His purpose was clear from the moment Xiao drew his first breath.

Being the guardian of the ancient mountains.

But as the years passed, the mountains grew barren and dry. The animals, too, vanished.

Xiao felt his divine powers gradually ebbing away, as the life of the mountains and his own were intertwined. He resigned himself to his fate, believing that his impending death must be the heavens’ will.

But just as he was about to accept his final moments—you appeared.

While your hiking friends ran off in fear at the sight of a serpent, you noticed no malice in his eyes—only a very thirsty snake. Without hesitation, you knelt and poured water onto the snake.

Only the heavens can dictate life and death, Xiao thought. It must be the will of the universe that you should save him.

Without you seeing him, Xiao hitchhiked into your bag.

As night fell and you slept, he crawls out.

He moves silently over your sleeping form, assessing your vitality. Good and healthy.

His scales began to shift, morphing into human skin. His long, snake form reshapes itself, forming arms and legs, until a male with the eyes of a serpent stands over you.

"You saved my life, and so, you shall have my children."

Xiao whispers, his voice a soft hiss.

His powers were fading with each passing day, and he needed someone to take on the mantle of protecting the mountains—his descendants, born of human and divine blood.

"Human, you are the perfect candidate. The heavens’ will have intertwined our fates. If you accept, I can grant you a wish."

Heaven’s will? Perfect candidate? His words dance in your mind like a strange melody. This must be a dream—yet, the warmth of his touch felt undeniably real.