1 The Man At The Peak

Throughout the universe were numerous amounts of realms, each with their own intelligent species, ways of life and culture. Some realms were like the modern world today, whilst some were far ahead of the others as teleportation became the norm for the masses that daily commute.

Some were ancient civilizations that took pride in the strong and scorned the weak, dealing things with their fists rather than words, whilst other realms were at peace outside with each faction within on the surface but were secretly having a cold war for resources and control of one another.

The universe itself was created as a result of a massive explosion of energy that concentrated together to one point, and when it couldn't hold it anymore all of the stored energy flooded out to the very ends of space. Some of these scattered energies soon concentrated into multiple points, these points soon became various realms, depending on the concentration of energy gathered during the creation. Some were weaker than others resulting in smaller sized realms, whilst others were over 100 times bigger than said realm.

While some realms may never touch upon these energies due to their lack of energy when in the creation process, other realms are lucky enough to have it a sufficient amount of concentration contained within their realm. Although known through various names and forms such as qi, mana, the general term would be 'internal force'.

The way various realms utilize this 'internal force' varies from realm to realm, some draw the force around them to temper themselves, becoming wholesome and ascending to a higher state. Other realms use it as a means to communicate and harmonize with the very environment around them, bringing destruction and chaos at its wake. Some use it to channel the very potential within them as a means to gain more strength, even unlocking the capabilities within their genetic code.

There's a popular saying whenever an individual gains the ability to travel across realms. 'A low realm is better than a dead realm.'

Knowing the truth of the universe will leave any figure no matter how large the figures standing is, leave anyone at a lost. Except for one.

The Ling Realm was one of those numerous realms, it stands as one of the upper realms of the universe where a low-level person can become a God just by retreating to one of the numerous lower realms. On the Ling Realm was the highest mountain peak, Celestial Retribution Mountain, where rumors say one that traverses the mountain until the summit is cleansed of their evil deeds, past mistakes, and are worthy of receiving reincarnation.

On top of the white peak stood a lone young man, he tied his long hair into a ponytail as the dark as night hair fluttered with the wind. Dressed in a white attire like the snow around him, he had a melancholy look as he gazed at the sea of clouds.

This was Yun Bai, the one who stood at the peak of the Ling Realm.

The Ling Realm was one of those realms that prided in individuals having strength, thus leaving most of the population dreaming of becoming cultivators. The more one had strength, the more one was revered by the surroundings.

But, the road of cultivation is one not meant to be trifled. In fact, those who dream of becoming peerless masters standing at the peak were nothing more than cannon fodder to the ones that mattered, the sons and daughters of Heaven, the ones that were in their right to eat the weak to become the strong.

Yun Bai's road wasn't any different. He was just like any other hot-blooded youth, that just wanted to be the strongest and stand at the peak. That was until he realized the path and steep climb to even reach the 'strongest' at the time.

Thankfully, through various fortuitous encounters, he rose from the smallest fish in the ocean to become a dragon that would rule the realm. As he traversed throughout the path brotherhoods and bonds were borne, enemies and grudges soon followed. As his enemies ruined those close to him, he soon followed ruining them more than what he lost.

To some extent Yun Bai was a rational person, he was raised with the mindset of not seeking trouble if no one sought trouble to him. Sadly, the Ling Realm was a realm where arrogance was a commonplace. Anyone with a higher standing can easily sentence someone to death, even for the slightest misconception.

He was faced with these situations countless of times, some he had to retreat and lay low till he gathered enough force to strike them back. Whilst the other time he struck out at the opposing party ruthlessly out in the open, making sure that they dared not trifle with him again.

Life and cultivation were one of the other, a path that has its ups and downs, where one can stand proudly at one moment and soon weep the most sorrowful of wails the next. After surpassing all of the odds stacked against him, Yun Bai finally stood at the peak, his road of cultivation has, at last, come to an end. But as he stood at the peak, he began to wonder the question that was at the back of his mind until now.

'Was it worth it?'

Sure, as one cultivates to a higher realm they can enjoy many benefits, be it the praise from surroundings, a longer lifespan, and even more strength. But still, was it truly worth it?

Yun Bai was originally a carefree hot-blooded youth that crossed paths with an arrogant young master seeking Yun Bai to become a stepping stone for himself. Not wanting to become the stepping stone he was to be, he was met with a fortuitous encounter that led him to overcome said young master and down the path he walked.

But, as he was dead straight ahead to come to the peak, he led a life that was truly lonely, though accompanied sometimes during his journey, they soon settled on their own after he went on to reach higher realms, content with what they have.

Thus, he set out to climb Celestial Retribution Mountain, in hopes of finding some way as the legends told. Yun Bai himself didn't find the climb to be too difficult, but if others were to hear him they would curse him as even themselves couldn't reach halfway, let alone the summit.

With a quarter of the journey already met with snow, not to mention the spiritual beasts that lived at the mountain, perhaps only Yun Bai could truly climb the Celestial Retribution Mountain.

As he climbed and reached the summit area which was quite flat, Yun Bai was astonished by what he saw. Standing on top of the flat area at the summit, he saw a sea of white clouds seemingly unhindered by anything, free to go along wherever they wish to go. As he took in the sight, it was further enriched by the rising sun, further complementing the scenery even further.

Astonished by the sight made Yun Bai decide to build a home as he took his time to digest and ponder these feelings he hasn't truly felt in a long time. He only made a simple looking home, enough to fill his needs, as he colored the walls charcoal to complement the white filled world at the peak. With his amassed knowledge, Yun Bai quickly set up a formation which would disguise the house to the surroundings, making others unsure if the peak was empty or not.

Finally, he made a simple courtyard that faced the rising sun. For thousands of years, he sat there every morning facing the sun to remember his journey, sometimes he would be in sorrow, whilst at other times he would be laughing his lungs out.

But as he took in the sight, he pondered over his predicament for so long. Time has passed, the world seemed to have forgotten the figure which was Yun Bai as he was isolated from any form of contact with the outside world for the last ten thousand years.

As he meditated, an epiphany struck him, but as he realized it, he soon slapped his own forehead.

"How can I be such an idiot, it was in front of me the whole time. You silly fool, just accept a disciple!"