In the boundless void, an expanse of sheer nothingness reigned supreme—no stars twinkled, no aircraft soared, no elements danced, and no life stirred. It was an infinite abyss, a silence so profound that it swallowed all sound, enveloping everything in a shroud of eternal darkness that dulled the senses.
Then, in a moment that felt both fleeting and timeless, something emerged from this vast emptiness. Was it a man? A woman? Perhaps a creature of some sort? The being was undeniably present, yet its form eluded clear definition, as if it were a mirage on the edge of perception, poised to vanish at any instant. Yet, paradoxically, it exuded an aura of permanence, as if it had always existed in this desolate expanse—a singularity, timeless and unyielding.
In that instant, the entity extended a hand, and with that gesture, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. It seemed to conjure forth creation itself.
A subtle ripple emanated from the center of its palm, where energy began to coalesce and pulse. Then, an astonishing spectacle unfolded…
A boundary emerged, delineating the void and forging a realm of its own, a sanctuary born from the depths of nothingness. This nascent space, though it appeared boundless and eternal, was paradoxically contained within the confines of a translucent sphere. The sphere, half-filled with dark ink, floated effortlessly, cradled in the palm of the entity—a being of unfathomable power and mystery. Its surface shimmered with an ethereal glow, reflecting the flickering shadows of the void beyond, as if it were a window to another dimension.
With a swift, deliberate motion, the entity cast the sphere away, watching as it sailed through the emptiness, trailing wisps of darkness in its wake. This ritual was repeated a dozen times, each throw a testament to the entity's mastery over creation and destruction. Each sphere, a fragment of potential, drifted into the abyss, awaiting its fate.
At that moment, the entity paused, its form shifting and undulating, extending a finger—was it a paw or perhaps a claw? It was a manifestation of countless transformations, a being that defied categorization. The appendage glimmered with an otherworldly light, pulsating with energy as it reached toward the spheres. The entity opened its mouth, then closed it, this motion echoing in a rhythmic cycle, a silent chant that resonated through the fabric of the newly formed realm.
With its other hand, it inscribed intricate runic symbols onto each spherical boundary, the glyphs swirling with a luminescent energy. Each stroke was deliberate, as if the entity were bestowing upon them a celestial essence, infusing them with life and purpose. The symbols danced and shimmered, glowing brighter with each inscription, as if awakening to the call of their creator.
Was it speaking? Or perhaps reciting an incantation? The air thickened with anticipation as the entity's voice finally emerged, though the words were indecipherable, a cacophony of sounds that resonated with an illusory quality. The very essence of the void trembled under the weight of its utterance, exerting a crushing pressure that rippled through the surrounding darkness. This strange language carried the essence of life itself, a primordial force that surged forth, giving rise to a myriad of phenomena.
“@*&^%*$!*... summon dao... summon the elements... summon life... shape the primordial scriptures... establish the supreme laws... create the three planes... arise before me, PRIMORDIAL CHAOS
In that ephemeral instant, a tremendous wave of energy surged forth, enveloping a multitude of tiny orbs, cradling them with the tenderness of a mother embracing her beloved child. The being had accomplished its grand endeavour.
It had given rise to a myriad of worlds, some reminiscent of home, while others were utterly foreign. A vibrant tapestry of life awaited, ready to spring forth. Each realm was imbued with the essence of existence, yet not a single living, cell-based creature could be found.
Something vital was missing. In that moment, the ethereal figure lifted its hand to the center of its brow, unleashing a cascade of shimmering, rainbow-hued blood that radiated a celestial glow.
This vivid essence flowed into the spherical domains it had created, morphing into a mist that enveloped each world. Then, it touched the space between its eyes, and a third eye opened, as dark as the boundless abyss.
Upon closer examination, one could see a small, nine-tiered pagoda nestled within that eye. The entity gently removed the pinnacle of the pagoda, allowing it to merge with the primordial chaos surrounding the other worlds, granting them will and spiritual essence.
After a lengthy silence, the entity spoke again, "With my essence, I breathe life into all things, and with my will, I shape the heavens." It then channelled its energy into crafting a banner that appeared to be woven from silk, glowing softly. Inscribed upon it were the words "Myriad Transformation List." Finally the entity released one droplet of essence blood, allowing it to coagulate before sending it forth to one of the many planet like spheres of Ink, then it vanished from sight...
