"You Li Tianyan have been selected as one of nine others to be a Candidate Protector for the royal blooded Xuanhu...
The Xuanhu as the name implies is of course a godly being beyond your wildest imagination, the Xuanhu is a taboo in the Desolate Realm of Immortals because of its birth, it is a demon god born from the union of the descendants of two behemoths, The Azure Dragon and White Tiger
The Azure Dragon, a majestic guardian of the eastern skies, embodies wisdom, creation, and divine authority, ruling over the winds and rains. The White Tiger, a proud sovereign of the western mountains, symbolizes courage, destruction, and the unyielding power of justice. While they were not at war, their divine natures placed them on separate celestial paths, and their roles were considered sacred and distinct.
For their descendants to unite in marriage was seen as an improper act, a violation of cosmic propriety and divine order. Such a union was a taboo, not due to animosity, but because the blending of their distinct bloodlines was believed to challenge the balance of the heavens. Yet, against all expectations and under the veil of secrecy, such a union occurred, resulting in the birth of the Xuanhu—a being that transcends the boundaries of either lineage.
The Xuanhu carries within it the essence of both progenitors: the wisdom and celestial majesty of the Azure Dragon, intertwined with the strength and fearless resolve of the White Tiger. It is both a marvel and a conundrum to the immortal realms, a creature that embodies a power no mortal or immortal fully understands.
While many view the Xuanhu's existence with unease, fearing the disruption it might bring, others see it as a herald of balance—a symbol of what can be achieved when opposing forces find harmony. You and your fellow Candidates have been chosen to ensure the remaining Xuanhu's survival and guide it as it grows into its destined role.
Your task is not merely to protect it but to prove yourself worthy of the Xuanhu's trust. It is said that the Xuanhu does not bond with strength alone but with those whose hearts are steadfast and unyielding. It will test you, as it tests all who seek to stand beside it, for the one who becomes its protector will shape the future of the Desolate Realm itself." Zhao Ming explained, as they spoke, they made their way to a space within the cave.
The floor of the cave abode was covered in ancient inscriptions and drawings depicting what seemed to be a magnificent creature of unparalleled grandeur—the Xuanhu. The intricate carvings showed a being with the body of a sleek tiger, its fur shimmering as if woven from strands of moonlight and starlight. Along its back flowed an ethereal mane, glowing faintly with hues of azure and gold, reminiscent of a celestial sunrise. Its eyes, carved as twin orbs of obsidian, seemed alive, exuding an air of profound wisdom and unfathomable power.
The Xuanhu's wings, stretching from its powerful shoulders, were unlike any mortal's comprehension, crafted from swirling shadow and faint threads of silver light. These wings appeared to shift between forms—one moment resembling a dragon's majestic span and the next, dissipating into a mist that embraced the heavens themselves. Its claws were long and sharp, their tips inscribed with ancient runes that pulsed faintly, as if guarding a boundless well of divine energy.
The drawings also depicted the Xuanhu surrounded by symbols of balance and harmony, showing it standing atop an endless expanse where the sun and moon coexisted in perfect synchronization. In some carvings, it roared, its voice shown as waves that shattered mountains and parted oceans. In others, it was serene, its presence nurturing vast fields of life, from towering trees to flowing rivers. The very essence of the Xuanhu seemed to be a bridge between creation and destruction, a being that embodied the unity of the cosmos.
Every line of the ancient inscriptions carried an unspoken reverence for this creature, as though those who etched them into the stone were both awed and terrified. The Xuanhu was not just a beast; it was a deity born of contradiction, a living testament to the forbidden union of two celestial forces, and a force of destiny itself.
"Is this the..." Li Tianyan felt a stiff feeling in his chest, his knees became heavy as they caved, aiming to smash into the ground in a kneeling position while his head was pressed by an invisible force, at this point it was obvious that the invisible force was trying to get him to kowtow to a strange pitch black rock with glowing red engravings that stood on an alter before him, however his eyes suddenly reacted and a red glow spilled from them to stabilize his body.
Seeing this phenomenon, Zhao Ming frowned but didn't speak, she walked slowly towards the alter where the rock stood.
