Within the sacred domain, where the endless sky flowed seamlessly into a boundless river of shimmering stars, the heavens and waters danced as one—an ethereal canvas of infinite tranquility. It was a realm untouched by time, where every breath felt like the whisper of creation. The wind carried the scent of eternity, and the silence was filled with the echoes of long-forgotten truths.
A voice, ancient and weightless, resounded in the air.
"Now, what have you decided, Jin Shang?"
Jin said nothing.
He walked forward, eyes calm, as the celestial mist parted. A floating temple loomed ahead—majestic, serene, and reverent. It stood on no land, suspended by will alone. The doors of the temple opened with a quiet, sacred hum as if welcoming back its rightful master.
Within, a radiant path of five sacred steps led to a throne of Sacred Tomb. As Jin ascended, each step projected visions of his journey:
From mortal to immortal.
From weakness to strength.
From sorrow to serenity.
From isolation to companionship.
He saw the warm smiles of Shang Ruiming and Shang Lihua, his adoptive parents—two souls who had given everything not in wealth or power, but in love. In their final moments, they gave him something no god ever could: a family.
Jin stood still before the throne and whispered, voice trembling yet resolute:
"I don't know where you are. If you've been reincarnated… then I ask only one thing: Let me be your son again."
He sat upon the throne. And from the depth of his soul, he created a new Code—a law written not in mere power, but in principle.
The First Code: Initium Post Finem
This Code was created for the Lower Expansion, a realm abandoned by its kings, where kingdoms were left without rulers. Jin declared:
"A kingdom without a throne may still stand—through the will, the love, and the bond of its people.
There will l be no Thrones, no Genesis Gods, no Mythical Gods, nor Transcendent Gods.
Gods shall not rule fate or dictate destiny.
You are the master of your own fate."
Yet, one law would remain unbroken—The Supreme Truth, forged by the Silver King, immutable and eternal.
The Second Code: Bellum Negare
This law was forged to protect both the Lower Expansion and the Vast Expansion from tyranny. It was a warning and a vow:
"You will not play with those weaker than you. You will not harm them.
Instead, you will guide them, protect them, love them—as a father or mother would.
Power must never again be a chain, but a shelter."
Then Jin wrote the Five Sacred Laws for the True Elder Gods:
1. True Elder Gods may enter the Lower Expansion solely to guide and impart wisdom.
2. They may take minimal action within the Lower Expansion, only if absolutely necessary.
3. They are eternally forbidden from ruling over or conquering the cosmologies of the Lower Expansion.
4. They will not bestow divine gifts or powers upon the beings of the Lower Expansion.
5. They are prohibited from altering the Sacred Laws of the Supreme Truth that govern the Lower Expansion.
He whispered.
"Nyreth broke the old laws because he made them. But this law is not his. It is born from the Sacred Tomb. My command is absolute."
A memory surged—when Jin plunged the Dragon Ragnar Blade. He saw again the twisted past:
Aurelion's father, who slew his own ancestor for the Whim Requiem.
Aurevian, who sacrificed her sanity to gain the Axis Requiem.
The Zhel-Vorah brothers, who plotted their mother's death for her Requiem.
Jin's eyes narrowed.
"All of this… all of it was Nyreth's design. Power was his bait, and they devoured it. That's I will destroy his gifts."
Then came another vision—himself as Zenex, holding his dying lover in his arms. Her face—bloodied, pale—looked so much like Lia. She kissed him, and in that final breath, gave him her Requiem… then vanished into light.
Zenex screamed in agony.
"Why me?! Why always me?!"
Jin stood behind him, silent, observing his former life's pain.
Then the sky split, and a face emerged—dark, monstrous, divine.
It laughed, its voice thunderous.
"You were weak, Zenex. That's why she died."
Zenex asked, trembling.
"Then tell me… what must I do to become powerful?"
The being smiled and extended its hand.
"Take the power of the Absolute Death God. But power has a price. From now on… you belong to me. I will decide your fate."
Back to the Present
Jin opened his eyes as the voice of the World Spiral Tree returned.
"So, what will you do now, my King?"
He answered softly.
"I am not a king. I am tired… of ruling."
"Why?" they asked.
Jin spoke slowly.
"When I was a child, my mother told me, 'You are the master of your fate, the captain of your soul.'
I believed it. But as I walked the path of vengeance, I realized we were all pawns—our fates bound by gods.
I fought back. I broke chains.
Yet, the deeper I went, I saw it: a cosmic conspiracy. Greed. Endless war.
It was all the Trickster's game.
Still—I didn't stop. I kept fighting.
And now… I'm free."
The voice, now more solemn, spoke.
"You are the Tiger of the New Song—they will sing of a new era."
"You are the Flightbound Bird—who cannot rest until destiny is reached."
"You are the Immortal Fish—who swims against the current of fate."
"You are the Undying Lion—who never lost his crown, who stood for his people and loved ones, and refused to bow before the mighty."
Jin smiled faintly.
"But even birds, fish, and lions, Tigers … need rest."
He stood.
"Before I go… I have two favors. Will you grant me?"
The voices answered together.
"Yes. By all means. Just ask."