Xiao immediately started.
"Ah, lend me your ears, for I have a tale to weave, a tale of the cosmos, an ever-changing tapestry of time and space. Picture, if you will, a universe in constant flux, expanding at an exponential rate, every millennium marking a new chapter in its infinite story. Stars, those celestial sentinels of the night sky, fall like cosmic rain, their brilliant lives extinguished in a blaze of glory. Yet, from their ashes, new planets are born, rising like phoenixes from the stellar debris, each one a testament to the cyclical nature of the cosmos.
But the universe is not just a cradle of life, it is also a vast, uncharted void. An empty canvas, untouched and undeveloped, it stretches out into the unknown, its boundaries ever-expanding, a silent testament to the mysteries that lie beyond our comprehension.
Cataclysmic events, as destructive as they are awe-inspiring, have swept across the universe, eradicating all life in their path. Yet, each time, life has found a way to emerge from the ashes, a testament to its tenacity and resilience."
Ye Chen, with a skeptical look on his face, retorted, "Eeh, what kind of cataclysmic events can wipe out the whole universe, Xiao? Don't think I'll buy that..." His voice trailed off, a hint of disbelief lingering in his tone. He had heard of legends on Earth about the destruction of ancient civilizations by a flood, but those were just stories to him, tales spun by imaginative minds.
Xiao, unfazed by Ye Chen's skepticism, responded calmly, "Ah, Ye Chen, the universe is far more volatile than you might imagine. Let me enlighten you."
"Firstly, consider a high-energy solar flare from our sun. Our sun, as peaceful as it may seem, generates strong magnetic fields that create impressive sunspots, sometimes many times larger than the planet. The most powerful magnetic solar storm documented hit your previous planet Earth in 1859, known as the Carrington Event, causing huge interference with electronic equipment. If such an event were to occur today, it could cause catastrophic damage to this new technology-dependent society.
"Secondly, there are asteroid impacts. We are well aware of the dangers asteroids could pose to humanity – they are, after all, thought to have contributed to the extinction of your fabled dinosaurs. While they would not always destroy planets or even make them uninhabitable, they could wipe out humanity by causing enormous tsunamis, fires, and other natural disasters."
"Lastly, there are cosmic phenomena like supernovae and gamma-ray bursts. These are explosions that occur at the end of a star's life cycle, releasing enormous amounts of energy. If such an event were to occur near a habitable planet, it could potentially wipe out all life."
"So, you see, Ye Chen, the universe is not as benign as it appears. It is a place of constant change and potential danger. But it is also a place of wonder and beauty, a testament to the resilience of life in the face of adversity."
Xiao chuckled, a playful glint in his eyes. "Hehe, so whether you buy it or not is not my problem, Ye Chen! But believe it or not, the universe is a stage where all kinds of things happen, some beyond our wildest imaginations."
He then gestured towards the vast virtual expanse of space visible through the virtual window. "Now, let's talk about the celestial bodies in the universe. Our current location, for instance, is the Terminus planet, nestled in the Western division, a stone's throw away from the enigmatic Heartless Ocean."
Xiao continued, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "This planet is divided into seven major parts: the Eastern, Western, Northern, Southern, Central, Elite Settling, and the Polar regions. Each region has its unique characteristics and mysteries."
His gaze then drifted towards the virtual Polar regions. "The Polar regions are the most mysterious of them all. No one knows what lies there. But from my surveillance, it appears to be some kind of human camp. The Polar region has not been destroyed and is the only region below the Elite's settling standards."
A pause. Then, Xiao added, "The ruler of this region is said to be called Immortal Master Trigram. A fitting name, don't you think, for someone who rules over such a mysterious and intriguing part of the universe?"
Ye Chen, with a look of surprise on his face, interjected, "What, isn't Master Trigram the one who is said to have given us our names, me and my sister? How come he has such a big origin? Isn't he even supposed to be dead by now?" He had heard about Master Trigram and his tarot cards from the villagers. He was said to be an ancient martial artist.
Xiao, with a mysterious smile, replied, "The man is strange to me too. I can't see through him. There is no surveillance of him in the Binary dimension records. Well, there are other planets like the Terminus, but most are uninhabited as the conditions are extreme there. We are at the remotest part of the Andromeda Galaxy where there are more than 10 billion planets with a myriad of stars..."
"Mm-mhm, that is many indeed..." Ye Chen murmured, his eyes wide with wonder.
Xiao continued after the interruption," Yeah, but remember this is just the mortal realm, we haven't even gone to the higher realms yet. There are billions of other galaxies in the mortal realm like the Antennae Galaxies, Backward Galaxy, Bear Paw Galaxy, Black Eye Galaxy, Whirlpool Galaxy, Sombrero Galaxy, Cartwheel Galaxy, Butterfly Galaxies, Milky Way Galaxy, etc..."
"Eeeh, can you tell me more about the Milky Way please?" Ye Chen asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Hehehe, your burial place of course," Xiao chuckled. "Mm, let me see. It's a vast galaxy that I can't finish talking about, but as for your home planet, you already know about it, I guess. You can do some research too. There is more time for learning, but for now, what you already know is enough for you."
---
"So, Xiao. If I want to advance and be strong, what division should we choose?" The question hung in the air, a weighty decision that could shape their futures. His uncertainty mirrored the doubts of many, unsure which path held the most promise.
Xiao considered, his eyes scanning the horizon. "I suggest we go to the Polar region," he replied. "The conditions there are better suited for growth and strength."
"But how long will it take to reach there?" Ye Chen's voice wavered, fear creeping in.
"Approximately 83 days on foot," Xiao calculated. "If we maintain a pace of approximately 3 miles per hour, that means we'll need to travel for 8 hours per day throughout the journey. In total, that's around 10,000 kilometers or roughly 2,000 hours of travel."
The response was met with incredulity. "Aah Xiao, never mind then. We can just stay back here and wait to die at forty then," Ye Chen chuckled nervously. "10,000 kilometers? Are you joking with me? Let alone the rough terrain, the journey alone is already frightening."
Xiao's eyes narrowed. "Boss, you're such a coward," he retorted. "That's just a small stretch. Imagine going to higher universes, where you'll have to travel at 10,000 miles per hour for hundreds of years from one town to another. How naive."
Ye Chen hesitated. "Wait, are you serious? Why would I go to higher realms? I'd rather stay here in Terminus. At least I won't have to travel such long distances." The thought of spending a century on the road was daunting, even for someone seeking strength.
Xiao smirked. "Sometimes, the greatest opportunities lie beyond our comfort zones," he said cryptically. "But if you'd rather stay put, perhaps you'll find your path right here."