In the vast expanse of her domain, an immortal figure occupied a regal throne, presiding over the intricate tapestry of existence that unfolded endlessly before her. This deity, a ruler of cosmic proportions, wielded dominion over a realm she had secured through countless wars and ceaseless conquests.
Her domain starkly contrasted with the conventional planes abiding by the universe's natural laws. She paid no heed to such conventions. While other realms consisted mainly of empty space, celestial bodies, and planets, hers wasn’t. She continually pilfered planets, smaller realms, and sometimes entire worlds, molding them to suit her desires.
The result was an expansive land stretching beyond the boundaries of sight—an immense world seamlessly curved back upon itself. This plane teemed with blood, fire, demons, ghosts, and other entities born from the countless acts of slaughter across the multiverse. It featured regions of icy desolation, towering bone mountains, and other nightmarish landscapes.
This was Hell, and she was its ruler. Her birth name, billions of years ago, was Morgan Darkshadow. Across the multiverse, however, she was known as something else. Something that very few dared say the name out loud as they feared angering the gods above.
The Infernal Sovereign.
Perched upon her throne, she received an intelligence briefing from one of her innumerable subordinates. "My esteemed Infernal Sovereign," the messenger began, "The Architect's latest plane has finally stabilized. Two anomalies have manifested, and we anticipate a third and fourth emergence. Given the realm's modest size, it is unlikely that additional anomalies will materialize."
The Infernal Sovereign leaned forward, her eyes blazing with an otherworldly intensity. "Anomalies, you say? Interesting. Tell me more about these ones."
The cultivator continued, "The first anomaly is a mortal from the new realm, displaying extraordinary talents in manipulating the natural elements, and like everyone else, he escaped the Architect's systematic influence. The second is a soul that has strayed from its intended course for the afterlife realms and now roams freely, gathering knowledge and power, traversing through all the planes as if the barriers did not exist."
The Infernal Sovereign's lips curled into a sinister smile. "These anomalies could prove to be valuable tools in my grand design. Monitor their progress closely. After all, if one of them can help me eliminate that manipulative fuck and acquire his boundless realm, it's a victory for me."
As the attendant departed to carry out its orders, the Infernal Sovereign's gaze turned to the vast expanse of her hellish realm. She contemplated the possibilities these anomalies might bring and the chaos they could unleash within the Architect's meticulously constructed universe, just like every other had before them.
Curiosity piqued, she opened the report about the mortal man and began to peruse its contents. It was surprisingly brief, indicating that Tyler Reed had appeared in the Architect's newest realm half a year ago. However, the tale it told intrigued her greatly.
In an unusual turn of events, Tyler Reed had come into contact with one of the recipients of an ancient legacy from a Cosmic Sovereign under her dominion. This legacy was lost to time during one of the great wars.
More precisely, Tyler had interacted with the Sword Slave of said recipient. Unfortunately, that Sword Slave met his demise at the hands of one of the Architect's puppets. Such an outcome was expected; after all, Soul Shattering cultivators were powerless against Ascendants.
The report also delved into the reported power level of Tyler Reed, and this particular detail caught her attention. While anomalies rejoined the Architect's plane with their own soul palace, only some developed divine sense before reaching the Qi Transformation realm. An even smaller fraction of those individuals attained a domain before reaching the Sea Formation stage.
The last one who had done so had passed the Second Step and reached the Primordial Awakening stage a few million years ago. At that time, he had established his own realm within the plane belonging to one of the other Transcendent Divinities like herself. She needed to acquire a new underling capable of taking that Third Step. It had been way too long.
Thinking on this, she sent a command to her subordinate before returning to the ongoing war in the void between the planes as her forces clashed with The Architect’s, the Holy Trinities’, the Eternals, and the Void Gods.
***
Deep within the territories controlled by the Phantom Legion on Earth, Slaughter Incarnate awoke from his latest cultivating session. A singular message reached him, commanding his attention even as an Ascendant.
While most cultivators of the Second Step, like himself, had long transcended their interest in a realm as insignificant as Earth, he would have to postpone his journey into the Wilds for a few more years.
A new mission awaited him. This mission would enable him to sever the remaining tethers to the System, allowing him to ascend to the ranks of the Infernal Legion and truly embrace his path once he stepped into the wilds. Muttering under his breath, he spoke, "Tyler Reed."
