A hundred thousand years passed in the blink of an eye. Above Xia Capital, the heavens suddenly changed.
Auspicious clouds gathered from all directions, transforming into ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine tiers of cloud steps. Golden light descended from the Nine Heavens, paving a heavenly path that spanned Grand Unity Heaven.
Amid the interweaving radiance, the Heavenly Emperor's carriage slowly descended from the highest heavens.
Nine ancient Lightning Dragons pulled the carriage, their roars intertwining with the chime of carriage bells into a solemn melody.
Don't ask where the ancient Lightning Dragons came from. Just know that they had all volunteered.
The accompanying immortal officials and Divine Generals stood in ranks on either side, eighty-four thousand in total. Holding sun-and-moon banners and starry ceremonial regalia, they illuminated half the skies of the Prehistoric Universe with dazzling splendor.
Li Fan sat upon his throne, clad in a robe of sun, moon, and stars. His gaze fell upon Xia Capital, where the myriad people of the human race were reflected in his eyes.
"Da Yu, receive your investiture."
As those four words rang out, the Heaven and Earth Laws trembled.
Li Fan raised a hand and pressed downward. The authority of the Heavenly Emperor manifested, and an immense Dharma Form of the Heavenly Emperor suddenly appeared above the altar, suppressing all ages—its eyes like sun and moon, its hair transformed into a Star River, its breath becoming wind and clouds.
"Da Yu controlled the floods and stabilized the Nine Provinces. His merit is resplendent!" Li Fan's voice echoed in layered waves:
"Today, I appoint you the Lower Origin Third-Rank Water Official Great Emperor of Cave Yin, Dispeller of Calamities. You shall stand among the honored True Gods of the Eight Divisions of the Heavenly Court, governing all rivers, lakes, and waters