Note: Diverting from the main course of events in chapter 244. I am not putting on AO3 because I have a tendency to hop back and forth when I write so I like my website with the freedom to edit freely.

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Smoke and dust settled from the destruction of the Heavenly Palace and all of Heaven in question. With the Highest Supreme seat vacant at the moment, the gods began the reconstruction of the new Heaven in their images. Old prejudices laid by the predecessors were torn down and new virtues and rules were set in place. The younger gods rejoiced and decorated the realm to their liking. It was not without qualms from the gods of all ages. Finally, the Wind Master stood up and proposed a plan to quieten down the quibbles. 

 

青玄 ‘Yo! Do you like it? The new and latest Revamping Squad Trio.’

 

幕情 ‘Since when did I ever agree to be a part of the trio?’

 

青玄 ‘You are one of the best designers in all of Heaven. Don't be so humble! I need you. Look at the skies. The winds are singing and the charms are weaving the new melodies of life.’

 

幕情 ‘Get lost! Unhand me! I have no time to participate in such trivial matters. Find some other gods to join in your little game.’

 

青玄 ‘Oh, please 幕情！ Without the Water and Earth Master, it is really… A bit too quiet.’

 

幕情 glanced at him briefly.

 

幕情 ‘Don't you always have a lot of Heavenly Official followers?’

 

青玄 ‘Followers are followers. Those whom I let into my little Chamber of Secrets amongst the Valley of Clouds are few.’

 

Ty fluttered ties eyelids and winked. Ties’s signature smile was hidden behind the fan but what 幕情 saw was the truth behind ties words.

 

青玄 ‘You have good taste. I need your help to rebuild the… Mnn… Let’s call the new Heavenly Capital Valley of the Clouds!’

 

幕情 ‘Seriously? Sounds more like your capital! You can name yours but all of Heaven? I highly doubt anyone would want that tacky name.’

 

The wind master pouted slightly but his expression grew serious and he deliberated.

 

青玄 ‘How about 太阳峰？Submit of the Sun? Embrace a new beginning?’

 

幕情 ‘Fine. I acquiesce. ’

 

青玄 ‘Ok! It is settled then! Oh! Oh! Let me introduce you to the Fire Master. He is hot! Like literally!’

 

幕情 ‘He is hot?’

 

青玄 ‘Yes. He and I are not the best of friends but I have no issues with him. He knows my brother too and they fight like you and 风信. Cause you know water and fire create steam.’

 

钛天 （Tai Tian）‘青玄 is that you?’

 

青玄 ‘Yes. It is me. There! This is 幕情。幕情 has one of the best eyes for details in all of Heaven. He is also a sword wielder.’

 

钛天 'Please to meet you. I am 钛天. The Fire Master.’

 

幕情 ‘The pleasure is mine.’

 

青玄 ‘Nowadays I have to stay with him. He keeps the flame burning otherwise the Five Star Elemental Realm will truly be just me.’

 

钛天 ‘Ha. If you have the rest, you wouldn't even bother coming all the way here to find me.’

 

青玄 ‘That is not true. It is just that there is so much to explore that I cannot simply not get to know them all so soon. The wind goes to every corner and crack of the Earth; therefore, I too will do it. It is just that your premises of Flames and Ashes is so inaccessible, even for me! It is the second Mount Tonglu!’

 

钛天 ‘Huh. Excuses! There are the Five Basic Star Elementials : Earth（土，石，木）, Water（水，雨，冰）, Wind（风，雷，电）, Fire（火，烟，浆）, Cosmic（阳， 阴，星，暗，梦）。’

 

青玄 ‘Earth and Water masters are no more. It is just you and I and Cosmic Master whom we have never met before.’

 

钛天 ‘I have. You are just in your world that is why you didn't get to meet the Cosmic Master. There are a few others whom you have not met. Your brother knew them. While you express your interest in the Celestial Realm, your brother and a few of the rest of the elementals had to double up in Nature’s Dwell on your behalf!’