This rock that resembled an egg was placed on an exalted surface where all the inscriptions and engravings led to, it was the center of everything.
"I am unwilling to be involved in all this, besides you seem way stronger than I am so it would be better of with you." Li Tianyan who had recovered from his daze immediately turned around in an attempt to escape. Celestial beings? Dieties and Demons? They where all far beyond his reach now, there was no way he was getting involved, there was still so much he didn't understand, to him, challenging the balance of heaven was a fools dream.
Li Tianyan body was suddenly covered by a strange aura that threatened to crush him, he couldn't move at all and his body was covered in sweat as he endured the pain of his tightening flesh. "Ah... What is this, release me... Argh."
"My clan and it's clansmen are the sworn protectors of the Xuanhu, We might be on the brink of extinction now, but there was a time when we ruled the Realm of Immortals, we clansmen tend to adhere to the rules of our sect very strictly...
And so I cannot take this Xuanhu egg into my care, because... The Xuanhu I had sworn to protect was killed, I'm a failed protector and so I must pass the mantle to you." As Zhao Ming talked about her Xuanhu, endless sadness washed over her, she was no longer cold and cruel, she seemed grief stricken and vulnerable.
"I see... So you mean you aren't allowed to protect this one?" Li Tianyan seeing her current expression was compelled to comfort her but didn't know what to say so he asked the question at the top of his mind instead seeming to have forgotten that the force binding him was gone.
"Exactly that is why we protectors have to find the next generation of protectors for the yet to be born royal blooded Xuanhu..." Zhao Ming said.
"Huh? Aren't there still 8 more protectors from your group who haven't lost their royal blooded Xuanhu?" Said Li Tianyan with a thoughtful expression.
"Don't make me laugh, if royal bloods where so rampant we wouldn't have such a problem... You see among the team of 9 protectors, a single person of utmost talent and destiny is chosen to protect the royal blooded Xuanhu while other members of the team are left with a normal Xuanhu each, the difference in strength between them isn't much but the royal blood posses a special trait that sets them apart from the rest. When the royal blood is lost a new team must be formed" Zhao Ming explain carefully.
"A special trait? What is it?" Li Tianyan asked curiously.
"That is something you will have to find out for your self as it differs for all royal blooded Xuanhu." Zhao Ming spoke.
Her face suddenly became worried, 'Sigh... I have never heard that old lady speak of someone so highly, is this really him? He who's destiny is tied to this royal blooded Xuanhu, for someone who's potential is comparable to a royal blood he doesn't seem to be very special besides those eyes of his... Hmm' Zhao Ming thought to herself
"Why tell me all this since I already refused." Li Tianyan uttered.
"Hehehe... Child, you have no say in the matter." Zhao Ming's face quickly recovered from her worry and was soon covered in a mischievous smile, she looked so pristine and untouchable that one would be moved to worship her, however this human child was unperturbed by her beauty, she didn't show it but she was very displeased.
"Hmm... what do you mean ." The powerless Li Tianyan had a frown on his face at this point, reclined to his fate, he sat down with a thump and listened, now slightly interested in the matter himself.
"Good. Protectors are a group of people chosen whether from within or outside the clan to protect the Xuanhu, there can only be nine and those who are chosen are automatically members of the clan, the nine protectors are obligated to select one disciple after their designated royal blood is killed each selected disciples are called Candidate protectors...
You being the last one to become a candidate protector are the ninth candidate and also the guardian of your teams royal blood, each member of your team will be given an egg with a normal Xuanhu to protect and nurture for the purpose of preserving the royal bloods life, you are the leader of this group child." Zhao Ming explained.
"Leader huh...Wait did you say I'm now a member of an immortal sect!?" Li Tianyan exclaimed with excitement.
"Don't get to hasty, you won't receive any assistance whatsoever from the clan before ascending to the Desolate Realm of Immortals." Zhao Ming said with an odd look on her face
"What about the others?" Li Tianyan asked dejectedly.
"You mean the rest of your team? Their treatment is slightly better, you won't be able to meet them yet as they are from different mortal worlds similar to this one." Said Zhao Ming.