On the third day after the Ancient Ruins fully merged with the outside world—
The black-haired youth strolled leisurely through the market with his little bamboo basket on his back.
The candied hawthorns were sold out.
This left him deeply disappointed.
"If I'd known, I would've come yesterday… sigh…"
He sighed, pulling out a piece of roasted fish from his basket to chew on as he walked, completely unaware that both sides of the street were lined with kneeling people.
…
Ever since he stepped out of the dungeon, the entire continent had gone mad.
Sect elders came in person, prodigies knelt, and even common folk regarded him as the reincarnation of an "ancient god." Every word and action of his was interpreted as divine revelation.
—But he had no clue at all.
In his eyes, this was nothing more than a long-awaited day at the market.
"Huh, they're even selling roasted lamb here? Too bad I didn't bring any spirit stones… maybe I can trade fish for it?"
He crouched down with a grin, handing over a chunk of Thunder Abyss Fish meat.
"Boss, how about two skewers of lamb for this?"
The vendor froze, then tears welled in his eyes. With a thud, he fell to his knees, his forehead banging against the ground.
"The ancient god has… granted me an offering!"
The crowd erupted instantly.
"Heavens! A mere mortal vendor has received divine meat! This is heaven's decree!"
"He uplifts the commoners onto the Dao itself! This is an unprecedented blessing!"
Within moments, the news spread across the nine heavens and ten lands.
—The ancient god descended, showing no regard for status, even granting fortune to mortals!
…
The black-haired youth scratched his head, baffled. "So… do I get the lamb or not?"
The vendor wept like rain, trembling as he held up the fish. "I wouldn't dare! This is a divine relic—how could it be traded for mortal goods?"
The youth sighed. "Fine, I'll roast my own lamb then…"
Hoisting his basket, he turned away, leaving the street full of weeping cultivators, madly spreading the "scripture" of: The ancient god does not consume mortal things, for mortal things cannot equal divine relics.
…
Meanwhile, the high council of the Nine Heavens Holy Land convened.
"The situation is clear—he is the sole native born of the dungeon's origin."
"To survive in such a forbidden land at all… is already a miracle!"
"Don't you see? After his appearance, the dungeon itself merged with reality!"
Silence reigned.
At last, the Supreme Elder spoke four words with solemn gravity:
"Voice of Heaven."
Those four words thundered across the land, making blood boil throughout the continent.
…
Meanwhile, the youth had left the market and reached a lakeside, setting up his fishing rod.
"Finally, some peace and quiet to fish."
He cast his line, humming a tune, and before long pulled up a golden carp with wings on its back.
"Well now, this one's nice! Perfect for soup tonight."
With practiced ease, he smacked it dead, slung it over his shoulder, and tossed it onto the grass.
In the distance, the hundreds of cultivators tailing him all widened their eyes in shock.
"Gol… Golden Abyss Carp!"
"That's the legendary spirit beast that nurtures the source of the Dao!"
"And he caught it casually for dinner… truly, a god!"
At once, fervor blazed in their eyes as they dropped to their knees.
"Glory to the ancient god!"
"Blessings of the ancient god!"
The youth, head aching from the noise, waved them off. "Alright, alright, stop shouting. I really just want to fish, nothing else."
But those words, in their ears, became something else entirely.
"Did you hear?! The ancient god said it! The source of the Dao is nothing more than 'a fishing catch'!"
"This is divine truth!"
In moments, yet another "scripture" was born, spreading like wildfire among countless cultivators.
…
Night fell.
The youth lit a bonfire, roasting the golden carp over the flames.
Fat sizzled and dripped, fragrance filling the air.
He took a bite, muttering through a mouthful, "Mm, not bad… just too many bones."
To the onlookers, however, the sight drove them to tears.
"He… he is consuming the source of the Dao itself!"
"This is the ancient god's cultivation! How dare mortals even discuss it!"
All around, cultivators knelt in agony, crying out: "Ancient god, grant us guidance!"
…
The black-haired youth sighed, plucked out a fish bone, and tossed it into the fire.
"You people are weird… kneeling all day and night. Don't your legs get sore?"
Shaking his head, he looked up at the night sky, murmuring:
"Sigh… all I really wanted was to quietly fish."
The fire flickered, the stars shimmered.
But in the eyes of billions of cultivators, that light remark became an eternal decree:
—Divine words: To walk the Dao is nothing more than a single thought of peace.