Yuan Zhao: Luckless Immortal

Yun Zhao watched the hustle and bustle around him in utter confusion. He heard the stories and paid close attention on what to expect and look out for during ascension. But nothing could have prepared him for what he's witnessing at the moment.

Strings of divine light hung on every corner of the square. Everything was glistening in hues of gold and silver. Stalls built from the finest divine wood were decorated with heavenly silk and immortal treasures, of every shape and size, were strewn carelessly in its shelves. The scene screams of extravagance that would make a thief weep.

Yun Zhao unconsciously took a cautious step back as an immortal walked past, laughing raucously and carrying knick-knacks that were recently purchased from a nearby stall.

Yun Zhao knew he had to cross the gates of heaven in order to complete his ascension. But where is the gate of heaven? Was he lost? Did something unprecedented happen during his last tribulation? Where the hell is he?

Yun Zhao was so confused he decided to grit his teeth and ask someone what was going on. He grabbed the first person that moved into his line of sight, unconcerned as to who the person was. He needed to understand the situation he's currently in, fast, or he might miss the opportune moment.

"Excuse me, I…" Yun Zhao froze when he noticed the white hair and the wolf mask fastened on the immortal's face. "You're Chen…" Of all the immortals he could grab, why did it have to be him?

"What do you want?" The immortal growled irritably. He was in a hurry and the delay would surely cost him.

"I… I..." Yun Zhao stuttered. He heard of the immortal's name and his famous temper. To actually encounter such a character on his first day in heaven, Yuan Zhao's luck is pretty bad.

"I don't sense divine aura in you," the immortal snorted in derision.

"I've recently ascended. I'm a flesh cultivator and was wondering if Immortal Chen would…"

"Go back!" The immortal cut him off impatiently.

"Go back?" Yun Zhao repeated, confused.

"Go back to earth and ascend another day."

Yuan Zhao was stunned. Is he being bullied on his first day in heaven? Was the immortal offended that Yuan Zhao rudely grabbed him, is this why he's suggesting such an unfathomable thing?

"Why? I only need to cross the gates of heaven and…"

"Look around you," the immortal waved his jade-like hands as he explained impatiently. "Every immortal in heaven is here, even the Jade Emperor. No one can ascend for the time being."

"No one?" Yuan Zhao was flabbergasted.

"No one! The Goddess Elmmmy wanted to spread the virtues of tao but as you can see, it didn't go as planned. Now, if you'll excuse me I have an auction to go to." The immortal did not wait for Yun Zhao's reply. He had no intention to continue the conversation and immediately flashed out of sight.

Yun Zhao was left alone, dejected. He sat on a dark corner of the square cursing his bad luck. He imagined his ascension to be anything but this.

The End… or is it?