Two years ago, Ling Xiao left his homeland, carrying only a meager amount of belongings and a dull saber he had picked up from the ruins of his devastated village. Leaving behind everything familiar, he had no idea where he was going or what his purpose was—only that he had to survive.
Wandering through various marketplaces, he worked whatever jobs he could find—hauling goods, farming, even washing dishes in roadside inns. During the day, he labored; at night, he spent what little money he had to enter cheap martial halls, learning the most basic techniques available to commoners. These techniques were neither powerful nor intricate, but for someone with nothing, they became his foundation for survival.
Over time, though he was far from a true master, he at least learned how to wield a saber correctly, how to strike efficiently, and how to avoid lethal attacks. Ling Xiao understood that he wasn't strong. He had no delusions of defeating others—his only goal was to stay alive and earn just enough to improve his circumstances. A single low-grade spirit stone or an old weapon could make a difference in his life.
Before the Entrance to the Hidden Realm
The Hei Yun Underground Palace, which opened once every hundred years, lay deep beneath Wan Liu Valley. It was said to hold ancient treasures, but also countless dangers.
The entrance was a massive fissure in the valley floor, stretching three zhang wide and plunging into an abyss of utter darkness. Around it, hundreds of hopeful challengers had gathered, eyes locked onto the gateway, waiting for their moment to enter.
Ling Xiao stood on the outskirts of the crowd, gripping his saber tightly. He had no intention of diving into the deepest parts of the hidden realm, nor did he wish to face those far stronger than him. His goal was simple—test himself, grab whatever minor treasures he could, and leave.
But deep within the underground palace, something had begun to awaken.
In a forgotten corner of the underground palace, where shadows swallowed all light, a pair of crimson eyes slowly opened.
Its name was Ti Mu.
It had no illustrious bloodline, no extraordinary talent, and no powerful background to support it. All it had was patience—the kind that came from living long enough to see its enemies fall. When the strong perished, when time eroded the ambitions of others, Ti Mu remained.
But this time, it would not wait any longer.
For the past 300 years, Ti Mu had hidden in this underground palace, not for spirit stones or riches, but for one treasure—Shen Feng Yin Yu.
This was no ordinary artifact. It was a celestial entity, an unpredictable force of nature, taking the form of an exquisite ring with a gemstone of ever-shifting colors—one moment emerald green, the next a golden amber, then fading into a delicate pink, as if reflecting the endless winds of the world. Encircling the gemstone were delicate, mist-like engravings, giving the ring an ethereal, otherworldly presence. No one knew where it had come from, only that when the underground palace opened, it would begin absorbing all the surrounding spiritual energy.
Ti Mu had witnessed countless seekers attempt to claim it. Warriors wielding legendary weapons, cultivators with boundless strength—all had perished upon touching Shen Feng Yin Yu. Some disintegrated into dust. Others were driven to madness, lost within illusions until they wasted away.
This was not a weapon for battle, nor an artifact for immortality. But those who possessed Shen Feng Yin Yu became untouchable. Within its storm, no blade could reach, no attack could land.
This time, Ti Mu was ready to risk everything. If it failed, its bones would become part of the ruins. But if it succeeded…
It would never bow to anyone again.
Beneath a withered tree in the distance, Ling Xiao gazed at the entrance to the Hei Yun Underground Palace, his eyes filled with conflicting emotions.
Two years ago, he had been nothing but a lost child. Now, he stood at the threshold of the most dangerous place he had ever faced.
Not for riches. Not for power.
But simply because—
He wanted to know who he truly was.