Chapter 59: The Title of Supreme Leader of the Human Race

These people were all in a sorry state, as if they had journeyed a great distance. The chief of the Wildlands ordered the gates of the settlement to be shut tightly—not out of fear that these newcomers would force their way in, but simply as a precaution. Fortunately, the Yangping Clan had enjoyed years of peace and abundance, with plenty of food, so they sent provisions to ease the newcomers’ urgent needs. The visitors seemed quite satisfied with this land, but ultimately settled several miles away.

Nothing in this region could escape Nanluo’s notice, and he soon discovered that among these migrants from afar, many were versed in cultivation arts. Their skills were not advanced, but they possessed some knowledge nonetheless. Nanluo believed that in another decade or two, many in the Yangping Clan would also be adept at cultivation, thanks mainly to his own presence. This suggested that the newcomers’ tribe also had someone of considerable cultivation.

With a thought, Nanluo appeared beside several individuals who seemed to be at the late Qi Refining and Divine Training stages. His sudden arrival surprised them, but only briefly; they stepped forward to greet him with composure, clearly accustomed to the ways of the world—neither flustered nor arrogant.

Nanluo had already gleaned from their conversation with the chief that they had come from the direction where, half a year ago, the world’s spiritual energy surged. After exchanging a few words, he asked what had happened to prompt their migration.

An elder stepped forward, bowed, and said, “Rain of fire fell from the heavens, floods swept the land, and divine beings battled chaotically. We had no choice but to migrate.” Nanluo, puzzled, asked them to elaborate.

“We are the Zhaoyan Tribe, who have dwelled at the foot of Zhaoyan Mountain for generations. We always cultivated under the guidance of Chief Fuxi. A year ago, he suddenly urged us to return to our tribe and leave with all our people, heading east. We dared not delay; after gathering everyone, we departed. We traveled for about half a year. One night, countless fire rains descended, followed by overwhelming floods. That night, our tribe suffered innumerable casualties.” The elder’s eyes glistened with tears as he spoke, his expression mournful.

Nanluo sighed lightly but pressed on, “Are you certain this happened one night about half a year ago?”

“We would never deceive an Immortal,” the elder replied, casting a glance at Nanluo and bowing his head.

Nanluo quickly continued, “On that night, besides the fire rain and floods, was there anything unusual in the sky?” His voice carried a hint of urgency.

The elder pondered a moment and answered, “Immortal, that night, besides the fire rain and floods, the sky was filled with colored lights, like rainbows and sunlight. There was thunder and lightning, and the roar of beasts. Some in our tribe even saw a serpent-shaped figure with a pair of horns on its head appear in the sky.”

Hearing this, Nanluo was certain it was the night of the spiritual energy upheaval half a year ago. The serpent with horns must have been the true form of a dragon. Now, he was almost certain Phoenix Mountain and the Dragon Palace had clashed, though he couldn’t be sure if Qilin Cliff was involved. Yet, Nanluo felt Qilin Cliff must have participated, for after all, their crown prince was still imprisoned beneath the Undying Palace.

Then it struck him that Chief Fuxi had instructed them to migrate east a year in advance. Could he be skilled in divination? Nanluo asked, “Who is this Chief Fuxi you mentioned?”

The elder answered with surprise, “Chief Fuxi is the leader of our human race. How could the Immortal not know him?” The others looked at Nanluo in astonishment, amazed he had never heard of Fuxi.

Nanluo smiled at their bewildered faces and said, “Ah, the leader of the human race—a grand title! I wonder who bestowed it upon him.” He thought it likely self-appointed, or perhaps earned through profound cultivation. Still, ‘leader of the human race’ seemed a lofty claim.

“Immortal, ‘leader of the human race’ is our respectful title for him, not something granted or self-declared,” the elder replied, seeing Nanluo’s apparent indifference and lack of reverence for Fuxi. He continued, “This land is remote, so it’s understandable you haven’t heard of Chief Fuxi, but I hope you won’t judge him rashly.”

Nanluo was surprised that his comment had drawn such a response. He smiled, “As for geography, this place is indeed far from the center of the land. But I am human, and there are many clans here. If he is to be called the leader of all humans, he must be qualified. If he truly has such merit, I’ll address him as Chief; if not, don’t blame me.”

“What, then, are your standards for qualification? Chief Fuxi is unmatched in virtue, power, and achievement—first among humans. Surely he deserves the title,” the elder declared confidently and with great righteousness. Nanluo chuckled, “That is merely your judgment. I have not seen him. The world is vast, and humans do not dwell only at the foot of Buzhou Mountain.”

He smiled again, seeing their angered expressions, and said, “Forgive me. Though I have not met him, your respect suggests he is a person of great virtue. Moreover, he foresaw the calamity and sent you east half a year ahead, which shows he is skilled in divination. I shall leave you to your affairs. Farewell.” With that, Nanluo turned and departed, his figure ethereal, as if treading on clouds, vanishing from sight in a few steps.

After Nanluo left, a man in his thirties or forties beside the elder spoke, “Elder Feng, this man’s power is unfathomable. He must have entered the Immortal path. Yet he seems to have reservations about the title ‘Chief.’ It’s a pity he’s never seen Chief Fuxi’s grandeur… such a pity…”

Nanluo paid them no further mind. He was now certain that the upheaval of spiritual energy half a year ago had indeed been caused by a great battle, and that Kong Xuan was likely involved. Upon returning, he stood before his house for a long time, motionless.

Under the night sky, the faint starlight shimmered in the vastness, making the world seem even more tranquil. Luoshui stood nearby, watching him. She could tell that her uncle had been wrestling with something in his heart these past months. She had seen him stand beneath the night sky like this countless times. Lost in thought, she was startled when Nanluo’s voice called to her. She quickly approached him.

“Luoshui, your uncle has decided to journey away for a while. Take good care of your mother and yourself. If the chief asks, tell him I’ve gone out to visit friends.”

“When will you return, Uncle?” Luoshui did not ask where he was going, only when he would return. She didn’t know what Nanluo was about to do, but anything that made him ponder nightly beneath the stars could not be a simple errand.

“A year at the least, perhaps two at most.”