In the depths of his sleep, Yi Chang drifted far beyond the confines of his rented apartment, his consciousness swept away into the vast recesses of his past. It was not a mere recollection; it was as though he had returned to the very moment of his birth in the Endless World, reliving it with an intense clarity. In the dream, the heavens above the Endless World churned with boundless spiritual qi, the firmament trembling as though the world itself was preparing for something monumental. A radiant glow suffused the sky, brighter than a thousand suns. From the heart of the cosmos, a great force stirred—ancient, omnipotent, and overwhelming.
Yi Chang's soul was born from this force, not as a fragile infant but as a manifestation of the Heavenly Dao itself. As he emerged from the cosmos-chaos looking like a new human infant, the space of Endless World seemed to bend and shattering in his presence. The Heavenly Dao—the unspoken laws governing all existence—shuddered, acknowledging his birth.
The world erupted in response. The skies seemed to have opened with a cold eye glowing with divine symbols that none could comprehend, appearing in the sky looking at Yi Chang with a soothing eye. In every direction, powerful cultivators, beasts, and even the phoenixes and dragons felt the tremors of his arrival. From all over the Endless world, beings were drawn toward the great phenomenon. The skies themselves seemed to hum with reverence, and the earth trembled beneath their feet. as if kneeling before the new child of heaven.
Beings of immense power gathered at the edges of this vast phenomenon, looking on with awe. Ancient Dao Lord who had not shown themselves for millennia, all were drawn to witness the birth of the one crafted from the essence of the Heavenly Dao. His mere presence radiated a power beyond Immortal comprehension, a force that bound the laws of chaos and cosmos together.
As Yi Chang's infant form hovered in the cosmic void, his body was infused with pure cosmic qi, an energy so dense and potent that it caused the very fabric of the universe to vibrate. It was as though the world itself was offering him its essence, celebrating his existence. His eyes opened for the first time, and in that instant, the heavens erupted with a brilliance that blinded even the strongest of the gathered spectators.
The memory was visceral. Yi Chang could feel the power coursing through him as it had that very day, a torrent of raw energy beyond the comprehension of ordinary beings. His every breath drew in the essence of creation, shaping his path as a transcendent existence, far removed from the limitations of lesser beings.
The gathered Immortals had looked on, some with awe, others with envy. But none could deny the truth: a being of unparalleled destiny had been born.
Yi Chang's mind swam in the magnificence of that moment, but then a sudden jolt surged through his body.
He was pulled violently from the dream, his eyes snapping open, his breath caught. His body felt like it was on fire, but it wasn't the heat of physical discomfort—it was power, surging uncontrollably through his veins. His heart pounded, his skin felt electrified, and in an instant, he realized what was happening.
His Chaos-Cosmos Coherent Cultivation Technique had activated autonomously while he slept, working tirelessly even as his consciousness wandered in dreams. It had drawn in qi—no, not just any qi. This was something deeper, more primal, as if it existed beyond the regular flow of spiritual energy. It felt... nonexistent then brought into existence, yet overwhelming.
A storm of invisible energy gathered in his dantian, spiraling wildly. His meridians thrummed, barely able to contain the immense force rushing through them. Yi Chang's breathing became ragged as his cultivation surged beyond control. He could feel his Qi Gathering Realm trembling, his body at the precipice of another breakthrough.
Then it hit.
With a sharp crack of energy, like a dam breaking, Yi Chang shattered into the 6th Stage of Qi Gathering. His body shook as the qi in his dantian condensed and expanded, taking on a form that defied explanation. The qi absorbed during his slumber was nothing like the ordinary spiritual energy of this lower plane—it was denser, darker, as though it belonged to the realm of non-existence itself.
As his body settled, Yi Chang sat up, his eyes gleaming with newfound clarity. His Chaos-Cosmos Coherent Cultivation Technique had absorbed something far beyond the meager spiritual qi of this plane, yet he had no clear understanding of its origin. It was as if the universe had momentarily bent its rules, allowing him to tap into a power that no one else could touch.
He breathed deeply, the surge of qi in his body calming. His cultivation had not only progressed, but his dantian felt fuller, more refined. He had reached the 6th Stage without any conscious effort.
"Where did that qi come from?" he murmured to himself, his thoughts racing. "That was not any qi, it the qi my technique transform all qi I cultivate into, I thought it shouldn't be in existence, how does it come by that I absorb it unconsciously, I am not liking this"
Yi Chang's gaze darkened, his mind swirling with thoughts. His dream had stirred memories, but the mysterious qi he had just absorbed further worsened his mood. Although his cultivation had increased, he didn't like the manner in which it had occurred. With a deep sigh, he pushed the thoughts aside for now and rose to his feet.
After freshening up, he decided it was time to further integrate himself into the world, starting with the campus life at ZA University. The sooner he blended in, the easier it would be to execute his plans. Yi Chang left the apartment and made his way to the university grounds.
Upon arriving, his eyes immediately caught sight of Liang Huiyan, who had just stepped out of his sleek, black sports car. Dressed in his usual stylish attire, Liang Huiyan exuded confidence, drawing attention from students all around. The female students gazed at him with infatuation and greed, while many of the male students looked on with envy or jealousy, fearing his influential family and power.
Liang Huiyan, ever the center of attention, enjoyed the moment. He flashed a charming smile, soaking in the admiration from the crowd, but when his gaze landed on Yi Chang, his expression brightened even more.
"Yi Chang!" Liang called out enthusiastically, making his way through the throng of students toward him.
Yi Chang inclined his head in acknowledgment as Liang approached. "Liang Huiyan," he greeted.
"Heading to class?" Liang asked, falling in step beside him.
"Yes, Business Management," Yi Chang replied, although he was majoring in Chinese History, his minor was in Business Management, so he often found himself attending those lectures.
"Ah, same here," Liang said, clearly pleased with the coincidence. "I've recently transferred into Business Management. Fast-tracked, thanks to my family's connections," he added with a casual shrug. "It's a much better fit for me, and ZA University's Business program is top-tier. Figured it's good for future leadership and all."
Yi Chang gave a nod, though his thoughts remained distant, barely focused on the conversation.
As they approached the lecture hall, Liang turned slightly toward him. "By the way, have you decided whether you'll attend the auction?"
Yi Chang glanced at him with mild curiosity. "Auction?"
"Yeah, it's a charity auction being organized by my cousins for our grandfather's birthday. It's going to be a grand event, maybe some really interesting items up for bid. You should come."
Yi Chang considered this for a moment. An auction organized by Liang's powerful family was bound to attract influential figures. It could serve as an opportunity to observe some of the high-ranking individuals in this world, a chance to assess their worth and power.
"surely, I'll give it a good thought," Yi Chang said, his tone measured.
Liang Huiyan smiled brightly. "Great! I'll save you a seat with me. It's for a good cause, after all. Plus, it's always fun to see what rare treasures they pop up this year"
Yi Chang gave a noncommittal nod as they continued the lecture hall together, though his mind was already churning with possibilities. Whatever treasures were presented at the auction, none could compare to the true power he sought. Nonetheless, he decided it might be worthwhile to attend such a gathering.