Immortals, those whom seek for themselves immortality are often vain and cowardly. Trying their hardest to preserve their life a little bit longer, but in doing so they threw away what makes them humans. Knowingly perverting the natural order of the universe, they deemed themselves better than most.
Gaining strength and prolonging lives, they turn the heavenly order asunder. Doing so, they gain the ire of the Heaven and Earth. Devoured by earth and struck by heaven are commons occurrence for these persons, in their greed of longevity they destroy what is common and created the uncommon. - Demon lord Cloud Dragon, 5th emperor of demonkinds, Lecture upon the heaven on earth.
Between the pass of the golden desert and the lush river of blue spring lies a small town, the town is but of normal size but was packed with people for it is usually the stop for passing merchants.
And in the western end of the town sit a house, scarcely around it are two other house making it a weird scene for a town that is a hot spot for merchants.
While inside the house lies and old man, his body so weak that even a bristle of wind can topple him should he stand. A stature so thin that skeletons adorn his body more than that of muscle, fat or blood.
The old man is laying down on his bed, with his eyes open staring upon the ceiling. Upon closer look the eyes of the old man are cloudy and whitish in colour, a common symptom of visual impairment amongst the elderly.
“Husband, have you eaten yet?” Khalitt heard the calling of his wife, a smile appeared on his face. “Even if I can, would have I ever eat without you?”
Hearing her Husband’s answer Maeri also dons a slight smile. “You’re so old already,” She said, as she helped her husband from the bed. “But still so sweet.”
“Sigh, don’t say that.” Khalitt said. “When you are here, there’s nothing that’s sweet. All of it are pale in comparison, especially when you don a smile on you face.” He teased his wife, but after talking for so long he gasped for air as if he was just done running atop a mountain.
“Here.” Teased by her husband, Maeri can only gave a slight smile as she delicately spread a cloth on her husband’s lap.
Slowly she scooped the porridge from the bowl as she blew some air into it turning the hot porridge into a bearable temperature for her husband to eat. But upon feeding her husband only a little bit of the porridge was swallowed as more was spilled on top of the cloth on his lap.
Suddenly tears runs through Maeri’s eyes as she looked at her husband’s aging face, she then takes a moment to look at the differences of their hands. While his is small and wrinkly, hers is supple and beautiful.
A secret that she had hidden from her husband, a secret that none on this plane could know should she wants to live with her husband, even if a little bit longer. She loved him so much that she’s afraid of losing him.
She will live for more than thousands of years but her husband might be dead a moment later, and she cannot stop any of it. She still remember when she was being protected by him, a hero of the desert they called him. The man alone protected the town from being ransacked by bandits, 100 men vs him alone without the help of any spiritual spell.
But now looking at her weak husband, more and more tears runs through her cheeks. But she don’t love him for his prowess, only a fool would love a man for his prowess what more a being like her. She loved him for his heart, she loved him for his wits, she love him for his soul.
“I’m sorry.” Maeri whisper.
She has long reversed her aging when her husband’s eyes turn blind, right now her looks are that of 20 years old while her husband is nearing his late 90s.
“What’s that?” Khalitt asked, nearing his ears towards Maeri. “No, nothing.” She answered her husband.
She still remember when her husband “rescued her”, almost losing his life. She knows that he does it not for lust, for she veiled herself with a disguised of an old lady and, she knows that the man is one that will risk his life for others as she still can see the scar on his face.
But she cannot even heal him, she cannot help him. They both are from two different worlds, should she helped him more disaster will come for him. The yarn of fate forbid that she interfere with his life, it forbid she helped him unless if he wished to have his soul cut of from the underworld.
“Dear wife, can you sing for me ?” Khalitt asked his wife. “Sure.” A smile appear on Maeri’s face, remembering the time of their first date. The time when the bud of love germinated for the first time in her life.
“This life we live, together”
“This life we love, forever”
“To be one, until the end of time”
“I’m yours, and so you’re mi-”
But before she could continue further, Maeri saw her husband suddenly coughing nonstop.
“Husband!”
Maeri then support his old body with hers, concern on her face. “Husband please, not now.” Maeri saying this feels warm on the palm of her hand. Blackish blood stain her dainty hands as more and more blood comes out from her husband’s mouth.
“Cough, cough.”
