And Thus an Era Fades

Wandering the endless hallways of his palace, Da Hai couldn't help but feel slightly annoyed. It was once very quiet, very isolated. A good place for him to sit by himself and do his own thing unbothered.

Nowadays, male and female servants wondered the halls performing cleaning and maintenance duties. Waste of recourses, Da Hai had formations automating the process since long ago. But Zulong had been adamant that his master receives proper care.

Da Hai felt slightly insulted as a result. But he'd also felt grateful at the gesture. It was the motive that counted. These were a gift for him and he could never turn them away.

Passing rows of bowing maids, he ignored them for the most part. It wasn't that he felt awkward, he had the pride of a lord of his stature after all. It was more like he couldn't be bothered acknowledging each and every single one of the unremarkable dragons.

"They sure are fervent," Wangshu, who was strolling beside him said. "It's surprising how fast things can change."

Da Hai gave her an odd look. "Hasn't it been a few thousand years since Zulong brought them?" He asked.

"Thousand, ten thousand, it makes no difference," the goddess said. "For beings like us, they are but a blink of an eye."

Da Hai nodded. He'd only really notice the disparages in time when he put his mind to it. Otherwise, he doesn't even feel it. It was a strange thought at first, especially for the portion of him that originated from humanity.

A single year was a long time. A person could change a lot in the span of a year. But a year to Da Hai might as well have been a minute. His sense of time was just too warped by his power level.

Without a clear direction, the two wondered until they reached a balcony overlooking the Fusang tree. The everlasting plains containing the celestial tree were dimmer than they appeared previously. It was clear the tree had lost a lot of power.

In a section like this, servants rarely wondered. The Fusang tree was too sacred, they weren't permitted in. It was the same for certain sections of Yingzhou, places Da Hai labelled for them to stay away from.

Though whether these locations were a matter for their own safety or because of an embarrassing secret was left in the open. Yi Fei'e had been one who was adamantly supporting this notion.

"So," Wangshu said watching the swing leaves of the Fusang tree. "Hungyuan Wuji Luo Golden Immortal?"

Da Hai nodded. "I'm as surprised as you. But in the spur of the moment, it just kinda happened."

"Cheh! Transcending the greatest hurdle in cultivation history and that's all you have to say?" She scoffed playfully. "I had to work my ass off searching for clues and you just go and do it."

"Not without Master Pangu I wouldn't have," Da Hai held out his hand manifesting several concepts. "This whole time, every time he spoke to me. Every time I had met him. He had been preparing me."

"Well, he is the creator god. I doubt there is much if any he doesn't know. Maybe his clairvoyance told him he should help you?" The moon goddess suggested. At the same time, she investigated the concepts in Da Hai's palm. But even with her advanced cultivation, even with her enlightenment, she was hardly able to perceive anything.

"Yet even a being like that is on the verge of death. Humbling thought, anything can die," Da Hai sighed.

"Yes, anything is susceptible to the end."

The new voice interrupted them startling both immortals. Yet Da Hai was unflinching. That was because he recognised this being.

Floating beside them, the Heavenly Cloud Gathering Sword hovered above the wooden flooring. It appeared extremely ordinary giving no sign of any significant power.

"Cosmic butterfly," Da Hai greeted. "I did not feel you retrieve yourself."

"Your guard is too lax," the ancient being within the sword breathed.

"This is Yingzhou, nothing can touch me here, not even the Heavenly Dao," Da Hai retorted. While this seemed overly arrogant, it was merely a fact. Unless a superior being at the Dao realm suddenly appeared, he was untouchable.

It seemed the sword agreed as it stayed silent. It stood with them admiring the view of the Fusang tree.

"Pangu understood many things in this world. He understood more than any other he would die but still continued on with it. It was perhaps the worst choice he'd ever made. A skilled warrior he was, but a cunning schemer he wasn't" the sword said after a while.

"But he banked on you. You were the only living being to find him. Hence he staked everything on you. For someone like him, even a single word had much more meaning than you would think," he continued.

