Many were moved to tears.
It was like witnessing a ray of light in utter despair.
At first, escaping from Lushan City brought joy. But once outside, they realized that the dangers beyond were no less than those inside. Without the deterrence of the giant python, the wilderness became a feeding ground for wild beasts, monsters, and ferocious birds. Countless people were slaughtered on the spot.
Initially, the aura of the giant python still lingered on them, warding off predators. But once it faded, the hidden beasts struck like a grand feast was upon them. The scene was terrifying.
In that moment, all hope vanished.
Last night, in the darkness, they saw the light of a Dawnlamp (new element) glowing in the valley. Instinctively, they ran toward it. To their shock, they found a human settlement. The shift from despair to hope made many collapse in tears.
"We really survived."
"Where is this place? Father, if only you had held on a little longer. Just a bit more, and we could've all lived. The pain…"
"Is this really a human town? It's not taken by beasts, right? No—look! Troops! Soldiers are coming—it's human forces! We've truly found a human settlement!"
Refugees dropped to the ground, weeping bitterly. Recalling what they had endured filled them with both sorrow and overwhelming joy.
"Brothers and sisters, no matter where you're from, now that you're in Xuanhuang Town, you're family. We've prepared hot fish soup and porridge for everyone. Don't worry—whatever you've been through, you're safe here now. This is your new home."
Wang Dahu arrived with soldiers and was visibly moved at the sight of the weeping refugees. From their appearance, he could tell they had suffered unimaginably. Compared to them, he felt fortunate—to have met his Lord from the start and helped build Xuanhuang Village step by step.
When they heard there was food, many showed eager expressions, their long-empty stomachs growling audibly. Following the soldiers, they hurried toward town.
As they approached, many faces were filled with astonishment.
Was this really just a town? Towering walls, massive arrow towers—it felt more imposing than any city. Outside, citizens were cultivating fields, planting vegetables.
The rice paddies had already been replanted, sprouts emerging in pleasing rows. Vegetables and fruits grew lush and vibrant. People were cutting trees, lifting logs with ease, like they were superhuman. Some carried huge boulders as if they were made of foam. The scene felt surreal—like they had entered a land of giants.
"Haha, more newcomers! Wonderful—Xuanhuang Town is growing again!"
"Come, come! We've hot porridge and fish soup. Eat your fill—food's plentiful here!"
"Here, brother, sit down. In Xuanhuang Town, you're home now. We're all family."
Refugees entered the settlement.
Clean streets, crowds gathered in the plaza, giant cauldrons cooking fierce piranhas caught from the river, boars roasting on the fire—someone flipped an entire boar singlehandedly without breaking a sweat. Everyone smiled warmly, their vigor in stark contrast to the weary refugees. It was contagious and comforting.
"I'm the mayor of Xuanhuang Town. On behalf of everyone, I welcome you. Don't hold back—eat and drink your fill. There will be someone to show you your homes and introduce you to the town."
Yi Tianxing came down from the wall and greeted them with a smile.
"Thank you for taking us in, Mayor!"
The refugees bowed and thanked him.
"Forgive me for asking bluntly," Yi Tianxing said, "but what happened to you? Your panic suggests you've suffered some terrible ordeal."
At his question, fear flashed across many faces.
"A snake—a giant python—it eats people!"
"Yes! We're from Lushan City. A massive python took over the city. It penned us in like livestock. Anyone who entered never left—it ate ten or more people a day!"
One after another, the refugees told their stories. Anger surged among the soldiers and townsfolk, their blood boiling.
Yi Tianxing, however, fell into deep thought, muttering:
"Chen Sheng… Wu Guang again. Those two just can't help themselves. Wherever they go, chaos follows. But well done—if not for their rebellion, how would Xuanhuang Town gain so many people?"
This wasn't his first time hearing of Chen Sheng and Wu Guang (important characters). Back in the Xiongnu camp, their revolt caused massive losses and chaos. That rebellion ultimately drove the Xiongnu into a valley death trap—and gifted Xuanhuang Town thousands of refugees.
Now they stirred up another revolt in Lushan City, sending yet another flood of refugees his way. And it looked like more would come. Tens of thousands had fled that city. Even if only a portion made it, the population boost for Xuanhuang would be monumental—population means increased luck and deeper foundations (important narrative element).
"Those two… really are good people," Yi Tianxing thought dryly.
Still, he felt a little unsettled.
"These two are the true origin of chaos. Wherever they go, nothing stays calm. It's like they can't be satisfied without starting a revolution."
Yi Tianxing concluded silently. Still, so long as they didn't cause trouble in his town, he wouldn't bother with them. If anything, they'd been a blessing in disguise.
Once he understood the situation, Yi Tianxing handed the refugees over to Jia Yucun and the others. First, they would eat, then register into the town's Heavenly Register (天籍卡), receive their Heavenly Register Cards, get introduced to the town's systems, and finally be taken to the Scripture Pavilion to choose cultivation methods and combat techniques.
Of course, that couldn't be done in just one day.
As for returning to Lushan City, Yi Tianxing dismissed the thought immediately. The journey was long and dangerous. Even if they reached it, the python sounded powerful enough that, with current strength, it posed a lethal risk.
…
Back to the newly arrived refugees—they were stunned by everything in Xuanhuang Town: the Heavenly Register Cards (important magical tool), the mystical Scripture Pavilion, the unbelievable Moonwell, the formidable Arrow Towers, and most shockingly—everyone in town was a cultivator, having transcended ordinary human limits. It shattered their understanding of the world.
By nightfall, they had gone through the entire registration process and were assigned homes. Everything felt surreal, like a dream.
That night…
A massive Lighthouse (new structure) was completed.
At its peak, a colossal Dawnlamp was hung. After inserting a crystal stone, it blazed to life, shining like a miniature sun in the darkness. It became a radiant beacon in the night.
Its glow had an irresistible pull on all living beings.
In the wilderness, a group of lost refugees wandered, paralyzed by fear of the dark.
"Look! Light!"
"That way—it's so bright, like a little sun. It must be a lighthouse! Where there's light, there's people—a settlement, maybe even a city!"
"Head for the light! We're already lost—there's danger everywhere. Judging by how close it is, we might make it."
Though tired and hungry, their yearning for light was overwhelming. The sight of the lighthouse filled them with hope, driving them forward through the night.
Monsters or wild beasts might kill them along the way, but it didn't matter.
Nothing could stop their yearning for the light.
And it wasn't just this group—anyone who saw the Lighthouse instinctively began moving toward it. Not just refugees from Lushan City, but also other scattered humans.
On a distant hill, a manor stood—a complete estate nestled in the mountains…