Gu Erin was waiting comfortably in the tense atmosphere; he did not pay any attention to the glares and cautious looks the Blood Jackets were giving him. In his mind he was thinking about his first steps in Haymire, first he would have to gather everyone together. Although they would all start int the same town, it didn't mean they would start in the same place in that town. Gu Erin couldn't explain further unless he wanted to sound crazy, so he settled with just sharing the towns name.
Once he got to Haymire he would no doubt have to find a way to gather his people without having any desperate tagalongs. After that he would have to go to the Temple of the Heavens, it was the neutral party that governed over everything within Heaven's Mercy. No federation, kingdom, or empire would dare oppose the Heaven's within its own domain.
However, just as Gu Erin was about to go deeper into thought on how to accomplish this matter, that's when it finally happened… yes this was that feeling. It was only till after Heaven's Mercy that he knew how much of a blessing it was to be touched by the will of the Heaven's. Normally this would only happen indirectly when one undergoes a tribulation.
Yet every being on Earth had the Heaven's themselves touch them. Not willing to let such a boon slip through his fingers once again, he fell deeper into meditation.
He did not pay attention to the petrified Blood Jackets. Although the phenomena that just occurred seemed to stretch on for an eternity for the common man, for Gu Erin it was a different story. The Heaven's Will crashed against his Dao heart, seeking to implant a seed of the Heaven's own Dao spirit. Gu Erin did not resist this process. But ,unlike others who would let the Dao spirit go to waste, as most of it could not hold to a weak will or heart. Gu Erin took direct control and assimilated all of the Dao spirit not letting any of it go, then his attention turned outward. Afterall the excess of Dao spirit from the people around him would be enough to foster several geniuses in a small sect.
Without any hesitation Gu Erin opened his heart and let the Heaven's Dao spirit enter like a damn opening its floodgates. Gu Erin smiled as he felt more of the Heaven's will gather around him. Like starving men finally finding a steak in a desolate wasteland, the Heaven's leftover Dao spirit rushed to Gu Erin.
Gu Erin found his will being hammered as his mind nearly shattered, after all nothing good came free in this world. The Heaven's will was too vast and far too dense for any mortal. Just as quickly Gu Erin shut his Dao heart from the world, and he only felt a searing pain as the frantic Dao spirit slammed against his heart and will.
Gentle enticements of power and promises of greatness seemed to whisper themselves into his ears. Gu Erin felt cold sweat form all over his body as the taste of iron filled his mouth as he bit his own lip, the pain helping his will remain firm, as he suffered through small illusions.
He was a king, a villain, a hero, a god, every ounce of Gu Erin's being screamed for this power. But, with a heaving gasp Gu Erin broke out of the illusion brought upon him by the rampant Dao spirits. Allowing him to hear the voice of the Heaven's within his mind.
This voice was perfectly monotone and sounded like countless people talking at the same time,, each word like an echo of power vast enough to crush any being that dared not listen.
[Attention Humans of the World 'Earth'.]
[You are about to be transported to Heaven's Mercy whereupon you shall be able to gain the power needed to acclimate to your world after your stay in Heaven's Mercy.]
[The Heavens does not force its will upon anyone. You will be given the option to decline or accept this offer. You have one 'Earth' hour to decide.]
[59:59]
[59:58]
[59:57]
Gu Erin smiled; it was not a kind smile. He did not know who or what gave him this second shot at life, but this time he would change the fate of his world and the ones he loved. He already knew the first steps that must be taken.
He turned his attention back to the still frozen Blood Jackets, slowly Gu Erin stood up, the very motion feeling like a taboo in the absolute stillness of the world.
Not willing to waste any further time Gu Erin spoke, his words like thunder. "Well will you accept my offer? I will give you all a chance to gain power beyond your comprehension if you follow me." Gu Erin asked smoothly.
However, as he finished speaking even he paused. His voice, something was wrong. Gu Erin felt the world around him, his sense reaching a new peak as the planet was slowly being filled with qi, and the laws of the world started to take form. But, Gu Erin felt like he was the very center of everything. The laws swirled around him like dancing spirits staying just out of reach, taunting him playfully.
However, to the Blood Jackets who just nearly had their mind collapse from the pressure emitted by the Heaven's, now found themselves pressured once again. However, unlike the Heaven's which felt like a gentle giant, Gu Erin's pressure felt like a toddler wielding a sword. His aura was sharp and domineering, they felt their very consciousness shake.
A few of the blood Jackets fell to the ground, sweat forming on their brows, all of them were cursing in their hearts, they were in the presence of a monster, and they had welcomed him in the front door thinking they had the power. Although this thought was wrong, most of them believed now that Gu Erin was a powerful being that was simply playing with them.
Kei Jiahao, was equally nervous, but, there was another, more prominent emotion starting to surface. This emotion was a combination of greed, desire, and awe, with a hint of respect in it. This, this is what he wanted. This was the ideal and goal of the Blood Jackets he created, to seek power above everything.
