Chapter 135: The Vanished History

A century ago, nine vast regions descended upon this world simultaneously.

In the Central Plains of Da Wu, there was no imperial dynasty; martial arts reigned supreme, and the world was ruled by the absolute authority of the Martial Arts Supreme. Today, however, the influence of the Supreme has waned, and the sects of the Jianghu have risen, with the World Guild and the Wushuang City locked in a north-south standoff. Numerous smaller sects also persist. There are reclusive legends like the "Martial Arts Myth" Wuming, as well as the Blade Emperor, the Pig Emperor, and others who hold sway over the realm, while the names of Nie Renwang and Duan Shuai are renowned throughout the Jianghu.

Bordering the Da Wu territory to the north lies the Great Yuan, where Zhang Sanfeng of Wudang Mountain reigns supreme.

To the northeast, the Great Ming Empire rules. The Eastern and Western Depots are fiercely powerful, the Divine Marquis’s Mansion and the Six Fan Gates control the Jianghu, and the Iron-Gall Divine Marquis of the Dragon Protection Villa is hailed as the greatest in the world. There is also the demonic power of Dongfang Bubai of the Sun Moon Holy Sect, the famous masters of the Yihua Palace, and the unrivaled swordsmanship of the Sword God Ximen Chuixue and the Flying Immortal Ye Gucheng.

To the east, the Great Li Dynasty dominates its region, with the Martial Emperor City standing in opposition to the throne, and the King of Beiliang harboring ambitions of independence.

To the southeast, the Great Yu Dynasty prevails. The Sword Immortals of Mount Shu are peerless, while the Nanzhao Kingdom is rumored to possess the bloodline of Nuwa, alongside the mysterious Moon Worshipping Sect.

To the south, the Great Song is in chaos. With a corrupt court and demons and ghosts running rampant, the Xuanxin Sect stands as the leader of the righteous path, dedicated to slaying demons, while the weakened Yin Yue Dynasty remains hidden in the shadows.

To the west, the Great Tang Empire awes all directions. The Academy is world-renowned, and the Headmaster is crowned the world’s strongest. There is also the Haotian Dao and the Sword Saint Liu Bai.

To the southwest, the Great Sui is falling into disorder. The Six Daos of the Demonic Sect wreak havoc, and the Cihang Jingzhai seeks to select an emperor on behalf of the heavens.

To the northwest, the iron cavalry of the Great Qin is invincible, while the descendants of the Hundred Schools of Thought seek to stir the Jianghu.

Jiang Ming felt a shiver run down his spine. Truly, a chill.

Great Qin, Great Sui, Great Tang, Great Song, Da Wu, Great Desolation, Great Yuan, Great Ming, Great Li... Each region contained more than just one nation. It was clearly not orthodox history, yet how had they all converged?

"You said they descended a century ago, Lady Ye. What does that mean?" Jiang Ming asked.

"It means that a hundred years ago, the nine great regions descended into this space at the same time," Ye Hongyu replied with a strange expression. "Brother Jiang, you did not know? That shouldn't be! While ordinary people are unaware, for the imperial dynasties and the major factions, this is an open secret."

"I have focused solely on martial arts and know little of other matters," Jiang Ming answered.

"Only one who devotes themselves entirely to the path of martial arts can achieve such success," Yan Chixia sighed, interjecting. "When the nine regions converged, it should have shattered the heavens and earth, shaking the cosmos, yet it happened in total silence. Only the strongest could truly sense the changes in the world; ordinary people could not detect it at all."

"Indeed!" Ye Hongyu continued. "When the nine regions gathered, many experts traversed the void to investigate, only to be shocked by the transformation of the world."

They were naturally shocked. The gathering of the nine regions was inconceivable—a total remaking of heaven and earth. No one knew what great power had brought this about, but investigations revealed that each region was vast, comparable to an entire world. Between each region lay great rivers and impassable mountains. It was impossible for ordinary people to cross them. This resulted in a situation where, despite the nine regions coexisting, they did not wage war, though they permeated each other, creating a complex web of relations.

There was once the Sword Demon Dugu Qiubai, who, seeking a worthy defeat, traversed the nine regions and challenged every faction, shaking the world.

"He was incredibly strong, despairingly so, yet he stopped a foot before the Sword Saint Liu Bai; he could not catch the First Disciple of the Academy, the Headmaster forced him to retreat to the Great Tang with a single glance, and the Temple Master of my Haotian Dao suppressed him with a single sword strike," Ye Hongyu said, reminiscing with high spirits. "However, he used this to step into the Land Immortal realm. He has remained in hiding since, and few know of him now."

