Tranquil, beautiful, and full of resonating songs of the Three Thousand Great Dao Laws. The garden of Mystic Ascent Hall was devoid of life aside from three individuals. Two mighty cultivators and a disciple serving them tea.

As was customary of masters and their disciples, the latter performed such acts no matter how high their attainments. Even if the disciple serving tea was already a highly respected elder of the sect.

"You really have outdone yourself huh? You old dog." The guest to Mystic Ascent Hall, an elderly immortal named Great Gust Immortal Lord Fu appeared amused.

His opposition, the hallmaster of Mystic Ascent Hall shook his head. "A small matter. I only perform as was expected of me from my predecessors."

"Do not sell yourself short. Not many losses the capabilities to hide from the eyes of the court. Even fewer has the balls to try," Immortal Lord Fu assured him.

"To think that after all these years, we are finally seeing success."

The disciple eyed the elderly man quietly. But otherwise, he stepped back presenting as little presence as possible. His master meanwhile sipped calmly from his tea, hiding his own pride.

"Only goes to show the incompetence of the Jade Emperor. His lack of foresight to us in the lower realm has finally caught up to him." Mystic Ascent Hall's hallmaster felt disdainful towards the heavens.

"The humiliation from three million years ago can finally be avenged. The works of generations of us lowly immortals will not go to waste. Oh if only master was here to witness," he said sadly.

"I understand, I miss junior sister too," Immortal Lord Fu drank to her memory. "But we mustn't be complacent. The Jade Emperor still has many powerful personnel."

"I know that senior," the hallmaster said defensively. "However, I have made strides to insert my own agents."

"I reminded the Gongsun clan of the same thing. Gongsun Yeyang is becoming too impatient," Immortal Lord Fu sighed.

"Patriarch Gongsun has good reason to be considering the history of his bloodline. But rest assured, as long as we all do our part, toppling the Heavenly Court is a matter of time."

At the declaration, the hallmaster's disciple at the back gasped. The two old monsters speaking were ancient from his perspective. Yet the Heavenly Court was an even older monolithic entity.

Their grasp on reality could be felt from all corners of the trichiliocosm. An unbroken rule from man declared first beneath saints. And along with that grasp, the suppression of numerous sects who did not comply.

"I will not bother you any further then. We shall next meet at the Young Heroes meet. I'd love to see what kind of young dragons or phoenixes your sect has raised."

"Of course of course. Go slower."

Dragons and phoenixes did not referred to the literal species. Heaven knows the former was a dog for the court while the latter was so rare, they might as well not exist. It was just a metaphor for young talents.

But hidden beneath the surface, this event was an excuse for the powers in their little club to meet without drawing suspicion.

Mystic Ascendent Hallmaster's disciple saw through this without any explanation needed.

"Little Wei, do you think your master foolish?" The hallmaster asked the disciple. "Speak your true thoughts, I won't hold anything against you."

The disciple named Wei stood alongside his master and sighed. "In my youth, my clan discovered the existence of an ancient artefact passed down from the primordial era. We practised the encrypted technique, and rose to great heights, generating the first golden immortal in our lineage.

"We had no idea that artefact belonged to a taboo order. And no matter our explanation, the dogs of the court would not have it. My brothers, sisters, parents were all put to the sword. It wasn't even a fair fight. I understand the pressure of the court more than any other.

"So believe me when I say, I think what you're planning with the other seniors to be utterly foolish."

The hallmaster was not angry. Yet he sent an annoyed glance towards his disciple. "You fear them too much."

"Of course, I witnessed their power up close. Zenith Heaven Golden Immortals are abundant among the gods," Wei said.

In the olden days, to describe the desire for sainthood, Saint to Be was the common name for that realm. But in the modern, more realistic thinking age, that desire had been let go.

The pinnacle of Immortals, Zenith Heaven was popularized instead.

"As do we," the hallmaster smirked. He was also one of the many cultivators born in the wake of the Heavenly Court's conquest, who had obtained that realm. "And so would you soon enough."

The hallmaster began trekking back to his home. "The court has grown lax in their position. They turn a blind eye to things they consider small, and this builds up. The rest of us however? We take advantage of their weakness to restore what rightfully was."

He spoke in a depressed way as he recalled. "Did you know? Once upon a time, people from all walks of life could seek the Dao in their own way. The Heavenly Venerable of Numinous Treasure did not care what background or what method I would chose. The Heavenly Venerable of Primordial Beginnings did not lord over living beings with his kingly authority.

