The Red Maple Tribe is located in a fertile river valley in the eastern part of the Primordial Wilderness.
It was late autumn, and the maple trees surrounding the village were ablaze with vibrant red, like a sunset, hence the village's name.
This is a small tribe of about five thousand people. Although it is not as bustling as a town, it has its own kind of tranquility and peace.
In a secluded courtyard in the southeast corner of the tribe, the morning sunlight filtered through the maple leaves, illuminating a young boy practicing martial arts.
The boy was about thirteen or fourteen years old, and his physique was already showing signs of becoming robust. He performed a set of basic boxing techniques with great force, and each punch he threw carried the sound of air being cut.
Sweat streamed down his face, glistening in the sunlight.
"Dad, how was my punch?"
The boy stood with his fist clenched, looking at the middle-aged man under the eaves with a hint of smugness.
The man was about thirty years old, with a refined appearance and dressed in simple coarse cloth clothes. He was Yang Tianyou, the owner of the house.
He looked at his eldest son, Yang Jiao, with a broad smile, "Not bad, Jiao'er, your boxing skills have reached seven-tenths of their potential, much better than your father was back then."
Yang Tianyou spoke, a hint of relief flashed in his eyes, but then he frowned. "Where are your second brother and third sister? Didn't we agree to practice martial arts together today?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Jiao's smug expression froze, and he whispered, "They... they slipped out early this morning, saying they were going to pick wild fruit in the back mountain, and they haven't come back yet..."
"What?"
Yang Tianyou's face darkened.
Just then, a pretty woman walked out of the house.
She looked to be about thirty years old, dressed in a plain cloth dress, without any makeup, yet her natural beauty was undeniable.
This is none other than the Fairy Yao Ji from back then. Now she lives in seclusion under the name Yao Niang and has been married to Yang Tianyou for over ten years.
"My lord, Jian'er and Chan'er are always mischievous, let them be," Yao Ji said softly, walking to Yang Tianyou's side and gently taking his hand. "The children are still young, it's normal for them to be playful."
Yang Tianyou sighed, grasped his wife's hand, and said with a tone full of helplessness, "We humans should diligently cultivate martial arts so that we can contribute to the development of our race when we have achieved some success. How can they accomplish great things if they are so mischievous?"
He looked at his hands, his voice lowering even further. "It's my poor aptitude that's dragging my child down. After more than ten years of martial arts cultivation, I've only reached the Meridian Connecting Realm. It's simply... simply shameful."
He was filled with remorse.
When Yang Tianyou was young, he was also full of ambition, hoping to contribute to the development of humankind like the ancient sages such as Sui Ren Shi and You Chao Shi.
No matter how hard he tried, his progress in martial arts was always slow. Now that he is middle-aged, he has only barely reached the Meridian Connecting Realm, which is only considered below average in the tribe.
Yao Ji's eyes flashed with heartache, and she gently comforted him, "I've seen all your efforts, my husband. Martial arts cultivation cannot be forced."
She paused, lowering her voice even further. "... If I didn't need to conceal my presence for fear of being discovered by the Heavenly Court, I could actually help you secretly..."
At this point, a hint of sadness flashed in Yao Ji's eyes.
From the moment she became connected to Yang Tianyou by heart, she knew she could never go back to her former life.
To evade the Heavenly Court's pursuit, she sealed her immortal power, adopted the alias Yao Niang, and lived in the Red Maple Tribe with Yang Tianyou incognito for more than ten years.
During this period, she gave birth to three children for Yang Tianyou: her eldest son Yang Jiao, her second son Yang Jian, and her youngest daughter Yang Chan.
Sensing his wife's emotions, Yang Tianyou quickly rallied his spirits. "My wife, please don't say that. Being able to stay with you is already a great blessing."
"As for martial arts... I will continue to work hard. I don't seek great achievements, I only hope to protect this family, and protect you and your child."
As they were talking, a rustling sound came from outside the courtyard gate.
Then, two small heads peeked in from the doorway; it was Yang Jian and Yang Chan who had slipped out.
Yang Jian was about ten years old, with delicate features and bright, lively eyes.
Yang Chan was only seven or eight years old, with two little braids, rosy cheeks, and was extremely cute.
Seeing their father's pale face, the two children timidly whispered, "Dad... we're back..."
Yang Tianyou snorted coldly, turned around, picked up the hunting bow and wood-chopping knife leaning against the wall, and walked out of the courtyard without saying a word.
As he passed the two children, he paused for a moment, but ultimately said nothing and strode away.
Yao Ji watched her husband's departing figure, gently shook her head, and beckoned to her two children. "Come in, don't stand at the door."
Only then did Yang Jian and Yang Chan dare to enter the courtyard, each grabbing Yao Ji's legs on either side.