Utilizing his divine sense, Slaughter Incarnate reached out to inspect the various objects within his subterranean palace. He meticulously surveyed the status of every treasure weapon he was nurturing, seeking the one that had recently met its demise. Before long, he located it.
Slaughter Incarnate's face contorted with a mixture of annoyance and contempt as he remembered that place. Veridian Peaks, Sword Sect, and the individual responsible for disrupting his plans. He grumbled, "So it was that annoying climate activist. If I hadn't been limited by the system, he would've died long ago, along with everyone else on this godforsaken planet."
He extended his hand in an instant, and a blood-red spear materialized from thin air. The weapon emitted eerie wails as if countless trapped souls were crying out from within it. The spear represented the depths of his power and the malevolent force he was ready to unleash.
With a renewed sense of purpose and an insatiable desire for greater power, Slaughter Incarnate decided to reemerge into the world. His extended absence since his imprisonment in the Icy Plains and the departure of the Ice Queen for the wilds had left him hungry for action.
The true origin of slaughter remained a tantalizing mystery, and he believed that immersing himself in senseless wars for a few decades might finally provide the enlightenment he sought.
During his forthcoming crusade, he considered recruiting that mortal named Tyler Reed. After all, he had been given orders by a Law Incarnation subordinate of the Infernal Sovereign, and it would be unwise to disregard the directives of someone whose path aligned so closely with his own.
***
Maximus Freeman surveyed his vast domain, stretching across the territories of the Americas. He reached out with his consciousness to check on every one of his loyal spirit beasts, and the various plants and wildlife growing within his inner world, considering his next course of action.
While he was also eager to leave Earth, his departure would have to wait until he fully recovered and when his daughter reached the Ascendant stage or the end of her own path.
Among his spirit beasts, a hawk named Little Bird screeched loudly, signaling its awareness of Maximus's presence. A bear, roused from its fifty-year hibernation, roared with newfound vitality. A wolf howled into the skies, and even a beaver's domain shook as it reestablished its connection with its benefactor.
Among Maximus Freeman's loyal spirit beasts, a young panther stood out as an exception. This spirit beast resided within its own misty domain, several hundred kilometers from Maximus's current location.
Inside this secluded realm, the panther diligently tended to the wounds of its cub, which had recently been given a name by the man beside it. That man was Tyler Reed, who rested on a bed, recuperating from his own severe injuries.
As the days passed, Daredevil made a remarkable recovery. His once-injured leg had fully regenerated, allowing him to stand and move freely once more. Despite his physical recovery, the young cub appeared to be in a somber state. It rarely strayed from Tyler's side, and no matter how hard Daredevil tried, he couldn't reestablish the connection with Tyler's inner world as he had done before.
Tyler remained in a state that was neither life nor death. He continued to breathe, and his soul remained intact, but it was as if he existed in a distant realm, far removed from his surroundings.
The cub's keen instincts told him that Tyler was not lost forever, but something had changed within the man, which would require time to fix.
Daredevil's father had conveyed that he could no longer delay; it was time for him to journey to Sword King Mountain and meet his fellow spirit beasts. With a deep sense of responsibility, Daredevil lifted Tyler's unconscious body onto his back, his determination pushing him forward despite his youth.
Traveling toward Serenity Lake was challenging, especially for a young spirit beast carrying a substantial load. Nevertheless, Daredevil pressed on.
Arriving near the shores of the lake and gazing up at the towering Sword King Mountain in the distance, Daredevil felt a mix of emotions as he was separated from his parents and sister for the first time.
They left him with one single piece of information: Tyler needed time to recover, and the only people he was familiar with had relocated to the York Empire. With this knowledge in hand, Daredevil stood at the precipice of a new chapter in his journey, ready to face the challenges and mysteries ahead.
With determination in his heart and a strong desire to aid Tyler in his recovery, Daredevil set his sights on the York Empire, guided by the suggestion of his parents and their benefactor. The young spirit beast couldn't understand why Maximus had chosen not to help Tyler and instead sent him on this journey.
Fueled by anger and resolve, Daredevil embarked on his journey toward the York Empire, determined to find a man named Tanaka Ryuji and seek assistance for Tyler's recovery. He believed that answers and aid awaited him in the empire, and he was determined to do whatever it took to help his injured friend.
