In the heart of the XXXXXXX Expanse…
A place where stars flicker like echoes of ancient thoughts, and time coils into stillness.
A lone being sat on a throne of crystallized silence, overlooking the void.
Eyes closed, hands resting on either side of the star-forged armrest, he stirred.
Then he spoke.
"It's nearly done."
Before him, suspended like a jewel in the center of nothing, a swirling sphere pulsed with molten fire, windstorms, oceans forming from scattered frost.
A world.
Raw. Violent. Beautiful.
A moment passed. Then—
BOOOOOOM
A silent wave burst across the void, as World No. 12 was born.
The being's gaze sharpened. He waved a finger once, and the storms stilled. The magma cooled. The continents began to form.
Then, as if admiring a half-finished sculpture, he leaned forward.
"So, what should I do with this one…?"
He hummed softly. Light curled around his form, and distant constellations flickered in response.
"It contains Qi. That's expected. With the right laws, it will lead to cultivation."
He paused.
"But… there are so many cultivation worlds already. Endless tales. Sects. Humans. Wars. Cycles. Rebirths."
"Do I want another… predictable story?"
He snapped his fingers.
Across the young world, Qi Veins formed beneath the crust like dragon veins, flowing with spiritual energy. Mountains rose. Forests of spirit wood bloomed. Beasts awakened.
But no humans were born.
"Let the others rise," he said. "Let demons, beasts, even insects step into cultivation."
"No humans this time."
A pause.
Then a smile touched his lips.
"Or maybe… I'll wait."
He leaned back into the throne of silence, letting the world churn, life to grow, war to rise.
"I'll let it live… for a while. And when it's forgotten what it means to change…"
His eyes opened, glowing like collapsed stars.
"I will send one."
"Just one."
"A human."
And somewhere, deep inside the sleeping crust of Zhaeren, a sliver of Qi pulsed quietly…
Waiting for a touch.
A breath.
A moment of discovery.