Prologue: The Seven-Star Pavilion and the Boundless Sky

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 eight wilds, nine provinces, countless strange stories and divine legends! Enough, enough! If you wish to listen, do so; if not, you’re free to leave! But don’t stand here causing trouble and ruining my tale!”

The listener, in truth, had been thoroughly absorbed but could not resist the urge to argue for argument’s sake. Soon enough, he bowed his head and admitted, “Please, continue. We wish to hear your story.”

“Hmph!” The old storyteller snorted, eyes rolled in feigned disdain before he pressed on:

“The tales I bring are true legends and myths. Next, I’ll get straight to the point. But let me warn you all—if you interrupt, you’ll bear the consequences yourselves! If you spoil my mood, well, I just might stop right here!”

“All right! We’ll listen quietly!” The crowd, packed to the rafters, made the Seven Stars Tower buzz with excitement and anticipation.

“This tale is long indeed! But since everyone’s so eager, I’ll hold nothing back and tell you all I know!”

“Please, sir, go on?” called a gentle voice from within the hall—a woman veiled in gauze, her figure alluring. All eyes turned toward her; she was the renowned Witch of the Seven Stars Tower, her tall, seductive form a rarity to behold.

At the sight of her, the old storyteller’s spirits soared, his face flushing as he straightened his robes and cleared his throat. He slapped his bamboo scroll on the table and began:

“It’s said that a thousand years ago, a war broke out between the Sorcerers and the Demons—so fierce it shook heaven and earth. Back then, the ten ancestral sorcerers led their clans against the Demon Emperor and the ancient Heavenly Court ruled by the Eastern Emperor Taiyi.

This triggered the greatest Tribulation of the Three Realms. At the onset of battle, Gonggong, the Water God and one of the twelve ancestral sorcerers, proud but not a king, wielded water over wood and clashed with Zhu Rong, the Fire God, another ancestral sorcerer. Defeated and enraged, Gonggong smashed his head against the Buzhou Mountain in grief, causing the world to change color—mountains collapsed, earth split, the celestial pillar broke, and a flood swept across the land. The pillar supporting the heavens and the worlds of gods and demons was shattered; the sky fell, the earth caved, wildfires and floods devastated all things. The reversal of the Celestial River brought calamity, and at the very brink, the holy Nuwa descended, melting the five-colored stones to mend the sky, saving countless lives.

Afterward, the ruler of the ancient Heavenly Court, Eastern Emperor Taiyi, was ensnared by karma and divine retribution. His ten sons, the Golden Crows, broke the laws of heaven, and Taiyi shielded them, stoking the resentment of the Sorcerer Tribe. The mighty Kua Fu pursued the ten Golden Crows to punish them—a tale known as ‘Kua Fu Chasing the Sun’—but was slain in an instant by their combined might. Enraged, the ancestral sorcerers led their people in a siege upon the ancient Heavenly Court. For forty-nine days, the war raged. The great archer Hou Yi avenged Kua Fu by shooting down the ten Golden Crows. Thus, the fuse was lit for the conflict between the two clans.

The twelve ancestral sorcerers suffered early losses due to the internal strife between Water God Gonggong and Fire God Zhu Rong, leaving ten to unite against the Heavenly Emperor Taiyi. The war between the clans nearly destroyed the world, dragging mortals into the carnage. One by one, the ten ancestral sorcerers fell. In the end, the most formidable among them, Earth Mother Houtu, activated the Grand Array of the Twelve Heavenly Gods, trapping Taiyi. Ultimately, both Taiyi and the ancestral sorcerers perished amid the stars.”

Thunderous applause erupted from the floor, the sound echoing through the tower.

With no seat to be found, every face was filled with anticipation. The mysterious woman covered her mouth, eyes sparkling as she laughed softly. She spoke, her voice like spring peach blossoms: “Please, sir, tell us more! I am most curious!”

The crowd cheered, delighted to have their thoughts voiced.

