A sudden rumble tore through the still air of the Divine Plane, a tremor so powerful it seemed to vibrate through the very fabric of reality. The ground quaked, and all at once, an enormous monolith appeared—dark, ancient, and carved with incomprehensible symbols. It stood at the center of an endless plain, surrounded by jagged mountains and vast skies.
The monolith pulsed with an ominous light, its surface glowing faintly as it thrummed with a power that sent waves of energy radiating outward.
The initial shock left a stunned silence in its wake, but within moments, the monolith erupted with a surge of energy, releasing a beam of light that shot into the heavens like a signal flare. It pierced the clouds, spreading out like a celestial net, draping the entire Divine Plane in its strange, pulsing aura.
A ripple of power followed, covering every corner of the plane, touching the minds and souls of every living being.
For miles around the monolith, the air shimmered as the energy wave passed through, causing even the most powerful cultivators to stagger briefly. Birds scattered from the trees, animals bolted from the forests, and the air itself seemed to hum with anticipation.
Then, at the base of the monolith, the surface of the ground rippled as if disturbed by invisible hands. A doorway slowly materialized in front of the massive structure, its edges outlined in the same radiant energy that emanated from the monolith.
The portal was ancient, carved from a dark stone unlike any found in the Divine Plane, and it thrummed with a mysterious, irresistible power that called to all who felt its presence.
Across the Divine Plane, powerful beings stirred.
---
**In the Imperial Palace, Griffith felt it first.**
Standing on his balcony, his already tense posture stiffened as the wave of energy washed over him. His fingers tightened around the marble railing, his breath caught in his chest. His eyes narrowed as they turned to the distant horizon where the energy had shot up into the sky.
Mabel, standing beside him, placed a hand on his arm, her face a mixture of awe and worry. "What... what was that?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Griffith didn't answer immediately. His brow furrowed deeply, and his eyes darkened as if they were seeing far beyond the palace, beyond the very plane they stood on. "Something powerful has awakened," he finally murmured, his voice filled with an ominous certainty. He glanced at Mabel and Leah. "Prepare. We leave immediately."
Leah, who had been silent until now, swallowed hard, her gaze darting toward the sky. There was an anxious flicker in her eyes. She didn't need to ask what her father meant—whatever this was, it was far beyond anything they'd faced before.
---
**In a remote mountain cavern, an ancient True Immortal stirred.**
His eyes snapped open, glowing like molten gold as the energy wave hit him, sending a tremor through the walls of the cave. For centuries, he had sat in seclusion, cultivating in silence, untouched by the happenings of the world. Now, this pulse of power had roused him, drawing him from his meditation like a waking beast.
He rose slowly, the ancient robes of his station hanging loosely over his gaunt frame, his eyes sharp and piercing despite his age. "So... the time has come," he muttered to himself, stepping toward the mouth of the cavern. His body, once stiff with age, now moved with newfound vitality, as if the energy itself had breathed life back into him.
He stepped out into the light, his senses sharpening as he felt the pull of the monolith's power calling him, urging him to investigate.
---
"Secret realm..." he muttered, his voice soft but full of conviction. "A realm that has been lost to time. Many secrets lie within... secrets only those worthy can claim." His ancient face showed no outward emotion, but there was a gleam in his eyes, a flicker of desire carefully contained beneath his calm demeanor.
Several nearby cultivators, younger and less experienced, exchanged nervous glances. They hadn't expected **someone of his stature** to appear. One whispered to his companion, "That's *him,* isn't it? The Ancient One from the Western Peaks... I thought he'd died in seclusion centuries ago!"
The **arrival of such ancestral figures** sent ripples through the gathering, and more than a few cultivators cast wary looks at the new arrivals. **Among the most startling was a woman draped in a robe of shimmering, ethereal threads**, her long silver hair flowing like liquid moonlight.
Her delicate features masked a sharpness in her eyes, the very air around her vibrating with the force of her divine aura. She stood silent, regal, her expression unreadable, but her presence alone commanded immediate respect.
"Is that the Celestial Weaver?" a young cultivator gasped. "I thought she vanished from the heavens eons ago..."
The **Celestial Weaver** said nothing, her attention fixed on the monolith. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she assessed the portal, her fingers twitching almost imperceptibly as if weaving invisible threads of energy in the air around her. Her face betrayed no emotion, but her mind was racing with possibilities.
**Griffith, still standing beside Francis and Leah, remained outwardly calm, but his tension was unmistakable.** His jaw clenched as he scanned the crowd, recognizing old enemies and allies alike. The presence of so many ancient powers made the air thick with unspoken competition.
His eyes lingered on the **Crimson Emperor** for a moment, then flicked to the **dark figure from the Shadowlands.** His hand brushed against Francis', and though the gesture seemed small, it was a signal—one of caution.
Francis, sensing the shift, turned to Griffith, his brow furrowed. "This is... unprecedented. They're all here," he whispered, his voice filled with awe and trepidation.
Leah, however, couldn't tear her gaze from the **Celestial Weaver.** Her eyes were wide, almost in disbelief. "I never thought... legends... real..."
Griffith's expression hardened as he spoke softly but firmly, "They're not here for a pleasant reunion." His eyes turned back to the monolith, the throbbing energy making his skin prickle with unease. "Something far greater is at play here."
**Voices began to rise as the gathering grew impatient.**
A tall man with golden skin and fiery red hair—a leader from one of the southern factions—stepped forward, his voice booming with authority. "Are we going to stand around like children gawking at a new toy? We need to decide how we're going to enter."
Immediately, **the Crimson Emperor barked out a laugh.** "Decide? There's nothing to decide. Those who are strong will claim the treasures first. The rest will be left to fight over the scraps." His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, the threat unspoken but clear.
**The dark figure from the Shadowlands** glided closer, his movements unnaturally fluid. His voice, soft and almost ghostly, cut through the noise. "Strength alone won't open the door. The energy surrounding this place is ancient... layered in riddles and tests of will." His eyes gleamed beneath his hood. "The foolish will rush in and be consumed."
The **True Immortal nodded slowly,** his expression calm, though there was a knowing glint in his eyes. "This is no ordinary realm. It will test all who enter. Not all of you will leave."
At those words, a heavy silence fell over the group. Even the most confident among them faltered, their bravado dimming as the reality of the situation settled in.
But **the Celestial Weaver spoke then, her voice soft yet commanding.** "Whatever lies within that realm... it will not be claimed by brute strength alone." She glanced toward the Crimson Emperor with a subtle smirk, though her tone remained neutral. "Only those who can adapt will succeed. The rest... will fall to ruin."
Her words sent a ripple through the crowd, igniting a new wave of uncertainty. Expressions shifted—some grew anxious, while others hardened with renewed determination. Yet none dared step forward just yet, each waiting for someone else to make the first move.
And above them all, the monolith stood silent, its ominous presence casting a long, dark shadow over the endless plain.