"Shang Zhang calls for me?" Ling Xuan repeated, his frown deepening with disbelief.

"If you want to meet him, you have to follow me," the youth responded, ignoring Ling Xuan's scepticism.

Ling Xuan hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Lead the way," he said curtly.

To Ling Xuan, this was the right choice, as he still lacked crucial information about Mythical Beasts. Why would he miss the chance to talk to the individual who first provided him with those initial insights?

"And I don’t think Shang Zhang would dare attack me, especially since I’m currently the Sect's top priority," Ling Xuan thought, reassuring himself. With this reasoning, he followed the disciple.

—------------------------------

To say it was a lush area would be an understatement. The landscape was a vibrant tapestry of diverse flora, with colourful flowers and towering trees intermingling harmoniously. Various species of plants, some with broad leaves and others with delicate blossoms, created a rich mosaic of greenery. A crystal-clear river meandered through the scene, its gentle babbling providing a soothing soundtrack as it nourished the thriving vegetation. Birds with iridescent feathers flitted between the branches, their melodious songs adding to the area's enchanting ambiance. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor and illuminating patches of wildflowers. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the earthy aroma of damp soil, making it a true paradise for anyone fortunate enough to wander through it.

“I take back my previous statement. In a place like this, he could easily launch an attack," Ling Xuan muttered, a wry smile forming on his lips as he surveyed his surroundings. The lush vegetation and the river's soft murmur now seemed less inviting and more like potential cover for an ambush.

"Junior Xuan has finally arrived!" a cheerful voice called out to Ling Xuan.

Yet Ling Xuan couldn’t pinpoint the source of the voice. Suddenly, there was a loud thud as the disciple who had led him to this location collapsed to the ground.

"What the...!" Ling Xuan exclaimed, alarmed. His eyes darted around frantically as he tried to locate Shang Zhang.

At that moment, he felt someone pat his shoulder. He quickly stepped back and turned around, ready to face whatever was behind him.

.It was none other than Shang Zhang, his white robe cascading in the wind, untamed by any resistance. His eyes gleamed with a mixture of amusement and authority, and a faint, knowing smile played on his lips. The intricate patterns on his robe seemed to shimmer in the dim light, adding an aura of mystique to his presence. Shang Zhang's demeanour exuded a calm confidence, making it clear to Ling Xuan that he was in complete control of the situation.

"No need to get worked up, Ling Xuan! I’m not here to fight," Shang Zhang reassured, waving his hands in a gesture of surrender.

“How should I trust you ?”

“Oh you can’t but I think you already know I have come here in peace don’t you ?” Shang Zhang smiled.

Hearing this Ling Xuan lowered his guard as he knew that Shang Zhang was indeed correct, with Shang Zhang’s sheer strength Ling Xuan would’ve died the moment he entered the jungle.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

"Why did you call me?" Ling Xuan asked, his brow furrowed in suspicion.

"Oh, I just wanted to meet you, nothing much," Shang Zhang replied casually.

"Apologies, but I find it hard to believe that you would sneak into one of the Great Sects just to 'meet me'," Ling Xuan rebuked, his tone sceptical.

Shang Zhang shrugged, his expression calm and unruffled. "Oh, I know it's hard to believe, but sometimes truth can be stranger than fiction, Little Xuan."

Ling Xuan's frown deepened, uncertainty flickering in his eyes as he tried to gauge Shang Zhang's intentions.

"Who are you, Shang Zhang? What is your real identity?" Ling Xuan asked, his tone edged with curiosity and caution.

"Oh, I'll tell you, but let's sit first," Shang Zhang suggested, gesturing for Ling Xuan to join him on a large stone beside the riverbank.

Ling Xuan hesitated briefly before settling beside Shang Zhang, his gaze fixed on the enigmatic figure beside him. The sound of the flowing water provided a serene backdrop to their conversation, soothing the tension that lingered between them.

"Now, where shall I begin?" Shang Zhang mused aloud, a faint smile playing on his lips as he glanced at Ling Xuan.

“The Beginning.” Ling Xuan replied, he had to use this opportunity to syphon all the information he could.

“Very well.” Shang Zhang smiled.

"A long, long time ago, when the Han Dynasty ruled the land, there was a man who was the bastard son of the Han Emperor of that era," Shang Zhang began, his expression turning sombre. "He lived a modest life as a merchant, his true identity carefully concealed by the Emperor himself." Shang Zhang picked up a twig from the ground and examined it, his eyes reflecting the weight of his memories.

"Once, during the man's travels, he was ambushed by bandits who slaughtered everyone except for him. Though he managed to escape, he sustained severe injuries that threatened to snuff out his dwindling life. But the Heavens had other plans and wouldn't let him die so soon," Shang Zhang scoffed, crushing the twig in his hand.

"He stumbled into a hidden cave and discovered something that would change the fate of the world forever," Shang Zhang said, a small smirk playing on his lips.

"What was it?" Ling Xuan asked, his curiosity piqued.

"The ancient, lifeless corpse of a Dragon," Shang Zhang revealed, his voice dropping to a dramatic whisper. "Its scales gleamed with an otherworldly light, even in death, and its immense, coiled body filled the cavern with an aura of untamed power.”

Hearing this, Ling Xuan's jaw dropped in complete disbelief.

"Are you serious!" Ling Xuan exclaimed in astonishment.

"As serious as mortal life can be, little Xuan," Shang Zhang smirked, his tone tinged with a hint of amusement. He paused for a moment, letting the weight of his words sink in, before continuing.

"The man, initially at a loss, lay beside the ancient dragon's corpse, awaiting his demise. But then, an idea struck him: what if he cultivated the Qi surrounding the dragon? Desperate, he decided to give it a try, using a Qi Circulation method he had purchased with his wealth. To his complete shock, it worked! The Qi of the Dragon could indeed be harnessed for cultivation," Shang Zhang recounted, a smile playing on his lips.

"And so, what else was there to do? The man quickly began the Qi Circulation and slowly refined his body. For an entire month, he absorbed the Dragon's Qi and refined his being. When he finally emerged from the cave, he shook the entire world with his newfound power."

"When the time for the crowning of the new Han Emperor arrived, he marched into the palace and defeated his siblings, claiming the throne for himself. He ushered in a new age of power. That man would later forsake his name of Han and adopt the title of Xia. His siblings were granted resources as a gesture of compassion, enabling them to establish the Clans of today. Without their existence, the Great Sects wouldn’t thrive, and Grandmasters, once exclusive to the Han Family, spread across the continent. Thus, for single-handedly shifting the world's power balance, he would be revered as Old Ancestor Xia by all," Shang Zhang recounted with reverence.

"And I am that old man’s direct descendant, Xia Longwei," Shang Zhang pointed to himself, a smirk playing on his lips