Supreme God Chapter 3 - Xuan Ming

Adelos' spirit passed through the chaotic fog and pressed forward in search of a grey little bell. Suddenly, a ringing sound echoed in his ear.

Must be the bell, his thought echoing from an endless distance.

Following the sound of the bell, Adelos found himself standing above a noble and simple-like ancient hall. Inside the main hall, a man stood with a dignified ambiance, dressed in a dark violet mystical robe and a longsword tied to his waist. In one hand, he held an ancient-looking gray bell while the other played with a big black bow leaning against a furniture.

The man in dark violet looked over to where Adelos stood. The corner of his eyes twitched and he smiled warmly.

"At last, you have come."

Adelos brows creased, somewhat puzzled, and wondered why suddenly, a rough, rugged voice echoed from behind. "Tai Yi, you've appeared… we've caught the enmity of Gong Gong and Hou Yi. Now's the day we were finished our revenge."

Adelos turned his head and saw a group of eight figures; one a woman, and the rest were men.

Their postures, aura, and appearance differed from what he was commonly familiar with. Their eyes weren't deep-set nor protruded, but were more prominent with a sharp angle to them, and curved like a teardrop.

Yes, they were somewhat unique.

The woman wore a pure-white plain dress while the other seven dressed in shabby loose-fitted clothing wrapped in animal hides. The weapons in their hands were also somewhat unusual and almost primal looking.

"People say fire and water cannot be tolerated. Zhu Rong, I did not expect you would still remember Gong Gong. Why are only the eight of you here to face me? Hou Tu fused with Cycle of Reincarnation, Gong Gong perished. Why did Zhu Jiu Yin and Di Jiang not come? Could it be that they're trying to open the river of space and time?"

Zhu Rong's figure walked out of the darkness that covered his visage. His body was covered in flames. Under Zhu Rong's foot were two fiery dragons, roaring softly and coiling around his body.

"Eight of us was enough to kill you." Zhu Rong said bluntly.

He shaped a ball of flame and directed it towards Tai Yi, the man in dark violet.

Adelos turned his head.

The ancient grey bell in his hand emitted a gong tune and echoed throughout the vast space. With the flow of time, the ancient grey bell grew bigger, a mere illusion and Adelos only became conscious of the room's darkness.

The ball of flames lighted the vast space and Adelos found himself standing before a beautiful woman wearing a pure-white plain dress, her gaze as cold as ice and like the wintry aura. The woman's orbs, a pool of ice silently looked at Adelos with a curious deep look.

Adelos immediately reacted at the sight of the beautiful, icy woman's figure who fought against countless gods.

"Adelos greets the great god Xuan Minh!" He bowed respectfully.

The woman nodded in satisfaction. "You know me." She smiled coldly. "I am Xuan Ming. You are not a native of this realm and such you should have knowledge of me and my name."

Adelos smiled bitterly and shook his head. "In my previous life, I lived a life without traces of gods and demons. Their existence lies in the annals of legends. If they existed when I was ignorant and cannot tell which is true and which are false."

The myths of the ancients and their tales are complicated and an intricate thread.  

The Shaman God, the Winter God, the Rain God, all are titles the Underworld God which Xuan Ming held.

"We are born from the blood of Pangu, ruler of the laws of heaven and earth. You have also seen it. After the conflict with Tai Yi… many of our brothers and sisters died, vanished in thin air and only I survived as a mere soul." Xuan Ming held a blank and emotionless demeanor yet her voice carried hints of grief and sadness.

Adelos breathed deeply.

"There are many things I do not know. I do not know how I came to this realm. Is it… is it this bell?" He hurriedly asked.

The goddess herself was willing to speak of her own circumstances and history of the past and he was more eager to understand his past.

