As the saying went, the realm, long divided, must unite; long united, it must divide. Across its provinces and commanderies, blades clashed. Soldiers gathered in their bands, generals in theirs; who could tell army from bandits? The Southern and Northern Dynasties had stood for some years when the Southern Dynasty sank into decadence and extravagance. Its princes fought and slaughtered one another, one taking the stage as another departed, throwing the court at Jianye into utter turmoil.
After Murong Chui passed away in the Northern Dynasty, the new emperor was murdered, and imperial princes again fought for the throne. The warlords of Guanzhong battled the great houses East of the Passes until heaven and earth grew dark, casting aside the natural order and human bonds like worn-out shoes.
The great houses throughout the realm trembled with fear, shaking as they attended court. These struggles at the top had not reached the common people, however, and the population recovered rapidly. At nine million households, it had almost reached the peak of the Han Dynasty's flourishing age under Xiaowen. Discerning people all guessed that All Xia would soon welcome another golden age.
In the Void Heavenly Realm, time went uncounted. Beneath a sun of unknown origin, the Peach Blossoms Forest bloomed luxuriantly. Every petal of its countless blossoms was the accumulated fortune of the Luo Clan over innumerable years, bearing a profound quality.
Pink blossoms swayed gently in the breeze, giving off a faint fragrance. Ji Lingjun walked among them as petals fluttered like butterflies, dancing through the air as though performing the graceful dances of ancient Zhou State.
Divine light filtered through the treetops, scattering dappled light and shadow beneath them. The imposing Hall of Heroes stood amid the trees, with soaring eaves and black-and-white glazed tiles. Its structure seemed stone,