## The Edict and the Promise

**An Edict of Silence:** The parchment nailed high, bearing the twenty most recent tales, remained immutable. “Let no reply be penned beneath, lest ye find yourselves cast into the Shadow Realm, with no explanation offered,” it warned.

**The Allure of Dao Yi:** The sable-haired immortal, Dao Yi, Grand Celestial, regarded Wang Lin. His words resonated with a strange power, imbuing all who heard them with profound respect and unwavering trust. It was as if his decree shaped the very fabric of reality, as though his voice echoed the promises of the heavens themselves.

**”I shall not fade, and neither shall you!”**

This, then, was the grand celestial’s offer, a prize held forth in the hopes of securing Wang Lin’s allegiance. Though Dao Yi spoke with a calm countenance, his expression unreadable, the weight of those words was immense.

Behind Dao Yi, in the form of a spectral presence, stood the ancient Ancestor of the Dao Demon Sect. Hearing the Grand Celestial’s proclamation, his countenance shifted, and waves of astonishment crashed through his mind. He stared at Wang Lin, his eyes filled with a complex mixture of emotions.

For over ten millennia, he had served Dao Yi, gleaning a shadow of understanding of his master’s nature. Promises of this magnitude were seldom uttered by Dao Yi’s lips. When the Grand Celestial had sought his service, he had only said, “I shall not fade, and thou shalt not fade for ten thousand years!”

But now, listening to the Grand Celestial, he heard no measure of time applied, only the simple truth: “I shall not fade, and neither shall you!”

The import of those words was vast.

*”This one has earned the high regard of the Celestial Bull Soul, and wields a power akin to a celestial. Furthermore, when clad in the Soul Armor, he nearly transcends into a Leaping Celestial. It is no wonder the Grand Celestial favors him so,”* the Ancestor of the Dao Demon Sect mused, a sigh forming in his heart.

Wang Lin remained silent. Dao Yi was the first Grand Celestial he had encountered in the Land of Immortals. He could sense the profound weight of the promise offered.

“Great Celestial,” Wang Lin said, cupping his fist in a respectful bow, “This matter weighs heavily upon me and demands careful consideration. I cannot offer a decision at this time.”

He would not commit himself after meeting only one Grand Celestial. The battle with the Ancestor of the Dao Demon Sect had enlightened him, revealing glimpses of the celestial’s path. Moreover, his fame was not yet sufficient. He must first elevate his reputation, so that when he pledged himself to a Grand Celestial, his entrance into the Celestial Imperial City would be less perilous.

The black-haired immortal gazed at Wang Lin, his wise eyes seemingly piercing through his very soul, and offered a faint smile.

“Time shall be granted. With your prowess, you are capable of venturing into the Celestial Nirvana. Should you conquer the ninth layer, I shall seek you out once more.” With these words, he turned towards the Ancestor of the Dao Demon Sect, their forms merging until only the original robed figure remained, fading into nothingness.

As Dao Yi vanished, the world around them stirred from its frozen stillness. The dust settled, the wind whispered once more. The oppressive weight that had pressed upon Wang Lin lifted, as if the encounter had never occurred.

The Ancestor of the Dao Demon Sect sighed, offering a respectful bow towards Wang Lin. “The matter of the Dao Demon Sect is forgiven…though you have missed an opportunity by not immediately aligning yourself with Dao Yi, Grand Celestial…alas.” He respected strength above all else, and Wang Lin’s power had earned him this respect.

The crimson-haired elder turned to depart.

“Friend,” Wang Lin called, his voice measured, “I dismantled the Dao Demon Sect not out of personal malice, but because the entire sect conspired to leave me to certain death.” He rarely offered explanations, but he held the Dao Demon Sect Ancestor in high esteem.

The crimson-haired elder halted, remaining silent for a long moment.

“Perhaps,” he finally said. “The cycles of cause and effect have dictated that this was the Dao Demon Sect’s fate. In destroying the sect, you have severed my mortal ties, allowing me to focus solely upon the pursuit of the Dao.” He looked at Wang Lin, a long sigh escaping his lips.

“Among the five Grand Celestials of our immortal realm, Dao Yi is fiercely protective of those under his banner. Given your current power, choosing to serve him would be a wise decision.”

“Among the Grand Celestials, Xian Huang, the Grand Celestial of Eight Extremes, is the most arrogant. Jiu Di, the Grand Celestial of Middle Province, is the most tyrannical. Wu Feng, the Grand Celestial of the Northern Province, is transcendent, rarely accepting Celestials into his fold.”

“As for the Purple Sun Twin Grand Celestials of the Eastern Province…they were once the most powerful. However, during their last reincarnation, their souls split, creating two separate beings, forever preventing their return to their true power. Though their natures are said to be gentle, they are not the choices we would make.” He understood that compared to a Grand Celestial, the Dao Demon Sect was an ant. To risk antagonizing a Grand Celestial for the sake of a destroyed sect would be foolish.

Most importantly, this particular Grand Celestial was exceedingly powerful. Thus, he chose to impart some knowledge, hoping to ease the lingering tension.

