Chapter 20: The Wandering Celestial
The void stretched endlessly before Krishak, infinite and silent. He floated through the darkness, the Origin Egg cradled against his chest, the system humming softly within his soul. He had been traveling for weeks now, exploring the nearby star systems of this universe, searching for a place to begin his new journey.
The system had proven invaluable. It provided him with detailed information about the worlds within his reach, their cultivation systems, their cultures, their histories. But Krishak quickly realized his limitations. At the Emperor tier, he was powerful by Earth's standards, but in the vast cosmos, he was barely a fledgling.
He could not travel to distant galaxies or explore the wonders of the universe. His cultivation was too weak to survive the dangers of deep space, too limited to traverse the great distances between worlds. He could only reach planets within his immediate star cluster—worlds that were, at most, home to Saint-tier cultivators.
I must be patient, he thought. I must grow stronger, step by step. Only then can I venture further.
The system guided him to a planet called Veridia—a mid-tier world rich in spiritual energy, with a well-developed cultivation system. It was the perfect place to begin his journey.
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Krishak descended through Veridia's atmosphere, his body glowing with golden light. He landed in a remote forest, far from any settlements, and took a moment to assess his surroundings.
The spiritual energy here was denser than Earth's, rich and vibrant. He could feel it flowing through the air, the ground, the trees. This was a world where cultivation flourished, where even ordinary mortals could sense the power that surrounded them. But he also sensed the presence of powerful cultivators—beings at the Saint tier and above, their auras like distant suns.
I must be careful, he realized. I am not the strongest here. I must grow, accumulate resources, and increase my cultivation base.
He looked down at the Origin Egg, which pulsed with a gentle warmth. The vessel of the Origin was growing, its energy maturing with each passing day. One day, it would hatch, and Krishak would have a companion—a being of unimaginable potential.
But for now, he needed to focus on his own cultivation.
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He spent the first few months in seclusion, cultivating and exploring the region. He gathered herbs and minerals, refining them into basic pills and elixirs using the alchemical knowledge he had accumulated over two million years. He practiced his techniques, honing his skills, preparing for the challenges ahead.
The system was a constant companion, offering guidance and insight. It helped him identify rare resources, taught him new techniques, and provided detailed information about Veridia's cultivation system.
He learned that Veridia was divided into five major regions, each dominated by a powerful sect. The Azure Flame Sect in the east, the Jade Lotus Sect in the west, the Golden Sun Sect in the north, the Mystic Moon Sect in the south, and the Central Heaven Sect at the heart of the continent.
Each sect had its own cultivation methods, its own resources, its own philosophy. And each sect guarded its secrets jealously, refusing to share knowledge with outsiders.
This is a world of competition, Krishak realized. Of struggle and conflict. Perfect. It will temper me, force me to grow.
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He decided to keep a low profile at first. He posed as a wandering cultivator, a lone practitioner seeking knowledge and resources. He traveled through the forests and mountains, gathering herbs, hunting spirit beasts, and refining his cultivation.
The system guided him to hidden caves and ancient ruins, where he discovered treasures left behind by cultivators of ages past. He found scrolls containing lost techniques, pills that had aged for millennia, and weapons imbued with powerful enchantments.
He also encountered other cultivators—some friendly, some hostile. He traded knowledge with those who were willing, fought those who sought to take what was his. He grew stronger with each encounter, his cultivation advancing steadily.
Within a year, he had reached the peak of Emperor tier. He could feel the barrier to Saint tier looming before him, a formidable challenge that would require significant resources and effort to overcome.
I need to find a source of high-grade resources, he thought. Something that will help me break through.
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The system provided an answer. Deep within the Forbidden Mountains, a range of towering peaks that were said to be inhabited by powerful spirit beasts, there was a hidden valley. Within that valley grew the Sunfire Lotus—a legendary herb that could greatly enhance a cultivator's spiritual energy and help break through bottlenecks.
But the Forbidden Mountains were dangerous. Even Emperor-tier cultivators rarely ventured there, fearing the beasts that dwelled within. And the Sunfire Lotus was guarded by a creature of immense power—a Fire Phoenix, a beast that had reached the Saint tier.
