叶辰 shuffled out of the mountain range, kicking aside a rock that had been in his way for the past three days. He sighed, the wind whistling through the trees as he looked out over the vast expanse before him. The sky was a brilliant blue above the rolling hills and deep valleys that stretched out for miles.

He had been living in seclusion for the past ten thousand years, practicing and perfecting his skills in isolation. Now, it was time to rejoin the world, to see what had changed during his absence.

As he walked along the dusty road, a group of young cultivators rushed past him, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation. They were on their way to the grand competition, the prestigious event where the best talent from across the land gathered to prove their might.

One of them, a young man named Bai Xiaochun, couldn't help but stop and stare at the odd-looking man standing in their path. He had never seen someone dressed so simply before, with no armor, no fancy robes, and just a plain old sword tied at his side.