Chapter 1: The Holy Lotus [r18]
*Eons after Nidhogg’s defeat, the Devourer*
*The Ragnarök Era*
The Eastern Continent of the Upper Realm remained a realm of unparalleled splendor. This celestial expanse, stretching billions of kilometers wide, extended endlessly, showcasing towering mountains whose peaks vanished into dense, luminous clouds. These clouds were no ordinary phenomenon: they were composed of immortal Qi, shimmering like jewels beneath the diffused rays of ethereal light. Around the mountains, verdant plains sprawled, adorned with mystical flowers whose translucent petals gently vibrated with an omnipresent energy.
Floating castles traversed the skies, suspended like divine works of art. These structures gleamed with golden roofs, jade pillars, and walls inlaid with precious gems. Bridges of crystalline Qi connected the floating islands, forming a complex network where cultivators could walk or fly freely. In this ethereal environment, crystalline rivers flowed silently, reflecting the iridescent sky. Some waterfalls, resembling liquid silver threads, cascaded from the celestial islands into basins nestled in the valleys below.
Amidst this splendor, cultivators soared on their swords, leaving luminous trails in the sky. These majestic figures, draped in silken robes adorned with intricate patterns, resembled immortals traversing the heavens. Their expressions were marked by serenity and focus, each striving to transcend the limits of their existence. Envied by mortals, they were the epitome of divine grace.
Millions of kilometers west of the Tao Temple lay the domain of the Ancestral Hu family, one of the most revered lineages of the Upper Realm, the lineage of the White Tiger. The domain, of breathtaking beauty, spanned hundreds of thousands of kilometers. The air was saturated with powerful, silvery Qi, so dense it occasionally formed visible waves, undulating around the buildings like celestial tides.
The domain housed majestic spiritual beasts, silent guardians of this sacred place, roaming freely in the gardens and surrounding plains. Each beast exuded an aura of overwhelming power, symbolizing the immeasurable strength of the Ancestral Hu family.
The main residence, a colossal palace of jade and white gold, stood proudly at the domain’s center. Its columns, adorned with mystical carvings, seemed to recount the family’s glorious history. The roofs were covered in shimmering tiles, and floating lanterns illuminated the corridors with a soft, soothing light. Within resided only one person: Su Sijin, the domain’s mistress, one of the rare cultivators to achieve the embodiment of law.
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