Chapter 1009: All Ancient Bloodlines Awaken

“Cicadas… Cicadas… Cicadas…”

From a large tree at the edge of the village fields, cicadas continued their ceaseless chirping. Beneath the tree, an old man and his grown grandson once again came to inspect the fields.

The old farmer wiped sweat from his face with a towel draped around his neck. He looked up at the sun in the sky and then at a very bright light far off in the southern distance.

“This wretched weather,” he grumbled, “no frost yet, even at this time of year, and the cicadas are still chirping all day. Is winter not coming this year?”

“Grandpa, it’s still so hot,” the grandson asked, “Shouldn’t we plant another crop of rice?”

The grandson, stout and muscular, wiped sweat from his brow. He pulled his gaze from the fields and looked up at the branches of the large tree nearby, seemingly searching for the cicada.

“Plant what? The late rice has already been harvested. If we plant again and the weather suddenly changes, all the crops will die in the fields!”

The grandson loosened his vest and fanned himself with his clothes, feeling increasingly irritated. He looked up at the tree again, the cicadas’ chirping seeming to grow louder and more annoying with each passing moment.

“Grandpa, you should head home first. I’ll take care of clearing the ditch opening.”

“How can I do that? We’ll go together.”

“Oh, Grandpa, just go back and rest. Haven’t you been having a sore back lately?”

The old man instinctively touched his back, shaking his head with a sigh.

“I’m getting old, alright… All right, I’ll go back and rest then. You…”

“Come on, Grandpa, I’m not a child anymore, and there’s not much work. Just go home.”

Suppressing his irritation, the grandson urged the old man to leave, taking the hoe from his shoulder and placing it on his own.

“Come back early.”

“Got it!”

The old man patted his grandson’s arm, then left the field and slowly headed home.

A short while after the old man left, the grandson turned back to the large tree and directly kicked its trunk.

“Thud!”

A dull thud was followed by a rustling sound as several cicadas were dislodged from the tree by the kick and fell to the ground. Before they could react, they were flattened with three decisive “thumps!”

“That’s what you get for chirping! So annoying!”

With the cicadas squashed into the soil, the surroundings suddenly became much quieter. The grandson let out a soft sigh of relief, but then he turned around and was startled to find someone standing right beside him. He hadn’t heard anyone approach.

It was an old man, slightly hunched, leaning on a gnarled tree root used as a staff. He appeared much older than the grandson’s own grandfather. He was looking at the flattened cicadas on the ground, then raised his head to the young man beside him, revealing a benevolent smile.

“Young man, your inner fire seems quite strong, doesn’t it?”

Feeling as though he’d been caught doing something embarrassing, the young man scratched his head awkwardly.

“I just… I was just feeling really irritated. I hope I didn’t startle you, old sir?”

“No, no, not at all. I’ve seen many things in my long life; that wouldn’t scare me.”

The old man shook his head, smiling, and the young man beside him chuckled as well.

“Are you visiting relatives in the village, old sir?”

The old man was a complete stranger, and the young man assumed he wasn’t from Zhaojiazhuang, but the elder shook his head again.

“I, an old man, was born and raised right here in Zhaojiazhuang. I haven’t traveled far in my entire life.”

“Huh?”

The young man was taken aback. He fixed his gaze on the elder again, confirming that he had indeed never seen him before.

“You must be joking. I know all the elder uncles in the village.”

“Young man, I observe your destiny, and it is truly extraordinary. I hope you remember that you are from Zhaojiazhuang, your parents, elders, and friends are all from Zhaojiazhuang, and your family is deeply blessed. It’s not easy to live a good life, so whatever you do, don’t ruin it.”

The young man didn’t quite understand, but he didn’t want to argue with an elder, so he simply nodded repeatedly and then chuckled, adding a playful remark.

“Do you also tell fortunes, old sir?”

“Hahahaha… It’s not fortune-telling. It’s just that when your grandfather was newly married, by chance, a highly accomplished master was invited to the wedding feast. After enjoying the banquet, he left a piece of calligraphy as a gift for your family. That’s why I say your family is blessed with good fortune. Otherwise, how could someone like you be born?”

