Birth

Great Wilderness Calendar, year 20,032.

The Nine Li Kingdom, Xundi.

A magnificent Heaven-Piercing Tower rose from the ground, white as ivory, piercing the clouds.

From any direction one entered the Nine Li Kingdom, this astonishing wonder was sure to be the first thing one saw!

On the day the Heaven-Piercing Tower was completed, Zhong held a grand celebration. He even opened the royal stores, scraped together some meat, and shared it with his people.

Though by now, most of his people looked at him with fear and resentment...

"Haha... Jue, my good son, you deserve this honor."

Zhong had his attendants carry him in his royal carriage to the Heaven-Piercing Tower. He clapped his son excitedly on the shoulder. "Pass down my orders. Tonight I will enter seclusion at the top of the Heaven-Piercing Tower. Have several winged Gods and Devils come up as well... I will hear the divine oracle!"

"Yes, great Father King."

Jue knelt respectfully, his heart surging with excitement. He had a feeling that once his father emerged from seclusion, he would name him the next king!

After all, his father's hair had gone completely white, and he looked terribly old.

Once, Zhong could have cut off the fiercest beast's head without batting an eye. Now he could scarcely climb the steps without a palace maid's help!

Priest Jing leaned heavily on his cane. Watching the king ascend the tall tower step by step, his face full of devotion, Jing felt a stir of anticipation. Could it be... the god was real?

Once everyone had left, several figures emerged from the shadows.

They wore splendid clothes, and all were Zhong's princes.

At their head were none other than Hong and Tang!

"Father King seems to have made up his mind..." Hong sighed. "Knowing Jue, if he