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"In the bygone era, the bald donkeys of the western heaven would not dare preach in the space of the Dao. And under the Yellow Emperor, greatest of humans, no foul demons would dare cause trouble.

"The Jade Emperor sold himself as the restorer of peace. But what he really is, is a power hungry ambitious grasping fool. His tyranny over us, immortal cultivators of the Dao, is his attempt at remaining in power.

"And it is our responsibility, as descendants of great heroes butchered in the name of that so called, 'celestial order,' to return the world to its natural order."

The hallmaster happily spread his arms wide. "In that regard, we've already been at work for millions of years. Why do you think I sent your junior brother to Mt Tai?, why do you think I sent your uncle master to the Northweb alps? Why do you think I dispatched you to investigate those ancient ruins?"

"Masterful planning over generations while the heavenly gods relax in their powerful positions," Wei nodded in understanding. "Now that I hear from your perspective, these missions makes so much sense."

"You were always wise beyond your years. That's why only you could succeed me as hallmaster. In the event I don't survive, this sect will be safe with you," the hallmaster said.

"Now come, I must host an elder's meeting. We will select our best and brightest for the Young Heroes Meet. And you will accompany me to meet the other bigwigs of orthodox Daoism."

…

In the middle of a busy city, particularly in the commercial district where a small restaurant served dinner. A burly man enjoyed a bowl of wanton at the cusp of midnight.

Owned by a chubby blind man referred to as fatty Jiang, the Happy Dance was a staple for hungry civilians after a long days work.

In most cities of this lower realm, cultivators were rare. They were strictly controlled by martial families, or traveled beyond the secular world. Much of their feats ended up being exaggerated stories.

"Here's your second serving," the fat owner said.

The man happily accepted the hospitality. He complimented the taste while chatting with the owner.

"So then, what does an esteemed heavenly gods want with little old me?" Fatty Jiang asked.

"Exposed that quick huh?" The burly man chuckled. "As expected of the Ancestral Divinity, great Di Jiang."

"I've stopped being Di Jiang a long time ago. I'm not part of the politics of you gods and sects. Haotian agreed to leave me be." turned his back to the god to place to tend to his kitchen.

"His majesty was most kind in sparing the divinities from hardship. But onto business," the burly man said. "I'm sure you're aware this planet will be the site for the United Dao alliance's Young Heroes Meet."

"I'd be blind to miss it considering that, what's it called sect locked down the entire minor chiliocosm. Happens every thousand years, nothing new. But it's got nothing to do with the secular world where I reside."

"It doesn't, and I'm not here to drag you into anything. But his majesty has requested me to warn you beforehand that an armada from the court will arrive as well," the burly man said.

"I see," Di Jiang replied rather uneasily. "However, despite my isolation, I do know you specifically by reputation. There are no devils nor aspiring devil cultivators within this chiliocosm."

The burly man smiled . "Not yet at least. In the meantime, I and my colleagues shall stay in this city and apply my protection. In case any calamities spill over. You are free to join me."

"I'll think about it."

"Master! Master!" A youth called out, catching the attention of both people. He ran up to the restaurant huffing for breath.

He was flushed, evidently excited about something. There was a strong aura around him, showcasing clean meridians and a reinforced body.

"I did just as you advised, master. I feel so much stronger now. My qi sea feels like it's bursting open."

The burly man hummed with consideration at the youth. He was addressing Di Jiang, showing him a level of respect any normal person not in the know, should not posses.

"This aura, he's initiated the True Essence of Chaos Manuel?" The burly man praises. Then he frowned towards Di Jiang.

"That method is a slippery slope. Promotes a brutal mentality. I'm sure you remember the last person you passed it onto and what he decided to do."

"I am aware. And don't get it twisted, I'm not the kid's master, I just helped him out when he had a tough time," Di Jiang said in assurance. "I know the divine laws of Haotian's Celestial Order."

"See that he learns."

The burly man turned to the flushed youth and handed him a booklet. "Since you're stepping into the path of immortal cultivation, there are laws set by the Heavenly Court. Memorise them and never break them."

Then he vanished, startling the confused youth.

"Master…who was?"

"Someone you do not want to cross. Listen to his advice kid. There are taboos in this universe that must never be uncovered less you want to suffer the wrath of the gods.

…

"What?"

Da Hai tilted his head with incomprehension. It wasn't like Yurlunggur spoke in a language he couldn't understand. Nor was it because some form of memory erasure. Not even some spell silencing him as he spoke.