"I was too weak at the time," Da Hai nodded remembering his first encounter with Pangu. "My enlightenment was not enough to understand. Only at this realm now, can I truly picture how powerful he would've been at his prime."

"My brother in arms had long ago fulfilled all prerequisites to ascend to the Dao realm. But he'd always carried with him a fear, a fear that his road would end. He tried everything to prolong it, enhancing his combat ability, his knowledge on all aspects of life, and his own foundation. After many chaos cycles, he'd reached a point where he knew everything. Not even his greatest competitors could stop him anymore," the sword sighed. "I wish I could've helped him more."

"Dao, the end of cultivation," Wangshu mused. "I can't say I understand."

"Not many did moon god," the sword said.

"You're being awfully chatty today," Da Hai said in amusement. For the longest time, the sword stayed silent. It had never spoken to him or anybody for that matter. In fact, Da Hai wasn't sure it could speak so freely like this.

"Hm? Ah! I was distracted," the sword appeared slightly flustered. If it had a face, it probably would've blushed pink.

It was then that Da Hai realised a bit about its personality. The cosmic butterfly was the type to easily get distracted and begin rambling. He'd easily derail from his initial arguments.

"You did an incredibly stupid and reckless thing," it said. "Offending the Heavenly Dao like that? Reckless, too reckless."

"I told Pangu before hand, he didn't have anything against it. In fact, you didn't speak up when I told him," Da Hai criticised.

"I misjudged the Heavenly Dao like you. I think Pangu did too," it sighed. "But now we are at an impasse. You can neither fulfil your own goal nor Pangu's wishes."

"Was that all you had to say?" Da Hai said frowning. Being reminded of his own failure hurt. Especially now that he was essentially under house arrest.

"I…hai, what's done is done. I am just a little frustrated with you. Do what you must," the cosmic butterfly said before fading away. The Heavenly Cloud Gathering Sword stayed floating before returning to its sheath.

"At the end, even the strength of Limitless Supreme was not enough. I still have much improvements to do. The key principles I learned were just one among many," Da Hai said. "I didn't want to, but it would seem venturing into the Chaos Sea may be necessary."

Directionless and confusing, the Chaos Sea was a place easy to get lost in. He could walk in and not find his way home for millions, billions, even trillions of years. He was not like Pangu during his youth when he had no home and wandered endlessly. He had a life here, family, and responsibilities.

"Da Hai," Wangshu spoke up. "Since you are not able to enter the Primitive World. I can be your proxy in the meantime."

"You sure? I have already asked too much of you in the past. Getting involved in my business can spell doom for you Moon Star Lord."

"I am already too heavily involved Sea Suppression Heavenly Lord."

Da Hai starred at his longtime friend for a long while.

"You'll need the strength of the Limitless Supreme realm as well," he said. Wangshu nodded in agreement.

"The Moon Demon God had some clues and I was able to make some progress. But in truth, she was just as clueless as the rest of us."

"Doesn't matter, I have already stepped into this realm. I shall guide you there as well."

Wangshu smirked in response. "Very well, when do we get started."

…

The west continent was in disarray even after thirteen thousand years. The barren lands were shaken to their core and the very earth bled.

"The power of Wuji," Luohu mused in fascination. He floated above the massive ravine leading from the dimensional walls all the way to Mt Sumeru. A remnant of Da Hai's attack.

"So similar to the remnant in Tai Chu temple, but much fresher," he breathed in the rich air of primordial qi. The wondrous chaotic concepts left behind were a fascinating feeling.

Luohu wasn't angry. Rather, he was excited. He had already been aware of many Wuji secrets prior to this. But seeing one first hand was a completely different experience.

Pangu's blow had come too fast and the gap between them too large. He died before realising much. But Da Hai, while massively above the current him, wasn't beyond the realm of possibility.

Already, he had gained much in his short exchange with the eastern sea god.

"Back here again?" Mara called out from behind him. He was accompanied by the hooded form of Hundun. Both immortals were incredibly powerful, the latter had already returned to his peak while the former was comparable.

