The throne room of the Immortal Emperor was vast, filled with the soft glow of celestial light filtering through the high, arched windows. The Emperor, who had ruled the Infinite Immortal Realms for countless millennia, sat upon his grand throne, contemplating the challenges that lay ahead. The recent developments with the Twins of Chaos had brought a temporary sense of peace, but the Emperor knew that the calm was only temporary. There were greater forces at play, dark currents that threatened the very fabric of existence.
As he pondered these thoughts, something extraordinary occurred—a shimmering light appeared in the air before him, coalescing into a small, ornate scroll. The scroll unfurled itself mid-air, revealing an invitation written in elegant calligraphy, glowing faintly with a power that resonated with the Emperor’s very soul.
The Emperor’s eyes widened in shock. Few could bypass the wards and seals of his throne room, and fewer still would dare to do so. Yet this invitation had appeared with ease, as if the very laws of the cosmos had bent to allow it passage. He reached out and took the scroll, reading its contents carefully:
To the Immortal Emperor,
You are cordially invited to a gathering of utmost importance. The darkness stirs, and the realms must prepare. Arrive at the Celestial Tavern in Dragon City with one trusted advisor, in secrecy. Upon arrival, go to Private Room No.1, order wine, and knock your cup twice upon the table.
Zui Tian and the Godly Manager
The Emperor felt a ripple of power pass through him as he read the names at the bottom. Zui Tian… the old drunkard who was far more than he appeared. And the Godly Manager, whose influence spread across the realms. The implications of such an invitation were profound, and the Emperor knew that this was no ordinary meeting.
At that very moment, across the Immortal Realms, the leaders of the oldest and most powerful factions—the Lunar Sect, Void Temple, Buddhist Temple, Adventurer Guild, and Crimson Temple—experienced similar shocks. The same ornate scrolls had appeared before them, bypassing all defenses and appearing directly in front of them when they were alone. Each leader recognized the gravity of the invitation, understanding that something beyond their comprehension was at play.
Without hesitation, each leader began preparations, selecting a single trusted advisor to accompany them, and making arrangements to travel to the specified location in secrecy.
Dragon City, Celestial Tavern
The Celestial Tavern was as grand as ever, its exterior modest compared to the splendor within. The leaders of the great factions arrived one by one, each carefully disguised to avoid drawing attention. Despite their vast power and influence, they moved with caution, aware that their very presence together could cause ripples in the delicate balance of the realms.
The Immortal Emperor was the last to arrive, accompanied by his most trusted advisor, an ancient warrior who had served him since the early days of his reign. As they entered the tavern, they exchanged knowing glances with the other leaders, who were also seated at Private Room No.1.
The atmosphere was thick with tension as they sat around the table, the weight of the unknown pressing down on them. The leaders ordered wine, following the instructions on the scroll, and after a brief exchange of glances, each leader lifted their cup and knocked it twice on the table.
In an instant, the world around them shifted. The walls of the room dissolved, replaced by the warm, inviting glow of a hidden chamber deep within the tavern. The air was thick with a powerful, intoxicating scent that could only come from one source—Zui Tian’s Endless Wine Flask.
At the head of a large, ornate table sat Zui Tian, his appearance as unkempt as ever, dressed in his tattered red and white robes. Despite his disheveled look, the lines and dots on his robes seemed to pulse with life, holding within them the secrets of the universe. Across from him stood the Godly Manager, his presence calm and commanding, a figure who exuded an aura of control and power.
The leaders, including the Immortal Emperor, felt a shiver run down their spines as they took in the scene before them. Zui Tian raised his flask in greeting, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Welcome,” he said, his voice carrying a weight that belied his casual demeanor. “You’re all here because you understand what’s at stake.”
The Immortal Emperor, usually composed and unflappable, felt his heart skip a beat. There was something about Zui Tian’s presence that was almost overwhelming, as if the entire weight of the cosmos rested in the hands of this seemingly simple drunkard. “Zui Tian,” the Emperor began, his voice steady despite the unease he felt. “What is the meaning of this gathering?”
Zui Tian took a slow, deliberate sip from his flask before answering. “The realms are on the brink of something far greater than any of you have faced before. Darkness stirs beyond the boundaries of your understanding. To face it, you must be prepared, and to prepare, you must first understand the true nature of what lies ahead.”
The leaders exchanged uneasy glances, sensing the gravity of his words. The Godly Manager stepped forward, his voice smooth and authoritative. “This is no ordinary darkness,” he continued. “It is a force that could unravel the very fabric of reality. You have all been invited here because your strength, your wisdom, and your influence are necessary to counter what is coming.”