Eons later, on a vibrant planet within a bustling city, a baby boy was born. "Xiao Family head, it's a boy! A beautiful baby boy!" A lovely woman clad in simple attire and an apron rushed out, her excitement evident in the flush of her ears as she bowed her head. A tall man, standing around 190 cm, leaped from his chair and hurried past her into the room behind. There, he beheld a woman cradling a baby, whose eyes sparkled with the promise of destiny.
She gazed up at the man, her voice soft yet filled with wonder. "It’s been so long since our child was born." The man leaned down, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead, his eyes sparkling with affection as he replied, "Feixing." Their foreheads touched, noses brushing together, and a shared smile lit up their faces. With a tender look, she leaned in and kissed the man she adored. "Darling, what are you staring at? Our son is here, and you still haven’t given him a name." The man chuckled, glancing out the window. "I’ll call him Cloud. Little Cloud." The woman’s gaze deepened as she looked at him, then down at their baby boy, whispering softly, "Xiao Yun."
Years passed, and a young boy of around 6 or 7 years of age made his way through the bustling inner city. Behind Him "Young master, young master, please wait!" An elderly man hurried through the throng, trying to catch up with the young boy. "Young master Yun, where are we headed?" Xiao Yun continued walking, his eyes fixed ahead. "Elder Bai, why are you trailing me again?" The old man, now looking at the seven-year-old with a mix of concern and affection, replied, "Young master, the clan lord has tasked me with your care. I cannot neglect my duty." Xiao Yun sighed, "Fine, then come along." He resumed his exploration of the vibrant shops and stalls lining the street. Suddenly, he halted. "Young master?" the old man Elder Bai inquired, noticing the boy’s sudden pause.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
Xiao Yun approached an ancient looking figure, whose tattered robes and strong odour of urine made Elder Bai grimace. Crouching down, Xiao Yun examined the old man closely, while checking his various goods laid about the floor on tattered and torn looking piece of cloth. "What’s this?" he asked, pointing at a pendant that shimmered with a rainbow of colours.
The stone seemed to hold the very essence of the rainbow within its depths. As the old man lifted it, the vibrant colours swirled and twirled like liquid trapped in a solid prison. He glanced at the young boy beside him and remarked, "Kid, this gem has been passed down through my family for ages. Our clan leader stumbled upon it in an ancient ruin, nestled beside a trove of riches. The twist? It serves no purpose other than its beauty. The liquid inside never escapes, and the stone itself is nearly indestructible—no beast from the abyss could even leave a mark on it." Elder Bai, standing nearby with Xiao Yun, scoffed at the story, his scepticism palpable. The ragged man could feel the tension in the air.
Turning to Elder Bai, the old man challenged, "Care to test your might against it?" Without a moment's pause, Elder Bai grasped the pendant, channelling his energy through every fibre of his being. A wave of power erupted from him, causing the bustling crowd to freeze in fear. Those nearest to him turned ashen, some even coughing up blood and collapsing under the overwhelming force. The stronger individuals among them bore injuries, their faces contorted in agony.
Whispers rippled through the crowd as they murmured, "I've heard of this before. An aura as heavy as a mountain, breathing as powerful as an ox, muscles as tough as a tiger, and that unbearable pressure. He must be at the late body-tempering stage or has already transcended his humanity." Elder Bai surveyed the crowd, a smug grin spreading across his face as he locked eyes with the ancient man. To his surprise, the old man simply returned the smile, unfazed. For a fleeting moment, Elder Bai was caught off guard, but he quickly regained his composure, scoffing as he pinched the stone between his thumb and forefinger.
Elder Bai's arms were a tapestry of writhing, worm-like veins, and beads of sweat glistened on his forehead. Though shock coursed through him, he was determined not to show weakness in front of the young master. In a moment of desperation, he invoked a secret technique to temporarily amplify his strength. The ensuing spectacle left everyone in awe—everyone except the old man himself.
With a series of sharp cracks, Elder Bai's fingers snapped, and a deep groan escaped his lips. Xiao Yun's eyes sparkled with excitement as he noticed the pendant tumble from Elder Bai's grasp. He quickly snatched it up, adorned himself with it, and turned to the frail old man, beaming with delight. "How much is it, senior?" he asked, his enthusiasm palpable.
