In the Emptiness of the Void
Bewildered echoes kept repeating similar phrases over and over again in short intervals.
"Huh?"
"What is happening?"
"Ah! I remember!"
"Huh? Who am I?"
"Where am I?"
"Wait! Something is wrong…?"
"Huh?"
"Heh?"
"What?"
In this place, nothing exists—not even the concept itself. There is no direction to describe the existence of space or the concept of time.
Everything happened all at once, the convoluted jumble of timelines compressed into a single singularity, causing this phenomenon.
The past, present, and future occurred instantaneously, for nothing could change and remain the same forever.
Due to this nature, processes that should take ages or even eons of untold time passed and resolved easily, causing mutations in this stagnant place that were immune to any disturbance.
While exploring the fantasy within a fictional story, it was difficult to discern which version was correct.
In a state of nonexistence, what proof does someone have that something existed before?
Thus, in this void of emptiness, since nothing exists, nothing could survive.
It was like a flashback before dying in those movies that tells the viewer, but the uniqueness was in how Niu Chang died.
This caused him to enter the uncharted territory from the human mind—the limbo.
In this place, only consciousness could enter. He shouldn’t be able to survive, just like how his thoughts fleetingly slipped away from his grasp.
He watched slowly as his rationality faded away in the surrounding emptiness, where ultimately he truly died.
But the end was still far from his journey, for he still had the most powerful backer of all: his system.
In this void of emptiness, nothing could or would change, as the concept of time didn’t exist. Thus, only outside interference could create ripples in this place.
The formless consciousness regained its former self and observed the expanding emptiness with something it had never experienced before.
The consciousness itself presented itself naked in this void. As far as the void extended, the consciousness could also reach that point.
However, the overwhelming state of nonexistence proved to be an unconquerable force. The corroding emptiness tried to dissolve this enigmatic state of existence from its territory.
Gathering himself, Niu Chang controlled his consciousness to converge at a single point, guarding against the hostile nature of this place.
The numerous attempts he made to restore himself flooded his consciousness with a vast amount of data, enough to overload his fragile state of existence.
Yet, he composed himself, letting go of various parts of his memories into the emptiness around him to fortify his core mind.
Before long, he was finally able to think clearly about his situation.
"Huh?"
He still remembered the benefits of conflict he harvested from the war he had waged with the seven saints, as if it had happened just a moment ago. However, the numerous memories of him attempting to restore his existence and being dissolved by the void told him he was no longer a mortal.
In terms of time, he should be a living being as old as time itself. In this void of emptiness, the concept of time was absent. Thus, when Niu Chang tried to restore himself, everything happened at once.
But even so, he found no achievements unlocked, remaining oblivious to everything he had done.
‘In the beginning, the concept of time only worked for the mortal mind that had yet to grasp the nature of the truth. Even if I passed through numerous 'times,' it wouldn't change anything, as time itself didn't exist in the first place.’
Engaging in a conversation with himself regarding his own conjecture, he found his current situation to be without issue.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
‘So, Death’s Ignorance actually works like this.’ He observed his condition before commencing to visualize his escape from this place.
‘Death’s Ignorance, originally named Lifeline. For Death ignores my existence, I shall become immortal.’
‘It sounds grand, but the skill is actually quite simple. I possess a system that can supply me with energy based on those who have formed karmic bonds with me. Essentially, I am a boundless energy container. As long as energy continues to flow into me, I shall be immortal.’
Reviewing the benefits of the war, Niu Chang learned various things that caused him to furrow his brow.
The War Reaper skill was said to grant the user benefits from conflict, but the nature of these benefits remained uncertain.
For now, he could only acquire information benefits from the battles he engaged in with the saints and the enigmatic Lord of the Continent.
‘Not the Lord of the Continent, but the Land Dao Spirit.’
From the war's benefits, Niu Chang uncovered the truth behind his true enemies.
The continent, or more accurately, the Land, constituted one of two sections of this small world, secluded within the endless sea.
The endless sea itself functioned as a protective bubble, nurturing the Land and the Sky to develop safely, fulfilling its purpose before culminating.
‘So, the endless sea was meant to shield the newborn small world,’ Niu Chang muttered with pursed lips.
As for what lay beyond the endless sea, the war's benefits remained silent on the matter, though it presumably indicated a larger world—the true world.
The martial dao on the continent was restricted to the golden core due to the martial dao's inherent incomplete nature. The Land Dao Spirit constituted only half of the complete entity, with the other half being the Sky Dao Spirit.
