The sect grounds looked like they'd survived both an earthquake and a nap gone wrong.
Smoke drifted from shattered towers. Half the disciples were still snoring. The other half were pretending they weren't.
Li Ming stood in the middle of the wreckage, robe torn, hair a mess, holding what used to be a tea cup.
He sighed. "Alright… hands up if reality feels slightly less real than usual."
No one moved.
Bai Guo, sitting on a toppled pillar, said, "Congratulations, descendant. You just invented religion, psychology, and interdimensional insomnia."
Li Ming glanced at him. "And you just invented silence. Try it."
---
Li Wen stumbled over, clutching a scroll. "Master! Reports are spreading across the provinces! Everyone's saying you tore open the sky and spoke with the Eternal Ancestor!"
Li Ming blinked. "I was the Eternal Ancestor."
"Exactly!" Li Wen said brightly. "They're already building temples in your honor!"
Li Ming stared at him. "…How fast?"
"Three hours."
