Chapter 39: A Chaotic World
As Jiang Ping awakened, a surge of invigoration coursed through his veins. Despite having only a four-hour slumber, he found himself refreshed. It was as if he had unlocked a new realm of endurance, capable of withstanding months without succumbing to the need for rest.
The morning meal that awaited him, however, proved insipid to his discerning palate. Jiang Ping made a firm inner vow to push himself ceaselessly, recognizing that settling for mediocrity would only confine him to a life of insignificance. The bland breakfast before him failed to satiate his hunger for something extraordinary, prompting him to decisively forgo the uninspiring meal.
Driven by an abrupt surge of determination, he sprang up from his seat, embodying a man possessed by an extraordinary purpose. Today, he would create a spectacle destined to reverberate across the globe, firmly establishing a new world. Unyielding in his commitment, he regarded his initial foray into world creation as a mere trial, a mere rehearsal for the grand stage that awaited him. Jiang Ping harbored no intentions of making a fleeting impact with his second creation; his sights were set on forging an indelible legacy.
Swiftly, he summoned Genesis with a decisive flick, its presence both enigmatic and captivating. The black cover shimmered with golden rivulets, while ethereal runes meandered amidst the pages, evoking a sense of ancient mysticism.
Genesis had accumulated an initial cache of 1200 points over the years—a testament to its enduring efforts. While the creation of the primordial world and its wondrous creatures had exacted a considerable toll, Jiang Ping's elation knew no bounds as he perused the remaining points. To his astonishment, a grin stretched from ear to ear—there were a staggering 2000 points at his disposal!
He scrutinized the figures repeatedly, almost suspecting a mistake. How had his initial investment of a mere hundred points yielded such bountiful returns? A closer examination of Genesis' records unveiled the truth.
The primordial world had thrived for an astounding two billion years, birthing countless species and accumulating boundless energy through the cycle of life and death. Notably, the demise of the world tree, with its multiple acts of nirvana, had fueled the world's sustenance. Furthermore, the deaths of the Nine Generations of Emperors could not be underestimated, their indomitable spirits akin to heroic sagas. And to Jiang Ping's astonishment, the Ant King's fall alone had contributed a substantial 300 points!
"Incredible! Why, this Ant King is a true treasure trove, single handedly compensating for the cost of creating the entire world," Jiang Ping exclaimed, his gaze fixed in awe. Such unanticipated magnificence had left him dumbfounded.
Genesis elucidated the extraordinary nature of the Ant King, elaborating on his celestial defiance. Having shattered multiple limitations, he had tried to kill Jiang Ping in their climactic dimensional clash, even managing to inflict a wound upon his fingertip.
A newfound appreciation for this audacious defector blossomed within Jiang Ping's heart. "If only he were less bloodthirsty and rebellious, I could have nurtured him like I did with Lahil," he mused. With 2000 points at his disposal, the creation of a truly magnificent world now lay within his grasp. Jiang Ping's smile broadened—it seemed his plans were unfurling flawlessly.
Before embarking on the creation of a fresh world, however, he resolved to make meticulous preparations. By transporting matter from reality into the new world, he anticipated delightful surprises and successes akin to those of Lahil.
Once again, Jiang Ping ventured outside, yet this time his steps carried him only a short distance to the nearby pond. At its center, a resplendent white lotus graced the water, captivating his gaze. His eyes sparkled with delight.
"While it may lack the traditional azure hue, this lotus possesses its own allure," Jiang Ping murmured to himself. Rolling up his trousers, he waded into the water, skillfully plucking the largest lotus and its accompanying leaves.
However, his actions attracted the attention of a nearby child who tearfully beseeched his mother to procure a lotus for him as well. Adjacent to the pond, slender willow branches swayed gently in the warm summer breeze.
Drawing inspiration from his past, Jiang Ping effortlessly snapped off a vibrant green willow branch, recalling the satisfying sound of Lahil's body giving way beneath his grasp.
Returning home, he gingerly set the lotus down before rubbing his hands together with mounting anticipation. A touch of madness ignited in his eyes as he contemplated his imminent experiment. "It's merely a gamble! Great investments yield great rewards—that's the fundamental truth," he reassured himself. Having earned so much from a modest expenditure of a hundred points, he pondered the possibilities of amplifying those gains tenfold.
