Inside Long Xiao's Hut
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"Master, why is the secondary holy bell being rung this early morning? The ringing sound made Lei fall out of his bed.
Lord Long Xiao blinked in surprise at the sound of the secondary holy bell, his curiosity piqued. He turned to Lei, who was now rubbing his head groggily.
"What's going on, Master? It's not even dawn yet." Lei muttered, trying to make sense of the unusual occurrence.
"I do not have a clue either." Long Xiao yawned, looking out the window.
Let's not go find out." Long Xiao shrugged, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes as he settled back in bed.
Outside Long Xiao's Hut
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A few moments later, a messenger crane approached his hut, knocking the door.
"Congratulations, Lord Long Xiao. You have been selected." the messenger crane said cheerfully.
The messenger crane waited patiently, her wings fluttering softly as she sensed the turmoil within the hut.
"For what exactly?" Lei, the curious bird chuckled as he looked outside the windows.
Long Xiao stood up from his bed.
"Lord Long Xiao" the messenger crane bowed.
"You have been selected by the Twelve Higher Gods to become the overseer of mortal cultivation."
Inside, Long Xiao paced back and forth, his divine aura flickering with agitation. The weight of crane's words pressing down upon him like an invisible boulder.
"Me...Why me? "Lord Long Xiao wondered, his back resting against the door, still not welcoming the messenger crane inside.
"Master" Lei turned his attention to Long Xiao, a mischievous grin on his face.
He added "Maybe the Higher Gods want to be entertained." Lei burst into laughter as he took in Long Xiao's annoyed expression.
Long Xiao's halo flickered, the temperature rising. Not wanting to burn his house down,
"A mistake has been made," he muttered under his breath.
He cleared his throat and opened the door. "I think you have the wrong god." he said annoyedly.
"I assure you I'm not, Lord Long Xiao." The messenger crane tried to elaborate more but she was cut off by the door slamming in her face.
"I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding. I cannot accept this position." He added.
Outside, the crane tilted her head, confusion etched in her eyes. "Lord Long Xiao, I assure you there is no misunderstanding. The Twelve Higher Gods have chosen you specifically for your wisdom and compassion."
Long Xiao's shoulders slumped as he leaned against the doorframe.
"By the order of the great elder, please come to the Great Hall to pay your respects." The crane added before flying away.
"Lei," he called out, his voice low and suspicious. "Do you hear that?"
Lei, still perched outside, tilted his head. "Hear what, Master? I don't hear anything besides your internal struggle."
Long Xiao's eyes narrowed annoyedly as he thought about his beauty sleep which was taken away by the encounter. "I think there's more to this than meets the eye. These gods wouldn't just choose me on a whim." He sighed.
His friends, the Four Holy gods , had secretly submitted his credentials and, much to their amusement, he actually qualified. Or so they thought.
Meanwhile In Lord Zhao's Chamber
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The four Holy Gods gathered. They were secretly observing this interaction from an orb in Lord Zhao's chamber.
"Who knew A Xiao would actually be selected?" Lord Bai chuckled.
Lord Zhao giggled, "If he finds out that we put him up to this, it surely won't end well."
Lord Luo Feng smirked, " And that's exactly why he won't find out."
Lord Han sighed, "When he does find out, be sure to tell him that it was your idea."
"Lord Han, you are involved whether you like it or not." Lord Luo Feng smirked.
"We did it for his own good." Lord Zhao added as he watched Long Xiao from the orb.
"I agree. We did it to spare him from Mother Scarlet's wrath." Lord Bai face turned serious for moment.
"He will thank us if he ever finds out." He laughed.
They all laughed as their tea cups clunk.
Thus, Long Xiao was bestowed the title: Lord Long Xiao, Overseer of Mortal Cultivation.
Since Long Xiao became the new Overseer, he naturally had to compete in the Gods' Contest. He definitely didn't want what happened to Lord Haoyu to happen to him. This naturally became a thorn in his side. He became absent minded while hanging out with his friends and it was evident in his actions.
A mission in the mortalrealm— Azu town
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The Five Holy Gods, also known as the compassionate ones, always looked after the mortals. On this fateful day, as they had done for countless centuries, the Five Holy Gods gathered in the clouds to answer the prayers of the mortals, specifically the people of Azu who were in desperate need of water.
"Hey, A Xiao, strike that rock with divine lightning to create a water body for these mortals." Lord Bai called, scanning the area.
Long Xiao nodded but not in agreement but to his thoughts. He had activated DivineRant, a divine technique that existed in his mind.
Divine Rant Activated
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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.
But I can't be excited like I should because of the Gods' Contest.
What should I do?
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"A Xiao, strike that rock with divine lightning to create a water body for these mortals." Lord Bai repeated, louder this time.
Long Xiao absentmindedly nodded, staring blankly and stroking his nonexistent beard. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned a bolt of divine lightning which was meant to strike the rock and summon water for the mortals of Azu.
The lightning struck alright but... Lord Luo Feng felt its aftermath.
Not the rock.