Too many figures had crossed the nine regions. Anyone who reached the fifth realm of martial arts, the Grandmaster level, could basically achieve this.

Jiang Ming listened quietly. The martial arts system of this world was similar to his home world: the fourth realm is Grandmaster, the fifth is Great Grandmaster, the sixth is Heavenly Phenomenon, the seventh is Heaven-Man, and the eighth, in this world, is the Land Immortal realm.

"Land Immortal... it is the aspiration of all martial artists, but there is a world of difference within this realm. Take the Headmaster, for example—he suppresses the world and is acknowledged as the first, unmatched by any," Ye Hongyu said with profound respect for the Headmaster. "Some say he is but half a step from transcending the Land Immortal realm."

"The Headmaster... I have heard countless rumors. They all say he stands very high, and my master says the same," Jian Chen remarked. "I asked, 'How high?' My master replied, 'He stands on the ground, yet the Headmaster is on the upper floors.' I asked, 'How many floors?' My master answered, 'Many, many floors.' I asked, 'Is there truly no one who can compare?' My master hesitated and said that perhaps the Sword Saint, the Sect Master of Mount Shu in the Great Desolation region, might compare."

Jiang Ming’s thoughts swirled. The Headmaster was strong—truly strong. But he might not necessarily be the world’s first. Perhaps there was Sang Sang, or in the Da Wu region, there might be a hidden ancient monster like Xiao Sanxiao. If the nine regions stood together and the Headmaster was this formidable, and the Da Wu region might hide Xiao Sanxiao, what of the other regions? By the principle of parity, they were likely not simple either.

"The Headmaster is truly strong!" Ye Hongyu added again, knowing that her own Temple Master had been nearly beaten to death by him and still dared not return to the temple. The Temple Master was, after all, the supreme power of the Haotian Dao.

"Brother Jiang, do you know what the most incredible thing is?" Ye Hongyu smiled, a smile as beautiful as plum blossoms in the frost.

"What is it?" Jiang Ming asked. Jian Chen and Yan Chixia also showed curiosity. Ning Caichen listened intently, and even Nie Xiaoqian sat quietly.

"It is history!" Ye Hongyu’s expression was incredibly strange. "Within the nine regions, the histories of the various dynasties related to their own current era are completely preserved. But before that, it is a total blank—no memories, even the history books are empty."

"In other words, the history of the nine regions was erased from thin air. No past, no future!"

"Yet, their martial arts techniques were preserved perfectly."

"Furthermore, there is a strange phenomenon: take the Great Yuan, for example. When they first arrived, their martial cultivation was not strong; even Zhang Sanfeng of Wudang had only just stepped into the Grandmaster realm. Yet, after the descent, their cultivation surged; now he has reached the Heaven-Man realm, perhaps even the Land Immortal realm."

"Without history, with weak overall cultivation and no powerful heritage, how did they cultivate?"

"Master Zhang once said he simply contemplated nature and the world, and he understood—he kept understanding."

"There were also people in other sects who inexplicably deduced advanced techniques, causing their overall strength to skyrocket."

"Within a region, there seem to be changes too. In the Great Song, the Southern Song and Northern Song coexist—it is as strange as can be, yet no one can explain it. The common people living within the Song realm feel nothing; only the true experts feel that something is wrong."

Ye Hongyu felt lost as she said this. It was beyond understanding.

"When I studied, there was no past history; was it all a blank before? I once asked, but received no answer," Ning Caichen said, confused. "Where did we come from?"

"Were the nine regions manipulated? Can history and memories be erased from thin air?" Yan Chixia trembled. "Impossible, absolutely impossible. Who in this world could do such a thing? Could it be immortals? Would immortals be so bored?"

"My master also once sought the past and found no answers!" Jian Chen said.

"No answers, absolutely none. That is what is most terrifying," Ye Hongyu picked up a burning twig and poked at the fire. "The Headmaster once said, we are all beneath the firmament."

"His meaning must be that if we are beneath the firmament, the answer lies above it," Jiang Ming speculated. "But how can those beneath the firmament know what is above? If you want to know, then shatter the firmament!"

"Shatter the firmament?" Ye Hongyu was stirred, her gaze toward Jiang Ming changing.

The roasted meat was ready. They shared the meal, chatting about the conditions of the nine regions and the vast trends of the world. The Da Wu region was the most chaotic because there was no unified power. The World Guild seemed powerful, but its leader, Xiongba, lacked the cultivation to suppress the world; despite his grand ambitions, his power was like a castle in the air. The Great Desolation was the most mysterious, with rumors of the Nuwa bloodline—though whether true or not, no one knew. The cultivation system there was also unique. The Sword Saint of Mount Shu had never descended the mountain, yet he was acknowledged as the world’s best, with some saying he could rival the Headmaster. There was also the Wine Sword Immortal, who once went to the Great Tang and forced the Academy’s second disciple to concede with three sword strikes.

