Earth Province, northwest.
There had once stood a Lone Mountain here, a thousand zhang high, reaching straight up to the stars; so vast across that it covered half a province. It could rival the legendary Mount Buzhou, one of the few great peaks between heaven and earth.
One day, Lone Mountain shattered.
The colossal peak that should have risen straight to the stars was cleaved apart by a streak of strange light. Not only did the entire mountain explode in an instant, it also left behind a terrifying sinkhole spanning more than tens of thousands of li across, with an average depth of roughly 3,800 zhang and a deepest point reaching 9,000 zhang.
The towering Lone Mountain had, in an instant, become an abyss of the Nine Underworlds. As countless earthfires surged and spread through it, it became like a demon domain.
Legend had it that the mountain had stood too tall, level with the heavens, and enraged the ancient Heavenly Emperor. Thus, divine punishment descended and smashed it apart. The crater torn open by that blow was merely a condemnation of the life in this land—the decree that nothing on this soil was worthy of dwelling upon the surface, and could only remain in an abyss like a demon domain.
Clack, clack, clack.
Hooves struck the stone ground, ringing out in steady succession.
This was no ordinary horse. It carried dragon blood and possessed an immensely imposing frame, nearly five zhang tall and eight zhang long. Its body was covered in scales, with sharp fangs and vicious claws.
Throughout northwestern Earth Province, such dragon horses were extremely famous.
They were among the few excellent means of transport that could travel back and forth through the Nine Abysses at tremendous speed—and could also be bred on a large scale.
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