Prologue - The Celestial Guardians
In the time before recorded history, when the heavens and earth were still young and the boundaries between realms thin, the world was guarded by four celestial beings: the Azure Dragon of the East (Qinglong), the Vermillion Bird of the South (Zhuque), the White Tiger of the West (Baihu), and the Black Tortoise of the North (Xuanwu). Together they maintained harmony, protecting humanity from chaos, demonic incursions, and the collapse of the mortal-immortal divide.
The Azure Dragon, most powerful among them, was said to have taken human form to walk among mortals during a great war against invading chaos qi from the void. He fell in love with a mortal woman of exceptional spiritual purity, and from their union came the first "Guardian bloodline"-Demi God children born with dragon essence in their veins. This bloodline carried both immense potential (unmatched martial and spiritual power) and danger (the essence could attract void creatures or cause heavenly tribulation if misused). Over centuries, the bloodline scattered across the world - diluted by mixing with mortals but retaining power to become leaders in ancient & modern China and elsewhere, some disappearing into realms of Immortals beyond human sight.
The other three Celestial Guardians was also said to have followed their leader's path - they too left behind bloodlines and descendants to maintain harmony in Mortal Realms. Some descendants became legendary martial artists, others hidden cultivators. The arts they inherited-forms of internal qi cultivation, swordsmanship, and body tempering-were passed down secretly, often disguised as family traditions. But the true power only awakened in rare individuals, usually under full moons or during moments of great emotional intensity (love, sacrifice, battle). These awakenings were marked by heavenly phenomena: lightning storms, dragon-shaped clouds, or sudden surges of qi that could be felt miles away.
One such ancient family was the Li's of Yunnan, a family who believes they descend directly from one such line-specifically, a branch tied to the White Tiger (Baihu), the fierce protector of the West. Grandpa Li Wei's stories claim their ancestor was a mortal female general who fought with the White Tiger during a major demonic invasion during the Tang Dynasty. Whether in gratitude or love, the Tiger bestowed a portion of its essence in the child the lady General conceived after the battle- wild stories named Baihu as the child's father in one, the Crown Prince who led the fight in another, an immortal who aided the General in yet another..
None knew for sure for the lady never named who the Child's father was and nobody dared criticize- the Emperor himself had granted honor and court marriage to the lady General and her new husband treated the son born as his own. Her son clearly showed his White Tiger essence - he had unmatched physical resilience, sharp instincts in battle, and a natural affinity for justice and order, thereby establishing all foundations for the claim to Baihu bloodline. However later generations realised that nothing came free, this great power also came with a curse: the bloodline would only fully awaken in those who proved worthy through discipline, loyalty, and sacrifice. If the bearer ever fell to greed, betrayal, or cowardice, the power would consume them.
Of the rumoured Azure Dragon bloodline once even said to have been mixed with Royalty in all of Asia, powers were even rarer and more volatile. It is said to carry the dragon's passion, beauty, and destructive potential. Those with strong dragon essence often manifest as extraordinarily beautiful, charismatic, and spiritually potent individuals-but they also attract danger. Void creatures, jealous immortals, and power-hungry cultivators seek them out, either to consume their essence or to control them through their human agents. Tales of bloodshed in history were often written by those who either bore the bloodline or those who craved to use that bloodline.
Rumors once associated a Su family from Hunan with Azure Dragon bloodline - but the Su family patriarchs famed for their healing powers always smiled and disclaimed any interest in power or rule and soon whispers died down.
And then there were sects- none knew for sure,many claimed association but everyone knew one thing - Sects watched over these divine bloodlines, remnants of divinity left on Mortal world to protect it. For the end of Guardian bloodlines on Earth may mean collapse of borders erected between Immortal, Demonic and Human realms - borders that has in last many Millenia allowed humanity to flourish in the belief that they alone were the pinnacle of evolution.
Part 1: Foundations of Fate
North York, Toronto, in the early 2000s was a living mosaic-tree-lined streets where maple leaves burned crimson in autumn, modern townhouses standing shoulder-to-shoulder with older brick homes, parks dotted with soccer fields and playgrounds, and the constant hum of multicultural life. Immigrants from every corner of the world had made this suburb their new beginning, bringing languages, spices, and traditions that blended into the crisp Canadian air. On one quiet cul-de-sac, two families-the Li and the Su-built their lives side by side, their homes separated only by a shared fence and the old maple tree whose branches reached across like an unspoken promise.
The Li family lived with the quiet discipline of people who had carried tradition through chaos. Grandpa Li Wei and Grandma Li Hua had fled China during the height of the crackdowns, smuggling out only what mattered: family heirlooms, a few scrolls of martial arts forms, and the whispered lore of their bloodline. They believed their ancestors had once served as Guardians-immortals who protected realms, bequeathing secret techniques to survive turbulent times. In Canada, Grandpa Li Wei taught Wudang forms in the backyard at dawn, his movements slow and powerful despite his age. Grandma Li Hua tended a small herb garden, brewing teas that smelled of jasmine and memory.