Seeing the coughing worsening, Maeri resolve herself as suddenly an azure veil surrounds both of them. The veil covered them as it slowly spun and covered both of them. In the blink of an eye the house turn empty as only a bowl of porridge alone sit in it still warm besides it splatter of bloods.
Beyond thousands of kilometers from the town, lies a country so large it topple continents. One city alone covers a kingdom and one town alone covers what normally is a state.
An empire backed by immortals. The country said being prosperous for thousands of years, not once does the ruling family ever had any opposing faction within the walls, neither small nor large for the whole totality of the men knows that opposing them is equal to opposing the will of immortals.
Once in history 1500 years before, another immortal faction with haughty intention comes upon this land with the purpose of claiming the blessed country, destroying mountains and killing millions in their wakes. The battles raged on for 800 years as lands was split, mountains uprooted and the raging sea swallowing islands.
For 800 years men and women dies left and right, as children were orphaned. But once the mortals of the world knows of the truth, never does they questions the immortals.
The war that torn the lands was fought only by 2 persons, the representative of the imperial family and the golden son of the opposing faction. The ones closest to the immortals; The cultivators, told the stories in truth of how the representative of the imperial family defeated the the golden son of the opposing faction claiming his heart and planting it under the imperial palace, and thus grew a mountain so large that it reaches the clouds shouldering the palace.
Kilometers from the mountain was left by the peoples, for the emperor has decree of a new blessed land and forbid any men of entering without permission. Filled inside it is the garden of the empire, filled with important peoples only given the rights by the emperor to lived, for their meritorious deed and for the talented of the realm. The cultivators once said that the garden is a truly blessed land, for inside it comes a legend. Some blessed talents said that the soul of the golden son often times was seen giving pointers to cultivators on the path of immortality, a fortune even to the princes of the empire.
Maeri on top of the clouds is now watching the imperial palace, the main gate is so large it topples smaller mountains while the towers surpasses it. The golden armored guards patrolling the palace on the wall surrounding the building inside, large mythical creatures fly above it seemingly unaware of her presence.
The palace was made of jade, so beautiful is it construct. No seams or nail as if it was carved from a giant hill of jade. The patterns engraved on it lies stories, a man wielding a sword a top a dragon, a woman holding fan beheading demons, an infant born bearing purple mists and many more as the palace topples even the tower protecting it. Most of the design are made with precision as if it will comes out to live.
Surrounding its are buildings of intricate design, some beautiful, some antique, some tall, some unique but all of them would give wonders to any mortals even most cultivators seeing it. But the most important of all is the air, filled with energies invigorating Maeri as she takes a deep breath.
Reinvigorated by the energy Maeri exuded a much more ethereal feeling, as more and more of the energy welled up in her body she grew much stronger as suddenly a suction of energy goes inside her body, following the rhythm of her heartbeat. Suddenly the patrolling men surrounding the palace kneel on the ground as so the mythical creatures fell as if gasping for air.
“Senior, please quell your anger.” Suddenly an old voice pleaded. An old man appeared flying in front of Maeri albeit a tad bit lower from her, his countenance pales as he closed his eyes and lower his head in fear of offending the person in front.
Behind the old men three more visages appear, one older male, one older female and the last one is a middle age looking man adorned with humble clothing. All three of them bowed their heads toward Maeri as they seemingly shivering trying to control their expression.
“Senior, please quell your anger.” The old man once more pleaded to Maeri.
Maeri covered by the azure veil gave herself a mysterious look, akin to a celestial untouched by the world. The four persons in front of her can only see a silhouette of a person behind the veil, and not one wishes to peek in fear of her prowess.
“I have no grievance upon you.” Maeri said, her voice seemingly changed. No longer does her voice sounded like a lady, it was morphed into something else. Her voice resembled that of thunder, filled with regal as if she was the ruler of the world.
“For years have your imperial edict gains it strength, and for years have your empire accumulated fate.” Maeri said. “I today have a use for it, prepare an altar for passing through and 81 treasures of fate.”
“Yes senior.” The old man swiftly agreed to her commands. But as he was trying to moved the middle age man behind him suddenly interrupted.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
“But, grand ancest-.”
