Chapter 5: Introduction

"So after millions of years... it's finally the time. That too... in my reign. Should I call it my good luck or bad? The time for sacrifice is drawing near. At Least there's still fifty years to watch her grow" The man in gold muttered with a smile as he gazed towards the sky with a melancholy in his eyes. 

"Time for what your majesty? Our armies have been keeping a watch on that place for millions of years. Why is that... All I know is that it's been like that since anyone can remember. All the previous Emperors kept the armies there as well to keep an eye on that barrier. What's behind it?" The red-robed man asked with a serious expression. 

"I will tell you when there's the right time. Oh, By the way, let me introduce this little guy here' The golden armored man said with a smile as he looked at Xu Liang while changing the topic. 

"Ah, right... I was curious about who he was," The red-robed man said with a smile as he didn't ask more about the barrier and the sacrifice the golden armored man was talking about. He felt like it was not his place to ask since he didn't want to answer. 

"He is the little friend I found in the ancient ruins I uncovered today." Heavenly Emperor Tian Zhu told the red-robed man standing in front of him. 

"What??? How is it possible for a kid to get there? Aren't ancient ruins near impossible to enter without the necessary strength and knowledge? " War god Zhen let out with a curious look on his face. 

"They are difficult to get inside! Especially the one I visited today. It had the Strongest defense I had ever seen in all the years of my existence. I had entered hundreds of ruins and this one was the toughest to enter even for me. I myself barely escaped getting trapped on several occasions... but I feel like there might be some secret portal or entry through which this kid somehow ended up inside. Who knows what those old geezers who made this ancient ruin were thinking "Heavenly King Tian Zhu said with a smile. 

"I was thinking that there must be something really world-shaking inside the ruins since it had so many ancient formations and killer traps, but the only thing of value I found inside was a golden life tree," Heavenly Emperor Tian Zhu said as he gazed war god Zhen. 

"Golden life tree? Didn't that go extinct? Does it still exist in this universe? Amazing! Too bad that it can't be taken out from the place it grows in or it could be a really good thing for our Heavenly City" War God Zhen exclaimed with a stunned expression before saying in a disappointed tone. 

"Hahaha...I felt the same way after seeing that Golden life tree" Heavenly Emperor Tian Zhu couldn't help but laugh as he saw War God Zhen's expressions. 

" Your majesty... back to the topic of this boy...isn't it unsafe bringing a stranger inside our heavenly city? He might be a demon spy acting ignorant,' War God Zhen said in a cautious tone as he gazed at Xu Liang. 

"You don't need to be so cautious Zhen, I checked him when I held his hands. He had never been in contact with demonic Qi. In fact, he had never even come in contact with Qi. He is a human and a mortal. His name is... " Heavenly Emperor Tian Zhu said with a smile before he found himself stumped for words as he remembered something. 

" Oh right, I forgot to introduce us" He let out suddenly. 

"I am the Ruler of the Heavenly Realm! The Heavenly Emperor Tian Zhu and this here is my trusted general and the protector of heaven city, War God Su Zhen." Heavenly Emperor Tian Zhu gazed at Xu Liang as he said before pointing towards the red Robed man as he introduced themselves. 

"And this little guy here is... well, he doesn't have a name as he has lost all his memories. Would you mind if I give you a name?" Heavenly Emperor Tian Zhu asked as he gazed at Xu Liang. 

The boy shook his head with an expressionless face as he looked at that man with his deep blue eyes. 

"From today onwards, you will be known as Xu Liang!" Heavenly Emperor Tian Zhu said in a caring tone as he looked at Xu Liang.  

"But Your majesty...Isn't that the..." War God Zhen muttered but he stopped midway as he saw Heavenly Emperor Tian Zhu continue his statement. 

"We had just met today and I don't know why I trust you so much as to give you this name but this will be your name. It was the name of the First Heavenly Emperor of the Heavenly Realm. I hope you won't destroy the dignity of this name, little guy" The man in golden armor, Heavenly Emperor Tian Zhu said with a smile. 

"Nice to meet you Xu Liang " Zhen greeted Xu Liang but Xu Liang didn't respond. 

"It's his first time coming in contact with the outside world, he'll adapt to it," Heavenly Emperor Tian Zhu said to War God Zhen with a smile. 

"It's alright, I can understand. I will be going now, your majesty. The demons are becoming active again, I'll be keeping an eye on the situation" War God Zhen said to Heavenly Emperor Tian Zhu. 

" Alright, I am sure you'll handle those pesky demons. Show them how you earned the title of a War God" Heavenly Emperor Tian Zhu said. Getting the permission, War God Zhen left without even looking back once. 

"Let's go, I need to introduce you to the others as well since you are going to be a part of our little family from now on" Heavenly Emperor Tian Zhu said as he held Xu Liang's hand and walked ahead with him. 

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The memory ended but other memories continued coming into his head as Xu Liang kept staring blankly ahead. He felt like he was living an alternate life. Although he was inside those memories, he had no control over his actions. Inside these memories, he was only able to say and do what actually happened in reality as per those memories.  The maid grew increasingly worried as she called out for Xu Liang again and again. She kept looking back and forth from Xu Liang to the door as she waited for people to arrive. 

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Xu Liang was standing inside a room as a little girl who looked to be 3-4 years old was sitting in front of him in a bed as she gazed at him with a curious look on her face. 

"Little Yue, this is the big brother I got for you to spend time with. Why don't you say hello to big brother Liang?" Heavenly Emperor Tian Zhu said with a gentle smile as he gazed at the little girl in front of him. 

" Hello, big brother, " The girl said in her cute little voice as she innocently looked at Xu Liang with a slightly tilted head. 

Xu Liang didn't know how to react in this situation but he felt somewhat happy at being called affectionately. He was unable to understand what this feeling was. He had always been alone in a dark world since he can remember. Other than knowing how to speak, he didn't know much about things, especially how to interact with the outside world... what expressions to show and other basic things.