Chapter 3: The Initial Appearance of Shennong

Ten years

Xuanyuan could no longer restrain himself and got up, coming to the outside of his mother's room, peering through the crack of the door.

Shennong was also taken aback; just moments ago, he had seen Jiao You's hand, which was gripping the knife, trembling. However, he did not expect Jiao You to wield the knife with such agility and unparalleled quickness. In shock, he involuntarily loosened his wrist and swiftly executed a lateral maneuver with his foot.

"Since the day you captured me, I have engraved your name on my heart," said Bao Ruo firmly.

Xuan Yuan had not even had the chance to approach that body when he was struck by a gust of hot wind, rendering him unconscious; yet he would never be able to forget that flushed black face and the fierce, wolf-like gaze.

Xuanyuan still clearly remembers the shock and fear he felt at that time, but what shocked him even more was his mother's seemingly painful moans and her contorted body. He saw tears streaming from the corners of her eyes. A string of them, like shimmering pearls, under the illumination of the light, made Xuanyuan feel a sense of palpitating anxiety and anger. Just as Xuanyuan was about to push the door open, he suddenly saw the black claws that were kneading his mother's breasts strike heavily across her face.

Bang bang... Shennong let out a muffled grunt, as the two small boots of Jiao You had already kicked him in the lower abdomen

Within the clan, the names and identities of the disciples collected by the priest are known only to the clan leader. The priest may choose disciples from within the clan or from neighboring clans, as long as they are friendly clans. However, as disciples of the priest, their actions are conducted with great secrecy. Some say they secretly protect the interests of the clan members, while others claim they suppress external threats, eliminate evil, and safeguard the peace of the clan. Their status is indeed transcendent, and it is a fact that they adhere to their duties.

With a soft sound, Shennong raised his left hand to gently block, deflecting the kick from Jiao You, but felt a slight pain in the palm of his hand. The kick delivered by Jiao You, fueled by anger and urgency, was surprisingly powerful.

When the dragon dream surged onto the rooftop, it was already too late; he had not seen any trace of Shennong, yet the echo of Jiao You's desperate cry still lingered.

Perhaps he is truly an alternative figure, an alternative among the diaspora.

After Xuanyuan came to a halt, the heart of the "sacrificial" beauty tightened inexplicably, and a trace of shadow rose within her.

Xuanyuan did not know who his father was. When he was very young, he only remembered his mother saying that his father had died while driving away tigers and leopards. Thus, he never asked again. In his young heart, he had established an image of his father as a hero, but this image ultimately shattered.

Xuanyuan saw that the black-faced man was flushed with anger, and his gaze revealed a murderous intent more ferocious than that of a wolf

Ten years. Indeed, ten years is a very short period of time, yet everything seems so vivid, as if it just happened. Every frown and smile of my mother, every bit of care, feels so real.

The warriors who followed immediately understood what had transpired on the platform, and a surge of killing intent arose among them. Even without Jiao Meng's orders, they knew to begin searching the area.

Shennong was also taken aback, quickly leaping to the edge of the cliff, only to see the gradually diminishing figure of Jiao You disappearing into the mist. That long, desperate cry pierced Shennong's heart like a sharp blade, leaving him in a daze, holding the severed belt in his hand.

With a snap, Shennong's foot unexpectedly hooked onto the left ankle of Jiaoyou. He had not anticipated encountering no resistance at all; Jiaoyou seemed completely unaware of the need to evade.

As he spoke, he fiercely swung his hunting knife towards the ugly, tall, and naked body, filled with murderous intent. He did not notice his mother's expression at that moment, but he heard her exclaim, "Do not harm him!"

"What does the name hetushu.com mean?" Xuan Yuan asked lightly

Both the priest and the mother were taken aback, and they all turned their gaze towards the doorway

This is also why Xuanyuan understands the priesthood better than any of his peers or even elders in the clan, and it is also the reason why Xuanyuan has chosen to act this way today

The mother remained silent, her tears flowing more abundantly, and her soft sobs pierced Xuanyuan's young heart like a sharp blade

Xuanyuan showed no fear; he shouted, "You wicked person, how dare you bully my mother? I will kill you!"

