It happened some ages ago.
It was during the Age of Purple Song, before the birth of the Illustrious Zi Kun, Devourer of the Southern Plateau, and Nine Paths Wei Fang.
An entity unknown was born at the edge of the Ao Universe.
His legends – many even sung by mortals, clueless about all things – say he was born with an azure fire in his eyes, a heart as hollow as a lotus stem, and the might of ten thousand genuine stars.
The Authentic Record of Tsang Shan, the Eternal Emperor's Divine Left Eye, details the first signs of his rampage.
He boldly marched upon the haven of the Immortals of the Ling Star Constellation, and his voice, deep and vast came unto them, mocking:
"Little Immortals, bring him who would call himself the strongest among you. I will humble him with the universe as the witness, and teach him the depths of authentic strength."
The Immortals of the Ling Star Constellation burned with fury.
He who was strongest among them appeared before the strange challenger.
"I will tear you limb from limb and present you before the Eternal Emperor!" he cried.
The battle was fierce. Many stars were wrought from the sparks that flew between the Master of the Immortals of the Ling Star Constellation, and the unknown entity from a nirvanic corner of the Universe.
But alas, the Immortals of the Ling Star Constellation were disgraced. Their master fell and bowed before the unknown entity.
Not long after, the curious challenger marched upon the paradise of the Thousand Azure Summit Sages. His voice came unto them, strong and firm, jeering:
"Little Sages, bring him who would call himself the wisest among you. His mind will rot before my brilliance with the universe as the witness, and I will teach him the depths of wisdom."
The Thousand Azure Summit Sages were incensed.
He who was wisest among them appeared before the strange challenger and cried:
"I will carve out your little brain and give it to the Eternal Emperor as tribute!"
The battle between them was silent. They entered a bout of staring for days on end, with none the wiser about who was winning or losing, until finally, the Master of the Thousand Azure Summit Sages fell. He wept as he hugged the feet of the unknown entity from a nirvanic corner of the Universe.
But it was only when a certain sect of Sage Kings, followers of the Nebulous Xuan, fell and submitted to the strange challenger that the Eternal Emperor began to entertain the idea that a troublesome menace had truly risen in the Universe and was sowing discord.
Furious, he sent the guards of the Imperial Gate, Da Yuan, and Da Rong, to bring the unknown entity to the Eternal Seams – his palace.
But the two returned almost as soon as they had left and prostrated themselves before the Emperor, crying:
"Forgive your loyal subjects! We were no match for this stubborn, accomplished master!"
Thus, the Eternal Emperor sent the guards of his palace gates, Xiaobo and Jiahao, to bring the unknown entity to justice.
But the two returned almost as soon as they had left, and prostrated themselves before their master, pleading:
"Forgive us, O Eternal Emperor! We have been bested and humbled like fools!"
Seething, the Eternal Emperor sent his own four sons, charging them with the arrest of this evil which had by now defeated twelve out of the thirty-four Wardens of the Eternal Seams, all of them Immortals, Sages, and even Sage Kings.
They were gone for ninety-one days and ninety-one nights, and when they finally returned, they too bowed before the Emperor, disgraced.
"Forgive your foolish sons! We have failed to capture the enemy even after ninety-one days and ninety-one nights! He fights with strange magics, wields odd tools, and coerces the world against us!"
The Eternal Emperor was at wit's end. He couldn't understand where this monster had come from.
But in his time of need, help came from an unlikely source. The Loathsome Face of Death offered his services to the Eternal Emperor in exchange for a seat in the fortieth Seam.
The Emperor was apprehensive.
He did not trust Death; no one trusted Death.
He was the most cunning among all the undying beings, and the most accomplished. He was a green snake hidden in the leaves.
He was sly, and he assured the Eternal Emperor that he would have subdued the menace in a mere ten days, and if not, he would gladly commit Muted Extinction.
And thus, the Eternal Emperor acceded.
The Authentic Record reads that the Loathsome Face of Death hunted, found, and marched upon the unknown entity, the menace of an Age, and challenged him, his voice bold and firm:
"Fomenter. Name a price in exchange for the end of your rampage and it shall be done."
The unknown entity was delighted. He had been pleased to be approached by the Face of Death, however loathsome.
He was happy to give a price.
"I have seen no one in this plane capable of bearing my seed, and I have seen that I will have none even in the next as well," he said. "If you can make my seed bloom, I will gladly cease my rampage."
The Loathsome Face of Death grinned.
"It shall be done," he said. "And as goodwill, I will add three gifts on top of what you have asked for, starting with this."
And the Loathsome Face of Death produced a juicy peach, cool and plump; the same fruit that is said to have finally felled the menace from the nirvanic corner of the universe once and for all.