Ji-Ching's words echoed in Long Tian's mind. He was given a chance to not only serve the powers that be but he was also given a chance to exact revenge on the same group that he and his family despised.

The duo walked slowly on the golden road. Long Tian was dazed by the wonderful and heavenly sights before him.

"Do you see that?"

Ji-Ching pointed at a large red fortress.

"I see it."

"Oh ho, that's the Celestial Palace. Deep inside holds the throne room and the Celestial Court. You are lucky. Not many have been inside."

Tian Long swallows his salvia. He was just an ordinary village hunter. Why was he giving this sort of treatment?

"G-gatekeeper Ji-Ching... Why am I getting this sort of attention from the Celestial Emperor himself? Why would the Heavens be interested in a mortal like me?"

"The Celestial Emperor will answer your question, but if I were to say it... The Heavens owes the Long family."

"Ah?"

"Several eons ago, your ancestor fought alongside the Heavens against the old regime of the Heavens. Bah! What regime? They were beings of mass destruction. Primordial beings who hold no sense of preservation even to themselves. We won because they fought against each other despite a common enemy plotting to overthrow them! Cough, cough..."

"My... Ancestor?"

He had never heard of such a tale before.

"Ahem, your ancestor was the strongest human cultivator during that era. He pledged his allegiance to the Heavens and spearheaded many battles. When the war against those old monsters ended with their banishment, a newly formed Heaven passed their decree upon all worlds below them. Your ancestor faithfully followed the will of the Heavens. The Heaven's Will declared that no beings under the realm of Heaven shall defile their fate, for doing so can lead to the return of those old monsters. To cultivate is to seek a way to defile one's fate, so your ancestor crippled his cultivation and sought a mortal's life."

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Long Tian's heart thumped. He never thought that his ancestor was a powerful cultivator that sat atop the world. Even more so, he had no idea of the ancient battle that happened eons ago.

"Oh ho, your expression! Ah, we're here."

A large red gate loomed over them, with golden carvings depicting dragons. Two gigantic beings stood at the side of the gate.

They wore golden armor and wielded polearms that stood several meters above them. One of the giants glanced down at Ji-Ching and greeted him with a deep voice.

"Greetings, Gatekeeper Ji-Ching, the Celestial Emperor has been waiting for you and the human. Please, proceed to the Celestial Court."

The two giants bowed and placed their hands on the gate. A large golden array buzzed into life, and the giant gate rumbled as it opened.

"Proceed."

"Oh ho! Thank you, Ju Ren. Keep up the good work. Come along now, boy."

Ji-Ching gripped Tian Long's arm and pulled him gently past the gate.

"Hmmm... It would be unwise to keep those from the Celestial Court waiting. Long Tian, brace yourself."

"Eh? Brace myself for whaAAAAAAAAH!"

Fierce winds rippled at Long Tian's clothing as he witnessed his surroundings speed past him like he was falling. Long Tian shut his eyes firmly before the sensation stopped.

"Ah, you're finally here. Gatekeeper Ji-Ching." A soft but powerful voice resonates.

Long Tian opened his eyes and saw a large hall filled with many individuals, but the one that caught his eye the most was a figure sitting atop a shining throne.

"Aiyo! Forgive this old man, your majesty. As requested, I had brought the last descendant of Long Long."

The imposing figure seated on the sunlight throne sighs. "I see, so this is what remains of Long Long's existence... If only he had heeded my pleas."

Long Tian was already kowtowing in front of the throne. He felt the eyes of the Celestial Emperor on him.

"I know your name. You are Long Tian, the last and true descendant of the man who once fought alongside us. Rise."

Long Tian slowly got up and faced the Celestial Emperor. Despite the throne radiating like the sun. The bright light did not irritate his eyes, but he wasn't able to make out the figure.

"For generations, we had neglected Long Long's descendants. We all knew that he was blindly faithful towards us, for we spared the human race. Now, all that remains of his legacy... Is you. Long Tian. As the last descendant of Long Long, who fought bravely aside us, I ask you... Do you wish to serve us? Do you wish to serve the Heavens? If you choose to accept my offer, you shall descend into the realms below and punish those who dare go against us!"

The entire court went still as they awaited Long Tian's answer.

Long Tian lived a solitary life because he couldn’t bear the pain of those close to him being hurt. His mother and younger brother died at the hands of cultivators who were fighting each other. A brawl between cultivators killed several bystanders. This intensified Long Tian and his father’s hatred for cultivators. No matter if they called themselves righteous or demonic, they were in the wrong.

“To cultivate is to go against the Heavens! No matter how righteous they place themselves, they are nothing more than savage beasts who fear death!”

His father taught him that the Heavens are always just and fair! A person may change his fate, but they cannot defile it!

"Yes! I will serve the Heavens!"