Appointment
In a gigantic white, celestial bedroom.
Li Jun laid in the bed, reminiscing about the past few days. Before, he was sleeping in a small, humble house in a mere Soaring Light City. But now, he slept in a celestial palace, that not even some emperors had the privilege of.
The walls of gold were layered with so many protective formations, that not even a purple-robed elder level figure would be able to damage it easily. Every breath that Li Jun took constantly purified his body and cleared his mind.
'From a small house to the holy land of the Dao Sect...' Li Jun's lips faintly curved up. However, there were still many things on his mind. What happened to his mother? What does being a heavenly son mean? What will happen to Li Xiu and Li Jing?
But for now, he had a clear goal.
---- Half an hour ago.
.
"Are you willing to become the new Heavenly Son of Dao Sect and my disciple?" resounded Long Tian's voice in the grand palace.
The golden-robed elders besides him had mixed reactions to Long Tian's question. Most of the elders simply didn't care, but a few looked at Long Tian in confusion.
Wasn't there already a Heavenly Son? What was he trying to do?
Li Jun's pupils constricted as he quickly gestured for Li Xiu and Li Jing to kneel. After the two kneeled, Li Jun did a hard kowtow.
*THUD*
"Disciple greets master!" replied Li Jun.
"Enough with the formalities, stand up," Long Tian smiled.
Li Jun stood up and tried to speak. However, an internal struggle brewed inside of him. He was going to try to get his sisters some benefits, but he might earn the ire of Long Tian and the golden-robed elders by doing so.
After all, he was a mere peasant a few moments ago, only becoming someone worthy of speaking after becoming a Heavenly Son.
Long Tian gestured dismissively.
"I presume that you want your sisters to be well taken care of? That won't be a problem," he had seen through Li Jun easily.
"Thank you, master." Li Jun cupped his hands nervously.
"I'm sure it's been a big day for you. Go and get some rest." Long Tian waved his hand and teleported Li Jun away to his room before shifting his gaze towards Li Xiu and Li Jing.
"As for you two. I hope you won't disturb Li Jun too much now."
Li Jing and Li Xiu nodded rapidly.
"He'll be in the 3rd floor, the room with the purple doors." said Long Tian plainly before teleporting the two sisters away.
After the trio was gone, one of the golden-robed elders looked towards Long Tian.
"Sect Master, why have you conferred the title of Heavenly Son onto Ji Lun? He has no cultivation base right now, practically a mortal. Once Fan Zhimeng finds out, he'll rip him apart!" exclaimed the golden-robed elder worriedly.
"Don't think I haven't seen what Fan Zhimeng has been doing lately. Don't try to protect your grandson Fan Zhaomao. He'll have to earn his spot back." snorted Long Tian.
"Even then, what will he dare to do in front of me? If he dares, then he shall be put into the Desolate Punishment Tower!" he continued.
"But Sect Master, you have already taught the core techniques of the Dao Lineage to Fan Zhimeng. What will you do about that?" questioned another golden-robed elder with snakey eyes.
"Don't worry about the little things. I know how it'll play out." replied Long Tian mysteriously. A golden light shone in his eyes as he said so.
--- Back in the room.
Li Jun heard a gentle knock come from the doors.
"Come in!" he shouted as he got up from the bed. The door swung open as Li Xiu and Li Jing ran at Li Jun. The two hugged him and began to cry.
"Uwuwuu! Big brother, this place doesn't feel like home at all!" cried Li Xiu.
"We can't relax at all here!" pouted Li Jing.
Suddenly, Li Jun realized what was going on with his sisters. The two were taken out of their elements roughly. They were like a fish out of water. Though Li Jun had steeled himself to the outside world after interacting with other students at school, his sisters were still precious and untainted.
Li Jun wrapped his arms around them and gave them a big hug.
"Mother is no longer here, so I'll take care of you two. Though we don't have any fond memories to cherish in this place, that doesn't mean we can't create any." comforted Li Jun.
"I know it's hard, but that's just how it is..." Li Jun continued, but felt injustice in his heart as he said the last part. That's just how it is? What the f*ck? He clenched his jaw in agitation. Though he was a supposed Heavenly Son now, his sisters were frightened.
"You two should get some sleep anyway, come on." Li Jun got into the bed and started to doze off. Li Xiu and Li Jing followed, and the three soon fell asleep.
The next day came and Li Jun woke up. Next to him were Li Xiu and Li Jing sleeping comfortably, dreaming. All of a sudden, the doors opened, and a group of celestial maids entered.
They were all dainty beauties led by three middle-aged women. Though they were clearly of high-standing, the maids only wore a simple white robe that accentuated their lovely figures.
Li Jun was startled as the middle-aged women stepped forward and kneeled with the rest of the maids.
"Greetings to the new Heavenly Son," they exclaimed in unison.
Two of the middle-aged women stepped up and cupped their hands.
"We'll be taking the young misses to their quarters, and be taking care of them," they explained. Li Jun squinted his eyes in worry, but nodded his head. It was improbable for him to have his sisters with him the whole time, so naturally they would be taken away for him to focus.
