Eastern Wasteland.
Heavenly Sun Divine Sect.
Blessed land.
Immortal herbs and jade flowers vied in splendor, divine blossoms danced upon the wind.
Within this vast and tranquil world stood a supreme divine tree, as though it held the world itself aloft.
Immortal down drifted through the air, myths intertwined.
A golden-red beast eye lit up within the deep and ancient divine tree.
The golden eye bathed in fire, like a divine fruit blooming within the grand cosmos of heaven and earth.
"Yield." The Golden-Eyed Phoenix's voice was weathered and ancient, as though it had crossed time and space from the distant primordial age.
Back then, there had been no distinction between gods and immortals. All creatures beneath frost-covered skies contended for freedom. The figure of myth spread his wings and arrived, bare feet stepping through the void as he slowly emerged amid golden feathers and shooting stars.
Beneath the tree.
A Daoist stood with his hands behind his back.
He looked up at the ancient tree.
After a long while.
He said in a low voice, "I don't understand."
The shadow of the Great Dao stood tall and straight, declaring, "Since I stepped out of the Six Heavens Bodhi Great Realm, carrying the scriptures eastward, wielding the three thousand Jambu Dharma arts to drive the Demon King back at the Heavenly Abyss, unifying the three teachings, and turning back time to glimpse the Demon Buddha, 'he' will be resurrected before long. I will continue eastward, pacify the Eastern Wasteland, take command of the Demon Abyss, and level all within and without."
"Every step of my plan has been solid."
"Even ancient emperors and Infinite Venerables do not concern me."
"Why did I have to lose because of this man?"
"It is as though this journey is fated to be fraught