Xuanyuan has never been a flamboyant person; he is certainly not the one who captures the most prey, but he is also not the one who captures the least. He enjoys solitude and even prefers silence, which makes him an enigma that even the priests cannot fully comprehend. No one knows the extent of his potential, nor does anyone understand his mindset. He never engages in excessive competition with his peers; even when challenged, he always ends in a draw, neither winning nor losing. This is true whether he is competing against formidable opponents or those with lesser skills, which is almost amusing, yet no one can discern the depth of his martial arts foundation. However, the people of his clan do not reject him; his ability to remain undefeated and unvictorious prevents others from underestimating him. Yet, he has no true confidants within the clan; if there is one, it would be the son of the mute uncle, Heidou. This is because the mute uncle shares a strong bond with Xuanyuan, allowing Heidou to get along exceptionally well with him.

Shennong had already heard the distant cries of Jiao Meng rapidly approaching from afar. He had to deal with this woman as soon as possible, or the consequences would be unimaginable. At this moment, he hesitated no longer, reaching out to grasp Jiao You's belt and lifting her up.

Xuanyuan knew this secret, which is why he killed Mu Ai; of course, this was also part of his plan

In fact, for the clansmen, the three high priests are equally mysterious, including their dwelling places. They rarely appear publicly among the clan, only showing up at the altar during the sacrificial ceremonies. Furthermore, when significant events occur within the clan, it is the clan leader or the elders who are summoned. However, every member of the clan has a sense that the three high priests are constantly watching over them and could appear by their side at any moment.

They have arrived, you should leave; I will take care of things here. Xuanyuan released his large hand and kissed the delicate face of Bao Ruo, saying leisurely that today's outcome was entirely within his expectations

Han Ru and Han Lang came to a halt, compelled to stop solely because Xuanyuan obstructed their path

Guarding at Gulin Hill are the two disciples of the earth priest, Hanru and Hanlang—this is also a secret

Jiao You is overly naive, always inclined to view matters in a positive light. Unfortunately, Xuanyuan is not as simple-minded as she is, nor would he take risks solely to save a "sacrifice." He has his own intentions and plans, and this plan even includes Jiao You in its calculations. However, Xuanyuan does not feel guilty, nor does he have any reason to feel guilty.

Xuanyuan smiled, this time his smile was very candid. He gazed deeply at Baoruo and said, "I didn't expect you to remember my name"

Han Ru and Han Lang turned pale upon hearing the words, as they did not understand the meaning behind Xuan Yuan's statement. In fact, they had no comprehension of Xuan Yuan's state of mind, and even his background remained a mystery. For the young people in the clan, Xuan Yuan's origins were indeed enigmatic; who was his father? No one in the clan could know!

The beautiful woman looked at Xuanyuan with a gaze full of confusion, responding timidly. She knew that if the man before her wanted to do something to her, she would be utterly unable to resist. In terms of martial arts and familiarity with the surroundings, this man held an absolute advantage. Therefore, she had not prepared to resist from the very beginning

The offering let out a sigh of relief and followed Xuanyuan as they hurried along, quickly entering a secluded forest.

The "Six Yuan Righteousness Formation" is akin to the eyes of the Han Ru and Han Lang; anyone who enters the formation will alert those guarding Longgang. Moreover, a peculiar insect that monitors the formation will emit a special cry, which the Earth Priest can sense as long as he is within a radius of fifty miles. Therefore, Xuanyuan knows that the Earth Priest will return soon

Xuanyuan was well aware of the intricacies within this matter, for he was a person of intention, and moreover, a rebellious alternative who would never adhere to outdated conventions or succumb to the mundane. Nevertheless, he still chose this ancient forest ridge, a forbidden area guarded by the earth priest.

You big bad guy, I will kill you

He loves Jiao You, and Jiao You loves him as well. It is only natural to do things for a loved one; however, he did not disclose all the truths of the situation to Wen You. The reality is too harsh, and he does not wish to cast a shadow over a pure heart, which is why even Jiao You has become a pawn in his plan

It is not their fault that Xuanyuan was overlooked, for it was not only they who neglected him; nearly everyone in the clan ignored Xuanyuan. Only a very few, such as Wenyōu and Heidou, would place their trust in him

The priests seem to be acutely aware of every action within the clan, yet the clansmen have no knowledge of what the priests do, as if it were a mystery. Even the matter of the priests taking disciples is known only to the clan leader and the elders; no one else is aware, let alone the names of the disciples taken by the priests.

Bao Ruo was momentarily taken aback, gazing at Xuanyuan's expression as if she understood something. She gritted her teeth, fixed her gaze on Xuanyuan, and with a hint of gratitude and tenderness in her voice, softly asked: "Is your name Xuanyuan?"