The old man, catching her gaze and not daring to linger, cleared his throat and continued, “Afterward, with the remnants of the Sorcerer and Demon clans fading from history, humanity rose in power. In that era, the three Primordial Saints descended to the mortal world, founding the Three Teachings: the Way of Humanity, the Teaching of Elucidation, and the Teaching of Termination. The Saints enlightened all beings, teaching and guiding mortals. When the Heavenly Court was left leaderless, the Three Primal Purities recommended the Grandmaster Hongjun’s attendant, Haotian, and the maiden Yaochi, to be Emperor and Empress of Heaven.”

At this, a listener below shouted, “Sir, do continue! We paid good money to hear your tale!”

“Patience, my friends! Let me have a sip of water, and I shall go on.”

All eyes were fixed hopefully on him, the beautiful woman resting her chin in her hands, her bright eyes wide, as if fearing the story would end.

“In time, the great tribulation reshuffled the Three Realms, and humanity rose to dominance. During the age of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, the founding ancestor Yu led his people to fight floods and disasters. For his deeds, he established the hereditary Xia Dynasty, founding a nation under the protection of gods and men, which has lasted over four centuries. That flood, which nearly destroyed all mankind, was as devastating as when the Water God and Fire God shattered Buzhou Mountain, inciting Heaven’s wrath—so furious that the Celestial River overflowed for years, as if Heaven itself wept and all spirits mourned.

As the saying goes: ‘The Yellow River’s waters descend from Heaven, surging endlessly to the sea.’

Fortunately, Yu emerged in that time of crisis, riding twin dragons through the sky, saving the people from the calamity. After quelling the flood, Yu established the Xia Dynasty, ushering in an era of peace and prosperity. Hundreds of vassal lords paid tribute, and the nine provinces flourished as one. Yet, soon after, having completed his work, Yu was summoned to the Heavenly Court and appointed Northern Water Emperor by the Jade Emperor of the East. Thus, he passed the throne to Qi, who became the True Dragon Emperor and pledged fealty to the Jade Emperor on behalf of all the lands.

From that day on, when Qi submitted, the Jade Emperor’s imperial decree descended upon Yangcheng: ‘Let the mortal Emperor Qi vow to serve under the Jade Emperor of the Heavens, bearing the title Son of Heaven, to govern the mortal realm on behalf of Heaven, and pass this legacy through the generations!’

...

“And with that, today’s tale concludes!” The old man rolled up his bamboo scroll, ready to depart.

“Hey, don’t leave yet, old sir!”

“That’s right! We were just getting to the best part, and you leave us hanging!”

“Indeed! That’s not fair—we all paid for this!”

As the storyteller made to leave, the hall erupted in protest. Luckily, the beautiful woman came to his rescue, waving her hand and stepping onto the stage. Her tall figure, flowing dark hair cascading to her hips, and expressive eyes were enough to send the crowd into an even greater frenzy.

“Dear guests, our time today is up. If you wish to hear more, please return to the Seven Stars Tower at the appointed hour to queue for seats.”

At this, the crowd groaned, reluctantly gathering their stools and trickling out.

Suddenly, a peal of thunder roared outside, startling everyone—it must have come from beyond the city walls.

Inside, people grabbed their stools and fled in panic. The sky was clear, yet thunder rolled, so fierce it shook the Seven Stars Tower, deafening the citizens and making the entire building tremble. The beautiful woman gazed out in shock at the sky, where, in the clouds, she seemed to glimpse two immense, jet-black serpentine forms writhing, their bodies coiling through the thick clouds, faintly wreathed in crackling lightning.

On the bustling streets, someone shouted, “Look! Demon dragons have appeared!”

People craned their necks, gaping at the sky above the clouds.

“Something’s moving in the clouds!” cried a three-year-old girl with two little pigtails, her voice ringing out as she pointed upward.

Her childish excitement set off the other children, who all looked up, exclaiming, “Wow, what a huge loach!”

“No—it’s two big black earthworms!” a chubby little boy retorted, face serious.

“Nonsense! Those aren’t ordinary earthworms!” another delicate little girl corrected him.

“Then what are they?” the others asked in amazement.

The little girl gazed earnestly at the sky and replied in a sweet voice, “Those are the celestial earthworms raised by the gods!”

“Wow!” the children gasped, tumbling backwards in astonishment.