To the north of the Earth Immortal Realm lay a vast plain.
A great river ran across the plain, its waters murky and thick with silt.
The weather here was cold and the land barren. There were no fertile farmlands like those in the Southern Side, nor convenient waterways like those in the east—only unbroken mountain ranges and endless forests.
What they grew in the fields was not enough to eat, so half their food had to come from hunting.
Thus, the Human Race here was the fiercest, for from the moment they were born, they fought Demon Beasts for territory.
Xuanyuan City here was the largest city in the north.
Its walls were built from blue stone quarried from the mountains, one zhang thick and three zhang high. An arrow tower stood every ten paces along the walls.
More than a hundred thousand people lived within the city. Everyone could fight, and every household owned blades.
The city's leader was named Yan Chang. He was broad and powerfully built, capable of lifting an ox with one hand.
His wife was named Fu Bao. She was gentle and virtuous, and the cloth she wove was the finest in the entire city.
Yan Hao was reincarnated into this city as the city lord's only son.
After being reborn, Yan Hao's cries shook the heavens from the moment he was born. Everyone in the city heard them.
The midwife held him and said with a smile.
"This child has a powerful voice. He'll achieve great things someday."
Yan Chang stood outside the house, rubbing his hands together and grinning from ear to ear.
Yan Hao's childhood went more smoothly than those of the other two children.
Taihao lost his father at eight, while Shennong had been weak and sickly since childhood. As