 

青玄 ‘Geez. You do sound like my brother and Earth master all right. If I stay with you guys too long, I will become a boring old lexa too.’

 

Ty glanced around.

 

青玄 ‘Oo! Oo! Please introduce me to the Cosmic Master!’

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钛天 ‘When the Cosmics align again. I will. An is not a chatty fellow and is highly auspicious. If you think I am exaggerating, just ask…’

He paused and hid his expression behind his fan. Guilt and embarrassment tripped him up at the realization.

钛天 ‘Nevermind. At least the flames can now burn unquenched. We have kept our guests waiting for too long. My apologies.’

The palace was covered with scarlet, golden-yellow and crimson sand with walls and pillars glistening with dark red marble and Amethyst crystals. The heat that radiated from the palace could ignite the body of any mortal at any given moment. Liquid Glass bubbled and flowed at the centre of the hall and into the ceiling where intricate flaming motifs glowed against the crimson black background. The two gods marvelled at the mesmerising sight. It was a sight to behold and it captivated both the juniors.

幕情 ‘Why are you marvelling? Haven’t you been here?’

青玄 ‘It is still beautiful no matter how many times I have been here!’

幕情 ‘Seems like he keeps his place in shape better than you.’

青玄 ‘Oh! How could you say that? That is mean! But I told you the Fire Master is cool too!’

幕情 ‘He sure has exquisite taste.’

青玄 ‘You mean a fiery taste!’

钛天 ‘Haha.’

He sneered with pure disdain.

青玄 ‘So where should we begin?’

钛天 ‘Let us begin by clearing away the debris that lingered. Let the others rest. Mnn. 幕情, you seemed to have injured yourself too.’

The face of the martial god paled. He grunted at the thought of someone who could see through him so casually.  幕情 put on a tough facade and declined.

幕情 ‘I am fine. I can walk.’

钛天 ‘青玄, did you let him walk in?’

青玄 ‘No! We sat on my little cloud until it practically evaporated!’

钛天 ‘Those are the wounds from Mount Tonglu… Mn. I may have something.’

With that, the liquid glass bubble stopped rising and cooled. The room began to darken as the flames that kept the palace lit began to extinguish. The fire master signalled for the other god to approach the centre. With caution, 幕情 approached the black liquid bubble with glowing red veins. It was dripping a black substance into the stove-like burner beneath. The fire master reached out and transferred the black substance into a small bottle container.

钛天 ‘青玄, get a chair from over there for our dear martial god if you will?’

青玄 ‘Mn! Yes! I was just about to!’

钛天 ‘It may sting a little upon application but it is much more efficient than the usual medication found in the apothecary. The burns on Mount Tonglu are unforgiving and persistent like vengeful spirits. The usual burn relief medication will only provide temporary relief.’

幕情 ‘That explains why the wounds are not healing.’

The sword wielder grumbled, finally understanding the reason behind his prolonged suffering. He genuinely thought that when the General of the Southeast offered to apply medication to his wounds, they would magically heal somehow. He recalled the pair of golden eyes, that were once coated with disdain whenever they met his, were now soft and uncertain.

The martial god cursed himself for the foolishness and made a note to tear off the last of his budding affections. It paid to be more practical and seek out alternative sources of healing rather than cast his hopes on this stupid thing called love. He knew and learnt that now; it was better to be pragmatic.

钛天 ‘That is quite a severe burn. Bear with me for a while.’

A sudden sharp pain surged through his entire body. 幕情 let out a sharp cry. A sting was an understatement. The proclaimed sting instead felt like every nerve in his body was on fire, it hurt so much that he couldn't even think straight. It was more than just a sting. It felt like a thousand paper cuts on his body. He doubled over when a hand held onto him. His breaths came in the form of short, sharp gasps. The martial god gritted his teeth. When he came back to his senses, he saw that the fire master had already applied the black substance all over his left calf and knee.

