The divine kingdom by the lake blazed with light.
Billions of cultivators were still drunk with the frenzy of the "Heavenly Emperor's Coronation," bells echoing across the nine heavens and ten lands.
But in the deepest hour of night, the lake's heart suddenly trembled.
Boom—!
The waters heaved, waves like mountains, a whirlpool piercing straight to the heavens. Ancient runes surfaced, weaving into a colossal eye, staring coldly down at all beings.
It was—the will of the Origin of the Archaic Ruins!
Slumbering for ten thousand years, now it had awakened, personally descending.
Countless cultivators shivered, screaming:
"Heavens! The dungeon's source!"
"The will of the origin has come—this is the ultimate trial!"
"The Ancient God, the Heavenly Emperor, will now receive final recognition!"
…
At the lakeside.
The black-haired youth had just finished eating candied chestnuts, and with his fishing rod in hand, was ready for some night fishing.
Looking up, he saw the vast whirlpool at the lake's heart, his eyes shining.
"Whoa! What a huge fish!"
His hands trembled with excitement. "Perfect! Won't have to worry about midnight snacks tonight!"
With that, he cast his line.
…
The source will's aura thundered, chains of law cascading from the whirlpool, shaking the world. It sought to merge with the "spokesman of the Ancient God" and reclaim dominion.
But just as it prepared to strike—
Snap!
A fishhook landed squarely on its rune-etched "pupil."
The youth shouted, "Got one!"
With a mighty pull, he hauled the world-shaking will of the source out of the lake.
Boom!
Heaven and earth collapsed, stars fell like rain.
Cultivators gaped, souls on the verge of shattering:
"He… he hooked the dungeon's source itself?!"
"What kind of realm is this?!"
"The Ancient God, the Heavenly Emperor, fishes even the Origin of Heaven like a common carp!"
…
The youth didn't care, thrilled as he slammed the "big fish" onto the ground.
"Hehe, tonight's feast!"
He split it open, salted it, set it on the grill, and began flipping it.
Sizzle—!
Runes of law erupted into sparks, the earth shook, the lake evaporated into mist.
…
The source will roared in fury: "I am the origin of heaven and—"
"Shut it! Grilling fish needs quiet!"
The youth smacked it with a stick, silencing it instantly.
Then, turning the fish, he muttered, "These scales are thick. Next time, gotta bring a bigger knife."
…
Countless cultivators watching fell into utter madness.
"The Ancient God… he's roasting the source will like fish!"
"This means he's not just the Heavenly Emperor—he is the Dao itself!"
"Heavens! He is the true master of the origin!"
Tears streamed as they knelt and cried: "The Ancient God is supreme!"
…
The fragrance spread.
The youth tore off a piece, chewed, and grimaced: "Ugh, tough as leather—and bitter too."
Disgusted, he tossed half the fish aside.
"Forget it, tastes bad. Tomorrow I'll catch smaller ones."
…
Cultivators scrambled on their knees, reverently cradling the discarded half as if divine relics.
They sobbed: "The Ancient God bestows sacred fish! A reward after the trial!"
One ate through tears—instantly glowing, breaking shackles, soaring into the skies.
"I… I've ascended!"
The crowd went berserk.
"The Ancient God is supreme!"
"Heavenly Emperor, the only one!"
"The source devoured—he alone is Heaven's true master!"
…
The youth clapped his hands, yawned, and turned for his hut.
"Phew… full now. Time to sleep."
Muttering as he went: "Terrible-tasting fish. Won't catch that kind again."
Curling on his mat, he was soon snoring.
…
But across the nine heavens and ten lands, cultivators lost all reason that night:
—The Ancient God, the Heavenly Emperor, had devoured the source itself, and truly ruled the cosmos!