Furthermore, armed with the wisdom gained from his previous foray into world creation and blessed with a lifespan of a thousand years and an impressive margin of error, Jiang Ping embarked on his latest endeavor—a reinterpretation of the mythical realm against the backdrop of ancient prehistoric legends.
Suppressing his mounting excitement, Jiang Ping summoned Genesis, his fingers gingerly caressing its sacred pages. With solemn resolve, he uttered the command, "Initiate Creation!"
In response, Genesis blazed with a divine radiance. "I have received your directive. Please determine the number of origin points to be expended."
Jiang Ping clenched his teeth, his determination unwavering. "2000 points!" he declared firmly.
"Affirmative," Genesis acknowledged, and in a swift flurry, the origin points dissipated, leaving Jiang Ping astounded by the rapid consumption of such a substantial reserve. Little did he realize that this investment would soon propel him to unimaginable heights.
Gradually, an expansive and infinite world unfolded before Jiang Ping's eyes—a nascent cosmos teeming with potential and waiting to be shaped.
"Please establish the rules for this small world," Genesis entreated.
"Chaos, boundless chaos," Jiang Ping began, his voice steady and deliberate. "Three thousand pathways shall form the bedrock of this realm, birthing three thousand chaotic demon gods. Among them, the mightiest of all, the King of Chaos himself—Pangu—shall wield the Sky-Opening Axe to usher in the dawn of creation!"
As Jiang Ping spoke, the rules of the chaotic world materialized, their essence intertwining and evolving within the realm's embryonic core. The faint outlines of the three thousand pathways emerged from the chaos, only to dissolve back into obscurity.
If mortals from future generations were fortunate enough to witness this spectacle, their spirits would undoubtedly soar, the essence of Dao unfolding vividly before their very eyes.
Alas, at present, the presence of even the mighty Pangu remained elusive, let alone any other living beings. Yet, undeterred, Jiang Ping continued his work. Carefully retrieving the lotus he had previously procured, he proceeded to extract the largest egg from the batch gifted by his neighbor's aunt, gently nestling it within the lotus' core. Jiang Ping surveyed his handiwork with profound satisfaction.
"Yes, little one, you may be unaware of the illustrious destiny that awaits you. Nourished by the essence of the Pangu Heavenly King, you shall eventually give birth to countless treasures," Jiang Ping murmured tenderly to the lotus.
With the completion of the Three Thousand Pathways and the establishment of the chaotic world's laws, the entire realm gained newfound stability, warding off the threat of collapse.
"Now that the Three Thousand Pathways have manifested, it is time for the accompanying three thousand demon gods to emerge!" Jiang Ping exclaimed. With a deft motion, he flung the lotus-encased egg into a radiant stream of light, causing it to vanish from the earthly realm, only to reappear in the heart of the chaotic cosmos.
Amidst the multitude of pathways, one particular avenue, emanating strength in its rawest form, swiftly infused itself into the heart of the lotus. This pathway represented the pinnacle of the Three Thousand Pathways—the Path of Strength!
Jiang Ping's endeavors did not cease there. Hastily, he cast the broken willow branch, remnants of his previous actions, into the unfolding chaos. While the viability of this branch's survival remained uncertain, Jiang Ping knew that fortune favored the bold.
"Genesis, mobilize all available gene templates, select the most potent gene fusion, and ensure the full birth of the three thousand demon gods!" Jiang Ping commanded with unwavering authority.
Genesis sprang into action, operating at the limits of its capabilities. An endless cascade of characters erupted from its pages, ultimately transforming into three thousand beams of luminosity that converged upon the chaotic world.
Slowly but surely, the three thousand demon gods materialized within the chaotic realm, each bearing a distinct form and harboring an immense power. Though diverse in appearance, they all emanated an aura of grandeur, embodying the essence of the laws of heaven.
Observing the lotus at the epicenter, Jiang Ping furrowed his brow, sensing that something crucial was amiss. Before he could delve deeper into his thoughts, the entire expanse of chaotic cosmos quivered with unsettling turbulence, as if recoiling from an unseen force. Even the gestating demon gods roared in discomfort.
"What is happening?" Jiang Ping's face paled with alarm. He had invested almost his entire fortune into this venture, and failure at this critical juncture was unthinkable.
Genesis, too, was taken aback. "Master, an unexpected circumstance has arisen!"