Ling Xu Zi had cultivated in seclusion for three thousand years, and at last the tribulation lightning heralding his ascension arrived.
He thought that opening the door would lead to his ascension amid rosy clouds. Instead, he found the ruins of the Immortal Realm and a cold verdict waiting beyond it:
"You are the nine hundred and ninety-ninth sacrifice. Welcome to become nourishment for the ancient gods who guide souls here."
His faith collapsed in an instant. The ascension generations of predecessors had long yearned for was nothing but a bloody fraud that had continued for ten thousand years!
His immortal body shattered, his foundation of the Dao obliterated.
Yet amid absolute annihilation, a pale flame rekindled within him.
Thus he became a fire thief, seizing nourishment from the gods' banquet and forging a new foundation of the Dao in endless despair.
