The morning sun had barely crested the horizon, casting long shadows through the winding streets of the city. The early light brought with it a gentle warmth, softening the sharp edges of the stone buildings and illuminating the bustling activity that had already begun. Merchants opened their stalls, the smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, and the sound of hawkers calling out their goods filled the streets.
Zui Tian walked among the people, his tattered robes trailing behind him. His steps were unhurried, his demeanor calm. He was a familiar figure in the city, the enigmatic drunkard who spent his days and nights in The Mortal Tavern, speaking of cosmic wonders and horrors, sharing stories that most dismissed as the ramblings of a madman.
But today, something was different.
As Zui Tian made his way through the city, the usual indifference of the townspeople was replaced by something else—reverence. People stopped in their tracks as he passed, their eyes wide with awe and respect. The street vendors paused mid-sentence, their gazes following his every move. Children, usually so boisterous and carefree, fell silent as he approached, sensing the gravity of his presence.
Zui Tian noticed the change immediately. He could feel the shift in the air, the way the people around him seemed to instinctively recognize something greater within him. It was as if the very essence of his being had finally revealed itself to them, dispelling the illusion of the ordinary and allowing them to see him for what he truly was.
An Eternal.
Zui Tian’s face remained impassive, but inside, he felt a pang of melancholy. He had enjoyed his time in this mortal realm, relished the anonymity that allowed him to live among the people without the weight of expectation. But now, that time was coming to an end. The reverence in the eyes of those around him was a sign—a reminder that he could no longer remain here.
As he walked, the crowds parted before him, creating a path that led straight to the heart of the city. Zui Tian’s destination was clear in his mind. He knew where he needed to go, what he needed to do.
When he reached The Mortal Tavern, the place where he had spent countless days and nights, he paused at the entrance. The building was humble, unremarkable to most, but to him, it had been a sanctuary—a place where he could find a moment of peace amid the chaos of his existence.
He pushed open the door and stepped inside. The tavern was already bustling with activity, patrons enjoying their breakfast and sharing stories of the previous night. But as Zui Tian entered, a hush fell over the room. All eyes turned to him, the conversations dying on the patrons’ lips.
At the bar stood Mei, the hostess of The Mortal Tavern. She was a middle-aged woman with a kind face, her hair tied back in a simple braid. She had always treated Zui Tian with respect, never prying into his business, content to let him be. Now, as she met his gaze, there was a flicker of understanding in her eyes.
Zui Tian approached the bar, and Mei offered him a small, knowing smile. “Leaving us already, Zui?” she asked, her voice soft.
Zui Tian nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. “It’s time,” he said simply. “Thank you, Mei, for your hospitality. I’ve stayed longer than I should have.”
Mei shook her head. “You’re always welcome here. You know that.”
Zui Tian’s smile widened, and he reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Take care, Mei. I’ll miss this place.”
With that, Zui Tian turned to face the room. The patrons watched him in silence, their faces a mix of awe and curiosity. Zui Tian took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. The time had come to move on, to leave the mortal realm behind and return to the Immortal Realms where he truly belonged.
Raising his hand, Zui Tian made a simple gesture—a flick of his wrist that seemed to ripple through the very fabric of reality. The air in the center of the tavern began to shimmer, a vortex of energy swirling into existence. The portal formed in an instant, its edges crackling with raw, untamed power. The energy that radiated from the portal was overwhelming, a force so intense that it washed over everyone in the room, filling them with a sensation of limitless potential.
The patrons gasped as they felt the energy surge through them. The sheer magnitude of it was beyond anything they had ever experienced. Those who had been seasoned fighters in the Jianghu now found themselves brimming with newfound strength, their bodies and minds elevated to heights they had never dreamed possible.
But for Mei, who stood closest to the portal, the effect was far more profound.
As the energy enveloped her, Mei felt her body undergo a transformation—a complete and utter rebirth. Her mortal limitations dissolved, replaced by a power that surged through her veins like liquid fire. She felt herself ascending, her cultivation base soaring past mortal bounds, past the levels of skilled martial artists, and into the realm of the divine.
In that moment, Mei reached the Golden Core stage of cultivation, a level of power that granted her the ability to move mountains, to command the elements, and to live for thousands of years. The change was instantaneous, yet Mei accepted it with a calm grace, understanding that this was the gift Zui Tian had left for her—a parting token of his appreciation.
Zui Tian looked at Mei one last time, nodding in approval. “Goodbye, Mei. You’ll do great things, I’m sure.”
Mei, still coming to terms with the magnitude of what had just happened, could only nod in return, her eyes shining with gratitude and awe.
With a final glance around the tavern, Zui Tian stepped into the portal. The swirling vortex of energy closed around him, and in the blink of an eye, he was gone. The portal vanished as quickly as it had appeared, leaving the tavern in stunned silence.
The patrons, now brimming with power they could barely comprehend, looked at each other, trying to process what had just occurred. They had witnessed something extraordinary—something that would be spoken of in legends for generations to come.
Mei, now a cultivator of near-godly power, stood in the center of the tavern, her mind racing with possibilities. She had been given a gift, a chance to make a difference in a world that had been her home for so long. And she would not waste it.
As for Zui Tian, he had returned to the Immortal Realms, where new challenges awaited him. The journey was far from over, and the cycle of creation and destruction would continue to turn. But for now, he would relish the freedom that came with the unknown, embracing the next chapter of his endless existence.
The Mortal Realm had been kind to him, but it was time to move on. And as he ventured into the Immortal Realms, Zui Tian knew that he was leaving behind a legacy—one that would continue to grow and flourish, long after he was gone.