Broken time must eventually mend, and the reversed flow of the long river must ultimately rush forward. If there truly exists an eternal truth in this world, then “time’s forward march” is surely one of them.

The Godly Firmament World, a vibrant and complete realm, possesses its own spacetime order.

The scheme of Zen Master Row Nian, in times past, manufactured a divergence in time, pushing the timeline of the Godly Firmament World and the Demon World apart. This, in itself, was an utilization of the Godly Firmament World’s intrinsic rules. In other words, to detach from the Demon World’s timeline and establish its own temporal order was precisely what the Godly Firmament World inherently sought. Even without Zen Master Row Nian, it would have progressed in this direction. Zen Master Row Nian’s move, in this sense, aligned with this “heavenly time.”

And now, with the destruction wrought by the Flying Light, the spacetime order of the Godly Firmament World has been shattered, only to be reshaped anew.

This undoubtedly holds revolutionary significance, a leap forward for this world. The young demons participating in the Godly Firmament’s machinations have, within this process of spacetime fracture, glimpsed the stone tablet bearing the true words left behind by the Godly Firmament King of yore.

As for now, they are in the midst of the spacetime order’s reshaping, returning to this shore. This process, in theory, should have been without wind or wave.

The risk of spying upon the truth of history, precisely because of the true word stone tablet and its erasure, and the return to the already restored order of “now,” should have posed no problems. Yet, within that endless stream of flying light, a voice resonated. It was weak, aged, and filled with pain. It uttered, “Young one, walk a little slower!” The endless flying stream of light, in that instant, seemed to halt. A wisp of stream light leaped out of the river of time, beckoning the observer to behold its true form. It was a white feather, tinged with golden light, drifting down onto the divine mountain.

The dialogue before the true word stone tablet was severed, and the emotions of that time seemed to remain there.

They were still on the divine mountain, before the Fountain of Youth. Deer Seven Lang’s hand rested upon his sword, yet it remained sheathed. Sheep Heal recited scripture in a silent palm. Spider Orchid If held no zither in her hand, only the broken string humming a mournful tune: *gu gu gu, gu gu gu*.

The Fountain of Youth ceaselessly bubbled with a desolate sound. “Have we returned?” Chai A Four questioned the ancient god he trusted most within his heart. The ancient god remained silent, for the ancient god, too, needed to observe. But as his line of sight moved, the question no longer needed asking. The mountaintop was boundless, and the paths upon it wound perilously. The mountain spring gurgled, and beyond the mountain lay white clouds and a blue sky. Everything on the divine mountain seemed utterly unchanged.

Except for the figure seated on the green stone beside the Fountain of Youth, the very stone upon which Spider Orchid If had cast her broken-string zither. This figure possessed long, withered straw-like hair, wore gray and white feathered clothes, and was so frail that a mere breeze seemed capable of carrying him away. Spider Orchid If, who had originally stood beside him, now took a step and, without turning her head, moved far away, settling beside Ape Dream Extreme. The group of demons had passed through the deep forest, now standing on the mountainside of the divine mountain.

Emerging from the deep forest, the Fountain of Youth lay nestled within a winding bend of the mountain path. Whether intentional or unintentional, the demons were all dispersed around the Fountain of Youth. Spider Orchid If had been by the edge of the Fountain of Youth from the start, closest to the spring water.

Ape Dream Extreme, being without desire, was resolute. Chai A Four, worried that the ancient god was struggling too much against the heavenly demons, remained low-key for the ancient god’s sake. Hence, the two tacitly kept their distance from the Fountain of Youth, instead staying close to the concealed path in the deep forest.

In the usual course of events, when Spider Orchid If drew near, Ape Dream Extreme would have been beaming with delight. But at this moment, he not only shifted away himself but also tugged at Chai A Four, who was struggling to force a smile.

Ignoring the undercurrents between these minor demons, the figure seated alone on the green stone beside the spring slowly spoke: “This poor Daoist, Crane Hua Ting, seeing the withered and unsightly appearances of these young friends, is ashamed to reveal his own ugliness. Therefore, I shall not perform the courtesies with you all. Pray, forgive me.”

