Chapter 02: Astonishment

When all the glamour fades, simplicity returns to its true form…

Chen Nan awoke to the soft embrace of warm bedding, the patter of rain outside, and the gentle glow of a single oil lamp casting a serene light across the room. For a fleeting moment, he felt as if he had returned home, his heart enveloped in a rare warmth.

A Kind Respite

The door creaked open, revealing a woman in her fifties, her face radiating kindness. “You’re awake, young man. You really don’t know your own strength, running around outside in the rain like that,” she said warmly.

Though Chen Nan couldn’t understand the modern language of the Tianyuan Continent, he sensed her goodwill. He rose quickly from the bed and bowed in gratitude, noticing he was now dressed in clean, dry clothes.

Thank you, ma’am!

The old woman paused, unable to comprehend his words, but she didn’t dwell on it. The continent was a melting pot of races, and linguistic diversity was common. She smiled gently and gestured for him to follow her to the outer room.

A young man, around eighteen or nineteen, with a sturdy build, entered carrying a tray of food. After setting it on the table, he flashed Chen Nan a friendly smile. Chen Nan returned the gesture, warmed by the hospitality.

After a modest dinner, Chen Nan thanked the old woman and retired to his room, where exhaustion pulled him into a deep sleep.

In his dreams, a beautiful figure emerged from a sea of flowers, only to dissolve in a cascade of petals, leaving behind a haunting whisper: “I’ll wait for you… until we meet again…”

Then, his father, Chen Zhan, appeared, his eyes wise and profound. “He who climbs high must start from low; he who travels far must begin from near. In this world, what matters is not where you stand, but the direction you are moving toward,” he said softly before fading away.

Chen Nan’s mother appeared next, her words gentle yet piercing: “When all the glamour fades, simplicity returns to its true form…”

One by one, familiar figures approached, only to dissolve into nothingness, leaving Chen Nan’s heart heavy with longing.

A New Beginning

At dawn, Chen Nan rose and stepped outside. The rain had stopped, and a vibrant rainbow arched across the sky, painting the landscape with hope.

“Ten thousand years have passed—what more could I possibly hold onto? I must start anew!” he declared, his voice echoing with resolve.

Time passed swiftly. Within half a year, Chen Nan had become the town’s most skilled hunter, leveraging his martial arts to bring in far more game than his peers. With his earnings, he purchased a small courtyard and dedicated himself to refining his martial skills while studying the continent’s common language. Though fluency eluded him, he could now understand the speech around him.

More importantly, Chen Nan adjusted his mindset, embracing his new reality. The confusion and despair that once plagued him faded, and he began to integrate into this vibrant, unfamiliar society.

A Changed World

As his grasp of the language improved, Chen Nan uncovered the seismic changes that had reshaped the world over ten thousand years. The once-separated Immortal Fantasy Continent and Magic Fantasy Continent, divided by a narrow strait, had merged during a cataclysmic earthquake.

Both continents boasted brilliant yet distinct civilizations. Their merger sparked cultural and religious friction, escalating into racial conflicts and, ultimately, a devastating war.

This was a catastrophic war, with battlefields littered with corpses and rivers of blood.

Countless lives were lost, millions displaced, and sorrow blanketed the land. The Western Holy See deployed mages and Templar Knights, nearly overwhelming the Eastern forces. In response, Eastern martial arts masters and reclusive cultivators joined the fray, pitting True Qi and flying swords against Western sorcery and magical artifacts. The clash of sword energies, martial auras, and dazzling spells left the continent scarred.

The war ended in mutual devastation, with battlefields strewn with corpses and the air thick with despair. Enlightened leaders from both sides signed a ceasefire, and over thousands of years, racial tensions dissolved. The merged land was christened Tianyuan, and the distinctions between the Immortal and Magic Fantasy Continents faded into history.

“So that’s why this town is so diverse,” Chen Nan realized. “It sits at the border of the former Divine and Demon Fantasy Continents. No wonder I’ve encountered fire-breathing wolves while hunting—beasts from the West.”

The revelation left him both shaken and enlightened.

The Mystery of the Divine-Demon Cemetery

Another half-year passed, and Chen Nan mastered the continent’s common language, deepening his understanding of Tianyuan. Yet the mystery of the Divine-Demon Cemetery—where he had emerged from his grave—remained unsolved. Why had so many gods and demons perished? Why were they buried together?