When Xuanyuan woke up, his mother was weeping beside him. Upon seeing him awake, she embraced him and cried heartily, and he too cried, holding onto his mother's neck. Later, many people came to comfort him, but they did not know what had happened the night before. It was on this day that his mother asked the clan leader, Jiaomeng, to teach him well. On the same day, he asked his mother many questions, but she only answered one: that his father had not been eaten by tigers or wolves, nor had he died, but was in a distant tribe. However, his mother did not tell him the name of that tribe or what his father's name was, nor did she reveal who the ugly body from the night before was, instead advising him not to seek that person. On the following day, when Xuanyuan woke up, he never saw his mother again, for she had left him forever.

Xuanyuan cried; that time he cried so hard that the sky darkened and the earth trembled. It was also the last time he shed tears in seventeen years. After that, the people of his clan treated him very well, and he discovered the identity of that ugly body—every year during the Heaven Sacrifice, that person would appear, and he turned out to be the Earth Priest among the three great priests of the Qiao clan

Bao Ruo did not resist; she simply met Xuanyuan's gaze fearlessly, even with a hint of provocation. It seemed she was also aware that the beauty bestowed upon her by heaven was, in itself, a formidable weapon

The people in the clan all say that Xuanyuan's actions are due to his longing for his mother, and they all praise him for his filial piety, thus they are not surprised by his behavior. However, all the young people regard him as an oddity, a nonconformist and a bookworm. Yet, whether the reality is truly as people imagine it to be, only Xuanyuan himself knows.

Xuan Yuan, what do you intend to do? Do you not realize that helping the 'sacrifice' to escape is tantamount to betraying the clan? Han Ru reprimanded angrily, clearly sensing the lingering murderous intent from Xuan Yuan, which was absolutely different from Xuan Yuan's usual demeanor

He truly did not wish for such a situation to arise; the ethereal beauty of Jiao You's face and her attire, which was so simple that it seemed untouched by the mundane world, were deeply imprinted in his heart, prompting an involuntary sigh of "What a pity!" A wave of inexplicable melancholy surged within him

Han Ru and Han Lang have only just realized today that the Xuanyuan in their eyes is indeed too naive, while the Xuanyuan in reality is much deeper and more terrifying than they perceive and imagine

Shennong's understanding of Jiaoyou is indeed somewhat profound and inscrutable. At times, Jiaoyou seems to possess no martial skills at all, yet in certain movements, he is as swift and agile as a master. For instance, the strike just now and this kick appear to possess an uncanny, almost supernatural quality, compelling Shennong to raise his hand to block.

The belt of Jiao You snapped due to the excessive force of struggle and the counteracting force from the lower abdomen of Shen Nong

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"I have waited ten years for this day!" Xuan Yuan scoffed lightly, his expression indifferent as if mourning a deceased. He raised his gaze from between the dense leaves towards the distant horizon, sighed softly, and uttered a statement that left Han Ru and Han Lang perplexed, yet they could sense the intense killing intent behind his words

The dream of the dragon was as if struck by lightning, and after a moment of shock, the earth priest immediately commanded: "Quickly go to the divine platform at the foot of the cliff to search for the young lady"

"Bao Ruo... Hmm, it's a good name," Xuanyuan muttered to himself, then quietly said, "When I hold them off later, you must quickly escape to the east. There is a small river there, and at the bend of the river, there is an old camphor tree. I carved a mark with a small knife on the second horizontal branch of the old camphor tree, next to a crow's nest. In the nest, there are bows and arrows, food, and a hunting knife. Follow the river eastward, and in three days, you will be able to return to your tribe. As for the three days in between, you will have to rely on yourself."

Shennong felt a slight anger in his heart, yet he had no choice but to extend his hand to block the short dagger of Jiao You.

It was a deep night two days before the heavenly sacrifice ten years ago when Xuanyuan was awakened by a strange sound. He opened his eyes and listened carefully, only to find that the sound was coming from his mother's room

Hmph, ungrateful wretch, do you think that coward would dare to come and take you back? Hmph, what makes this priest any less than that coward? You vile creature!" The ugly body rose rudely from its mother's form, revealing a disgusting sight, while it muttered curses under its breath.

