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Under The Scarlet Horizon

J_TSTBR_Cultivator
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Synopsis
Lord Long Xiao, one of the Five Holy Gods and also the newly appointed god overseeing mortal cultivation, had descended to the realms for "research"... or so he claimed. The real reason? To avoid participating in the Gods' Contest, an annual divine competition where gods of various philosophies clashed to determine whose path reigned supreme. Long Xiao never asked for this job. One minute, he was assisting our heavenly therapist while avoiding divine mail. The next, his dearest friends signed him up to replace the wounded Lord Haoyu, former overseer of human cultivation, now in seclusion recovering from a match with Ares, god of war. Naturally, Long Xiao did what any responsible god would do: he ran. Well, “descended for divine research,” as he put it. Scene: Moments before his descent. --- Night fell on Adowa Peak. The winds whispered as they blew alongside the serene river. Long Xiao, standing at the bank of Densu murmured, "The mortals need me... Their cultivation paths are flawed," Long Xiao murmured, his voice barely audible over the whispers of the wind. "They struggle and suffer, all for the elusive promise of immortality. I cannot stand idly by and watch their futile endeavors." he declared as a single tear escaped his left eye. "Mortals don't even need you to hold a teacup, Master. Don't flatter yourself." Lei, Long Xiao's divine mount said bluntly, hovering above Densu. Lei's blunt words stung, causing Long Xiao's annoyed gaze to fall on him, his halo flickering for a moment before his gaze fell back on the river. Divine Rant Activated  --- Why was I selected?  I neither submitted my credentials nor coveted this position. Also I'm the worst possible candidate for this. This means I'm not only a Holy God but also one of the Higher Gods now. Interesting. Really Interesting. --- While the other gods clashed in the annual Gods’ Contest, Long Xiao rode his phoenix into the Twelve Realms, well rode his cloud to be exact. Seeking enlightenment, peace, stories, and perhaps, definitely not intentionally, an escape from his new responsibilities. What he finds instead? A prophecy unraveling. Two prodigies born under the return of the Scarlet Horizon: Xu Lianhua, chaos incarnate with a quick tongue and quicker fingers, running an empire under the guise of an inn. Mo Zeyan, the Wind Sect’s crown prince, graceful as a sword stroke and faster than reason. Both born under a star that had only flared once before the realms even existed. According to Bai Zhenzhu, Supreme Oracle of the Tianyue Realm, these two would either unify the Twelve Realms… …or shatter them completely. And Long Xiao? He’s just the god who stumbled into the middle of it all, without his storage pouch, without a clue, and definitely without an invite.
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Chapter 1 - The Prophecy

Under the Scarlet Horizon, two stars were born. One carved from evil. One carved from goodness. Apparently among the realms, such an occurrence had only happened once before the Twelve Realms came into existence.

This event which they called Divine Annihilation nearly destroyed existence itself on Blue Star… and thus from its ruins, the Twelve Realms or Continents were born.

Mortal Realm—Tianyue Realm

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On one auspicious night in the Tianyue Realm —Realm of Divination and Fate, a bad omen was recorded.

Bai Zhenzhu, Supreme Oracle of the Tianyue Realm, claimed to have seen the Scarlet Star cast two stars together. This, she said, was proof enough of the prophecy she had long spoken of.

Everyday, the Supreme Oracle, an elder of the Starweaver Sect, tends the celestial loom, threading constellations together to shield the future from calamity or predict prosperity. 

That night, beneath the full moon, she sat in the temple before her loom of starlight. Silken threads of destiny shimmered under her fingers; silver for fate, gold for fortune, crimson for chaos. She wove, as she always did, with quiet precision.

But then... something shifted.

One thread trembled. Another snapped. And from the tapestry, the Scarlet Star bled through the night sky, casting two stars entwined, moving simultaneously, yet falling in opposite directions.

At that moment, Bai Zhenzhu shivered. The loom, an artifact of cosmic power that had spun the destiny of countless realms, shivered under her touch. Zhenzhu's fingers, which had woven threads of fate with serene confidence for a thousand years, faltered for the first time. The threads of destiny, usually vibrant and organized scattered into chaos.

 She staggered back, collapsing onto the floor. She lay there, stunned and silent, her eyes pointed against the sky as she was surrounded by the wreckage of a destiny she could no longer control. When the dizzying wave of shock finally receded, a tremor still ran through her hand. She pushed herself up from the floor, her movements stiff and uncoordinated. 

WeiWei, Bai Zhenzhu's direct discple who had just returned from the sect trials, decided to pay her Master her respects. As she entered the Moonstar Temple, the sight that lay before her was overwhelming. Her eyes fell on her master's divine threads that were scattered all around before they landed on her master herself .

"Master," Wei Wei called out, rushing towards her Master.

"Wei Wei, get me an ink and parchment. Quick!" Bai Zhenzhu said hoarsely as Wei tried to offer her arm as support.

"But Master, ...you're bleeding." Wei Wei hesitated.

"Now, Wei Wei." Bai Zhenzhu affirmed.

Wei Wei nodded, leaving the temple quickly.