When Chen Nan opened his eyes again, he found himself lying on a wooden bed, the soft bedding making him feel warm and comfortable.
The sky had already darkened, but the rain was still falling. A single oil lamp was lit inside the house, casting a soft light.
The pattering rain, the soft bedding, the gentle light—Chen Nan felt as if he were back home, his heart filled with warmth.
The door was gently pushed open, and an elderly woman in her fifties walked in. The old woman had a kind face and said, "You're awake. Young people really don't know what's important, running around outside in the rain."
Chen Nan couldn't understand the language spoken in mainland China, but he knew the old woman meant well, so he quickly got out of bed and bowed to her.
Only then did he realize that he had changed into a set of clean clothes.
"Thank you so much, ma'am!"
The old woman was taken aback. She clearly couldn't understand Chen Nan's words, but she didn't think much of it, because there were many races on the continent, and some people certainly didn't know the common language of the continent.
Chen Nan followed the old man into the outer room. Just then, a young man entered. He looked to be about eighteen or nineteen years old and was quite robust. After placing the food on the tray he was carrying on the table, he smiled amicably at Chen Nan.
Chen Nan returned the smile.
After dinner, he thanked the old woman and then went back to his room to sleep soundly.
In my dream, a beautiful figure walked out from a sea of flowers, then vanished in a shower of petals, leaving behind only a faint whisper: "I'll wait for you... until we meet again..."
Later, in his dream, Chen Nan saw his father, Chen Zhan, again. Chen Zhan's eyes were wise and profound, as if he could see through all the illusions of the world. He said calmly, "Those who climb high must start from humble beginnings, and those who travel far must begin from nearby. In this world, what matters is not where you are standing, but in which direction you are moving!"
As Chen Zhan's figure faded away, the image of Chen Nan's mother reappeared.
"When the glitz and glamour fade, simplicity returns to its true essence..."
Early in the morning, Chen Nan got up and went out. The rain had already stopped, and a rainbow hung high in the sky, adding a beautiful scene to the world.
"Ten thousand years have passed, what is there left for me to hold onto? I want to start anew!" Chen Nan shouted.
He decided to face reality and start a new life.
Time flies like an arrow, and half a year has passed in the blink of an eye.
Relying on his martial arts skills, Chen Nan became the most outstanding hunter in the town. He brought back several times more game than others every day, and with his hunting earnings, he bought a small courtyard. Besides hunting, he not only honed his martial arts skills but also mainly learned the language of the modern continent from the townspeople. Although he couldn't yet communicate fluently with people, he could already understand the speech of those around him.
In addition, Chen Nan constantly adjusted his mindset and accepted reality. He was no longer hesitant or confused, and he gradually integrated into this society.
Since he was able to understand the language of the mainland, Chen Nan finally understood that the world had undergone earth-shattering changes in the past ten thousand years.
The Immortal Continent and the Magic Continent, which were originally separated only by a strait, were connected by a violent earthquake.
Both the Eastern fantasy continent and the Western magical continent have their own unique and brilliant civilizations. After the two continents were connected, due to differences in culture and beliefs, friction often occurred between the races of the two continents. As the friction escalated, racial conflicts arose, and finally, war broke out between the two major races.
This was a catastrophic war; the battlefields were littered with corpses and rivers of blood. Countless able-bodied men were forcibly conscripted into the army, never to return. Millions of civilians perished, and tens of millions were displaced, casting a pall of gloom over the continent.
The war grew increasingly brutal, and finally, the Western Papacy deployed magicians and Templar Knights. Just as the tide of war was about to turn, martial arts masters from the East and previously reclusive Taoist practitioners joined the fray in an organized manner. A great confrontation between Eastern and Western cultivators began, with true qi clashing against battle qi, flying swords and magical artifacts against magic. On the battlefield, sword qi and battle qi crisscrossed and surged, while magical artifacts and spells displayed dazzling power and majesty.
The war ended in mutual destruction. After the great battle, countless corpses piled up on the battlefield, and the mainland was filled with mourning and desolation.
Both sides recognized the immense harm of war and eventually signed a comprehensive ceasefire agreement.
Time heals all wounds. After thousands of years of easing tensions, racial conflicts finally disappeared, and racial integration was initially achieved. The distinction between the Immortal Continent and the Magic Continent disappeared, and the merged continent was named Tianyuan.
"So that's how it is. No wonder there are so many races in the town. It turns out this is the border between the Immortal Fantasy Continent and the Magical Fantasy Continent. No wonder I encountered a fire-breathing wolf while hunting. It was a magical beast from the West."
Upon learning all this, Chen Nan was deeply shocked, and at the same time, he felt that many things suddenly became clear.
Another six months passed, and Chen Nan finally mastered the language now commonly used on the continent. He had a deeper understanding of the Tianyuan Continent and had fully integrated into this society.
