The lakeside divine nation.
Ever since he casually slapped away the invading gods, the entire nine heavens and ten lands had gone completely mad. Cultivators wept with awe, convinced he was truly the "One and Only of All Realms."
All sects, empires, demons, and foreign powers gathered in feverish devotion:
"The Ancient God Emperor cannot dwell in a wooden shack!"
"Indeed! How can that crude little hut match the majesty of the Heavenly Emperor?"
"We must build a supreme divine palace for the Heavenly Emperor, to proclaim him to all realms!"
Thus, the worlds set to work!
They tore apart mountains and laid entire spiritual veins as foundation stones;
They plucked the sun and moon and inlaid stars upon the palace roof;
They slew dragons and phoenixes and paved the stairway with the bones of divine beasts.
In just a few days, a magnificent divine palace spanning hundreds of miles rose by the lake.
The palace pierced the heavens, radiating endless light, as if towering above the nine skies.
—The Supreme Divine Palace of All Realms, complete!
…
Inside the wooden hut, the black-haired youth was repairing his fishing rod.
When he looked up, he froze in place. "Whoa! When did they build such a huge house?!"
Scratching his head, realization struck him:
"Ohhh—I get it! Everyone built me a fishing pavilion together! Hahaha! You're all way too thoughtful!"
Excited, he rushed out, shouting: "Perfect! This pavilion's in a great spot! Now I can fish comfortably even on rainy days!"
…
Countless cultivators burst into tears on the spot.
"Did you hear?! The Heavenly Emperor himself called it a fishing pavilion!"
"No! It is the Holy Palace of the Heavenly Emperor!"
"The fishing rod is the Dao, fishing is cultivation—he has acknowledged it with his own words!"
Boom—The Divine Palace was officially consecrated. Across the nine heavens and ten lands, cultivators went mad, falling to their knees and shouting in unison:
"Welcome the Heavenly Emperor into the palace!"
…
The black-haired youth was pushed and prodded up the palace steps, embarrassed.
"Aw, no need to be so formal—it's just a pavilion! Everyone can rest here and fish too!"
He said this, then plopped himself down at the palace entrance, tossed his rod into the lake, and grinned.
"Hehe, what a nice spot—right across from the lake's heart. There'll be tons of fish here."
…
That scene completely detonated the crowd.
"The Ancient God Emperor fishing before the palace! This is the highest of holy rites!"
"Too magnificent! Mortals are unworthy to gaze upon it!"
"Quick, inscribe it into the stone tablets!"
Thus, a new "Ancient God Holy Word" was carved:
[The Dao is fishing, witnessed before the palace.]
At once, a fresh wave of frenzy swept the nine heavens and ten lands.
…
Night fell.
The palace glowed with golden light, illuminating all beneath heaven. Billions of cultivators knelt outside, weeping uncontrollably.
"The Heavenly Emperor resides in the Divine Palace, the Dao eternal!"
"The Holy Way of the Fishing Rod, the only truth since time immemorial!"
…
Inside the palace, the black-haired youth lounged with his legs crossed, hugging his fishing rod, muttering lazily:
"Hehe, this pavilion's view is pretty good. Gotta bring in a few more chairs—fishing will be way more comfortable."
He had no idea that he had already become the sole supreme faith of all realms.