The Immortal Chess Tribulation

It is said that when the Primordial Chaos shattered, the primordial world began, and beyond the chaos lay the boundless void, beyond the comprehension of all but those who had attained the Primordial Unity. Over endless ages, countless mighty beings have woven their legends, seeking to pierce the mist of the boundless void. After the Great Tribulation of Investiture, the Sages sensed a change in the boundless void. An edict came down from Yujing Mountain: the immortals would play their pieces like players on a board, shepherding all living beings through tribulations. The immortals accepted the edict and laid their plans. Across countless worlds, they would choose 108 beings, corresponding to the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, and scatter them throughout the heavens to play the game, face the tribulation, and weave new legends.

(This story will unfold from the perspective of one of them. The others will be mentioned selectively.)