Chapter Thirteen: Accompanying the Other Shore

World Mountain.

This is the sky-piercing peak that stands at the heart of the Ocean of Flowers continent. At its summit, radiance dances year-round, with brilliant clouds swirling in perpetual splendor.

To the common folk, World Mountain may easily be mistaken for an immense wall, for its sheer scale rivals celestial bodies. The mountain’s base alone stretches billions of miles, dividing the continent.

"Time passes so swiftly. I recall the days of yore, when I, Da, forged stars for the Celestial Master Li right here. The unparalleled grace of the Celestial Master at her first blossoming remains vivid in my memory, never forgotten."

The old man stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing in rapt contemplation at the sacred mountain that pierced the starry sky.

Bamboo Brahma's bright eyes appeared somewhat distant as she murmured, "The Celestial Master Li was indeed breathtaking, a beauty for the ages. Alas, she withered with the passing of the era, offering her great wish to the cosmic spirits and all sentient beings..."

"Throughout the generations, the Flower Masters have possessed extraordinary gifts, carrying the aura and fate of the cosmos, seeking blessings for all spirits. Yet in the end, none have survived a single cosmic epoch," Da Nine Stars shook his head in regret.

The Divine Flower of the Universe is born of fate; when it takes the form of a maiden, she is flawless and is considered the most beautiful of all living things. Each one is peerless, their radiance dazzling the spiritual cosmos. Countless illustrious prodigies, proud of their own hearts, have willingly bowed before their elegance. Yet the Divine Flowers cannot long endure in the world; such is their destiny.

"Nine Revered One."

Just then, a faint call drifted through the air. The voice lacked the cold elegance of Bamboo Brahma, nor the pure melodiousness of Wu, but instead echoed like mountain streams, possessing a miraculous power to calm the soul.

"First Divine Sovereign?"

Da Nine Stars looked up.

In the distance, five figures of immortal grace approached together. Their robes fluttered and their bearing was dignified and beautiful. Most remarkable was the aura that set them apart from worldly concerns, as if they belonged among the immortals.

There were seven Divine Sovereigns in the Ocean of Flowers.

Except for the white-robed girl carrying a little lily, who was still on her way, all had arrived.

Da Nine Stars smiled, "First Divine Sovereign, since we meet, perhaps you should explain why you summoned me. With such an assembly, even if you told me that a new Divine Flower had emerged from the Ocean of Flowers, I would not be surprised."

At these words, the eyes of the beautiful women sparkled with brilliance, their gaze captivating.

The First Divine Sovereign, whose temperament was akin to Bamboo Brahma, spoke solemnly, "To be frank, we invited you here because the Ocean of Flowers wishes you to refine two strands of reversed celestial aura for the cosmic spirit. We are willing to offer three feathers of the Heaven-Stunning Divine Wish as reward!"

"Two?"

The old man was puzzled, "For the first blossoming, a single reversed celestial aura would suffice. Why are there two needed this time?"

"This matter..." The First Divine Sovereign hesitated, as though reluctant to reveal too much. After a long silence, she gritted her teeth and said, "It is a grave matter, but Ming Luo does not wish to conceal it from you. Besides the normally born Divine Flower, there is also a companion Other Shore. It, too, will require the aura at its first blossoming."

"A companion Other Shore!"

Da Nine Stars could barely believe his ears, his eyes widened.

The seventh seat among the Ten Divine Flowers!

His mind buzzed—how could it be possible? Two Divine Flowers appearing within the same cosmic era, both about to blossom.

How could such an unimaginable event occur? Two together—would they not vie for fate?

A companion... companion...

Could it be that the Divine Flower born first is so extraordinary as to surpass all predecessors? Nine is the ultimate number, and he had long sensed this one would be remarkable, but to bring forth a companion Other Shore as well—how astonishing must it be?

A hundred thoughts raced through Da Nine Stars' mind.

The matter was momentous. Even with a temperament as vast and enduring as the starry sky, the old man could not help but break into a cold sweat.

It was easy to imagine: once the news spread, those at his level would be intensely interested, coming to investigate the Ocean of Flowers.

Those supreme figures of the cosmos, whose power reaches the heavens—if they harbored ill intent, they might disregard the rules of the spiritual universe and seize the Divine Flower outright.

After all, every Flower Master through the ages possessed talents that shook the universe, powers coveted by countless beings. Before their first blossoming, they are vulnerable, inviting greed.

A single question had revealed a world-shaking secret.

"This matter is truly extraordinary; Ming Luo cannot speak in detail. You must keep it secret," the First Divine Sovereign’s beautiful eyes shone with solemnity. Her fair and delicate face was earnest, fixed on Da Nine Stars, her warning clear.

"Very well, I understand," Da Nine Stars nodded.

His identity was indeed special, closely tied to the Ocean of Flowers. Otherwise, such a cosmic secret would never be divulged.

...

"The stars for refining the reversed celestial aura are ninety-nine in total. They have been prepared for you, Revered Da."

The First Divine Sovereign produced a violet pouch, tied with a red cord. Though small in appearance, it contained a world within. When opened, radiant light burst forth, ninety-nine dazzling beams shooting toward the heavens.

Shhh! Shhh! Shhh! Shhh! Shhh...

Ten thousand feet of light bloomed into the clouds like splendid fireworks, astonishing the eye. Vaguely, one could discern immense circular objects.

As the light faded, these gigantic spheres gradually revealed themselves high in the sky.

They were stars—ninety-nine in total—hanging aloft, majestic and grand.

Some shone with golden brilliance, their edge sharp and intense; others blazed with crimson clouds, scorching and radiant; still others were light as a feather yet brimmed with vigorous vitality.

Without exception, each was rare and precious, the kind most cultivators never witnessed in a lifetime.

At this moment, all were sealed, their size reduced to just one ten-millionth of their true scale, encircling the World Mountain by the power of the Ocean of Flowers' Divine Sovereigns.

Besides the stars, there were many other rare treasures.

For instance, an eternal divine crystal as large as a mountain, crystal-clear and surging with divine radiance, its essence rolling forth, bathed in its warm glow, almost ready to ascend as an immortal.

In the outside world, even a fist-sized eternal divine crystal could spark bloody conflict, costing thousands of lives. Here, a piece the size of a mountain sat on the ground.

For this star-forging, the crystal was merely an auxiliary material.

"What a display," Da Nine Stars exclaimed.

Any one of these ninety-nine stars, if revealed, would cause a sensation across the starry seas, thrilling veteran star masters who had dreamed of such wonders for decades.

The value of the treasures and divine materials was equally immeasurable. To gather them all testified to the formidable connections of the Ocean of Flowers.

From another perspective, it made sense—each Flower Master and Divine Sovereign of the Ocean of Flowers, with their immortal beauty and renown across the realms, always found admirable matches.

Only heroes of exceptional talent and cosmic stature could win their hearts.

Now, among the "sons-in-law of the Ocean of Flowers," some have fallen, others wield power in vast cultivation domains and ancient divine realms, and a few rare ones have lived through several cosmic epochs, advancing ever farther on the path of cultivation.

With such sons-in-law, the Ocean of Flowers naturally commands formidable influence.

"We are indebted to you, Revered Da," the beautiful Divine Sovereigns bowed, full of sincerity.

Da Nine Stars had been famed since the ancient eras, helping several Flower Masters, and was the unrivaled master of star-forging, deserving of such respect.