The lakeside divine palace, blazing with golden light.
Ever since the tale of "the Heavenly Dao queuing to eat dried fish" spread across the realms, all of creation had gone completely mad. Cultivators firmly believed: the Ancient God Emperor was the one and only, and even the Heavenly Dao itself was merely his servant.
Thus, the nine heavens and ten lands, the demons and monsters, the foreign powers, and even the resurrected heroic spirits all gathered to hold the grandest ceremony in history—"The One Eternal Grand Festival."
"This is the first and last grand festival in all realms!"
"The Ancient God Emperor is eternity itself!"
"Only then can the realms truly be unified!"
…
On the lakeside square, altars rose high, drums thundered, banners covered the sky.
Billions of beings knelt in neat formation, awaiting the "Emperor's descent."
…
Inside his hut, the black-haired youth walked out humming, carrying his fish basket.
He looked up, saw the countless kneeling figures, the thunder of drums, banners flying, even demons, monsters, and heroic spirits present.
He froze for a moment, then his eyes lit up: "Whoa! So lively? Turns out today's a fishing competition!"
He clapped his hands excitedly: "Hahaha, finally! I've been fishing alone every day, too boring—time for some competition!"
…
Boom!
Countless cultivators broke into tears at once.
"Did you hear?! The Emperor declared—it's a fishing competition!"
"No! It's the supreme Holy Words: cultivation itself is fishing!"
"Too great! Too profound!"
They carved upon the stone stele:
[Holy Words of the Ancient God: Cultivation is Fishing]
In an instant, the continent was swept into another cultivation frenzy.
…
The black-haired youth excitedly raised his fishing rod and shouted: "Come on! Everyone, bring out your rods! Let's see who catches the most!"
He casually cast his line. Plop! The hook struck water.
The next second, the lake exploded. A blazing "Crimson Flame Dragon Carp" leapt out, scales burning with fire.
He gave a gentle tug and tossed the ten-zhang-long giant fish onto the shore.
"Haha! First cast and such a big one—today I'm definitely winning!"
…
Countless cultivators went insane.
"The Emperor, with one casual cast, fished out the embodiment of the Dao!"
"The Crimson Flame Dragon Carp—symbol of eternal fire! This is a miracle!"
"The Emperor is supreme!"
Trembling, they all cast their lines into the lake.
But not a single fish responded. Only the youth's basket grew fuller and fuller.
He laughed and shook his head: "Hahaha, you guys… your technique's no good. Fishing takes patience, and you've gotta find the right angle!"
…
Those words were instantly engraved on the stele:
[Holy Words of the Ancient God: Cultivation needs patience, the angle must be right]
In an instant, countless people gained enlightenment, breaking through their bottlenecks on the spot.
…
On the square, the bells of the festival thundered, and all races cried out together:
"Ancient God Emperor, the One Eternal!"
"The realms united!"
"Fishing is the Dao!"
…
The black-haired youth, proud as could be, lifted his overflowing fish basket and laughed loudly: "Hahaha! I win! Champion of this fishing competition is mine!"
He raised the basket and shouted: "Don't lose heart, everyone—go practice more, and we'll compete again next time!"
…
Countless cultivators wept bitterly, prostrating:
"The Emperor is humble, even encouraging us to cultivate more!"
"This is the truest Holy Words!"
"Ancient God Emperor, One and Supreme!"
…
As night fell, holy flames blazed before the lakeside divine palace. On the stele appeared a new inscription:
[Holy Words of the Ancient God: Compete Again Next Time]
The nine heavens and ten lands instantly comprehended:
"The Holy Words declare—cultivation never ends, next time we'll be stronger!"
"Too great! Too profound!"
…
And inside the hut, the black-haired youth gnawed happily on a freshly roasted big fish, mumbling through a full mouth:
"Hehe, this fishing competition was fun—definitely gotta do it again next time!"
Satisfied, he collapsed into bed.
His snores rumbled like thunder, but in the ears of billions, they became—
[The Ancient God Emperor sleeps, nurturing eternity.]