Chapter Two: Journey Abroad

Since the dawn of time, when Pangu cleaved open the heavens and earth, more than a great epoch has passed—over one hundred thirty thousand years, to be precise. In those primordial days, as most of the three thousand innate gods and demons perished in the calamity of creation, the savage beasts arose and flourished in the vast wilderness, bringing havoc to the world. Later, the three clans born of the opening of the heavens—the Dragon Clan, Phoenix Clan, and Qilin Clan—rose to prominence, vying for dominion over the wilderness and ushering in the era of the Dragon-Han Cataclysm. Their struggle persisted for tens of thousands of years, resulting in devastating carnage and endless bloodshed across the land.

The relentless wars among the three clans saturated the wilderness with the aura of slaughter, stirring the awareness of the Heavenly Dao. It unleashed a killing intent that fostered the rise of the Western Demon Ancestor, Rahu, who sought to exterminate all living beings and turn the wilderness into a domain of demons.

Rahu’s rampant arrogance provoked the intervention of the wilderness’s greatest powers: Ancestor Hongjun, Ancestor Qian Kun, Ancestor Yin Yang, and Ancestor Yangmei, who joined forces to subdue him. A fierce battle erupted in the west; Ancestor Yin Yang and Ancestor Yangmei fell in succession, Ancestor Qian Kun fled in disgrace, and only Ancestor Hongjun stood firm, forcing Rahu to self-destruct. Rahu’s demise shattered the western spiritual veins, sending tremors throughout the wilderness.

Yet, Rahu’s destruction was not the end. The three clans, whose rivalry had instigated the calamity, also declined as the Dragon Ancestor and Qilin King perished, and the Phoenix was suppressed beneath the Southern Bright Volcano.

While Ancestor Qian Kun and Ancestor Hongjun withdrew to heal their wounds, the wilderness entered a new era, silent and unremarked.

On an immortal isle in the Eastern Sea, which outwardly resembled a mere rock the size of a square zhang, Ancestor Qian Kun sat in meditation, eyes closed, sorting through memories and pondering the Dao. At last, he slowly opened his eyes, which now reflected the weariness of ages.

“I was once one of the three thousand innate gods and demons, born with a body nearing the threshold of sainthood. However, since Ancestor Hongjun has yet to preach the method of severing three corpses to prove the Dao in the Purple Cloud Palace, I remain but a Great Golden Immortal. My formidable physique alone grants me the power to rival a quasi-saint,” Ancestor Qian Kun mused, well aware of his current cultivation and strength.

In terms of power, Ancestor Qian Kun was now among the elite of the wilderness, surpassed only by Ancestor Hongjun. Even the twelve ancestor witches of the Wu Clan, though possessing bodies on the level of a quasi-saint, lacked sufficient insight into the Dao; together, they might not be able to best him.

“My understanding of the Dao of Space runs deep, and I have some grasp of other Daos, though none rival my mastery of space. After all, it is my greatest strength,” Ancestor Qian Kun reflected. “No matter how profound my comprehension of space, without the method of severing corpses, my realm cannot advance. Having newly arrived in the wilderness, I should venture forth and acquaint myself with this world.”

No sooner had this thought arisen than the system’s cold, mechanical voice echoed in his spirit, “Master, this is the right way. Seclusion alone cannot achieve the Great Dao. Only by venturing out will you encounter greater opportunities and treasures. Having awakened the desire to travel, you have triggered the wilderness journey task. The system will grant rewards according to your progress. Will you accept the task?”

“Oh? There are rewards for traveling? Very well, I accept!” Ancestor Qian Kun said in mild surprise before quickly adding, “By the way, system, since I’ve crossed into this wilderness, must I swear an oath to the Heavenly Dao, declaring myself Ancestor Qian Kun from now on?”

The system replied with its usual sternness, “No need. The system has already concealed your fate. You need not fear the Heavenly Dao discovering your origin.”

