The Virtuous Heavenly Venerable (Monthly Votes and Subscriptions Appreciated)

Above the thirty-three heavens lay a realm of immortals. Celestial birds wheeled, spirit springs bubbled up, immortal herbs grew everywhere, and immortal flowers bloomed at every turn.

They surrounded a perfectly ordinary Palace. Three perfectly ordinary characters were written above its doors, and a perfectly ordinary Heavenly Emperor stood at its entrance...

Meng Chuan looked at the Tusita Palace, momentarily lost for words.

He was just a weak, helpless, pitiful Great Emperor. Why did he have to face something like this?

How strong could I possibly be? I'd crumple at the first blow!

Meng Chuan stood at the entrance to the Tusita Palace, hesitating. It wasn't that he was unsure whether to go in. He'd already been brought here, so there was no escaping. Besides, why would he run? He'd expected this!

He was wondering what to say once he went inside.

Hey, Old Lord, eaten yet?

Meng Chuan shook his head inwardly. No, no. Say that, and I might get thrown to the ox.

Well, well! Heavenly Venerable, refining pills?

No, no. I might end up being refined into a pill myself.

Meng Chuan stood at the door, his expression shifting. When it came down to it, now that the moment was truly upon him, his thoughts were in turmoil.

Who was inside? The Virtuous Heavenly Venerable! He had been born on the Other Shore and was one of its most terrifying beings! In Shrouding the Heavens, this would be like Meng Chuan, who had yet to become an Immortal, facing an Immortal Emperor—or even someone more terrifying!

Creak!

The Palace door was pushed open from within, making a sound just like an ordinary door.

A boy in golden robes poked his head out. He sized Meng Chuan up, then looked around. There was no one else here, so