Chapter Sixty-Six: The Hall of the Gods

“Gods, rise.”

A grand and solemn divine proclamation resounded, as majestic as the sun in the heavens, illuminating the primeval world and radiating an endless, awe-inspiring golden light that compelled all living beings to feel reverence in their hearts. By Naluo’s own strength, such a proclamation could never have echoed across the vast wilderness. Yet, with the boundless fortune of the Gods backing him, Naluo’s declaration spread like sunlight throughout the world in an instant.

Countless beings—whether cultivating, fighting, or resting—suddenly heard the majestic, sacred voice in their ears: “Gods, rise.” In their minds, a wondrous vision appeared: the Gods’ infinite golden sea of fortune and the thirteen Godkings draped in resplendent light.

In the Dragon Palace of the Eastern Sea, the Ancestral Dragon, deep in cultivation, was startled by the proclamation of the Gods’ founding. His golden dragon eyes snapped open, gaze icy as he looked toward Buzhou Mountain and muttered, “It has begun.”

In the Southern Wilds, atop Titan Mountain among the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, Titan stood gazing into the distance toward Buzhou Mountain, his eyes flickering as he rumbled, “At last, they have emerged!”

In the Western Wilds, the azure sky, verdant earth, and heaving seas had all transformed into a blood-soaked domain of slaughter, filled with an endless, crimson aura of carnage. The entire Western Wilds was now a vast, absolute realm of killing, where the savage beasts ruled supreme.

Within a towering palace of blood crystal, a crimson figure sat upon a throne of blood, beneath which lay endless bones of the fallen. The figure slowly opened a pair of pure blood-red eyes, gazed toward Buzhou Mountain, listened to the sacred voice echoing in his ears, and revealed a chilling smile: “Our eternal nemesis has arrived.”

With the founding of the Gods, turbulent winds and hidden currents began to surge throughout the world.

...

At Buzhou Mountain, boundless rainbow auspicious clouds suddenly gathered from all directions, rolling like waves toward the sea of fortune of the Gods. In an instant, the land was adorned with endless, sacred, golden lotuses sprouting from the earth, soaring skyward toward the golden sea of the Gods’ fortune.

Roars and cries resounded: dragons sang, phoenixes called, lions and tigers roared. Divine beasts of fortune appeared everywhere, from the most powerful dragons and phoenixes to the humblest cattle and sheep, all radiating holy golden light. With delight, they danced around the golden sea, celebrating the birth of the Gods.

“Praise the Gods, who descend upon the world!”
“Praise the pantheon, whose holy light shines on all!”

One after another, radiant figures of gods and demons manifested from thin air, encircling the golden sea of fortune and singing hymns of praise. Majestic sacred music echoed across the heavens and earth, displaying to the world the greatness and sanctity of the Gods.

...

“Auspicious clouds descend from the heavens.”
“Golden lotuses well up from the earth.”
“All races offer tribute.”
“All gods sing hymns.”
“Holy light illuminates all.”
“Fragrance fills the void.”
“Supreme awe over all beings.”

The Candle Dragon could not help but inhale the exotic fragrance wafting through the air, his dazzling golden eyes wide as he stared in astonishment at the miraculous omens heralding the birth of the Gods. The Lion Clan’s Grand Elder Shixiong, the Phoenix Clan’s Grand Elder Fenghuang, the Titan Clan’s Grand Priest Taishan, the Qilin Clan’s Grand Elder Qilinhou, and many others all looked on in terror at the countless wonders accompanying the Gods’ emergence.

Even the mightiest of the myriad clans, such as the Dragons, could only summon omens like “All beasts prostrate,” “Auspicious clouds descend,” “Golden lotuses well up,” and “Fragrance fills the void” at their birth. Yet the Gods, with only thirteen Godkings and no foundation, could command so many omens and such immense fortune—truly terrifying potential!

“The destiny of the world is about to change!”