This spot on the mountainside fell into silence for a time. The scene of a single feather flying out from the stream of light, and the voice resonating from within the endless stream of light, had indeed brought about too much shock. Deer Seven Lang looked towards Spider Orchid If, transmitting his voice to ask: “You said that the one who moved the Fountain of Youth to the Godly Firmament World, seeking to borrow the world’s layout to continue the myth’s existence, what was his name?”

Spider Orchid If did not speak. But the answer was already self-evident.

Crane Hua Ting, Crane Hua Ting. At the end of the distant ancient era, the great demon who relocated the Fountain of Youth from the present world was precisely a powerful being named Crane Qing Song. Many years later, Crane Qing Song’s body died, and the Fountain of Youth’s flow was cut off. It underwent many transformations, passing through many hands. Crane Qing Song’s descendant by blood, Crane Hua Ting, seized back the long-dead Fountain of Youth, and laid out a scheme in the Godly Firmament World. But it is said that he ultimately failed and died countless years ago. How could he still be here now?

And why would he be conversing with them? Perhaps at this moment, everyone had not yet truly returned, but were still within the journey of time! The figure seated alone on the green stone, with his back to the demons, thus spoke: “This young friend, what are you curious about regarding me? Why not ask me directly?” He had, in fact, heard Deer Seven Lang’s voice transmission and, at the same time, acknowledged Deer Seven Lang’s guess.

Deer Seven Lang, though shocked, remained utterly composed and full of demeanor. He cupped his hands in a bow: “If you truly are Senior Crane Hua Ting, why not turn your body and show yourself?”

With a fine sword at his waist and a jade crown binding his hair, his voice was clear: “You say you are an existence from the past, yet you are stingy with revealing your true face. This inevitably causes panic in the hearts of us young demons.”

“You all…” Crane Hua Ting said, “Truly wish to see me?”

“If senior is willing to grant us face, we naturally wish to see.” Bear Three Think grumbled in a low voice, “Thinking to see you once won’t cost us anything.”

“Namo Light King Tathagata!” Sheep Heal recited a Buddhist name in his palm, indicating his approval.

“Namo Demon Master Tathagata!” Rat Jia Lan hurriedly added, with a louder voice, a supplementary sentence.

Having come to this Godly Firmament scheme, though each had their own pursuits and rivalries, regarding this suddenly appearing and extremely strange Crane Hua Ting, the demons present more or less felt a sense of danger, and couldn’t help but unite against a common enemy.

In such an atmosphere, the fawning laughter of Chai A Four was somewhat abrupt. He eagerly said: “To be able to see senior’s wise and true face, this junior is truly fortunate! What an honor!” No matter what, Crane Hua Ting did not deserve the words “senior wise.” Even his ancestor, Crane Qing Song, would have struggled to attain such a title. But he, instead, began to laugh.

The sound of laughter abruptly stopped, replaced by a difficult, wheezing sound, like pulling a bellows. Just two light laughs, yet it seemed to have required enormous effort. He seemed unable to breathe, bowing his head to support his knees, gulping air in large gulps! Though the demons present were young, they were all cautious; none wished to take advantage and do anything.

After a good while, Crane Hua Ting finally regulated his breathing. He weakly said: “I have striven for so long, just so that when later generations of juniors mention me, I can have such a title, ah. The pursuit of fame in this life and the next, neither ancient nor modern can escape it. The listener can indeed infer his pursuit from this voice.” He likely truly had such an imagination once, a grand aspiration… But he ultimately became a failure.

Then he began to turn his body. With a great ancient god accompanying him, Chai A Four was actually the least nervous one present. He even had the leisure to lean closer, smiling happily: “Then look, this might not just be called having a spirit in one’s heart.” Crane Hua Ting completely turned over. Chai A Four’s “spirit” did not descend. What kind of appearance was this? He said he was “body ugly and appearance remnant, ashamed to show his ugliness,” and indeed he was being humble.

