In the Peaceful Heaven Dao Palace, the Peaceful Heaven Dao Master slowly recounted the story of himself and his old friend.
They had forged their friendship as boys, then each encountered opportunities of his own.
When they met again, the Peaceful Heaven Dao Master was already an outstanding disciple of South Blossom Abbey, while Qiu Ming had become a student at the Imperial Academy in Sheng Capital.
This was a privilege afforded to members of the Qiu imperial clan.
Even descendants of collateral branches were no exception.
Meeting an old friend far from home delighted them both, now young men. Later, they rode through the streets together, braved dangers together, cultivated together, and traveled the world together, becoming friends who would entrust each other with their lives.
Later still, they parted.
One returned to the mountains to cultivate in seclusion; the other returned to the capital to serve in office.
Every three years, the two brothers would meet once.
Time hurried by, and two hundred years passed in the blink of an eye.
Peaceful Heaven had become the grand elder of South Blossom Abbey, an existence at the realm of three flowers gathered at the crown. Qiu Ming had also been adopted by the previous ruler of the Great Sheng Divine Dynasty and, after his adoptive father's death, ascended the throne, transforming into its new ruler.
He was wise and mighty, appointed the worthy and capable, and devoted himself to good governance. He also bestowed upon Peaceful Heaven the title of Imperial Preceptor of the Great Sheng Divine Dynasty.
The brothers walked forward hand in hand, determined to raise the Great Sheng Divine Dynasty to greater heights. United in heart and purpose as sovereign and minister, they created the Mingping Prosperity, and the dynasty's strength rose like the morning sun.