The First to Understand

From afar, Planet Phoenix looked no different than usual. The only oddity that some perceptive divinities might notice, was the aura of illusions shrouding the planet, its atmosphere, and everything within range of its gravitational pull. However, if they remained outside of the planet and looked down at the lands, they wouldn't be able to see anything amiss, aside from a vague illusory aura, and the feeling that something wasn't quite right.

That was how the several divinities felt in this moment, as they watched Planet Phoenix closely, each with their own thoughts and ideas.

When Yaan released his domain to cover Planet Phoenix, he used the force of his domain's expansion to send an illusory ripple of his domain's aura, echoing out across the solar system. As the rippled spread through the solar system, whenever it passed through something or something, that entity would briefly turn into a painted image, before the ripple passed through and everything returned to normal.

All four of the divinities watching the planet down below experienced this exact jarring phenomenon. They also watched as that ripple of aura actually spread out beyond the deepest orbit of planets around Planet Phoenix, this planet with the properties of a life-star. They realised that despite continually diluting and weakening, the ripple of aura alone travelled so far out that it went on to affect several of the surrounding stars!

Yaan did this deliberately, in order to draw all attention in this sector towards himself. Searching an entire sector for any lingering divinities would be too tedious, so instead, he opted to bring them to him. 

He did not fear attracting attention, not anymore, not from anyone. He was far from the strongest divinity in this world, he knew this very well…but his survival abilities were top tier. He felt extremely confident in his ability to hold his own, no matter the situation. This feeling of freedom was something that he had never experienced before, and Yaan realised that perhaps, freedom itself was the true peak of cultivation.

Of course, with the 2nd Origin Era approaching its end, he was far from invincible. If he failed to transcend the Origin before the inevitable collapse of the world, he would be destroyed, along with near enough everything and everyone else.

This impending calamity was Yaan's true adversary now, not the other divinities, whom could only be considered nuisances getting in his way. 

And so, he decided to draw out the hidden nuisances, hoping to deal with them all at once…after he had finished his business with Zue Yin, of course. He was confident that nobody would dare step into his Absolute Domain in the mean time, since it would no doubt give rise to feelings of unease and uncertainty, causing anyone who witnessed its sudden appearance to feel wary. Nobody would be willing to hastily rush in without a plan.

Even the Primordial Spirit, who was sitting on the moon of a life-planet in Planet Phoenix's orbit, did not allow her burning hatred to overwhelm her rational mind. As soon as she saw that illusory field around Planet Phoenix, she finally had to accept that the current her, in her current situation, was simply not Yaan's match.

She was a Heavenly Deity, but she had lost a massive portion of her power alongside the destruction of the Spirit Plane, and her injuries were so severe that even now, she was still unable to properly recover. Thankfully though, she was not alone…

By her side, the Primordial Asura also stared silently into the distance. When she saw that illusory field, she, as an Empyrean, instantly understood.

"Absolute Domain." She commented plainly.

The Primordial Spirit showed no expression, but her tightly clenched fists showed her frustration.

It was only a few years ago that she could have crushed Yaan like a bug, even after losing her power. Before the Spirit Plane's destruction, during the period of time that infuriated her the most whenever she thought back…those years when she had whole-heartedly assisted Yaan's recovery and the growth of his dao…she had possessed so much power that annihilated his entire life and dao with a single thought would have been simplicity itself.

But she had been deceived, by Yaan and the Primordial Sage. The hatred in her heart, the hatred she felt towards the one who had deceived her and taken advantage of her kindness, destroyed her home world, killed near enough every member of her Spirit Sect, crippled her power, inflicted grievous injuries upon her, caused her most revered sister to betray her, and most unforgivably of all – killed her brother…her hatred towards Yaan could not be quantified, it was immeasurable and driving her to the brink of insanity. Were it not for her one remaining true ally in this world, the Primordial Asura, she knew that she might have truly lost her mind by now.

"Fortunately, you possess the treasure that the Sage gifted you way back then, allowing us to conceal ourselves from him, despite his unprecedented proficiency in illusions." The Primordial Asura pointed out their good fortune in this regard.

The Primordial Spirit looked bitter, though.

