Chapter 3 – The First Steps Beneath Heaven

A year passed.

To mortals, it was the beginning of childhood.

To immortals...

It was but the blink of an eye.

Yet throughout the Heavenly Realm, every immortal could clearly see one thing.

The Crown Prince was growing.

---

The Hall of Eternal Spring overlooked an ocean of clouds.

Ancient peach trees, whose fruits ripened only once every ten thousand years, swayed gently in the celestial breeze.

The little prince sat beneath one of them, surrounded by colorful spirit beasts.

A tiny snow fox rested in his lap.

A golden qilin cub lay lazily beside him.

Even a baby azure dragon had coiled itself around his shoulders like a living scarf.

The prince giggled as the dragon nuzzled his cheek.

"So, this is where everyone disappeared."

The warm voice belonged to the Moon Empress.

She approached slowly, her flowing robes brushing the grass without bending a single blade.

Every spirit beast immediately lowered its head.

The prince looked up.

His sapphire-blue eyes sparkled.

"Mother!"

His childish voice was soft, still carrying the innocent sweetness of youth.

The Empress knelt gracefully before him.

"You have learned another word."

She smiled.

"I should reward such diligence."

The prince tilted his head.

"Reward?"

Her slender finger tapped the tip of his nose.

"A son who studies well deserves praise."

She extended her hand.

A small crystal lotus appeared, glowing with gentle moonlight.

It floated into the prince's tiny palms.

The flower felt cool.

Comforting.

Almost alive.

"What is it?"

"It is a Moon Spirit Lotus."

She answered patiently.

"It will remain with you throughout your childhood."

"When your heart is restless, it shall calm you."

"When you are lonely, it shall glow."

"When danger approaches..."

Her gentle smile faded ever so slightly.

"It shall inform your father and me."

The prince looked down at the flower.

"...You worry that much?"

The Empress gently brushed aside a strand of white hair from his forehead.

"A parent's heart seldom knows peace."

---

That evening...

The Heavenly Emperor returned from court.

His arrival caused the stars themselves to brighten.

Unlike before, the prince no longer waited quietly.

The moment he saw his father...

He ran.

Well...

He attempted to.

His tiny legs had only recently learned to walk.

"Father!"

Two hurried steps.

Three.

Then...

Trip.

"Oh!"

Before he touched the ground, invisible spiritual energy gently lifted him.

Instead of embarrassment...

The prince puffed his cheeks.

"I almost had it."

The Emperor's lips curved ever so slightly.

"You did."

He bent down and lifted the boy into his arms.

"There is no shame in falling."

"What matters..."

"is that each attempt carries you farther than the last."

The prince rested against his father's shoulder.

"...Will I become as strong as you?"

The Emperor looked toward the endless heavens beyond the palace.

"No."

The answer came so calmly that the prince blinked.

"...No?"

"You shall surpass me."

The little boy stared in surprise.

The Emperor continued.

"That is the duty of every generation."

"If the son cannot walk farther than the father..."

"Then the father has failed."

The prince smiled brightly.

"I'll become stronger!"

"I know."

There wasn't the slightest hint of doubt in the Emperor's voice.

---

Later that night...

The familiar blue screen appeared.

【The Ruler System】

Daily Mission

Spend one hour learning from your parents.

Reward:

Divine Comprehension +5

Failure:

None.

The prince sighed inwardly.

At least today's task is reasonable.

---

The following morning...

The Heavenly Emperor personally began his son's first lesson.

Not cultivation.

Not swordsmanship.

Instead...

They stood upon the highest terrace of the Celestial Palace, overlooking countless immortal cities spread across the clouds.

"Tell me."

The Emperor spoke.

"What do you see?"

The prince looked carefully.

"So many palaces."

"So many people."

"They all look happy."

The Emperor nodded once.

"They are."

"And why are they happy?"

The prince thought for a while.

"...Because Heaven is peaceful?"

"Correct."

The Emperor turned toward him.

"A ruler's greatest achievement is not victory in war."

"It is ensuring there is no need for war."

The prince listened quietly.

"The sword exists..."

"Only so it may remain sheathed."

"If strength is used merely to dominate..."

"It is tyranny."

"If strength is used to protect..."

"It becomes justice."

The words settled deeply within the child's heart.

---

The lesson ended just as laughter echoed from outside.

Several children peeked through the enormous gate.

Each wore robes identifying them as descendants of Heavenly Generals and Immortal Kings.

One little girl with braided silver hair hid behind an older boy.

"...Is... is His Highness busy?"

The Emperor looked toward them.

His gaze remained majestic.

Yet his voice softened.

"You have come to play."

The children immediately bowed.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

The Emperor nodded.

"The Crown Prince is free today."

Relief washed over their little faces.

The prince practically lit up.

"Friends!"

He slid down from his father's side and hurried toward them.

The older boy smiled.

"We brought cloud kites!"

"And I brought star sweets!"

The shy silver-haired girl carefully held out a tiny wooden horse she had carved herself.

"I... I made this for you."

The prince accepted it with both hands.

His face broke into a genuine smile.

"It's beautiful."

The girl's cheeks instantly turned pink.

---

The Heavenly Emperor watched the children run toward the gardens.

One of the palace guards stepped forward.

"Your Majesty."

"Shall we assign additional protectors?"

The Emperor observed his son's joyful laughter drifting across the wind.

After a long silence, he replied,

"No."

"For this afternoon..."

"He is not the Crown Prince."

"He is simply a child."

The guard bowed.

"As you command."

High above, hidden behind drifting clouds, the Moon Empress watched the scene with a peaceful smile.

"Our son is making friends."

The Emperor stood beside her.

"He will need them."

"For even the strongest ruler..."

He watched the little prince stumble while chasing the others, only to burst into laughter instead of crying.

"...should never walk eternity alone."

Far away, where even heavenly light struggled to reach, a dark crack spread silently across the boundary separating Heaven from the unknown.

A whisper escaped from beyond it.

"So..."

"The child has begun to grow."

The whisper faded.

But somewhere, unseen eyes had begun watching the young prince.

And fate, patient as ever, had taken its first step toward him.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***