Winds of Change

In the deepest part of the mountain range, a fierce battle had begun, as if out of myth. Each time those sky-covering golden claws came down, they shattered an entire ridge. The little crimson bird was no less formidable, turning many peaks into magma. Scarlet liquid erupted toward the heavens, like rivers of red connecting heaven and earth—but that was merely the aftermath. The true battle was taking place high in the sky!

The scarlet bird was only palm-sized, its feathers bright red as if about to drip with blood, yet it was incomparably valiant. It plunged into the thick clouds and engaged that unknown, terrifying creature in a great duel.

The people of Stone Village watched with eyes wide and jaws slack, chills rising up their spines. Legend had it that some ancient descendants were unimaginably powerful, able to cover the sky with one hand and effortlessly wipe out a great clan, like deities themselves. Now, it seemed the legends were true!

"What a pity we can't see it..."

The leaden clouds were heavy, and some strange power cut off everything. No one could see through them or know what kind of battle was unfolding in the sky.

"So Little Red is that powerful." Little Dot propped up his chin, blinked his large eyes, and spoke softly.

Half an hour later, the depths of the mountain range calmed down. Yet the fire clouds did not disperse, still coiling through the sky. The horizon remained crimson, as though stained with a layer of divine blood.

"These are troubled times. I wonder what sort of mountain treasure appeared that they have fought over it for two years. Have they still not reached a conclusion?" Clan Chief Shi Yunfeng wondered.

"The mountain treasure must be heaven-defying!" Shi Linhu said.

The innermost reaches of the mountain range were filled with all manner of strangeness. No one from Stone Village had ever gone deep inside, so they had no idea what kind of mountain treasure had been nurtured there.

Over the following half month, the deepest part of the range was peaceful. No further fierce battles occurred, and people were almost beginning to forget that soul-stirring clash.

Yet lands even farther away were far from peaceful.

This was a fertile land, with broad plains as well as beautiful peaks and rivers.

Scaled horses surged like ocean waves, galloping in vast ranks. They were squads upon squads of armored cavalry, ranging across the world. Their armor gleamed, their killing intent shot into the heavens, and they were conducting martial drills.

On the horizon stood endless buildings, stretching as far as the eye could see. This was a massive tribe with a population of several million, one that had flourished on this land without decline.

The clan was filled with powerful experts. Its inheritance had endured from ancient times to the present without ever being extinguished. Every generation produced several gifted prodigies, ensuring its strength and prosperity.

Amid the buildings stood a great golden tent. A scaled horse charged over, and a powerful expert leaped down from its back, landing on the ground as he loudly reported, "Clan Chief, there has been activity in the south. An earthshaking mountain treasure seems to have emerged!"

"Didn't it emerge two years ago? Why is there still something now?" an old man's voice came from within.

"For some reason, the strongest creatures are still fighting."

"In that case, some extraordinary sacred relic has been unearthed. Those ancient descendants have yet to obtain it, stirring the winds and clouds in all directions!" An old man walked out of the golden tent. He was tall and powerfully built, and threads of golden lightning actually flickered from his eyes, terrifying beyond measure.

"Clan Chief, should we go? Though our clan has fewer than ten million people, our strength is certainly no weaker than anyone else's." Several powerful experts approached, each with an oppressive aura, like ferocious beasts reborn in human form.

"Hm. Do not take risks. Bring a few of the youngsters along for the trip and let them broaden their horizons. Without my order, no one is to make a move!" the old man warned, the golden light in his eyes overwhelmingly intimidating.

"Yes!"

Far away, in another land.

A vast lake lay there, blue as the sea and beautiful beyond compare. Islands dotted its surface like stars in the sky. As the waters churned, several children rode atop a flood dragon, bursting from the lake amid rolling clouds and mist. Its scales shone brilliantly as it soared into the high heavens.

Before the grand palaces on the islands, a group of adults watched them fondly.

"Stop fooling around. In a while, we'll take you on a long journey to see the gifted prodigies of the outside world."

"Hmph, they're all mediocre. Last time, you said there was some incredible genius, but didn't we still defeat him? If he hadn't ridden that fire qilin and fled into Flame Cave, we would have captured him and brought him back," a youth retorted.

In yet another stretch of mountains and rivers, equally far away.

This was the territory of a marquis, boundless in extent and home to tens of millions. Great cities stood one after another, with carts and horses flowing through the streets and people coming and going. It was exceedingly prosperous.