Xuanyuan turned his head to glance at the retreating figure of Baoru, a peculiar smile flickering at the corner of his mouth. He had not considered whether Baoru could truly escape the pursuit of the Earth Priest, but he knew that the Earth Priest would soon return to Gulin Ridge, or even Long Ridge. This was because he had just dismantled the "Six Element Righteousness Formation" set by the Earth Priest, which had alarmed Hanru and Hanlang.

Han Ru and Han Lang have conducted thorough research on Xuanyuan. They have gained in-depth knowledge of every warrior and young person in the tribe, as this is their mission. Each young person in the tribe has the potential to become an elder, a priest, or a clan leader in the future. Understanding the abilities of each young individual serves another purpose: to absorb the strengths of others, thereby better consolidating their own advantages, while also identifying the weaknesses of others. If any of these individuals were to violate tribal rules in the future, it would be easier to impose sanctions. This is the best way for the priests to ensure that they will never fall behind. Consequently, when the priests impose sanctions on tribe members, they often do so with great success, and no one can resist them, which further enhances the mystique surrounding the priests.

Every time Xuanyuan sat quietly by the banks of the Ji River or gazed at the clouds from the rooftop, Black Bean would bring him meals and food, tirelessly and without complaint each time

In the dim light of the room, the mother lay bare, like a pure white mother snake, twisting and writhing in a pit of earth. Meanwhile, a tall, dark, and grotesque figure sat astride the writhing "white snake," its enormous black claws vigorously kneading the "white snake's" breasts. That bare back resembled someone riding on the back of a galloping wild bull, constantly jolting, yet emitting deep, satisfied, and contented gasps.

You wretched creature, why are you crying? It is a blessing you have earned in this life that this priest holds you in regard

In fact, this forest is vast, and one can circumvent it from any direction, but Han Ru and Han Lang do not seem to find it necessary. This is due to a certain feeling, a kind of energy emanating from Xuan Yuan that has completely blocked all their paths forward

Yougang is indeed the place for the earth priest to cultivate energy and refine the mind. Longgang, located to the west of Gulin Gang, is also the source of the river that flows through Gulin Gang

Shennong was unexpectedly kicked back three steps by these two feet

***

Xuanyuan gazed at the approaching Hanru and Hanlang, revealing a faintly cold smile, a smile that was somewhat eerie

As Jiao You turned back, she felt a tight grip on her hand, only to realize that Shennong had seized her right wrist. Startled, she twisted her right hand, and the short knife in her grasp traced a graceful arc, slicing towards Shennong's wrist

The forest is dense and quiet, so quiet that it seems somewhat unreasonable. Perhaps it is precisely for this reason that Xuanyuan came to a halt.

The call of the Jiao Dream grows closer, as if they know what has happened, their shouts infused with an unmistakable urgency.

Ah..." Jiao You let out a piercing cry, her body plummeting downwards like a shooting star towards the bottom of the cliff. She had not anticipated that at this moment, her body was already airborne, and the rebound force from Shen Nong propelled her even further away from the cliff.

With a sharp crack, it was as if a heavy blow had been dealt to Xuanyuan, igniting a furious blaze within him. How dare someone strike his mother! He swiftly drew his hunting knife from beside his bed, determined to kill this villain and chop the ugly body into pieces

Jiao You's body was unable to withstand the lift from Shen Nong, causing her to roll uncontrollably. She couldn't help but let out a loud cry, finding herself at the edge of the cliff, surrounded by floating clouds and mist, with the abyss below appearing unfathomably deep

On the day before the Ji Shui River deity's heavenly sacrifice, my mother's body was found thirty miles downstream of the Ji Shui River... my beautiful and gentle mother was already a cold and lifeless corpse

There is a shortcut to Gulin Pass that leads out of the territory of the Qiao ethnic group. However, during the five days before and after the heavenly sacrifice, this road is closed, and absolutely no one is allowed to enter or exit. Nevertheless, Xuanyuan does not like to be subjected to such unwarranted restrictions

Shennong had no idea that Jiao You had grown up under the protection of his clan, lacking any experience in combat. When faced with an enemy, he found himself strong yet unsure of how to wield that strength, possessing skills but not knowing how to apply them, and could only cry out for help

As Jiao You just shouted out two words, her body fell backward. She couldn't help but panic, seeing Shennong's hand reaching for her ankle. In a moment of desperation, her left foot swiftly kicked Shennong's chin.

