A quiet wind moved through the courtyard, carrying the sound of the two-horned owls hooting nearby, the moonlight casting faint shadows.
Bai Zhenzhu sat down cross-legged to regain strength through her cultivation. Wei Wei returned moments later to the temple with the Sect Master. The three of them sat together in a triangular formation on the eight-pointed star at the centre of the temple to activate a small formation designed to help with healing.
"Master, are you okay?" Wei Wei rushed to her Master's side, laying the ink, feather, and parchment down.
"I'm fine." Bai Zhenzhu opened her eyes slowly, her gaze distant.
Her hands trembled as she reached for the feather, dipping it into the inkwell. The black liquid swirled ominously, like a tiny malevolent storm. With a deep, shuddering breath, she guided the feather with her cultivation, letting the ink flow across the parchment.
Today, under the Scarlet Horizon, two stars are cast.
Born of the same origin, yet destined to dwell apart.
These two stars, born on this auspicious night, shall either unify all realms… or shatter them completely.
Hence, Divine Annihilation.
"Divine Annihilation?!" Tian Xu's voice broke out abruptly, his mouth parting slightly as he processed the words.
Master Tian Xu had heard whispers of the Divine Annihilation from the former sect master. A devastating event that marked the birth of the Twelve Realms. If such an event were to occur again...
Master Tian Xu shook his head, expelling the thought.
"Divine Annihilation…?" Bai Zhenzhu's disciple repeated, eyes wide with confusion. "Isn't that the myth of creation?"
"Wei Wei," Zhenzhu called her disciple quietly.
"The Divine Annihilation isn't a myth. It is the true origin of the Twelve Continents." Zhenzhu tried to stand up.
Wei Wei quickly moved to support her, with Master Tian Xu following behind closely.
"Master Tian Xu," Zhenzhu said, coughing again.
"We must notify the other realms. If Mother Scarlet has allowed this… then the Heavens are moving." She looked up to the sky.
"You don't mean... No. I refuse to believe it," Master Tian Xu's voice was sharp as he stroked his beard, his expression growing more frantic.
"But that is the only conclusion, Master Tian Xu." Bai Zhenzhu's voice was firmer now.
"Why seek to unify the Twelve Realms now? For centuries, it was Heaven's decree to divide the sects." Master Tian Xu's expression darkened.
He kept stroking his beard, but with none of his usual wisdom.
"The Twelve Realms cannot be united by only two individuals born under the Scarlet star." Master Tian Xu countered.
"But the Main Realm was divided by two individuals with the help of the Five Holy Gods."
"Master Tian Xu, the Scarlet Star has been cast. The two chosen individuals are now fated to have the guidance of the Five Holy Gods. Only Mother Scarlet and the Five Holy Gods know what they have planned for the Twelve Realms." Bai Zhenzhu said calmly.
"It's time for a new era." Master Tian Xu thought.
"Fine. I'll have someone pass the prophecy on to the elders of the other realms." He sighed, leaving the temple in confusion.
After a lot of pacing and beard stroking, Master Tian Xu ordered the prophecy to be copied multiple times.
Once the copies had been made, they were distributed across the Twelve Continents over the following years. This way, the other realms could also prepare for what was to come.