Long Xiao's Divine Rant was his preferred way to organize his thoughts—a mental battlefield of sorts. When activated, his mind transformed into a grand throne room filled with clones—each embodying a different facet of himself. The original Long Xiao sat upon the throne, while the others stood before him, dressed to match their unique temperaments.
DIVINE RANT ACTIVATION
—
"Strange," muttered the doubtful clone, dressed in a black-and-white striped robe, frowning. "These mortals act as if they've seen everything."
"Indeed," the original agreed. "I've visited the Mortal Realm before, but I've never stayed long enough to truly observe them."
"This could be quite interesting," said the thoughtful clone, stroking his chin. "Cultivators are fascinating creatures. I believe this research will be quite fruitful."
"I still don't understand why we're overseeing their cultivation," grumbled the grey-clad depressed clone. "What's the point of all this?"
"Far more exciting than listening to anxious gods complain," said the bright orange-clad clone with a wide smile.
DIVINE RANT deactivation
The afternoon sun showed signs of setting, its crescent shape partially obscured by the looming clouds. Per Long Xiao's particulars, an inn was where humans from other places or regions stayed for a while in a new town. Like a divine guesthouse.
While searching for one, a small mortal girl tugged on his sleeve.
"Sir, sir are you lost?" She asked, wide-eyed.
Long Xiao couldn't say no.
He wasn't lost, but he didn't know where he was going either.
"It's obviously different from being lost. Besides, I'm curious to hear what she says." Long Xiao reassured himself with a nod.
"Yes," he admitted, with a smile.
"Do you want me to show you around? I know everything!" She was soft-voiced, far too helpful.
"I didn't know mortal children were this thoughtful." Long Xiao glanced at her tiny hand on his sleeve.
"Little girl, can you show me an inn?" Long Xiao asked her, his voice dripping with curiosity.
"Mhm!" She nodded, pointing to one.
Long Xiao's gaze followed her hand, pointing to a large wooden building.
"Little one, for your kindness, I shall reward you with a divine treasure." Long Xiao smiled, the gesture dripping with his usual brand of self-importance.
As Long Xiao thought of what to give her, he fully expected her to gasp, to fall to her knees in gratitude at whatever the object may be.
"Should I give her a golden hairpin or celestial starlight crystal? Nothing too modest." Long Xiao stroked his nonexistent beard.
Meanwhile, a strange stillness fell over the bustling street. The sounds of vendors and passing cultivators seemed to have muted. His hand, suspended in the air, froze. The weight on his sleeve seemed to have vanished.
The girl was gone.
Not just that she had run off—she had vanished entirely. No trace remained on the empty street—no lingering scent, no flicker of spiritual energy. The spot where she had stood was now utterly vacant, as if she had been a fleeting illusion.
Long Xiao's eyes widened in shock. Her sudden disappearance left him utterly bewildered. He'd seen people vanish before, but this… this was different. He turned left, then right, then slowly spun in a circle, sweeping the area with his divine senses. Nothing. It was as if she had evaporated into thin air.
He ran a hand through his hair, frustration flickering across his face, a cold chill crawling down his spine.
How could a mere mortal vanish like that? How was this even possible?
One moment she was there—then poof!—she was gone, without a trace. The street stretched out before him, silent and empty, with no sign she had ever existed.
Long Xiao muttered softly, "If I ever meet her again, I'll make sure to reward her kindness with divine favor."
His words lingered in the air, a silent vow, an acknowledgment of the strange, extraordinary encounter.