Future projections exist because of the ‘certainty’ of a future occurring. In their regard, a future projection of a cultivator signifies the inevitability of their rise. They could be likened to Children of Destiny, but far stronger. Those Children of Destiny were merely backed by the corresponding ‘Heavenly Daos’ that oversaw worlds. Those who hold ‘certainty’, however, could reach that realm with or without the help of others.
To be able to guarantee a ‘Venerable’—the Dao Integration Realm—was already a feat above countless others. For a future ‘Supreme’ to appear was nothing short of a miracle. A variable that exceeded the scope of ‘reality’.
It was in such a world, the Imaginary Tree, that twenty-six Supremes had ascended. It cemented its status as a ‘legend’ in the countless, ever-growing worlds, becoming a sacred land for all beings, dead or alive, animate or inanimate.
Amongst them, there are levels. There are those who remained trapped on the early stage, succumbing to the tribulations that chased after them. There are those who reached unprecedented heights, becoming the closest to infinity.
In that future, there were seven such beings, and one of them was the Great Emperor. She did not claim any title other than it, for it was enough to explain everything.
She is the Great Emperor.
Nobody dared to claim that seemingly ‘mundane’ title, rather opting to use the flashier ones, all because of their fear to overlap with her. The Great Emperor and her Eternal Kingdom was renowned to countless worlds, be it in awe, fear, or respect.
When Amphoreus turned real, so was the grand ambition hidden in the short ruler’s heart. She was helped by the Sect Master in establishing her preliminary force. Since then, she hasn't requested help from others. It wasn’t long before her name as the Emperor rose along with her rapidly growing Empire.
All of it was destined to be unimpeded… until the news of his death came.
It couldn’t be said to have come so suddenly. Everyone was destined to face their tribulations one way or another, especially to him who was the most special of all. He faced all of his tribulations in advance.
On one side, it lessened the ‘danger’ of it to everyone else. It matched his strength at the Dao Integration Realm. On the other hand, it was just as dangerous to himself. Facing a tribulation with his current realm was a great danger, but also an opportunity.
Pangu, a renowned figure on the Great Desolation, faced a tribulation in advance, allowing him to reach the Grand Dao Realm—the early stage of Tribulation Transcendence Realm. He became the forefront of myriad beings, who, upon his death, spawned an entire world from his corpse. None of the Three Thousand Chaos Gods was his match.
Unfortunately…
Shi Tian mirrored his downfall.
The collision of two worlds is extremely dangerous. At worst, it would destroy both worlds. At best, it would only destroy one.
They had three.
What were they supposed to do?
Hence, he made that step, leading to his ‘death’.
‘Why did you do it?’
The Great Emperor knew him not as a ‘philanthropist’. He would help when he could, but he would never hesitate to choose them over the world—he won’t choose even himself!
She worked alongside others before uncovering the truth—
‘It would not come to pass.’
Tap-!
A light stomp from her right foot caused ripples to appear, bringing them inside a conference room. In its center was a brown oval table that could house dozens of people. Its seats were made with the finest wood, spilling forth traces of Life. Its cushions emitted a faint sense of intimidation, as if the creature whose feathers had been plucked was a fearsome one.
“This room was built to isolate everything. Karma, fate, destiny, luck, time, space… including that tribulation energy outside.”
Without needing to say another word, everyone sat down. Hysilens habitually stood behind Cerydra’s seat, acting as her guardian. Her eyes maintained a peaceful facade, but only she knew of the turmoils deep within her heart.
The future Cerydra sat at the end of the table. Her wooden chair was, funnily enough, made with larger legs, allowing her to sit normally. The majesty of a Great Emperor cannot be bothered by trivialities such as her head being beneath the desk!
“This will be our first and last meeting. I will make everything clear.”
She made a brief pause, as if deciding on something, before continuing:
“We cannot speak of our plans, nor could we blatantly interfere with your choices. Everything you will hear now will be forgotten… until that day comes.”
The plan spanning time itself was slowly unveiled to the eight, no, nine of them.
*****
I haven’t checked the time since we started round two. I only became conscious of it once the two different powers within my true body resonated. It formed a pleasant hum, akin to a bird’s chirping, but at the same time, a bronze bell ringing. Various phenomena began to appear around me, waking me up from reverie.
I looked at Theresa, whose dazed scarlet-red pupils turned clear. She unconsciously hugged her breasts underneath, her cravings showing. After all, we clung closely to each other most of the time!
“I have to deal with this first.”
“Hm… Goodluck.”
Hearing her words, I did not delay any further. The thick, multi-layered white-blue daoist robes flew out of my ring before they automatically went to my body. I hastily cast a cleaning spell, removing any traces of our primordial qi, and left my residence.
I turned into a ray of light and headed to one of the designated ‘tribulation zones’ on the solar system. Bronya mainly built an eighth-grade formation for the sole purpose of tanking tribulations. At our current level, it could easily affect the solar system. Nobody wanted to affect billions, if not trillions of lives.
When I arrived in the area of empty space, I sensed a formation concealed somewhere. A cyan-colored light left my fingertips, shooting straight to that empty space. Moments later, its surface rippled, revealing a literal white door. I turned on its golden knob and felt no resistance.
Inside the formation, I found nothing but a blank space dotted with stars. The only difference was that the sights outside are isolated. With everything settled, I had the time to examine the power brewing within me. I haven’t forgotten what the future Leylah called it—
Ten Desolations Ruin Immortal Body.