Over the course of three thousand years, King Mu of Zhou continuously experimented with refining the formula for the elixir of immortality, striving to minimize its violent side effects while improving the sealing properties and fusion capabilities of the fallen-jade sarcophagus. But due to the countless failed experiments over the years, many defective immortals emerged in Dong Xia, including creatures like Mi Luo Tu and Jin Po [Note: mythical beings or failed immortal creatures].
A hundred years ago, the thirteenth-generation Zhang Qiling was assigned a mission near Wang Bai Mountain. By chance, he fell in love with a young woman from the Great Yong Kingdom—Bai Meng, who would later become Qilin’s mother. In the fifth year of their relationship, Bai Meng became pregnant with Qilin. Zhang Qiling pleaded with King Mu of Zhou to allow him to bring his wife back to the Zhang family in Dong Xia. However, before Qilin had even reached one hundred days old, the Zhang clan was betrayed. Zhang Qiling found himself surrounded and outnumbered by more than two hundred traitors.
At the time, Zhang Qiling had two trusted sworn brothers—Zhang Qi Shan and Zhang Hai Ke. Under the clan leader’s orders, they were tasked with protecting Bai Meng and her child, Qilin, and ensuring their escape from the rebellion. But along the way, they were ambushed by Mi Luo Tu. Zhang Hai Ke fought valiantly but perished in battle, and Bai Meng was gravely wounded while protecting her child. Zhang Qi Shan fought desperately to break through the siege and managed to bring Bai Meng and Qilin to safety.
By the time King Mu of Zhou arrived to rescue Zhang Qiling and later returned to find Bai Meng and Qilin, Bai Meng was already on the brink of death. The cycle of fate played out once more—the thirteenth-generation Zhang Qiling used the Ghost Seal to open the Bronze Gate and fed Bai Meng a modified version of the elixir of immortality, enhanced by King Mu of Zhou. However, this time, the mutation was different from before. After gaining immortality, Bai Meng transformed into a bloodthirsty Mi Luo Tu, her mind oscillating between moments of lucidity and uncontrollable bloodlust. She harmed countless people, and once, in a fit of madness, even bit her own infant son, Qilin.
Left with no choice, Zhang Qiling entrusted Qilin to King Mu of Zhou for guidance and upbringing, while he himself took Bai Meng and departed from Dong Xia.
Zhang Qi Shan paused at this point, reaching up to wipe away nonexistent tears before sighing.
“This was my own foolish greed,” he admitted. “Seeing Bai Meng gain eternal life after consuming the elixir, I too became envious and stole King Mu’s immortal medicine. But I received my punishment—I never had the chance to step into the Bronze Gate, nor did I get to use the fallen-jade sarcophagus to strengthen my body. As a result, my internal organs and flesh were slowly corroded by the elixir, leaving them hollow. My soul gradually lost its anchor and began to drift toward oblivion.”
“In the same year that Zhang Qiling left Dong Xia, I also fled, bringing a handful of my loyal followers to the Great Yong Kingdom, searching for a way to save myself. In an unexpected stroke of luck, I found your father, Zhang Qiling. Out of old friendship, he used forbidden seals and incantations to bind my soul within centipedes. These centipedes now dwell inside my hollowed-out body, preserving my spirit. However, every thirty years, my body is completely consumed, and I must replace it with a new one…”
Qilin was stunned. “Replace your body? How do you replace it? Where do you get new bodies?”
Zhang Qi Shan lowered his head, looking despondent. “At first, I devoured Zhang Qi Shan’s body. Then, I consumed Zhang Pei Shan’s body. And now, as you can see, Zhang Hai Xing is almost completely used up…”
A surge of blood roiled in Qilin’s chest. “You stole other people’s bodies just to keep yourself alive? You—you murdered Zhang Pei Shan and Zhang Hai Xing?”
“You could put it that way,” Zhang Qi Shan replied nonchalantly. “They were my most cherished juniors—my nephew and great-grandson. Isn't it only natural for them to honor their elders?”
“You bastard!” Qilin roared in fury.
But Zhang Qi Shan only let out a cold laugh. “What? Do you think your parents were any nobler than I am? Your father, Zhang Qiling, killed far more people than I ever did—all just to sustain his blood-drinking wife.”
Qilin seized Zhang Qi Shan by the collar, demanding, “Where are my parents?”
Zhang Qi Shan smirked. “If you want to see them again, do me a favor.”
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