Chapter 1: Journey to the Human Race

Everyone had left. In the vast Taiyuan Immortal Mansion, only Lin Jiufeng remained.

His heart was heavy. He had learned that the Yaksha Clan, the Skeleton Clan, and the Giant Clan had conspired together, rallying other tribes to annihilate the human race. The moment Lin Jiufeng received this information, he knew he had to leave Yunmeng Great Marsh immediately and warn the human race so they could prepare in advance.

First, he retrieved the storage treasure that had fallen after the death of the Five-Colored Skeleton King. Inside, he found ten celestial crystals—equivalent to a hundred million jin of divine essence. This was an enormous cultivation resource, enough to help Lin Jiufeng break through the Fourteen Bans.

Then, with a single thought, the core region of Taiyuan Immortal Mansion activated. Its 1,500 massive formations rumbled like rolling thunder, their fluctuating energy illuminating the space. Lin Jiufeng controlled the entire mansion, shrinking it to the size of a palm before embedding it into his primordial spirit's sea of consciousness, where it took root.

At that moment, Lin Jiufeng stepped out from the void and descended upon Yunmeng Great Marsh. Without hesitation, he gathered his strength and, with a swift motion, transformed into a streak of rainbow light, piercing through the sky at full speed.

He was racing towards the human race.

From the memories of the Yaksha Prince, Lin Jiufeng had learned that the Dimensional Battlefield was divided into Nine Provinces. Beyond the Nine Provinces lay vast seas and countless celestial islands. To the south of the Nine Provinces stretched a boundless wilderness spanning millions of miles.

Among these provinces, the most favorable location was the central Zhongzhou. However, it was heavily contested by the most powerful clans, leaving no room for other forces to establish themselves.

Apart from Zhongzhou, the more prosperous provinces included Shenzhou, Yangzhou, Qingzhou, Xuzhou, and Jizhou. These regions were dominated by the top thirty clans of the Hundred Races, who had ruled them for countless years, making it nearly impossible for outsiders to infiltrate.

Then there were the provinces bordering the vast wilderness: Youzhou, Liangzhou, and Yuzhou.

These three provinces were vast but suffered from harsh climates. Most of the year, they were either frozen in snow or scorched by unbearable heat. The spiritual energy in these regions was relatively scarce, and resources were limited. Moreover, being adjacent to the wildlands, they frequently faced invasions from savage beasts. Due to these harsh conditions, the more powerful clans avoided settling there, leaving only the weaker, lower-ranking clans to take root and survive.

Zhongzhou, Shenzhou, Yangzhou, Qingzhou, Xuzhou, Jizhou, Youzhou, Liangzhou, and Yuzhou.

The names of these provinces were unmistakably human in origin. In fact, it was the human race that had once briefly ruled the Dimensional Battlefield, dividing the land and naming the provinces—names that had endured over time and remained unchanged.

Yet, the very race that had once ruled the world and shaped the Nine Provinces was now on the verge of extinction. It was a lamentable fate.

From the Yaksha Prince's memories, Lin Jiufeng had gleaned some information about the human race. He knew they now resided in Liangzhou, barely surviving on the edge of the wilderness, struggling against overwhelming odds.

With Taiyuan Immortal Mansion in tow, Lin Jiufeng immediately set out for Liangzhou.

He dared not waste a single moment. The sooner he reached the human race and delivered the warning, the more time they would have to prepare.

Who knew when the three clans would strike?

Who knew how many other tribes they had allied with?

With such uncertainty looming over him, Lin Jiufeng pushed himself to the limit, racing at breakneck speed toward Liangzhou.

The Journey

Three days later, he left the bounds of Yunmeng Great Marsh and entered Jizhou.

Ten days later, he reached the heart of Jizhou, streaking across the sky like a shooting star, breaking through the clouds without a moment's pause.

Twenty days later, he departed Jizhou and entered Liangzhou.

The moment he stepped into Liangzhou, Lin Jiufeng immediately felt the harshness of the land. The temperature here was significantly lower than elsewhere. Ice particles filled the air, and heavy snowflakes drifted down from the sky. As far as the eye could see, the world was blanketed in white.

Amid the vast snowfall, Lin Jiufeng slowed his pace and descended onto a ridge. He exhaled deeply, his face flushed. After flying nonstop at full speed for over a month, exhaustion had finally set in.

Fortunately, his physical body was powerful. Within a few breaths, he absorbed the spiritual energy mixed with the falling snow, circulating it through his meridians. His fatigue quickly faded.

Gazing across the snowy expanse, he murmured to himself, "Where exactly is the human race?"

The Yaksha Prince's memories only confirmed that the humans were in Liangzhou—but not their exact location.

Lin Jiufeng spread his primordial spirit's power outward, scanning for signs of life.

Within a hundred-mile radius, he found nothing.

Expanding his search to a thousand miles, he finally detected an old figure.

It wasn't a human—it was an elderly mountain goat, standing upright. The goat, wrapped in thick layers, was nestled inside a small house, warming itself by a coal fire while sipping strong liquor, enjoying the snowy scenery outside.

Lin Jiufeng moved instantly, crossing a thousand miles in a flash, landing before the goat's cottage. He knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" the old goat called out, his voice drowsy with drink.

"Sir, I seek information," Lin Jiufeng replied.

The old goat opened the door. A wave of cold air rushed in, clashing with the warmth inside, sending a shiver through the old creature and sobering him up. Only then did he notice the young man standing in the snow.

Clad in black robes, with a handsome face and an air of dignity, Lin Jiufeng stood untouched by the falling snow, as if the elements themselves avoided him.

"Are you a human cultivator?" the old goat asked without fear.

Lin Jiufeng nodded with a gentle smile. "Sir, could you tell me where the human race is located?"

The old goat eyed him curiously. "A human cultivator who doesn't know where his own people are?"

Lin Jiufeng chuckled wryly. "I've been away for too long. With the heavy snow covering everything, I can't distinguish the landmarks anymore."

"Head north. About five thousand miles from here, you should find them," the old goat said, pointing the way.

"Thank you." Lin Jiufeng placed a hundred jin of divine essence—collected from the Yaksha King, the Shura King, the Five-Colored Skeleton King, and the Giant King—before the old goat, then took off in a sonic boom.

The sudden explosion of sound startled the old goat. Looking down at the divine essence, he muttered, "That human kid is surprisingly polite."

Arrival at the Human Settlement

Lin Jiufeng pressed onward. Five thousand miles was nothing to him.

Soon, through the snow, he spotted the human settlement.

From high above, his sharp gaze took in a majestic mountain range with numerous buildings cascading down its slopes, extending all the way to the base.

At the foot of the mountains stood an enormous city, its vast expanse filled with countless houses, towering buildings, and endless streets.

Beyond this grand city, thirteen smaller yet equally significant cities surrounded it, all teeming with life.

Fields had been cultivated in the outskirts, though they lay hidden beneath the thick snow.

"The human race has grown stronger," Lin Jiufeng murmured.

This scene was vastly different from the bleak, fading human settlement he had once glimpsed through Gu Baili's memories.

As Lin Jiufeng observed, a warm, refined voice sounded in his ear:

"Young friend, the cold wind is fierce outside. Why not come into the city and warm yourself?"

Lin Jiufeng's heart trembled. He recognized this voice.

"Painted-Skin Scholar!" he blurted out.

This translation maintains the immersive, epic tone while ensuring readability for an international audience. Would you like any adjustments?