Synopsis

InthethirdyearoftheGreatXinRepublic,thepoliticalsituationwascollapsing.TheSouthernGovernmentwasnewlyestablished,whiletheNorthernWarlordswereengagedinseparatistwarfare.Thiswasanerawherefirearmsviedwithsinewandbone,whererebelfactionsandevilspiritsdancedtogether—beneaththerevolutionaryundercurrents,folkcultsproliferated,alongsideMilitaryMartialArts,DemonFiends,strangebeasts,andmechanizedironbodies...Atorrential,rainynightintheShenghaiConcession.FuJueminstoodamidsttheruinsofacollapsedgiantmansion,slowlywithdrawinghishands,inchbyinch,fromthechestofafive-meter-tall,white-headed,bare-footed,ape-likemonstrositybeforehim.Bloodywater,mixedwithrainwater,drippedfromhisfingertips.“Aprimordialrelict,ascourgeupontheliving.”“BydevouringtheSoulSeedofthisstrangebeast,whichcontainsatraceoftheZhuYanbloodline,thefinalbeastofmy[MythicalFiveBeastsArts]shouldfinallybecompleted...”