The World of the Gods.
Liu Che sat in the Academy of the Heavens, quietly listening to Master Xiao Luan's personal lecture.
Her teachings were simple and concise — she only explained the principles behind divine arts, but refused to impart any specific techniques.
Every god walked their own path.
Too much interference would only damage their potential.
"Remember, Liu Che," Xiao Luan said solemnly, "do not become lost in desire. Strength is the foundation of everything.
In a few days, there may be others who challenge you.
Be ready."
"Yes, Master," Liu Che replied respectfully.
After watching her leave, Liu Che packed his things and prepared to return to the Heavenly Palace.
But just as he turned, he suddenly sensed something through the system.
"Oh?
Someone is making a sacrifice.
Let's see which world it's from."
His divine sense swept out — and Liu Che's expression became slightly amused.
The sacrifice was coming from the world of Demon Slayer.
The chief priest was none other than Tanjiro Kamado, and along with offerings of cattle and sheep, there were also six girls presented:
— the four daughters of Kagaya Ubuyashiki,
— and Shinobu Kocho and Kanao Tsuyuri.
"...Looks like the Ghost Slayer Corps' beauties have all been rounded up," Liu Che chuckled.
Shaking his head lightly, he murmured,
"Forget it.
Even though the Demon Slayer world is a bit low-level, at least their faith is pure.
Accepting them will add some liveliness to my Heavenly Palace."
At the altar.
A solemn prayer began to echo across the ceremony site.
"When You came, heaven and earth had not yet appeared; time had not yet begun. You were the only God; all others were false..."
"O Great Eternal God, Tanjiro Kamado prays to You..."
The priests who heard these words from the distance instantly turned pale.
"Wh-what does that mean?!
All other gods are false gods?" one of them muttered, face twisted in disbelief.
Did that mean everything they worshipped before was just trash?
"No!
It's a lie!
Our god isn't a false god!"
One priest roared in anger, unable to bear it any longer.
He stood up, prepared to rush forward and challenge this heretical claim.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki, who was overseeing the ceremony, noticed immediately.
He frowned and was about to signal his guards to stop the priest—
—but then it happened.
A sudden, catastrophic change.
The clear blue sky instantly darkened into pitch black.
Day turned to night in less than a second.
The roaring heavens silenced every soul.
The angry priest froze mid-step, his eyes wide and mouth agape.
Everyone — soldiers, swordsmen, villagers — instinctively lifted their heads to the sky.
They stared in horror.
"When I was born, the chaos of the world was split apart.
Before my awakening, all was withered and destroyed.
When I opened my eyes, there was light; the sun and moon were born; my breath shook the heavens!"
The deafening divine voice rolled across the world like a tidal wave.
It was a hundred times louder than any thunder they had ever heard.
And yet — strangely — not a single person was harmed.
That voice was not aimed at their bodies.
It directly struck their souls.
Above the altar, dazzling beams of light fell upon the six sacrificial girls.
Petals of pure divine light rained down from the heavens.
Their mortal bodies were refined under the Eternal God's gaze, infused with the power of heaven itself.
In the midst of the brilliance, the light dimmed slightly—
revealing the vague silhouette of a figure in the sky.
Even with extreme effort, they could only see his upper body.
Just His eyes alone — were brighter than the sun itself.
When His gaze swept downward—
The rebellious priest collapsed onto his knees without resistance.
His faith shattered.
His mind went blank.
The officials and the Nine Pillars standing nearby all fell to their knees instinctively, heads bowed deeply.
Before a true God, all mortals were like ants.
No one could remain standing.
A vast, cold voice echoed:
"I heard someone doubting My doctrine just now.
I shall now give this world a chance.
The slumbering gods who hide in the shadows —
dare you show yourselves before Me?"
The sound rolled across the land like a heavenly decree.
The rebellious priest was so frightened that he almost fainted.
He kowtowed frantically, begging forgiveness, but Liu Che ignored him.
Instead, Liu Che's divine gaze pierced into the hidden depths of the world —
where a small plane containing indigenous gods had concealed themselves.
Upon being exposed, those small gods trembled under His gaze, showing expressions of fear and pleading.
Liu Che sneered.
"Since you do not dare to face Me,
then stay hidden.
But if you ever again dare to slander My existence—
Tanjiro, and you who are My believers,
will have My permission to annihilate them!"
"Ohhhh—!
Great Eternal God!"
The Nine Pillars and Tanjiro shouted in unison, their faces filled with fiery reverence.
Especially Tanjiro.
Tears welled in his eyes.
To be a messenger of such a God—
was the greatest blessing of his life!
Liu Che smiled faintly and said:
"Tanjiro Kamado —
I have long known about your deceased parents.
Today, I shall allow them to reunite with you."
With a casual motion, he reached into the void.
A gray river of souls was pulled from the depths of the world.
Countless wandering spirits drifted in its current, letting out soft wails.
"This..."
"Are those souls?"
"Is this... the true underworld?"
The onlookers trembled as they watched the terrifying scene.
The river was vast beyond imagination, but in Liu Che's grasp, it seemed small and fragile.
Within it, countless silhouettes floated aimlessly.
Without hesitation, Liu Che reached in and pulled out several solitary souls.
These souls, filled with fear and confusion, had no strength to resist.
With a flick of His finger, a divine light engulfed them.
Golden brilliance enveloped their ethereal forms.
As they descended to the earth—
Their physical bodies rematerialized.
They were resurrected.
So easily.
So casually.
Without the slightest strain.
Standing bewildered among the living once again, Tanjiro's parents blinked in confusion.
"Didn't we die...?"
"Why are we... alive again?"
Tears streamed down Tanjiro's face as he rushed forward.
"Father!
Mother!"
He knelt before them, bowing low in gratitude — not just to them, but to the sky above where the Eternal God gazed silently down.