Because humans, panicked by the loss of their abilities, longed to regain immortality, they even sought to restore the boundless divine powers of the legendary ancient beings to resist the threat of the Lich and Demon clans. Thus, generation after generation of brilliant minds devoted their entire lives to painstaking research. To this day, some cultivators have comprehended the mysteries of creation, wielding immense power as mere mortals. With the aid of various secret techniques and spells, they can shake the heavens and earth, possess the might of thunder, and live for thousands of years without dying. Some highly accomplished elders, upon reaching the pinnacle of cultivation, either vanished into the void or ascended as immortals. They left behind countless legends, and people believed they had attained immortality, inspiring even more to embark on the path of cultivation.

To this day, the number of cultivators in the Central Plains is as countless as the fish crossing a river. However, the path of cultivation relies heavily on rare and precious treasures, and although the Central Plains is vast, such items have become increasingly scarce. As a result, these extraordinary individuals form factions to compete for spiritual herbs and various treasures. Moreover, the methods of cultivation are diverse and varied, leading to the emergence of different sects and the distinction between good and evil. Prejudices between sects, scheming, and even conflict and slaughter have become commonplace.

When the prospect of becoming an immortal seems so distant and elusive, and those who truly ascend are exceedingly rare, the power gained through cultivation gradually becomes the goal for many.

In the present age, the Central Plains is divided among seven great nations: Northern Yan, Eastern Chu, Great Tang, Great Song, Western Liao, Western Shu, and Southern Yue. Behind each of these nations stand two or three major cultivation sects. These prestigious sects, in their struggle for resources, not only fight among themselves but also incite their supported nations to wage constant wars, plunging the land into endless turmoil and leaving the people in misery.

In the year 37214 of the Divine Continent calendar, at the foot of Mount Lang—the location of the mountain gate of Skygate Sect, one of the seven righteous sects in the cultivation world—a child was born, destined to stir up great waves in this world. And our story begins in the fourth year after this child's birth—

Chapter One: Origins

In the south of the Divine Continent, at the border between the Eastern Chu and Southern Yue kingdoms, there is a city called Maple Forest Town. To the south lies the Yi River, to the west stands Mount Lang, and the town is nestled among mountains. Although transportation is inconvenient and the location is not particularly strategic, it is surprisingly prosperous and bustling. Though called a town, it would not be an exaggeration to call it a great city. The permanent population is only six hundred thousand, but in terms of prosperity and wealth, it far surpasses Xuyang City, the major commercial hub four hundred li to the east.

The reason for this is that it is the seat of one of the most renowned cultivation sects in the Divine Continent—Skygate Sect.

Legend has it that the founder of Skygate Sect, Owen Clark, was a young herbalist in Maple Forest Town. During one of his mountain foraging trips, he accidentally discovered half of an ancient cultivation manual left by a predecessor. Owen Clark immediately abandoned everything, climbed alone to the summit of Mount Lang, braving the elements to cultivate. Thanks to his extraordinary talent, he achieved the realm of "True Person" at the age of sixty.

Afterward, Master traveled the Divine Continent, roaming the world, slaying countless monsters and demons, and earning great fame. Though he could not dominate the world, he became a formidable figure, ranking first among the ten greatest rogue cultivators of the Divine Continent.

In his later years, Owen Clark returned to his hometown of Maple Forest Town, founded his sect, authored the book "Wanfengzi," and accepted more than thirty disciples.

However, although Owen Clark possessed unparalleled cultivation, he was not particularly skilled at teaching. Among his thirty-odd disciples, there were many of exceptional intelligence, but none managed to inherit his true teachings. While Owen Clark was alive, the sect was not a major power, but it was still somewhat renowned in the cultivation world. Thanks to Owen Clark's reputation for protecting his own, few dared to provoke them. But once he ascended, Skygate Sect fell into rapid decline, worsening day by day. Talents dwindled, and with the deliberate suppression from neighboring sects, they could not even handle the weakest demons, let alone achieve cultivation. By the fifth generation of disciples, even a slightly stronger bandit gang dared to bully them. Their plight was truly pitiful.

Perhaps it was fate's mercy. Just as Owen Clark's lineage was on the verge of extinction, a brilliant leader emerged among the sixth generation of Skygate Sect disciples—Ethan Clark. Ethan Clark's secular surname was Li, and he came from a fishing family. He was accepted into the sect by the fifth-generation head at a young age and diligently studied the cultivation manual "Wanfengzi" left by the founding master. His talent was extraordinary and rare. Without any external aid, he achieved qi at six, opened his meridians at fifteen, transformed qi into liquid at twenty-four, formed a golden core at thirty-two, and reached the nascent soul stage at forty-seven, stepping into the realm of "True Person." By seventy, his cultivation surpassed even his master, overwhelming all heroes and becoming the foremost figure in the cultivation world.