钛天 ‘I see the burns have extended to your thigh. Would you like for me to continue up?’

幕情 ‘Fine. I allow you.’

He nodded and grabbed onto the soft fimiline hands. 青玄 had changed into her more nurturing form as a fime. Another scream echoed through the empty halls with much gushing and gnashing of teeth. The fire master looked up with empathy.

钛天 ‘I… Do you want me to knock you out?’

Before the other could answer, he was knocked unconscious by the lady behind him.

情玄 ‘I think he would be too proud to admit it but poor darling is in so much pain and suffering. I think knocking him out would be wise.’

钛天 ‘Thank you. Hold him up for me.’

The fire master proceeded to apply the substance as quickly as possible all over his patient's lower abdomen. When he reached a certain area, the fire master pulled back his hand all of a sudden. He collected his thoughts and carried on applying the medication elsewhere.

情玄 ‘So this is where the Heaven's Forge is huh?’

钛天 ‘Yes. The masters of mineral 石, water 水, lightning 电, magma 浆, of course, flames 火, we would start the furnace outside about half a mile from here. In the heart of the River and Ash.’

情玄 ‘I see. It is too hot and I feel that I am going to evaporate too! Oh and on his hands.’

钛天 nodded and coated the unconscious god’s hands with the substance.

情玄 ‘I cannot imagine working in Heaven's Forge! I will melt and evaporate! It makes me all sweaty and sticky! How can you tolerate such heat?’

钛天 ‘Humph. That is why you are the wind master. You are supposed to fan the flames. Your brother did it on your behalf.'

There was a short pause before he decided to change the topic.

钛天 ‘Half an hour and we can peel these off.’

情玄 ‘Does it work?’

钛天 ‘Yes. This substance is Orika, the remains of a dormant volcano, mixed with all of Nature’s earth and Flame Berries. It will harden and take all of the blemishes with it.’

情玄 ‘I hope he heals completely. He is so pretty. It would be a shame to leave behind any blemishes. Oh… He is such a sleeping beauty. Can we let him sleep more?’

The fire master pondered for a while before taking a potion from the cabinet. He waved the potion in front of the god's nose and closed the cap. When the time came, the fire master got over and peeled off the first layer on the sleeping god's skin.

情玄 ‘How is it? Did it work?’

钛天 ‘Sure did.’

Ty touched the soft and smooth rejuvenated skin of the beautiful martial god. At last, the condition of his legs matched his flawless complexion and it made the wind master swoon with excitement.

情玄 ‘Oooo~ It is baby smooth! Can! Can I apply some on my face too? Like a mud bath?’

钛天 ‘You are really as what he had described you to be. Childlike and innocent.’

情玄 ‘You mean my brother?’

钛天 ‘Yes.’

When the martial god finally opened his eyes, he sat up only to find both the elemental masters on the ground with their faces coated in a layer of the same black substance. He tried to frown but realised that his face had stiffened up as if they were glued together. He touched himself and realised that the same substance might also be on his face. His gaze landed on his palm. To his amazement, they were unsullied. In contrast, it felt rejuvenated and smooth like a baby’s bottom. He caressed his skin for a moment with a satisfied grin before checking his legs. They were smooth as glass planes. 幕情 could not help but touch his smooth and babyish skin longer than he had anticipated.

情玄 ‘Oh, so beautiful. I have applied it on your face too.’

幕情 ‘Thanks.’

钛天 ‘I told you I have no need.’

情玄 ‘Oh come on! It is beauty maintenance!’

幕情 ‘Is it time to remove them?’

情玄 ‘About there. I think I will try. WOW! My face feels baby-ly smooth!’

She poked and caressed her face in ecstasy. With that the trio soon found themselves developing a sense of friendship-like-magic bond. They frequently hold their gathering in the Valley of Clouds on the restoration of the Heavens.

青玄 started by blowing away the debris that came with the destruction of the Palace Of Divine Might and enchanting the night with new comforting mantras for the healing gods and deities. Ty weaved the stars and aligned the sun with the cosmic master. The spirits of Nature flooded into the realm.

