Chapter 39: The Fall of the Emperor

After resolving the issue with Gonggong, the Celestial Emperor Di Jun knew that his era was coming to an end.

Since the rebellion initiated by the God of War Xingtian and the Water God Gonggong, a series of events had damaged Di Jun’s divinity, leaving him far from his peak. He gazed once more toward the North Star in the firmament, which would soon become the residence of the new Supreme God of the Huaxia Realm.

Di Jun withdrew his gaze, and suddenly, thoughts of Mu Changge and Athena crossed his mind. "Perhaps I should have asked whether the Huaxia Realm would fare well after I am gone." He shook his head, pushing these thoughts aside.

Di Jun decided to find a location on the sacred Mount Kunlun to serve as an entrance to create a secret realm. He intended to leave his legacy and supreme treasures within this hidden world.

***

Under the guidance of the Four Mountains, Shun was humble in accepting advice and wise in appointing the capable. With all industries flourishing, he ushered in an era of political harmony and unity. After ascending the throne as the Celestial Emperor, Shun followed the advice of the Four Mountains, stepped down as the leader of the human tribal alliance, and abdicated in favor of Great Yu.

Shun departed for the Huoyun Palace to join the Three Sovereigns and Four Emperors: the Heavenly Sovereign Taihao Fuxi, the Earthly Sovereign Shennong, the Human Sovereign Xuanyuan, the White Emperor Shaohao, and Emperors Zhuanxu, Ku, Yao, and Shun. These were the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors of humanity.

Years after Shun left for the Huoyun Palace, Di Jun finished creating his secret realm and set up his legacy and treasures within. He appointed his supreme treasure, the Primordial Purple Gold Lotus, as the examiner of his legacy and the overseer of the realm. Afterward, he dissolved the Kunlun Imperial Capital, relocating its palaces and the Nine Heavens Eight Trigrams Formation into the secret realm.

As for the divine generals and deities, Di Jun allowed them to seek their own paths. Only the Overseeing God Luwu and the Patrolling God Yingzhao petitioned to remain, wishing to assist Di Jun in managing the realm. Di Jun granted their request, naming them the guardian deities of his secret realm. To his surprise, the Solar Sacred Beast Zhuzhao and the Lunar Sacred Beast Youying also returned, requesting to stay within the realm, to which he ultimately agreed.

Finally, Di Jun looked at the Celestial Emperor Tablet in his hand. "Let me take one last look. I wonder who will possess you in the future." He closed his eyes, channeling the tablet to observe the future. After a long silence, he opened his eyes and sighed, "So be it. Since keeping you here only buries your brilliance, go forth and find a worthy new master."

At that moment, the Celestial Emperor Tablet released a divine light that enveloped Di Jun’s physical form; then, it vanished into the void. Having completed all these tasks, Di Jun departed alone for the North Star.

***

At the North Star, the residence of the Taiyi God, Di Jun arrived and naturally discovered the presence of the deity. This was the first meeting between the two Supreme Gods of the Huaxia Realm.

"You have come."
"I have come."
"You should not have."
"Yet, I wished to see the new Supreme God of the Huaxia Realm. After all, I am truly curious."
"You can observe the future; can you not see my own?"
"I cannot see what you will do after becoming the Supreme God of the Huaxia Realm. However, I wanted to see with my own eyes what kind of god you are."

Both fell into silence.

"Since you knew of my existence, why did you not come for me at the height of your power?"
"I have no interest in using my status to bully the young."
"But now, it is I who will be using my status to bully you. Celestial Emperor, you have no treasures now, and your divinity is damaged; you are no match for me."
"Yet, my fighting spirit has never been higher than it is at this moment."

The Taiyi God nodded, acknowledging Di Jun’s words. "I can see that. Even though you are not at your peak, you are worthy of my full strength as a sign of respect."

"Finally, answer one question for me."
"Ask, provided I can answer."
"What will your Imperial title be?"

After a few moments, Di Jun received his answer: "Haotian, the God Haotian! My divine name is Taiyi."

Di Jun nodded, his heart at ease. "Then, come."
"I await your guidance."

A Celestial Emperor about to fade and a God about to begin his legend engaged in a transition of power through battle.

***

On that day, torrential rain fell across the Huaxia Realm, accompanied by thunder, lightning, and tremors of the earth, filling all living things with a profound sense of sorrow. A voice echoed in their hearts: The Celestial Emperor Di Jun had fallen!

This day became known as the Day of the Emperor's Fall.

Thereafter, many powerful beings among the myriad races sought the sacred Mount Kunlun, hoping to find the secret realm left by Di Jun to obtain his legacy or treasures and soar to greatness. Regrettably, no one could locate the entrance, nor could they force it open. Even when the supreme god of Taoism, Yuanshi Tianzun, later established his dojo on Mount Kunlun, he failed to discover the location of the secret realm. Like a sleeping dragon, the legacy of Di Jun awaited the right moment to emerge.

***

At the Origin Temple, the Mother Goddess Nuwa gazed at the sky of the secret realm, seemingly peering through it to the sorrow of the world outside. "You have departed; I am now the only ancient creator god remaining. Celestial Emperor Di Jun, Taiji God Fuxi, I look forward to our next meeting."

Behind her, Mu Changge asked Athena, "Teacher Athena, will the Celestial Emperor Di Jun be resurrected?"

Athena replied, "True gods are immortal and indestructible. This fall is merely a slumber; when the appropriate time arrives, the god will naturally awaken once more."

Mu Changge nodded, sighing, "I wonder who will be fortunate enough to open the secret realm set by the Celestial Emperor and obtain the legacy and treasures within."

"Do you not wish to try your luck?"

Mu Changge shook his head. "I have a premonition that the realm is not destined for me."

Athena looked at Mu Changge with surprise. At that moment, he seemed to have truly glimpsed the future, appearing somewhat mysterious to her.

Mother Goddess Nuwa, having overheard, turned to Mu Changge. "I am now curious about what your own path holds."

Mu Changge smiled. "My Lady, there is no need to hold me in such high regard; I am still waiting for the next opportunity to appear."

The Mother Goddess did not ask what that opportunity was. Since Mu Changge and Athena had traveled from the future, they naturally knew what was to come—provided, of course, they did not deliberately alter the course of events.

Athena, however, had a premonition: if Mu Changge could successfully complete his foundation building with the help of the White Tiger of the Four Celestial Spirits, he would become a god very soon.