"Mara, Hundun," Luohu greeted with a bright smile. "Here to enjoy the gift our foe left us?"

"Gift? You consider this a gift? You were maimed!" Mara blustered in shock. "Hundun, why are you not angrier. Our leader nearly died."

The hooded immortal shook his head but otherwise stayed silent.

"You agree with him?" The Demon King of the Sixth Heaven said in disbelief.

"In the pursuit of the Dao, all paths are valid," Luohu said. "Use any and all things. The Dao is hard and confusing, so any resource should be utilised to its fullest. Mara my friend, this is the most promising breakthrough we've had in years."

"You put chasing the Dao above your own life?"

"A Deva like you won't understand, our philosophies are simply too different," Hundun said from beside his contemporary. "No matter how entwined they've become, some fundamentals won't change."

Mara narrowed his eyes at Hundun. He turned back to Luohu, "You should return to Mt Sumeru, the management team is getting restless."

"I thought they were doing an adequate job? What's his name was running the sect well enough when I left, what was his name again? Love heart or something?"

"Heart Devil," Mara confirmed. "But it would be better if the Devil himself shows his face. We lost a lot of manpower and having you present will do well in encouraging more youths to join."

He took a moment to pause. "Though it would be even better if you'll consider lowering the barrier of entry a bit."

"Out of the question. I have no use for useless weak Daos," Luohu sneered.

"Some may only blossom at latter stages of life," Mara stated. "Most of the management team seems to agree. Brother, at least consider it?"

"Demon King's words hold merit," Hundun said surprising both devil gods. "Of course, not everyone should be allowed in. But lowering the difficulty of trials may do well to restore our influence."

"I'm surprised you're speaking up Hundun, you don't normally share your thoughts on anything," Luohu said suspiciously.

"I serve those most dedicated to the path of the godfiend," Hundun deflected. "Right now, Demon King's suggestions are beneficial to you, my master."

"Very well, I'll think on it," Luohu nodded after some deliberation. He touched his naval and connected with the thousands of Daos flowing through him. "Not enough, too many aspects of existence are still lacking."

A core fundamental of his path was that all things originate from him. Only one devil can exist at any possible time and all things exist solely to benefit him. The more Daos created from his scripture, the more advanced he'd become.

As the Ancestral Devil, he was the origin and culmination. Hence the more Daos present the better his progress. But the quality of Daos also had to be top notch as well.

At the same time, having low quality but large quantity wouldn't be a loss. There will be no gains but he won't lose.

Luohu looked back at the ravine in thought. "That Heart Devil kid has been doing a good job right? Let him handle things at the recruit's side. If it can get us more defined Daos then it'll be worth it."

…

"The world moved on. The recent string of natural disasters has already faded into the history books as the years went by. A hundred twenty nine thousand six hundred years passed since the end of Shinny's war. Another yuanhui had came and went."

"It all happened so fast yet it was a long period of time brother. My disciples, your nephews, they've all grown up into their own. Their destinies are just beginning still, yet they've already achieved so much."

"Whereas an old fart like me? I failed. I failed so many times. I was too blinded and I couldn't realise the truth until much later. Though thankfully I managed to salvage things somewhat."

"I'm sorry for being unable to properly visit you. Unfortunately, I can not enter the wider world freely anymore. But I sent Wangshu to your cave with some incense, I hope you won't mind."

"I miss you…There was so much I wanted to share with you. Did you know I was the first in our history to break into Limitless Supreme Chaos Immortal since ancestor Tai Chu? Amazing right?"

"I wish you were still here, it's been so long yet the wound still feels fresh. You told me all those years ago that eternity was like a blink of an eye. Time was nothing in comparison to our lives. That couldn't be more true than now. Had I been a mortal human, I would've seen civilizations beginning to collapse many times over. Yet the eons feel like mere hours."

"Thank you Huoyun, for all that you did for me back then. I could never express my thanks in time. But I swear, your death won't be in vain."

Da Hai stood from the small shrine he'd been sitting before. His legs uncrossed as he stood up. "Until next time my friend."