Under The Scarlet Horizon

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.