Only when the barrier between heaven and earth dissipated would the Land and the Sky commence their merging.
However, a dilemma emerged—Who would become the true Dao Spirit of this small world? Possessing independent spirituality, neither Dao Spirit wished to be consumed by the other. They both aspired to become part of the great dao and continue their respective paths.
‘Tsk tsk, the nature of living beings. Whether they're born with a golden spoon or a wooden ladle, both never cease desiring more and always seek something better,’ Niu Chang mused. He observed that the so-called Land and Sky Dao Spirits were no different from ordinary mortals, each harboring their own selfish desires.
As the spiritual representation of the continent, the Land Dao Spirit was naturally aware of everything unfolding within the Land.
Thus, it detected the presence of the reincarnator, Niu Chang, yet it remained helpless due to the novice protection bestowed upon reincarnators.
The system agency had indeed performed well in this aspect.
Hence, the Land Dao Spirit merely kept a watchful eye on him. Primarily, it did so because this otherworldly soul bore a heavy restriction as an unwelcome intruder.
As time passed, Niu Chang's luck and fortune exhibited a peculiar surge.
This could either benefit the Land or bring it to irreversible harm.
Therefore, the Land Dao Spirit observed intently as this madman threaded his path towards immortality.
With every decision he made, the Land Dao Spirit's favorability toward him dwindled.
Eventually, Niu Chang crossed a boundary he shouldn't have.
Being the proprietor of the Land and a Dao Spirit, it possessed acute sensitivity toward any threat to its existence within its domain. Thus, when Niu Chang completed his information of the saints—the highest power on the continent—a mere spark sufficed to set events into motion.
He mentally declared his intention to conquer the continent to be his personal property, as an energy source.
All these events converged, leading to his downfall and his entrapment within this void of emptiness.
‘What a cheapskate. You originated from the dao. How could you resist your fate of being subjugated by someone stronger?’ Niu Chang complained about the egoistic mindset of the Land Dao Spirit.
He could perceive an alternate perspective: if he were the conventional main character in this tale, he would have teamed up with the Land Dao Spirit to oppose the Sky Dao Spirit's invasion. Ultimately, through a 'friendly' pact, he would have contracted with the Land Dao Spirit to become its master before vanquishing the Sky Dao Spirit.
‘What a splendid story,’ Niu Chang snorted, despite lacking a physical nose to do so.
‘The plot is impressive,’ Niu Chang nodded as he absorbed the comprehensive information about the continent in the most intimate manner. He could envision himself embarking on the journey of a mundane man who cared for others and resisted the grip of fate.
From Yellow Soil Village to Yellow Village, then onward to Heichen City, and finally to the Gray Bamboo Province.
Encountering the original Child of Divine Fire, who had already been captured by the Supreme Heaven Sect, and joining forces with the Heavenly Demon Cult to thwart their domination of the entire Southern Region.
Delving deeper into other regions only to amass more fateful encounters: powerful cultivation techniques, encounters with new women to be added to his harem, acquisition of mystical artifacts, and numerous other thrilling narratives that lacked the true essence of real life.
A monotonous expedition existing solely to amuse readers, downplaying everyone and everything merely to serve the story's purpose—an insignificant conflict designed to engage the reader's mind.
‘What a load of bullshit!’ Niu Chang spat out.
‘Is it all just for dramatic effect and mental gratification? Do they regard everyone as fools as long as they are chosen as the ones to transmigrate and reincarnate?!’
An anger surged within him, images of endless low-quality novels flashing in his mind. Those lengthy and uneventful story resolutions that left no sense of fulfillment at the conclusion, only fostering resentment and disdain.
However, as he recollected how many praised and even romanticized such thought-provoking tales, Niu Chang's anger gradually subsided. He gleaned something from his own journey.
Offering a self-deprecating chuckle at his own expense, he recognized that the story he genuinely desired to read was even more subpar than the stories he despised.
A protagonist devoid of empathy and resourceful, check.
A plotless journey devoid of substance, check.
A rational supporting character and conflict, check.
Ultimately, what remained was this solitary consciousness within the depths of nonexistence.
‘Even after becoming the main character in my own tale, the path I chose wasn't conducive to effective storytelling, for nothing proved worth following and staying around.’
A laughter reverberated within the void of emptiness, devoid of joy, sorrow, or any emotions. The true intention remained concealed within this emptiness.