I Fabricated the Techniques, but my disciple really mastered them? Chapter 1169: Extra Story: Taihao and the Apocalypse Evil Thoughts_2

"Starting today, this tree shall be known as the Domain Tree or the Creation Tree."

Hao took up residence within the highest reaches of the tree canopy, the summit of the Domain. A profound, mysterious sensation washed over him as he looked down upon the world from above, observing the tiny buds as they began to thrive across the vast earth.

Following a lengthy period of meditative seclusion, Hao awoke to find the ground blanketed by thick forests. Countless flowers had bloomed in a display of incomparable splendor. Filled with immense joy, Hao roamed the lands, marveling at the diverse and stunning vistas before him.

As eras passed beyond count, a sense of isolation returned to Hao. He remained the sole inhabitant of this expansive Domain. Driven by this loneliness, Hao began to contemplate creating a companion to share his existence.

Snapping a branch from the tree, he planted it into the soil. He sat cross-legged at the site of the burial, infusing the wood with his own breath and nurturing it with his essence. After the passage of eons, the branch finally stirred with life.

The resulting creature was long and slender, possessing horns formed from the original forks of the branch, while its short limbs were the remnants of newly sprouted buds.

"Hiss!"

The serpentine being wound itself around the wrist of Hao, emitting a sharp hissing sound. Brimming with delight, Hao stroked the beast and declared, "Your name shall be Chi!"

Hao and Chi wandered the wide world together as Chi grew in stature. Riding upon Chi’s back, Hao soared through the heavens and traversed the earth in total freedom; however, as time marched on, the familiar pangs of solitude returned.

Observing the Domain he had birthed, he found it still felt too vacant and quiet. Consequently, Hao entered seclusion once more, seeking to understand the methods required to fill this Domain with a multitude of living souls.

Through repeated cycles of seclusion and the expansion of the Domain, life eventually began to proliferate. The Domain stretched further until, at last, beings with human forms resembling his own appeared. Overjoyed, Hao began to teach them knowledge and the Path of Cultivation.

As life flourished, the Domain reached a state of greater completion. Hao viewed his handiwork with a deep sense of pride, watching the world evolve from his high perch. One day, however, he witnessed a beast hunting a human. He moved to intervene but paused.

In that instant, the fundamental laws and ultimate truths of the Domain manifested in his heart—a sudden realization of the core principles governing the Domain’s existence. He chose to watch in silence, refraining from interference.

Shortly thereafter, those who had mastered Cultivation and gained power began to hunt the beasts in turn. By consuming them, they gained resources that accelerated their Cultivation and increased their strength.

A cycle of predation spread throughout the Domain, where every creature seemed to be the natural enemy of another, with many surviving by feeding on others. Humans proved to be the most intelligent, showing a natural talent for Cultivation and innovation. Hao felt a shift in his spirit and seemed to grasp a new truth, leading him back into a state of seclusion.

When he emerged from his meditation, the diversity of the Domain had exploded. Cultivators had reached new heights of power, and the tribes of the Human Clan had multiplied significantly. This growth eventually led to territorial disputes and the merging of clans, resulting in the birth of a nation.

The individuals who had received the Cultivation Methods directly from Hao became his disciples, serving as the founding ancestors of the Human Clan. Possessing terrifying power, they yearned to ascend to the sky to pay respects to their esteemed master.

"The Domain is more vast than I am; therefore, this Domain shall be named Taihao."

With those words, Hao gave the Domain its name.

As the years flowed by, the Domain continued its expansion, and more powerful beings ascended. Experts from every clan began to appear in the heavens. Eventually, someone stumbled upon the Creation Tree. They broke off a branch and forged it into a Divine Artifact, using its power to cause chaos and becoming the most formidable figure beneath Hao.

This sparked a wave of ambition, driving other powerful entities to seek out the Creation Tree to create their own Divine Artifacts. At first, Hao did not stop them, believing that the loss of a few branches would not harm the Creation Tree.

However, after another session of seclusion, he woke to a shocking sight: one-third of the Creation Tree’s branches had been snapped off. Those who held the Divine Artifacts crafted from the tree were busy slaughtering and conquering one another.

The first great war between the myriad clans broke out, tearing the earth asunder and causing the heavens to tremble. Watching this, Hao was paralyzed with shock. This world was his own creation, so why was it now plagued by such bloodshed and disorder?

A dark thought briefly crossed his mind—to destroy everything, return it all to the void, and return to the supreme mystery of solitude. This feeling vanished as quickly as it had arrived. With a heavy sigh, Hao used his power to suppress his disciples, imprisoning them and scolding them, forcing them into seclusion to repent for their actions.

At the same time, he ordered Chi to stand watch over the Creation Tree, strictly forbidding anyone from coming near or damaging its branches.

Thus, the first great war of the myriad clans came to an end.

Once his disciples confessed their faults, Hao set them free, charging them with the duty of preserving the Domain’s peace and purity. After they departed to diligently uphold order, Hao watched for a long duration. Only when he was certain that the chaos had subsided did he prepare to further his understanding of the Grand Path.

Before doing so, he gave Chi strict instructions to guard the Creation Tree faithfully and ensure no one broke its branches. With a peaceful heart, Hao then entered seclusion.

Taihao transitioned into a golden era of cultivation, with geniuses rising from every tribe. The ancient ancestors, remembering Hao’s stern warning, did not dare to act out. Yet, because of conflicting interests and old grudges, hidden tensions grew until a blood feud between members of the younger generation reignited the fire.

It began when a highly favored and gifted descendant of a Human Clan ancestor—a prodigy famous throughout the land and expected to reach the ancestor level—was ambushed and slain by the young elites of three rival clans.