Chapter One: A Dream Back to the Primordial Chaos

In the era before the separation of chaos, when all was still a tumultuous void, this expanse was devoid of life, filled only with raging primordial black holes, devouring the powers of the universe.

Because countless black holes ceaselessly absorbed the energies of the chaotic world, the age of chaos neared its end, hinting at a new chapter. Lighter materials swayed with the wild winds, and as the energy of these winds intensified, the chaotic essence these light materials absorbed grew steadily.

The weak, like hills, were swept away with the gentlest touch and vanished into silence, refusing to yield to their fate. But the strong, like great mountains, stood unshaken by the raging winds, which only strengthened the energy of their essence.

From myriad emotions, thought was born; with thought came the self, and with the self arose the ideal of self-strengthening, drawing in even more chaotic essence.

The Age of Chaos drew to a close, and this world welcomed a brand new era—the Era of Hongmeng.

“What is this accursed place—no sky, no earth, no living soul?” These were the first words spoken by Tian Tong upon awakening.

Tian Tong, a child from the countryside, had spent twenty years adrift in the city, alone and unsupported. Through his own efforts, he had managed some modest achievements in his career.

It was December 21, 2012, at precisely 3:14:35 in the afternoon—the day foretold by the Mayan prophecy, the so-called end of the world.

Tian Tong had never believed in such things, but doubts gnawed at him nonetheless. He remembered that day vividly—a winter afternoon, snowflakes drifting down, the cold wind biting.

His wife called from the kitchen, “Honey, it’s getting chilly. Please take the sweaters I bought for my parents over to them. Be careful on the road.”

Reluctantly, Tian Tong tore himself away from his computer, slipped into his slippers, and left his study.

“I’m coming, I’m coming. You’ve been busy all day—hasn’t it tired you out?” he said as he reached his wife’s side.

“It’s fine. Just bring the sweaters to my parents, will you? See, it’s snowing. They’re getting on—” She hadn’t finished when Tian Tong, annoyed, hurried from the room.

He changed into a pair of shoes, the snow crunching beneath them, leaving his footprints behind.

Humming a little tune, he drove through the snow—what a pleasurable feeling it was. He switched on the radio. “Today is December 21, 2012. Let’s hear Mr. Li’s interpretation of the Mayan prophecy.” The announcer’s voice, sweet as a songbird’s, captivated Tian Tong’s mind.

In a moment of inattention, a large truck barreled toward him; there was no way to evade it.

Bang! His small car crashed violently under the truck’s bulk. “Why am I so unlucky?!” This was Tian Tong’s final thought, though he no longer had the strength to utter it.

At that instant, a black hole appeared in the sky, drawing Tian Tong’s soul into its depths.

Thinking back, Tian Tong’s heart ached. “My aged mother, your son is gone—take care of yourself. Lian’er, my wife, you too…” In a fleeting moment, ages had passed in this world.

Suppressing his sorrow, Tian Tong surveyed his surroundings.

“Nothing at all… Wait, could this be—the Era of Hongmeng?” Cold sweat broke out on Tian Tong’s brow. This was a world where the strong preyed on the weak; only those with true power could survive.

Since I’m here, I’ll make the best of it.

A pathless youth now awakens, after a drifting half-life.

Despite everything, Tian Tong’s will remained resolute; had he been weaker, he would have given in to despair long ago.

Lost in memories, Tian Tong had not noticed his environment. When he finally awoke to the present, he realized he was inside a massive egg.

Within, seven-colored energies radiated dazzling light. Tian Tong glanced down and was startled to see a person beneath his feet.

The Great God Pangu—a being in human form, possessed of boundless power, a deity who dared contend with gods and demons. In his past life, Tian Tong had revered him most.

It turned out Tian Tong was originally a wisp of primordial essence. For reasons unknown, he had crossed into the Era of Hongmeng and become a spiritual consciousness attached to the essence within the giant egg that nurtured Pangu.

Gazing at the form of Pangu, Tian Tong’s heart surged with excitement. He had not come in vain—he had witnessed the Great God Pangu with his own eyes.

At a thought, the giant stirred and swept out a hand, rolling waves of primordial energy surging toward Tian Tong’s wisp.

Tian Tong wanted to flee, but he was held fast, unable to move, as torrents of energy entwined him, warm and soothing.

That gesture signified the Dao’s recognition of Tian Tong, as well as Pangu’s acceptance.

Surrounded by vast primordial energy, Tian Tong slowly absorbed and strengthened his spiritual consciousness.

Cultivation always passes swiftly—an entire era slipped by.

One era equals 129,600 kalpas, 10,800 epochs, or 1,399,680,000 years.

Yet, within the egg, Tian Tong’s absorption of energy was agonizingly slow. Only much later did he realize that all things are governed by fate.

After cultivating for an era with no progress, Tian Tong finally gave up. The reason was simple: the energy within the primordial egg was finite, and with each bit digested, the glow of the egg’s halo dimmed.

Unwittingly, Tian Tong had formed a karmic bond with Pangu.

This was why, after an era of cultivation, he could advance no further.

Only now did Tian Tong truly study the Great God Pangu: a mighty elder brother, powerful arms, a robust body, a wild and natural aura.

Suddenly, Tian Tong noticed something missing—the Pangu Axe. Hadn’t the legends said Pangu and his axe were born together?

Yet he saw no sign of it.

He couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

That sense of warmth and comfort beside Pangu was like being near a father, making Tian Tong recall his own aged parents and the wife who had pledged herself to him for life. His heart fell into melancholy.

No matter the hardship, he would endure it all for the chance to see them again. With that thought, his gaze fell back on Pangu.

I must thwart Heaven’s designs—I cannot allow Pangu to fall. Otherwise, the karmic debt will never be repaid.

Suddenly, Tian Tong saw Pangu’s eyelids flutter. At once, the shell of the giant egg, formed of rainbow light, split open violently.

Primordial energies within the egg churned, creating chaotic streams that tossed Tian Tong about. Suddenly, a great hand seized him—it was Pangu.

Pangu fixed his eyes upon Tian Tong, and Tian Tong was thoroughly terrified.

Could it be that Pangu had awakened, and the war of gods and demons was about to begin? Tian Tong’s heart was gripped by dread.