Somewhere deep within the vast expanse of space existed a breathtakingly beautiful realm, a place where countless new stars were being born every moment. Its beauty was so profound that even the wildest imagination would fail to capture it completely. It was mysterious, awe-inspiring, and exceedingly rare—so fragile that even the lightest touch could shatter its perfection.
Nebulae shimmered like flowing silk, and starlight danced silently through the void. At the very center of this celestial wonder sat a translucent, human-like figure, cross-legged in deep meditation. Its form seemed neither fully physical nor entirely ethereal, as if it were part of the cosmos itself. An overwhelming sense of serenity surrounded it, the figure perfectly still, untouched by time or chaos.
Then, a subtle ripple passed beneath its closed eyelids. Slowly, the eyes opened, revealing a beauty so profound and otherworldly that the radiance of the surrounding stars dimmed in comparison, as though the universe itself had paused to witness that moment.
Disappointment was clearly visible in its eyes, along with a strange, unsettling glimmer. In a soft voice, it spoke, "How utterly boring…"
"But now, the time has finally come—when I, too, will be able to experience all those 'choices' I have waited for over countless years."
There was a sense of relief and joy in its voice, innocent and pure, like that of a child who has been promised ice cream by their father on the way to school.
It wasn't that this thought had never occurred before. Rather, until this very moment, no world had evolved enough to withstand its power. Even knowing the consequences, it had once tried to suppress its strength and draw closer—but the moment it did, everything around it stood on the brink of annihilation.
Because of this, it had been forced to endure the long passage of time, waiting patiently for a world that could grow sufficiently advanced—one capable of bearing its overwhelming power.
And now, at last, the moment it had waited for had finally arrived. Rising slowly from where it stood, the being lifted its hands toward the endless cosmos. With a soft snap of its fingers, the space around it trembled. Waves of radiant, multicolored energy surged forth, flowing like liquid light, intertwining and spiraling around its form. Each strand of energy shimmered with a different hue, carrying an ancient, unfathomable power.
Gradually, these swirling currents wrapped themselves tighter and tighter, forming a cocoon that completely enveloped it. The cocoon pulsed gently, as if alive, radiating colors so vivid they seemed capable of piercing the void itself. Time appeared to slow, and the surrounding stars dimmed in reverence.
After a while, the brilliance began to fade. The once vibrant cocoon turned colorless, its glow extinguishing bit by bit, until it became dull and fragile. Cracks spread across its surface, and it started to crumble, breaking apart into countless particles that drifted away like cosmic dust.
As the dust scattered and dissolved into the darkness, a figure was gradually revealed from within. An incomparably beautiful and irresistibly captivating man stepped forward. His presence alone commanded attention—his features so flawless, so otherworldly, that anyone who beheld him would forget to breathe, even if only for a fleeting instant.
He stood there calmly, as though the universe itself had shaped him with utmost care, marking the moment when a higher existence finally took form.
Many years after that incident, in a vast open field carpeted with lush green grass and dotted with vibrant, blooming flowers, a gentle breeze flowed through the air, carrying a faint natural fragrance.
At the center of this field stood a handsome young man, around nineteen or twenty years of age and nearly six feet tall. His posture was straight and steady as he practiced swordsmanship. Each swing of his blade was sharp and controlled, cutting clean arcs through the air, while his footsteps remained firm and well-grounded, showing countless hours of disciplined training.
From time to time, he would slow his movements and briefly glance toward a nearby tree standing not far away. His gaze lingered for a moment—calm yet thoughtful—before he tightened his grip on the sword and resumed his practice, After practicing for some time, he finally let out a long breath. Slowly sheathing his sword, he spoke in a calm yet mildly reproachful tone,
"You didn't practice today either. If you keep wasting your time like this, you won't be able to pass the upcoming Inner Disciples' test."
The moment he said that, a voice came from the direction Su Hao had been repeatedly glancing toward while practicing.
"I've already practiced," the voice replied lazily. "And besides, I don't have any interest in becoming an Inner Disciple."
After that, a human figure gradually came into view at that spot—someone who hadn't been visible earlier due to lying hidden among the grass. Stretching lazily with a wide yawn, the figure slowly made his way toward Su Hao.
He was a young man about five feet six inches tall, his face concealed behind a mask. Yet, even so, his fair complexion and refined features made it obvious that he was extraordinarily beautiful. If not for his masculine physique, anyone judging only by his appearance would have mistaken him for a girl.
Su Hao snorted softly, a hint of anger in his voice as he shot back,
"Then what—are you planning to remain an Outer Disciple forever? And don't forget, I've helped you with your share of every task. After I leave, you'll have to handle all of that work on your own, and…"
He paused briefly before adding in a lower voice,
"And in my absence, you know very well that Liu Shun will make things even harder for you."
Seeing the concern hidden within Su Hao's words, he felt genuinely happy deep inside. After all, experiencing things like this was exactly why he had come here.
With a faint smile, he said lightly,
"Don't worry about me. Who knows—maybe I'll end up passing, and you'll be the one left as an Outer Disciple."
Hearing this, Su Hao burst into loud laughter.
"Hahahaha… alright, alright," he said, still chuckling. "Why don't we have a sparring match then? I'd like to see for myself just what level my little brother has reached."