Their son, Li Hao, had grown up straddling two worlds. By 2003, he was a respected officer with the Toronto Police Service-broad-shouldered, serious, his uniform always pressed. His wife, Su Lan, was the gentle heartbeat of the home: a homemaker who filled the house with the scent of congee in the morning and stories of dragons at night. The family moved with purpose-meals at set times, homework before play, training before rest.
Next door, the Su family was a burst of warmth and noise. Grandpa Su Chen and Grandma Su Mei had arrived from China with nothing but determination. They opened a small Asian restaurant that quickly became a neighborhood favorite-steaming baskets of dim sum, fragrant noodle soups, laughter spilling out the door. Their son, Su Jing, expanded the business into a thriving chain, his easy smile and quick handshake winning over suppliers and customers alike. His wife, Li Mei, was the soul of the home-cooking massive family meals, hosting loud karaoke nights, filling the house with the clatter of mahjong tiles and endless teasing.
The families' lives collided on a fateful full-moon night in October 2003. In the same North York hospital, two sons were born one day apart. Li Jiang arrived first, his cries strong and clear. The Li family had waited for this moment with reverent anticipation. Weeks earlier, Grandpa Li Wei had woken from a vivid dream: a golden dragon circling their home, scales glinting like moonlight. "This boy is special," he had told Li Hao in the waiting room, voice low and certain. "Our bloodline-the Guardian legacy. We must raise him strict. Train him in the arts. He may carry the hidden power."
Li Hao had nodded solemnly. "Like you trained me, Father. Body and spirit."
Grandpa Li Wei entered the room first. He lifted the newborn, gazing into the tiny face. For a moment, the air shimmered-a faint white aura, fierce and regal, like the Bai Hu, the White Tiger Celestial Guardian. His breath caught. *The lore is true... our ancestor, the immortal who guarded realms, passed down the arts to survive. This boy carries it.* Tears welled as he whispered an ancient blessing, pressing a gentle kiss to Jiang's forehead.
Just a day later, Su Ming arrived. The Su family filled the ward with laughter and red envelopes. "Ming-bright like the dawn," Li Mei whispered, tears streaming as she held her son.
The families, already neighbors, bonded over the coincidence. Shared hospital visits turned into lifelong friendship. "Our boys will grow up like brothers," Su Jing said, clinking tea cups with Li Hao.
The years unfolded in shared joy. North York's parks-Earl Bales with its sledding hills, the ravine trails winding through green-became their kingdom. The families merged for every occasion: Lunar New Year at the Su restaurant, tables groaning with dumplings, fish, and longevity noodles; Canadian Thanksgivings in the Li backyard, turkey alongside mooncakes.
Jiang and Ming grew up side by side. Grandpa Li Wei trained both boys in the backyard at dawn-Jiang excelling with serious focus, small fists precise; Ming joining for fun but learning discipline. "Ming, channel your cheer into strength," Grandpa would say. Su Jing hosted barbecues, laughter echoing as Li Hao shared policing stories and Su Jing told jokes that made even Grandpa Li Wei smile.
Their personalities emerged clearly: Jiang, serious and disciplined, dove into martial arts, his forms already sharp by age four. Ming, easygoing and cheerful, balanced him-pulling Jiang into pranks like sneaking cookies or racing bikes down the street, always with a grin.
"Race you to the maple!" Ming would shout, already running.
Jiang would follow, serious but smiling. "You're on."
By age five, they were inseparable. Jiang once stood up to a neighborhood bully who teased Ming's accent. "Leave him alone," he said, small fists clenched. Ming, in turn, dragged Jiang into adventures, their bond unbreakable.
In 2008, another full moon brought change. For three months prior, Jiang grew anxious-restless nights, unexplained worry that puzzled his grandparents. He would pace the backyard at dawn, fists clenched, staring at the sky as if searching for something. Grandpa Li Wei watched with concern. "The boy feels it," he told Grandma Li Hua one morning. "Something is coming. The dragon stirs."
Grandma Li Hua brewed calming teas, but Jiang remained unsettled-picking at meals, waking early, asking strange questions. "Why does the moon look different?" he'd ask, eyes wide.
Meanwhile, the Su family buzzed with excitement. Li Mei, glowing in late pregnancy, spoke constantly of the daughter she carried. "A girl this time!" she told Su Jing, patting her belly. "We'll have pigtails and dresses and laughter everywhere!"
Su Jing grinned. "Ming's going to be the most protective big brother in North York."
The day Su Yan was born, Ming burst into the Li home, eyes shining. "She's here! Come see my sister!"
Jiang, still restless, followed hesitantly. In the nursery, he peered over the crib at the tiny bundle-pink cheeks, dark lashes, a soft tuft of hair. Relief washed over him like a wave-unexplained, profound. His small shoulders relaxed; the tension of months melted away. He reached out, tiny fingers brushing her hand.
Grandpa Li Wei, standing in the doorway, noticed. His eyes narrowed thoughtfully, a knowing smile touching his lips. *The dragon recognizes its own.*
As years passed, Jiang forgot the anxiety, but his thoughts unconsciously drifted to Yan-watching her toddle across the yard, a quiet pull he couldn't name.
(End of Chapter 1, Part 1)