Days turned into weeks as a young panther with fur as dark as night silently traveled through the Veridian Peaks' forests as winter slowly settled in. Its dark blue eyes were ever so vigilant.
Daredevil continued his journey toward the York Empire. He displayed a remarkable level of care and responsibility toward Tyler. At regular intervals, he would pause to hunt for sustenance, ensuring that Tyler was hidden safely from any potential threats high up in a tree or nestled between the protective roots of a larger tree. Luckily, the man's heart had been tempered, and the cold-biting winter winds had no effect on him.
His keen senses and heightened awareness guided him safely to the outskirts of Veridian Peaks, near a mortal village, after a month of careful travel. As he approached the town, he sensed a peculiar fluctuation from Tyler's soul, almost as if it was imploring him to aid the inhabitants. This unusual connection urged Daredevil to investigate further.
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The flicker of life within his benefactor was a glimmer of hope, and Daredevil was determined not to waste this opportunity to do something Tyler asked of him. With renewed purpose, he continued to observe and assess the situation in the mortal village, ready to act as needed, as Tyler was kept nice and safe on a nearby tree.
Daredevil stood guard for three full days, carefully observing everything when he noticed it. A single cultivator in the early stages of Qi Transformation had taken up residence in the village, exploiting these mortals. The depravity the young cub witnessed made him recoil in disgust, and it understood what Tyler had wanted.
A thick mist enveloped the entire village one fateful night, shrouding it in an eerie silence. By morning, the villagers woke up to astonishing news: the oppressive cultivator who called himself the Whirling Spear had met a gruesome end.
None knew how or why it happened, but a child's account told of a large cat with deep, dark blue eyes emerging from the mist the previous night, devouring the malevolent cultivator and leaving behind only his severed head.
Daredevil had fulfilled Tyler's unspoken plea for help, and the spirit beast couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment when he felt Tyler's soul relax, knowing that his actions had relieved the villagers from their tormentor.
He adopted a vigilant and noble mission as he continued his journey through the York Empire. At each village he encountered, he patiently waited and observed, ensuring that the mortal inhabitants were treated kindly and fairly.
Whenever malevolent cultivators threatened or oppressed the mortals, Daredevil acted swiftly, defending them and eliminating the oppressors if it was within his abilities. Tyler's soul reacted each time Daredevil intervened, expressing gratitude for protecting innocent lives.
Over time, a legend began to spread throughout the York Empire’s mortal cities—a legend of a benevolent spirit beast who stood as a guardian of mortal life, shielding them from the malevolence of rogue cultivators.
Daredevil became a symbol of hope and protection. His name was whispered with reverence and gratitude by those whose lives he touched.
These actions went unnoticed by the powerful York Empire sects, but the smaller, local sects were extremely vigilant. Many of the cultivators who had perished were either their disciples or closely affiliated with them.
In a matter of days, Daredevil was set to arrive at the destination his parents had assigned him: a city renowned as the second wealthiest in the Americas, only surpassed by the Heartlands. Situated beyond the expansive Great Lakes and near the heart of the York Empire's domain, this city bore the name of its empire, York.
However, before reaching his destination, Tyler's soul exhibited another surge, this time far more potent than before, laden with a profound dread and caution.
Seeing as his benefactor's instincts and warnings had always proven correct, Daredevil stopped and observed his surroundings. As usual, he carefully placed Tyler in a concealed hideout and maintained a vigilant watch while ensuring his benefactor's safety.
Several days passed without any noteworthy events, and for the first time, the panther cub began questioning Tyler's instincts and suspicions about this place. Nevertheless, he remained steadfast in his mission, standing guard unwaveringly.
During the months of travel, Tyler succeeded in reconstructing his soul body. His inner world remained intact, with his powers within it remaining untarnished. However, his soul body had previously been overwhelmed and vanished following the last assault, with his physical form succumbing to the injuries inflicted by the True Essence.
After an entire month, his divine sense gradually resurfaced. At that crucial moment, he detected the wrongdoing of a cultivator and attempted to establish communication with Daredevil.
Fortunately, their connection remained incredibly strong, and the panther cub comprehended his intent, bringing joy to Tyler's heart.
