Morning mist lingered at the lakeside.
The black-haired youth crouched by his fire, frying fish cakes. The iron pan crackled, oil spattering, fragrance wafting across half the lake.
"Phew—perfect fire today. Golden, crispy skin. Wrap it with some wild greens—absolutely delicious."
He was enjoying himself when suddenly, an earth-shaking roar rolled in from the distance.
Boom—!
Dark clouds churned, mountains trembled.
From beyond the ranges came a vast army of demons and beasts, scales flashing, roars shattering the air.
At their head was a nine-tailed fox, body wreathed in demonfire, its aura boundless.
From another direction swept a demonic horde, black flames blotting the heavens, rivers of blood surging. Countless shadowy fiends screamed, shaking the earth.
Further still, foreign powerhouses rode star-chariots across the void, brilliance shining in all directions.
Together they gathered beyond the lake, surging in their thousands, kneeling as if mountains themselves collapsed.
"Greetings to the Ancient God and Heavenly Emperor!"
"The demon clans submit!"
"The fiend clans bow!"
"The foreign realms pledge vassalage!"
…
The black-haired youth, mid-flip with his fish cake, froze.
"Well damn… the market's lively today. Even out-of-towners showed up? And brought so many people? Looks like a temple fair."
He waved cheerfully: "Perfect timing! Don't crowd, don't push—everyone gets a fish cake, line up nicely!"
…
The nine-tailed fox shuddered, tears streaming.
"The ancient god personally promised… one fish cake each! A divine gift!"
The demon commander's blood roared, bowing heavily: "To be granted a cake by the ancient god—I can die content!"
The foreign powerhouse threw back his head in a roar: "This is the highest grace!"
Boom— They all knelt, mountains and rivers shaking.
…
The youth handed out the fried cakes one by one. "Here, careful, don't burn your hands."
The demons received them with tears, shouting devoutly: "The ancient god has given us divine food!"
A fiend bit into his cake—instantly, his body thundered, his realm bursting upward, eyes glowing blood-red: "I… I advanced!"
The foreign powerhouse shone with light as if reborn, crying out: "The Dao reveals itself! The ancient god is supreme!"
…
The lakeside erupted in frenzy.
The demons bowed: "Blessings of the ancient god!"
The fiends roared: "The ancient god is supreme!"
The foreigners cried: "The Heavenly Emperor is eternal!"
Three factions that should have been mortal enemies now knelt together in tears.
…
The black-haired youth, meanwhile, was utterly confused.
"Why are these tourists crying so hard? I just handed out cakes."
He scratched his head, muttering: "Weird… maybe it's too salty? I'll use less salt next time."
…
In an instant, the words were etched onto stone steles—
"Sacred Words of the Ancient God: The Dao must not be excessive—less salt, less burden!"
Immediately, the nine heavens and ten lands quaked again.
Countless cultivators chanted: "Less salt!"
The demons cried: "Balance of the Dao!"
The fiends howled: "The ancient god is supreme!"
Thus a new frenzy swept the land—the "Light Cultivation Method."
No longer did they stack spiritual power recklessly; instead they turned to restraint and balance. Countless broke their shackles, weeping in awe: "The sacred words truly are supreme!"
…
At his hut, the black-haired youth, full and satisfied, stretched and began to pack up.
"Alright, that's it. Cakes are gone—come back tomorrow. Tourists, don't crowd, time to head out."
He waved his hand, yawning, and turned back inside.
Behind him, demons, fiends, and foreigners roared together: "Farewell to the Ancient God and Heavenly Emperor!"
The world shook, mountains quaked, billions wept in prayer.
…
On his grass mat, the black-haired youth collapsed, mumbling half-asleep:
"Mm… tomorrow I'll fish on the far shore… fewer tourists, more peace."
…
But the whole world now believed—
The Ancient God and Heavenly Emperor had subdued demons and fiends, ruling over the nine heavens and ten lands.