Location: Heavenly Dragon Mountain, 9th Dimension
Amidst the boundless peaks of the Heavenly Dragon Mountain, where ancient beasts
whispered and the skies themselves bowed in reverence, sat a man whose name
resounded across the Nine Dimensions—Tian Long, the Heavenly Dragon Ancestor.
He sat upon his golden throne, his eyes closed in deep meditation, surrounded by a
quiet so absolute that even the wind dared not disturb it.
Suddenly, the silence broke.
His disciple, Jiang Chen, entered the grand hall and knelt.
"Master, she has returned," Jiang Chen said respectfully.
Tian Long opened one eye. "Tian Fang?"
"Yes, Master. Your daughter has come back from the mortal realm. She brings with her
two sons, and… she is with child again."
A shadow flickered across Tian Long's expression. "Bring her in."
Moments later, Tian Fang entered the hall with calm dignity.
The air shifted subtly as father and daughter faced one another for the first time in decades.
Tian Long looked at her sharply. "You disobeyed me. I had prepared your future. A
rightful place. A union of realms. Yet you fled to a mortal world."
Tian Fang bowed her head slightly. "Father, the path you chose was not mine. I followed
my heart."
"Your heart? You are a daughter of the Ninth Dimension. Your duty was to the bloodline.
To our legacy."
She met his gaze. "And I've upheld it—just not the way you wanted. I did not throw
away our name."
Tian Long scoffed. "You call marrying a mortal upholding our name?"
"He was no ordinary mortal. He saved me. He stood tall when even celestial beings
would bend. He earned my respect. My love."
Tian Long's eyes narrowed. "What is his name?"
"Bai Hao."
At this, Tian Long was silent for a long moment. Then finally, he said, "And the names of your sons?"
"The eldest is Bai Tian Hao."
His brow twitched faintly.
"The second is Bai Tian Wu."
The air grew heavier.
She hesitated a moment, then continued, "And the youngest… I named him Bai Tian
Long."
The hall fell into silence.
In that very moment, deep across the mountain range, all the beasts Tian Long had
ever tamed stirred.
A celestial serpent raised its head from the sacred lake.
A divine tortoise stopped its meditation atop the Northern Ridge.
A golden eagle cried out from the Thunder Cliffs.
But none reacted faster than two beings:
- Wu Lin, a pure-blood Saint Martial Monkey, a descendant of the Saint Fighting Monkey
bloodline.
- The Divine Bull, a celestial beast who decided to later feign a mission to find a mate, but in truth, would seek out the boy whose name now echoed in their hearts.
As the beasts trembled with recognition, Wu Lin grinned.
After Tian Fang left the hall, Tian Long remained seated, his aura still. Only then did he
speak again.
"Jiang Chen."
"Yes, Master?"
"Go to the mortal dimension. Become the Dao Guardian of the boy."
Jiang Chen's eyes widened. "A 9th-step cultivator to protect... a mortal child?"
Tian Long's voice was quiet. "He bears my name."
Jiang Chen bowed deeply and turned to leave.
Outside the Palace
Jiang Chen walked down the mountain path, a cold wind trailing behind him as divine clouds parted underfoot. His silence stretched, but once he was certain his master was out of range...
"Old bones," he muttered. "All you do is toss tasks at your loyal disciple. Nine-step cultivator, still doing errands like a mortal errand boy. Beast-shaming my ass—you're laziness-shaming, you old fossil!"
He grumbled for a few more steps—
Until the air behind him cracked.
"Hmm?" Tian Long appeared behind him with a casual step, spiritual sense glinting in his eyes. "What did you say, boy?"
Jiang Chen's face paled. "N-nothing, Master! I was simply praising your brilliance!"
"Oh? With your fists clenched and your face twitching?"
And then, the air rang with divine slaps and Jiang Chen's yelps.
"OW! Master—stop! I'm going! I'm going to the Mortal Realm already!"
A celestial palm lashed through the void and struck him flat.
"Good," Tian Long said, chuckling as he let him go. "It's been too long since you had to earn your dao."
"Aaaaagh! I was just joking!"
Tian Long, watching from above, allowed himself a small smile.
Just then, a laughing voice echoed into the hall. "Master! Now that Jiang Chen's been
sent off with such a boring job, perhaps it's time you let your greatest companion do
something fun."
Tian Long looked up. "Wu Lin."
The Saint Martial Monkey walked in with a wide grin, his tail lazily flicking behind him.
"I was thinking... the Ape Clan has been a little too quiet lately. I thought I might go visit, have some wine, maybe punch a few cousins. Strictly honorable intentions."
Tian Long gave him a knowing look. "The last time you had 'honorable intentions,' three
mountains disappeared."
Wu Lin rubbed the back of his head. "Small accident. This time, I swear. Just some good
fun."
Tian Long raised a brow. "You intend to slip away to the mortal realm afterward."
Wu Lin didn't deny it. "Master, that boy... he carries your name. Even the beasts felt it.
We all did. I just want to... see him."
Tian Long sighed but smiled faintly. "Go. But be cautious. The Heavenly Beings have
already warned you. You're too powerful to be reckless. Even now, the Ninth Heaven
watches."
"I know. That's why I'll behave. Mostly."
Tian Long waved him off. "Go. Just don't make me come retrieve you."
Wu Lin gave a mock salute. "I live to serve, Master!"
He vanished into the sky.
In another part of the 9th Dimension, within the walls of the Heaven-Taming Academy, whispers moved through golden halls.
For Tian Long was no ordinary sovereign. He was once mortal, once nameless, and had walked alone through death, war, and despair—until he climbed step by step to reach the heavens.
And now, his grandson bore his name.
A child born rootless in a lower world.
But names... carried weight.
"Bai Tian Long," Tian Long said softly, returning to his meditation.
"If you truly carry my name… then let the heavens witness what you will become."
Tian Long rose to his feet and gazed toward the infinite cosmos.
"You carry my name, Bai Tian Long.
Even if the prophecy is false, I shall change your fate. I will help you break the curse of the Heavenly Dao...and tame the fate decreed by the Heavens."
THUS BEGAN "THE LEGEND OF THE CLEAR SKY DRAGON"