Qu Shunhua was shrouded in divine light, standing beneath the stars and moon. The endless night sky seemed to become her sweeping cloak, while countless upturned gazes offered her a crown of honor.
Zhongshan Weisun was a dim figure in the shadows of the military tent.
The young general of Jing State recognized as possessing the greatest military talent was Murong Longqie, adopted son of the Red Horse Guard's grand general. The young prodigy of Jing State acknowledged by all to possess the greatest cultivation talent was Huang Sheli.
At the Yellow River Assembly of Dao Calendar 3919, in that Outer Tower Arena where prodigies stood side by side, people also remembered Yan Deyi, who had said, "For now, let the top spot's name be set aside."
What kind of person was this one called "Zhongshan Weisun"?
A genius, but not quite peerless. A powerhouse, but not enough to reach the ultimate limit.
A man always short by a single breath, yet unable to tell where that missing breath lay.
Tonight, he looked up at Qu Shunhua.
He was one of those looking up.
He was one among the countless living beings at the foot of the mountain. Now, he was going to climb toward its summit.
Dressed in splendid robes, adorned with fine jade, his cap straight and his bearing steadfast, refined and gentle—he was Zhongshan Weisun.
Filthy-mouthed, cursing heaven and earth, hated by men and loathed by ghosts—he was Zhao Tiezhu.
He was a climber of mountains, and he would become the god upon the mountaintop as well.
A spark of fire was born in his eyes.
Like a bean-sized candle flame lit in the boundless Long Night.
It leapt faintly from the earth, then in an instant surged and roared, unfurling into a crimson bird of flame.