Humankind Cultivation Origin

Elder Wang sat on the wooden chair, his expression solemn as he surveyed the gathered villagers. The tension in the air was thick, and the flickering torches cast uneasy shadows on the faces of those present.

"You all know the situation we are in," Elder Wang said, his voice steady yet grave. "If anyone has a suggestion, speak now."

A voice from the crowd rang out. It belonged to Feng Chu, a man in his early thirties with a muscular build and a fiery temperament. "Why don't we explore the surroundings before the stone’s energy is completely exhausted?" he suggested, his arms crossed over his broad chest. "Sitting here and waiting for death is not an option."

A murmur spread through the villagers, some nodding in agreement while others shook their heads in fear. Liu Bo, an older man with graying hair, scoffed, "It is not possible. The stone’s influence extends only ten miles. Beyond that, the beasts will tear us apart. You’ve seen what happens to those who go beyond."

"But we cannot just sit here!" Feng Chu shot back, his voice rising. "Do you think the beasts will let us live peacefully once the stone weakens? If we wait, we’ll be trapped like rats. If we act now, we might find a way to survive."

A woman, Aunt Mei, her face lined with worry, spoke up. "Feng Chu, your bravery is admirable, but reckless courage is no different from seeking death. What if we send scouts instead? A small group to test the waters rather than all of us risking our lives at once?"

"And who will volunteer for such a mission?" Liu Bo asked, his skeptical gaze sweeping across the villagers. "None of us are warriors. We are farmers, traders, and craftsmen. We are not equipped for battle."

A tense silence followed. The villagers looked at one another, uncertainty and fear evident in their eyes.

A younger man, Zhao Wei, cleared his throat. "Perhaps... we can seek help from another village? There must be others who have found ways to survive. If we can form alliances, we stand a better chance."

"And risk exposing ourselves?" Liu Bo countered. "What if other villages see us as weak and take what little we have left? There is no guarantee they will help us."

Elder Wang sighed deeply, his aged hands gripping the armrests of his chair. "We must make a decision soon. The stone’s protection will not last forever. If we hesitate too long, we may lose our only chance to act."

Just as he finished speaking, the villagers' attention was drawn to a figure stepping into the gathering.

Duan Feng.

His dark cloak blended with the shadows, and his expression was unreadable as he calmly walked forward. The murmurs among the villagers grew as they noticed the stranger.

"Who is he?" someone whispered.

Liu Bo, always wary of outsiders, narrowed his eyes. "I've never seen him before."

Shangguan Mingyue, who had been silent throughout the meeting, felt an inexplicable familiarity upon seeing the stranger. Her heart skipped a beat as she studied his face, as if trying to recall something lost in time.

Elder Wang’s gaze fell upon the unknown man, and the meeting momentarily paused as all eyes turned toward Duan Feng.

Elder Wang broke the silence. "He is a survivor from a nearby village..." He hesitated, then turned directly to the man. "Oh, I remember—I never asked your name. What is your name?"

The meeting’s conclusion had yet to come, but now, another question loomed over them: Who was this stranger that had suddenly appeared among them?