Of course, some things were still shrouded in mystery for him. He never understood what had happened among the gods and why so many powerful deities had died.
He asked everyone in town, but no one could answer him.
Finally, an old man in town said to him, "Child, you're not the only one who wants to know the answer to this question. Many people on the mainland want to know the answer, but it remains an unsolved mystery."
Chen Nan said, "Was it possible that when the two continents broke out into full-scale war, it directly led to the gods joining the war?" As he said this, he felt his heart stop beating. What an astonishing possibility this was! He was filled with shock.
The old man shook his head and smiled, "Child, you have a rich imagination, but in fact, the Cemetery of Gods and Demons existed a thousand years before the war between the two continents broke out. No one knows exactly when it was built, and no one knows who built it."
Chen Nan exclaimed in shock: "What? Before the two continents were even connected... the gods of the two continents already..."
The old man nodded and said, "That's right. When the numerous tombs of gods and demons were discovered, the world was shocked. Countless cultivators flocked there, and even cultivators from the Magic Continent risked crossing the strait to pay their respects. Since then, the Cemetery of Gods and Demons has been revered as a sacred garden, and people have buried some of the strongest figures in history there as a sign of respect."
"But... the Cemetery of Gods and Demons is located at the border of two continents. Why didn't the massive earthquake that occurred when the two continents were connected destroy it?"
The old man sighed, "The Cemetery of Gods and Demons remains an enigma."
Throughout the year, Chen Nan tried several times to visit the old man who guarded the tomb, but he did not take any action.
"Now that I have started a new life, I should let go of everything from the past. The Cemetery of Gods and Demons and the old man who guards the grave, let them remain in my memory."
A year may seem short or long, but it was a significant year for Chen Nan. He learned the common language of the continent, his mindset gradually became more peaceful, he shed his past, and the feelings of vicissitude and sorrow disappeared, replaced by the vigor of youth. He decided to leave the small town and travel the world from then on.
When the Immortal Realm and the Magical Realm are connected, towering mountain ranges rise up at their border. The town is located on the edge of the Immortal Realm, at the junction of the two continents, and less than twenty miles to the west lies an endless mountain range.
No one dared to venture deep into the mountains, for not only were there ferocious birds and beasts, but also legendary ancient giants; for ordinary people, it was an absolute place of great danger. Even the most experienced hunters in the town only dared to hunt on the outskirts of the mountains, never daring to set foot deep within them.
Flying dragons, towering ancient giants... these legends deeply fascinated Chen Nan. When he decided to leave the town to travel the continent, his first thought was of the "Land of Great Calamity and Evil" right before his eyes.
Before leaving, Chen Nan gave his house to the mother and son who had taken him in, and then strode away from the town.
The wheels of history begin to turn, and legends begin here.
Chen Nan ventured alone into the depths of the mountains. He had been walking through the continuous mountain range for three days, encountering countless ferocious birds and beasts. He avoided them if he could, and killed them if he couldn't.
"There weren't any particularly strange or ferocious beasts."
Suddenly, a huge shadow flew by, stirring up a fierce gust of wind.
Chen Nan was shocked. He looked up and saw a huge "strange bird" that was thirty feet long flying over him.
The strange bird was entirely emerald green, emitting faint lights, and trailed a tail ten feet long behind it.
"My God! A featherless bird, no, a bird covered in scales, and oh, its tail is so ugly!" he exclaimed.
If anyone were to pass by here, they would surely laugh at Chen Nan's ignorance, for he didn't even recognize one of the most powerful creatures on the continent, the dragon. At the same time, they would also admire his courage, for this guy actually dared to "discuss" the dragon so closely.
The green dragon clearly hadn't noticed the small creature on the ground, nor heard the "gossip," otherwise it would have swooped down and torn this scornful creature to shreds.
Watching the green dragon gradually disappear into the distance, Chen Nan snapped out of his astonishment and belatedly realized, "That big guy couldn't have been the legendary dragon, could he? This... this is too outrageous! It's basically just a winged, big-bellied lizard! It must be a monster dragon from the magical continent. Compared to the divine dragons of the immortal continent, it's simply... sigh!"
Chen Nan had never seen the legendary divine beast of the Immortal Fantasy Continent—the dragon—but there were countless legends about dragons. From these legends, one could glimpse the dragon, and from those exquisite reliefs, one could also see the perfection of this supreme creature.
The Western dragon that had just flown past him filled him with immense disappointment. Perhaps that green dragon was equally formidable, but he had a feeling that the Western dragon was no match for the Eastern dragon.
Chen Nan muttered to himself, "If only I could see the Eastern dragon with my own eyes someday. Sigh, that dragon just now was really too—ugly."
I wonder what the green dragon will think after hearing Chen Nan's words. It probably won't need to accuse him of "racial discrimination"; it will just "execute him on the spot."