“Huh? When my grandfather got married? Calligraphy? Where is it?”

The young man was stunned again. The old man claimed to have attended his grandfather’s wedding, so he might truly be from Zhaojiazhuang, perhaps having married into a family in a neighboring village later on. As for any calligraphy, he had never seen it.

“Hahahaha, it seems you really don’t know, young man! It’s that old couplet pasted on the gate inside your family’s courtyard!”

“Oh, oh, oh, *that*! Yes, the calligraphy is indeed beautiful…”

The young man suddenly understood. The couplet had remained intact over the years, so they rarely replaced it for the New Year. Firstly, farmers were frugal, and new ones cost money. Secondly, the elders in the family always said they were used to it and felt it wouldn’t be their home if it were changed.

Today, 'highly accomplished masters' aren't just limited to spiritual practitioners; Confucian scholars with true literary talent and virtue are also considered. So, the young man’s spirits immediately lifted, and he lowered his voice to ask the old man,

“Is this calligraphy worth a lot of money? I’ve heard that famous scholars’ ink works, even a thin sheet of paper, can be exchanged for a great deal of silver!”

“Ha… Worth money? That couplet is worth a fortune and cannot be traded for anything! Don’t you dare sell it and squander your family’s fortune, or your grandfather will surely beat you to death!”

The old man looked surprised for a moment, then raised his gnarled root staff as if to strike. The young man feigned dodging, repeatedly saying, “I wouldn’t dare.”

“By the way, young man, what do you see to the south?”

“To the south?”

The young man first confirmed the direction, then looked south. There were only fields and ditches, nothing out of the ordinary.

“Fields?”

“No, no. Look up, look at the horizon in the distance.”

A flicker of realization stirred in the young man’s heart. He looked up at the southern sky, and within that ‘bright expanse,’ he could see another sun.

“A sun?”

“You can indeed see it.”

The young man instantly became excited.

“Old sir, you can see it too? I told my parents and they said I was out of my mind, that there couldn’t be two suns. But I really can see it!”

“Yes, I can see it too. Young man, you are gifted. You can either live a peaceful life here; with the Great Zhen Kingdom strong, it can naturally maintain peace in the world. Or you can join the army and serve your country. Whatever you do, you must not stray onto the wrong path.”

“If I stray, my father would surely beat me to death!”

“Hahaha… True!”

The old man chuckled, then suddenly his expression froze, and he looked in one direction with surprise. He walked towards it, visibly excited. The young man beside him frowned and turned to look as well, only to see an old man with white hair and beard approaching with a gentleman in a green robe.

Without bothering to avoid the young man, the old man took a few steps forward, held his staff, and respectfully bowed to the two approaching figures.

“This humble deity greets Mr. Ji, and greets Lord Qin!”

Ji Yuan recalled the past, a smile touching his face, and returned the bow with Qin Zizhou.

“Earth God, it’s been many years. I hope you’ve been well?”

“Well, indeed! This humble deity is doing very well. Lord Qin has also offered guidance! To see both of you today fills this humble deity with unexpected joy!”

Ji Yuan looked at the young man by the large tree. With just a glance, he could tell the young man’s origins were extraordinary. Although not a reincarnation of a powerful divine beast or ferocious beast like Li Feng, he might be a reincarnated being from the ancient primordial era of mountains and seas. Such cases were no longer isolated.

The appearance of the second sun and its light had stirred the ancient primordial energy of heaven and earth, causing spiritual energy to continuously gush forth from all directions. The result was that the world’s spiritual energy grew denser and more restless.

Many beings with ancient bloodlines began to awaken. Also, many ancient beings who, to escape the desolate realms, had willingly given up everything and reincarnated due to some miraculous cosmic connection, also started to reveal their extraordinary nature. Among them were those who were good, bad, chaotic, or brought order.

It wasn’t just Yunzhou that was plagued by demons and monsters; in fact, all parts of the world were becoming restless. There were disturbances caused by demons and specters, and human kingdoms were engaging in mutual conquest.