He sought answers from the townsfolk, but none could provide clarity. An elderly man finally offered insight: “Child, you’re not alone in seeking this answer. Many across the continent yearn for it, yet it remains a mystery.”

Chen Nan ventured a bold hypothesis: “Could the war between the continents have drawn the gods into the conflict?”

The old man smiled gently. “You have a vivid imagination, child. But the Divine-Demon Mausoleum predates the great war by ages. No one knows when it was built or by whom.”

Chen Nan’s heart skipped a beat. “Before the continents were even connected… the deities of both continents had already…”

The old man nodded. “When the tombs were discovered, the world was astounded. Cultivators from both continents flocked to pay their respects, and the cemetery became a sacred ground where history’s strongest are buried as a sign of honor.”

“But why wasn’t it destroyed during the earthquake that merged the continents?” Chen Nan pressed.

The old man sighed. “The Divine-Demon Cemetery remains an enigmatic place.”

Though Chen Nan considered revisiting the graveyard keeper, he ultimately decided against it. “Since I’ve started anew, I should cast off the past entirely. Let the Divine-Demon Cemetery and the graveyard keeper remain only in my memories.”

A Year of Transformation

A year is neither long nor short, but for Chen Nan, it was transformative. He mastered the language, shed his burdens, and reclaimed his youthful vigor. Resolved to explore the wider world, he decided to leave the small town.

The town sat at the edge of the former Immortal Fantasy Continent, near towering mountain ranges that marked the border with the Demon Fantasy Continent. These mountains were a place of peril, home to ferocious beasts and legendary ancient giants. Even seasoned hunters avoided venturing deep within.

Yet tales of flying dragons and towering giants stirred Chen Nan’s curiosity. When he chose to depart, his first destination was this “place of great peril and evil.”

At parting, he gifted his house to the mother and son who had taken him in, then strode resolutely away from the town.

The wheel of history began to turn, and the legend started here.

Into the Wild

Alone, Chen Nan ventured deep into the mountains. For three days, he navigated endless peaks, evading or slaying ferocious beasts as needed. “Nothing particularly extraordinary among the beasts,” he noted.

Suddenly, a massive shadow streaked overhead, stirring a fierce gale. Chen Nan gasped, looking up to see a gigantic creature—thirty zhang long, emerald green, and covered in scales, with a tail stretching ten zhang behind it.

“Good heavens! A featherless bird? No, a bird covered in scales! And that tail is just hideous!” he exclaimed.

Had anyone overheard, they would have laughed at his ignorance—failing to recognize a dragon, one of the continent’s mightiest creatures—while marveling at his audacity to critique it so boldly.

The green dragon, oblivious to the “insignificant” human below, soared away. Chen Nan muttered, “That huge creature… could it be the legendary dragon? This is absurd! It’s just a giant, winged lizard with a huge belly! Compared to the divine dragons of the Immortal Continent, it’s… sigh!”

Having never seen the divine dragons of the East, Chen Nan relied on legends and exquisite relief carvings that depicted their majesty. The Western dragon disappointed him, though he acknowledged its formidable presence.

“If only I could see an Eastern divine dragon someday,” he mused. “That dragon just now was truly… hideous.”

The mountains were a realm of wonders: peaks shrouded in mist, forests of jagged rocks, and marshes with cascading waterfalls. Standing atop a lofty peak, Chen Nan gazed at a sky as clear as jade, white clouds rolling like ethereal mist below. His heart surged with emotion.

“Ten thousand years… Who could lament ten thousand years? I, Chen Nan, can!” he cried, his voice echoing through the peaks.

An Unexpected Encounter

His emotions settled, and Chen Nan descended the peak, plunging into a crystal-clear stream to cool off. Using his family’s mystical technique to hold his breath, he drifted downstream until the current slowed, carrying him into a clear pool.

A splash broke the silence, revealing a breathtaking sight. A young woman rose from the water, her jet-black hair dripping over her shoulders, dewdrops glistening on her jade-like cheeks. She was no more than sixteen or seventeen, her luminous eyes, delicate nose, and rosy lips radiating ethereal beauty, like a lotus blossom emerging from the water.

