The Legend Before the Investiture of the Gods

Within the city of Yangcheng, capital of Yudu, the Seven Stars Tower soared straight into the clouds.

At this moment, the Seven Stars Tower was filled to capacity, so crowded that even the stray old dogs from the streets of Yangcheng had gathered outside, lying on the ground with their ears perked up, eavesdropping on what happened within.

“They say that in the era of the Primeval Wilderness, there once broke out a Great War of the Gods! Legend has it that every deity and immortal in the heavens took part in that cataclysm. Back then, the ancient battlefield became a burial ground, the corpses of the slain piling up like mountains across ten thousand miles of plains, rivers of blood flowing, bodies strewn everywhere. Even today, no one dares venture into that forsaken land. If that scoundrel Er Gouzi from Old Wang’s family next door were to go there, he’d likely be so frightened he’d be retching and unable to eat for days!”

The storyteller’s words were still hanging in the air when the whole hall burst into laughter, with patrons slapping their tables in delight—though the tale also sparked some dissatisfaction. Below the stage, a listener scoffed, his tone full of disbelief as he mocked, “Isn’t this a bit much? Old man, you exaggerate with every word. Don’t think us common folk are so easily fooled!”

His voice was sharp and dramatic, the performance lively.

The old storyteller frowned, displeasure clouding his wrinkled face. “Hmph!”

“My good sir, believe it or not, that’s your choice! Look at our vast, beautiful land—four seas and eig