The Divine Hall by the lakeshore resounded with thunderous bells.
Ever since the Chaotic Will was scattered by the aroma of grilled fish, the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths had gone completely mad. Cultivators all agreed: the Ancient God-Emperor had already surpassed chaos and time itself, the one and only supreme being.
Thus, all beings of the myriad worlds gathered, ready to push the highest authority before him.
That authority was—life and death, reincarnation!
"May the Heavenly Emperor govern life and death, and control reincarnation!"
"May the Heavenly Emperor decide eternity, and oversee all worlds!"
"Only the Heavenly Emperor is worthy of such power!"
Each cry shook the mountains and rivers, the River of Reincarnation reversed its flow, and countless souls wailed.
…
On the steps of the Divine Hall.
The black-haired youth was squatting, carefully picking fish bones.
Suddenly, the Holy Son burst into tears, prostrated, and cried aloud:
"Welcome the Ancient God-Emperor!—Mortal name Ji Canglan!"
The sound rolled like thunder, instantly spreading through the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.
The black-haired youth lifted his head, blinked, and scratched the back of his head. "Eh? You guys even went and found out my name? Fine, whatever, I wasn't hiding it anyway."
His eyes suddenly lit up, and he grinned wide. "Oh—I get it! You're electing a president, huh? Hahaha! You should've said so earlier!"
Striding forward, he grabbed the so-called "Staff of Destiny," weighed it in his hand, and nodded with satisfaction. "Heh, this trophy's pretty heavy, looks like a proper award ceremony!"
…
Countless cultivators wept as they prostrated with madness.
"The Heavenly Emperor has accepted the staff! This is the proclamation of life and death's dominion!"
"He has already surpassed all karma and reincarnation!"
"Only the Heavenly Emperor is the true One!"
Ji Canglan waved the staff proudly. "Alright, alright! Since you've chosen me as president, then from now on all the fishing contests will be hosted by me—fair, just, and open!"
The air around the lakeshore froze for a moment. Then, countless beings simultaneously burst into tears of devotion.
"Hosted… the Heavenly Emperor said 'hosted'!"
"This is Holy Word! The Great Dao requires a guide!"
"The club… no, a new era has begun!"
…
The River of Reincarnation roared endlessly, shadows of the dead surfaced in droves. They once wailed for release, but now all knelt in unison, their cries deafening.
"Welcome the Heavenly Emperor! We submit to your hosting!"
"Life has return, death has rest, and reincarnation begins here!"
Ji Canglan was startled, stumbled back two steps, then casually tossed a large fish back into the lake.
"Alright, alright, stop all the crying! Fishing means the fish have to cycle back, otherwise there'd be no more matches to play."
Rumble—
That fish splashed into the water, shaking the entire River of Reincarnation. In an instant, all karmic burdens dissolved into light, and the wails of souls ceased.
All cultivators froze.
Then came the eruption of mad cheers.
"Fish return to the lake—life returns to the source!"
"With one word from the Heavenly Emperor, reincarnation submits!"
"Holy Word! Holy Word supreme!"
…
Ji Canglan clapped his hands with satisfaction. "Heh, this way future tournaments are guaranteed—dead fish can cycle back, no fear of running out."
Cultivators sobbed with awe: "Dead fish… returning?! This is the supreme Dao of Reincarnation!"
…
Night deepened.
Bonfires burned outside the Divine Hall by the lake. Cultivators continued crying and chanting 'Return to the Source,' carving it into steles and scriptures.
Ji Canglan, meanwhile, was already back in his hut, hugging the staff as he lay on his straw mat, muttering to himself:
"This president gig's not bad. Next time I'll prep more rods for everyone."
He rolled over and drifted into sleep. The fish basket under him clattered, sending a few fish flopping back into the lake.
On the plaza, all cultivators froze—then collapsed to their knees with frenzy.
"The Heavenly Emperor has given a warning! Fish return to the lake, life returns to the source! Holy Word renewed!"
From the hut came Ji Canglan's muffled sleep-talk: "…next time, remember to bring cumin…"
At that instant, the stele outside blazed with golden light, and eight words engraved themselves:
[Holy Word: Cultivation must have flavor]