Strong Bull Mountain wasn't remarkable. Neither towering nor low, its scenery was desolate, terrain ordinary, nothing special. Its fatal flaw: tucked in a remote corner, far from any city. Hardly anyone ventured here.
Yet, two days ago, two earth-shaking anomalies rocked the five continents, sending hearts trembling, undercurrents surging, ready to erupt any moment.
Eastern Continent's state mirrored the fog shrouding Strong Bull Mountain—gloomy, eerily silent.
A vast 20-mile radius lay blanketed in dense mist, unmoved by external weather. It transformed the area into an endless sea of clouds, air heavy, oppressive.
Even under blazing sun, the fog held firm.
Outside Strong Bull Mountain, the five mightiest legions of Eastern Continent, split into three factions, each guarded a side. Warhorses poised, ready for mortal combat, tension at its peak.
On a western outcrop, Stellar Sage sat cross-legged, starlit eyes fixed on the sea of clouds. He'd sat thus for a full day.
His presence radiated righteousness—bold eyes, phoenix brows, snow-white hair, rosy complexion. Motionless, he inspired trust, admiration.
His robes, opulent, bore silver and gold threads weaving celestial patterns of stars and skies, arranged in mystic harmony.
Each gesture, breath, word sparked glints of starlight, as if he were a meteor streaking the heavens.
Beside him, two generals of The Land of the Ancestors and The Great Prosperian Dominion, Liu Hong and Wang Mang, stood hands clasped, waiting.
…
After a while…
Stellar Sage opened his eyes, gaze brimming with absolute, arrogant confidence.
"Gentlemen, I can now say with certainty:
Since the celestial phenomenon began, all divinations and predictions yield one result.
Strong Bull Mountain is utterly ordinary—nothing happens there. This fog… formed naturally by heaven and cosmos, not an array. Yet, scorching skies can't birth such thick mist.
Thus, only one answer: this place is as it should be, aligned with heaven and cosmos.
Or, perhaps, another realm connects here.
Moreover, all who entered had memories erased by some force. Even Martial Generals and Grand Scholars couldn't escape. This isn't heaven's doing.
Yet, whoever erased them bears no malice—only details of the force within were wiped, as if hiding from the world.
Regardless, don't rashly attack. A force capable of this is noble, refined. Recklessness is unwise. Guard against those others stirring trouble, disturbing their serene cultivation. That'd shame Eastern Continent."
Wang Mang and Liu Hong, silent a moment, clasped hands.
"Thanks to the Sage's guidance."
…
East of Strong Bull Mountain, on a flat clearing, five figures huddled, debating animatedly.
Two were armored soldiers, heavy plate distinct in style.
Two were scholars in plain, simple robes. The fifth, gray-haired, wore tattered, threadbare clothes, worn for ages.
He stood out, perhaps for his deep, melancholic eyes, strikingly vivid.
His voice boomed, hoarse, steeped in time's tempests.
"Friends, this place defies heaven and cosmos' laws. From survivors' clues, a mysterious force crafted this.
Proof humanity can achieve anything. We should befriend them. If they misunderstand us, or see us as foes, we must seek peace. What say you?"
The group nodded eagerly.
"Teacher speaks true."
"We must tread carefully, lest they think us aggressive."
"Peace is paramount. Their deeds are admirable."
The elder nodded in agreement.
"Don't delay. Deploy formations. Guard against those others acting rashly."
…
At dusk, Pei Xuan, with Noah's permission, didn't hesitate. Grabbing his pack, he hurried down the mountain.
Inwardly troubled: Great powers act beyond mortal logic. The Manor Lord sent me down—not just for cultivation materials. If he needed resources, the mountain lacks nothing. Enlightenment trees, aptitude-boosting herbs—plentiful. Common elixirs? Chewing mountain herbs outshines them. For qi? The mountain brims with Dragon Sovereign Qi, reserved for emperors, rarer than rare.
Something's amiss below, or they're planning something, so the Manor Lord sent me to handle it…
Emerging from the fog, Pei Xuan faced Stellar Sage, seated opposite a tea table.
Stellar Sage opened his eyes, speaking with smug ease.
"General Pei, what fate we share. You've arrived at last. I've waited long. Come, sit—fine tea's cooling."
Knowing his counterpart, Pei Xuan inhaled deeply, radiating unyielding spirit.
"Thanks for the Sage's favor, but I bear urgent matters. Next time, I'll make amends."
Stellar Sage laughed heartily, amused.
"Urgent matters in that pack, no doubt. Fear not, I won't rob you. I only wish to know the mountain's state."
Pei Xuan exhaled, relieved. A Sage keeps his word.
He meant to speak, but words caught, unutterable, as if barred. A message from his token surged: Do not reveal manor affairs.
Snapping alert—The Sage struck. Heaven's Law: before a Sage, none lie or conceal.
"Stellar Sage… forgive this junior. I've sworn to reveal nothing. Please don't press me."
…
Stellar Sage fell silent, eyes probing Pei Xuan. He carries a blade's will… no, a potent intent, unmastered, newly grasped.
That pack—I can't see its contents. Likely from the mountain.
The axe at his waist, no fluctuations, utterly ordinary… No, something's off with it.
The mountain hides secrets.
"General Pei, if you say so, I'll pry no more. But tell me one thing:
Are those who entered with you well?"
Pei Xuan pondered, nodded.
"They live, and thrive."
Stellar Sage nodded.
"Good. Won't join me for tea?"
Pei Xuan, silent, bowed.
"Senior, forgive me, I'm truly pressed."
Stellar Sage, unforcing, pointed west.
"There, you'll find who you seek."
Pei Xuan bowed. "Thanks, Sage, for guiding." Turned and left.
As Pei Xuan vanished, General Wang Mang stepped forward.
"Sage, your student is dull—why not detain him?"
Stellar Sage, gazing at the clouds, shook his head slowly.
"No. Even all of you combined couldn't match him. His strength now surpasses you.
He carries items I can't fathom. Heaven's will hides them, so I need not see.
Let it go."
Wang Mang and Liu Hong flinched. Pei Xuan, a mere Martial General breakthrough, needed years to rival them. Yet, in less than two days inside, they hadn't sensed the shift.
More shocking: an item a Sage couldn't see? An Immortal's work?
…
Pei Xuan sped onward. With his strength, none but a Sage could stop him.
Soon, he reached the Tian Tzu Empire's camp.
Led straight to the command tent, he faced Hong Chen Sage, Pei Tien—Tian Tzu Empire's supreme commander—Lạc Dương of the Domain of Chromatica, and Grand Scholars of both, all awaiting.
As before, he revealed nothing, only that those on the mountain fared well.
After deliberation…
Pei Xuan presented the axe and a wood fragment.
"Gentlemen, see anything special in these?"
Pei Tien stepped forward, grasped the axe, but couldn't lift it. …?
The wood fragment, perhaps some herb…
Hong Chen Sage shook his head.
"This axe, however viewed, is utterly ordinary, meant only for chopping wood. That's what makes it strange. I've never felt such purity in an axe. I can't lift it either—feels fused to the table."
Pei Xuan fell silent. Even a Sage can't see?
Reclaimed the axe, securing it at his waist. Manor items couldn't enter spatial bags…