Year 8021 of the 3rd Era - Heavenly Sword Palace
The Heavenly Sword Palace sat high above the Central Sword Realm, emitting a sense of majesty that none of the treasured places hidden within the realm could touch.
The Heavenly Sword Sect had been the hegemon of this realm ever since the realm had ascended, and it's inhabitants had become aware that their home was merely one part of the myriad realms within the cosmos.
The buildings within the Palace were carved out of the most exquisite materials, appearing as if they were naturally produced by the heavens themselves. There were several areas of the palace that were exceptional, but there was one place even in this paradise that stood out from it's surroundings.
The Heavenly Sword Pavilion, the home of the Sect Master and the Li clan that he descended from.
Sat within the Heavenly Sword Pavilion the current Sect master of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Li Zhang, sat with his back ramrod straight and his eyes piercing out into the cosmos surrounding him.
Unlike the countless natives to the Central Sword Realm, his current temperament was weary and unresigned as if to say that an unsurmountable tribulation was about to befall him. Only he and a select few others knew that this was in fact true, and that the entire Central Sword Realm would be destroyed if he could not find a solution to this calamity.
"Is there any change in Brother Luo's divination?" asked this seemingly peerless man who was the god above all others in countless people's minds. If the denizens of this realm were to see their lord's current countenance they would perhaps understand a sliver of the weight that their ruler was currently experiencing.
"Master Luo has always responded in the same manner regardless of what has been asked Sect Master." The response that came from behind him left a bitter smile on the face of Li Zhang. He had already expected the answer having asked this question on many past occasions. The response, no matter how expected, still left him feeling as unresigned as before.
"So be it, recall the sect's forces and prepare the Palace for an all-out wa..." Just as Li Zhang had strengthened his resolve and his majesty as a ruler returned in order to announce war, his trusted aide Liu Feng burst through the door!
"Sect Master! Sect Master! Young Master's second son has been born!" Before he has even blasted his way into Li Zhang's residence, Liu Feng had already begun calling out for him.
'He actually interrupts my announcement for war in order to tell me this! Liu Feng this granddaddy will teach you manners and awareness this time! If not my name is not Li Zhang!' The Sect Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect was livid as he planned on 'retraining' his aide.
"Liu Feng you fool! How many times have I told you to always act in a calm and reserved manner! Whilst I am truly glad to hear about the birth of my grandson, consider the position we are currently in!" Roared Li Zhang at the man who had created this ruckus in his pavilion.
"Sect Master you don't understand! after hearing about the birth of the new Young Master, Master Luo has said there is a new element in his divination! The new-born could be our way out of our current tribulatio..." Liu Feng was excitedly explaining to Li Zhang when he suddenly felt himself pinned against the wall as his master grabbed him by both shoulders before he could even understand what had happened.
'What frightening movement technique was that! I rank within the top five in terms of speed in the sect! How the hell did he do that! Speed isn't even his focus.' This thought truly bewildered Liu Feng as cold sweat poured out of him from the aura his master was releasing.
"What new element?! Quickly explain this change!" The look of Li Zhang right now was of a man reborn. This single sentence could hold the future of the Sect and indeed the entire Central Sword Realm in it! His aura immediately regaining something that appeared to have been lost in his most troubled times.
"Brother Li, I was just about to inform you myself however it seems that your trusted aide has already arrived here before me, as to be expected of an expert such as you Liu Feng." As the strange sight of Liu Feng being pinned by Li Zhang occurred, a man with an ethereal feel to him strode into the pavilion. Appearing extremely delicate, yet otherworldly in the same instant there truly was no way to explain the presence this man had. Yet the moment he entered, all of the supporting staff within the room bowed towards him showing reverence.
After all although this man may not be a match for the top tier fighters within the Heavenly Sword Sect, nobody bar the Sect Master would claim a complete victory. Moreover who would dare to fight against this man, he was one of the greatest Divination Masters in all the myriad realms, Luo Ming!
Immediately releasing Liu Feng and turning to face the man before him Li Zhang warmly smiled as his old brother of many calamities walked into the pavilion. It was as if Luo Ming was the guide to salvation for Li Zhang at this moment.
"Master Luo, this concerns the survival of our sect and the very realm we stand before now! How could I not be in a rush to pass on this information to the Sect Master?" Questioned Liu Feng from his newly found freedom. The cold sweat which had stopped after his master released him immediately began to pour out of his body again at the thought of offending Divination Master Luo Ming.