Moreover, Ji Yuan knew that compared to other parts of the world, the demons of the Black Barrens were undoubtedly the most affected, and the demons within the great mountains of the Southern Barrens were also stirring restlessly.

But Ji Yuan didn’t need to elaborate. He simply nodded towards the young man, who was momentarily slow to react. His mind was in a state of extreme shock, having heard terms like ‘Earth God,’ and he certainly couldn’t remain calm.

Ji Yuan didn’t dwell on the young man, addressing the old man instead.

“Earth God, there is a Heavenly God missing beside the Heavenly River Boundary Stele. Both Lord Qin and I believe you are the perfect candidate. You have cultivated the treasured scrolls for decades and have achieved extraordinary accomplishments. You can complement the boundary stele. Are you willing?”

The Earth God seemed to have anticipated this. He looked up at the sky, then bowed again towards Ji Yuan and Qin Zizhou.

“With the world in turmoil today, this humble deity is willing to offer a small contribution.”

“Good. Then come with us.”

Qin Zizhou stroked his beard, smiling.

Ji Yuan took a step closer to the young man and said calmly,

“All cosmic connections have their own predetermined course. The restlessness in your heart shouldn’t be suppressed indefinitely; it needs an outlet. Why not go out and explore? Practicing martial arts to strengthen yourself and eliminate evil, or joining the army to serve the nation, are both good choices. However, if you can truly settle your mind and engage in farming here, in my opinion, that might hold even more promise.”

“Sir, can’t I study diligently in poverty and achieve official status?”

“Hmm, naturally, that’s also possible!”

Ji Yuan smiled, and the young man smiled too. He himself didn’t believe in diligent study in poverty, but then he suddenly asked with a solemn expression,

“Sir, you say there is a predetermined course in the cosmic order. What if this predetermined course is not favorable for the people of the world?”

Qin Zizhou slowly looked at the young man, and the Earth God also turned in surprise. This young man, whom he had watched grow up, seemed a stranger to him with these words.

Ji Yuan’s often slightly drooping eyelids slowly opened, revealing a pair of pale, amber-like eyes.

“Then *I* shall be that predetermined course!”

As he spoke, Ji Yuan extended a finger. The young man had barely raised his hands when Ji Yuan’s finger touched his forehead without him making contact.

“Pffft…”

Like a punctured ball, after a deflating sound, the young man fell straight back onto the ground. If not for the rise and fall of his chest, one might have thought Ji Yuan’s touch had killed him.

“I have severed the root of your malevolent spirit. You and this young man are intrinsically one. If you were to integrate and grow together, it would be acceptable. But if you intended to revert your soul to its ancient form and seize dominance, it would not have been as simple as this encounter.”

Hearing Ji Yuan’s words, the Earth God was immediately relieved, knowing the young man’s life was no longer in danger.

“Many thanks, Mr. Ji!”

“It’s nothing. Let’s go.”

Ji Yuan, Qin Zizhou, and the others departed together. Even without meeting the young man from Zhaojiazhuang, similar occurrences were by no means isolated among humans across the world, and even more common among demons.

A long while later, the young man on the ground twitched and awoke from his slumber, feeling sore all over. He looked around; the people from before were gone. After a moment of hesitation, he still hoisted the hoe onto his shoulder and went to finish the work at the ditch opening, deciding to tell his elders about the strange events later at home.

That night, Earth God Zhao took his place in the Heavenly River Realm, as if the grand formation of the Heavenly River Realm had found its pivot. The starlight began to display stronger vitality, truly flowing like a river. In the underworld, the Yellow Springs traversed all directions, and in the heavens, the Heavenly River continuously broke through the void, slowly extending into the distance.

However, at this very moment, Ji Yuan, standing within the Heavenly River Realm, suddenly sensed something and looked towards the north.

“Hm?”

With a thought, Ji Yuan stepped out, leaving the Heavenly River Realm, and descended in the direction of his sensing.

At the same moment, the Ferocious Demon seemed to sense something and looked up at the sky. He saw a brilliant star river overhead, and a beam of starlight descending directly towards his location.

