《Heavenly King’s Path: From Mortal to Myth》


 Prologue – The Fall of a God

    For billions of years, I lived as a god. The Supreme God, to be exact. My name? Haider. A name that once belonged to an ordinary engineering student, a writer who spent his days creating stories about powerful beings, vast cultivation worlds, and the unbreakable will of those who sought supremacy.


    I never imagined that one day, I would become a god myself.


    It happened after my death. A pathetic, mundane end. The details are trivial now¡ªperhaps I was hit by a truck like those isekai protagonists, or maybe I simply slipped and cracked my head open like a fool. Either way, my story should have ended there. But it didn¡¯t.


    Instead, I opened my eyes in a world beyond comprehension, standing before three divine figures¡ªAria, Althara, and Kara. They were my own creations, the supreme goddesses I had once written about in my stories.


    And they welcomed me. As their husband.


    Aria, the Supreme Entity, the one who exists beyond all existence, the creator of all things, told me she had reincarnated me as a god. Althara, the Abyss of Erasure, the one who governs the void, declared that no harm would ever come to me under her watch. And Kara, the Incarnation of the System, the very foundation of reality, ensured that I would have dominion over all things within the framework of existence.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.


    For billions of years, I lived alongside them, ruling over countless worlds, observing civilizations rise and fall, watching as stars were born and faded into the abyss. I was omnipotent. I was infinite.


    And I was bored.


    Yes, bored.


    There was no challenge, no struggle, no thrill of overcoming hardship. I had everything, and because of that, I had nothing to strive for.


    That¡¯s when the idea struck me.


    I wanted to live again¡ªnot as an untouchable god, but as a mortal. I wanted to experience growth, to start from nothing and claw my way back to the top like those protagonists in the Chinese cultivation novels I used to read. To feel the joy of surpassing my limits, the struggle of fighting against fate, the thrill of standing against overwhelming odds.


    So, I told them.


    Aria was amused, but she didn¡¯t object. Althara, ever the overprotective one, immediately declared that she would erase any being that dared to threaten me, ensuring my absolute safety. But I refused.


    ¡°If I¡¯m going to do this, then I want to do it properly,¡± I said. ¡°No interference. No divine protection. No reality-warping cheats.¡±


    Althara frowned. ¡°Even if you suffer? Even if you die?¡±


    I grinned. ¡°That¡¯s what makes it fun.¡±


    She sighed but relented.


    Then Kara spoke up. ¡°If you wish to experience growth while still keeping the essence of your divine self hidden, then I can create a system for you. It won¡¯t grant you overwhelming power, but it will guide you, provide opportunities, and ensure that your progression remains within the laws of cultivation.¡±


    A system? Like in those novels?


    I liked the sound of that.


    ¡°Fine,¡± I said. ¡°Do it.¡±


    And so, my journey began.


    I would descend into a cultivation world of Kara¡¯s design¡ªone where powerful sects ruled, where ancient legacies lay hidden, and where the path of immortality was paved with blood. I would be reborn as a nobody, with no memory of my past life, no divine privileges, and no one to rely on but myself.


    My journey to become the Heavenly King would begin anew, from he very bottom.


    And this time, I would earn it.

 Chapter 1: A New World, A New Fate

    Darkness. An endless void stretching into eternity.


    My consciousness drifted, weightless, lost in the abyss. There was no sound, no light, no sensation¡ªonly the lingering fragments of my past life.


    I was Haider. An ordinary student, a writer who spent countless nights crafting the most epic cultivation stories. And then¡­ I died. The details of how were hazy, but I remembered that much.


    There was a moment of something¡ªvoices? Power? But whatever had happened before was slipping away like sand through my fingers.


    Then, suddenly¡ªpain.


    My lungs burned as if I had been drowning and had just broken through the surface. My body ached, cold and frail. Sensations rushed back all at once, the sharp bite of wind against my skin, the rough feeling of dirt beneath me, the scent of damp earth and ancient wood.


    And then¡ªa voice.


    [Ding! The Heavenly Ascension System has been activated.]


    The words echoed inside my mind, clear and undeniable. My eyes snapped open, and I gasped, sitting up abruptly.


    I was in a forest. Thick trees loomed overhead, their leaves swaying gently in the breeze. The air was crisp, filled with the scent of wildflowers and fresh earth. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows across the ground.


    For a moment, I just sat there, stunned.


    Where the hell am I?


