The heavens still trembled from the omens that had just unfolded. The dragon's roar, the phoenix's cry, the Eight Celestial Gates blazing open in perfect unison. And the awakening of the Xuan Tian Jian sword.
Every living being within the realm remained bowed. Flowers halted mid bloom, their petals frozen in the air. The clouds stilled as if time itself had paused to pay homage.
The Heavenly Lord rose slowly from his throne carved from celestial jade and obsidian dusted with starlight, its back adorned with a mural of a dragon and phoenix locked in eternal embrace. Behind him stretched the boundless Heaven's Sea Tianhai where rivers of stars flowed like molten silver across an endless night.
His robe rippled like woven starlight, shimmering with threads of midnight and gold, embroidered with dragons that seemed to breathe with every motion. His long white hair cascaded like moonlight down his back, a beard of snow framing his solemn face. Upon his brow rested a crown of flame jade feathers that glowed softly, casting a gentle radiance across the hall. His very presence carried the weight of countless millennia, calm and vast, yet capable of shaking the cosmos with a single breath.
He stepped forward, each stride echoing softly against the polished meteor stone floor. The great hall shimmered around him, pillars of gold inscribed with ancient runes, banners of the Eight Celestial Gates drifting in a silent breeze scented with divine incense.
At the edge of the Heaven's Steps, he lifted his gaze toward the trembling sky and spoke, his voice low yet heavy with divine authority.
"He is here, yes… he is here. The Chosen One has come."
A deep resounding laughter burst from his chest, rich and unrestrained, rolling through the clouds like thunder. The sound traveled across the Nine Dragon Terrace, rippled over the Star Lotus Lake, and shook the Celestial Pillars that reached into the starlit void.
Behind him, a thousand immortals fell prostrate, their voices rising as one.
"Congratulations to the Heavenly Lord on the birth of the Chosen One."
The Heavenly Lord spread his arms wide, laughter booming through the heavens.
"What a grand welcoming. What a grand welcoming indeed."
Even when his voice faded, the echo lingered, reverberating through every corner of the divine realm.
"To the Moon Serenity Palace," he commanded.
The Moon Serenity Palace lay bathed in argent light. As the Heavenly Lord entered, all within bowed deeply. The Heavenly Empress reclined upon silken cushions, her complexion pale yet radiant, arms cradling a newborn whose first cry had silenced the entire sky. The God of Medicine and his attendants knelt low, trembling beneath the immense pressure of their ruler's aura.
The Lord approached. He reached for the baby in the cradle, his eyes shone brightly at the sight of Xuan Tian Jian. He reached for it but the sword released a golden divine aura that staggered him back.
He quickly left it and reached for the baby. When his fingers brushed the infant's brow, a surge of golden qi enveloped them both. Outside, the dragon and phoenix still circled, roaring and singing in twin harmony, heralds of destiny.
He lifted the child, eyes soft yet unreadable. His voice carried across every realm.
"You have already chosen your name. You shall be Xuan Tian Jian. Named after the sword that chose you as its owner.
Xuan means mysterious, profound.
Tian means heaven.
Jian means sword.
The Mysterious Heavenly Sword, the one destined to pierce fate itself. The only one who can wield the Xuan Tian Jian, the owner of the heavenly sword Xuan Tian Jian. The wielder of the heavenly sword. And from today, you shall be the Crown Prince of Heaven, the heir to the Heavenly Throne."
The moment the name was spoken, the heavens shuddered.
The words seemed to slice through the fabric of reality itself. Thunder, fire, and song erupted in unison. The dragon coiled across the blazing sun. The phoenix spread its wings, scattering golden rain. From the highest temple to the lowest gate, countless voices cried out in reverence.
"Long live Crown Prince Xuan Tian Jian."
"Blessings to the heavens for gifting us a worthy heir."
A thousand golden lotuses bloomed upon the clouds. Heavenly drums resounded. Banners unfurled bearing the newborn's name in ancient celestial script. All of Heaven bowed.
Yet inside the Heavenly Lord's arms, the newly named prince blinked his tiny eyes once, twice, and a rather different consciousness stirred within.
Lin Zeyan, or rather, Xuan Tian Jian, screamed internally.
"Xuan Tian Jian. Mysterious Heavenly Sword. Seriously, is this a kung fu movie or an MMORPG intro."
He glared as much as a newborn could.
"Damn it, who wants to be crown prince in a place where the front yard floats and the neighbors are tigers with wings. What is this, Heaven Disneyland. And that damn name, naming me after a sword. I am not accepting it. Wait till I become my real CEO self again and I will sue you all."
He wriggled furiously.
"Put me down Your Immortal Majesty or whatever. I sign contracts, not fight demons. I have mergers to close, buildings to inspect. Release me and we will all live in peace. If not I am going to turn this your heaven upside down." He screamed internally, took a deep breath and continued.
"Who will be in charge of multimillion dollar projects in Zenith group. Is it that Lin Jian brat that knows nothing more than partying and sleeping with women. I cannot imagine him turning my company into a club. Or that Lin Yu. No. That little brat will spend all the company funds on designer bags and shoes. Oh my goodness, what I built all my life is going down the drain. Why cannot I do anything but stay here and cry like a baby. And my dad, I wonder how he is doing. I wonder how he will react to the news of my death, I hope he is still okay."
The Celestial Lord simply smiled, mistaking the baby's tiny whimper for celestial acceptance. His hand gently smoothed the infant's hair.
"Do not touch me," Zeyan groaned inwardly. "What I hate most is random people touching me. Do I look like a pet. If you are that powerful like they claim the Heavenly Lord is, are you not supposed to know I am not a baby. Ugh. Someone tell these divine weirdos to back off or I will sue Heaven for harassment."
He screamed loudly internally but what escaped his lips was only a soft coo.
The Heavenly Lord gazed down tenderly.
"May the heavens protect you my son, for your destiny will shake even the stars."
Lin Zeyan sighed inwardly.
"Yeah right. More like a mighty CEO now destined for babysitters and royal diapers."