The second chime of the Heavenly Ascension Gate had barely faded into the clouds. Just then, the gates of the Hongwu picket fence swung open.
Down the long marble walkway leading from Classroom 404 to the base of the Golden Stairs, a sea of gold, crimson, and purple robes parted in trembling waves.
Five hundred thousand fighters—emperors, sect masters, grand elders, and hermit ancestors who had lived in seclusion for three hundred years—pressed their foreheads against the stone.
As Frank stepped off the gravel path, sixty royal attendants in cloth-of-gold lunged forward. He carried heavy silver trays loaded with the culinary treasures of five empires.
There were crystal flagons of Heavenly Dew Wine fermented from dragon-marrow grapes that bloomed once every three thousand years.
There were platters of roast phoenix tenderloin glazed with thousand-year spiritual honey, bowls of jade-lotus porridge simmered over sacred spirit flames, and platters of golden peaches that granted five hundred years of lifespan with a single bite.
Emperor Zhao of Great Da-Qi crawled forward on his knees. His hands shook as he lifted a golden goblet inlaid with nine dragon rubies.
“Master Lu!” Emperor Zhao cried, holding the goblet up toward Frank’s belt. “Before you step beyond the mortal veil... Please drink of the Nine-Dragon Immortal Wine! This flagon was sealed by the founding emperor of Great Da-Qi eight thousand years ago! It’s the blood of our dynasty, offered in eternal thanks to the Sovereign of Humanity!”
