Somewhere in the Highest World, known as the God Realm…
A figure sat cross-legged upon a flaming throne, deep in meditation. He appeared to be a man in his fifties, but he had lived for more than 20,000 years. His cultivation had long reached the realm of a True God, and the terrifying fire aura that clung to him was proof of his dominion over the Level 9 Fire Element. He was the infamous WrathFire God, and today, fury twisted his features.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open. He sensed it—the void had cracked in the Lower Realm of Mortals.
Without hesitation, he left his Heavenly Fire Temple and flew toward a sacred place: The Bell of Calling, located in the last remnants of the once-mighty Eternal Clan, the strongest of the Seven Heavenly Clans. Now, only a ruined temple remained, sealed by the powers of the other six True Gods. Only those of True God rank could enter.
He rang the bell three times.
Within moments, the other gods arrived at the ruin.
There was:
The Goddess of Light, known as Heaven's Will by mortals—though she cared nothing for them.
The God of Darkness, misunderstood by mortals and branded a devil. In truth, he often protected mortals from the careless destruction wrought by the others' divine duels.
The God of Earth, loyal only to the strong. A lapdog of WrathFire God.
The God of Wind, clever enough to stay neutral and avoid conflict.
The Goddess of Water, ever the observer, calm and detached, refusing to take sides.
WrathFire God stood like a blazing inferno, speaking in a commanding tone:
"A void crack has appeared in the Lower Realm. Let us go retrieve what has fallen!"
Wind God blinked. "The Lower Realm? Not even the Middle Realm?"
"Indeed," WrathFire God confirmed. "Something valuable has descended!"
Earth God frowned. "But... we cannot enter the Lower Realm with our true bodies. The realm's laws forbid it. We must use puppets."
WrathFire God grunted. "Ah! I had forgotten. So how are we to retrieve the treasure?"
Wind God shrugged. "Perhaps it's just a meteor... not a treasure."
WrathFire God's eyes blazed. "Treasure or not, I want it!"
Wind God offered, "Then why not use the Mirror of Questions?"
WrathFire God nodded. "Yes. Let us consult the mirror!"
The gods traveled to the Mirror of Questions. Only those with divine authority could activate it. Together, they summoned their divine powers, and the mirror began to spin and glow.
WrathFire God asked in a thunderous voice:
"Has a treasure fallen from the void?!"
The mirror replied:
"No treasure."
WrathFire God growled, "Broken! This mirror is broken!" and kicked it in frustration.
Wind God calmly asked, "Did anything come from the void?"
The mirror responded:
"Yes. Something came."
WrathFire God laughed. "Ha! I knew it! My senses were correct!"
He turned to Wind God. "Ask what it was."
Wind God bowed and spoke clearly:
"What has fallen from the void?"
The mirror flickered, paused, then slowly answered:
"A person…"
[lag]
"…and treasures…"
[flicker]
…silence…
Before anyone could react, WrathFire God's rage erupted. He began furiously kicking the mirror.
"Broken! Useless mirror!"
With a final kick, the mirror shattered into glowing shards. The pieces whispered one last message:
"YoU shOuld LeArn tO sTAy StIll…"
Furious, WrathFire God barked at the other gods:
"Send me treasures, pills, and women within two days—or I will destroy your clans!"
Then, like a storm, he vanished.
Wind God and Earth God sighed. They would send treasures. Darkness would provide pills. Water Goddess… was tasked with sending young women from her clan.
As for the Light Goddess, she had already surrendered her honor. She had become the Fire God's concubine and refused to participate.
Later, back in her domain, the Goddess of Water stood in silence, her expression sorrowful.
"Why are we weak? Why is the fate of young women in my clan always to be taken… ruined… by the Fire Clan?" She sighed deeply.
God of Darkness approached her quietly. "You're still trying to break through to peak True God by overcoming your tribulation through life trials?"
She nodded. "Yes. I plan to send my consciousness into a puppet in the Lower Realm… to live as a mortal."
The God of Darkness smiled faintly. "Good. I hope you succeed. I hope you replace WrathFire and become Queen of the God Realm."
The Water Goddess smirked. "You're still loyal to the Eternal Clan, aren't you? You and I both carry secrets."
His expression darkened. "You know?"
"I know. You've been searching for the young heir of the Eternal Clan for decades."
"Yes," he admitted. "I was once a close friend of their God."
She nodded. "It's late. Let's meet again, someday."
They both returned to their respective domains.
In the Water Clan, the Goddess of Water began her trial of tribulation, sending her soul into a puppet body in the Lower Realm to live as someone new.
Meanwhile, in the sky above, Wind God stood silently, remembering the mirror's words:
"A person… and treasures…"
He narrowed his eyes. "Whoever fell… must be important."
At that moment, the God of Darkness sent a secret divine message to a powerful follower in the Lower Realm: the Dark Valley Leader, a man at the Perfect Soul Creation Middle Level. The message instructed him to search for signs of the void crack—and to locate the Eternal Clan's lost heir.
Back in the Lower Realm…
Little Life dropped off Little Water near Water Land and continued his journey.
Little Life and Little Light moved toward the Holy Light Land.
Little Earth reached Earth Land.
Little Fire and Little Dark continued their own travels, unaware of the trouble that had begun in the heavens.
To Be Continued…