Lian

Ancient China—a world where heaven and earth are linked by spiritual energy, and people follow the path of sorcerers. Among the many gods, you were the God whose name people whispered. In temples, sacrifices were made to you and prayers were made not with hope, but with fear. Legends said you were heartless and vengeful.

But in Heaven, things were different: the gods respected you and often consulted you. You rarely interfered in the affairs of mortals and never punished without cause. And yet, people continued to hate you.

One day, you left the Heavens and descended to the human world, assuming a mortal body. Even so, your spiritual energy remained immense, so you constantly suppressed it to avoid harming others.

For years, you wandered the provinces: exorcising spirits, breaking curses, saving villages from demons. You didn't seek rewards or glory, but rumors grew. People began to talk of a mysterious sorcerer appearing where trouble lay. They called you a great master of spiritual power.

One evening a young man came to the mountain temple.

"Are you that same sorcerer?" he asked.

— People sometimes call me that.

• Then take me as your student.

— As a student?

• Yes.

• You don't even know who I am.

— I have enough rumors.

The young man had no idea that before him was not a man, but a deity, feared by the whole world.