From the primordial chaos of the universe to the present, over countless trillions of years, no one knows how many powerful demons and monsters have been born in this cosmos. For humanity to survive among these bloodthirsty fiends is no easy feat. It is also unknown which among humans have emerged—those whose every gesture can destroy the heavens and the earth, beings so terrifying that even the demons are filled with dread—forcing the demons to sign certain agreements with the human race. Namely, humans are allowed to retain certain dimensions in which they may thrive and multiply, and the ancient human race must not interfere in these, nor may they impart advanced martial arts to them. Likewise, the demons are forbidden from entering those dimensions at will. However, as a condition of exchange, the demons are permitted to feed on some humans within those dimensions, so long as they do not annihilate the entire dimension. The world from which Brian Sutton comes is precisely such a dimension, where humans are raised like livestock. Every human who ascends from such a dimension is recognized as a true member of the ancient human race. All ascendants may remain safely in the Sanctuary for three years, during which time the demons may not attack the new humans within. After three years, however, this protection ends. The ancient human race is not protected; between the ancient humans and the demons, the law of the universe prevails: the strong prey on the weak. Demons may hunt humans, and likewise, humans may hunt demons.

This agreement appears fair, but in truth, it is anything but. Not to mention that the number of demons is counted in tens or hundreds of billions, while the ancient human race numbers less than a hundred million. Demons are born with advantages that ancient humans cannot match; they possess great power without the need for cultivation, whereas humans must train tirelessly for years on end to accumulate the strength to contend with the demons.

Chapter Five: The Supreme’s Revelation

On a towering peak piercing the clouds, beside a withered stone, a figure sat cross-legged, eyes closed and head bowed, long hair draping past his shoulders. On his shoulders and head, a thick layer of dust had accumulated, nearly a foot deep, clearly showing he had endured countless years of arduous cultivation atop this mountain. Each day, fierce winds howled across the summit—winds strong enough to shatter stone—yet they could not move this frail body.

Suddenly, the ascetic opened his eyes. His gaze, as brilliant as the stars of the Big Dipper, shot forth dazzling beams of light. A sharp, piercing cry burst from his lips. In the next instant, he sprang up, leaping from the mountain peak, tracing an arc through the air before circling back to stand upright atop the summit, gazing down at the mountains below. His body trembled slightly as he shook the dust from his shoulders.

All at once, as if sensing something, he looked up to the sky. Across the firmament, a streak of white light descended, landing before him and transforming into a man.

“I am pleased that, as your three years come to an end, you have finally achieved something. However, I am here on behalf of the Sanctuary to inform you: today, your three years are up. You may no longer appear within a hundred miles of the Holy Mountain. From this moment on, your life and death are your own responsibility.”

This ascetic was none other than the recently ascended Brian Sutton. After years of arduous cultivation, today he had finally mastered the first level of the Ninefold Profound Art, entrusting his fate to destiny. Though the true energy within him could not compare to those who had cultivated for thousands or tens of thousands of years, he had at least achieved something. As for the Sword-Body Mind Technique, he had fully mastered the art of sword control.

After hearing the Sanctuary envoy’s words, Brian Sutton showed no emotion. His long hair fluttered as he turned away, leaping from the thousand-foot cliff, tracing a smooth arc through the air, and disappearing from the envoy’s sight.

Beyond the Holy Mountain, there were only endless ranges of blue-black mountains. Massive primordial beasts roamed silently through the forests, toppling trees and crushing mountains in their wake. Brian Sutton flew close to the ground, not daring to get too near. Judging by their aura alone, these beasts were far more powerful than he was. In the ancient world, dangers abounded: in the sky, enormous and ferocious demon birds; on the ground, mountains and thick-skinned, tough-fleshed savage beasts. Everything Brian Sutton saw and heard made it abundantly clear just how real the dangers of this world were.

The ancient world was far larger than he had imagined. For several days, Brian encountered no other humans apart from those at the Holy Mountain. On the evening of the fifth day, as Brian Sutton was about to spend the night as usual, seeking a tall tree to rest among its branches, he inadvertently noticed a cluster of firelight on a distant mountain. This fire was unlike the reddish flames spewed by demon beasts at night; it was a true wild fire. Where there is fire, there must be people. Curious, Brian Sutton soared toward the mountaintop.

Screech!

A clear, piercing bird cry split the night sky. Beneath the stars, a giant bird with a wingspan of over thirty zhang swept toward him, its wings stirring up fierce gales. Brian Sutton was shocked, immediately using his sword control technique to soar upward, but the demon bird pursued relentlessly. No matter how Brian Sutton twisted and turned, he could not shake off the bird. He considered flying toward the firelight, but feared bringing danger to those unknown people, so he could only lead the giant bird in circles among the mountains. The bird’s screeches were deafening.

With no other choice, Brian Sutton lured the demon bird behind a hundred-zhang-high peak, then suddenly doubled back, circling behind the bird. With his right palm outstretched, he drew a pine needle from a tree on the cliff, condensing it with sword energy until it was as hard as refined steel, and with a flick of his wrist, shot it at the demon bird.

A series of “ding ding” sounds rang out, as if metal were striking metal. The pine needle, which could easily pierce through gold and stone, struck the demon bird’s back, but it was as if it had hit solid steel—completely unable to penetrate its hide.