Far to the south of the Hongli Federation near a lush rainforest was the mountain range known as the Ten Thousand Mountains. This region was nominally the territory of the Hongli Federation but had always been sparsely populated in reality, with central governance at an all-time low. The nearest proper city was at least a hundred kilometers away. The region only contained a few scattered villages.0

The largest settlement stood at the foot of the Ten Thousand Mountains, its densely packed houses virtually forming a small city. This settlement boasted a distinctively primitive style, with all sorts of totem motifs decorating the walls.0

A dark-gold temple loomed atop steep cliffs partway up the mountain. A smooth, broad mountain trail meandered downward from it, hewn from one seamless slab of gray rock. It bore not a single crack and was remarkably sturdy. From above, one might occasionally spot a few shamans dressed in local attire traveling up and down the path.0

However, within the temple, there lay a smooth stone roughly half a person’s height near the cliff-edge courtyard at the rear entrance. Beside it stood an ancient, gnarled tree that had glowing emerald foliage.0

An elderly, gaunt shaman sat with legs crossed on a white stone beneath the ancient tree. He faced the distant sea of clouds, letting the high-altitude wind sweep over his face, delivering faint...0