Chapter One: At the Moment of Ascension, When the Dream Ends

There are some people in this world who are born extraordinary.

At three, he learned sword forging; at five, swordsmanship; by six, he was already showing promise. At seven, he left home, seeking sword masters everywhere. Yet true masters are not easily found, and none of the renowned sword teachers could instruct him for even a month. By eight, after dozens of times rebelling against his masters, he was left destitute in the wilderness, living a primitive life. He took nature as his teacher, imitated the movements of birds and beasts, and created his own body techniques, footwork, and swordsmanship. After five years, he finally emerged from the wild mountains. Wielding a three-foot green blade, he challenged all the martial artists under heaven. Victorious in every battle, he became the leading young swordsman. At sixteen, he challenged the martial arts grandmaster, the Sword Demon William Hayes, and finally tasted his first defeat. At seventeen, reflecting on all the martial arts he knew, he created the "Demon-Slaying Heart Sutra," and, meditating on green bamboo in a cave, comprehended the "Willow Catkin in the Wind" movement technique. With this skill, he challenged the Sword Demon William Hayes again and finally defeated him. The martial world bestowed upon him the title "Wind God." He entered the ranks of the top experts in the martial world, and over the next five years, defeated countless older masters until there were no more worthy opponents.

Alone at the peak of the martial world, unable to find a rival, he had no choice but to make himself his own enemy, practicing ambidextrous combat. After three years, he mastered this unique skill, and his martial arts reached new heights. Three years later, he no longer used a sword—every blade of grass and tree could serve as his sword. Two years after that, he finally forgot all the martial arts he had learned. Only then did he truly step into the hall of martial arts. At about thirty, he challenged all the swordsmen under heaven, and none dared claim victory over him. At thirty-three, he shattered the void and ascended in broad daylight, leaving behind only a copy of the "Demon-Slaying Heart Sutra" and the Willow Catkin in the Wind movement technique for a fated successor. Unexpectedly, after he shattered the void, the martial arts he left behind triggered thirty years of bloody slaughter in the martial world.

—"Martial History: The Legend of the Sword God Brian Sutton"

—Written by Henry Clark

If ascending in broad daylight is the end of martial arts, then I have already reached that end. Yet when I stood at the peak of martial arts, I realized that everything was only just beginning.

—Words of Brian Sutton

"Welcome to the Primeval Era. In the past 12 trillion years, you are the 17,894,564th ascendant. As your guide, I hope you can survive in this cruel era and truly become one of us." Before he even opened his eyes, Brian Sutton heard an ancient voice from above.

The process of crossing the heavenly tribulation had exhausted all the true energy in his body. At this moment, an unprecedented fatigue swept over him, so much so that he couldn't even be bothered to get up—simply because he was so tired. Brian Sutton gasped for breath, a broken, decaying scent entering his nose, making him frown.

"Isn't this the Immortal Realm?" he asked, clinging to his last hope.

"No, there has never been an Immortal Realm." The answer was simple and direct.

"As the first ascendant in ten thousand years, you have three chances to ask me any question you wish to know. You have just used one."

Brian Sutton finally felt a bit of strength return to his body and opened his eyes. In front of him stood a thin old man, his forehead etched with the marks of time. The old man stood quietly with his hands behind his back amidst the desolate and ruined world, looking at him indifferently.

Glancing around, Brian Sutton was stunned. This place bore no resemblance to the idyllic Immortal Realm he had imagined. Everywhere he looked was devastation, as if countless terrifying wars had taken place.

After a moment of shock, Brian Sutton regained his composure. He was silent for a while, then used his second chance: "Tell me what I should know."

A look of admiration flashed in the old man's eyes, followed by a sense of loneliness and desolation on his face. He let out a long sigh and suddenly asked, "In your impression, are humans the leaders of all living things, with all other creatures beneath them?"

"Of course. Is there any doubt about that?"

"Then I regret to tell you a truth: humans have never been at the top of the food chain. On the contrary, in this multidimensional universe, humans are actually the lowest form of life." The old man's words were earth-shattering.

"There has never been an Immortal Realm. The Immortal Realm is just a lie we use to motivate you. A lie to help you break out of your cage."

"What!" His blood boiled, and a sense of betrayal gripped his heart so tightly he could hardly breathe. After a brief silence, Brian Sutton suddenly stood up, grabbed the old man's neck, and shouted angrily, "Why? Why is this?"