    I checked myself. My clothes were simple¡ªtattered robes, rough and worn, nothing like the modern clothes I was used to. My body felt weak, starved even, as if I had not eaten in days. My hands were rough and calloused, far from the soft skin of a university student who spent more time writing than working.


    This¡­ this isn¡¯t Earth.


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    The thought hit me like a hammer. I had read too many cultivation novels to mistake the signs. This was a world of immortals, of spirit beasts, of sects and ancient legacies.


    And the voice I had just heard¡­


    A system.


    A chill ran down my spine. I had dreamed of this. Every time I read about some protagonist getting a powerful system and rising to the peak, I had wished for it.


    And now, it was happening to me.


    The Heavenly Ascension System


    [Ding! Would you like to view your status?]


    "Yes," I said instinctively, my voice hoarse.


    A translucent screen materialized before me, glowing faintly.


    Status


    Name: Haider


    Cultivation Realm: None (Mortal)


    Physique: [Unawakened]


    Bloodline: [Unknown]


    Cultivation Technique: None


    Martial Arts: None


    System Functions: [Locked]


    I stared at the screen.


    Mortal.


    That meant I had no cultivation yet. No techniques, no martial arts, nothing.


    I was truly at the bottom.


    But that¡¯s how every great story starts, isn¡¯t it?


    My blood burned with excitement. I had always loved protagonists who started weak, underestimated by the world, only to rise above all.


    This is my beginning.


    But first¡ªI needed answers.


    "System," I said, testing the waters, "what are you?"


    [Ding! The Heavenly Ascension System is designed to aid the host in ascending to the peak of cultivation, guiding you on the path to becoming the Heavenly King.]


    Heavenly King? That sounded powerful.


    "And how do I cultivate?"


    [The host must acquire a cultivation technique and absorb spiritual energy.]


    Of course. This world wouldn¡¯t just hand me power. I had to earn it.


    I looked around. This forest was unfamiliar, but if this was a cultivation world, there had to be sects, rogue cultivators, or at least villages nearby.


    My stomach growled.


    "Right. Food first, then cultivation."


    The First Step


    I got to my feet, my legs unsteady. Every movement felt sluggish. I was weaker than I had ever been in my life.


    No cultivation meant no enhanced strength, no speed, no recovery. I was a mere mortal, vulnerable to everything in this world.


    The trees around me stretched high, their bark ancient and weathered. Birds chirped in the distance, and somewhere deeper in the forest, I could hear the rustling of animals.


    I started walking, pushing through the undergrowth. My goal was simple: find civilization.


    Hours passed. Hunger gnawed at me, and my body screamed for rest, but I pressed on.


    Then¡ªI heard voices.


    I froze, my heart pounding.


    Through the trees, I spotted a group of people walking along a dirt path. They were dressed in robes, carrying weapons¡ªswords, spears, even a bow. Their movements were disciplined, their presence commanding.


    Cultivators.


    I took a slow breath. This was it¡ªmy first encounter with the world of cultivation.


    I stepped forward and called out, "Excuse me!"


    The group halted instantly. Their eyes snapped to me, and I felt an overwhelming pressure in the air.


    One of them, a young man with sharp eyes and a sword at his waist, frowned. "Who are you?"


    I swallowed hard. "I¡­ I was lost in the forest. Can you tell me where I am?"


    The man exchanged glances with his companions before stepping forward. "This is the outer region of the Azure Cloud Sect¡¯s territory. You¡¯re lucky you weren¡¯t eaten by spirit beasts."


    Azure Cloud Sect? That sounded exactly like the name of a proper cultivation sect.


    I bowed slightly, trying to seem respectful. "I¡¯m grateful for your kindness. I have no home, no family. Please, can you guide me?"


    The man studied me, his expression unreadable. Then, after a long pause, he said, "Come. We¡¯ll take you to the sect. Whether you stay or not depends on your fate."


    I exhaled slowly, relief flooding me.


    Step one¡ªfinding a sect¡ªcomplete.


    As I followed them down the path, my heart pounded with anticipation.


    This was just the beginning.


    My journey to the peak had begun.

 Chapter 2: Kicked Out Like a Dog

    I followed the cultivators along the winding dirt path, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. This was it¡ªthe legendary sect where I would begin my journey to the peak.


    Azure Cloud Sect. The name alone carried weight, evoking images of towering mountains, powerful elders, and disciples who soared through the skies with their sword arts.


