Fengyunlu

Deep within that vast, desolate desert, where time seems to stand still, lies a silent ancient city. It is surrounded by endless, undulating waves of yellow sand, like a majestic golden dragon winding its way through the landscape, always silently accompanying the city. The ancient city lies peacefully beneath the boundless sky, seemingly whispering untold stories of its long history and the vicissitudes it has witnessed. Though not large in scale, this city boasts a resounding and imposing name—Wind and Sand Fortress. This is the ancestral home of the Feng family, a renowned and illustrious lineage within the Xuanmen (Taoist sects).

For nearly a century, the Feng family seemed to be cruelly trapped in this vast desert, each member steadfastly guarding this expansive land of the northern frontier. With unwavering will and indomitable courage, they devoted themselves to protecting the peace and tranquility of this land, earning the deep respect of the local people and many others. Their legendary tales have spread widely among the people, becoming popular stories that inspire generations to strive forward.

The cultivation world is currently bustling with activity. A multitude of wondrous and mysterious techniques abound, like stars twinkling in the night sky. Various sects stand side-by-side, each occupying its own territory. While the splendor of the ancient era of gods and demons has faded, it still presents a prosperous and thriving scene. Everyone is fiercely competing for limited resources and to enhance their own strength, fighting tooth and nail.

Within the Xuanmen (Taoist sects), the righteous and evil factions can be considered the mainstream forces in the entire cultivation world. The righteous cultivators are concerned for all living beings, taking it upon themselves to protect the people and tirelessly spreading justice and kindness; while the evil faction specializes in destructive activities, bringing endless disasters and suffering to the world. Fierce conflicts and battles frequently occur between the two sides, with wars erupting one after another, plunging the entire world into a state of unrest and chaos.

Wind and Sand Fortress is one of the many sects, belonging to the righteous faction. Although it hasn't been established for very long and cannot be compared with those sects with long histories and profound foundations, it is still a prominent and influential entity within the Xuanmen (Taoist sects), and no one dares to underestimate it. The powerful strength and high reputation of the Feng family have secured its place firmly within the Xuanmen.

It is said that the Feng family was originally just an ordinary family in the Northern Frontier region. Most of the family members were talented in both literature and martial arts, and some of them had even served as advisors to the emperor, contributing to the prosperity of the country. It is unknown which ancestor was fortunate enough to receive careful guidance from a master of the mystical arts, thus learning the methods and secrets of cultivation. From then on, the Feng family resolutely embarked on the path of cultivation.

However, perhaps because their ancestors were of average talent, or because the methods they learned were not profound or powerful enough, the Feng family, over a dozen generations, did not achieve much. They were merely slightly stronger than ordinary people. But they never gave up, and continued to strive and explore the arduous path of cultivation, seeking higher realms.

However, more than two hundred years ago, a remarkable and outstanding figure suddenly emerged in the Feng family. This man, through his own efforts, enabled the Feng family to rise rapidly in the northern frontier, their fame spreading far and wide. His appearance was like a beacon suddenly lit in the darkness, illuminating the Feng family's hopeful future.

This person is Feng Wanlin, the lord of Fengsha Fortress. His name is renowned and highly respected in the Xuanmen world, and everyone holds him in deep awe.

When Feng Wanlin first appeared, it was like a thunderclap that shocked the entire Xuanmen (cultivation sect). He was hailed as the most promising person to break through the limits of cultivation. At the age of four, he could already read classic texts fluently, demonstrating extraordinary wisdom and comprehension; at six, he was already highly skilled in martial arts, displaying remarkable abilities; at nine, he could cultivate independently, showcasing astonishing talent; and by seventeen, he had become the undisputed leader among the younger generation of the Northern Frontier Xuanmen, a rare cultivation genius even in the entire world. His exceptional talent and extraordinary abilities amazed everyone, laying a solid foundation for his future brilliant achievements.

As the saying goes, young people are always impetuous, and Feng Wanlin, with his exceptional talent, was naturally unwilling to live a mediocre life. At the age of eighteen, he resolutely bid farewell to his family, and with only a gun in his arms, embarked on a journey to explore the world. He began that long journey full of unknowns and challenges, carrying his dreams and lofty ambitions.

For sixty years, he fought and battled with heroes and villains across the land, engaging in fierce battles against countless demons and evil spirits. He teetered on the brink of death countless times, each battle fraught with danger and challenge, his life constantly in danger. Despite enduring countless harrowing and arduous moments, he never once considered giving up, persevering relentlessly. Ultimately, he received enlightenment from the heavens, and looking back on those difficult years, they became his most precious treasure. It can be said that Feng Wanlin perfectly exemplified what a true hero is, and what a worthy legend is.

After achieving great success, Feng Wanlin chose to retire and return to the northern frontier, where he established the Fengshabao lineage. Internally, he diligently taught his clansmen cultivation, continuously improving their strength and realm; externally, he bravely suppressed evil spirits, protecting the local people and safeguarding the land he deeply loved. His illustrious achievements are forever remembered, becoming the spiritual symbol of Fengshabao and inspiring generations of Feng family descendants.

Time flies like water, and a hundred years have passed in the blink of an eye... One day, as always, a fierce wind howled over the northern desert, blood-red clouds filled the sky, and sandstorms raged. When people looked up, between the churning blood-red clouds and the rampant sandstorms, many terrifying and mysterious scenes seemed to be faintly hidden. Such a sight would frighten not only ordinary people, but even cultivators from the Xuanmen sects would feel a chill run down their spines and be filled with boundless rage.

