Chaos gradually subsided, and the Sages bled.
By detonating part of their own Origin, the Two Sages of the West had bought a sliver of hope for survival and fled back to Spirit Mountain in disgrace.
Immediately afterward, an Edict spread throughout the Three Realms.
"From this day forth, our Western Teachings will seal our mountain and remain within, cultivating in seclusion and taking no part in worldly affairs."
When this Edict descended, many mighty beings throughout the Three Realms were shaken to their cores.
It meant that the Western Teachings, once brimming with ambition during the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation and intent on spreading Buddhist teachings eastward, had bowed their heads completely.
The disciples of the Ruined Temple had broken their spine and shattered their ambitions. They could only cower on Western Spirit Mountain, licking their wounds.
Within the Three Realms, no force dared challenge the Ruined Temple's authority any longer.
The Heavenly Court, Wuzhuang Temple, the Demon Master Palace of the North Sea, and many other supreme powers all fell silent at this moment.
An unprecedented age descended with an overbearing force.
The world called it the great stability of the mortal realm.
Peace reigned throughout the Three Realms.
Immortals and Gods returned to their stations, demons and monsters went into hiding, and strife ceased.
Yet this golden age of peace, celebrated throughout the Three Realms, was particularly glaring to certain eyes.
Guanjiangkou, Erlang Zhenjun Temple.
Dressed in white, Yang Jian stood at the temple's highest point, his hands clasped behind his back.
His gaze pierced through layer upon layer of clouds, crossed the boundless void, and fixed upon the Thirty-Three Heavens, suspended above the Nine Heavens and enduring since time immemorial.
Behind him lay the bustle of mortal life.
The power of his worshippers' incense offerings