Chapter 21: The Origin Seed
Krishak sat in meditation within a secluded cave he had discovered in the Verdant Peaks. The Sunfire Lotus rested beside him, its golden glow illuminating the darkness. He had been preparing for this moment for weeks, gathering his strength, stabilizing his cultivation at the peak of Emperor tier.
But his mind was not focused on breaking through to Saint tier. Something else had been stirring within him—something far more profound.
The Origin Seed.
He had almost forgotten about it. Buried deep within his soul, the seed had lain dormant since his rebirth on Earth. It was the core of his dream, the foundation upon which he would build his new universe. But it had remained inactive, waiting for the right conditions to begin its growth.
Now, those conditions were approaching.
He reached inward, his consciousness descending into the depths of his soul. There, in the vast expanse of his spiritual sea, he found it—a tiny seed, no larger than a grain of sand, pulsing with a faint, ancient light.
The Origin Seed, he thought, his heart swelling with emotion. The beginning of everything.
He had extracted the Origin energy from a dying universe, compressed it into this seed, and carried it within him across the void. It was the most precious thing he possessed—the key to creating his new universe.
But it was also a burden. The seed required immense energy to grow. It hungered for Origin energy, a resource that was nearly impossible to find in this universe. Without it, the seed would remain dormant forever.
I need to find a source of Origin energy, Krishak realized. But where? This universe is vast, but Origin energy is the rarest and most precious resource in existence. Even the highest-tier worlds may not possess it.
The system stirred within his soul, offering guidance.
Origin energy can be found in places where universes have collided, where the fabric of reality has been torn and repaired. It can also be found in the hearts of dying stars, in the cores of ancient planets, and in the bodies of beings who have transcended mortality.
Krishak frowned. That's... not helpful. I can't just wander around hoping to find a dying star or a transcendent being.
The system pulsed with a gentle light. There is another way. The Origin Seed can absorb and convert other forms of energy, though the process is slow and inefficient. Spiritual energy, life force, even the energy of pills and elixirs—all can be fed to the seed. It will take time, but it will grow.
Krishak felt a glimmer of hope. How much time?
At the current rate of absorption, it will take approximately one thousand years for the seed to produce its first leaf. At which point, it will begin to form a small planet—a nascent world that can sustain life. To reach full maturity, to become a true universe, it will take millions of years.
Krishak was silent for a long moment, processing the information. A thousand years for a single leaf. A million years for a universe. It was an eternity, even for a cultivator with his lifespan.
But I have time, he thought. I have all the time in the world. I will feed the seed, nurture it, and watch it grow. And when it is ready, I will build my sect upon it.
He smiled, a sense of purpose filling his heart. This is my true mission. Not just to grow stronger, but to create something that will outlast me. A garden for all races. A sanctuary for those who seek a better way.
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The next morning, Krishak emerged from the cave, the Origin Seed pulsing gently within his soul. He had made a decision. He would find a planet—a world where he could establish his sect, gather disciples, and begin the long process of nurturing the seed.
But he needed to be strategic. He could not simply claim any world he wanted. Veridia was controlled by powerful sects, and they would not look kindly on an outsider establishing a rival organization.
I need to find an unclaimed world, he thought. A planet that is not yet under the control of any major power. A place where I can build my foundation without interference.
The system provided a list of possibilities. There were several unclaimed worlds in the surrounding star cluster—planets that were too remote, too dangerous, or too resource-poor to attract the attention of the major sects.
One world caught his attention: Aethra.
It was a small planet, roughly the size of Earth's moon, located at the edge of the star cluster. Its spiritual energy was moderate, its resources limited. But it had one advantage that made it perfect—it was rich in life force, the energy of living beings.
Life force can be converted to Origin energy, Krishak realized. Slowly, but steadily. Aethra's abundant life force will help the seed grow.
He made his decision. He would travel to Aethra, establish his sect, and begin the long work of nurturing the Origin Seed.
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The journey to Aethra took three months. Krishak traveled through the void, his Emperor-tier cultivation protecting him from the dangers of space. He passed through asteroid fields, skirted the edges of dying stars, and navigated the gravitational currents of the star cluster.
When he finally arrived, he was not disappointed.
Aethra was a beautiful world. Its surface was covered in lush forests, crystal-clear lakes, and towering mountains. The air was thick with life force, the energy of countless living beings intermingling in a vibrant tapestry.
This is perfect, Krishak thought. This will be the heart of my new universe.
He descended to the surface, landing in a vast valley surrounded by towering peaks. The valley was fertile, filled with wildflowers and ancient trees. A river wound through its center, its waters sparkling in the light of the distant sun.
I will build my sect here, he decided. The First Origin Holy Land of All Races. A place where cultivators from all backgrounds can come to learn, grow, and contribute to the seed's growth.
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The first years were difficult. Krishak worked tirelessly, building the infrastructure of his sect. He constructed simple buildings from local materials, established cultivation chambers, and created formations to gather and concentrate the world's spiritual energy.
He also began the process of feeding the Origin Seed. He channeled the world's life force into his soul, directing it toward the seed. The process was slow—agonizingly slow—but he could feel the seed responding, its faint glow growing slightly brighter with each passing day.
He also began to recruit disciples. Traveling to nearby worlds, he sought out individuals who were dissatisfied with their current sects, who sought something different. He found them among the outcasts, the misfits, the dreamers. He offered them a new path, a new purpose, a new home.
Slowly, the First Origin Holy Land began to take shape.
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