“What! The system is so powerful it can even deceive the Heavenly Dao?” Ancestor Qian Kun was startled, eyes wide.

His curiosity piqued, he pressed further, “System, what kind of rewards do your tasks offer?”

“No need to ask, master. You will know when the rewards come,” the system replied, leaving Ancestor Qian Kun somewhat frustrated.

Before departing, Ancestor Qian Kun cast a curious glance at the immortal tree bearing three hundred sixty-five fruits. This tree was extraordinary—a top-tier innate spirit root, the Five Elements Spirit Fruit Tree, whose fruits could help cultivators condense the five energies within their chest, making it easier to comprehend the Dao of Five Elements. Its value rivaled, if not surpassed, the ginseng fruit of Zhen Yuanzi.

“Too bad the Five Elements Spirit Fruits aren’t ripe yet!” Ancestor Qian Kun smacked his lips in mild disappointment, though his face bore a trace of joy. “Still, having this immortal isle as my Daoist abode and such a spirit fruit tree as my treasure, my foundations are quite substantial.”

In high spirits, Ancestor Qian Kun used spatial arts to break the innate array protecting the isle and ascended above the vast sea.

“Indeed, just as I remembered, from the outside this immortal isle appears as nothing more than a small black reef!” He gazed down from midair at the reef below, eyes glittering. “Could this be the Fangzhang Isle, one of the three great islands overseas? Well, whether it is or not, I’ll call it Fangzhang Isle from now on. Yes, Ancestor Qian Kun’s Daoist abode, the overseas Fangzhang Isle—splendid, splendid! Ha ha… Wilderness world, Ancestor Qian Kun has arrived!”

With a hearty laugh, Ancestor Qian Kun left Fangzhang Isle—not riding clouds, but deploying his spatial arts, traversing the void with his signature technique, Void Escape, heading toward the western wilderness.

As he journeyed, Ancestor Qian Kun witnessed the vastness of the wilderness. Though Void Escape was swift, it still took him several days to reach the mainland from Fangzhang Isle.

Traveling across the sea was dull; the demon clans inhabiting the ocean kept to the depths, so Ancestor Qian Kun found it difficult to encounter any sentient beings. There were plenty of fish, though, their flesh tender and delicious, providing him with a sumptuous feast.

Yet, after a few meals, he grew tired of eating fish. Fortunately, once he reached the wilderness mainland, the variety of delicacies increased.

Upon arrival, Ancestor Qian Kun did not hurry his journey; instead, he wandered at leisure, strolling and exploring. In no time at all, everything that flew in the sky, swam in the water, or ran on land, along with various spirit mushrooms, immortal herbs, and fruits—anything edible—became ingredients for his meals.

Perhaps the abundance of superior ingredients in the wilderness improved his culinary skills as well.

Of course, beyond his gastronomy, Ancestor Qian Kun collected many immortal herbs, spiritual medicines, materials for crafting artifacts, and rare treasures. Good things, after all, are never too many. His Qian Kun Cauldron and Qian Kun Diagram both contained worlds of space, allowing him to store countless items.

At this time, the Dragon-Han Cataclysm had only recently ended. The Wu and Demon clans had yet to truly rise, so the wilderness was relatively peaceful, though one could also say it was chaotic. Strife and slaughter had never ceased in the wilderness; the world operated on the brutal law of the strong prevailing over the weak.

Yet, as long as the denizens of the wilderness did not provoke Ancestor Qian Kun, he left them alone. Should anyone foolishly challenge him, it was like an egg striking a stone—courting death. At first, Ancestor Qian Kun would show mercy, offering a mild lesson. But as he witnessed more of the endless carnage and conflict, his mentality shifted, and he gradually became harsher. In the wilderness, struggle and slaughter were the norm.

Still, Ancestor Qian Kun held to his principles; he never killed at random, and those he slew were invariably steeped in bloodshed and deserving of death.