Frowning, the Ferocious Demon vanished without a trace, as if he had never existed.

Ji Yuan descended from the sky. With a flash of divine light, he landed outside a large city in Qi Liang Kingdom. After a quick glance in Yin Zhong’s direction, his light changed course, and he pursued in another direction.

During this period, no matter how chaotic the world became, Ji Yuan had always hidden his tracks, partly to prevent others from guessing his whereabouts. However, the one he encountered tonight was no minor figure.

Although there appeared to be nothing ahead, Ji Yuan continued his sword-flight, constantly changing his position and direction. The opponent was indeed formidable, managing to evade his divine sight, yet Ji Yuan could detect the putrid smell of a desolate valley.

“Why run? Go!”

Ji Yuan raised his arm, and the Immortal-Binding Rope transformed into a streak of golden light, shooting out. In the distance, it formed a golden cage, appearing like golden glazed glass, shaped like a wide hemisphere, blocking all paths ahead in reverse.

A turbid, blood-like shadow emerged before the golden cage fully closed. Spinning, it transformed into a crimson top, violently crashing into the barrier formed by the Immortal-Binding Rope.

“Boom!”

Under the violent atmospheric tremor, the barrier was shockingly pierced. But in the next moment, the golden light transformed into ropes, like an immensely long spiritual serpent, swirling around the crimson entity, attempting to entangle it.

In Ji Yuan’s eyes, the crimson entity ahead was like flowing water. The Immortal-Binding Rope continuously coiled around it, turning into a golden expanse, then suddenly tightening, forming a golden ‘dumpling.’

But soon, endless crimson liquid began to seep out. During this, it could even drag the Immortal-Binding Rope along with it, its speed not slowing down in the slightest.

“Hahahaha! Ji Yuan, your Immortal-Binding Rope is useless against me! Let me see just how capable you truly are!”

Just as Ji Yuan was in hot pursuit, the Ferocious Demon suddenly reversed its escape, transforming into a human figure and colliding head-on with Ji Yuan.

“Bang!”

The blue-white light and the crimson light collided like two hemispheres, shaking the very heavens. At this moment, Ji Yuan also pointed his sword-finger, a beam of white light shining like a great sun at his fingertip. With a ‘pffft,’ it pierced the Ferocious Demon, shattering half of its shoulder. However, the demon’s right hand also shot out, boneless, wrapping around Ji Yuan and clawing towards his crown.

Ji Yuan turned his head and opened his mouth, a cluster of Samadhi True Fire spewing forth. It burned against the crimson light like boiling oil on water.

“Sizzzzz…”

“Ha, so this is the Samadhi True Fire. It certainly does sting!”

Despite his words, the Ferocious Demon did not retreat in the slightest. The two were almost pressed body to body, rapidly exchanging blows in close quarters. Both their spellcasting and artifact manipulation were fraught with danger.

“It can do more than just sting you; it can incinerate you!”

Ji Yuan’s voice was indifferent. The next moment, a faint illusion of heaven, earth, mountains, and rivers seemed to appear around them, steadily becoming clearer. A gigantic alchemical cauldron emerged within the landscape.

“Clang!”

The cauldron’s lid flew off, and a raging sea of fire poured out.

But the Ferocious Demon, now transformed into a sticky crimson mist, still clung to Ji Yuan, encircling him and fighting him. It repeatedly moved in close to strike, completely disregarding the approaching sea of fire.

The moment the sea of fire reached them, the Samadhi True Fire parted around Ji Yuan, like a stone in a rushing current diverting the flow of water.

“Hahahaha! The Samadhi True Fire is indeed powerful, but how could anything truly remain unaffected by it? Even you, Ji Yuan, are no exception! Even if the distance is only a hair’s breadth, it will indeed avoid you! Ji Yuan, you thought I was trying to escape, but in fact, I was desperate to get closer to you!”

“Excellent. Then you won’t be leaving!”

Ji Yuan felt no psychological disadvantage. Although his opponent was formidable, they weren’t enough to instill fear in him.