Xiuqing sounded a touch panicked, hoping to spark Alex's interest.

"Nah, if it's powerful, it's probably difficult to master. I'm not too interested in potent techniques. Just leave, Lan Xiuqing," Alex waved his hand dismissively.

"I understand... alright, then. I'll go," Lan Xiuqing said with a somewhat sullen expression, lowering her head like a chastened child.

Just before leaving, Alex added, "However, I am curious to hear your story."

This perked up Lan Xiuqing's spirits, and she immediately brightened. "Alright!"

--

Alex and Lan Xiuqing sat outside on bamboo chairs.

"We're from the western continent," she revealed.

"Wait... what?!" Alex was utterly flabbergasted.

The western continent was renowned as the most perilous place on the planet. It was teeming with creatures far stronger than ordinary cultivators. No human had ever survived after venturing there, and anyone who did manage to escape never returned. The continent was considered so dangerous that even before the world fragmented, it had not been included in the realm of civilization. Instead, it stood as an entirely separate continent.

Alex was astounded that humans could actually hail from that treacherous realm. "Hold on... are you guys... beasts?" A thought crossed his mind.

"Hahahahaha, no, we're not beasts. We're ordinary humans. Everything you know about the western continent from scriptures is completely erroneous. Humans do exist there," Lan Xiuqing clarified.

"How? I mean, I've heard that place is infested with monsters—more than ten billion of them, surpassing the human population of the entire world. How can anyone live there normally?" Alex posed his question, his confusion evident.

Lan Xiuqing chuckled, "Allow me to recount a story about the Heaven Deity Sect from 15,000 years ago. During the zenith of the Golden Age of Cultivation, thirteen clans governed the world. Each of these clans was mightier than all the current demon clans combined. But then, everything changed abruptly..."

"What do you mean? I don't quite understand," Alex inquired, intrigued.

"That occurred eons ago, and very little information remains about that era. However, legends and tales have survived. One such legend is: 'The dawn breaks through the sky, as the gods wail in pain when the world is turning plain.' This is the legend passed down through generations, of course from the mortals... It's the only hint we have to unveil the mystery of that era. But, apart from this, we know that everyone, every sect, and every individual who had reached at least the Qi Absorption Realm, or what we believe it was called back then, vanished completely," Lan Xiuqing explained, gazing upward with a touch of nostalgia.

Alex was thoroughly unsettled. He struggled to grasp the concept. Every cultivating individual vanished? Who could possess such power? Even in this current era, where mortals vastly outnumber cultivators, there were billions of cultivators across the world. During the pinnacle of the cultivation era, that number must have been much higher. How could they all vanish within such a short span of time? it was impossible even with Old Chang's powers, and Alex understood Old Chang was only one realm away from the peak of cultivation in every continent, so Alex he was extremely confused.

"But... one sect managed to survive, or rather, a hundred of their weakest members did. and that sect was Heaven Deity Sect. They didn't even know what transpired. Their memories were fragmented. However, even those few from that time were enough for the denizens of that world to hunt them down. As the weakest members of their sect, their techniques far surpassed their cultivation levels. Consequently, they were hunted and nearly eradicated," Lan Xiuqing narrated.

"Most of them, however, around thirteen people, managed to survive and escaped to the western continent, with their cultivation techniques they managed to create a little established village. As time went on, only..." Lan Xiuqing's gaze softened as it fell upon the slumbering Fengying.

"She's the last one remaining now," she concluded, her emotions palpable.

"Now, Zhi Li, I will ask you again: Will you pro—"

"Hell no! What the heck?!" Alex vehemently refused.

End of Chapter.