He continued to monitor his own situation, striving to unravel its mysteries while the panther cub tirelessly thwarted malevolent cultivators. With each passing day, his soul continued to mend, and his body grew more robust, nourished by the natural energies of the world.
While he couldn't grasp the underlying reasons or mechanisms, it became evident that his body no longer required sustenance. This development, he was sure, typically didn't manifest until reaching the Soul Shattering stage, and after contemplating that fact, he realized that his soul had indeed recently shattered before he had reformed it somehow.
He couldn't explain the exact method, but he was confident that his inner world had played a pivotal role in this process. It felt like this space was an exact duplicate of his entire being, and as long as it remained intact, his soul would unfailingly regenerate. It would perpetually reconstruct itself as long as his soul wasn't ensnared outside of it.
This was the origin of his person, and as long as this origin remained, so would he.
If an Ascendant were present, they might explain to Tyler that this was precisely why those who reached the Second Step were often regarded as Immortals. Unless compelled otherwise or confronted with overwhelming power, they could extend their lifespans almost indefinitely at this juncture.
Amidst his months of introspection, Tyler uncovered a previously unnoticed phenomenon that made him realize he had rushed on his path so far. Had he slowed down and paid closer attention, he surely would not have missed something this obvious, right?
Firstly, due to the expansion of his acupoints, his inner world had assumed the role of his primary Qi reservoir even more so than before. The sensations coursing through his body closely resembled the accounts he had come across in the library, reminiscent of Sea Formation cultivators.
Secondly, as his thoughts progressed to this point, he realized that his entire inner world was encapsulated within a crystalline sphere, resembling the Aperture Strengthening stage as described in his readings.
Thirdly, now that his soul had shattered and reconstituted itself, he pondered whether he was simultaneously progressing through all the stages below Ascendance.
Considering his unique circumstances, he contemplated whether his accelerated cultivation was a natural and anticipated occurrence. Regrettably, he lacked the answer to this enigma.
Unless the Architect himself or someone possessing significantly superior knowledge than what Earth could provide, he would remain in the dark.
Tyler's most recent message to Daredevil conveyed a note of caution and a firm refusal to proceed any further. He could sense it—just a few more kilometers, and they would fall within the range of someone's divine sense, from which he could not escape, and he would be exposed.
His body's state left him utterly defenseless, and he had no intention of subjecting the panther cub to any more peril than it had already faced.
Reflecting on the past months of their journey, Tyler couldn't help but appreciate Daredevil's kindness and consideration. It was the first time in his life that he had leaned so heavily on someone else for everything. It was a sad realization; the first person he had genuinely relied on was a panther cub who was not even 10 years old.
As they nestled within the towering Heartwood tree, Daredevil gradually gathered resources to enhance their makeshift refuge. The panther cub diligently scoured the surroundings, fashioning a protective barrier to shield Tyler from the elements, earning his beneficiary a heartfelt expression of gratitude as Tyler did the same within his inner world.
He fixed the damaged warehouse and erected two more houses with the remaining wood. One for him, one for Daredevil. While this was primarily symbolic, as he couldn’t truly live here, he liked the idea and had plenty of time to spare.
Days transformed into weeks, and weeks stretched into months as winter surrendered to spring.
Enveloped in the sanctum of his inner world for nearly half a year, Tyler, with only his divine sense as a way to communicate with the world, began to unravel the myriad subtleties of his surroundings, secrets once veiled now revealing themselves in profound clarity.
Among these revelations, one particular epiphany struck him in days past.
It was a morning like any other, yet the winds whispering through the woodland carried a unique scent akin to the rejuvenating breath of dawn after a slumberous night. It was akin to the tender caress of the morning's sun, heralding a season of renewal and awakening.
With this ethereal wind came an unexpected miracle - the forest itself began to stir from its winter's dormancy as if it, too, was waking from a dream. Tyler was almost overwhelmed by the immense sense of power within the forest.
The ancient trees embarked anew on their cyclical dance of life, drawing nourishment from a soil now liberated from its snowy shroud. In all their splendor, the fauna returned to their domain, treading with cautious reverence around the formidable Qi Transformation panther, now treading on the late stages of the realm.
