Inside Long Xiao's Hut Before His Descent
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"Master, why is the secondary holy bell being rung this early morning?" Lei asked, the ringing sound making him 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 neck groggily with his massive wing.
"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.
"Either way, I have no interest in finding out." Long Xiao simply shrugged, settling back in bed.
Outside Long Xiao's Hut
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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, but its wings gave a nervous, soft flutter. It cocked its head, its dark eyes fixed on the hut.
"For what exactly?" Lei, the curious bird chuckled, looking outside the windows.
Long Xiao groaned, rising from bed.
"Lord Long Xiao," The messenger crane bowed.
"You have been selected by the Twelve Higher Gods to become the new Overseer of Mortal Cultivation."
Inside, Long Xiao began to pace back and forth, his divine aura flickering with agitation. The weight of crane's words pressing down upon him like an invisible boulder.
"New overseer of mortal cultivation?" Long Xiao repeated.
"Was this some kind of joke?" He exhaled, shaking his head.
"Why me? "Lord Long Xiao wondered, his back resting against the door, still not welcoming the messenger crane inside.
"Master, perhaps the Higher Gods want some divine chaos in the Mortal Realm." Lei turned his attention to Long Xiao, a mischievous grin on his face.
"Or perhaps, a divine miscalculation was made." Lei burst into laughter as he took in Long Xiao's annoyed expression.
Long Xiao's halo flickered, the temperature rising. He certainly didn't want to burn his peaceful abode down.
"A divine miscalculation has been made," he muttered under his breath.
He cleared his throat, opening the door. He said, "I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding. I cannot accept this position."
"I think you have the wrong god." Long Xiao added.
"I assure you I'm not, Lord Long Xiao." The messenger crane tried to elaborate more but she was cut off by the door which slammed in her face.
Outside, the crane tilted her head, confusion etched in her eyes. "Lord Long Xiao, I assure you there is no misunderstanding." She affirmed.
"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 ended by the unusual announcement. "I think there's more to this than meets the eye. These gods wouldn't just choose me on a whim."
Unbeknownst to him, his friends, the Four Holy gods, had secretly submitted his qualifications and, much to their amusement, he actually qualified for the position. Or so they thought.