The battle soon ended. The beast collapsed back into the spatial rift, and the sky stitched itself shut with a thunderous crack.
Quiet returned to the mountains.
Gu An sat outside his hut, eyes half-closed, breathing slowly. But his senses spread gently like ripples on water.
And in those ripples… he heard voices.
Distant. Ancient. Echoes drifting from the horizon.
Not mortal speech — but Dao echoes left by great beings.
"Eastern Divine Empire prepares…"
"Three Immortal Sects circle the Great Ruins…"
"Celestial Burial Ground awakens… one path to immortality, ten thousand corpses left behind…"
"The Heaven-Suppressing Stele has cracked…"
"A new Heaven-favored seed has been born…"
Gu An's eyes opened slowly.
The world was far greater than this mountain.
Sects that ruled continents.
Empires with immortal guardians.
Ancient ruins where gods once walked, now filled with treasures and death.
And somewhere out there…
"Heaven-favored seed…"
He knew this term from fate laws.
Those chosen by destiny.
Sons of Heaven.
The protagonists of eras.
He was not one of them.
He smiled faintly.
He didn't need Heaven's blessing.
He would create his own Heaven.
As he thought—the star inside his inner world pulsed
A new tremor of existence emerged.
Inner World Evolution — Law of Observation
A thin luminous thread emerged from the tiny star.
It linked to Gu An's heart, then extended… toward the real sky.
A Law Seed formed.
Not destruction.
Not creation.
Not time or space.
But Observation.
To truly see is to shape reality.
The observer is the axis.
A whisper echoed inside:
[Inner World has comprehended — Minor Law of Observation]
[Universe Growth Stable]
Gu An exhaled softly.
He had not cultivated.
Not fought.
Not seized opportunities.
He simply watched — and gained insight.
This was his path.
Side Character Introduction — Balanced Ally
Footsteps approached.
Not a genius.
Not a chosen one.
Just a boy with dirt on his clothes and honest eyes.
He carried firewood and nearly tripped when he saw Gu An.
"Senior Brother Gu! The sect outer-exam notice was posted in town. I brought a copy!"
Character: Lin Xuan
Ordinary mortal talent
Earnest, hardworking
Dreams of joining a sect to support his sick sister
Loyal friend type
No halo, no destiny
He held the paper with excitement.
"Even outer servants of great sects gain spiritual pills! I think… I think I can try!"
Gu An nodded.
"You should."
Lin Xuan blinked, then grinned, encouraged by calm approval.
He didn't know why, but when Gu An spoke, the world felt safe.
Event Trigger — Beast Stirring
A low growl echoed from the forest.
Lin Xuan froze.
A wounded Iron-Fur Wolf limped from the shadows — the battle earlier had injured it.
It sniffed the air. Its eyes locked onto Lin Xuan.
Snarling.
Gu An did not move yet.
Lin Xuan trembled but stood in front of Gu An.
"I-I will protect Senior Brother!"
The boy's legs shook violently — but he refused to back down.
The wolf lunged.
In that moment—
A ripple passed through Gu An's inner world.
He raised one finger.
Reality trembled softly.
Observation Law — Gentle Execution
Not flashy.
Not explosive.
Simply realization of truth:
The wolf's fate ended here.
Pop—
The wolf collapsed, lifeless, as if its will simply ceased.
Lin Xuan stared, pale.
Gu An spoke softly:
"Courage is good. Recklessness isn't."
Lin Xuan nodded rapidly.
As they dragged the wolf away, a voice echoed from the treetops.
Dry, old, amused.
"Hahaha… boy, you walk a crooked path. Heaven cannot see you — interesting, interesting!"
A ragged old beggar lounged on a branch, wine gourd in hand, eyes like ancient stars hidden under filth.
Lin Xuan whispered in fear,
"T-That's the crazy hermit of the mountain…"
The beggar grinned at Gu An.
"Cultivating a universe in your heart, hmm?
Good. Good.
But remember this—"
He pointed at the sky.
"When you raise your own world, the Heavens will demand a price."
Then he vanished like dust in wind.