The Past.

The Palais of the Polestar, like a bright pearl suspended at the pinnacle of the Three Realms, radiates with golden light. Its glazed tiles shimmer brilliantly, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship, and the flying eaves resemble divine birds on the brink of taking flight, exuding endless majesty and solemnity.

It was the gathering place of the Gods’ Glory and the majestic symbol of order and tranquility in the Three Realms.

But now, catastrophic disasters raged through like a turbulent storm, leaving behind only a scene of ruin and decay.

Looking around, the Lingxiao Land feels like the remains of an ancient battlefield, worn and battered by the passage of time, with crumbling walls and remnants strewn in chaotic disarray.

The broken stone pillars stand like inverted broken swords in the ground. The runes carved into them have grown blurred, akin to memories slowly erased by time.

Some have been scorched by demon flames, leaving only charred scars, telling tales of past fierce battles.

The once magnificent dome of the halls and pavilions has collapsed mostly, with shards of bricks and stones heaped in disarray, dust lingering in the silent air. Every breath of wind stirs them into drifting, a silent sigh from this desolate land.

Xu Wendong stands amidst it all, stepping on the once-flourishing, now battle-scarred bricks.

Though he regained this former Holy Land through fearless courage, his heart feels as if an autumn wind sweeps through a barren field, stirring an unspeakable sigh.

"Sigh..." The Dragon Soul’s deep and weighty sigh, bearing the years’ passage, gently breaks the surrounding silence: "The return of the otherworldly demons is merely a matter of time."

"For now, it is crucial to repair that rift, to prevent the otherworldly demons from continuing to invade the Three Realms, cutting off their intention to drive straight in again."

The Dragon Soul paused: "Furthermore, it is necessary to find those Celestial Gods scattered in Samsara, helping them to break through the illusions of this world, awaken the sealed memories of their past lives, and rekindle the power of the gods."

"As long as the gods return to their place, akin to gathering an entire elite force on the chessboard for our side."

"By then, even if the otherworldly demons’ malevolent intentions persist and they return with stormy aggression, we could wait and leisurely respond, firmly maintaining the peace of the Three Realms, re-animating the past glorious scene."

Xu Wendong nodded solemnly: "Then, may I trouble Lord Long to lead me to the rift!"

"Alright."

As the Dragon Soul responded, spiritual brilliance burst forth from its body, akin to the first ray of dawn that pierces through the clouds, dazzling and eye-catching. Then, its form wavered, transforming into a concentrated, pure beam of white light that poured out from Xu Wendong’s body.

In the instant of its appearance, it was as if a galaxy hung upside down, with brilliant light unfolding around, like moonlight pouring down, its silvery white glow filling the eyes.

The true form of the Dragon Soul, sinuous like a dragon’s body descending to the world, was long and agile.

Its scales were dense like shark silk, each one glimmering with a cold, ethereal light, resembling fragments of stars embedded on it, forming mysterious and unpredictable patterns, flowing with an ancient, far-reaching rhythm, with its body’s movement, in the brilliance’s flicker, like runes writing the secret language of Heaven and Earth.

The dragon’s whiskers floated, as fine as silk yet strong and powerful, distinctly clear, with the tips slightly raised, resembling silver threads dancing in the wind. Each sway stirred the spiritual energy of the sky, making the surrounding space ripple subtly, as if quietly conversing with the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power.

Its dragon horns were rugged, resembling ancient pine trees breaking through the earth, their sharp tips pointing straight to the sky, the horns engraved with archaic floral designs, marks carved by both the ages and mysterious power, under the glare, ancient stories seemed to unfold slowly on them, telling tales of past glories.

Its eyes were like deep, cold pools, profound black tinged with an iciness, yet seemed to contain endless wisdom and majesty.

In the flow of its gaze, as if it could comprehend the myriad phenomena of the Three Realms, penetrating the Nine Netherworlds.

Any meeting of eyes made the soul feel as if placed under biting frost, trembling uncontrollably.

The dragon’s mouth opened wide, frighteningly fanged, like blades of frost, shimmering with cold light, capable of swallowing clouds and fog, chewing up stardust, subtly exhaling dragon breath, palpable as a storm, carrying the momentum of world-ending force, roaring out, causing the surrounding air to resonate with a "buzzing" tremble, manifesting the unyielding divine might of the Ancient Divine Dragon.

Merely hovering in mid-air, its vast aura poured like mountain torrents or surging tsunamis, flooding all directions, places it passed, creating an overwhelming pressure, hinting at space’s slight distortion.

The ground quivered with stones and soil, as if bowing in submission, the surrounding spiritual energy akin to a startled bird, wildly rushing and converging, enveloping it.

Woven into a dreamlike mist of spirit, enhancing the Dragon Soul as if stepping forth from ancient myths as the supreme sovereign, with a prideful aura of overseeing all beings, controlling heaven and earth.

Sensing the presence of the Divine Dragon, the powerhouse members of the Thirteen Immortal Clans shivered in fright, bowing in salutation.

Roar!

The Dragon Soul let out a deafening roar, then soared skyward, flying towards the void above the Palais of the Polestar.

Xu Wendong’s figure, swift as lightning, tightly followed behind the Dragon Soul.

His clothes rustled loudly, resembling a great blue heron taking flight, slicing through the void.

His gaze locked tightly on the Dragon Soul’s radiant figure, spiritual power surging within him, ready to face any sudden changes.

In the blink of an eye, they traversed layers of mist, the dilapidated scenery beneath the Palais of the Polestar grew increasingly small and blurry, gradually resembling ants.

Yet above the void, like a mysterious domain of unformed chaos, ink-black intertwined with azure blue, dark as ink, occasionally flashing with eerie light, as if hiding countless eyes spying on the world.

The azure areas seemed like the inverse of a clear deep sea, with undercurrents, each minor wave pulling at the intruder’s soul, trying to drag it into an unending abyss.

The Dragon Soul lifted its head, swaying its tail, the dragon form agilely wove through it.

Wherever it passed, the chaotic mist seemed sliced apart by a sharp blade, automatically dispersing to the sides, forming a winding passage.

Suddenly, it braked abruptly, large dragon form hovering mid-air, Xu Wendong, observing it, promptly halted, pausing at the side.

Suddenly, the Dragon Soul opened its great mouth, emitting a silvery screen of light.

The light screen expanded like a brocade, its flickering brilliance reflected a hidden rift in the void ahead.

This rift resembled a ferocious scar, spanning across the weave of Heaven and Earth.

Its edges uneven, wisps of dark aura leaking from it, like octopus tentacles, thrashing wildly, eroding the surrounding normal space, causing space to tremble, distort, and emit a sizzling wail.

"This is the place!" The Dragon Soul’s vigorous voice came, conveying some gravity and determination: "Though this rift seems ordinary, it actually connects to regions beyond."

"Like a dark door, the otherworldly demons used evil magic to force it open, thus entering the Immortal Realm. If it can be repaired well, it may prevent the otherworldly demons from entering the Immortal Realm."

Xu Wendong’s gaze sharpened, carefully examining that rift, unable to resist asking: "Lord Long, how should we repair it?"