Chapter 3: Sealed Until the Next Epoch

**Dreaming Awake, Here You Come**

In a grand hall filled with ancient splendor and radiant light, the atmosphere was heavy with a mix of reverence and sorrow. Chu Changxian, a figure of immense authority and respect, stood beside his wife, who held their newborn son, Chu Wuchen. His eyes, usually filled with determination, softened with a rare tenderness as he looked at his beloved wife. Their bond was evident to all, a union marked by deep love and mutual respect.

Yet, amidst this serene moment, an undercurrent of tension flowed. Some of the elders present began to notice that the couple seemed strangely unperturbed by the looming crisis.

"Let's call him... Wuchen," the mother said softly, her voice filled with boundless affection as she gazed at her son.

Chu Wuchen...

An elder of the clan began to murmur, repeating the name as if to savor its meaning. 

"Good, good, a very good name. 'Wuchen' fits perfectly with our Changsheng family," he said, nodding in approval.

Everyone else echoed the sentiment, agreeing that it was a fitting name. But little did they know, Chu Wuchen himself was not pleased.

"What's so good about it?!"

"Wuchen, Wuchen, this is the third time I've been named Wuchen. Can't I have a different name?" Chu Wuchen thought, his small face reflecting his discontent.

However, his protests went unnoticed. After all, he was just a child in their eyes. What could a child possibly understand about such matters?

"Changxian, what do you plan to do next?" An elder's question broke through the soft murmurs, drawing attention back to the pressing matters at hand.

His question carried a double meaning. Firstly, what should Chu Changxian and the Changsheng Chu family do in the face of the great calamity? Secondly, now that Chu Wuchen had been born, what would become of him?

Every glance at the infant brought a pang of sorrow to their hearts. Such a remarkable child, born into a world on the brink of chaos, seemed destined for a tragic fate. Even with his extraordinary potential, how could he escape the impending calamity? Not even they, with all their power, could protect him.

"Seal him," Chu Changxian said, his eyes calm as he uttered the decisive words.

"What?" The crowd was stunned.

But immediately, their eyes lit up as Chu Changxian took something out from his bag of holding. It was a shimmering liquid, radiating an ethereal glow.

"I have fought my way into the Forbidden Zone and acquired some celestial source liquid," he announced.

"What?!"

This time, they were truly shocked. To fight into the Forbidden Zone and obtain celestial source liquid was a feat beyond imagination. The Forbidden Zone was the resting place of ancient emperors and great beings. Simply entering it could lead to almost certain death, let alone acquiring celestial source liquid.

"Changxian, could it be that your injuries are from..." An elder suddenly realized, his eyes narrowing.

Everyone looked solemn, including Chu Wuchen. He realized that his father might have paid an unimaginable price for him.

Chu Changxian did not respond. He merely looked at Chu Wuchen, calmly saying:

"My child should not be born with such a fate."

His calm voice echoed through the hall, resonating with an unyielding determination. If the heavens chose to doom Chu Wuchen, then he would defy the heavens and change fate.

"Elder, the great calamity of this age is upon us, closing in on the Chu Domain!" A voice urgently called from outside the Longevity Palace.

Everyone's eyes narrowed, but no one spoke. This was happening faster than they had imagined.

"Wuchen," Chu Changxian called out, ready to act. "I will seal you until the next epoch, a splendid era where the Heavenly Pride List will descend. If we survive this great calamity, we will find you and unseal you ahead of time. But if we fall, you will shine brightly in that era."

Tears streamed down as Chu Changxian moved, sending a cluster of celestial source liquid toward Chu Wuchen. The celestial source liquid was ethereal and pure, with a mysterious aura, able to isolate everything. Only celestial-grade source liquid could protect a being through the great calamity. But such things were incredibly rare. Even a long-lived family like the Chu had no celestial source liquid.

Chu Changxian risked his life in the Forbidden Zone, and the celestial source liquid he acquired was only enough to seal an infant like Chu Wuchen.

"Goodbye, my child," Chu Wuchen's mother reluctantly kissed his forehead and placed a red jade in his arms.

Then, Chu Wuchen floated toward the celestial source liquid. Tears welled up, and a cool liquid gradually enveloped him. Chu Wuchen suddenly felt a wave of drowsiness, wanting to sleep. His vision darkened, and he saw nothing.

"Wuchen, not being born in an era of competition among the chosen ones has always been my regret. If we perish, may you fulfill this regret for me. Heavy pupils, supreme bones, celestial blood—no matter what era, they would allow you to shine for a lifetime."

In his sleep, Chu Wuchen seemed to hear these words. It was like a dream.

...

After the ancient times.

This epoch had reached its peak, and a great era was about to unfold. The Heavenly Pride List was said to be descending soon. But since this epoch had not yet ended, it could not be fully evaluated, and naturally, it had no name.

Of course, how this epoch would be named was not important; future generations would decide.

**[Realm Levels]:** Flesh, Divine Treasure, Aperture Opening, Soul Condensation, Dragon Transformation, Marquis Sealing, King Sealing, Nirvana, Divine Gate, Divine Spirit, Celestial God, Divine King