"That is the Chaotic Bell of Tai Yi. Carnage and destructions ravaged the planes. In the end, Tai Yi and I mutually killed off each other. At the very last moment, Tai Yi used a technique to reincarnate. And my brothers… they willingly sacrificed themselves for my sake. With my body destroyed, only the soul of mine remains intact. I do not know when or how long time have passed since then. My big sister Hou Tu and two big brothers Di Jiang, Zhu Yiu Yin combined the power of Cycle of Reincarnation with the rivers of space and time, thus you and I were sent to this realm."

Xuan Ming paused.

"The laws of this realm are comparably similar to ours. I may be able to restore my physical body in this realm but as to why you are chosen, I am not too sure. Maybe it is fate. Maybe it is destiny. But I am sure your body at the time was ruined to the point of no return."

"You mean… I was actually dead at that time?" Adelos inquired. Tinges of shock and surprise coursed through his body. Had he not slept well before coming to this realm?

Xuan Ming nodded and hesitated for a short while. "We live together in this space.  I hope that we are able to help each other. Though I cannot go out, I can feel the animosity and pressure rising. You've been here for a few years now, could you tell me about this realm?"

Adelos lips curved. He revealed the gods' current state of affairs to Xuan Ming including all the myths and legends he'd read whether they were deemed true or false.

"I did not expect you to come from a good background. This is good. It is convenient that you are able to improve your strength."

"It does not have much use." Adelos sighed. "This world is not like ours. Talent and background are important but it is not the decisive factor. The wheels of thread and destiny decree the future of gods and mortals alike. The Moirae sisters of fate have long decreed the fate of mine. I will never compare to my brother and sister nor will I reach outstanding heights as my siblings. The only highest achievements I will have is my godly title of the Northern Star."  Adelos said sullenly.

Adelos conjectured Xuan Ming as the best figure to confide in. He felt unable to speak of his problems to his beloved mother, Leto.

Xuan Ming smirked. "The god of the Northern Star? Do you know the Polaris Star has another name?"

"You mean, Ziwei?"

"Yes. It is the Ziwei Star, the Emperor Star. Those born under the Northern Star are destined to be king. It is their fate, their destiny. Emperor Ziwei, ruler of all stars and planets and ruler of all sentient beings. His status amongst godly nobles is only second to the Jade Emperor."

Joy filled Adelos' heart. "If that is so, then I cannot simply remain a minor god. Emperor Ziwei… the name is good. I will use it later."

"But as far as you are concerned, the laws of this realm's divine power are therein vastly different. You remain a minor god in this realm and yet you dare to dream of becoming Ziwei the Emperor Star?"

"Having a dream is always good," Adelos said bitterly as he raised his head.

Xuan Ming nodded approvingly. "God or not, it is good to reach for one's own dream and ideal. As for how one may improve its strength, there will always be a way. "

"You mean there is a way for me to improve my strength?"

"I did not expect for you to have such quick reaction but yes, I do have one solution though I am not sure if you'd accept such offer." Xuan Ming pulled out a small jade bottle from the end of her sleeve. She lowered her gaze and looked at it shortly. A deep sigh escaped from her breath. "Eons ago, our brothers and sisters took out our own blood to refine the blood of Pangu. The blood in this jade bottle is the very last of it. If you absorb Pangu's blood, you can cultivate your body in the future and not only will you receive the inheritance of the Shaman Ancestor like us, you will also comprehend some talents and methods. It's just that… this world is not created by Pangu so I am afraid you'll never use the essential power of a god to rule the laws of heaven and earth."

Upon discerning that contained inside the small jade bottle was the blood of Pangu, a stream of excitement rushed to his veins.

What good luck.

Adelos reached out and grabbed the small jade bottle. "Of course, I will use Pangu's blood. I am unable to become ruler of the laws of heaven and earth. As a god of the Polaris Star, I am unable to do anything."

Xuan Ming watched Adelos decisiveness. Her cold, icy face unconsciously revealed an alluring smile. "We have used the blood of Pangu on some of our own brothers and sisters. The result is very good especially for Hou Yi and Chi You."