Da Hai just didn't understand what the rainbow serpent just said. No matter how much his cultivation flexed, no matter how vast his Dao became. He just couldn't comprehend what was spoken.

"Excuse me, repeat that please."

"Sure, it's…" what the rainbow serpent said next ended up just as incomprehensible.

No clarification could help, no translating the language to something better could help. In fact, Da Hai could understand every word in all context.

But arranged in what Yurlunggur was saying, no meaning was divulged. Da Hai physically could not understand what he was saying.

The sea serpent gasped, unable to fathom how this was possible. Yet Yurlunggur leaned back with amusement, as if expecting this result.

"It's just the way things are. Because unless you yourself come to the realisation, you will never understand it," the rainbow serpent shrugged.

"That's not…is it some form of taboo? A Dao realm being who's sealed the knowledge? Or the Grand Dao itself?"

"Hahahahahaaha," the rainbow serpent bursted out laughing as Da Hai finished his sentence. "Hardly."

"I once thought the same, but I've learned better. It's just not something told. Not unless I'm speaking to someone who's also figured it out," he sighed.

Da Hai gripped his knuckles in anger. Calming himself, he thought about his missing disciple and the discovery of this final step.

"Did Surt know?"

"He'd have broken through if he figured it out," Yurlunggur revealed. "This tree, the knowledge it stored. Odin and Surt were just among the few who came hoping to illuminate themselves.

"Your own disciple likely thought the same. Everyone chasing the omnipotent realm will eventually find themselves stuck. Pangu, Zagreus, Khaos, Ra, Taichu, Lin Feng, list goes on and on.

"Turns out, as long as you accept this one little fact. That's all you need to take the next step. How…" he stopped himself from finishing the sentence. Yet he clearly held it in disdain.

"And how did you figure it out? For that matter, why haven't you broken through?" Da Hai asked directly. From start till now, he knew in terms of cultivation, that he wasn't inferior than Yurlunggur despite the enormous age difference.

"Accepting and learning are two entirely different things. If obtaining that realm means accepting that fact? Then I'd rather not at all."

Da Hai felt the serpent became useless after revealing that. He abstained from antagonising him, however.

"Like I said, your disciples would probably be on the look out for it. That is, if he realized there's something to learn first. Not many know in the first place. If you want to reach it, you would do the same as well."

"And you? Do you as a cultivator not yearn for it too?" Da Hai asked suspiciously.

"Nowadays? Not particularly. I do as I please, and I'm not bothered. You on the other hand? You don't truly care either do you?" Yurlunggur scrutinized him. "Or at the very least, not fully committed.

"Though if you chase your missing disciple, who is on this path. Then you are also on this path. Best of luck then. You'd need it if these angels keep pestering cultivators like us."

The topic of angels soured Da Hai. The ones he encountered were manageable, but there were likely more. From Yurlunggur's reaction, it was more horrifying than reassuring.

"You might wanna contact Zagreus's family if you're in need of direction," Yurlunggur suggested. "Before we parted ways, Pangu went on an expedition with Ouranos. Pangu was halfway to breaking through by the end of it."

"Would Zulong have traveled there too?"

"Who knows. Pangu might've told Surt, might've not. They knew each other but weren't close. More like enemies. Hothead's held a grudge ever since his embarrassing defeat. Since your disciple fought him, some information might've been shared. It's all conjecture in the end."

Da Hai considered it. "Why tell me this? What do you have to gain exactly?" After all, it wasn't too long ago where they tried to kill each other.

Yurlunggur shook his head. "I liked Pangu, you're related to him. I don't mind sharing some advice. Bedsides, you seem…lost."

"Thank you," Da Hai said slowly, not expecting the kindness. "I'll repay you."

"No," Yurlunggur immediately denied. "Don't cheapen kindness with such needless acts."

"Then this is my kindness to you." Da spat out a stone rich with vitality. Its existence was also wrapped in a layer of illusions. This was a piece of Yingzhou, which now resided as a part of Da Hai's body.

Coming to a mutual understanding, the two parted ways. While Da Hai exited Yggdrasil, Yurlunggur stayed to ponder on the Chaos Worlds attached to the tree.

"Oh what am I going to do with you all?" He murmured.

"I'm going to be a bird! I'm going to be a bird!"

He turned his head, witnessing a man flapping his hand as if they were feathered wings.

"No. You are a man. Let me teach you," Yurlunggur said as he entered that particular Chaos World.

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