The End of an Era, The Darkest Years

Above the vast World Sea, chaotic currents surged. Waves crashed past, stirring up the shattered ancient worlds buried beneath.

On a vast continent, at its center stood a divine mountain soaring into the heavens, rising from the World Sea as immortal light shone down upon it.

At the summit of the divine mountain, immortal radiance stretched for thousands of miles, dazzling the eye. A brilliant precious pearl revolved in the air, absorbing offerings of faith from every corner of heaven and earth.

Like a radiant lighthouse upon the boundless World Sea, it guided the way.

Beneath the pearl stood a grand and majestic Daoist arena, gleaming with immortal light.

Upon a plaza forged from a single block of divine stone, several thousand people sat cross-legged. Even the weakest among them possessed the cultivation of a Creation Origin Saint.

At the very front of the arena, a towering figure sat beneath the pearl. Though seated with not a trace of aura leaking from his body, he still gave off an immense oppressive force.

The Dao-Severing Immortal!

He wore a white cloud-patterned Daoist robe, his temperament otherworldly. His hands formed a Daoist seal atop his knees. His features were strikingly handsome, yet his eyes were deep and weathered, as though tempered by countless ages.

Simply by sitting there and expounding the Dao to the cultivators in the arena, the Dao aura he emitted was enough to immerse them all in enlightenment. It was clear how unfathomably profound his Dao arts were.

A long while passed.

By the time most of the cultivators in the arena had awakened, today's sermon had come to an end.

"Immortal King, the Sacred Dynasty and the Dragon Court are locked in endless conflict. When will we descend the mountain and save the world?"

An elderly man seated