Chapter 450: The Journey Begins
Chapter 450: The Journey Begins
Three months later.
Zuo Meng walked out of his room, startling many villagers who thought him dead. To these people, he’d been gone over ten years – seeing someone return from the grave shocked them. Soon some elders recognized him and rejoiced at his awakening. Younger villagers gradually accepted this after their initial surprise.
This isolated small village existed outside known dynasties. No one knew if kingdoms or ruling powers existed beyond their borders.
Zuo Meng found no written records here. Not a single villager could read, not even the medicine-man serving as village chief. Without writing, the outside world remained unknowable. Most lived and died without ever leaving their home.
The world stretched vast, yet felt tiny to these villagers.
“Is this medicine?”
Though still weak, Zuo Meng could now move freely instead of lying paralyzed. Stripped of most creator-level powers, he relied on three Origin Rules to slowly rebuild his body.
This world’s capacity clearly surpassed others – it granted him a new identity while sealing his creator abilities, something even the Ancient City World couldn’t achieve. If Origin World failed here, did this realm exist at higher level?
“Medicine? This slop’s for body training.”
Uncle Dayou grinned. The village hunter had apprenticed under Zuo Meng’s father. During Zuo Meng’s long sleep, Dayou’s help proved vital alongside his mother’s constant care.
“Where’s the recipe from?”
Zuo Meng detected Transcendent energy in the clay jar’s mixture. This wasn’t mere historical recreation – he needed either to unlock his sealed power or learn this world’s truths from its strong individuals.
Was any of this real?
The calling made sense now, but mysteries remained. That strange pull at 30% breakthrough – what caused it?
“Healer taught me. Formula came from main tribe.”
Uncle Dayou scratched his head. Little Meng asked more questions now than during childhood.
“Tribe?”
“Big tribe with sacred markings! They got totem warriors!”
Dayou’s eyes shone. Village hunters risked death fighting beasts, but totem warriors wielded Extraordinary Power – strong beasts became harmless as chicks before them.
“How reach main tribe?”
Zuo Meng leaned forward intently.
“Can’t. Need special gift.” Dayou shook his head like rattle-drum.
Zuo Meng soon learned the truth – tribal examiners tested every newborn. Talented ones got taken. Leftovers like them got discarded. The village once produced genius – healer’s son (Zuo Meng’s cousin) got taken long ago. Villagers still gathered monthly supplies for their prized cultivator.
I’m considered mediocre talent!?
The cosmic creator seethed. His might meant nothing in this dung-hole village.
“Other paths?”
Zuo Meng breathed deeply. Quitting wasn’t an option. This unique world’s laws held the key to reclaiming his power.
“Truly want this?”
Uncle Dayou studied him with sudden seriousness.
“I do.”
“Okay, I’ll figure something out for you.”
Uncle Dayou didn’t ask questions. He’d been close friends with Zuo Meng’s father, who once saved his life during a hunt on the mountain.
This debt needed repaying.
Zuo Meng thanked him and dropped the subject.
Six months flew by.
Zuo Meng’s health gradually improved during this time. He tried Uncle Dayou’s medicinal brews and discovered they slightly boosted his physical strength—so faintly that only someone like him, a Creator, could detect the change.
There’d been no news about joining the large tribe since their talk. Maybe Uncle Dayou couldn’t help or had forgotten. Zuo Meng sought out others, even visiting the village healer, his ninth uncle by family ties. But the old man shook his head; rules set by the great tribe couldn’t be swayed by folks from a small village.
“Xiao Meng! Xiao Meng!”
The door burst open.
A dusty Uncle Dayou rushed in, clutching a white Wolf Fang.
“This! This’ll get you into the tribe!”
Zuo Meng realized Uncle Dayou hadn’t forgotten—he’d been struggling to obtain this rare tribal token. Common folk couldn’t acquire such things.
“Which tribe?”
Zuo Meng’s mother snapped to attention, alarmed.
She’d known nothing about these plans.
“Sister-in-law didn’t know?” Uncle Dayou grinned his familiar simpleton’s smile.
“Your efforts won’t be forgotten, Uncle.”
Zuo Meng accepted the Wolf Fang and explained everything. After understanding, though heartbroken, his mother consented once she confirmed his resolve.
A mother’s love.
He’d make her life comfortable once he gained power.
“Stay safe.”
“Keep your head down in the tribe.”
Three days later, Zuo Meng departed with the Wolf Fang. Only his mother and Uncle Dayou saw him off—the other villagers prioritized work over bidding farewell to a distant relative.
“I’ll return as a totem warrior.”
The Wolf Fang guaranteed tribal protection—a totem’s power Uncle Dayou and his mother lacked. Village exits meant danger; wild beasts had claimed Zuo Meng’s father.
“In this harsh world…”
Zuo Meng stowed the Fang in his pack and walked toward the tribe’s territory…