The Grand Elders of the various races, here to witness the ceremony, looked upon the thirteen Godkings shrouded in divine light, and this same thought emerged unbidden in their hearts.

Yet, these myriad wonders were not what most terrified the elders. After all, omens meant only that the Gods held boundless potential, not that their current power would force all races into submission.

But now, all would witness an unprecedented marvel—one to be recorded in history—and come to grasp the true meaning of a “race chosen by the heavens.”

Above, the endless sea of rainbow clouds suddenly parted, revealing a narrow rift. Naluo, who was most attuned to the fortune of the Gods and the changes around them, immediately sensed this small opening as he was comprehending the laws through the Gods’ fortune.

With the founding of the Gods, the vast fortune generated reduced the difficulty of comprehending the world’s laws. This was the perfect opportunity for the Gods to deepen their understanding, advance their cultivation, and stabilize their realms. None of the deities would let such a chance slip by, so all threw themselves into enlightenment.

The powerful representatives of the other great forces could only watch helplessly as the deities of the Gods improved, unable to partake in the fortune themselves. Of course, if they did not mind forming karmic ties with the Gods, and if the Gods were willing to share their fortune, they too might have benefited. But who would choose to risk forming such an immense bond with the Gods for a mere boost in cultivation?

If one could not resolve that bond, there were only two outcomes: join the Gods or face annihilation. Who among them would submit? Given the current strength of the Gods, refusal would mean certain destruction.

As the rift widened, not only the deities but even the representatives of the great powers could clearly see it.

“What is that rift?”

“Not only is it invisible to divine sight, even our divine senses cannot pierce it.”

“Is something wrong with the Gods?”

“We need only wait and see.”

The leaders of the great powers discussed among themselves, their tone full of ill-will as they speculated that something might have gone awry with the Gods, though they knew it was unlikely.

The deities, lacking strength and fortune, could not discern the nature of the rift, and their anxiety grew, prompting them to ask Naluo for reassurance. Though they knew that the Gods, chosen by fate, would not suffer harm, unease still gnawed at their hearts—for the fate of the deities was bound to that of the Gods.

Naluo, channeling the power of the Gods’ fortune into his golden eyes, gazed intently into the depths of the rift, catching a glimpse of endless holy golden light beyond. Seeing this, Naluo’s heart settled.

“Friends, this rift is nothing but a blessing. There is no need for concern. Watch and wait.”

Naluo spoke directly to the deities’ minds, calming their fears. Unable to do otherwise, they steadied their agitated hearts, continued to comprehend the laws, and focused a sliver of their attention on the rift.

The rift grew ever larger, expanding from a hairline crack to a black hole spanning thousands of miles.

Boom!

Endless golden light burst forth from the void, illuminating the world. The miraculous omens around the Gods’ golden sea of fortune, which had begun to subside, now flared to life once more with the eruption of golden light.

“What is happening?”

“I don’t know, but I have a bad feeling.”

“What trick are the Gods playing now?”

The representatives of the great powers, seeing the omens become more intense with the golden light, guessed the Gods were about to receive another gift, and cursed inwardly.

A vast, solemn sacred chant gradually emanated from the portal of light. The phantoms of myriad gods and beasts all bowed toward the light. All beings below the rank of Godking could not help but bow in worship. Even Naluo, a Primordial Godking, felt a compulsion to bow, though he forcefully suppressed it.

The golden light from the portal grew ever stronger, its power ever more oppressive. Even Destiny Godking, newly ascended, could not resist and bent in worship.

In all the heavens and earth, the only one still standing was Naluo.

As even Naluo neared the breaking point beneath the overwhelming pressure, the being within the portal finally emerged into the world.

Amidst the boundless golden light, a magnificent, ancient, and resplendent golden palace appeared, radiant and solemn. Upon it were inscribed three divine characters: “Hall of the Gods.” It floated above the world, gazing down upon all beings.