Prologue

Time: Unknown, a long, long time ago. Place: The land of China.

Heaven and earth are not benevolent, treating all things as straw dogs! In this world, there were no immortals to begin with. However, since ancient times, humans have witnessed many strange phenomena, such as lightning and thunder, natural disasters and man-made calamities, causing countless casualties and widespread misery. They were beyond human power and resistance. Thus, it was believed that above the nine heavens, there were various gods and goddesses, and below the nine abysses, there were places where ghosts and spirits resided, such as the halls of the underworld.

Therefore, the concept of immortals and gods spread throughout the world. Countless human beings sincerely worshipped and paid homage to various imagined deities, praying for blessings and sharing their sorrows, and temples were flourishing with incense.

Since ancient times, all mortal beings have to die. However, people abhor death and love life. Moreover, the concept of the underworld and the halls of the underworld have added a sense of fear and anxiety. As a result, the belief in immortality and eternal life has emerged.

Compared to other living creatures, humans may be inferior in physical strength, but their intelligence is unparalleled. In pursuit of immortality, generations of wise and talented people have devoted their lives to researching and practicing cultivation. So far, true immortality has not been achieved, but some cultivators have gained tremendous power, even wielding thunder-like might and manipulating various magical treasures and instruments. Some elders who have attained high levels of cultivation are rumored to have lived for thousands of years without dying. Therefore, people believed that by attaining immortality and becoming an immortal, they could extend their lives and many more people embarked on the path of cultivation.

China is a vast and expansive land. The Central Plains, in particular, is the most fertile and populous area, where 80-90% of the population resides. The barren lands in the east, south, west, and north are mountainous, watery, and dangerous, home to many ferocious beasts and birds of prey, poisonous creatures, and barbaric tribes. Therefore, few people venture into those areas. Since ancient times, it has been rumored that the remnants of the primordial times still exist in the world, hidden deep in the mountains and valleys, with lifespans of over ten thousand years, but no one has ever seen them.

Today, there are countless cultivators in the world, and they are as numerous as crucian carp in a river. Moreover, due to the vastness of China and the abundance of remarkable individuals, there are various cultivation methods and paths, each with their unique characteristics. Although the method of attaining immortality is still elusive, the power gained through cultivation has gradually become the goal of many people.

In this era, the righteous path is flourishing, and evil demons are in retreat. The Central Plains is full of beautiful mountains and rivers, with a thriving population and abundant resources, all firmly controlled by various righteous factions. Among them, the three main pillars are the "Qingyun Sect," the "Temple of Heavenly Music," and the "Incense Valley," which are the leaders of the righteous path.

This story begins with the "Qingyun Sect."