I was five years old today. In the Divine Realm, this was the Imperial Awakening Ceremony.

  To the average person, this was the most sacred day of their life. To my siblings, it was "Draft Day." To me? It was the day I had to walk up to the Dao Stone—a monolith carved by the Almighty Creator—and pray that I didn't accidentally reveal I was a walking nuclear reactor.

  The Great Plaza was packed. Millions of citizens of the Lu Empire cheered. My father, Emperor Lu Tian (possessor of the Heavenly Mandate Body), sat with his four wives. My mother, Hu Wan, held a Celestial Phoenix Body, while the Empress Fu Meyar sported a Chaos Yin-Yang Body. Even the Consorts held Supreme or Peak types like the Nether Emperor Body and World Tree Body.

  My siblings were lined up like a predatory cheering squad. "Don't worry, Xian-er!" Lu Tianhao ( Primordial Dragon Body) shouted. "Just let your soul flow!" "We've already prepared the celebration!" Lu Yueran (Immortal Dao Vessel) added, her eyes gleaming with diagnostic hunger.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  I walked toward the Dao Stone. My plan was set. I had spent months practicing how to "vibrate" my Qi to confuse the stone. I wanted it to show a Common Grade—Healthy Mortal Body.

  I reached out. My hand touched the cold, ancient surface.

  Flash.

  Suddenly, the screaming crowd was gone. The Lu Empire was gone. I was standing in a white space so absolute it made my brain itch. No sound. No smell. No gravity.

  In front of me stood a figure. Or rather, a lack of a figure. It was a white silhouette that felt like it was made of everything and nothing at the same time.

  "Lu Xian," a voice said—not with sound, but with the vibration of existence itself.

  "The Almighty One?" I asked, my inner 'Shark' businessman taking over. "Did you bring me here for a performance review? Because the working conditions in this Empire are terrible."

  "I brought you here to fulfill the vacancy," the Being said. "The Divine Realm requires a Primordial Immortal. You are the candidate. Rule the Heavens."

  I stared at the Being. I thought about the tax reports. I thought about my father’s tired eyes. I thought about the 3,000 chapters of drama ahead.

  "Hell no," I said flatly. "I just want to be a normal person. Find someone else to be your cosmic janitor."

  The white figure seemed to ripple. Then, a laughter that sounded like stars colliding erupted. "Good answer. I hope you can, Lu Xian. I truly hope you can."

  Flash.

  I was back. My hand was still on the stone. Not even a millisecond had passed.