Crack...

Suddenly, a strong wind rose, dark clouds gathered, and a flash of lightning disturbed the quiet night. Everyone moved inside to meditate or rest, exhausted after a long day.

"Brother Jiang, what are your plans for the future?" Ye Hongyu, feeling sleepless, sat beside Jiang Ming and asked.

"I wish to find a quiet place rich in heavenly energy to seclude myself for a period of cultivation. Lady Ye, do you have any recommendations?" Jiang Ming asked.

He was about to undergo seclusion. The "Infinite Gene" required him to comprehend and successfully practice the gene technique within a year to sublimate his own genes. Jiang Ming did not know if the time spent in this secret realm counted; if it did, he had little time left. He dared not gamble.

"A quiet place rich in energy? I am not familiar with the Great Song, but in the Great Tang, our Haotian Dao has good practice grounds, and the Academy goes without saying," Ye Hongyu invited. "Would you like to come to the Haotian Dao? There, you will find the world’s top cultivation manuals and the most resourceful information channels."

She invited him sincerely. If he truly went, he would become a powerful asset—or at the very least, a valuable ally. He could contend with the Holy Monarch Qiye, and with the Temple Master away, the sect leader of the Haotian Dao could not suppress her.

"The Great Tang? I will go, but not now," Jiang Ming smiled. "I must seclude myself for a period. I am also very drawn to the Academy; I would like to visit the Headmaster."

Ye Hongyu was slightly disappointed.

"I know a good place, but it is dangerous," Jian Chen said, not resting. "In the Da Wu territory, there is a Lingyun Cave. My master once said that the depths of Lingyun Cave are where the dragon veins converge; the energy should be extremely dense. However, there is a Fire Qilin there, which is very powerful. Few who enter Lingyun Cave ever come out. But since you, Brother Jiang, can contend with the Holy Monarch Qiye, I imagine you will be fine."

"Lingyun Cave? I have heard of it," Ye Hongyu said curiously. "The Qilin should be an auspicious beast, a divine beast, yet in Da Wu, the Fire Qilin is treated as a demon. Lingyun Cave has become a forbidden land. By the way, there is a saying: 'When the water floods the Buddha’s knees, the fire burns Lingyun Cave.' Whenever there is a great flood, the Fire Qilin appears."

"The rumors are just rumors; I don't know the specifics," Jian Chen smiled bitterly. "My master told me that when Nie Renwang of the Northern Drinker and Xiongba fought in Lingyun Cave, a great flood came, the water flooded the Buddha’s knees, and the Fire Qilin appeared, seizing Nie Renwang and dragging him inside. His fate remains unknown."

"Since there is a Fire Qilin, the energy density must be extremely high. It is indeed a good place for seclusion. Of course, provided one kills the Fire Qilin," Ye Hongyu laughed. "Brother Jiang, if you go, I will accompany you. I want to see what a Qilin looks like."

"I will go too!" Jian Chen said excitedly.

"Good, let us go together!" Jiang Ming nodded.

Lingyun Cave, the Fire Qilin... he wondered if the Xuanyuan Dragon Bone or the Xuanyuan Sword were inside. As for Nie Renwang? That father of Nie Feng was the world’s greatest cuckold. And Nie Feng’s mother was even more formidable: "He who wins Nie Feng’s mother wins the world!"

Heavy rain poured in the middle of the night. At dawn the next day, the clouds dispersed, and the sunlight spilled down. The group parted ways.

Ning Caichen took Nie Xiaoqian and began his path to fame. Yan Chixia continued to walk the various lands of the Great Song, slaying demons; with his current strength, the danger was minimal. After all, besides being a martial artist, he also practiced the divine path.

Jiang Ming and the other two traveled together. Since he had arrived, he was in no rush to reach Lingyun Cave, instead observing the scenery along the way and using the time to learn more about the world from Ye Hongyu and Jian Chen.

Meanwhile, he divided his mind: one part traveled, while the other immersed itself in his body, continuing to deduce the genetic technique, refining and perfecting it. Before practicing, he sought to eliminate all hidden dangers.

Jiang Ming kept a high profile along the way, slaying demons and wiping out mountain bandits; wherever he went, he left his name. In no time, his reputation spread far and wide.

"I wonder if they will find me once they hear of my fame?" This was his plan. Whether it was Ye Hongyu or Jian Chen, they were not as reliable as Ye Bai and the others.

One day, they arrived at a certain place.

