200 Years Later…
Xuemo Sect, Tao Hua Chuan Academy
Present Time
A thick, ancient book closes with a heavy thud. As it shuts, fine dust dancing in the beams of sunlight rises from the table, and the sound echoes through the vast hall. The disciples sitting in front remained transfixed, their eyes filled with a deep sense of satisfaction as they looked at the Grandmaster.
An elderly Grandmaster, whose face was etched with the lines of age and wisdom, stood before the students of Tao Hua Chuan Academy. He began to speak slowly, but his voice soon resonated like thunder in every direction, carrying the weight of centuries of experience. He declared:
"And in this manner… the Grandmaster of Black Heaven, the High Ruler, Lord Yu Sui, was born."
As soon as he finished, a student asked curiously:
"Grandmaster, why do I feel that the story is incomplete? You haven't told us how it ended... or is there more to come?"
Silence fell over the hall. Hearing the student’s question, everyone sank into thought not just the students, but the Grandmaster himself. He gave a soft smile, looking at all the students, and then his gaze shifted, carrying a faint shadow of sorrow. He looked at another ancient book kept beside the first one, wrapped in a crimson cloth. On the cloth, written in golden ink, were the words:
"The Untamed Path"
Finally, the Grandmaster spoke, and his voice made every student alert, for they knew something remained. His tone grew suddenly grave:
"Nothing that exists in this world truly ends; it only finds a new beginning. Just as a seed brings forth a plant that grows into a tree and bears fruit, that fruit contains thousands of its own seeds thousands of stories. One day, the tree dies. But in truth, it does not perish; instead, it makes space in this world to sprout once more through those seeds. In the same way, a prophecy was made... one that would determine the start of tomorrow. That one day… the gates of Black Heaven shall open once again."
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
He paused for a moment, his eyes softening as he gazed through the window at the rising sun. The students grew solemn. The heaviness held in the Grandmaster's hands was felt by everyone in the hall. He continued:
"But this time, only the Su Tao Jue mantra seal can seal it forever... Therefore… those two shall return to this world once more. This is the decree of Destiny. They must come."
Saying these words, he struck his hand firmly on the table, as if sealing the truth of his prophecy. The sound vibrated through the hall. A young student sitting at the back hesitantly raised his hand:
"Master… what happened to the Grandmaster of Black Heaven later? And what of High King Mo Yan? Are they still bound by that mantra?"
The teacher took a deep breath and opened the book wrapped in crimson cloth. A mystery shimmered in his eyes as he spoke:
"Who knows… this is a world, child, where even peace feels like a weapon, and there is no poison more hideous than beauty. But when the gate opens again, the descendants of Su Tao Jue… will surely return."
A profound silence descended upon the hall. By evening, the sun was ready to set. All the students slowly rose and walked toward the temple behind the academy. The temple hall was magnificent and vast. In the center of the pristine space stood two wooden shrines, side by side. The long, golden rays of the evening sun shimmered upon them.
Inside, they found the two ancient memorials standing together.
One was inscribed: "High King Mo Yan"
The other: "Patriarch Yu Sui"
All the students sat quietly before the shrines in a state of silent devotion. The fragrant smoke from the incense burning around the memorials drifted everywhere, calming their souls. The Grandmaster walked to the front, knelt, and bowed deeply in profound respect. Seeing him bow, all the students followed suit, offering their silent homage.
When the sunlight finally faded from the windows, it was time to leave. One by one, each student lit an incense stick and stepped out of the temple. Everyone was remarkably quiet, as if their souls had been granted a divine peace. No one spoke a word as they returned to their classrooms.
Behind them, at the entrance of the temple, carved in ancient yet shining characters, were the words: "SU TAO JUE"
