Finally, I've reached the final stage of cultivation, Origin of the Universe. That is the dream of all cultivators, who often, even after a lifetime dedicated to training, would not be near the final stage. But here I am, standing at the final destination many would trade their lives for. Like them, I spend my entire life chasing the final stage, always training, having near-death fights to get stronger. In doing so, I've learned the essence of life. The principles that the world runs on. In religious terms, I would confidently say I've reached Buddhahood. Only after understanding the world, along with possessing the highest level of sword skills, could you reach the final stage of cultivation, Origin of the Universe.
I am very proud of myself for coming this far. I don't have any regrets. But if there's anything, I have to admit it's bitter I've finally gotten what I want, only when my age has not allowed me to enjoy it for long. Cultivators have longer lives than normal people, but that doesn't mean we are immortal. I have been alive for so long that I have already forgotten how old I am or what day I was born. It has been so long since my parents' passing that I can't picture their faces or recall their voices anymore. There were downsides to alive for so long, but at the end of the day, I don't regret the path I chose. I chased my dream and now finally achieved it. Even though I spent my entire life dedicated to it, it was all worth it.
And now, I must say goodbye. I could feel the last bits of my life force leaving.
To this world, farew...
—
"Am I… in the afterlife?" I opened my eyes to a burst of light and the vibrant sound of people conversing. Looking at my surroundings, I was standing in a dark and narrow alleyway.
"What are these clothes? So strange," I wondered when looking at my body. I was wearing such fitted pieces of garments that were just enough to cover my body and legs. I also had a sword strapped to my back.
I unsheathed the sword and quickly looked before putting it back. "Fairly decent. That's nice."
Putting aside the garment wonder, I stepped out of the alleyway and was welcomed by the scene of the market. It was so lively, not like how I expected the afterlife to be. Kids were running around, people were chatting, yelling, and laughing.
"This afterlife is not so bad after all," I smiled to myself as I was strolling and tried to absorb the new world I was tossed into.
"Huh? Am I seeing things, or did I just see fish scales on that man's arm?" I turned back to verify. I wasn't wrong, the man I just walked by had light scales on his arm. He saw me looking at him and quickly tucked his arm away to hide it.
"Oh, I'm sorry! I don't mean to be rude!" I apologized, but he didn't seem to care much and walked away.
"Well, that was… interesting," I told myself and continued exploring the market.
"Mirrors!" I exclaimed, seeing one of the shops had mirrors. I ran to check my appearance. "As I thought, this body is when I was younger. How else would I feel so energized right now? This body looks like it's in the twenties, but my appearance in my twenties stayed for at least 200 years, so what age am I right now? I hope my power is not reverted to whatever age this body is. "
I was questioning the state of myself when I felt the disturbed air around me. I could feel the anxiety throughout the market, like some sort of disaster was approaching.
"Quick! Get on the street and kneel. The Celestial Dragons are here," someone yelled on the street.
People panicked when they heard that and dropped everything that they were doing and ran out and got on their knees. I was still standing inside the shop, confused about what was happening.
"Hey man! What are you doing? Come out and kneel! Do you want to lose your life?" someone who had a distressed look held my arm and tried to drag me. But I resisted and stood still.
"Excuse me, sir, can you explain to me what is happening?"
"Didn't you hear? The Celestial Dragons are coming!"
"I did hear that, but what or who are Celestial Dragons?"
"Were you living in the mountains this whole time? What a dumb question?"
"Yes, I did."
He shook his head at my reply. I didn't understand why he was so disappointed. "The Celestial Dragons are the direct descendants of the original 20 kings that joined together and created the World Government 800 years ago. They are gods in this world and can do whatever they want without having to deal with any consequences. It's best to lower yourself and not invite any trouble. Now come out and kneel! I'm trying to save your life here!"
I finally yielded and came out of the store with him, onto the street. "Kneel!" he whispered. From afar, I saw faint figures of people coming closer. Even though I didn't want to, I listened and knelt, lowering my head. I've just come to this world and don't know anything about it yet. Like he said. It's best not to invite any trouble.
"Even in the afterlife. I guess there are still powers at play."
We knelt and lowered our heads for a long time as the mysterious figure slowly got closer. From their footsteps, I could sense that this person had no athleticism whatsoever. The footsteps are heavy and fumbly, like they are overweight.
"Firis," a chubby voice spoke.
"Yes, Saint Laurass?"
"Ph! Ph! How far… ph… is the auc… auction house from here?"
"We still have about five kilometers from here, sir."
"Five kilometers? That's too far… Ph! I didn't know walking is so difficult!"
"The fact that you walked for two hundred meters is a groundbreaking accomplishment, sir! That shows your hardworking nature, which is perfect for a descendant of the gods!"
"He he… That's right. I'm a very hard worker. But I'm so tired now."
"We can choose a horse around here if you wish."
"I like the sound of that."
The voices stopped. I felt the rise in anxiousness of the people kneeling around me as those two men continued walking.
Once their shadow was cast upon me, they stopped. "Firis Firis! I found a good horse!"
"Certainly, sir. Your evaluation eyes are always so perfect."
The shadow of the person named Firis comes forward. I was prepared to respond if he had laid his hand on me, but instead, he pulled the man next to me. The person who warned me about these Celestial Dragons.
"Wha! No! NO! Please!" The man was shocked to be pulled forward. He broke down and cried in hopelessness.
"Is this the afterlife?" I started to doubt my assumption about this world.
"Why are you crying? You should feel honored to be Saint Laurass's horse. You should know that it is an honor not everyone can experience in their life."
"Please spare me! Please spare me!" The man was too panicked to hear anything. He was sobbing and almost seemed like to losing his mind.
I observed that everyone around just closed their eyes and ears, pretending like nothing was happening. "How powerful are these Celestial Dragons that they are so afraid of?"
"Tch! This horse is too loud. Firis! Make it quiet!"
"Right away, sir," Firis replied and after a brief moment. The man stopped crying.
"What did they do to him?" I asked myself.
"Bravo, Firis. This injection is a miracle."
"Indeed, sir. As you can see. After the injection, this horse will be permanently quiet. You can enjoy riding fully from now on, peacefully."
The other person clapped happily like a child and jumped on the man's back. "Go go! To the auction house."
I heard a dragging sound moving across me. Slightly looking up. The man was on all fours, no different than an animal. He had lost not only his voice but his humanhood as well. His eyes and mine met. His look was one of hopelessness and agony. His mouth moved. There was no sound, but I could read his lips.
"I have a daughter waiting for him."
"What are you doing? Move!" Firis kicked him, and he had to continue moving against his will.
And that makes my blood boil.
"One sword, one world."
I raised my sword and gave a single slash. It ripped through the air and cut both Firis and Laurass.
"HE SLASHED A CELESTIAL DRAGON!!"
"WHAT THE FUCK IS HE DOING?"
"AN ADMIRAL IS GONNA COME!! RUN! RUN!"