Her old sister, the Primordial Sage, had truly helped her so many times over the years. The Sage had saved her life on multiple occasions, and even helped to ascend her cultivation to its current heights…so why…why, after three million years of loyalty, did she suddenly betray them both…over a damned heart demon?!

Not all that far from the two Primordial Demon sisters, the third Primordial Demon sister stood beside the Astral King, hovering at his giant head height.

Originally, the Astral King had been sent to the highly coveted, but mostly given up on, Infinity Lake. This Primordial Treasure ended up in the Divine Phoenix Sector, but far away from this planet. The Astral King's original task was to investigate around the area to search for any traces of other divinities laying in wait…

Infinity Lake, the Primordial Treasure previously used by the Primordial Spirit to store her collected Divine True Inheritances, but also the Divine Treasure, Spirit Palace, was truly unimaginably valuable. However…

It was unlikely that anyone would try to steal it, because it was simply so massive and so heavy that it was almost impossible to move. In fact, for most Earthly Deities, it really was impossible to move! 

And so, despite its obvious value, nobody really kept a watch over Infinity Lake. There was no real way for anyone to take it away, unless they had the assistance of a large group, or someone powerful allowed them to take it.

Compared to Infinity Lake, Yaan suddenly coming to Planet Phoenix and releasing his Absolute Domain for the first time, revealing this powerful move that anyone would assume to be his ultimate trump cared, was far more curious.

But in fact, the Primordial Sage had watched Yaan for a large portion of his life, so she knew exactly why he was here. She also deduced that if anyone who knew Yaan decided to target him, they would likely lay in wait nearby, anticipating that he might eventually come here alone.

The only divinity confused by this whole situation was the Astral King, but since the Primordial Sage lingered beside him and simply watched on in silence, he too remained silent, watching on curiously.

As for the centre of all this dangerous attention, Yaan knew that he might have attracted some nosy fellows, but he didn't really care. His actions might seem strange and whimsical to others, but it was actually quite simple - due to his dao of fate, his main priority right now was to expand his understanding of his heart of fate.

Material goods, inheritances, combat power, hidden techniques…all of these things were useful tools, but they were just that; tools.

In the end, the one and only thing that truly mattered, was his dao. Pursuing his dao and raising his dao heart to the point that he could transcend the Origin and escape from the impending calamity of the 2nd Era's end, was infinitely more important than anything else.

And right now, the pursuit of his dao had led him here, to this planet…to this girl.

Yaan stared at Zue Yin, and she stared back at him. The three supreme elders nearby were clearly shocked when they found themselves inside the world of aa painting. In fact, it was as if they themselves had become illustrations within that same painting! Who could possibly stay calm in this situation?!

And then, there was the blinding centre of this painted world, the one standing opposite from their clan's young prodigy…

The three supreme elders, upon seeing 'Yaan', immediately felt their hearts sink into the deepest hatred and rage that they had felt in countess years.

"You!" The 9th Step Transcendent old man showed a highly confrontational expression, grinding his teeth and glaring with palpable hate as his fierce gaze landed upon Yaan's solitary figure. "Why are you here, Law Empyrean?! Was it not enough to force our four Divine Clans to admit your Divine Court our master to the world?! Was that publicity stunt not sufficient for you?! Are you here to renege on our agreement, is this your declaration of true war against the Divine Phoenix Clan?!"

The two 7th Step Transcendents had been filled with a near-equal rage just moments ago, but when they heard the highest 1st Supreme Elder's words, they looked confused, turning to him in bewilderment.

"1st Supreme Elder, what are you talking about, what Law Empyrean? Are you under some kind of deceptive illusion?! Damnit!" The 2nd Supreme Elder turned sharply and also glared at Yaan. "Old Grey, why are you always like this, using petty tricks just to toy with your enemies?! Do you not know how to fight properly?! Must you always resort to deception, just like you did to her back then?!"

This time, the 3rd Supreme Elder looked even more confused.

"You two, what exactly are you seeing right now…? Because I am certain that right now, I am staring at the Heavenly Dao's Fire Retribution, that cursed crimson-orange cloud that has spelled destruction for so many of our clansmen!"

Yaan's expression didn't change at all. He completely ignored the three confused and conflicted old men, continuing to watch Zue Yin.

Unlike the other three, she did not panic when she found herself in this painted world.