"Haha indeed this is true, your actions are completely understandable Liu Feng. Do not take my remarks as anything serious." This laugh from Master Luo instantly saved Liu Feng from the fear of being beaten black and blue for offending this man.
"Brother Luo, please elaborate on this new element that Liu Feng reports you have seen." At this moment Li Zhang was not in the mood for bantering between his old brother and the man who had supported him for close to eighteen thousand years.
"Brother Li do not worry this new element is indeed a way out of your annihilation, however it is not a way out of your destruction." Luo Ming responded in his usual mysterious manner. Mystifying everyone present in the room and angering Li Zhang immensely.
'Damn you Luo Ming do you think this granddaddy will not beat you silly if you don't stop speaking in riddles you f***!' Li Zhang roared inside his mind, concocting one hundred ways to beat his old brother into a lovable new form, soft and swollen.
"Brother Li relax I can see your anger seething through your eyes, I will explain what my previous comment means" Luo Ming sighed as he knew that his brother was now itching to beat him for his confusing statement from before.
"Your new grandson can indeed save the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Central Sword Realm, however he cannot stop your enemies from raining down a war upon this realm within the next few decades. How strong would you expect an infant to get within twenty years? to match your cultivation of eighteen millennia?" The moment this question left Luo Ming's mouth, Li Zhang immediately felt as though cold water had been poured over his head and allowed him to regain his clarity of mind.
"So what should our next steps be in order to guarantee the survival of the realm? Should we start the war ourselves and try to inflict a wound that buys us more time?" To everyone present in the room, this seemed like an astute suggestion. To Luo Ming however this response merely garnered a shake of his head.
"My dear brother you truly can be foolish at times, if you are going to allow the sect to experience a war then why must you be so soft hearted?" This response from Luo Ming caused shocked expressions from Liu Feng and everyone present excluding Li Zhang whose expression immediately shifted to one of resentment and grudging understanding.
"You should submerge the realm." As if expecting this sentence Li Zhang bitterly smiled with a hideous expression developing on his proud face, whilst everyone else almost fainted and some even coughed up blood at these words from Luo Ming.
"Divination Master Luo Ming what are you saying?! Submerge the realm?! SUBMERGE the realm?! How could we do this?! We would be the greatest sinners in the history of the Central Sword Realm!" The screaming that ensued from Liu Feng would normally be berated by any of the other aides in the room, but this time they could only nod in agreement with him. Even Li Zhang could not bear to berate Liu Feng for his outburst.
Luo Ming simply stood there as he waited for the response but it was clear to see that he was not finished either. "Li Zhang your lineage should move to the Myriad Sword Pavilion as soon as you submerge the realm, if not before you complete this would be even more ideal. This is the action that will allow the Central Sword Realm to overcome this calamity.
"How long do I have? When will I have to start?" Li Zhang looked crestfallen as he asked these questions. It was as if he had already lost the war before it begun.
"Master you cannot be serious! we could not submerge the..." Liu Feng stepped towards Li Zhang with the intention of dying yet being heard but before he finished his sentence he was cut off.
"Silence! Liu Feng do you take me for a fool who doesn't understand what this means?! We do not have a choice, unless you are trying to tell me that my old brother is either a liar or inept?!" Li Zhang's roar immediately silenced all thoughts of argument within the room.
"You should pull back from war, the day that the enemy attacks should be the day that you complete what I have advised" Luo Ming responded clearly to Li Zhang, although he would lose in a battle he knew that his strength was closest to Li Zhang's in this realm. He had fought alongside the Sect Master long enough to understand the strength they both possessed.
"I understand, Liu Feng bring me to meet this new grandson of mine. He is the treasure of our realm, this old man will already be in trouble for how late I am now. That old woman is going to embarrass me in front of the family once more." Li Zhang instantly underwent a huge change. He was a resolute emperor, standing as the pillar of the Central Sword Realm and so he quickly settled his mind and genuinely smiled at the thought of meeting his new grandson.
"One more thing brother Li, do not allow the infant to cultivate the Flowing Heart Central Sword Manual under any circumstance!" This final statement from Luo Ming nearly floored Li Zhang as he moved to leave the room.