Chapter 408: Giant Stone Gate

Gaotianyuan is described as eternally bright, a place without filth, disease, death, or disaster.

In Neihong's mythic worldview, the opening of the Kojiki says that when the world cleared from Chaos, the "Heavenly Realm" formed first, and Gaotianyuan represents pure brightness.

Then came the reed plains of China on earth and the underground Yomi Country.

Gaotianyuan is not a loose fairyland but a court with a complete organizational structure.

The Gods convene a "Divine Council" to discuss important matters.

The "eight million gods" who reside there is not literal, but a modifier describing an infinite number of deities filling the world.

In their Shinto‑like belief, the definition of "god" is extremely broad, far exceeding the personal deity concept of monotheism.

Or, as long as they wish, anything can become a god, anything can be a god.

The core is that all things have spirits.

Among the Gods, Amaterasu is the supreme ruler.

This Amaterasu's parents are Creator God Izanagi.

After Izanagi returned from Yomi, he took a Wash, and when he cleansed his left eye, Amaterasu was born.

He cleansed his right eye, giving birth to Tsukuyomi (the Moon God), and cleansed his nose, giving birth to Susanoo (storm/ocean god).

These three deities are collectively called the "Three Noble Children," the most esteemed among the Gods.

Later Amaterasu sent her descendant Ninigi‑no‑Mikoto, bearing the Yata Mirror, the Ama‑no‑Murakumo Sword, and the Yasakani no Magatama to descend to the Human World; his great‑grandson Emperor Jimmu marched eastward and founded the Yamato regime.

The legitimacy of the emperor's rule is traced directly back to Amaterasu.

Uh, of course.

The current supreme ruler is Feimeng.

The vehicle travels on Gaotianyuan's road.

The sky here is not ordinary blue but a gentle, steady light emitting a faint golden glow, without the rotation of sun, moon, or stars, yet it is neither glaring nor monotonous, instead exuding an eternal tranquility and harmony.

The air is filled with a crisp fragrance, and in the distance floating fairy mountains and rivers flowing with jade nectar can be seen.

"Uncle, look, that was once Amaterasu's palace, also the core of Gaotianyuan, the place where the Divine Council convenes."

Feimeng points to a particularly grand and magnificent building complex ahead, introducing it.

The palace complex is dominated by pure white and gold, bearing Neihong's distinctive style.

The main hall towers majestically, its roof covered with tiles that seem formed from condensed light, sparkling brilliantly.

In front of the hall lies a spacious plaza, with towering torii gates and stone pillars engraved with divine patterns.

The palace is surrounded by meticulously tended gardens, exotic flowers and strange herbs ever in bloom, and a murmuring spirit spring.

Just.

At this moment, the figures moving inside and outside the palace seem somewhat out of place with the solemn atmosphere.

Some "gods" dressed in simple priestly robes or maid outfits are busy.

Some hold light‑dust dusters, carefully sweeping the corridor columns; some carry jade jars to water the spirit plants in the garden; others bear trays and rush by, as if preparing something.

Yu Lin's gaze sweeps over these busy figures, his brows slightly raised, and he asks:

"Why are only these… weak 'gods' left?"

These remaining deities are indeed pitifully weak.

Not to mention Yu Lin, even a Tai Xu Realm cultivator from the Human World, or a Grand Archbishop or top Holy Knight of the Western Church, would likely be able to cleanly slay them here!

Even a cultivator of the Five Qi Ascension or He Zhen Realm can move freely here, hard to be effectively restrained.

This really does not resemble the defensive strength and foundation a mature divine realm should have.

Feimeng, hearing his question, immediately explains, "Oh, them."

"I didn't do anything to them; I just 'had a good discussion' with them."

"I let them carve out a new independent divine realm, a 'New Gaotianyuan,' and let the gods who are willing to follow and whose strength is just adequate move there, so they no longer meddle in Human World affairs, especially not interfere with my 'management' here."

He raises his hand and points to the distant boundary where light flows and mist drifts.

There, one can vaguely see an enormous stone gate exuding a vast aura, quietly standing at the junction of light and shadow, its doors tightly shut as if leading to another world.

"There, the entrance is right there; they now mainly reside in that new divine realm," Feimeng adds:

"Those left behind are either too weak to qualify for the move, or their duty is to maintain the palace and manage Gaotianyuan's basic operations, or simply…"

"…who are more pragmatic and willing to accept the new regulations."

Yu Lin follows Feimeng's direction, his gaze lingering on the light gate for a moment, and he nods slightly, indicating understanding.

He does not continue to inquire about the specifics of the "discussion," nor does he comment on whether Feimeng's separation was appropriate.

It's none of his business; he's too lazy to bother with it.

The vehicle smoothly drives into the palace complex, finally stopping on the spacious plaza in front of the main hall.

Feimeng is the first to jump out, tidies his clothes, then shouts at the "gods" who had paused their tasks and respectfully lowered their hands upon the vehicle's arrival:

"All come! Form a line!"

His voice carries an unquestionable commanding tone.

The gods hear this and immediately jog over, moving swiftly and orderly, soon lining up before Yu Lin.

Feimeng stands at the front of the line, clears his throat, and loudly says, "Everyone, listen up! This one is my uncle—Yu Lin!"

"From today onward, here in Gaotianyuan, no, throughout the entire Neihong cultivation realm, when you see him, it's as if you see me in person! No, you must be even more respectful than when you see me!"

He looks around, ensuring every divine servant heard clearly, then emphasizes word by word:

"From now on, all call him—Yu Lin the Great Deity! Understand?!"

"Hai! We strictly obey Feimeng the Great Deity's command! We salute Yu Lin the Great Deity!"

The divine servants in the line bow in unison, their voices uniform, their demeanor exceedingly respectful.

Feimeng nods satisfactorily, then turns and makes a "please" gesture toward Yu Lin:

Uncle, please come this way, I'll take you to look inside, and by the way try their local specialty 'Divine Feast'—although it's just that, but the taste is still quite unique.

Okay.

Yu Lin nodded, and under Feimeng's guidance and the Gods' entourage, he walked into the palace.

Just as he was walking, he suddenly stopped, turned his head to look at the stone gate.

The stone gate that had been tightly closed had somehow opened a crack.

He curled the corner of his mouth slightly: "Interesting."

Feimeng didn't catch what he said, turned his head to look at him.

"Uncle, what did you say?"

"Nothing, let's go."