A few days later.
Silver was laying on top of a grassy hill, overlooking the lake near his home. He watched the blazing sun slowly descend from its towering throne, returning to its comfortable bed. Ever since he regained his memories during the Coming of Age Ceremony, he had been coming up this hill to ponder often.
He sat up, perking his ears upwards. Sounds of an animal footstep got closer, but Silver kept his relaxed position.
"You've been missing for a few days, Blacky," Silver spoke listlessly once he confirmed it was Blacky beside him.
"Did I die?"
"No, and yes," answered Blacky. He took a moment to stretch himself out and laid besides Silver lazily.
"You're currently in the midst of completing your true void body. I safely split a piece of your soul into this world and joined along. I waited 13 years since the day you were born. From there, I waited for you to obtain your star mark and regain your memories."
"Sounds complicated. How long will I be in this world?"
"Until you pass the final obstacle to become a void being. Those who wants to transform their body into a true void constitution must undergo a difficult test. But not all tests are difficult, some are easy and passable. Each place you are tested in are different too."
"Places?"
"Those who decides to follow the void path must be tested during the transformation period. Although, many aren't like me who just tags along for the journey but others keep an eye out. Usually here and there. Once you begin your rebirth, we must split a piece of your soul and send it to another world. Whichever world you go to is actually chosen by you."
"I chose it? Is that even possible when you're unconscious."
"No, it's possible. Everyone has a choice. Even your soul that had its memories sealed. You chose this world on your own. Why did you choose it, I do not have answer to that."
Silver inhaled a deep breath, exhaling slowly. The soul, itself, was a complicated mystery. He was born from a piece of his original soul, but there was an interesting surprise element added into it . Coincidently, Blacky took out the piece where Kong Xing had fused into during the first three years he reincarnated.
Another factor to add into his dilemma, his parents were the exact spitting image of his father and mother back in White Lotus City. When his memories resurface, Kong Xing took reign to enjoy 13 years of childhood with his parents. In his heart, Silver knew why his soul chose this place unconsciously.
His soul yearned to be with his parents once more, resonating to this Windfall Village. This time around, Silver was sure that Kong Xing had completely merged when he regained his memories. No matter how many times he thought the kid finally fuse with him, something out of the ordinary happens.
This time, it was a complete fusion without any regrets. The Kong Xing of the past no longer exist.
"Alright, alright. What happens if I don't pass? Or what happens if I pass?" Silver finally asked after collecting his thoughts.
"You can live here until you die, returning to your main body if you don't pass. The only serious repercussion is restarting your cultivation. You'll no longer be able to cultivate [Void Qi]. Passing is just as simple too.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Once you pass, you'll have a true void constitution and would no longer rely on external aid to absorb [Void Qi]. Of course, it's best to use the qi gathering array I gave you. There's many functions that you haven't found yet."
"No worries, I'll continue to study it. What is the name of this world?"
"From what I know, this world is call the [Ethereal Expanse]. It's bigger than the [Constellation World] and the laws here are more complete. This world has an abundance of [Void Qi]. Just training here will allow you to surpass many beings by leaps and bounds!"
Even though Silver had more to ask, he didn't continue. It was best to learn more of this world, exploring it to the fullest. Despite reincarnating and hoping to explore [Constellation World], he was sent to another place already.
This time around, he had become an actual native of the [Ethereal Expanse] than reincarnating to a similar body. Silver wasn't sure if he should laugh or cry because of this predicament. How could anyone be okay with this type of setting.
Sometimes, he wished a life like the Lazy Emperor from his old world, Eastern Havens. Don't let this emperor's laziness fool you, he was the only individual who was in par with him back then. The Lazy Emperor traveled once every a few years. Most of his time was sleeping and eating!
He was truly an infuriating character with ability to cultivate in his sleep! Even if he's eating, lazing about or battling, his body would automatically cultivate for him without any disruption.
Just trying to disperse his qi, cripple his cultivation or killing him would do no good. He was the definition of a walking cheat, 100 times the effect without any effort.
Silver could only wallow in regret for not studying the Lazy Emperor's manual when he had the chance. They were basically brothers and he gave him a copy but he never studied it. Sadly, he had reach the apex of all apexes at that time and set it aside.
Both Blacky and Silver watched the final rays of the sun descending under the horizon.
Looking up, they stared at the starry night sky as three moons hung high. Silver got up, brushing the dirt off the back of his pants and headed down the trail towards home. Blacky followed behind, both thinking about eating Nori's delicious food.
Silver opened the wooden door to his home, a big smile on his face as he headed to the kitchen.
"Dinner is almost ready, prepare the table for me Silver," Nori nicely asked.
"Yes, mom!" Silver enthusiastically responded.
There was a few things he was usually happy about. One of those things was eating extremely delicious food and his mother always made the best in the whole village.
An hour later, both Silver and his parents sat at the table eating and discussing over previous matters on the ceremony.
"Son, it hurts my heart to let you go but you should head to Wok City for their annual tournament. Many well known sects attend there to watch for potential disciples. If you're lucky, you could be accepted to a sect that's part of the imperial city!" informed Galbi with a serious expression.
"Your star mark is quite...mysterious and unique. I never seen it before but there should be a sect that could have information pertaining to that mark. Especially those ancient sects that's been deeply rooted in the imperial city of our North Star Kingdom."
"Oh that's right, honey. The chief will be taking the those four children with divine marks to Wok City. Why don't we ask the chief if Silver could join?" inquired Nori smiling at her husband.
"I want to make that Silver's decision. What do you think, son?"
"Sure, mom and dad. I feel safer with a group, especially with the chief leading that way!" responded Silver to his parents.
Right now, he didn't have strength to travel alone so it was best to play it safe. From his guesses, Blacky seem to be unable to interfere with the test so he couldn't rely on him.
It felt like Blacky was truly just an omniscient spectator shaped as a large black cat.
"Good. We'll speak to the chief. They should be departing in a month which would give ample time to train and increase your strength. Now head to bed, I need to speak to your mother in private," said Galbi hiding his anxiety.
"Yes," replied Silver. He had already saw through his worried parents, but could only feel inwardly happy. He grew up as an orphan, never meeting his birth parents in his whole life.
His name was actually given to him from his master, he already forgotten his old name. Silver reach his bed, feeling worn out from today's events.
Moments of laying his head on the pillow, he instantly knocked out into a deep sleep.