When Zhang Hao and Hongjun passed through the end of the River of Time and returned to the Prehistoric World, they arrived just in time for the closing moments of this era.
On the Coast of the East Sea, the setting sun dyed the ocean a sheet of molten gold. In the distance, from the direction of Great Leiyin Temple on Spirit Mountain, bells rang nine times—the signal that the era's concluding assembly had begun.
Qin Yuan's message-transmitting Jade Talisman flared almost at the same time, and the message was only one sentence: "Come at once! The new era is about to begin!"
When Zhang Hao and Hongjun stepped into Great Leiyin Temple, every gaze in the hall turned toward them in unison.
Qin Yuan stood on the high platform, his floral shirt changed into a solemn black ceremonial robe, excited light shining in the eyes behind his gold-rimmed glasses.
"Everyone's here." He cleared his throat, his voice carrying to every corner of the hall. "By the old rules, at the end of an era, karma is settled and a new chapter begins."
He raised a hand and swept it out, and a vast star chart unfolded in the center of the great hall.
On the star chart, countless points of light flickered on and off, each one representing a Daluo Golden Immortal.
The Zenith Heaven melee was one of the oldest traditions of the Prehistoric World.
In the earliest eras, whenever one era gave way to the next, the Zenith Heavens would let loose and fight to their hearts' content.
The one who survived to the end would become the "Pangu" of the new era.
This was not the true creator who opened heaven and earth, but a symbol, a title.
Those who fell at the very start would