Krishak considered his options. He could attempt to gather the resources himself, risking life and limb in the process. Or he could seek help—forge an alliance with a sect or clan that could provide support.
No, he decided. I must do this alone. This is my path, and I must walk it without relying on others.
He began his journey into the Forbidden Mountains.
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The mountains were treacherous. The peaks were shrouded in mist, the paths steep and winding. Spirit beasts lurked in every shadow, their eyes gleaming with predatory hunger. Krishak moved carefully, his senses extended, ready for anything.
He encountered a pack of Shadow Wolves—creatures of the Emperor tier, fast and deadly. They surrounded him, their eyes glowing in the darkness. Krishak stood his ground, his body coiled like a spring.
The wolves attacked, and Krishak moved. His fists and feet struck with devastating precision, each blow sending a wolf flying. He moved like water, flowing between the beasts, his movements fluid and unstoppable. Within minutes, the pack was defeated, their bodies lying broken on the ground.
Krishak continued his journey, his cultivation sustaining him through the arduous trek. He climbed higher into the mountains, the air growing thin and cold. The spiritual energy here was dense, almost intoxicating, but he remained focused.
After three weeks of travel, he found the valley.
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It was a paradise. A hidden oasis, surrounded by towering peaks, filled with lush vegetation and crystal-clear streams. At its center grew the Sunfire Lotus—a plant of breathtaking beauty, its petals glowing with golden light.
And beside it, coiled in a nest of flame, lay the Fire Phoenix.
The beast was magnificent, its feathers a blaze of crimson and gold. It was massive, easily the size of a small building, its eyes burning with ancient intelligence. It regarded Krishak with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.
Krishak bowed, his voice calm and respectful. "I seek the Sunfire Lotus. I do not wish to fight you, but I will not leave without it."
The Phoenix rose, its wings spreading wide. A wave of heat washed over Krishak, intense enough to melt stone. But he stood his ground, his Emperor-tier cultivation shielding him from the worst of it.
"You are bold, little one," the Phoenix spoke, its voice resonating in Krishak's mind. "Few would dare to face me. Even fewer would survive."
"I am not here to face you," Krishak replied. "I am here to ask. I am on a journey, a long and difficult one. The Sunfire Lotus will help me continue. I offer you a trade."
The Phoenix tilted its head, intrigued. "A trade? What could you possibly offer me?"
Krishak reached into his storage, withdrawing a scroll. It was a technique he had created in his previous life when he had nothing to do as a pass of time—the Ignition Marrow Tempering Art, simplified and adapted for this universe. It was a body cultivation method that could greatly enhance a fire type beast's physical form, helping it break through its own bottlenecks.
"I offer you knowledge," Krishak said. "A technique that will help you transcend your current limits. In exchange for the Sunfire Lotus."
The Phoenix studied him, its eyes narrowing. Then it laughed—a sound like crackling flames. "You are a strange one, little cultivator. Very well. I accept your trade."
Krishak handed over the scroll, and the Phoenix examined it with interest. Then it reached down and plucked a single Sunfire Lotus, offering it to Krishak.
"Take it. And know that you have earned my respect. If you ever need my help, call my name. I will answer."
Krishak bowed, accepting the Lotus. "Thank you. I will not forget this."
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He left the valley, his prize secured. The Sunfire Lotus pulsed with energy, its warmth spreading through his body. He knew it would be enough to help him break through to Saint tier.
But he also knew that this was just the beginning. Veridia was only a mid-tier world, a single step on a much longer journey. Beyond this world lay countless others—higher-tier planets, ancient cultivation realms, and civilizations that had mastered arts he could barely imagine.
He would need to grow stronger. Much stronger. He would need to refine his cultivation, gather resources, and build alliances. Only then could he venture beyond this star cluster and explore the wider universe.
As he descended from the mountains, the Origin Egg pulsed warmly against his chest. The vessel of the Origin was growing, its energy maturing with each passing day. One day, it would hatch, and Krishak would have a companion to share his journey.
But for now, he walked alone, his path illuminated by the light of distant stars.
One step at a time, he thought. One world at a time. I will grow stronger. I will explore the cosmos. And one day, I will build my garden.
The path ahead was long and uncertain. But Krishak was patient. He had waited two million years for this chance. He could wait a little longer.