Long, long ago, before the world of Zhen'lan became what it is now, it was a place of pure chaos. There was nothing but darkness, silence, and emptiness. But then, out of that nothingness, something unimaginable happened. The Primordial Celestials came into being.
They weren't like the people we know today—flesh and bone, walking around. No, they were beings of pure energy, their powers far beyond our understanding. They were the ones who shaped the world we now walk on. Mountains rose where there was nothing but flat land, oceans appeared where there was none, and the very air we breathe was filled with the power of the Essence, the energy of the world.
These Celestials were the first to unlock the secrets of the Five Elements—Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Spirit. And with this knowledge, they brought the art of cultivation and alchemy to the world. They taught the people of Zhen'lan how to tap into their inner strength, to cultivate their bodies, and to harness the power of the Elements.
The world, now full of life and possibility, blossomed. It wasn't just a place to live—it was a place of magic, where anything was possible. The Celestial Kingdoms were built, vast cities that stood tall, shining like jewels under the sun. These were the heart of the world, where the most powerful alchemists and cultivators came together to share their knowledge and abilities. The Celestial Monarchs, the rulers of these kingdoms, were said to be closer to gods than mortals. They could do things that no one else could even dream of.
But... as often happens, even the most powerful beings can't escape their own flaws. The kingdoms, once united by the Celestials' wisdom, began to crumble under their pride. Rivalries grew between the Celestial Monarchs, and the peaceful world they had created soon turned into a battlefield. The Great War of the Celestials erupted.
It was a war unlike any other. The Celestial Monarchs fought not only with swords and armies but with the power of alchemy and the deepest secrets of cultivation. Mountains were burned, oceans boiled, and the very earth itself cracked open under the weight of their power. The Celestial Kingdoms fell, and in their wake, the world was left scarred. The Celestials themselves vanished, leaving only ruins and stories of their greatness behind.
After the war came the Great Calamity, a catastrophe that shattered the world. The Essence of Zhen'lan, once so vibrant, began to fade. The Celestial knowledge that had once been freely shared was lost, scattered to the winds, buried beneath the rubble of war. The ancient paths of cultivation and alchemy became little more than myths.
A veil, called the Veil of Sealing, was created, locking away the deepest secrets of the Celestials and preventing anyone from reaching their level of power ever again. It was as if the world had forgotten its own past.
But time moves on. Now, centuries after the Celestial War and the Great Calamity, Zhen'lan is a land of scattered sects and factions. The Heavenly Flame Sect, the Moonlight Alchemists, the Azure Shadow Clan—these are just a few of the many groups that now dominate the land. They fight not just for power, but for the knowledge of the Celestials, hoping to uncover the ancient techniques that once made their ancestors gods.
Alchemy and cultivation have become a part of daily life, but true mastery is rare. Only a few can reach the highest levels, and those who can are treated like legends. It is a world where only the strong survive, and the weak are left behind.
And so, as the world stands on the edge of a new age, a young boy named Chen Wei will soon step forward. Born into a small village at the foot of the Misty Mountains, he has no idea of the journey he's about to begin. A journey that will take him from humble beginnings to a destiny tied to the fate of the entire world.