His hair was devoid of luster, like a pile of dry grass on his head. His wrinkles were deep, enough to trap dead flies. His eyes seemed to have sunk into the back of his skull, with only two points of dim light still indicating this living being. His body and face seemed devoid of flesh and blood, only wrinkled skin clinging to thin bones. Those originally precious feathered clothes hung like rags on a bamboo frame. Clearly, all vitality should have been extinguished, yet he remained there, performing actions similar to ‘using a bamboo stick to poke at exposed bones, a painful struggle to behold.

He silently gazed at all the living beings present, emanating a kind of silent terror. Chai A Four was utterly horrified, hurriedly seeking a sense of safety from the great ancient god: “What is the background of this old fellow?” The great ancient god only said: “Do not move lightly.” The true meaning of the Godly Firmament World is “infinite possibility.” It constitutes the basic rule of this world and is also a significant reason why this world attracts so many powerful beings to lay out schemes.

Just as the true meaning of the Mountain and Sea Realm is “fantasy becomes reality.” It can be said that within this Godly Firmament World, there certainly exists a possibility that Jiang Wang could bring the knowing bell and return home safely. But where this possibility lies is unknown. How this possibility can be realized is unknown.

Infinite possibility does not equate to matters becoming as one wishes.

All things are possible, but it is possible that you may not achieve anything.

Exactly as the saying goes, “Even with the power of heaven and earth combined, a hero still needs to seek his own path.” Possibilities need to be sought out by oneself, and more importantly, grasped by oneself. Jiang Wang had not yet figured out how to pry open the path home. He had simply been carried by chaotic time to the front of the true word stone tablet.

He had not yet fully digested that segment of history about “the world originally having no people” when he was again intercepted and kept here by Crane Hua Ting.

How could he know what kind of ghostly thing this was, or its background? Crane Hua Ting opened his mouth again, and with his silken voice, he said: “Since you have seen my true face, why not bow to me?” The atmosphere instantly became solemn.

Sheep Heal and Rat Jia Lan each revered their respective Tathagatas. Deer Seven Lang and Spider Orchid If each had their pride. Snake Gu Yu had his own ways. Even Pig Da Li had his ideals in his heart. Dog Xi Hua followed Sheep Heal closely. Ape Dream Extreme only wanted to go home. Among this group of young demon clan members, who would bow to him?

Such a dry-skinned, thin-boned monster! Only Chai A Four laughed heartily and bowed without hesitation: “This young one greets Senior Ancestor!” Crane Hua Ting’s gaze fell upon him, and he slowly, painstakingly, said: “You are very good.” Chai A Four laughed very honestly: “The accomplished are first, and the elder is respected. You occupy both, so my bow to you is only right.”

Crane Hua Ting slowly, painstakingly, shifted his gaze. Those dim eyes seemed to want to dismantle everything they saw, and he labored to say: “I stopped here in the Yuan Xi Three Nine Two Two year. From what year have you come?” His words were undoubtedly clear; these demons present had all been brought by him to a certain segment of the past. To be precise, they were now in the Godly Firmament World of the Yuan Xi Three Nine Two Two year.

The young demons exchanged glances. In the end, it was Deer Seven Lang who spoke: “The Great Emperor Yuan Xi has passed away for a long time now. The demon clan no longer uses this year number.”

“Yuan Xi” was the reign name of the third generation demon emperor of that initial new realm. After his passing, history also recorded him as the “Great Emperor Yuan Xi” or “Demon Emperor Yuan Xi.”

In the mirror world, Jiang Wang furrowed his brow. Because this year was exactly Dao Calendar Three Nine Two Two.

Although Yuan Xi Three Nine Two Two and Dao Calendar were completely unrelated, the coincidence of the two timelines was highly suspicious, as were all the coincidences of his arrival in the Godly Firmament World.

Crane Hua Ting, by the edge of the Fountain of Youth, grinned. This laugh was more terrifying than his not laughing. His mouth was toothless, only a hollow pit like a sore tooth socket remained!

He said with such difficulty: “You need not be afraid. Now, no existence can influence us.”

How could they not be afraid?!

These words clearly meant that the external support for the Godly Firmament World was fundamentally unable to reach this place!

Having escaped spacetime within the Godly Firmament World, having experienced Zen Master Row Nian’s lack of evil outside the heavens, and now, after the chaos of time, Crane Hua Ting had intercepted and kept them in the Godly Firmament World of the Yuan Xi Three Nine Two Two year.