The old man chuckled softly, raising his arm as a vast, gentle aura enveloped the entire street, beginning to heal those who had fallen. Even those with minor injuries felt the soothing touch of his blessing. As he gazed down, he noticed Elder Bai, whose face was drained of colour and filled with dread. Suddenly, a wave of comfort washed over him, as a powerful and serene aura filled his body and mind.
The energy surged through his muscles, coursed along his veins, and seeped into his bones, mending his wounds and propelling him toward a breakthrough. In what felt like no time at all, a sharp cracking sound echoed, and Elder Bai radiated a brilliant fluorescent glow.
With a few more sounds reminiscent of shattered glass underfoot, an immense wave of soul power surged forth. Those present were captivated, their souls irresistibly drawn to Elder Bai's vibrant energy. Suddenly, the frail old man snapped his fingers, the sharp sound jolting everyone back to reality.
Xiao Yun gazed at the elder in confusion. "What just happened, senior?" The old man chuckled softly, glancing at Elder Bai. "Nothing too serious; he merely ascended to the nascent soul stage and nearly left everyone here in a stupor." Xiao Yun was taken aback. The sheer force of the breakthrough had almost rendered the crowd incapacitated.
Elder Bai, beads of sweat dotting his forehead and his mouth parched, felt as though he had been reborn. Regaining his composure, he bowed deeply and clasped his fists in gratitude to the old man. "Thank you, senior." The old man waved dismissively, saying nothing. A wry smile crept across Elder Bai's face; the old man's power was leagues beyond his own. If he couldn't even break the stone, what right did he have to compare himself? The old man turned his gaze to Xiao Yun once more. "This is my gift to you." Xiao Yun's eyes widened in astonishment once again.
The elderly gentleman was truly benevolent. "If you’re offering this to me without any strings attached, I assure you, this young one will not feign acceptance."
"I hope you’ll permit me to leave a few things to help you live a bit more comfortably," he added. The old man responded with a warm smile and a nod. Xiao Yun then reached into his storage bag, presenting the old man with 100 amethyst crystals, some food, and a top-tier cultivation stone.
Since Xiao Yun didn’t practice cultivation, he had no use for the stone or the materials. Grateful for the pendant the old man had given him freely, he felt compelled to assist the elder in any way he could.
The old man’s eyes widened in surprise, a knowing expression crossing his face. "Thank you, young lad," he said. Xiao Yun bowed respectfully, cupping his fist, and departed alongside Elder Bai.
As they walked away, Xiao Yun turned back for one last glance at the old man, suddenly frozen in place as if turned to stone. He glanced at Elder Bai, who seemed to falter, pointing back at the spot where the old man had been seated. Confused, Xiao Yun asked, "What is it... where did the old man go?" Everyone else, still lingering after their experience, turned their heads in unison, and to their astonishment, the ragged old man had vanished as if he had never existed at all.
The true shock wasn't what they expected; it was the bizarre phenomenon he had left in his wake that left them standing there, looking foolish. His silhouette lingered in the air where he had been seated, as if he were still present but cloaked in invisibility. The space around it shimmered slightly, and the colours of the floor and wall behind the silhouette shifted to an unusual hue. As they gazed at the light, faint celestial hymns echoed in their ears. Elder Bai felt the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him.
Xiao Yun rushed to Elder Bai's side, concern etched on her face. "Elder Bai, what's wrong? Please, talk to me. Are you alright?" Elder Bai mumbled incoherently, lost in his own mind.
Bending down to catch his words, Xiao Yun strained to comprehend his ramblings. "Ce. ce. ce. celestial phenomenon," he muttered. he looked at him, puzzled. "Celestial phenomenon?"
"CELESTIAL PHENOMENON!" a voice erupted from the crowd, a cultivator pointing at Elder Bai on the ground before glancing back at the spot where the old man had just been, collapsing in shock. Others followed suit, succumbing to the same bewilderment.
Xiao Yun, bewildered, asked, "Elder Bai, what’s happening?" Elder Bai shook his head, struggling to rise. He scanned the area again, his gaze landing on the spot where the old man had sat. Everything appeared normal now.
"Younger master, we should return home. I've just made a breakthrough and need to solidify my foundations. Plus, I must inform the clan lord about this incident."
"Alright," Xiao Yun replied, nodding in agreement as they set off together, leaving the inner city behind and making their way toward the Xiao Clan.
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