Humankind Cultivation Origin

Duan Feng stepped forward, his dark eyes scanning the faces in the crowd. The flickering torchlight cast eerie shadows on his sharp features. His voice was calm but firm as he finally answered Elder Wang’s question.

"Duan Feng."

The moment his name left his lips, Shangguan Mingyue felt as though lightning had struck her. Her breath hitched, and her entire body stiffened.

The name echoed in her mind, stirring memories she couldn't quite grasp. Her vision blurred, and for a moment, she was lost in the swirling storm of emotions within her.

Duan Feng, unaware of her reaction, noticed her gaze lingering on him. Something about her seemed oddly familiar, yet he couldn’t place why. A strange sense of recognition flickered within him, but he quickly dismissed it, focusing instead on the meeting at hand.

Aunt Mei, standing beside Mingyue, noticed her dazed expression and gently nudged her. "Mingyue, what’s wrong?"

Mingyue blinked rapidly, forcing herself back to the present. She shook her head, offering a weak smile. "Nothing."

Aunt Mei frowned slightly, concern flickering across her features. She sighed inwardly. Mingyue had been different since the incident years ago, often drifting into deep thought, lost in her own world. Aunt Mei assumed this was just another one of those moments and turned her attention back to the meeting.

The discussion dragged on for another hour, filled with intense debate and conflicting opinions. Despite the numerous suggestions and counterarguments, no conclusion was reached.

Tension still hung heavy in the air as the villagers slowly began to disperse, returning to their homes with uncertainty weighing on their hearts.

Duan Feng, too, retreated to the temporary hut assigned to him. He moved with quiet confidence, but there was a cautious edge to his steps. As he disappeared into the dimly lit path, Mingyue found herself unconsciously following his retreating figure with her gaze.


Her chest tightened as she watched him go, a thousand questions swirling in her mind.

Only when he was completely out of sight did she snap back to reality. Her hands trembled slightly, and she clenched her fists to steady herself. Without another word, she turned and walked toward her own hut, her mind a chaotic storm.

‘Duan Feng…’ she repeated his name internally, over and over again.

‘Could it be… my brother Feng?’

But how was that possible? The one she had known was long gone. She had mourned his loss. And yet, the sense of familiarity she felt when she looked at him was undeniable.

Sleep did not come easily that night. Her thoughts churned restlessly, refusing to settle. No matter how much she tried to rationalize it, doubt gnawed at her heart. The only way to find out the truth was to confront him directly.

As the night deepened, she made her decision.

Clutching the fabric of her robe, she rose from her mat and silently stepped out into the cool night air. The village was quiet, save for the occasional crackling of the torches still burning near the meeting area.


Her bare feet made no sound against the earth as she moved toward Duan Feng’s hut.

The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silver glow over the village. She hesitated for a brief moment, standing before his door, her heart pounding in her chest.

‘What if I’m wrong?’ she thought. ‘What if he doesn’t remember anything?’

But the need for answers overpowered her doubt. Taking a deep breath, she raised her hand and knocked lightly on the wooden door.

Inside, Duan Feng stirred at the sound. His eyes flickered open, immediately alert. He rose from his makeshift bed. He approached the door cautiously, then pulled it open.

Their eyes met in the dim light of the moon.

Mingyue’s throat went dry. The words she had planned to say caught in her throat. She stared at him, searching his expression for any sign of recognition.

Duan Feng frowned slightly, sensing her hesitation. "What is it?"

Mingyue took a shaky breath. "I need to ask you something… about your past."

Duan Feng’s expression did not change, but a shadow of intrigue flickered in his gaze. He stepped aside, allowing her to enter.

And so, the night carried with it the weight of secrets waiting to be unraveled.