The great wilderness was uncivilized territory, full of mountains and unruly countryside, wastelands and deserts. There wasn’t a proper path to be found in any of its expanse; everyone had to make do with the most primitive method to determine direction―referencing the stars, moon, and sun in the sky.

Qingqiu Mountain was situated in the east of the great wilderness, and Wei River to its southwest, putting it in the center of the land. It was now well into autumn with yellowed flora as far as the eye could see. Chilly breezes swept across the land, leaving hints of desolation in their wake.

The Ning Village entourage swung southwest with great fanfare. The further south they went, the warmer...