As dawn broke, the light of the new day casting golden hues across the now-quiet battlefield, the air was filled with an almost ethereal calm. The sound of birdsong replaced the echoes of war, and the companions who had shared laughter and drink through the night now sat in reflective silence.
Zui Tian, resting his elbows on the stone table, stared out at the horizon, his expression uncharacteristically thoughtful. The weight of the recent battle and their narrow victory against the Sea of Nihility had brought something to the surface of his mind—an idea he hadn’t considered in many eras.
He turned to Wújìn Mèng, his sister and the one person who understood him better than anyone else. “Big Sis,” he began, his voice low and contemplative, “What do you think about bringing back the Dream Academies?”
Wújìn raised an eyebrow, surprised by the question. “The Dream Academies?” she asked, folding her arms as she regarded him thoughtfully. “You haven’t mentioned those in a long time. Why now?”
Zui smiled faintly. “After everything we’ve been through, I can’t help but think about the direction the realms are heading. We’ve seen what unchecked power and violence can lead to—the Sea of Nihility, the endless wars, the constant struggle for supremacy. Maybe it’s time to try something different. Instead of letting violence dictate the course of history, we could focus on knowledge, philosophy, and cultivation of the mind.”
Wújìn Mèng nodded, the idea resonating with her. The Dream Academies had been her brainchild in the ancient era, born out of a vision she had while dreaming of a strange, distant world called Earth—a place where education and knowledge were valued above brute strength, and where violence, though still present, was tempered by wisdom and understanding.
“The academies were created to provide a different path,” Wújìn said softly, “a way for beings to understand themselves and the universe without resorting to conflict. But as you know, it’s a double-edged sword. Violence is an intrinsic part of nature, of survival. We can’t erase it, only guide it.”
Zui Tian nodded. “True. But education can be a tool—a way to offer alternatives. If we can help the beings of the realms explore other paths, maybe we can curb the worst of their violent tendencies.”
He leaned back, grinning again. “Besides, I’d love to see these youngsters get their heads out of the clouds and into something more productive than swinging swords around all day.”
Wújìn smiled at her brother’s usual playful tone, but deep down, she shared his sentiment. The realms had been steeped in violence for far too long, and perhaps the revival of the Dream Academies could usher in a new era—one that prioritized wisdom over war.
As the two siblings sat in quiet contemplation, Zui Tian turned his gaze to the Godly Manager, who had been silently listening to their conversation with an amused smile on his face. “Hey, Old Manager,” Zui called, “You’ve been hoarding treasures from the Celestial Taverns and your network for eras, haven’t you? How about we use some of that wealth to fund this new project—hire architects, talented immortal teachers, maybe even build a few academies across the realms?”
The Godly Manager chuckled softly, shaking his head. “You never cease to amuse me, Zui. Of course, I’ve been quietly amassing wealth, but it’s more than just a few treasures. In fact, I think it’s time you see exactly what I’ve been doing while you’ve been wandering the realms, drinking your days away.”
With a flourish, the Godly Manager reached into his robes and pulled out a small, intricate golden gate. It was a beautiful object, covered in elaborate designs and shimmering runes, with numberings going up to 10,000 engraved along its edges. The air around the gate seemed to hum with energy, and even those present—beings of immense power—could feel the immense pressure it radiated.
Zui Tian raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What’s this, then?”
The Godly Manager stood and placed the gate on the ground in front of them. “This,” he said, “is a portal to 10,000 treasure realms. Each realm is a vast world filled with treasures that I’ve carefully gathered and stashed away since the Chaos Era. Using the Celestial Taverns, the information network, and a few other channels I’ve built over the eons, I’ve accumulated more wealth than even the combined factions of the Infinite Immortal Realms could dream of.”
Zui Tian’s eyes widened in excitement as he leaned forward to inspect the gate. “10,000 treasure realms?” he repeated, barely able to contain his enthusiasm. “You’ve been holding out on me, Old Manager!”
The Twins of Chaos, who had been quietly listening, exchanged a glance. Even they, who had grown up amid chaos and destruction, felt a surge of curiosity. The Godly Manager had always been a figure of mystery, his true power and resources hidden from most. But now, it seemed they were about to get a glimpse of just how vast his influence truly was.
With a simple gesture, the Godly Manager activated the gate, and a radiant golden portal opened before them. It shimmered with ethereal light, swirling with energy that beckoned them forward.
“Come,” the Godly Manager said, motioning for them to follow. “I think it’s time you saw what I’ve been working on.”
One by one, the group stepped through the portal. The moment they crossed the threshold, they found themselves standing in a vast expanse that defied comprehension. Treasures—countless artifacts, weapons, scrolls, and jewels—filled the realm as far as the eye could see. Massive floating palaces and temples hovered in the skies, each one filled with untold riches. The ground was made of pure, crystalline energy, and the sky above shimmered with the light of a thousand suns.
Zui Tian whistled softly, turning in a slow circle to take it all in. “By the Aether,” he murmured, “this… this is beyond anything I’ve ever seen. Any one of these treasures could cause a war in the Immortal Realms.”
The Godly Manager nodded, a proud smile on his face. “Indeed. These treasures have been carefully collected and stored away, waiting for the right moment. And now, we can use them to rebuild. If you want to revive the Dream Academies, Zui, then we can fund their construction and hire the most talented architects and teachers in the realms.”
Wújìn Mèng, who had been quietly observing, nodded in approval. “This could work, Zui. With these resources, we could create something lasting—something that would shape the future of the realms.”
The Twins of Chaos marveled at the sight, their chaotic energies swirling with excitement. They, too, had never seen such a vast collection of treasures in one place.
“Old Manager,” Zui said, turning to his friend with a grin, “I knew you were rich, but this is something else.”
The Godly Manager chuckled. “We’ve all played our parts, Zui. I’ve just been preparing for the day when we’d need to build something new—something that could guide the future generations of the realms. The Dream Academies will be a good start.”
Zui Tian clapped his hands together, his enthusiasm growing by the second. “Then it’s settled! Let’s use these treasures to fund the Dream Academies and hire the best talents we can find. We’ll teach these young immortals that there’s more to life than fighting. Philosophy, art, cultivation of the mind—everything Wújìn dreamed of.”
And so, in the vast expanse of the Treasure Realms, a new era began to take shape. With the wealth of the Godly Manager and the vision of Zui Tian and Wújìn Mèng, the Dream Academies would rise once more, offering a path of knowledge, wisdom, and peace to the realms that had long been ruled by violence and chaos.