Wang Lin listened, his expression remaining calm, yet a spark of interest flickered in his heart. He had been unaware of this information.

“Thank you, friend, for your words,” Wang Lin said, cupping his fists in respect.

“There is also the Celestial Nirvana…as I am the first Celestial you have faced in battle, you likely know little of it. The Celestial Nirvana is a singular place created by our Immortal Ancestor within the immortal realm. It is reserved for Celestials, providing an accurate assessment of their strength.”

“The Celestial Nirvana consists of nineteen layers, which only Celestials can attempt. With my cultivation, I attempted it five hundred years ago, only reaching the third layer before failing on the fourth.” The crimson-haired elder continued.

“Celestial Nirvana?” Wang Lin’s eyes narrowed. He had heard Dao Yi mention it but had no understanding of its nature. The words of the crimson-haired elder shed light upon its meaning.

*”I once heard Grand Celestial Dao Yi say that the Celestial Nirvana was crafted by the Immortal Ancestor, imitating the Divine Realm of the Primordials. Should one conquer all nineteen layers, one will have a higher chance than others of becoming a Grand Celestial after entering the Divine Realm of the Primordials!”*
In bygone ages, the Celestial Sovereign, Wu Feng, ascended to godhood not through mere power, but by conquering the nineteen trials of the Ascendant Labyrinth. Upon the hallowed gates of the Primal Sanctum opening, he was gifted with untold blessings, thus transforming him into the Sovereign he was destined to be.

“Even had I remained silent,” rasped the crimson-haired elder, his voice carrying no deceit, “the truth would have unfolded before you. Such knowledge is no secret, but common fare amongst the Celestials.”

“How, then,” Wang Lin promptly inquired, “does one gain entry to the Trial Grounds of Transcendence?”

The elder turned his gaze skyward, his eyes holding an ancient knowing. “A simple task, yet arduous. First, you must earn the favor of the Celestial Laws and be deemed a Celestial. Then, within any sanctuary of the Immortal Clan, seclude yourself. Sever the spirit from the flesh and ascend skyward with haste. Should you breach the heavens within sixty breaths, the Ascendant’s Trial Grounds, forged by the Immortal Ancestor, shall welcome you.”

He paused, a hint of ancient lore coloring his words. “The Ancient Clan, in imitation of the Primal Sanctum, fashioned their own trial grounds, tailored to their kin. Legends whisper of a grander test, a Sovereign’s Trial Grounds, crafted by the two mightiest beings of the Celestial Continent, a realm accessible beyond both the Immortal and Ancient trials. Yet, such tales are mere conjecture, for I possess no true knowledge of it.”

With a final bow, the crimson-haired elder concluded, “I have shared all that is mine to tell, friend. Farewell.” He cast not a backward glance at the ruins of the Dao Demon Sect, but transformed into a streak of fiery light, vanishing into the horizon.

Wang Lin stood amidst the desolation, his silence a heavy cloak. He had declined the invitation of the Dao Yi Sovereign, forsaking opportunity. Yet, regret found no purchase in his heart.

“Five Sovereigns, save the Immortal Emperor and Dao Yi… three remain…” he murmured, his voice barely audible above the whisper of the wind. “My strength, though tested, will grow with each celestial duel. And the Trial Grounds of Transcendence… such a place exists in this Celestial Continent! I wonder, though, if the Dao Demon Ancestor spoke true of its entrance.”

He settled into a meditative posture amidst the ruins, his mind replaying the battle against the Celestial Demon Ancestor and the crushing power of Dao Yi’s fist.

That fist, so gentle in appearance, possessed a force Wang Lin could not fathom. Days turned into weeks as the image consumed him, his entire being steeped in the essence of the Sovereign’s blow.

Weeks bled into months. He remained unmoving, a shimmering barrier protecting him from intrusion.

Returned disciples of the Dao Demon Sect, fleeing Tianniu, beheld the desolate remains of their once-proud temple, their hearts gripped by awe. Many recognized Wang Lin, their faces paling with fear. None dared breach the mystical shield, and in time, most fled, leaving only a few, their fear keeping them at bay.

A year passed in the blink of an eye. On a starless night, Wang Lin’s eyes opened, and a gleam of understanding lit his gaze.

“That single blow… I exhausted every skill, every artifice, replaying it a million times in my mind. Yet, I could not withstand it… and that was merely a sliver of Dao Yi’s will…” he sighed, the sound filled with a mixture of awe and frustration.

The exhilaration of his recent victories ebbed away, replaced by the sobering realization of his weakness compared to the Sovereigns.

“Yet, understanding comes from struggle. The battle with the Dao Demon Ancestor… his merging of the Dao into his very being, the twenty-seven mystical arts within a single strike… I can emulate, I can learn!” A fire rekindled in his eyes. “I need a place to meditate, to comprehend.” The Celestial Continent lay before him, a canvas upon which he could journey as he pleased.

Rising, Wang Lin cast a final glance upon the ruins and the hidden figures lurking in the shadows.

“Enough,” he declared, and with a single step, vanished from sight.