The Chasm Between Heaven and Man

It was dusk in Tianren City.

Crack!

The demons that had been wreaking havoc just moments ago were now frozen into lifelike ice sculptures, their postures limp—so terrified that even if they hadn’t been frozen, they might have scared themselves to death.

The figure who had suddenly descended upon the mortal realm radiated a power that could only be described as divine, awakening the deepest fear buried in their bloodline.

"Mom, I saw a goddess."

Little Li the Blacksmith stood dumbfounded.

Completely unaware of the commotion unfolding outside.

"I agree with Young Master Li on this."

"She truly is like a deity!"

"I’ve always said blind worship is foolish. Unlike some, I prefer to ship couples—that way, I’ll always come out on top."

Shang Qinqing planted her hands on her hips, spat out a few melon seed shells, and lifted her chin proudly.

Hearing the sudden rise in the clan leader’s voice, the surrounding crowd actually nodded in agreement.

"Despite the vast divide between heaven and mortals, she arrived just in time—so perfectly timed."

"She couldn’t have known in advance, nor should she have recognized Young Master Li. Yet she came anyway. It’s inexplicable."

"Could it be that even after forgetting her past, some innate instinct remained?"

"Or is it related to the power she was born with?"

Discussions erupted both inside and outside the imperial capital.

Above.

Emperor Jingtai had changed into a moon-white robe. Instead of staying with the royal family, he sat in the Yantian Sect’s seating area.

"Old Granny Yantian was right about Ying Bing."

It seemed even Emperor Jingtai now understood the origin of Ying Bing’s power.

"But the one I truly can’t fathom... is him."

Old Granny Yantian shook her head, her gaze lingering on Little Li.

Seeing she had no intention of elaborating, Emperor Jingtai didn’t press further.

Under the canopy.

The Fourth Prince raised an eyebrow. "What was that strange martial art Li Mo used earlier? Without it, he wouldn’t have lasted until Ying Bing arrived."

"I heard in the southern borderlands, he could even transform into a howling serpent. Never heard of such a technique."

Tu Yan had somehow slipped into the seats reserved for nobles.

She paused, then smiled faintly.

"But that wasn’t the real trial—just scattered stragglers."

"The true test lies ahead. Even the first fifty years will be incomparable to what just happened."

"Let’s see if he can even survive until then in Tianren City!"

Princess Yuyang had heard from Jiang Yu.

The Celestials were born powerful, their lifespans vast, rarely dying of natural causes.

The Earthborn possessed extraordinary talents and could extend their lives through cultivation.

But the people of the Mortal City were ordinary.

By the time fifty years passed inside, Young Master Li might well be a frail old man. That strange martial art of his hadn’t truly enhanced his realm or essence.

No matter how much he trained, he’d remain just a mortal.

Many in the crowd now realized this. After all, this was the imperial capital, where inner-scene cultivators were as common as dirt, and even fifth-realm experts could be stumbled upon. But a prodigy growing old and dying in Tianren City? That was unheard of...

Their eyes turned toward the Scroll of Rivers and Mountains.

The earlier fervor gradually cooled.

Within the play of light and shadows.

After the villagers learned that Little Li the Blacksmith had lured away the demons and then fallen silent, the old man from the pair he’d saved earlier mustered his courage and climbed the mountain.

"The demons are dead! Little Li the Blacksmith is safe!"

He hurriedly called the villagers, even the village chief came.

But upon recognizing the woman beside Li Mo, the chief dropped to his knees, and the villagers followed suit, prostrating themselves and chanting, "Celestial Lady."

Indeed, the three cities—Celestial, Earth, and Mortal—existed independently.

But the main reason was that the Celestials paid little mind to the other two.

The Celestials were too powerful, their lifespans too long.

To them, the people of the Mortal City weren’t even kin—more like mortals before gods, though these gods had no need for worship.

The Earthborn, meanwhile, ceaselessly sought strength, hoping to ascend when a Celestial’s seat became vacant.

Ying Bing’s arrival brought the villagers no joy, only fear and awe.

To such a mighty Celestial, they were little more than ants...

"I’ll stay in the village for a while."

"Then this old man... will vacate his home for Your Ladyship..."

"No need. His place will do."

Ying Bing pointed at Li Mo, who lay on a stretcher, being treated with medicine.

...What?

Without another word, she glanced at Li Mo and quietly entered the blacksmith’s shop.

The matter was settled. None dared speculate on what the mighty Celestial was thinking, and the villagers dispersed with mixed expressions.

The happiest, of course, was Li Mo.

But the chief pulled him aside, his expression grave, voice hushed.

"Little Li, you must serve Her Ladyship well. Her staying with you might have deeper implications. Don’t you dare entertain any improper thoughts!"

"Angering her would be worse than provoking demons!"

"Even if you don’t offend her, a careless act on her part could bring disaster. Be extremely careful!"

The chief went on with more cautionary tales.

Like the time a young Celestial sneaked into the Mortal City and befriended a mortal.

Unaware of the child’s identity, the mortal tickled the Celestial’s nose with a feather while they slept, hoping for a laugh.

The young Celestial sneezed—and torrential rain poured over a dozen villages for half a month without pause!

This lady was clearly far more powerful.

"I understand, Chief. Don’t worry."

Li Mo grinned and thumped his chest. For some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to fear her.

"Ah, blessings and misfortunes are beyond our control..."

The chief sighed, then couldn’t help but smile at Li Mo’s optimism.

"With Her Ladyship here, we need not fear the calamity fifty years hence."

"Will she stay that long?"

"Fifty years is a lifetime to us, but to the Celestials, it’s but the blink of an eye."

The aged chief patted his shoulder.

The young, strong blacksmith looked clueless.

He didn’t know that the chief had once been as vigorous as he was now.

Nor did he understand the fleeting nature of time, the chasm between heaven and man.

Least of all did he grasp how merciless the years could be—how they carved all things, even the divide between mortals and gods.