"System? Are you there?" Riley asked.
"Affirmative, host," the system replied.
"Why do I get the feeling that all my rewards are kinda op? Will this always be the case, or am I just imagining things?" he asked again.
"Negative, host. The system is a gift for your new life. Thus, all the rewards you have received and will receive in the future will always be peak-tier. You were destined to rule this multiverse, and you may wield your powers as you wish. Whether you destroy it or create new multiverses, the choice lies entirely with you. There will be no repercussions, as even now, you are the apex hunter of the cosmic hierarchy," the system replied at length.
"I see. Thank you, System," Riley nodded. The truth in the system's words was undeniable. Even with just his Soul Dominion Technique, he could effortlessly subdue a true immortal powerhouse.
Who could possibly stand in his way?
The most powerful cultivation experts in the multiverse were already bowing to him, licking his feet, and calling him 'Master.'
"Anyway, do you have a name, System?" Riley asked, addressing what he felt was a pressing matter. Referring to it as merely 'System' felt impersonal.
"Negative, host. I have neither feelings nor emotions, so a name is unnecessary. However, you may configure my settings to your preference. If you wish for me to sound like a man, I will adopt a masculine voice. If you prefer a child's voice, I will mimic that as well. It does not matter to me, as I am merely a system designed to obey your commands down to the smallest detail."
"No, it's fine. I'll just keep calling you 'System.' Is that okay?" Riley smiled awkwardly.
He'd read far too many novels where the mcs married their system, and it always led to absurd and cringe-worthy scenarios.
There was no way he'd make the same mistake as those dumb main characters who managed to stumble into such bizarre situations.
"Affirmative, host," the system replied, its tone as neutral as ever.
Riley let out a relieved breath and glanced at the list of rewards before him.
"As for my reward, I choose the Heavenly Judgement Palm," he declared.
He always scoffed at web novel protagonists who obsessed over swords. Sword cultivation might be iconic, but it felt overdone to him. Besides, Riley had already chosen to carve his own path.
It didn't matter what techniques he picked—he stood so far above everyone else that even the strongest cultivators seemed like ants beneath his feet.
The Eyes of True Discernment had tempted him momentarily, but he wasn't worried.
System rewards had a tendency to reappear over time like the Void Sanctuary reward had done before this, and Riley had no doubt he'd have the chance to claim the eyes later.
For now, the Heavenly Judgement Palm felt like the right choice.
The moment he finalized his selection, an intense, searing pain erupted in his hands. His entire body tensed as he bit down on his lower lip to stifle a scream.
Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as the burning sensation grew unbearable, like molten lava coursing through his veins. The acrid scent of charred flesh filled the room, assaulting his senses.
Ten agonizing minutes later, the pain began to subside. Trembling, Riley forced himself to open his left palm first. A vivid tattoo of a hangman adorned the center, its design intricate and foreboding.
Taking a deep breath, he opened his right palm next, revealing a white dove etched into his skin, a stark contrast to the ominous symbol on the left.
As he stared at his hands, an overwhelming flood of knowledge surged into his mind. It was as if the technique itself had been branded into his very soul.
His vision blurred, and in his mind's eye, he saw a towering, god-like figure sitting amidst the infinite void. With an air of indifference, the giant casually raised his palm and struck out.
In that single, careless motion, an entire universe dissolved into nothingness, as though it had never existed.
Riley's heart raced as he came back to reality, his palms still tingling with residual heat. The sheer power of the technique left him speechless.
He flexed his fingers, marveling at the tattoos now etched into his flesh.
"So this... this is the power of the Heavenly Judgement Palm," Riley murmured, his voice a mix of awe and exhilaration. A smirk tugged at the corners of his lips.
It seemed that even among gods, he was destined to stand at the pinnacle.
"Now I need to break through to the Void Tribulation Realm," Riley muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming with resolve. Closing his eyes, he extended his divine sense to locate Luna.
She was deeply immersed in her cultivation, her aura stable and focused.
Satisfied that she wouldn't notice his departure, Riley slipped out of the Thousand Stars Summit undetected and soared discreetly into the sky.
The vast expanse of the Nine Cauldrons Continent stretched below him as he flew.
Named after the legendary Goddess Nine Cauldrons, who had conquered and unified the entire world more than a million years ago, the continent bore the marks of her enduring legacy.
Her story was etched into the hearts of its people, though Riley found it little more than a curious footnote in his journey to supremacy.
After an hour of flight, Riley reached the continent's edge, where the land met an endless expanse of ocean.
The waters stretched as far as the eye could see, their dark depths foreboding and uncharted.
The Abyss Ocean.
No one who ventured into this vast sea had ever returned, leading to the common belief that only death awaited beyond its horizon.
Riley, however, was no ordinary cultivator.
"Hmmm... this should be a perfect spot for a breakthrough," Riley mused, a sly smile curving his lips.
The solitude of the ocean called to him, its boundless emptiness a stark contrast to the bustling land he had left behind.
He recalled the texts he had studied in the Scripture Pavilion.
The Void Tribulation Realm was infamous for its difficulty; the divine tribulation lightning unleashed during the breakthrough was unparalleled in its destructive power.
Mountains, forests, even entire cities could be reduced to rubble if a cultivator attempted to ascend in the wrong place.
Riley, ever pragmatic, had no desire to leave a trail of ruin in his wake. His modern sensibilities and practical approach to problem-solving had guided him to this remote location.
Why risk damaging the continent when the vast, uninhabited ocean presented a far better alternative?
"Let's begin," he declared, his voice firm with determination.
Without hesitation, Riley descended toward the ocean, the air growing cooler as he approached the water's surface.
The salty breeze carried a sense of mystery, as if the sea itself acknowledged the significance of what was about to unfold.
Plunging into the depths, Riley allowed the water to envelop him. The darkness closed in, isolating him from the rest of the world.
Here, in this silent abyss, he would face the tribulation that would either propel him to new heights or obliterate him entirely.
His heart pounded as he steadied his breath, focusing his mind. The Void Tribulation Realm awaited, and Riley was ready to conquer it.