Just as Han Zhiyuan felt he was about to suffocate, someone grabbed his collar and pulled him out, tossing him onto the grass like a dead fish. His head still buzzed loudly when he heard continuous rumbling sounds from beyond the mountains, resembling an earthquake. Turning his head, he saw Patchwork Daoist stretching his neck to look around.
Han Zhiyuan felt an immediate wave of frustration, “In the name of the heavens, did you have oil on your hands?”
“In the name of the heavens, you little rascal,” the old Daoist’s eyes widened in shock. “You seem so cultured, why are you speaking so rudely?”
Han Zhiyuan rolled his eyes, spitting out mud and filthy water in disgust, “Look at you, dressed in such a garish manner with sneaky eyes, you clearly aren’t a proper Daoist.” What kind of good person would throw him into a filthy pond?
“In the name of the heavens, children speak without restraint; I won’t hold it against you,” the old Daoist replied, turning his head to continue watching.
“Did King Peacock fail the tribulation?” Han Zhiyuan shook his wet hair like a drenched chicken.
“It seems so,” Patchwork Daoist replied without turning back, “The four great demons are fighting against the strong forces. It’s unclear if King Peacock is alive or dead, but his countless magical tools have scattered everywhere. Many fellow Daoists are rushing back. Would you like to go, young friend?” The old Daoist turned his head suddenly, his small eyes now golden, filled with greed for the magical tools.
Han Zhiyuan’s face darkened; this Daoist was definitely not legitimate, “Aren’t you afraid those great demons will tear you apart?”
“I’m not afraid, in the name of the heavens. The heavens have a virtue of life; treasures are for those destined to have them,” the old Daoist said righteously, spouting nonsense.
Han Zhiyuan’s face darkened further. Those demons likely didn’t have time to deal with small fries like him, who would be instantly obliterated if he showed his face. Han Zhiyuan knew this well, so… that guy had already flown several feet away.
Han Zhiyuan: …
Lying on his back, Han Zhiyuan spread out on the green grass, staring blankly at the cloudless sky, lost in thought… How did he end up in this strange place?
Just then, two giant birds flew overhead like airplanes, almost knocking him back into the mud with their wings, jolting him awake.
The Nine Heavens Continent, filled with flying people, a tribulation-crossing King Peacock, and bizarre giant creatures… coupled with the gradually clear memories of the original body.
Han Zhiyuan: … Great, exciting, thrilling!
“What the hell is all this?” Han Zhiyuan cursed under his breath. This so-called sudden disaster was indeed something he had now experienced firsthand. Recalling how he got here, Han Zhiyuan couldn’t help but feel his face turning green, matching the grass beneath him.
As a 26-year-old single man, Han Zhiyuan wasn’t doing too poorly. He had a stable job, a handsome face, and an inner elegance that matched his name, giving people a refined impression. But in reality, he was still single.
The reason, Han Zhiyuan thought, might be because he was a homebody without a car or a house. His friend said, “You refined scoundrel, you have a bunch of girls chasing you but you’re too picky, and you have the nerve to complain.”
But even so, he never expected to encounter such supernatural events. Thinking back to the morning when he got possessed, Han Zhiyuan still felt a chill down his spine. It was his own fault; that morning, Han Zhiyuan woke up from a dream and decided to drive to Mount Dongli to watch the sunrise. After two hours of climbing, he just caught the sunrise.
As the sun rose, a red light shot across the sky towards him. Han Zhiyuan was so scared he fell, but nothing seemed to happen. A few couples nearby watching the sunrise laughed at him, and the red light seemed like an illusion. Han Zhiyuan quickly dismissed his doubts.
But back home, he was shocked to find he was possessed. A cold, eerie voice echoed in his body. In this modern, technological world, it was a terrifying discovery.
Han Zhiyuan first thought of the Guanyin pendant his deceased parents left him, then the temple twenty kilometers away.
But he was deluding himself. When his hands slapped him uncontrollably, Han Zhiyuan had to calm down and accept the reality of being possessed without resistance.
“Hmph! Insect,” the cold, eerie voice was scornful, “I won’t waste words; listen carefully!”
Han Zhiyuan was dazed, unable to think, “What Demon King? What the hell? Fantasy novel?”
“I was betrayed, my soul shattered and sealed in various realms. I need someone to break the seals and awaken my fragments to return to my main soul. You are that person.”
“What…”
“Remember, you have no choice, or die!”
