A sea of clouds stretched endlessly beneath the skies of the Upper Realm, rolling in gentle waves like silken veils brushing against the heavens.
Pale golden sunlight filtered through their misty depths, casting an ethereal glow on the jade bridge that spanned the surface of an enormous lotus lake.
The bridge shimmered like glass, its translucent surface inlaid with ancient carvings that pulsed softly with divine light, each step echoing the quiet heartbeat of the realm.
Perched daintily at the edge of the bridge, several fairies stood gathered in a loose circle, their silvery laughter drifting like wind chimes. Dressed in flowing garments spun from clouds and moonlight, they resembled the paintings seen in ancient palaces—long sleeves of embroidered silk, sashes adorned with pearlescent charms, hairpins shaped like phoenix feathers and blossoms.
"Did you hear?" one of the fairies whispered loudly, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Our lord is on the verge of a breakthrough."
The others gasped in unison. "Oh my heavens… In just a thousand years, he's already reached the Boundless Ascension Stage!" another fairy dressed in pale pink, pressing her palms to her flushed cheeks.
Her wide sleeves trembled slightly with her movement, the jade beads along her hem chiming softly as they brushed the air.
"So.. do you think the heavenly lord will make our lord an official god of love and marriage?" one of them squealed in excitement.
"of course! that position has been for thousands of years because of the previous god of love's mishap. Our lord Hua is the only one who is perfect for that position."
"if.. if our lord becomes the god of love then will he match marriages for us. Ahhhh" a fairly squealed.
The other one dressed in blue sighed. "it also means our lord can never have a partner."
Everyone went quite for a second. A fairy in pale pink let out a soft sigh. "It's okay. We can enjoy looking at him all our loves then! To be honest, I don't think anyone deserves our lord. He is so.. elegant and charming. No one is a match for him."
"the pervious god of love was said to be charming as well."
"shh don't talk about him that loudly. You might get punished."
All of a sudden the lotus lake shimmered with light. A pulse of warmth spread across the water's surface, and then—
Imperial mirror Lotus buds, hundreds upon hundreds of them, began to bloom.
One after another, their petals unfurled with a soft, musical rustle, revealing delicate inner hearts of gold and crimson.
A sweet fragrance wafted up from the lake, subtle yet intoxicating, wrapping around the jade bridge like a silken ribbon.
The fairies froze mid-gossip, their expressions caught between awe and anticipation.
A figure emerged at the far end of the bridge.
He moved slowly, as if walking through a dream, the wind trailing behind his robes. His garments were white, pure as untouched snow, and embroidered in threads of pale silver that shimmered faintly like starlight. Long sleeves fluttered in the breeze, each motion graceful and unhurried. With every step, a soft scent of lotus followed—clean, clear, and faintly sweet.
The fairies stared.
"It's Lord Hua…" fairy in pink held her breath. Her eyes widened as a faint blush rose to her cheeks. "He… he's so enchanting…"
As if struck, her knees wobbled and she began to sway on the spot.
The fairy in blue caught her with a stifled giggle. "Shiye, you're embarrassing yourself. He's coming closer!"
But the smitten fairy, already entranced, let herself fall like a petal in the wind.
The remaining fairy straightened with unnatural speed, pressing her fingers to her lips and arranging her features into what she clearly believed was a 'charming' expression. Her smile was sweet, her eyes bashful—but neither could hide the slight tremble of nerves in her stance.
Lord Hua Lang was closer now.
His presence was gentle, yet not to be ignored. His long black hair cascaded down his back like ink flowing over porcelain, held in place by a pale jade crown shaped like a blooming magnolia. His face was the kind poets ruined their careers over—slender brows arched gracefully above elongated eyes, dark and deep as still water. His nose was finely sculpted, and his lips were a shade of rose that seemed to invite temptation without ever intending to.
The watching fairy flushed deeper, her fingers curling in as she unconsciously licked her lips.
"L-Lord Hua…" she whispered, dipping into a soft bow.
"Hm," he murmured.
His voice was low and cool, a whisper caught on a breeze. And then, to their surprise, he paused before the fairy who had fainted.
Without hesitation, Hua Lang crouched down and reached out a hand.
His fingers were slender, elegant, and touched the fainted girl's wrist with the lightest pressure. "Are you alright?" he asked, voice gentling into a softness that made the standing fairy momentarily forget how to breathe.
The fainted fairy, as if hearing the voice of the heavens themselves, twitched—and then promptly fainted again.