Before he the man can even finish a sentence he suddenly feel the need to blink. Opening his eyes a sword wielded by his great ancestor was pointed towards his eyes clearly lunged towards him but was stopped with a line of string from the veil of the senior in front of them.
“Enough!” Maeri commanded, her killing intent warns them as they cowered. “No more than one times it takes for an incense stick to burn. Go!”
The three persons swiftly does as they were told. Suddenly the gate of the palace was wide open as bells chimes resounding through the whole empire.
The building inside the palace’s walls then suddenly started moving, the tall and short, the beautiful and the antiqued all moved forming a circle; forming another wall surrounding the palace. In the center of the wall then a large pyramid like structure arose from the ground facing the jade palace and on top of it a bed. The bed frame was golden with silver patterns of flowers adorning it, on the bed a wooden pillow so dark it resemble the night and the mattress was furred with a large pelt of white tiger seemingly so regal it looks alive.
The jade palace now is no longer the most beautiful structure above the mountain, but the altar is. Then roars of the mythical beast resound the mountain as they gain their strength flying downwards the mountain.
“An edict of the past, future and present. We the emperor of this dynasty shall present the edict to glorious senior.” Atop the jade palace the middle age man suddenly comes out as he kneel on the ground, atop his hand a golden scroll.
The rolled scroll was so beautifully decorated, engraved on it two dragons bearing five claws each swimming freely. Should anyone be near it they might be able to hear roars that will entrance them for life.
“The emperor has decreed, and I as the protector of the empire concur upon this gift.” Suddenly the old man before shouted, resounding throughout the empire.
“I the mother of the people concur of this gift.” The old woman accompanying the old man said.
“I, the elder of the mountain and ocean sect shall present these gifts. “The last old man said, and with a sleeve of his hand 81 items was sprawled upon above him as he lowered his head in a slight bow.
Maeri upon seeing these theatric performance gave a long sigh as she neared the pyramid. She then uncovered her veil as she put her husband on the bed. The veil then enlarged itself as it cover the top of the pyramid while claiming the scroll from the emperor and the items from the elder of the mountain and sea sect.
Seeing the items in front of her tears welled up on her cheeks as she knows the time has come. Seeing her dying husband she held his hand while caressing his head, adoring his calm sleep.
“Handsome husband, forgive me.” She said as she kissed her husband’s forehead.
“Forgive me of this secret, forgive me for not accompanying you.” She sobbed as she kissed his hand.
“Forgive me for not gifting you with this child.” She said as she patted below her belly.
Suddenly she feel a pat on her head. “You old fool, I should have known.” She saw her husband’s old face smiling at her.
“You are too good for me, I have made you suffer.” His rough voice said to her.
“No, I love you.” She wailed.
“Foolish girl, I am but a mort- *Cough**Cough* -mortal.” He tries to catch his breath as Maeri looked worriedly.
“You have to be happy. Be happy.”
“No! You’ve made me happy.” She said to him. “I’ve always love you, and never shall I love another.”
A sigh escaped Khalitt’s mouth. “You have centuries ahead of you, don’t be stupid.”
Maeri kept her mum. “If not for this child, I would have followed you.” She suddenly said.
Hearing this Khalitt wore a frown on his face. “Don’t say that, don’t ever say tha-.” Before finishing his sentence, a series of cough escaped his mouth.
“You have to live, even if not for yourself. Live for me.” His voice crackle, bloods dripping on his lips.
Maeri kept her silence, but her hand wiping the blood with concern.
Seeing this only a slight sigh escaped his mouth.
“Wife.” Khalitt called for his wife. “Can you continue to sing for me?”
“Of course.” A forced smile formed on Maeri’s face.
Outside the veiled pyramids the four persons are conversing with each other. “My dear descendant, you are extremely lucky today.” The leading old man said.
“I’ve transgress my means ancestor.” The emperor said, his voice ashamed as he kneel in front of his ancestor.
“You are lucky the senior is a kindred spirit, should they not your head might be one of the fate treasures she requested.” Hearing this the emperor’s head lower as much as he can.
“I know what you are worried about, the edict of the empire is important and so are the fate treasures. But that senior’s prowess is simply too terrifying.” The great ancestor continues, his voice quivering.
“Stand up junior.” Suddenly another old voice called for the emperor. He is the elder from the Mountain and sea sect. Hearing the voice the emperor slowly rose from his kneeling position, afraid to offend his great ancestor should he do it swiftly.