Yang Chan looked up at her mother timidly and asked, "Mother, is Father angry with us?"
Yao Ji knelt down and tidied her daughter's messy hair, then looked at her son. "Jian'er, your father isn't angry with you. He hopes you will cultivate diligently and have a bright future."
Yang Jiao also came over and patted his younger brother on the shoulder. "Father often said that our human race is where it is today thanks to Father God's creation of martial arts and the human ancestors' fearlessness in the face of difficulties. As their descendants, we should diligently cultivate ourselves so as not to fail our ancestors' expectations."
Yang Jian lowered his head and whispered, "Actually... actually, my sister and I weren't going to play. We saw that Grandpa Li's roof was broken, and it was going to rain for the next few days, so we went to help him repair it..."
Yao Ji was taken aback upon hearing this, then a look of relief appeared in her eyes.
She patted her son's head. "Helping others is a good thing, but you should also tell your family so that your parents won't worry."
"Yes, I understand." Yang Jian nodded vigorously.
Suddenly, Yang Jiao asked, "Mother, which is more powerful, the Immortal Path you often talk about... or our martial path?"
Yao Ji's expression shifted slightly, and after a moment of contemplation, she said, " The Immortal Path path and the Immortal Path path each have their own merits. However, the martial arts techniques created by the Father God of the Human Race are indeed unfathomable and are by no means inferior to those of the great immortals."
A look of reminiscence flashed in her eyes. "Back when I was in the Heavenly Court, I saw many Immortal Path immortals, but a cultivation system like martial arts was truly rare."
"I can't even imagine how powerful that Dao Venerable Lin Tian be..."
As she said this, she suddenly remembered something and said seriously to the three children, "Remember, never mention the words 'immortal Immortal Path ' in front of outsiders. Our family is just an ordinary human being, understand?"
Although the three children were puzzled, seeing their mother's serious expression, they all obediently nodded and said, "We understand."
Yao Ji sighed inwardly.
Her three children all possessed her divine bloodline and were exceptionally gifted.
To prevent the Heavenly Court from discovering this, she had sealed their immortal power with a secret method when they were born.
Otherwise, given their aptitude, their cultivation speed would undoubtedly be astonishing.
Over the years, Yao Ji has also tried to cultivate human martial arts.
But for some reason, no matter how hard she tried, she could never get the hang of it.
Later, Yang Tianyou told me that this was a restriction set up by the Father God Lin Tian —martial arts techniques could not be cultivated by those without human blood.
This made her admire Lin Tian's methods even more.
To be able to create such an exquisite cultivation system and set up bloodline restrictions—such Supernatural Power are probably beyond even her brother Haotian's capabilities.
"Mother, I promise I will cultivate diligently from now on and stop being playful." Yang Jian suddenly raised his head, his eyes shining with determination. "I will become very, very strong to protect Father and Mother, and to protect my younger sister and elder brother!"
Yao Ji felt a warmth in her heart and hugged the three children tightly. "Good children... you are all my good children."
At this moment, in the Lingxiao Treasure Hall on the Thirty-three Heavens.
" Taibai Jinxing, has Yao Ji not returned yet? It's been over twenty days, and there's still no news!"
Haotian sat upright on the imperial throne, his face grim.
In the current Heavenly Court, one day Heavenly Court is equivalent to one year in the outside world.
Your Highness, Taibai Jinxing bowed and said, " Your Majesty, the Three-Headed Flood Dragon has fled to the depths of the East Sea, and its whereabouts are difficult to find. Since Fairy Yao Ji descended to the mortal realm in pursuit, she has not sent back any news. Your Majesty, I have dispatched men to search with all my might, but..."
"But what?" Haotian's eyes turned cold.
"But Fairy Yao Ji's aura seems to be concealed by some power, making it difficult to detect," Taibai Jinxing said, forcing a smile. "This humble subject suspects that a sage may be involved..."
Haotian snorted coldly, his imperial robes fluttering even without wind. "I personally calculated it, and it is also a Chaos. Very well, very well indeed!"
He waved his hand and said, " Taibai Jinxing, you must investigate this matter personally! No matter who is involved, you must find Yao Ji!"
"Your humble servant obeys the decree!" Taibai Jinxing accepted the order and withdrew.
The Golden Mother Yaochi West gently comforted her, saying, " Your Majesty need not worry too much. With the protection of the Heavenly Court's Fortune, Yao Ji will surely turn misfortune into good fortune."
Haotian sighed deeply, showing signs of exhaustion. "I hope so. But... I have a bad feeling about this."
He gazed at the sea of clouds outside the palace, his gaze seemingly piercing through the Thirty-three Heavens and landing on the Primordial Wilderness land.