A faint sigh escaped Hua Lang's lips.
He drew a small pill from his sleeve—a glistening jade-green sphere that exuded a soft aura of vitality—and placed it lightly on the fairy's lips. The pill dissolved into sparkles, seeping into her skin.
Then, with a slow motion, he turned to the other fairy and gently lifted the unconscious girl into her arms. "Please take care of your fellow fairy, Miss."
The poor fairy nodded furiously, her face red as a sunset. "Y-Yes, yes, Lord! We—we'll take our leave at once!"
Still holding her swooned friend, she half-ran down the jade bridge, sneaking repeated glances over her shoulder. Each glance was filled with a blush, a smile, and a sigh too dramatic for any mortal scene.
Hua Lang watched them vanish into the clouds.
A soft hiss broke the serenity, barely louder than the breeze brushing across the lake's surface. Slipping from beneath the fold of Lord Hua's snow-white collar.
A tiny snake emerged—its body no thicker than a ribbon, scales the color of fresh milk.
Its head rose curiously, a pale pink tongue flicking out as its beady eyes followed the direction the blushing fairies had fled.
"Tsk," came a barely audible whisper.
"You really do know how to act, my lord," the little serpent muttered.
Without breaking stride, Hua Lang reached up with a single finger and gently guided the creature back beneath his collar.
Without a word, Lord Hua continued onward.
Before him rose the heart of the heavens—the Celestial Palace.
Perched atop clouds that glowed like molten pearl, it towered like a dream made solid. Columns of golden jade twisted into the skies, holding up grand rooftops tiled with phoenix feathers and dragon scales, which shimmered in hues of azure and flame.
Silver bells hung from every corner, their soft chimes echoing like distant laughter.
A thousand glowing lanterns floated eternally above the palace, their lights dancing like will-o'-the-wisps in the sacred breeze.
At the very center stood the Hall of Infinite Radiance, the seat of the divine. Its doors stretched higher than mountains, engraved with symbols only the oldest gods could decipher. And at its summit, a lotus of fire and light turned slowly in the air, never burning, never fading.
Hua Lang stepped onto the glimmering steps and ascended in silence.
Inside, the hall was vast, silent, yet alive with divine presence.
Pillars carved with images of stars and flowing rivers supported a ceiling that mirrored the sky—real clouds drifting just beneath its vaulted dome.
At the far end, seated upon a throne carved of solid light and shadowed by twin dragon wings, was the Heavenly Lord.
He was a figure of breathtaking majesty.
Clad in robes woven from strands of pure gold, they shimmered with every breath he took, like sunlight dancing across the ocean. Precious gems adorned his sleeves and crown—lapis lazuli, crimson garnet, green jade, and pearls of wisdom long lost to the mortal world. Around his neck hung the Celestial Pendant, a single drop of the original heavenly dew, captured in crystal.
Though divine and radiant beyond all compare, his gaze was gentle, ageless, and kind.
Hua Lang stepped forward and dropped to one knee. His forehead touched the celestial floor in deep reverence. "This humble one greets the Heavenly Lord."
"Rise, Hua Lang," the god's voice resounded softly, echoing like a chime inside a bell. "You've done well."
The white-robed god stood with grace, his eyes lifted but gaze lowered, ever respectful. The Heavenly Lord observed him for a long moment, a knowing smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"You've broken through," he said. "A thousand years of quiet cultivation… and today, the heavens rejoice."
As he spoke, a divine ripple surged through the air.
At once, the skies above the Celestial Palace flared gold. Trumpets of cloud roared their exultation. Across the three realms—the Upper Heaven, the Mortal World, and the Undersea Domain—divine flowers burst into bloom. Peach blossoms fell like snow in spring, covering ancient stairways and celestial roads. Colorful birds, rarely seen even by gods, took flight, their wings leaving rainbows in their wake.
In every temple, shrine, and mountain cave where immortals prayed or meditated, bells chimed without hands to touch them. Mortal children pointed to the sky in wonder. Even in the dark caverns of the underworld, lanterns lit without flame.
A new god had been born.
"The heavens welcome their newest deity," the Heavenly Lord declared. "From this day forth, Hua Lang shall be the God of Love and Marriage, protector of hearts, patron of fated ties."
As if hearing them all, Hua Lang bowed his head again, calm and composed.
Outside, the lotus lake bloomed once more, petals spinning slowly on the surface of the water, as if even they were dancing in celebration.
And far above, the heavens blazed gold.