    The group of cultivators who found me walked ahead, barely paying me any attention. I kept quiet, focusing on my surroundings. The deeper we traveled, the more awe-inspiring the scenery became. Mountains loomed in the distance, their peaks shrouded in mist. Rivers glistened under the sunlight, and ancient stone pathways stretched toward an enormous gate guarded by armored disciples.


    I took a deep breath. This is where it begins.


    As we approached the sect entrance, the lead disciple, the one who had first spoken to me, waved his hand at the guards. "We found this stray in the forest. He claims to have no home or family. Let the elders decide his fate."


    The guards sneered at me. "Another beggar trying to join the sect?"


    Laughter erupted from some nearby disciples. "He looks like a starving dog! Where did you even find this trash?"


    I clenched my fists but kept my head down. Arguing wouldn¡¯t do me any favors.


    The lead disciple ignored the mockery and led me into the sect grounds. The further we walked, the more grand the surroundings became. Majestic temples carved into mountains, disciples sparring in open courtyards, waterfalls flowing into vast lakes¡ªit was everything I had imagined a cultivation sect to be.


    Yet, despite its grandeur, one thing was clear.


    I didn¡¯t belong here.


    Everywhere I walked, I could feel the stares.


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    Judging. Mocking.


    I was nothing but a mortal among cultivators.


    [Ding! Host is experiencing public humiliation. System is recording.]


    The sudden system notification almost made me stumble. Even the system is taking note of my suffering? Great.


    After a few minutes, we reached an open hall. Several elders sat in meditation, their auras unfathomable. One of them, an old man with a long beard, opened his eyes.


    The lead disciple cupped his hands. "Elder Feng, we found this boy wandering near the outer forest. He wishes to join the Azure Cloud Sect."


    The elder¡¯s sharp eyes landed on me, scanning me from head to toe. "A mortal with no cultivation?" He snorted. "Why would we waste our resources on trash?"


    The other elders chuckled. "He must think our Azure Cloud Sect is a charity!"


    I bowed slightly. "Senior, I may not have cultivation, but I am willing to work hard."


    More laughter erupted. "Work hard? Without talent, all the hard work in the world is meaningless."


    Elder Feng sighed as if dealing with an insect. "Fine. Test his aptitude. Let¡¯s end this farce quickly."


    A disciple brought forward a small crystal ball, placing it on a pedestal.


    "Put your hand on the crystal," the disciple instructed.


    I stepped forward, heart pounding.


    This is the moment. If I had any talent, even a shred of spiritual aptitude, I could stay.


    I placed my palm on the crystal.


    Seconds passed.


    Nothing.


    Not even the faintest glow.


    Silence fell over the hall before¡ª


    "Hahahaha!" A disciple burst out laughing. "He doesn¡¯t even have a spiritual root!"


    The elders shook their heads in disappointment.


    "As expected. A complete waste of time."


    Elder Feng waved his hand dismissively. "Throw him out."


    My eyes widened. "Wait! There must be some mistake!"


    The guards grabbed my arms, dragging me toward the exit.


    I struggled. "Give me another chance!"


    One of the disciples smirked. "Another chance? Why don¡¯t you beg properly? Maybe we¡¯ll let you clean the toilets."


    Laughter erupted again.


    Anger boiled inside me. This was beyond humiliation.


    I will remember this.


    The guards tossed me onto the dirt road outside the sect gates.


    I hit the ground hard, coughing up dust.


    The gates slammed shut behind me.


    For a moment, I lay there, staring up at the sky.


    Thrown away like garbage. Humiliated like a dog.


    A heavy silence hung in the air.


    Then, the system spoke.


    [Ding! The host has suffered extreme humiliation. The Heavenly Ascension System has detected potential. Activating reward.]


    [Congratulations! The host has been granted the Heavenly Spiritual Root!]


    A sudden surge of power erupted within me.


    I gasped, my entire body trembling as an overwhelming force coursed through my meridians. It was like a dam had been shattered inside me, flooding my veins with a power beyond anything I had ever imagined.


    [Heavenly Spiritual Root Acquired!]


    [Rank: Supreme]


    I sat up, stunned.


    Supreme?


    I had read enough cultivation novels to understand what this meant. The Heavenly Spiritual Root was the rarest of all! The kind of talent that could shake entire sects, even empires!


    And the Azure Cloud Sect had just thrown me away.


    I clenched my fists.


    They will regret this.


    I looked up at the towering sect gates. Once, they had seemed unreachable.


    Now?


    One day, I¡¯ll return.


    And when I do, those who laughed at me will bow before me.


    I turned away, stepping toward the unknown.


    The real journey was just beginning.