The leader of the Void Temple, a figure clad in dark robes, spoke up, his voice laced with skepticism. “And what exactly are we supposed to do? We have faced countless threats before, and we have always prevailed.”
Zui Tian chuckled softly, the sound both amused and tinged with something darker. “You’ve prevailed because the threats you’ve faced have been within the realms of your understanding. This is different. This is something that even the heavens themselves cannot fully comprehend.”
With a wave of his hand, Zui Tian summoned cups of wine for each of the leaders, filling them with a small amount from his Endless Wine Flask. The rich, intoxicating aroma filled the room, causing the leaders to stiffen in anticipation. The Immortal Emperor, recognizing the power contained within the wine, felt a surge of both excitement and dread.
“Drink,” Zui Tian said simply. “And you will understand.”
The leaders hesitated for a moment, then, one by one, they lifted their cups and took a sip.
The effect was instantaneous. As the wine touched their tongues, they felt a surge of power unlike anything they had ever experienced. It was as if the very essence of the cosmos had been distilled into that single drop, and it coursed through their veins with a force that was both exhilarating and terrifying.
The Immortal Emperor’s eyes widened as he felt his cultivation, which had long since reached the pinnacle of the Immortal Realms, take a step beyond. It was a sensation he had not felt in millennia—a glimpse of eternity, a taste of the infinite. The other leaders experienced similar reactions, their eyes glowing with the sudden influx of power, their minds racing to comprehend what they were feeling.
The leader of the Lunar Sect, a wise and ancient woman, placed her cup down with a trembling hand, her voice barely a whisper. “What… what is this?”
Zui Tian smiled faintly, his eyes gleaming with a knowing light. “This, my friends, is the essence of the Endless—a power that transcends even the Immortal Realms. It is but a small taste of what lies beyond your understanding, beyond the realms you know.”
The leader of the Crimson Temple, known for his fiery temper and indomitable will, stared at Zui Tian in shock. “How… how can this be? We have devoted our lives to reaching the pinnacle, and yet this… this is beyond anything we have ever imagined.”
The Godly Manager nodded, his expression serious. “This is why you were invited here, to prepare for the challenges ahead. The darkness we face is something that cannot be fought with ordinary means. It will require all of your strength, your wisdom, and more.”
The Immortal Emperor, regaining his composure, met Zui Tian’s gaze. “What do you propose we do?”
Zui Tian took another sip from his flask, his demeanor returning to its usual casual air. “First, you must understand that you are not alone in this. The realms must come together, united in purpose. Second, you must train and prepare in ways you’ve never imagined. The power you tasted just now is only the beginning. And finally,” he paused, his gaze sweeping over the leaders, “you must trust that what lies ahead will challenge everything you know. But you will not face it without guidance.”
The leaders, still reeling from the effects of the wine, nodded in agreement, understanding the gravity of what they had just experienced. The Immortal Emperor, his mind now clearer than ever, felt a renewed sense of purpose. Zui Tian was right—this was no ordinary threat, and it would take more than their individual strength to overcome it.
Zui Tian leaned back in his chair, his gaze distant. “The cosmos is vast, and the threats we face are far greater than any of you can comprehend. But if we stand together, if we prepare as one, there is a chance—however small—that we can preserve what we hold dear.”
The room fell into a contemplative silence, the leaders absorbing the weight of Zui Tian’s words. They had come to the Celestial Tavern seeking answers, and while they had found them, they had also discovered that the path ahead was far more perilous than they had ever imagined.
The Godly Manager, sensing that the meeting was drawing to a close, stepped forward once more. “You have all been given a gift today, a glimpse into the power that lies beyond. Use it wisely. Prepare your factions, strengthen your forces, and when the time comes, you will be called upon to act.”
The leaders nodded in unison, a silent agreement passing between them. They had been chosen for a reason, and now they had a mission that went beyond their individual realms.
Zui Tian raised his flask in a final toast, his expression one of quiet determination. “To the realms, and to the fight ahead. May we find the strength to face what’s coming.”
The leaders, still awed by what they had experienced, lifted their cups in response, the wine within now carrying a significance far greater than they could have ever imagined.
As they drank, the room began to fade, the hidden chamber dissolving around them. One by one, the leaders found themselves back in the Celestial Tavern, seated at the same table where they had first gathered. But now, they were no longer just leaders of their factions—they were part of something much greater, a united front against the darkness that threatened to engulf the cosmos.
And as they left the tavern, each returning to their respective realms with a renewed sense of purpose, they knew that the road ahead would be difficult. But they were no longer alone, and with the guidance of Zui Tian and the Godly Manager, they would face whatever challenges came their way.
The realms had been given a chance, a small glimmer of hope in the face of overwhelming darkness. And now, it was up to them to seize that chance and protect everything they held dear.