The square Divine Firmament chamber now resembled the entrance hall of some enormous house.
With its gates already flung open, the Divine Firmament grounds awaited their guests to enter and take their seats. Though the hosts were absent, the proper hospitality had been prepared for many years.
Naturally, as guests, they needed to change their boots here in the entrance hall, set down their rain gear, shake off the dust of travel, and preserve the etiquette due of visitors.
Perhaps one among them might receive the recognition left behind long ago and inherit this "house" that had nearly vanished into the flow of time.
This place had stood empty and silent for who knew how many years, forever gathering dust, apart from the world. Though that dust had now been swept away, the process of life returning had been interrupted by a terrifying external force... What met the eye still bore an air of desolation.
Beyond the open gates lay ancient trees and yellowing leaves, with deep woods fading into shadow.
Six winding forest paths stretched toward an unknown distance, like six mysterious rooms awaiting their choice.
They were called shaded forest paths, but there was nothing lovely about them. Withered branches lay scattered about, decaying leaves piled up and rotted, and an air of age hung heavily over everything...
After all, the Divine Firmament grounds themselves had been corroded by time into a place too cold and lonely.
Yet the bustle in this Divine Firmament chamber still far exceeded the expectations of many guests.
They did not know how many celestial demons stood guard outside the Divine Firmament Hidden Treasury, nor how many terrifying beings were present. They could only make rough judgments from their own preparations and the identities of their competitors.
And even with the inside and