The East Sea stretched endlessly beneath gentle waves, far from slaughter and strife.
Creation Divine Continent floated quietly at its heart, nurturing boundless Creation Dao Resonance. Rosy light fell across the sea, bathing it in a warm, sacred glow.
On a reef nearby, Ancestor Kirin lounged at ease.
Ever since he had broken free of the Heavenly Dao's shackles during the ancient Longhan Calamity and transcended the fate of ordinary beings, he had left worldly conflicts behind and roamed the Four Seas and Eight Wildernesses as he pleased.
Now he held a simple fishing rod in one hand, its line hanging motionless in the deep sea. With neither bait nor hook, he was not fishing. He merely sat watching the water, nurturing his ancient Dao Heart.
His mind was clear. Neither wind nor waves disturbed him. Across the entire East Sea, he alone seemed wholly at ease.
Before the fishing line could so much as tremble, the distant, weighty Xuanhuang Dao Resonance unique to Taiqing Saint descended upon the sea.
Ancestor Kirin lifted his gaze. Across the vast waters, he had already made out the supreme figure approaching on Clear Qi. A faint smile touched his lips, and his voice carried the unhurried warmth of countless years.
"What brings you here, Fellow Daoist Taiqing? A rare guest indeed."
He gently shifted the fishing rod. The sea stirred, and rosy light rippled across it.
"Since this old man broke free of heaven and earth's shackles, I've hidden away in the East Sea for countless years. You've never once set foot here. Today is a first."
By the time he finished, Taiqing Laozi had arrived above the sea, Clear Qi supporting him without letting a speck of sea spray touch him.
The foremost saint of the Daoist Sect looked calm, his weathered