With a trembling smile he answered Gu Erin. "Y-Yes of course we'll follow young master Gu from now on." He was unhesitant as he threw away any chances of leading. But, even if he was unwilling what was he supposed to do? If Gu Erin just kept speaking they might just pass out from the mental strain.
Gu Erin during this time was examining his aura, he did not even acknowledge Kei Jiahao's answer. Instead, he felt how unrestrained and domineering his aura had become. Inlaid with unattuned Dao spirits his aura reflected his being. It was sharp, unwavering, and filled with confidence. Confidence that portrayed if anyone or anything defied it that it would be quickly disposed of.
Gu Erin tried his best to pull in this aura but found it more difficult than expected. Not willing to waste time he turned back to Kei Jiahao and the Blood Jackets. "Call James first, then I will give you your instructions."
Kei Jiahao nodded, his shaking hands doing their best to radio James to come back. The connection was filled with static as the qi already started to transform the base rules of the Earth, but the message was received, no doubt breaking a transfixed James out of his revelry.
When James finally returned he looked like a man who had seen it all, and Gu Erin could not blame him, after all he had seen it as well in his last life, and he still could remember it vividly.
"Now that everyone is gathered, I will give you your directions." Gu Erin paused looking over the crowd to make sure all of them were paying attention. But, this was unnecessary in the end as they all looked at Gu Erin like a bunch of lost children.
"You will accept the offer; you will state it firmly in your mind. Once you do you will be transported to a blank space. Once there you will be presented with options on where to enter Heaven's Mercy. Everyone must choose a town called Haymire, it's near the capital of the Flood Dragon Kingdom.
"Now this is my first mission for you."
Once the word mission was mentioned, all the lost eyes turned sharp, years of training and countless life and death struggles breaking through the absurdity of the situation. Seeing this Gu Erin nodded and smiled inwardly, he was not mistaken.
"Your first mission is to travel around Haymire, and call out for anyone belonging to North Spirit Dojo and Sword Rain Pavilion, these people will be apart of my organization as well. So, treat them fairly, but if any of them cause trouble." Gu Erin's eyes turned Icey. "You can leave them, if they follow after that… kill them with whatever you have on hand. You will not be able to take anything but the clothes on your back"
Hu Erin's cold voice made the entire group feel like they were plunged into ice, but none of them had a problem with this. They had killed for less, and now that everything was uncertain, taking chances was foolish.
"Make sure to call out for your own subordinates, along with the Gu Family, as well as the Ponzu High School." Gu Erin looked around making sure there was not an ounce of confusion. "Are there any questions that will not waste time. You have less than an hour to get things ready otherwise."
Kei Jiahao tried to speak, but ended up clearing his throat before trying again. "Where do we go once we have gathered."
Gu Erin smiled, indeed he had not mentioned this, but in a small petty way, he was testing Kei Jiahao, although he needed subordinates, he needed leaders more. "Good, you will head towards the tallest building in Haymire, it is the Temple of the Heavens. Be there as quickly as possible, we will leave that place by the end of the day. Anything else?"
Kei Jiahao shook his head, and nobody else spoke. So, within Gu Erin's mind he forced his will behind two words.
"I accept."
With a flash of light Gu Erin disappeared from his place leaving a stunned group of Blood Jackets, before they all burst into motion. Although they couldn't bring anything with them, that would not stop them from bringing their promising subordinates. Although most were gathered, facing this situation Kei Jiahao thought it best to gather even a few of the Blood Jacket's more questionable assets. Even if they were not officially apart of their organization the Blood Jackets still had ties to a few free lancers that might be willing to pledge if given the chance.
***
Within a blank space of pure light, a single panel of light stood, indescribable characters that fled one's mind filled it. But, one would understand its meaning no matter the dialect. In fact, it was this point that gave another boon, Gu Erin knew now that viewing this tablet was the point in which allowed all humans of Earth to understand any and all languages. Which is why the Situ Clan went to great efforts to make sure to enslave most of Earth's population.
Gu Erin looked at the endless list that overlapped the panel of light, to his relief he found Haymire and selected it without hesitation.
***
Fate's soundless screech echoed across existence, for the first, yet second time, as It had its restored web shatter again. Having saved a portion of its power it immediately found Chaos's inheritor, yet it could not do anything as he was still on a planet under the protection of the Universal Laws. Worse yet once it lifted the Heaven's will safeguard it, denying Fate its chance to metaphorically tear Gu Erin a new one.
The smallest of changes of the fate of an insect could make the web shatter, change the outcome of hundreds of people? One could only imagine the amount of backlash this would have on Fate.
At the same moment, Chaos who was still residing in the chaotic cosmic energy was laughing heartily as the Heaven's presence hovered nearby. No doubt if the Heaven's had a body it would be giving Chaos the side eye with an exasperated expression.
The Heavens could only give a nonexistent sigh as it knew that all existence was about to undergo a great upheaval, yet it couldn't help but feel a slight twinge of excitement.