Xiang Liu, a minister of Gonggong, had nine heads and fed upon nine mountains.
Wherever Xiang Liu passed, he dug out marshes and streams. Yu killed Xiang Liu, but its blood stank so badly that no grain could be planted there. Yu dug it out three times, three ren deep each time, and each time it collapsed. Thus, he made it into the Platform of the Many Emperors.
North of Kunlun, east of Rouli, Xiang Liu had nine heads with human faces, a snake's body, and green scales. None dared shoot northward. The platform stood to its east, square on all sides, with a tiger-colored snake at each corner, their heads facing south.
Before long, Li Qi, Zhang Zong, and Yao Ji arrived there.
There stood a statue, green in color: a mighty nine-headed male viper, its body patterned with markings.
Above the nine-headed statue, a magnificent Platform of the Many Emperors suppressed it. Countless murals were carved upon it, depicting the achievements and visages of the ancient emperors, firmly pressing down upon Xiang Liu's heads.
And around Xiang Liu's statue, there were actually gods.
Great numbers of half-human, half-snake beings lived nearby, though their way of life was most peculiar.
These half-human, half-snake beings were not ordinary mortal creatures.
They possessed the traits of Star Officials.
Star Officials in truth possessed wisdom of considerable depth and breadth.
Within the minds of these self-aware "world wills" was gathered the wisdom of every age, even of all worlds. Within their bodies was gathered the countless lives of every kind of world and every kind of individual creature.
The daily lives of these beings were filled with joy and creation, yet all of it was good, because everything they created became nourishment for the Star Officials.
The Star Officials absorbed their wisdom