Glancing downward, Chen Nan’s breath caught. The girl’s figure was mesmerizing, her glistening skin stirring primal desires.

Then, her eyes met his. Terror filled her gaze as she shrieked, “Ah… Help! Rogue!”

Chen Nan froze. The cliché scenario was unthinkable—he was now branded a lecher. In panic, he leapt from the water, instinctively pulling her into his arms to cover her mouth. Her soft warmth sent his blood racing.

Suddenly, a surge of strength erupted from the girl, hurling him backward. She soared from the pond like a swift swallow, landing on the shore and swiftly donning her clothes.

Chen Nan realized his grave mistake. This girl was no ordinary beauty—she was a martial arts master, her cultivation far surpassing his own. Had he not drifted silently beside her, he could never have touched her.

A dozen figures burst from the nearby woods, and a pale blue barrier erupted around the girl, cast by a mage. The group surrounded her protectively, their eyes fixed on Chen Nan.

He recognized the spell and noted the martial prowess of the group. A headache gripped him—this girl was clearly of high status, possibly a noble or princess. He had provoked someone far beyond his reach.

Three young mages approached, one dispelling the barrier with a wave. The girl’s voice rang out, furious: “Kill that man! Quickly!”

Chen Nan protested, “Beautiful lady, please hear me out…”

“Shut your mouth! What are you all standing around for? Get him!”

Her face twisted with murderous intent, a stark contrast to the angelic beauty he had first seen.

“It’s a misunderstanding…”

The mages acted first. One chanted, “Water spirits drifting through the heavens and earth, heed my call! Water Dragon Wave!”

A water dragon surged from the pool, charging at Chen Nan. Sensing its power, he dodged, but the resulting wave crashed toward the shore. Frantic, he swam in the opposite direction, only for the mage to summon more waves, forcing him ashore.

The guards surrounded him. Chen Nan rose, offering a grim smile. “This really is a misunderstanding…”

“Shut up! Get him down and drag him over here!” the girl commanded.

The guards’ eyes held pity, as if Chen Nan were already doomed. Knowing escape was futile, he struck first, unleashing palm shadows and leaping into the air. Two guards deflected his attack and forced him back down, their palm winds striking his back.

Boom!

Chen Nan staggered, swallowing blood to stay upright. The guards formed a tight formation, trapping him. A beautiful woman, seemingly fragile but exuding deadly skill, approached. Her sword flashed like lightning, slicing a strand of his hair.

Her strikes were relentless, targeting his vitals. After thirty blows, Chen Nan succumbed, struck by her palm and collapsing, coughing up blood.

A Royal Misunderstanding

The guards dragged him before the girl. “Hmph! So that’s all you’ve got, you worthless scoundrel!” she sneered.

Chen Nan’s heart sank. The angelic girl was now a devil in disguise. “This… um, little sister, I truly didn’t mean to offend you earlier. I feared your cries would attract trouble, so I rushed to embrace you…”

“Shut up!” Fire blazed in her eyes as she kicked him, immobilizing him.

The guards’ expressions darkened. “What? This scoundrel dares to insult Her Highness the Princess! He deserves to be torn to pieces!” They knelt, trembling. “We are worthless! We failed to protect Her Highness!”

The princess, fuming, snapped, “Get up! That bastard is spouting lies. I spotted him long before he reached this place. Had I not wished to grant you a chance to prove yourselves, I would have dealt with him myself.”

She glared at Chen Nan. “Hmph! To dare slander and insult this princess! Beat him to death!”

The guards, unconvinced by her claim, beat Chen Nan with deliberate cruelty, leaving him battered and in agony. “Enough. Any more and he’ll die,” the princess said, laughing with satisfaction.

Approaching him, she murmured sweetly, “You audacious fellow, daring to covet this princess! Fortunately, this princess is wise and valiant, discovering your scheme before it unfolded. Had you succeeded in spying on me, what dignity would I retain?”

Chen Nan’s heart chilled. Her sweet smile now dripped with malice. “Guards! Bring him to the palace for punishment!”

A thunderous roar filled his head. The angelic princess was a devil in disguise, and Chen Nan realized he was in far deeper trouble than he had ever imagined.