Though he wasn't sure what the responsibilities of a Heavenly Son were exactly, Li Jun understood that he would need to grow into a strong figure in the world.
"Elder brother..." Li Xiu and Li Jing looked at him in worry, but Li Jun smiled at them.
"It's alright, follow the aunties. I'm sure they'll take care of you," said Li Jun.
Li Xiu and Li Jing had reluctance in their eyes, but went forward to the middle-aged ladies. Two of the middle-aged women and the rest of the maids began to exit, but Li Jun suddenly stopped them.
"Sorry, but I have a question. What will Li Xiu and Li Jing be doing exactly?" asked Li Jun curiously.
"The Sect Master has ordered for them to be trained and treated as core disciples, Heavenly Son." responded one of the middle-aged women respectfully. Li Jun nodded in agreement. Li Xiu and Li Jing left, sending back worried glances while leaving.
"And you are?" Li Jun questioned the remaining middle-aged woman.
"A mere messenger for the Sect Master. He wants to see you in his courtyard." the middle-aged woman replied. She took out a white ring and tossed it over to Li Jun.
"This is the heavenly spatial ring. The Sect Master had prepared quite a few things for you." she remarked before leaving.
Li Jun received the heavenly spatial ring but stared at it blankly.
'How am I supposed to use this thing?' he thought. Though he had a vague concept of cultivators and practitioners, he wasn't that exposed to the cultivation world. Thus, he had no clue about what to do with the ring.
Li Jun left the room and headed towards the courtyard. He was on the 3rd floor, which was usually reserved for esteemed guests and high ranking figures. As he went to the courtyard, he strangely didn't see anyone on the way.
Li Jun entered the grandiose and vibrant courtyard and saw a figure waiting for him at the center. Li Jun walked over hastily and kneeled, cupping his hand in respect.
"Greetings to master."
"Rise. As the Heavenly Son, you are more than just a simple personal disciple of mine," Long Tian smiled.
Li Jun looked up in surprise.
"Li Jun, you have never been thoroughly exposed to the cultivation world. Your father was a mere inner disciple of the branch in Golden Lion City. Do you know how many people he killed?" asked Long Tian.
"No, me and my father never really interacted, master," Li Jun replied.
"Your father killed about 57 people. Be it inside the city or outside."
Li Jun's pupils constricted. Was Jin Kuo, his father, a bloodthirsty demon? He shuddered involuntarily.
"When you enter this world, life and death becomes meaningless. Cultivation is a zero sum game where we go against each other, ripping each other apart. The weak fade away into oblivion, while the strong remain."
"By accepting the position of Heavenly Son of my Dao Sect, you will have to stain your hands with countless times more people than your father did. Child, are you truly willing to throwing yourself into this?" Long Tian asked with a glint in his eyes.
Though Li Jun was talented, only the ruthless would pass the dragon's gate. Long Tian waited for Li Jun's answer with anticipation. If a black ranked talent appeared, they would overthrow the balance of the world entirely!
"Master.... before answering your question, I wish to know something." Li Jun's face gave off his struggle.
"Oh?"
"A black mist flooded Soaring Light City. Do you know what that was about?" he asked.
"The matter with the Soaring Light City... a bunch of sect-less evil practitioners were going around, harvesting evil qi. We've long since taken care of them of course." Long Tian replied calmly.
Li Jun's eyes twitched in anger.
"One last question, master. What will happen with my sisters?"
"Of course, that will depend on your own capabilities. Right now, you are under my protection, but as time passes, more and more people will question your legitimacy. By then, I trust that you know what you must do," a faint smile crept up on Long Tian's sculpted face.
Li Jun's gaze changed completely.
"Master, I am willing!" Li Jun declared with a serious face.
"Then you will begin your training right now. Come," Long Tian's face turned aloof and cold. He casually waved his hand and a large portal appeared in front of him. He walked in, and Li Jun hesitated for a while before following him in.
--- In a private palace.
"WHAT?!" roared a breathtakingly handsome man. Veins popped up on his head as he stomped the floor, creating a large crack.
"Why was I abdicated from my position as Heavenly Son?!" he roared at his cowering maid in front of him.
"M-my lord... the Sect Master declared that you are no longer fit, and will have to earn your position back." the maid's voice cracked as she tried to resist the enormous pressure bearing down on her.
"Why?! Who is more qualified than me in the sect?! So what if I fooled around with those disciples from Beyond the Heavens sect? What is it to him?!" he swung out his fist in anger, sending the maid flying into the wall.
The Heavenly Son position was something that Fan Zhimeng had been working his way up to for years.
A portal opened up besides him as a golden-robed elder walked out. The elder was of course, Fan Zhimeng's grandfather, Fan Zhaomao.
"Grandfather, what is this?" Fan Zhimeng calmed down and asked.
"A boy from a washed up low level country has been selected to take your place. But don't worry, the Sect Master has naturally given you a chance to take your place back..."