Just as a captivating story was abruptly interrupted, the once calm water began to ripple, and the previously blurry scene gradually became clear...

The sharp, piercing sound, like two bolts of lightning ripping through the silent night sky, was swift and fierce, as if a symphony from a mysterious world was playing in this vast and boundless天地 (heaven and earth).

In this vast desert, usually almost untouched by human hands, a silent sea of ​​sand resembled a frozen yellow ocean. Suddenly, a young couple, like ghosts, sped across the sand at incredible speed. They wore straw hats, which swayed gently in the strong wind, as if whispering their untold stories; they wore moon-white clothes, the hems billowing wildly in the gale, like ethereal clouds in the night sky, light and dreamlike. Their steps were hurried, their destination clearly defined as they rushed northwest.

"Hey sis, it's been two days already, do you even know the way? We've been wandering around in this vast desert, I'm getting completely disoriented."

"Don't worry, I've been here before and I remember it very clearly. I definitely won't get lost. Just relax."

The two were incredibly fast. Although they didn't seem to be exerting much effort, they had already covered a great distance in the blink of an eye. Their figures moved swiftly through the swirling sandstorm, like two elusive shadows, impossible to predict.

Just as they were talking, the woman suddenly vanished, returning to her original spot in an instant, as if by magic. Her movements were as light as a feather and so swift that no one could react in time.

"Oh, sis, could you have told me in advance? You went back so suddenly, I wasn't prepared at all, and I almost tripped and fell flat on my face."

Her sudden movement startled the man beside her. When he abruptly stopped, the force of his movement kicked up a cloud of dust, covering him completely. As he returned to the woman, he couldn't help but complain.

But when the man returned and saw his older sister, she completely ignored him. She blinked rapidly, her small mouth agape, staring blankly at a piece of dead wood not far away, as if she had discovered some incredible secret. Her eyes were filled with curiosity and focus, as if that piece of dead wood held a world-shaking secret.

The man curiously followed her gaze, but after looking left and right, he couldn't see anything special. In his eyes, it was just an ordinary piece of rotten wood. The wood was dilapidated from years of wind and sand erosion, and there was nothing special about it.

"Ugh......"

The man sighed softly. He was already used to his older sister's unusual interest in ordinary things. He shook his head helplessly, plopped down on the ground, and quietly waited for his sister's reaction.

After a while, a look of sudden realization appeared on the woman's pretty face: "Ah! That's right, last time my second uncle led the way, and we arrived in no time. I had forgotten that it was my second uncle who led the way, no wonder I couldn't find it here no matter how hard I looked."

"..."

Hearing this, the man frowned, immediately understanding. She didn't know the way at all, and had led him wandering aimlessly through the desert for two days—a complete waste of time. He thought to himself, "If I'd known my sister didn't know the way, I should have thought of another way sooner."

The man was rather strange; though he was seething with anger, he didn't immediately unleash it. He rubbed his face vigorously with both hands, then slowly walked towards the woman. Just as their faces were almost touching, he roared almost uncontrollably. He simply couldn't suppress his rage any longer.

"Why didn't you say so earlier?! If you had said you didn't know the way, we wouldn't have been wandering around in this desert like headless flies for two days."

That roar was incredibly loud; it could probably be heard clearly from two or three miles away. The sound echoed continuously in the vast desert, like a shout of extreme anger that lingered for a long time.

But the woman seemed different from others; she appeared completely oblivious to the loud noise, staring blankly ahead. She seemed lost in her own little world, utterly deaf to the cacophony around her.

Just as the man got tired of yelling and turned around, she rolled her eyes and gently patted the back of his head: "What are you yelling about? Go find someone to ask for directions. If you can't find your way in this vast desert, asking someone might help you find your way."

"You've been leading me around this desert for two days now, sis, we haven't seen a single person, not even a ghost. Where are we supposed to find anyone..." The man stopped abruptly before finishing his sentence, then looked seriously towards the southwest. He seemed to sense something was amiss.

"You said you didn't, but here you are!" Before the woman finished speaking, she had already shot off like an arrow, leaving the man standing there dumbfounded. Her movements were always so decisive and swift that the man couldn't keep up with her pace at all.

"Hey!! Sis, can you please look carefully before you go... Sigh. You didn't even look at what it was before you rushed over without thinking."

The man shook his head helplessly, thinking to himself, "Is my older sister really someone Dad picked up? Her brain... Oh well, what can I do? She's my older sister." He felt utterly helpless about his sister's behavior, but there was nothing he could do about it.

Although he felt helpless, he still chased after her at an even faster pace. He knew he couldn't let his older sister risk her life alone; he had to protect her.

After catching up, the man reached out his left hand and grabbed her, then with a flick of his right, a pale purple cloak appeared out of thin air. With a gentle shake, the cloak rapidly grew longer and larger in the wind, solidifying in a shimmering light, instantly enveloping the siblings. A flash of light, and then they were nowhere to be seen in the vast desert. They had vanished as if into the boundless expanse of sand.

"Old Bai, why are you stopping me? I was just about to go and see what's over there."

"Sis, can't you use your brain? You rushed over without even looking around. What if there's danger?"

"Say it again! You dare say it again and see what happens."

"Shh...don't speak, or they'll find out."