Divine Realm. Primordial Dao Heaven. Primordial Dao Sect.
A man dressed in a regal robe swirling with space and time paced back and forth in front of a grand palace. He had sword-like eyebrows, long flowing black hair, and eyes that pierced through space and time. His name was Tian Zhen, Sect Master of the Primordial Dao Sect.
Nearby stood a stern elder with gray streaks in his hair, arms folded. Tian Long, father of Tian Zhen, scowled. "Stop pacing, brat. Don't be antsy. The child and the mother will be just fine."
Beside him, a woman smacked the back of his head with a firm slap.
"Old man, stop blabbering nonsense," she snapped. "You nearly fainted when Zhen was born."
This was Xia Lian, wife of Tian Long, a Supreme Elder of the sect and a respected elder of the Xia Clan.
Inside the palace, runes and formations lit the room. Servants and midwives moved in haste. A woman on a jade bed screamed in pain.
"One last push, Madam!"
"Ahhh—!"
Xia Qingxue gritted her teeth, sweat beading her pale forehead. Her breathing was heavy.
Moments later, the cry of a newborn echoed through the hall.
"Madam, your baby has been safely delivered!"
Xia Qingxue forced a smile. "Let me see him…"
The midwife carefully handed over the baby. Xia Qingxue stared at her son's face. His eyes, wide and starry, met hers.
'Huh? Where am I?' the baby thought, blinking curiously.
Before he could process more, a man appeared at the bedside in a flash.
"So this is my son?" Tian Zhen grinned, eyes gleaming. "As expected of me—he's already inherited my handsomeness and talent!"
Xia Qingxue shot him a glare. "Tian Zhen, shut up or I'll break your jaw."
Tian Zhen laughed nervously and quieted down.
Tian Long and Xia Lian stepped into the room, smiling in relief at the sight of the mother and son.
Xia Qingxue gently passed the baby to Tian Zhen. "Hold him properly."
Tian Zhen held the child, his usual composure replaced with nervous awe. He smiled softly. "He's perfect."
Then he looked to his wife. "Are you alright, Xue'er?"
"I'm fine," she whispered. "Just a little tired. What shall we name our son?"
Tian Zhen thought for a moment, then said, "His name will be Tian Shen—may he stand at the pinnacle of all dimensions."
Tian Long nodded approvingly. "Fitting. A name for one born to reach the apex. The future Dao Heir of the Primordial Dao Sect."
A midwife stepped forward. "Sect Master, Supreme Elders—Madam Qingxue needs to rest. Please step outside."
Xia Lian nodded and reminded the midwife, "Give her divine pills and recovery fruits immediately."
The midwife bowed. "Yes, Supreme Elder."
After one last glance, Tian Long and Xia Lian quietly left the hall.
Tian Zhen gently returned Tian Shen to his mother. He kissed her forehead. "Thank you... for giving birth to our son. Get some rest, Xue'er."
He stepped back, reluctantly walking away slowly. Every few steps, he looked back.
Xia Qingxue smiled softly, watching him leave. She then looked down at her son.
"Grow up peacefully, Tian Shen… and live happily."
She kissed his forehead and handed him to the midwife. "Take care of him."
Meanwhile, Tian Shen's thoughts settled as he accepted his new reality.
'So I reincarnated… and those two are my parents?'
'Not bad. Strong and beautiful parents. This life might be decent.'
After a while, sleepiness began to overtake him. His eyelids grew heavy.
Just before he slipped into unconsciousness—
[Ding!]
[System initializing...]
A soft blue light flashed across his vision.
'What was that…?'
Too tired to focus, Tian Shen surrendered to sleep.