He probably could indeed claim that the chess players outside Mo Yun City, those powerful beings who had been watching this place for a long time, could no longer interfere in this game!

Now, to this group of young demons, the most crucial question they needed to understand was… what exactly did Crane Hua Ting want to do by intercepting and keeping them in this time segment? In the era when Demon Emperor Yuan Xi controlled the Taichu Imperial City, an existence that could seize back the Fountain of Youth and lay out a scheme in the Godly Firmament World would have been at least at the Heaven Demon level in that year.

Then there was still a key issue.

After experiencing that year’s failure, in his current state, how much strength could Crane Hua Ting actually exert?

“Young one.” Crane Hua Ting looked towards Chai A Four and chuckled softly: “You are the most obedient. Come over… Come to Old Ancestor’s front. I have some words to say to you.”

Chai A Four froze there, his feet as if nailed to the ground, unable to move. The sound of his swallowing saliva was so clear. “What should I do?” he asked the great ancient god within his heart. The great ancient god also very much wanted to ask what to do. Let you talk with your mouth! Let you go flatter! This is good now, flattering your way back home! Why couldn’t you be a little more honest and dutiful, like Pig Da Li, and let those several demon kings test the waters, giving me a little more time to observe this Crane Hua Ting? “Don’t go.” The great ancient god finally gave this simple instruction.

No matter what, dragging it out for a while was better than nothing. “Or… maybe not?” Chai A Four looked at that gloomy Crane Hua Ting, speaking in a tone of discussion: “I have an elder above, and a younger one below. I still have a wife waiting for me in Mo Yun City.”

“Have a wife?” Crane Hua Ting chuckled: “Having a wife waiting for you is extraordinary. Not wanting to accompany me, this bad old man, is also reasonable. Let me think.” He seemed to genuinely be thinking, his gaze slightly shifting, this time falling upon Bear Three Think. He weakly said: “You just said that seeing me once wouldn’t cost you anything.”

“I did indeed say that,” Bear Three Think replied. This was like a dialogue between two dying patients, for their voices were both so painful. Crane Hua Ting slowly, almost a word at a time, said: “Then I will tell you now what seeing me will cost you.”

“Less false feeling, less affectation, less false words.”

Chai A Four shrunk his neck. False feeling, affectation, false words—he possessed all three.

But he saw Crane Hua Ting turn his side to the Fountain of Youth’s water, stretch out a dry, thin finger, point remotely at the water’s surface, and draw lightly: “This place does not permit falsehood. If you speak falsely, you will be like the moon in the water, drowning and dying.”

The Fountain of Youth bubbled, *gu gu gu, gu gu gu*, seeming to boil. A straight line of water extended from one end of the Fountain of Youth to the other, cutting through the water’s surface, dividing the spring evenly. It divided it into eastern and western halves. If truth was spoken, waves would rise on the eastern side; if falsehood was spoken, waves would rise on the western side. This water line seemed to also divide this Godly Firmament World of the Yuan Xi Three Nine Two Two year.

A rule faintly generated. All participants in the Godly Firmament World present felt bound. Bound on speech, regulated on true hearts.

Crane Hua Ting looked dimly at Bear Three Think: “I will now ask you a question. You must respond with true words.” This sentence was as if golden words and jade laws, a steel knife held to the throat. Once spoken, no doubt was permitted. In the mirror world, Jiang Wang now had a vague enlightenment. Regarding these junior demons from many years later, Crane Hua Ting undoubtedly harbored no good intentions. But the current Crane Hua Ting was too weak. Whether he wanted to kill or do something else, he could only rely on his vision from when he stood at the absolute peak, and on his manipulation of the “Godly Firmament World of the Yuan Xi Three Nine Two Two year”… using complex “game rules” to leverage his layout, thereby completing his purpose.

Thus, he could use a single point of force to leverage a hundred points of force. But “speaking with true words” – what kind of terrifying means was this?

Jiang Wang was just pondering when he heard Crane Hua Ting slowly, painstakingly, ask: “Where do you come from?”