“There is no shame in protecting what’s yours, but we as creatures of intellect must knows our means. What can and what cannot be done.” The old man continues. “That senior’s prowess is supreme, even the sect’s guardian ancestor’s might is nowhere close to theirs.”
Hearing this the emperor’s eyes grew wide. “How can that be, a person of such stature cannot be on this plane.”
Hearing the emperor’s words the old man shook his head.
“What have you learned at the sect?!” Suddenly a stern voice asked the emperor.
“Esteemed mother.” The emperor lowered his head once more, his voice awkward.
“Such a person can only stay on this plane by myriads of means, but non of it are common. Not even for the paragons above.” Hearing that the emperor’s heart skipped a bit.
“But worry not, for such a person of high status won’t be here for long. Don’t you feel the thinning of qi just now?” The elder asked.
“What treasure can pulled so many qi?” The emperor asked, his face frowning. “It consume almost all the qi of the sacred mountain.”
“Not a treasure,” The elder said. “But the senior themselves.”
“How can that be?” The emperor asked.
“An extremely powerful cultivation technique, so strong that it topples the law of the world. And it is not just the mountain that was effected, but the whole totality of the world.” Saying that the old man suddenly kneel. The sun shining above suddenly disappeared replacing it the moon.
“Changing the heavenly law, by heaven!” The elder exclaimed, his forehead perspiring with sweat.
“Lower your heads you fools.” The elder screamed at the world as the whole of the empire heed his order. His fear was not unfounded, his fear was not because of the unknown but because he knows what does the senior has done.
Changing the path of planetary movement is not the works of men, not of immortals and not of the paragons above. It is a heavenly law, something unchanged since immemorial times.
So many laws can be broken, the law of men, the law of nature, the law of the paragons. But no being can trample with the law of heaven and earth, no being can change the day from the night, the past and present, the life and dead. Unless they surpassed that of the heavenly law, or are equal to it.
Inside the veiled pyramid. “Husband your time has come.” Maeri said softly, her voice filled with sadness.
“And so be it.” Khalitt said with a smile, a facade for his wife. He dislike hearing her sadness, he can’t see her but he knows that seeing him gone discontent will kill her heart.
“Safe travel my love.” Maeri said accompanied with final kiss on his lips, the last kiss upon this life as Khalitt closed his eyes.
Maeri then look upon the items sprawling across her, with a flick of wrist the items burn one by one. The first items was a sword made of wood, the sword is red in color and filled was filled with white patterns resembling that of an ever changing trees. A moment a seed, a moment later a sapling, a moment later a tree, finally it turn into a gigantic tree toppling the world as it withered and turned back into a seed.
The second item is stone, shaped akin to that of an infant. But a mere moments later it turns into a child and then a youth, the youth turns into a man, then an old man until his death as it turns into an infant once more.
While these two items are certainly magical not all of them follows the same scheme, one of the treasures is a golden crown that exude an air of regality, while another is a parchment filled with moving painting showing the lives of a village.
Should one treasure alone fall into the hand of a cultivator, he could have run amok on a whole continent, placing himself on the pinnacle of said continent. But in front of Maeri’s eyes they were just an offering for her husband. Their use are just for his safe travel into the other side.
Finally, the last item was placed in front of her. The edict of the strongest empire on this plane, seeing the edict a forlorn look appeared on her face.
“Husband, this wife shall not accompany you. But I hope the fate of billions of mortals shall give you a pleasant journey.” Maeri would have hoped to help her husband more, but an offering made not by the creation of heaven and earth or of the mortal hands shall only burden her husband as he is just a mortal.
With a flick of her wrist the scroll was burnt, slowly it burned as the dragon engraved tries to consume the fire. The dragons turned much more corporeal as they grew bigger and bigger consuming the flames.
As the scroll done burning, Maeri then suddenly pulled the dragons in to her palms as she slowly knead them as if they were dough. After then she blew from her hand, dust. Flying towards Khalitt penetrating his skins, turning his whole body ethereal as slowly as he turned into dust, flying passing through the veil.
Seeing this scene Maeri stood still for a few moments as suddenly a voice of a man travel to her ears.
“Sister, I have found you.”