『The Void Within Breeds Delight and Fury』

"..."

That's right, I, Ling yan, who was just an ordinary professor back then—

[Stop Meng He's Heart, Requires 1 Psionic Star]

[Confirmed]

"Guhah!"

—Have killed someone, for the first time.

In the midst of a forest stood me, who was standing in front of someone who I'd just met a while back. It was quite windy, despite the absence of clouds, and the air brought forth a sense of melancholy in it. I didn't think my first encounter in this new world would end up like this.

"I've long thought of the day that I'd be taking someone's life, and I've always wondered how I'd react back then. Now I know..."

I didn't feel a single thing.

Although I was shaken by the surrealness of the situation, I didn't feel a shred of pity or remorse.

Now—you might wonder how I, Ling yan, had ended up in such a situation...

Well...

<<----------->>

Summer was approaching, and the end of the school year was nigh—nevertheless, the students were still quite rowdy, especially since it was their favorite professor who was having class right now.

"...and so, that will be it for today. You might be all adults now—nevertheless, it does not mean that you are immune to these thinking fallacies." Ling yan, calmly said.

These were all freshman students, nonetheless, it seems that he had all captured their hearts—this was partly due to his knowledge, but mostly because of his agreeable and pleasant personality. Some of his students had even asked him out, but Ling Yan, had of course politely refused. This earned him quite a reputation in the university—and both faculty staff and students deeply respected him.

"Teacher! there were still a few of it in the textbook that we have not discussed yet... is it possible to extend our time?" One enthusiastic girl said, seemingly wanting to extend the class.

"Although it is break period after, that can't be done, we'll continue on our next class." Ling Yan smiled, appreciating his student's sentiment.

"But... Teacher! We won't be able to see you until next week!" The former class bully emphasized.

"Hah... it seems this is hopeless. Very well, I shall explain the rest briefly..."

Most of the students weren't particularly interested in the subject—it was just that their teacher had always weaved everything into a story that people can relate to, thus captivating them.

"Humans are creatures of gossip and stories" or so he explained.

People, in his eyes, were very fond of stories and gossip—and even if one doesn't engage in gossip, one can find other outlets such as reading fiction. Why? That was because humans are inherently flawed—we were not perfect.

People use gossip as a form of self-deflection, a way to prove that one is not flawed in society, and disdain those who are "flawed". It's because we fear judgment, we fear being left alone, we fear being "flawed", and we feel good being affirmed that what we're not—and so, we judge others who are "flawed".

Even those who don't engage in such will find solace in fiction and stories, it's because we're all flawed, and stories offer the fantasy that we've always craved. A cool main protagonist? An endless amount of men/women? A pure heroic love story? Being the strongest in the world? Destroy those who betrayed you? All of these are part of the flaw and insecurity we have inside—and that's why we find enjoyment in things because there's always something inside us that defines it. Only by having a lack of something, can we desire that something.

"So then, hypothetically, we have a perfect person—without a single insecurity or desire. Since he is already perfect, he does not need to engage in things—he does not find enjoyment in stories since there's nothing in it that he lacks. So then, let me ask you all—would you want to be a perfect person?" He addressed all of his students.

"..."

Just as someone tried to raise their hand, the classroom shook—and before anyone realized, a dazzling white light enveloped the room. Ling Yan immediately lost sight of all his students, and a soothing feeling enveloped him.

"Where...?"

He fell into the endless white abyss and as the wind rustles through the back of his hair, he could feel his body's warmth—remaining oddly calm.

He thought back to his own question. "Would you want to be a perfect person? free of all insecurities, desire, and suffering?".

He would have answered...

No.

While it meant having eternal peace and contentment—that was no different than being dead. To strive and wish for something, no matter how naive, is what gives life meaning.

Or so, Ling Yan believes.

"Is it finally happening..." He closes his eyes.

Ling Yan was no different from these "flawed" people—and despite the amount of awe and reverence he received for being "omnipotent". He enjoyed reading stories like any other, and unbeknownst to everyone, he had also naively wished for something.

<<----------->>

A star shimmered in the distance, illuminating the grayed-out surroundings—Ling Yan opened his eyes, only to see people from every direction, they were all staring forward and witnessing a divine figure made out of white bright light. The figure looked ethereal, as if it was the embodiment of perfection. Its soft and feminine glow was enough to make anyone entranced.

"There's so many people..." He looked around, unable to find at least one of his students.

As he was about to begin moving and searching, he realized that he was stepping on nothing, even the sky was the same hollowed gray—and only the white bright figure was in the center that saved them from the dullness of the surroundings. It was somehow comical, as if he had just died and that "god" has come to save him, to which Ling Yan slightly laughed.

"Welcome, otherworlders..." A woman's voice resonated, and they began speaking.

"This..."

Ling Yan noticed something odd, despite the weird situation they were in, no one spoke a single word—as if they were in a trance. And just as he thought that, he saw one of his students in the far distance.

Xia Liqiu

This was the student council president—who was one of the people who approached Ling Yan for help. She was often serious, and was very responsible—or so most people thought, but unbeknownst to everyone, she had various unique hobbies and had quite a rich inner world. Like Ling Yan, she was also deeply confused and began to look around.

"...with that, I'd like to—hmm...?" The figure stopped talking, as if she was interrupted.

From what Ling Yan could understand, she was an "Immortal" like the ones in cultivation novels—and their cultivation star was lacking in talents, which was why they had summoned people from dead cultivation stars such as Earth in hopes of increasing their strength.

"Very well... you may do so discreetly." As the figure said that, Ling Yan suddenly felt a sudden chill—as if his sixth sense was triggered.

As if confirming his instincts, Ling Yan's surrounding suddenly darkened—and everyone disappeared in sight. A faint purple light emerged, a voice coming out from it.

"I've been waiting for 1,000 years... finally—I've found you, my inheritor."