Adelos grew fervent with excitement and enthusiasm when he heard of the names Xuan Ming mentioned. He wished nothing more but to refine the blood of Pangu right at this instance but he understood he'd not be able to. Adelos is inside the vastness of his soul. He sighed and put the jade bottle inside his space domain.

After mortal ascends into godhood, said mortal turned god garnered the qualification to store one's own items in their own space domain. Though Adelos himself lacked aptitude in both talent and power, he nevertheless was a natural born god and as a natural born god whether a minor or greater god, Adelos by nature had his own space domain.

A thought seeped inside Xuan Ming's mind on a spur of the moment. She hurriedly pulled out a transparent iced pearl from her space domain. The size of the pearl itself was equivalent to that of a pigeon's egg. Inside the pearl contained a burning white ember flame.

"Based on the knowledge provided, this realm also contains the river of the underworld, the Styx River. The demigod Achilles soaked his body in the Styx River and as he emerged, he benefited from the river of the underworld and acquired a nigh-invulnerable body. I advise you go to the Styx River and refine the blood of Pangu. The outcome might be a bit better. Also, swallow this pearl. It might give you a godly power.

Adelos wrinkled his brows. "This is…" He reached out an gently took hold of the transparent iced pearl emanating both hot and cold extreme temperature.

Xuan Ming curved her lips. "Do not worry about such feeling it exudes. It will not hurt you.

A short while passed.

"I recalled you mentioned your brother and sister are powerful gods as fate and destiny decreed it so and their gold and silver bow and arrow are mighty powerful."

Xuan Ming from the vastness of her space domain pulled out a deep black bow coated with cryptic lines and the bowstring a cardinal red and like human blood. The long obsidian arrows were covered with violet patterns, faintly revealing the cold light.

The scenic view was glorious.

"How might it compare to this bow?"

"Sun Shooting Bow…" Adelos whispered its name consequent to catch a wisp of its appearance.

Many old and beyond were acquainted with the legend of Hou Yi and his bow. It seemed impractical he'd encounter one in his lifetime but upon seeing such genuine artifact, he wondered if Hou Yi was made honored and illustrious by the bow or vice versa.

Xuan Ming placed the deep black obsidian bow and arrow in Adelos' hand. "Hou Yi used nine out of ten arrows. Though with your current strength, you'd find it difficult to use the weapon's true strength. I do hope with time, you will once again bring its glory.

Adelos lowered his gaze and looked at the bow and arrow in his grasp, his heart fiery and full of fighting spirit.

Suddenly, a wave of dizziness overcame him and Xuan Ming's figure disappeared.

"I will rest. When you refine and cultivate the blood of Pangu and receive the inheritance of the Shaman Clan, come and see me."

Adelos slowly opened his eyes and saw his sister, Artemis who looked at him with concerned and flushed eyes.

TL's note:

Chinese Mythology Glossary

Shaman Clan

Ancestor Shaman: Contains 12 members. Are considered as the highest gods of Shaman Clan. Born from Pangu's blood.

Di Jiang: God of Space and Speed. A red bird with with six legs and four wings.

Ju Mang: God of Plant. Human body, bird head, green skin. Ancestor Shaman of the East. Ru Shou: God of Metal. Having snakes as earrings. Ancestor Shaman of the West. Gong Gong: God of Water and Sea. Having red hair and the tail of a serpent, covered by black scales. The Ancestor Shaman of the North. Zhu Rong: God of Fire. Human body, animal head, covered by red scales. The Ancestor Shaman of the South. Zhu Jiu Yin: God of Time. A dragon with human face. Qiang Liang: God of Thunder. Human body, tiger head, hands and feet are horse-shoes. She Bi Shi: God of Weather. Human body, animal head. Tian Wu: God of Wind. Tiger body, having eight human heads and ten tails. Yue Zi: God of Lightning. Xuan Ming: Goddess of Rain. Having bone spikes on back. Hou Tu: Goddess of Earth. The Ancestor Shaman of Center. Fused with Cycle of Reincarnation.

Chapter end