"This does not benefit you much; erase my name and remember some other things instead." Xuanyuan extended his large hand to lift Baoruo's rounded chin, smiling leisurely and comfortably, yet his gaze seemed to penetrate deeply into Baoruo's heart

The mother curled up in a corner, weeping incessantly

At the edge of the cliff, a white handkerchief suddenly caught the eye of Jiao Meng. "That is the scarf my sister tied her hair with!" The dragon, like the wind, rushed to the cliff's edge to pick up the handkerchief. At that moment, he also noticed several extremely long strands of hair and the marks left by the small grass that had been pressed down.

When Xuanyuan arrived once again at his mother's door, he heard such a statement that left him momentarily stunned. In his young heart, the position of a priest was akin to the sacred; how could he have imagined that the one who had harmed his mother was a priest? Although he was very young at that time, he understood that the priest was the most powerful figure in the clan. He hesitated, uncertain whether he should still go and kill this detestable priest, or if a deep-seated fear had arisen within him, overshadowing his anger at that moment. Even though he was very young, he knew that the priest was the most formidable person in the clan. He hesitated, unsure whether he should still go and kill this loathsome priest, or if a profound fear had taken root in his heart, masking his anger at that time.

Han Ru and Han Lang are individuals who strictly adhere to their territory. Anyone wishing to travel to other tribes must obtain the consent of the tribal chief. However, during the five days before and after the heavenly sacrifice, all long-distance travel is prohibited. Only the northern route is open, as it leads to friendly neighbors who can enter and exit freely. The eastern, western, and southern routes are guarded by the three high priests of heaven, earth, and humanity. During these five days, they will also set up the Six Yuan Zheng Qi energy network, a formation of the priests. Anyone attempting to enter or exit from these three directions will not be able to evade the three high priests and their disciples, who will take action to obstruct them. Only the northern route is open, as it leads to friendly neighbors who can enter and exit freely. The eastern, western, and southern routes are guarded by the three high priests of heaven, earth, and humanity. During these five days, they will also set up the Six Yuan Zheng Qi energy network, a formation of the priests. Anyone attempting to enter or exit from these three directions will not be able to evade the three high priests and their disciples, who will take action to obstruct them

Gulin Ridge, the residence of the Earth Priest, is currently devoid of his presence. Xuanyuan firmly believes in his deduction; if only Jiao You had gone missing, perhaps the Earth Priest could have been persuaded to leave Gulin Ridge two days in advance. However, if Mu Ai is dead, even without anyone's invitation, he would still emerge on his own. This is a secret, a secret known to very few.

This is an unfortunate discovery, as one must confront this reality after the discovery, making it a negative finding

Do you want to leave? Stop right there! As Shu Ru and Han Lang swiftly rushed over, seeing Bao Ruo attempting to escape, they could not help but shout loudly.

This is precisely what Xuanyuan hoped to see; he is one of the few in the clan capable of breaking the formation and is not afraid of the earth priest at all

Bao Ruo has not stopped; she absolutely does not want to be captured again and become a "sacrifice." At least, so far, Xuanyuan has not deceived her

With a swift stroke, Jiao You cut through the air, and as he relaxed his wrist, he couldn't help but urgently call out: "Father..."

The eyes of the dragon were filled with boundless killing intent, yet two glimmers of brilliance flashed in the eyes of the dream of the dragon

"Search all around, the murderer must not have gone far, do not let them escape!" Jiao Meng took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the sorrow in her heart, and commanded.

Regarding the current situation, Xuanyuan is very clear about it. In fact, he could easily deceive everyone and send Baowei to her affiliated tribe. However, he does not wish to do so, as Jiao You's thoughts are absolutely different from his own

It was a sound reminiscent of the groans of a dying patient, akin to the anguished cries of someone enduring torture, interspersed with the strange noises of struggle and a heavy, bovine-like gasp

Xuan Yuan's killing intent surged wildly; although he was only seven years old at the time, he seemed to possess an innate bravery, managing to kick open the not very sturdy small door.

Shennong was awakened by the call, gazed at the cliff with a sigh of regret, and swiftly leaped into the forest from the other side

In their eyes, Xuanyuan is an outsider, indeed an outsider. The hunting competition within the clan is an opportunity for all young people to showcase their talents, and the warrior competition is the best chance for performance, which can also attract the favor of beautiful women. However, Xuanyuan seems to have no interest in any of this; he would rather sit quietly on the mountaintop by the river, watching the flowing water and the white clouds, and he could sit there for two days without eating or moving, like a stone.

Jiao You, in a state of great shock, swung his sword towards Shen Nong's face without a care in the world, shouting as he did so