A flash of blinding light. A sizzle that echoed like a frying pan in the heavens.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHH" Lord Luo Feng screamed on top of his lungs.
When the smoke cleared, Lord Luo Feng's once-flowing red mane had vanished. Every last strand dissipated leaving his scalp gleaming like polished jade.
The air still hummed with residual electricity as he reached up, fingertips grazing the smooth curve of his head.
His eyes widened in disbelief before shifting to consternation.
"I… my hair.... where did it go?" he rasped, voice cracking like thunder.
Long Xiao froze mid-stroke, expression blank.
"Brother Feng, I always said you'd make a great monk," Lord Bai teased.
"You look divine," Lord Zhao added, bringing out five blank scrolls, a feather and an ink to capture the wonderful sight of Luo Feng's disheveled appearance.
"Ahahaha! Brother Feng, what happened?" Long Xiao added, laughing his head off as sunlight fell on Luo Feng's now bald head.
"WHAT.HAPPENED? " Luo Feng lashed out.
"I...did this?" He covered his mouth with his hand in astonishment and guilt realizing his handiwork.
Long Xiao immediately realized that he did this. He turned slowly to look at the others and back at Luo Feng.
"My sincerest apologies, Brother Feng," he said, voice low, trying to contain the laughter. "I was aiming for the rock."
Luo Feng stood in stunned silence, a single drop of sweat tracing a line down his bald scalp. The hush that followed spoke volumes. No words could restore those crimson locks.
Lord Han, the calmest among the Five, had noticed for a while even through the laughter that there was something wrong with Long Xiao.
"Brother Xiao, is everything alright? You've been looking tense these days." Lord Han inquired like the concerned friend he is.
"Yes! You've been acting weird lately since you became one of the Twelve Higher Gods." Lord Bai added as he watched Lord Zhao draw a portrait of Luo Feng.
"I'm okay. Thank you!" Long Xiao forced a smile.
"If you are okay, can you explain why my hair got struck by lightning instead of the rock?" Lord Luo Feng pointed out angrily, as he watched his fallen red hair which was now ash get carried by the wind.
"A Xiao is definitely not okay. Hmm!" Lord Bai affirmed, clearing his throat.
"Or how else would he have possibly managed to make Brother Feng a fresh monk?" Lord Bai added, barely containing his laughter at Luo Feng's disheveled sight.
"Hmm!" Long Xiao cleared his throat, trying to contain his laughter after realizing his lightning bolt had caused this.
"Oh..." He sighed dramatically.
"Goddess Ling Xing just asked for my assistance." Which she clearly didn't.
"I shall take my leave." he snapped his fingers, stealing himself the first copy of the portrait before teleporting without apologizing.
"He's definitely not okay." Lord Zhao sighed, finishing other four copies of the portrait.
"Ahahaha! Luo Feng, when did the sun flower grow on your scalp?" Lord Bai laughed as he collected one of the portraits from Lord Zhao .
"LONG XIAOOO!!" Lord Luo Feng crashed out, tears falling from his eyes.
The other three laughed silently as they looked at the portrait of Luo Feng with teary eyes and a bald head that reflected the sun's rays.
Odoye Palace
---
Long Xiao was absent minded even when assisting Goddess Ling Xing.
"Yes! I admit that I burnt our heavenly chamber out of nervousness." Goddess Fang sobbed.
"But I promise I didn't do it on purpose..." She grabbed a petal from Long Xiao.
"Goddess Ling Xing, please ask Lord Zu to take me back" her sobbing intensified.
Goddess Ling Xing smiled reassuringly. She glanced at Long Xiao, expecting him to cheer Goddess Fang up but to her surprise, he was wiping his tears with the petals for guests.
Only sobs and forced smiles finished that fateful session.
Inside Long Xiao's Hut
---
After a few months of his appointment, he found the competition dawning on him. He definitely couldn't sit still for death to knock on his door and have no choice but to open up.
After a lot of pacing and scribbling of nonsense, he got an amazing idea and that was to ditch the competition.
"I am not ready to go into seclusion." He muttered marking an X on his scroll as if finding the solution.
Lei the confused phoenix, after observing his master for a while, asked slowly as he flew up and about in their hut.
"Master, are we going somewhere?" Lei asked cheerfully as he swirled.
Long Xiao ignored Lei by counting his required tea leaves. With no response, Lei descended.
"Master, why are you gathering your belongings?" Lei's tone now skeptical as he tossed his belongings in a storage ring, imitating his master.
Long Xiao paused mid way as he folded his robes, processing Lei's question. He glanced at him through the corner of his eye and resumed his temporary action without responding.
"Don't tell me you plan on ditching the Gods' contest." Lei descended gracefully, transforming into his human form. He gauged Long Xiao's facial expressions intently.
"I am not." Long Xiao scoffed, supposedly done packing his necessities.
Long Xiao sighed deeply, his halo glowing "I only wish to seek enlightenment from the lower realms."
With that response, Lei already knew he planned on ditching the competition.
"More like I only wish to escape Lord Ares' spear." Lei rolled his eyes.
"I'm really going to gain enlightenment and aid the mortals". Long Xiao snapped, looking annoyed.
"Whatever you say, Master." Lei smirked, satisfied by Long Xiao's annoyed expression.
Long Xiao looked around his hut.
"When night falls, we leave Adowa. " Long Xiao added, his tone leaving no room for argument.
This marks the end of the main events that led to his descent.