Chapter 518: Destruction Domain, Blooming Lotus (1/2)

It started with a single crack, which eventually spread and branched into many more.

The sound it created was akin to a glass being stepped on, fragile and loud. It didn't take long before webs of cracks covered the entire cocoon where Raven is.

Amidst an empty space, on this and this alone could be seen. Out of nowhere, lights started seeping out of the cracks. It illuminated the darkness through faint rays of lights, which eventually turned brighter and stronger.

*Boom!*

An earth-shaking explosion occurred afterwards, however instead of the shell being blown away everywhere, it slowly unfurled itself.

Like pale lotus petals blooming, they slowly revealed Raven's body, floating due to a mysterious force. The cocoon which served as the womb where he transformed once more, bloomed into a spectacular lotus throne. The scene was akin to the birth of a god.

Raven's eyes were still shut. He's still in a fetal position and still trapped in a trance, nevertheless his presence became some sort of a beacon. He became the center of this place, the only one who existed amidst this omnipresent darkness.

Anyone who looks at him in this state wouldn't be able spot a single flaw on him. It's as if the gods used a lot of their time creating Raven, making him the perfect specimen.

Raven's skin was covered in multiple markings which released a unique brilliance. If one looked closely, each of this markings were the same as the constellations which he witnessed earlier. They are present everywhere on his body. Their glow was strong enough to illuminate this whole place and project the actual constellation they represent.

A faint hymn could heard being released by Raven's body. This tune was something that he was releasing unconsciously. Anyone who cultivated the Zither Heart will immediately fall into a deep trance upon hearing this unique melody. This is because this hymn is the same as the first sound that ever existed. To cultivators who cultivates the Zither Heart, this is an immeasurable serendipity that could never be sought after, only encountered.

Sadly, Raven was the only one present here, and it's not even clear if heard the sound either.

He's still unconscious. This is because Raven's currently experiencing and watching the cycles of life and death as well the creation and destruction of all. He watched as an apathetic observer, he never cared nor interfered. Even if he wanted to, he can't.

Nevertheless, this experience was a great lucky chance for Raven. This kind of serendipity is something that he won't encounter very often.

Raven saw the birth of everything.

I all started with a single spark of light. The sparks multiplied and created a link to each other which created the First Constellation. The First Constellation was then followed by the second, and the third and so on…

The more they multiplied, the more power they had over the omni-present void. Eventually their numbers multiplied to a ridiculous degree that they pushed the void into the edge. In the end, each constellation devoured the remaining void, using it as a fuel to realize their full potential.

What followed was the birth of everything else. With the constellations as the foundation, the myriad existences also multiple until they filled the emptiness. The Void itself never disappeared, instead it was reproduced by the constellations that devoured it. It's twin was Chaos.

If the Void doesn't permit life. Chaos creates life through the blessings of the constellations.

As the World of Creation matured, so did the Constellations. In the end, what was born will eventually die. Even the Constellations who started it all cannot escape that.

One by one, they faded from existence. Nevertheless, they never truly disappeared.

With their retirement, Chaos and Void remained, ever at odds with each other. Chaos created life which blossomed and give birth to new lives. Similar to the Constellations, Chaos eventually faded but never truly disappeared.

From that point on, Raven watched as the cycle of life and death repeated itself over and over again. It didn't matter how prosperous the race is or how strong they've gotten. They could run through the end of the world, they could make repeated breakthroughs, they could do everything they could to escape from it but at one point, they'll be cornered.

Where there is smoke, fire is usually not far away.

Where there is life…there is death.

Everything that is Created will eventually be Destroyed.

This is an unending cycle. An inescapable net. Something that is inevitable.

The only way to avoid it, is by transcending it.