“I…”
“Insect, fail and you’ll be annihilated!” The cold voice was terrifyingly convincing. But couldn’t he let him finish?
Then, Han Zhiyuan was sucked into a vortex before he could ask anything. Now, thinking calmly, the Demon King’s words implied the existence of things beyond human understanding, like the Demon King who possessed him and this world he was in. Moreover, the Demon King’s soul fragments were sealed in multiple realms, unable to break the seals himself, indicating he was under some restriction but could still send him here, showing his life was indeed in the Demon King’s hands.
So, unless he found and awakened the fragments, he might be stuck here or even lose his life.
But was the Demon King in his original world or with him here? He didn’t explain anything; how was he supposed to do this? Han Zhiyuan was completely confused!
By now, the original body’s memories had surfaced. This person looked exactly like him, even had the same name, and was a novice cultivator.
And here, in a world where the strong ruled, the weak were at constant risk of death without even a chance for reincarnation.
This place was called the Nine Heavens Continent, where martial arts were the ultimate pursuit, and the strong were revered. Sacred cultivation grounds were everywhere, countless sects and holy lands, with the Void, Ruthless, Four Symbols, Heavenly Dao, and Luoshui Holy Lands being the strongest, and the Four Symbols Holy Land being the sacred ground for demons.
Warriors, Masters, Grandmasters, Generals, Kings, and Emperors—each level was a monumental leap, not just in strength, but in wealth, status, and even lifespan. However, not everyone could advance; some people never improved in their lifetime. Talent and hard work were both essential.
The original body was indeed a novice, just a Warrior… no wonder he couldn’t fly. Only Generals and above could fly with their swords. As for the tribulation-crossing King Peacock, a demon emperor, equivalent to a human Emperor in strength. Demon Kings and Emperors referred to demon power levels, while Emperors were the pinnacle of human strength.
Now, Han Zhiyuan’s biggest problem was finding the soul fragments in such a vast world. And even if he found them, how to awaken them? The Demon King didn’t explain anything.
Han Zhiyuan was pondering this when he suddenly heard a swoosh and saw a figure flash by. Han Zhiyuan sat up in shock.
“Run, young friend! King Peacock failed the tribulation, the great demons are rampaging.” Patchwork Daoist disappeared into the treetops before finishing his sentence.
Just then, Han Zhiyuan heard a series of explosions behind him. Turning around, he saw thick smoke rising from distant mountains, with a giant golden bird spewing flames and several figures flying towards him.
“Damn!” Han Zhiyuan bolted, sprinting into the dense forest. Despite being a mere Warrior, his speed was far beyond an ordinary person’s, like a gust of wind, covering hundreds of meters in a blink.
After running for an unknown time, hearing no more sounds behind him, Han Zhiyuan stopped to catch his breath against a tree. But as he calmed down, he froze in shock; he had escaped the tiger’s den only to enter the wolf’s lair.
Surrounded by towering trees over a meter in diameter, blocking out the sun, a chilling sensation filled the air. No matter which direction he looked, it was the same. “Crap!” Han Zhiyuan panicked, “Am I lost?” Getting lost here could mean instant death, obliteration.
Just then, he heard a faint sound from behind a tree a few meters away. Han Zhiyuan gripped a dark green long sword, his primary weapon, and approached the tree cautiously.
“Mm,” came a muffled groan.
Han Zhiyuan held his breath, inching closer. Suddenly, his body heated up like a lit matchstick.
Han Zhiyuan was shocked to find a person lying behind the tree. Dressed in dazzling white robes, out of this world like an ethereal being, or maybe blinding. His long silver hair spread out messily, otherworldly and serene, captivating. His face was so exquisite it didn’t seem human, with long eyelashes and delicate features that outshone any TV star. Yet, his slightly pursed lips exuded a cold and eerie aura, making people wary of approaching.
And clearly, he was male.
“Monster,” Han Zhiyuan couldn’t help but sigh. Worse, his body felt like it was being roasted. Was this person a fire elemental?
The Demon King had followed them? Han Zhiyuan tried calling out in his mind several times, but there was no response. Was the Demon King also lurking unseen?
So, could this eerie heat be an automatic response?
Now the question arose: how to break his seal? How to awaken him? Damn it, even a hint from the Demon King would be helpful.
But no matter what, when faced with the cold, icy eyes of the demon, Han Zhiyuan knew that his journey ahead was daunting.
“Hey~ What’s your name, beautiful? Need any help?”
“Screw off!”