"Apricot Grove?" Jiang Ming looked at the throngs of beggars, feeling a sense of strangeness. He had heard from Ye Hongyu that there was a Beggar Sect in the Southern Song, and another in the Northern Song.

"Shall we take a look?" Ye Hongyu was interested.

"Let’s go!" Jiang Ming was even more interested.

"Qiao Feng is the leader of the Northern Beggar Sect. He has the spirit of a hero and a grand vision, but it is a pity he was held back by the Beggar Sect," Ye Hongyu sighed.

Jiang Ming nodded. "The roots of the Beggar Sect lie in the bottom of society. If the dynasty is prosperous, the Beggar Sect should not exist; if it is weak, the Beggar Sect will grow rapidly. But their inherent limitations prevent them from going far, and they will eventually be suppressed and fade away."

"No, the founding emperor of the Great Ming, Zhu Yuanzhang, was an exception; he was a beggar himself."

"He was a beggar, but not of the Beggar Sect. He was a beggar because the people were destitute and starving; he had to beg for food."

"True! But what was the situation before the Great Ming that allowed a cowherd, a former beggar, to seize the throne? Dynastic changes usually revolve within noble families; it should not have fallen to a commoner."

Ye Hongyu did not understand, and she was not alone in this. She couldn't have imagined that before the Great Ming, there was the Yuan Dynasty.

As they spoke, they walked inside. There were indeed many people. Through his divine sense, Jiang Ming already knew the situation: it was the scene where the Beggar Sect was holding an assembly to deal with their leader, Qiao Feng. Even though it was his first time seeing them, Jiang Ming recognized Qiao Feng—a sturdy, imposing man. There was also a fair-faced scholar following a girl who paid him little heed: Duan Yu and Wang Yuyan.

Jiang Ming ignored them. It was the moment when Kang Min, the widow of Deputy Leader Ma Dayuan, was accusing Qiao Feng of murdering her husband, with the secret lover and Law Elder Bai Shijie plotting in the shadows, and Quan Guanqing preparing to use others to kill Qiao Feng so he could rise to power. Even if Qiao Feng was ingenious and decisive, he would end up in ruin.

"A bunch of fools!" Ye Hongyu sneered. "They don't even see what kind of trash the Beggar Sect is. Even if Qiao Feng were truly a Khitan, they shouldn't have exposed him, because the entire Beggar Sect is supported by Qiao Feng; without him, the Northern Beggar Sect is nothing. Furthermore, Qiao Feng is a hero with a sense of duty to his country; even if they knew his true identity, they should have hidden it. Now they announce it. Heh, a bunch of idiots who can't see the big picture and only know how to scheme. Anyone can see this is a frame-up. A man like Qiao Feng, leaving a fan behind after killing someone? That’s absurd! Once Qiao Feng leaves, the fate of the Northern Beggar Sect is sealed."

"Do you want to intervene?" Jiang Ming asked with a smile.

"No need! These wine-soaked sacks of trash can’t hurt Qiao Feng, but it is a pity that his future path will be difficult. A Khitan raised by the Song, protecting the country, only to be... sigh, plus the charge of murdering the deputy leader, he is condemned by everyone, with no path left in the Jianghu," Ye Hongyu sighed.

"What if it were you?" Jiang Ming asked again.

"Kill!" Ye Hongyu said coldly. "Kill them all, clean and simple!"

Jian Chen, standing beside them, twitched his lips, wanting to argue but holding back. He had not known Ye Hongyu long, but he knew her nature—truly unrestrained in her killing, though fortunately, she did not do evil. Otherwise, he would not have traveled with her.

"Killing isn't fun!" Jiang Ming walked over, looking at the grieving Qiao Feng. "Brother Qiao, your birth is not the problem. The trend of the world is that long division leads to unity, and long unity leads to division. Now that the nine regions coexist, in the future, someone will surely emerge to unify them. When the world is one, there will be no such thing as birth status!"

Qiao Feng was stunned, deeply moved.

Jiang Ming smiled mysteriously. "Do you want to know the truth? Do you want to know how Ma Dayuan died? Do you want to know who the leader of the group that killed your mother was?"

"You know?" Qiao Feng was excited. "Brother, please tell me, Qiao Feng will owe you a favor!"

"Where did this wild brat come from, barking here!" Elder Song of the Beggar Sect pointed at Jiang Ming, ready to attack.

"Kneel!" Jiang Ming barked. Elder Song froze and immediately knelt.

This scene shocked everyone present.

"Madam Ma, Kang Min, look behind you—Ma Dayuan has come to claim your life," Jiang Ming said, looking at the venomous woman and using a small trick with his divine sense.