Sudden Upheaval

In the mountains, there was no count of days; when the cold ended, one knew not what year it was.

Earth Immortal Realm, Eastern Victory Divine Continent, Nine Heavens Immortal Court.

Lingxiao Hall was filled with song and dance, peace and joy.

The Jade Emperor and Empress Yu sat in the hall, watching the palace maidens dance in graceful shadows as they spoke of the changing tides of the world.

"Your Majesty, have another cup!"

Empress Yu smiled sweetly as she pushed over a wine cup, her tenderness boundless.

"Good, good, good!"

The Jade Emperor laughed as well, took the cup, and drained it in one swallow. Then he grew melancholy. "After cultivating bitterly for eighty thousand years, I have only attained the Seven Calamities Realm. This Great Heavenly Venerate of mine is a title I do not deserve."

"What are you saying, Your Majesty?"

Empress Yu shook her head and consoled him. "Looking across the Earth Immortal Realm and the Four Great Continents, which immortal or deity did not cultivate bitterly for over a hundred thousand years before attaining immortal fruition? Yet Your Majesty attained the Seven Calamities fruition in merely eighty thousand years. In another hundred thousand years, you may hope to become a True Immortal. Such ability has been second to none throughout all ages!"

"Second to none?"

The Jade Emperor smiled, though an inexplicable bitterness touched his expression. "That Myriad Dao Venerable Lord..."

"..."

At those words, Empress Yu too fell silent. After a long while, she said nothing, merely sweeping her sleeve. "All of you, withdraw."

"Yes!"

The palace maidens below immediately ceased their dance and, together with the nearby attendant spirit officials, withdrew from the Hall of Spiritual Light.

Once everyone had left, only the imperial couple remained. The clamor turned cold and desolate,