The enormous royal capital was grand and solemn. Its walls were built from adamantine rock, incomparably majestic, like a black mountain range lying across the horizon and radiating immense pressure.

The royal palace was magnificent, like a heavenly palace descending into the mortal world, lofty and towering. Inside, it glittered with gold and jade, with carved beams and painted rafters—a splendor of luxury and wealth beyond description.

"The ancient descendants have fought for two years and still have not withdrawn?" Within a magnificent silver hall, a calm yet majestic voice rang out from the supreme throne high above.

His true appearance could not be seen. His entire body was like a purple sun, its radiance so intense that it submerged him completely.

That was his life force, terrifying beyond measure, naturally spilling forth like a great furnace. He was like a deity blazing with dazzling violet light, one whom none dared approach and could only look up to.

In the hall, that powerful expert knelt on the ground, not daring to raise his head. He bowed deeply and said, "Yes. It has lasted for two years. An earthshaking divine object seems to have been unearthed."

There were other people seated within the silver hall. One young man rose to his feet and said, "Who would have thought it? That barbaric wilderness has actually nurtured a mountain treasure worth fighting to the death over even for the strongest ancient descendants. Interesting. Father, I suggest we send people at once to wait for an opportunity. Perhaps we may gain something."

"Go find your granduncle. Have him take you, along with those few youngsters, to see for yourselves. But without my command, none of you may act. Whoever disobeys will be executed without mercy!"

The majestic voice came from the supreme throne. The purple sun trembled, and a terrifying aura spread out, making the entire hall shake.

In another land, there were likewise many cities and tens of millions of inhabitants. This was the territory of another marquis. Within the vast and magnificent royal palace, booming thunder rang out, shaking many armored guards until they trembled and nearly fell to their knees.

It was one man's voice, terrifying beyond compare. It shook palace after palace, like thunder from the nine heavens exploding there.

"Purple Mountain Marquis has made his move and sent out his descendants. Yun Kun, take your younger brothers as well. The moment you see those geniuses from Purple Mountain Marquis's household, beat them up for me!"

The thunderous voice echoed. Strands of black lightning intertwined within the grand hall, circling a blurry yet majestic figure. That place had become an ocean of lightning.

"Yes!"

Far away, amid another stretch of mountains, the peaks were extraordinarily majestic, towering into the clouds. Their summits were blanketed in silver, piled high with thick snow, and the temperature was frigid.

Yet a great city had been built there, situated atop the central mountain and overlooking all things in the eight directions.

There were not many people here. It was an ancient reclusive clan, but its inheritance was astonishingly formidable. In the ancient era, it had once ruled over this land.

"A sacred relic actually appeared in that barren wilderness. It is truly unbelievable," an old man said.

"It has continued for two years, and the ancient descendants have yet to leave. It is worth investigating. We must find out exactly what it is, though many people will surely head there."

"Purple Mountain Marquis and Thunder Marquis, those old rivals, will certainly have their descendants fight each other. Bring along a few of our clan's young prodigies as well, so they can broaden their horizons."

"Grandfather, we're going too." Several pretty little girls came walking over the snow. Each was lovely as a little sprite, with lively eyes, fair glowing faces, and glossy black hair flying in the wind. Two youths followed behind them.

"Go, then. When the time comes, see just how strong those geniuses outside truly are," an old man said with a smile.

This land was far from peaceful. The unrest deep within the Great Wilderness had spread to distant places, drawing the attention of quite a few great clans.

Within Stone Village, Clan Chief Shi Yunfeng was speaking with Little Dot.

"Your talent is excellent. At such a young age, your mastery of Bone Script is already astonishing. From today onward, I will teach you how to undergo a further transformation."

"Is it different from what I learned before?" Little Dot asked in confusion.

"Bone Script is a mysterious pattern of symbols that humans created by observing and imitating the primordial marks of other races. This is only a means; in the end, it must become your own power," Shi Yunfeng said.

"Clan Chief Grandpa, please explain it to me slowly." Little Dot was intensely eager to learn, and his large eyes were bright and clear.

"Mm, study diligently during this time. Then I'll use the true blood from the Suanni treasure body, the crimson treasure horn, and the demonic ape's arm to cleanse you in advance. If those things are kept too long, the divinity in the true blood will diminish. We won't wait until you are five years old. I hope you can endure it when the time comes!"