The mountains are full of wonders, including towering peaks shrouded in clouds and mist, craggy stone forests, and flowing springs and waterfalls...
Chen Nan stood atop a high peak, the sky above him was clear and blue, and the white clouds below rolled like celestial mist. His heart was filled with excitement.
"Ten thousand years, haha... Who can lament the passage of ten thousand years? I, Chen Nan, can! Haha..."
Chen Nan's excitement gradually subsided, and as he gazed at the azure sky, he felt an immense sense of peace and tranquility.
A clear, turquoise river meandered through the mountains. After descending from the peak, Chen Nan felt incredibly hot. He plunged into the river, held his breath using a family-inherited martial art, and drifted downstream. He didn't know how much time had passed when he felt the current slow down, even stop. He opened his eyes and saw the river continuing its winding course into the distance, while he had been swept by the current to a clear pool on the riverbank.
Suddenly, a splash of water rose from the pool, revealing a breathtaking scene before Chen Nan's eyes. A woman stood up from the pool, her long, black hair cascading wetly over her shoulders, her jade-like cheeks glistening with water droplets, as pure and ethereal as a lotus emerging from the water. Perhaps she shouldn't be called a woman, but rather a girl. The girl appeared to be only sixteen or seventeen years old, with unparalleled beauty—her bright, expressive eyes, long eyelashes, straight, delicate nose, and rosy lips—making her look as beautiful as an elf and as pure as an angel.
Looking down further, Chen Nan almost had a nosebleed. The girl's proud and shapely breasts had just emerged from the water, gleaming with an alluring luster, tempting one to rise with the most primal desires.
At the same time, the girl saw Chen Nan, and her bright eyes immediately showed terror. A scream escaped her lips: "Ah...help...you pervert..."
Chen Nan was shocked. He never expected such a cliché scenario to happen to him. Without a doubt, his reputation as a lecher and libertine was now indelible. In a moment of panic, he leaped out of the water, pulled the girl into his arms, and covered her mouth. The soft, smooth body in his arms made his blood boil.
Suddenly, a powerful force surged from the girl, knocking Chen Nan away. At the same time, her graceful body leaped from the pool like a swallow and landed on the shore. She then quickly put on the clothes she had found on the shore.
When that powerful force surged towards Chen Nan, he knew something was terribly wrong. This seemingly beautiful and innocent girl was actually a highly skilled martial arts expert. He sensed that her cultivation was far superior to his own; had he not silently floated to her side in the water, he would never have been able to touch her.
A dozen figures flew in from the nearby woods, and at the same time, a ripple appeared in the air, and a beam of light emanated from the woods, forming a pale blue shield that protected the girl. The dozen or so people who had rushed over arrived beside the girl, protecting her in the center.
Now that Chen Nan was considered a proper resident of the Tianyuan Continent, he immediately recognized that the radiant light he had just witnessed was a spell cast by a magician. He also noticed that the dozen or so people before him were martial arts masters of considerable skill. A headache suddenly struck him. This display of power indicated that the girl was no ordinary woman; she was either a noblewoman from a high-ranking family or a daughter of a prominent clan. He had provoked someone he shouldn't have.
Three young mages approached from a distance. One of them muttered something and then waved his hand, causing the protective shield around the girl to disappear.
As soon as the magical shield disappeared, the girl shouted angrily, "Kill that person! Now!"
Chen Nan quickly exclaimed, "This beautiful lady, please listen to me..."
"Shut up! What are you all standing there for? Get him!"
At this moment, the stunningly beautiful girl's face was filled with murderous intent, wishing she could tear Chen Nan to pieces immediately.
"It's a misunderstanding..."
The three magicians were the first to act. One of them said, "Water spirits that roam between heaven and earth, heed my call, Water Dragon Wave!"
A ripple appeared in the air, and a splash echoed on the water's surface as a water dragon rose from the water and hurtled towards Chen Nan.
Chen Nan didn't pay attention at first, but when the water dragon was about to hit him, he realized the huge force hidden in it and hurriedly dodged to the side.
"Thump"
The water jets struck the water's surface, creating huge waves that propelled Chen Nan toward the shore in the direction the girl was.
"I'm unconscious! If I get up there, that girl will tear me apart." Chen Nan quickly swam in the opposite direction.
Just then, the mage who had cast the Water Dragon Wave incantation began chanting again, and the water, which had just calmed down, began to ripple once more. Waves surged towards Chen Nan, forcefully pushing him onto the shore. The people guarding the girl immediately stepped forward and surrounded him.
Chen Nan stood up from the water, revealing an awkward smile, and said, "This really was a misunderstanding..."
"Shut up, you guys hurry up and beat him down and drag him over here!" the girl shouted.
These dozen or so people, both men and women, were all young, but none of them were weak. At this moment, everyone looked at Chen Nan with pity, as if he were already meat on a chopping block.
