Records of the Nine Heavens

Fourth Excerpt: "The Divine Kings"

Other moniker/s: "Kin of the Four Emperors", "Four Divine Beasts".

As the years passed, the children of the Four showed considerable growth even in an era of peace: the four Beasts, sons and daughters of the Four Primordial Emperors, would at first be called the Four Divine Beasts solely as a homage to their pedigree.

However then, just like their parents before them, they would themselves earn the title of a Lord amongst their generation, shocking the world and declaring themselves as the Four Divine Kings.

But long before then, shortly after the birth of their offspring, the four Emperors seemingly disappeared one by one once more, leaving the affairs of the Heavenly Realm to the Jade Emperor.

Left behind by half their family at a relatively young age, and their other parents often neglecting them, the four younglings had banded together as a result.

The four talented Divine Beasts soon grew close, even closer than real siblings, and together enjoyed a rivalry that burned hotter than the Molten Emperor's temper. Partly because of that, their strength soared shockingly.

Unlike their parents who had abandoned them, their heritage never betrayed them: very soon, tales of their power spread among the countless planes.

Their fight against the Behemoth of the Sword Lake Mountains? Simply magnificent!

The hundred-day plan concocted by the siblings is still taught today to aspiring Divine Generals: before them, aside from the unstoppable Emperors who were invincible in their ascent, there had been no records of "Eleventh Stage" besting a "Twelfth Stage" in a fight!

Just like their parents before then, they became one of indescribably few cases of First Ascension defeating a Second Ascension to date!

[Note: at the time, Primordials referred to the two major bottlenecks between Realms (between the sixth and seventh stage, and between the eleventh and twelfth stages respectively) as Ascensions. As such, an eleventh stage would be "First Ascension" (nowadays, otherwise termed an Ageless Realm expert), whereas surpassing the second major bottleneck and becoming a twelfth stage expert would make one a "Second Ascension" (Immortal Realm today) powerhouse.

It is usually the case even today, but the difference between stages was back then ever more insurmountable, especially so in the case of major bottlenecks. As such, the feat of bridging the gap is very much praiseworthy to this day... although, of course, perhaps not as rare in the current era that is just coming out of a resurgence in cultivation.]

It must be said, of course, that the four's unparalleled inheritance as the Divine Beasts, coupled with the well-oiled machinery that was the uncanny coordination of the four siblings, played a huge part in the battle.

The might of the Black Turtle, comprised of a body gifted with the strength to split mountains, and durability deriving from the lands themselves, eased *them* into bearing the weight behind any attack.

The White Tiger's reflexes that were akin to foresight, and her innate abilities as the Beast King commanding all beasts of prey allowed the elder sister to bother and thread around her opponent to no end.

Lastly, the mobility and supporting abilities of the Azure Dragon, coupled with the incredible damage potential from the flames of the Vermillion Bird.

Each of their inborn strengths played a crucial part in the more than thirteen-thousand steps of the hundred-day plan.

Nonetheless, at the time, it had been just the test of mettle they had needed to rise to fame and leave the shadows of the Emperors, those neglecting parents of theirs.

In fact, this newfound respect can be seen in a popular saying from that time that went: "Earth shifting, Ancient Beasts bowing, Oceans surging, Flames reaching the Heavens! Oh Emperors: am I against Kings, or before the World?", referring to might that went beyond the wildest expectations.

[...]

Other moniker/s: "Black Turtle and Ebony Serpent"

The Eldest amongst the four beasts, ruler of the earth!

The shield of the group, holding the title of the strongest under the Heavens.

*They* were the proud spawn of the two Primordial Beasts who were the Emperor of all Lands and his Consort. As such, be they the lands in the Heavens or on the Earth, just as *their* parents before them, *they* were the lords of all ground beneath the boundless sky!

*They* grew up with a particular interest in calligraphy. *They* were renowned for their use of the land as a canvas[...]

Other moniker/s: "White Tiger"

The Eldest Sister, monarch of all the living, absolute ruler of all beasts of prey!

Due to her heritage and awoken ability, few could refuse her orders once she grasped the means to use it. However, things weren't always like this: before a chance encounter, she only had her exceptional agility, enhanced senses and incomparable instincts to rely on; mediocre to say the least, especially when compared to her martial siblings.

One day, all that would change: formerly a mere scout and strategist for the team, she'd eventually awaken her true power as a beast controller (a talent she'd later develop to attain the enviable title and status of Divine Gardener, the highest realm of General), when she was ambushed by[...]

Other moniker/s: "Azure Dragon"

The third sibling, ruler of the True Earth's Oceans and all its treasures, the one, true behemoth of the depths!

He passed his youth learning cultivation from the Seven Leviathans (to this day rulers of their birthplace True Earth's Seven Seas), as his faithful retainers. At times as calm and wise as a water surface with no ripples, yet others as fierce and emotional as the hurricanes that sink ships and drown beasts!

Noteworthy were his Evergreen Coral Sandals, a gift from the Jade Emperor himself, giving the Sea King the power of going through great distances in the blink of an eye[...]

Other moniker/s: "Vermillion Bird", "Flame That Burnt The Highest"

The blazing dancer blessed by the highest flames!

The youngest and yet at the same time the most unpredictable of the four: like a flame, she would burn at her brightest the more fuel she was fed. The more powerful the opponent, the more ferocious her blaze.

Ninety-Nine Steps Burn Down The Heavens: the one ability that, after a hundred days, eventually brought down the Behemot. Or rather (with horrifying implications), not quite Ninety-Nine, as, despite the destructive power she unleashed, the actual amount of steps she eventually took had amounted to a measly[...]

[...]

Primordial Beasts, Primordial Emperors and Divine Kings weren't the only ones who populated the Heavens. Far and away from that: alongside the birth of the Four Kings, generations after generations of beasts appeared under the rule of Hundredth Xū.

After uncountable millennia passed, these beasts lost most of the characteristics shown by the Primordial Beasts and their direct descendants. Nonetheless, they would still be called Heavenly Beasts respectfully, referring to their status as esteemed descendants of the True Heavens with a powerful bloodline to boot.

As proof of their pedigree, after uncountable generations more came and went and the bloodlines were diluted further: there, entered the picture the lower races of humans, spirit beasts, plants, and beastkins. These lower races couldn't even acknowledge the existence of Heavenly, Divine and Primordial Beasts, unless they: were approached first, were bound by strong Karma (the likes of strong enmity or a loving bond from an ancestor), or surpassed the Mortal Realm and became Ageless Realm cultivators. Even more so for Primordial Beasts, but even the lowest Heavenly Beasts would present this trait even when many other innate abilities were lost along the way.

Imagine the surprise, and panic, of those Spirit Beasts who would ascend to the peak of an entire world, only to witness the true world they could never even see before.

Amongst those lower races, with but a shred of Heavenly Blood in his veins, a certain spirit beast of unknown origin grew up.

His greed for the throne of the Heavenly Realm below only his shrewdness...

Born the weakest, he thirsted most for power.

One day, he promised himself, he'd stand Highest.

Excerpt from the work: Records of the Nine Heavens

Author: Unknown