Unlike the other three, she showed no hint of hatred or anger when she looked Yaan in the eye.

"Tell me…when you look at me, what do you see?" Yaan's voice was calm and soft, yet it contained ripples of power that transformed into painted ocean waves. These painted waves crashed down onto the noisy supreme elders, then swiftly washed them away from this place as their screams faded into the distance.

It was now only Yaan and Zue Yin. He wanted to hear her unfiltered answer, the answer that she would give when it was just the two of them.

A smile slowly appeared on Zue Yin's face. She looked at Yaan with an amused expression. She simply shrugged, as if she didn't understand why he was asking such a question.

"What do I see? I see you, Yaan, what else is there to see?"

Yaan's eyes momentarily widened by an indiscernible amount, but this change in expression was hidden by his unchanging painted features.

However, Zue Yin's answer truly intrigued him.

"Do you hate me?" He suddenly asked.

Zue Yin laughed and shook her head.

"Hate you? Why would I? That said, I must say that your way of greeting an old friend isn't quite right, Yaan, haha."

As Zue Yin laughed, her smile became engraved in the painting. It was a free, happy smile, a smile filled with nostalgia, joy, and a hint of understanding.

This was not a fake smile, nor was there anything fake about her expression, demeanour or words.

Yaan finally smiled back. His smile was also genuine, however, this smile was born from his interest upon finding something that made no sense.

When he pulled others into his domain, it didn't matter who they were, weak or strong, old or young, friend or foe…in this painted world, only he could see the truth, all others would be deceived, seeing him as the thing that they hated the most in this world.

So why did this girl see his true self, despite also feeling happy about it?

It made no sense!

"I see now." Zue Yin spoke up, still smiling, but casting Yaan a deep look. "I heard all about your exciting adventure that ended with you being labelled the 'World Demon'. They say that you painted something during your ascension to the Divine Step, and in that painting, everyone sees whatever they hate the most in this world. We're inside that very same painting right now, aren't we?"

Yaan nodded silently.

"I wonder, why is it that I can see you clearly…and why don't I feel any ill will towards you?" Zue Yin asked, her smile remaining, but her gaze becoming sharp, as if she was trying to see through the truth.

Unfortunately all she saw was Yaan's painted face.

Her eyes flashed brilliantly as it hit her.

"The painting from back then…it was a painting of yourself, wasn't it?"

"What makes you say that?" Yaan asked, now feeling even more intrigued than before.

"Because no matter where you go in this life, everyone always misunderstands you. Maybe that's why this painting cannot fool me…because I understand you, Yaan. And I think that…I might be the first person you have met who can honestly say that."

"You understand me?" Yaan chuckled to himself, but his laughter stopped as soon as Zue Yin replied.

"I understand that what you said back then after completing your dao heart, about wanting to save the world, was all true. I understand that nobody believed you, nor did you expect them to, but you said it anyway, just in case your words somehow reached someone. And I…understand that this is the reason you came to find me today…and why you wanted to test me with this painting. So, 'World Saviour Yaan', tell me…did I get anything wrong?"

Yaan remained silent for a long time.

Eventually, he retracted his domain, releasing his hold over this giant planet.

Finally, he faced Zue Yin without any deceptions.

When the painting came down and Yaan's stoic painted face melted into oblivion, Zue Yin saw him once again, the boy she often thought back on, that demonic child in his crimson robe, who was always walking alone along his own desolate path.

So when she saw that behind the painting, Yaan was smiling in a way that she had never before imagined, Zue Yin was left unable speak, breath, or even think.

Yaan was more than just satisfied with his decision to reunite with Zue Yin today.

Finally…

Finally, he had found someone who understood.

"Zue Yin…this world of the 2nd Origin Era will meet its end in less than 30,000 years. You, and near enough everyone else, will be destroyed by this unavoidable calamity. I want you to work for me…no, I want you to work for my ambition - to save this world and everything in it, no matter what must be done to reach this ideal. You will die in this Era, but I will not. Zue Yin…be my eyes in the Qi Plane's immortal world, and I promise you, one day, once I attain power beyond all else, I will save everything. You, me, the cruel past and the hopeless future…no matter what it takes, I will find a way to make everything right."