Tyler perceived this symphony of life through his divine sense, feeling as though the world itself was slowly opening its eyes after a long nap, greeting the dawn of a new day with a silent but palpable exuberance.
Previously, the true vivacity of the world had eluded Tyler's perception. But in a moment of clarity, he realized that the world around him was not just a backdrop but a living, breathing entity.
In hindsight, the revelation seemed almost obvious. In a realm where flora teemed with incredible power and could articulate thoughts, and cultivators soared through the heavens, the world as a whole being alive was not so far-fetched.
With this newfound understanding, Tyler endeavored to commune with the forest. Yet, day after day, his efforts met with silence, as if he were a stranger speaking an unfamiliar tongue.
Then, on a fateful morning, as he rested upon the ancient tree, a solitary leaf unfurled near him, gently caressing his body. This simple yet profound gesture was more than a mere touch; it was an exchange, a sharing of life.
The leaf, imbued with restorative energies, began to weave its magic. It sought to mend the tenuous thread connecting Tyler's soul to his physical form. This leaf, a solitary emissary of the forest's vast network, was imparting its healing essence, slowly stitching the frayed connection between spirit and flesh.
In this delicate interaction, Tyler found physical rejuvenation and a deeper connection to the world he hadn’t felt before.
Tyler's mind lingered on the possibility that this miraculous healing might be the handiwork of the Ascendant. The man's reputation as a guardian and lover of nature left room for such conjecture.
As Tyler pondered this, a significant event unfolded under the cloak of night. While Daredevil, his trusted companion, was away on a nocturnal hunt, something extraordinary happened. The fragile link between Tyler's body and soul, which had been strained and stretched to its limits, finally mended.
His eyes fluttered open, a gateway to the world he had been detached from for so long.
Expanding his divine sense, Tyler took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the pure, unadulterated essence of nature. He felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude towards the earth and its bounties. The forest had been his sanctuary, his healer. The wood Qi that had been nurturing him played a pivotal role in his recovery. Without this life-sustaining force, his path back to health would have been uncertain.
The pills he had once relied on had long since been exhausted. His gratitude remained unspoken yet profoundly felt. The connection to the earth and its nurturing power had become his lifeline, a testament to the wonders of the natural world and its unseen yet ever-present support.
As Tyler began to stir, his divine senses, now finely attuned to the natural world, picked up the rapid approach of familiar footsteps from over five kilometers away. It was Daredevil, his loyal companion, whose excitement was palpable through their bond.
The panther, sensing the awakening of his benefactor, was rushing back with eagerness. In mere seconds, which seemed to blur into a single moment of anticipation, the silhouette of Daredevil materialized from the forest. The panther employed its mist movement technique, a graceful and almost ethereal manner of travel, to close the distance between them. Emerging from the shroud of mist, Daredevil appeared before Tyler.
"Hey buddy, I'm back," Tyler whispered, his voice rough with relief and warmth. He reached out, his hands gently caressing the sleek fur of the panther. Embracing Daredevil in his arms, there was a profound sense of reunion, a silent exchange of gratitude and affection.
Man and beast, in that moment, shared an unspoken appreciation for each other's existence, their bond strengthened by the trials they had endured and the unyielding loyalty that had sustained them through the darkest of times.
Now at a crossroads in his journey, Tyler was acutely aware that a direct approach to York City was not an option.
After contemplating his situation, Tyler addressed Daredevil with a newfound resolve. "How about we go around helping people for a bit? You know, like those in the mortal villages?" The idea of wandering and aiding those in need appealed to him greatly.
Tyler had grown weary of the relentless scheming and conflict that seemed endemic among the major sects. His experiences had fostered a desire for a simpler, more meaningful purpose for the time being.
Helping the common folk, exploring the vast and varied world around him, and making a positive impact, however small, seemed like a fitting path for him now. It was a chance to step away from the shadows of grand conspiracies and power struggles and find solace in benevolence.
For Tyler, this newfound vocation was more than just a means to while away the hours; it represented a journey of self-discovery and an opportunity to forge connections with the world in a manner he hadn't experienced since his days in the military when he was deployed to help survivors of earthquakes and floods.
But, most importantly, it was a chance to impart to the young panther cub the importance of aiding others. There was still time later to reunite with everyone who had moved out here, should fate will it.