青玄 ‘I never experienced what it is like to be this high up in Heaven before.’

长夜多梦，幻月顺星 ‘There is always a first time, just as the cosmic energies would align and where order is broken begins the chaos. Alterations too, comes at a price.’

The two heads within the same body spoke in unison. One had a left crescent eye and the other a right crescent eye on their forehead.

青玄 ‘What is that?’

The fire master began to craft the foundations of the new palace. The day was filled with the sound of hammering and sawing. He had awakened the masters of mineral and wood from their cultivation in the Realm of Nature to aid him in the reconstruction of the fallen kingdom of Heaven.

The wood master gave birth to the floras that perished during the Great Ordeal. Mountains were littered with blooming Snow Lotuses and White Mountain Berries. The forests clothed the foot of the mountain with hues of green, yellow and red. Flowers and tea leaves bloomed and littered themselves amongst the misty white soil like drapery. The sounds of flowing waters flooded the ambience and chased away the prolong silence that lingered within the vicinity.

The mineral master crafted lovely crystals of all shapes and sizes, formulating a new gathering spot called the Shining Jewels. An amethyst pavilion laid in the middle of the rocky crystal with cloud paths leading to it. A pond with crystal koi fishes found residence in the middle of the large pavilion. The floor of the Central Palace was crafted with white jade and the rest of the palaces white marbles.

The remaining member of the trio began to work on the new drapery and curtains. Alongside, he was tasked with the renovation of the palace’s interior and exteriors. His disciples were pleased that their general had healed completely and retired from his offenssive mood. He leapt about joyfully, sending out instructions to his disciples on the locations of every piece of furniture and ornament. He took pride in participating in the redecoration of the Heavens. Very soon, the gods left their temporary shelters and returned to the new refurbished Heaven.

The rain master came forward and introduced the element of mist into the serenity of the new ‘Submit of the Sun’. The Divine Palace or the Palace of the Supreme Judgement as the gods have collectively agreed to come up with a name for the central palace.

Ling Wen, under the guard of the new Heaven canine, was stationed in ea palace which was also ea future prison until further notice. Ee was required for managing the Heaven’s administrations, literally no one could outbeat ea in this field. Ea had mastered the Art of Adminstration and Record Keeping. Ling Wen did not refute ea fate for ee had chosen to stand by ea values and virtues. Ea cold empathy had led ea to support the other side and ee did not regret that decision. Ee knew ee was needed, an asset to the Heavens. Until then, ee would wait once again in dormant and in the shadows. A knock startled ea.

Ling Wen ‘Oh. It is you. I wondered who was it.’

Xie Lian ‘I thought of giving you a hand.’

Lin Wen ‘That will not be necessary your royal highness. You really shouldn’t be bothering yourself with my work. You will be the next in line for the new Heavenly Emperor. You should really be focusing on your duties just as I would with my own.’

Xie Lian ‘I know. I will not take over the role though.’

Ling Wen ‘Your majesty! It will not be appropriate.’

Xie Lian ‘Please. Let me go. I am much happier below where I am with the common people. I want to do whatever I can down there.’

Ling Wen ‘But the Heavens needed a leader too.’

Xie Lian ‘I can see a few suitable candidates.’

Ling Wen ‘Mnn.’

Xie Lian busied himself with the paper works at eis newly constructed palace. All the records and sacred scrolls that were saved from the fire were delivered back to their rightful places. Heaven was glistening once again with the floating lanterns amongst the glistening starts galore.

Xie Lian returned to his humble shrine and cultivated in its serenity. The shrine was lukewarm without a constant company. An air of melancholy was raked up within the shrine and the air was constantly damped with moisture. Xie Lian took his time to craft three lovely little Nipu statues and placed them by the door, seemingly to welcome any passerby during his absence. Three wandering spirits had seeked refuge in his shrine one day and he welcomed them with grace.

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