All things in existence have their origin. Ten thousand years ago, the human world was ruled by the gods. They possessed elemental power and divine might of their own, and with it seized dominion over all creation. Humanity was regarded as little more than cattle, left to be slaughtered at will.“Divine authority stands supreme. And humanity? What of human rights?”The gods established nations and allowed the strongest among the people to be chosen as kings. These kings were omnipotent, and the gods themselves were ageless and immortal, ruling the world for millions of years.Among humans, there were three kinds—element wielders, ability users, and ordinary folk. Only a rare few were born with elemental power; most were simply ability users or powerless commoners. “During the Primordial Era, around twenty million years ago, the King of Gods—the God-Emperor—descended upon this world. It was here he created life, and brought forth all things…” In a dilapidated hut, an old man stood at a nearly-collapsing lectern, reading aloud from a worn book. The ceiling was thick with cobwebs ready to fall, and the cracked walls were coated with dust. He paced as he read, and before him sat a cluster of children. Their small hands were full of splinters, proof they had just finished farm work. “Hey, Qiansha, after class let’s go catch some fish, alright?” whispered one boy. “Sure, just don’t forget to wait for me when we leave…” Qiansha had just finished speaking when a book slammed onto his head, sparking laughter from the others. “Qiansha… when did the God-Emperor create all living things?” the old man barked, eyes flashing with menace. Qiansha straightened the stitched-together shirt he wore and replied, “Two million years ago?” “Sit down! The only reason you’re not thrown out is because I’m feeling merciful.” The old man roared. Qiansha sat back down on the floor. “You want to eat before or after?” Qiansha whispered to his friend again. The gods, deeming humans to be a “higher animal,” divided the world into two zones: the divine domain and the mortal domain. The divine domain was far larger and blessed with far better conditions. In contrast, mortals lived in misery—dying of sickness, starvation, or more often, slaughter at divine hands. Crows flitted through the dark forest, their wings cutting the silence. Wild beasts prowled in abundance, so the children always traveled home together. “If gods and humans went to war, who do you think would win?” Qiansha’s friend asked. “Gods, of course. Even though we have elemental power, compared to theirs ours is far too weak,” Qiansha answered. “I heard a rumor… In the East, a Human Destiny Rebellion Army has risen. I want to see it for myself when we’re on break. Will you come with me?” his friend asked softly. Qiansha turned and noticed red blotches on his friend’s skin. “You’ve caught that sickness?” he asked carefully. His friend nodded. “I got it a month ago… it’s gotten worse these last few days.” “When we’re done fishing, take a hot bath and apply ointment. I’ll bring medicine from home,” Qiansha urged. They parted ways once they left the forest. “I’m home!” Qiansha knocked and stepped inside, slipping off his wooden sandals. “Mom, I’m going fishing with Xiantian. I’ll be back by six.” “Be careful. And don’t forget to bring back some firewood—we’re out,” a woman’s voice answered. She sat in a shabby room, staring at the empty stone hearth beneath the iron pot. Though her appearance was youthful, her body held divine energy. She had lived 102 years. “Got it!” Qiansha tossed his hemp book bag onto the stone bed, grabbed his iron spear and a bundle of herbs, and dashed out the door. By bloodline, Qiansha belonged to the divine race—immortal, unaging. He was already eighty-one years old. “You’re so slow,” Xiantian muttered, sitting on a rock at the edge of the woods, spear and net slung over his back. “I saw a rabbit on the road. Tried to catch it but failed. Let’s go.” Qiansha handed him a cloth bundle. “Herbs. For your sickness. I brought half for you.” “Thanks.” Xiantian carefully tucked it into his bag, and the two of them jogged toward the river. “My mom’s been keeping me home lately. She says there are monsters near the village.” “Monsters? Then you better be careful,” Xiantian replied. “Don’t worry, I’ve been training my elemental power. Look.” A swirl of wind formed in Qiansha’s hand; with a swing, he blasted a hole straight through a tree trunk. “I can do that too—watch.” Xiantian pressed his palms together. From the ground surged a massive wall of water, shaking the earth around them. “That’s perfect. We’ll use that trick to catch fish later.” Qiansha laughed. They ran on until they reached the riverbank, stones scattered all around. “Hey! You’re scaring off all the fish!” Qiansha shouted as Xiantian leapt into the water shirtless. “No worries—we’ll head upstream lat—” His words cut off abruptly. Qiansha followed his gaze and burst out laughing. Several deer stood upstream, relieving themselves into the river. Their droppings floated right past Xiantian. “Hahaha! Serves you right for bathing here!” Qiansha clutched his stomach, laughing uncontrollably. “You damned deer! Get lost!” Furious, Xiantian hurled a rock, sending the startled herd fleeing into the forest. “Alright, enough. Let’s go fishing.” Qiansha lifted his spear and headed upstream. “Yeah, yeah.” Xiantian climbed out, grabbed his weapon, and ran to catch up. Soon, they stopped before a deer’s carcass. “There are monsters here. Let’s head back a bit.” Qiansha turned—only to freeze. From the trees emerged a colossal beast, its dark eyes locking onto them. Both boys stiffened, gripping their spears and channeling elemental power into them. “Roar…” The monster lumbered forth, its massive form fully revealed. “When it attacks, use your water wall to block. I’ll go for its side—Here it comes!” Qiansha shouted. Xiantian thrust his palms [N O V E L I G H T] out, raising a wall of water that intercepted the beast’s claw. But the creature bellowed, releasing a subsonic shockwave that shattered the defense. In that moment, Qiansha lunged and struck its flank—but the monster swatted him aside, slamming him into a tree. “Come on, come on…” Xiantian gathered energy, pointing at the river. A torrent of water surged forth, battering the beast until its scales cracked. “Move!” Suddenly, streaks of light flashed past, opening wounds across the monster’s body. It howled and turned. At the riverbank stood a man, dual blades in hand. His face was scarred, his hair long. “An Earth-Sword Sect swordsman…” Xiantian whispered. With a roar, the beast charged. The man leapt high, landing atop its head. Lightning crackled along his twin blades as he cleaved them down, severing its skull in one stroke. “Incredible! Sir, you—” Qiansha began, but the man sheathed his weapons. “This area is dangerous. You’d best return to your village,” he said curtly,before leaping across the river, muttering under his breath about where such monsters were coming from.

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