Chapter 1: The Beginning of Fate

Chaos divided into Yin and Yang, beginning with Heaven and Earth. From the interplay of Yin and Yang arose the Five Elements, and in their ceaseless cycle all things were born, under the nine heavens, across the Six Directions and Eight Desolations.

Heaven was divided into nine divisions and eight epochs; Earth into nine provinces and eight pillars. The sun rises over the nine provinces and sets in the Ruins.

Within the nine provinces dwell four ancient deities: Lady Chaoyan of Dawn, the War God of Northern Abyss and Blazing Fire, the High God of the Ninefold Moon, and Lord Lanshu of the Heavens. These four are the highest of the gods.

Lady Chaoyan of Dawn stands foremost among the ancients, sovereign of Yunmeng Mountain, where mist weaves through hidden valleys and divine radiance ascends from water to sky. Gentle to the bone and compassionate to all beings, she scatters feathers across the heavens, blessing all living things, and holds the power to redeem Heaven and Earth. Beneath her are the Four Celestial Spirits; the ancient Vermilion Bird, who commands the universe and brings forth life. Throughout the Nine Provinces and Eight Desolations, all who seek divinity must bow before her—supreme and revered, she is truly the Goddess of Love.

The War God of Northern Abyss and Blazing Fire hails from the Northern Abyssal Clan, a lineage of gods in the Realm of Endless Waters and Dreams, unmatched in might and glory—a war god whose feats are legendary, whose presence is both seductive and wild. It is said that a glance from his eyes contains sun, moon, and stars; a sweep of his sleeve spans mountains and rivers. Beneath him serves the ancient Azure Dragon, of exalted rank and boundless power. He commands all creation, and yet can slaughter countless beings. The gods of Endless Waters and Dreams all fear him—he is the God of Slaughter.

The High God of the Ninefold Moon traverses the heavens and earth with peerless majesty, riding the white steed of time across the universe to the thirty-third heaven. He governs the vast wilderness, the mysteries of heaven and earth, embodying the Moon, the God of Chaos.

Lord Lanshu of the Heavens commands order with divine decree, noble through eternity, as the seas are clear and deep. In his hand he holds a jade fan, capable of illuminating the four seasons and dispelling the long night of the Eight Desolations. He governs the eternal light of the heavens; rosy clouds stretch ten thousand miles—he is the Sun, God of Light.

Thirty thousand years ago, in the twilight of the mountains and seas—on Mount Nine Hells—the Northern Abyssal Clan grew arrogant, repeatedly provoking the majesty of the gods of Endless Waters and Dreams. The High God of the Ninefold Moon, enraged, declared them demons and ordered the extermination of the entire Northern Abyssal Clan.

The War God of Northern Abyss and Blazing Fire, himself of the Northern Abyssal Clan, was falsely accused. From beginning to end, he had never intended to oppose the gods, but the divine assembly of Endless Waters and Dreams showed no mercy, hunting his clan to extinction.

Bereft of options, the War God of Northern Abyss and Blazing Fire, faced with the annihilation of his people, turned his back on the gods. Driven by desperation, he stole an ancient forbidden tome from the Realm of Endless Waters and Dreams. Within the unending karmic flames of the Ruins, he transformed himself into a Demon Lord.

In the Ruins’ endless inferno, he endured tribulation and heavenly punishment—thirty-three bolts of celestial thunder and earth’s fire. His bones became tainted with evil, neither wholly god nor wholly demon, gaining an immortal body—should he so wish, all things would flourish; with a single thought, the sky could perish.

In the Realm of Endless Waters and Dreams, the High God of the Ninefold Moon and Lord Lanshu of the Heavens joined forces; sun and moon shone together, wounding the War God of Northern Abyss and Blazing Fire grievously.

“Lady Chaoyan, why do you hesitate? If killing one could save the world, that one must die—much less a fiend such as this, who cannot be left alive.”

“High God of the Ninefold Moon, the goddess has compassion for all. If we cannot save one, how can we save the many?”

With these words, Lady Chaoyan withdrew her hand and stepped before the Demon Lord, shielding him.

The High God of the Ninefold Moon gazed at her softness, his face hardening with a chilling intent.

“Lady Chaoyan, if you insist, do not blame me for turning against you.”

“High God, the Northern Abyssal Clan is not a clan of demons.”

“They were slandered. You eradicated them, and only in utter desperation did the War God steal the ancient tome and become a Demon Lord. If he can be redeemed, he will return as an ancient deity, a War God again, and bless all living things.”

Seeing Lady Chaoyan’s resolve to redeem the Demon Lord, the High God of the Ninefold Moon sighed.

“That is but your own story, Lady Chaoyan. If you persist in sheltering him, you share his guilt and his fate.”

Hearing such merciless words, Lady Chaoyan’s eyes flickered, but her face did not betray fear.

“High God, the myriad beings of mountains and seas are innocent. I am the goddess of all creation. If you truly wish for slaughter, kill me first.”

The High God of the Ninefold Moon was furious. He knew the Demon Lord’s nature was now irrevocably twisted, yet Lady Chaoyan, knowing the odds, would still attempt his salvation.

Displeased, the High God said, “Very well. I shall see how your mercy and compassion can redeem this fiend. He is yours to dispose of. Should he bring calamity in future, I will show no mercy; his blood will be the offering for all creation.”

From that moment, the High God of the Ninefold Moon departed in anger, severing ties with Lady Chaoyan.

And so, the Demon Lord was subdued and sealed away by Lady Chaoyan in the Ruins, where she watched over him for tens of thousands of years.

A myriad years passed in the blink of an eye.

Within the Ruins, the Demon Lord and Lady Chaoyan, through long companionship, grew close, their hearts entwined until no secret remained unspoken.

“Yanhuo, do you know what the most beautiful thing in this world is?” Lady Chaoyan, pure as untouched snow, looked up at the sky strewn with stars.

The Demon Lord’s lips curved into a faint smile, his head tilted in thought.

“The most beautiful thing? Let me guess… Is it letting me out?”

Lady Chaoyan’s eyes, bright as sun and moon, sparkled with laughter.

“Oh, you! Incorrigible as ever. Stay here in the Ruins, cultivate diligently, and dispel the darkness in your heart as soon as you can.”

“All right.” A trace of sincerity flickered in the Demon Lord’s eyes as he gazed at her profile.

Beneath Lady Chaoyan’s long, feathery lashes lay a beauty mark, shifting ever so slightly, enough to unsettle the heart.

Yet Lady Chaoyan did not notice the Demon Lord’s secret glances, her gaze instead fixed upon the night sky, her eyes shining.

“The most beautiful thing in this world is to hold love in your heart—for with love, all things can be redeemed.”

“Is that so?” The Demon Lord’s gaze flashed like a shooting star, retreating as he looked into her eyes. Yet a shadow of desolation passed over his brow; his eyes were cool and distant, confused—emotion and desire seemed lost to him.

The gods had slaughtered his clan, branded them demons, reduced an ancient War God to a Demon Lord—what bitter irony.

“But this Ruins is a prison, binding me for ten thousand years. How can there be love in my heart?”

The Demon Lord looked up at the sea of stars, his eyes cold as an abyss, his expression pained as he sighed.

Then, turning, he pondered a moment before smiling at Lady Chaoyan.

“Still, I think perhaps the most beautiful thing in the world is simply being with you.”

Lady Chaoyan, serene and gentle, looked up, meeting the Demon Lord’s eyes. With a light tap, she knocked his forehead playfully.