Chen Nan knew this battle was unavoidable. He launched the first attack, pushing his palms outwards and unleashing layers of palm shadows. Then, he leaped into the air, preparing to jump over the heads of the crowd and break through. Clearly, the crowd wasn't giving him any chance. His palm shadows were easily neutralized by two of them, who then leaped into the air, forcing him to fall to the ground.
As soon as his body hit the ground, several palm strikes came towards his back. In his haste, without turning his head, he struck out with a palm behind him.
"boom"
Chen Nan staggered forward, almost falling to the ground. His face flushed red, and a mouthful of blood welled up in his throat, but he forced it down.
The dozen or so people seemed to have figured out his background, forming a circle around him and trapping him inside. The woman, who appeared to be the leader of the guards, walked towards him. This woman was very beautiful, with a frail appearance. Chen Nan, however, dared not be careless in the slightest; he knew that this woman was definitely not as weak as she appeared.
A sharp sword light slashed towards Chen Nan, as fast as lightning, arriving before him in the blink of an eye. Chen Nan hurriedly dodged to the side, a strand of his long hair being cut off by the woman and falling to the ground from the air.
He gasped. This woman's sword strikes were lightning fast, far beyond his ability to withstand unless he reached the first level of his family's profound martial arts. In the brief moment of his surprise, the beautiful woman attacked him again, her longsword moving with lightning speed, each strike aimed at his vital points.
After exchanging more than thirty blows, Chen Nan was finally defeated. He was struck on the back by the woman and fell to the ground, spitting out three large mouthfuls of blood.
These people carried Chen Nan and brought him to the girl.
"Hmph! You scoundrel, all you've got is this? I thought you were something special!" the girl sneered.
A chill ran through Chen Nan's heart. The girl's expression was completely different from when he first saw her in the water. Back then, she looked like a little angel, but now he felt as if a beautiful little devil had stood in front of him.
"Um... little sister, I really didn't mean to offend you. I was afraid you'd shout and cause unnecessary trouble, so I rushed over and hugged you..."
"Shut up." The girl's eyes were practically spitting fire as she raised her little foot and kicked Chen Nan hard.
Chen Nan felt that he suddenly became unable to move or speak.
The guards protecting the girl had maintained a calm and collected demeanor until they heard Chen Nan's words. Their faces immediately changed color, and they all shouted, "What? This damned bastard dares to insult Her Highness the Princess like this! He deserves to be torn to pieces!" Then they hurriedly knelt down and said in trembling voices, "Your subordinates deserve to die. We failed to protect Her Highness the Princess." Cold sweat broke out on everyone's faces.
At this moment, the little princess was filled with regret. She regretted giving Chen Nan any chance to speak. Chen Nan's "nonsense" made her extremely ashamed and indignant, and she didn't know how to face her subordinates.
The little princess angrily said, "Get up, all of you! This bastard is spouting nonsense! How could you believe him? I spotted him when he was far away. If I hadn't wanted to give you a chance to prove yourselves, I would have dealt with him myself long ago."
Then she glared fiercely at Chen Nan, who was lying on the ground, and said, "Hmph, how dare you slander and insult this princess like this! Beat him to death!"
Chen Nan was unable to move or speak, but he could hear everything clearly. He never expected that this girl was actually a princess.
These dozen or so men clearly didn't believe the little princess's words. They secretly hated Chen Nan's lewdness and shamelessness, and they beat him with great skill, making his whole body feel like it was being pricked by needles and bitten by ants, torturing him to the point of near death. In no time, Chen Nan's body was covered with wounds.
"Alright, he'll die if you keep hitting him." Looking at Chen Nan, who was covered in wounds, the little princess smiled happily, seemingly satisfied with the outcome. The young guards stopped torturing Chen Nan and stepped aside. The little princess smiled charmingly at Chen Nan and walked over.
Chen Nan unintentionally defiled a princess, but did not suffer the imagined torture. He felt relieved, thinking that the punishment was over.
The little princess's sweet voice rang in his ears: "You scoundrel, you're incredibly audacious! You actually dared to make a move on me. Luckily, I'm wise and powerful enough to discover your intentions first. If you had spied on me, how would I have any face left? I would have been laughed at to death."
Chen Nan was taken aback: Wait, what does this mean? Wasn't she just smiling at me? But why does her tone sound so ominous now? When he looked at the little princess again, he felt uneasy. Although the little princess's smile was sweet, there was a hint of evil in the sweetness. He felt a chill run down his spine and couldn't help but shiver.
The little princess smiled sweetly and said, "Guards, administer castration to him."
"Buzz"
Chen Nan felt a boom in his head, and he almost fainted from fright. In his eyes, the little princess's smile was undoubtedly full of evil. He finally understood that she was a little devil with the appearance of an angel.