Prologue: A Sage

At a time when life was bustling and the was at its all time peak throughout all the worlds, the countless thoughts and strong wills all seemed to start getting tangled.

At the center of all existence, deep within the void where it was impossible for life to exist, all these tangled thoughts and wills coalesced and collapsed on each other.

Their collapse erased any singularity and character from these thoughts and wills as they condensed together and mixed.

As they moved and wriggled trying regain form, the thoughts and wills collapsed on each other once more, condensing even further.

Time passed, eons flew by, life fell and rose multiple times as the ball of thoughts and wills couldn't be condensed any further and began to gain an unclear form.

This ball of thoughts and wills was now a singular thing that had… come to life.

It was inconceivable.

It was impossible.

It's existence was a danger.

To be born in the void, from countless thoughts and wills… it had no sense of self, nor a body, personality, or its own thoughts.

A blank slate that didn't even have a soul.

It was simply a… consciousness.

Such an existence was impossible.

Yet here it was.

Floating in the void aimlessly, the consciousness remained like so. Imprinting anything and everything it saw into its blank mind.

Years and millenniums pass when the floating consciousness stumbled upon a chaotic area within the void.

It floated into the chaotic area, the consciousness was ripped apart, flattened, shredded, and pulled apart within this chaotic space before finding itself immune to anything in the chaotic space.

As it traveled through the chaotic space, the consciousness imprinted the chaos into its mind that now held memories and a portion of the void.

More years pass before the consciousness finally found itself out of the chaotic space and into a much more stable and… lively… space.

In this space, countless stars and planets existed, galaxies continued to form, and life was growing.

Floating aimlessly, the consciousness quietly made its way past various planets and stars.

At first, there was no reaction from the consciousness as it floated aimlessly and witnessed life.

Strange creatures and beasts living their lives on all these different planets.

Then, one day, the consciousness began to react to this life. It began to act for itself, purposefully now looking over at the strange creatures and beasts on these planets.

It began… to think.

It's focus remained on the living beings and this colorful universe with plants, trees, sky, space, growth, time…

Anything and everything entered the mind of the consciousness and it began to grow intelligent and its wisdom began to bloom.

It watched as these creatures and beasts grew smarter and became stronger. He traveled through various worlds and galaxies, witnessing every single life form grow and develop communities, culture, and diversity.

After countless eras and millenniums of witnessing various living beings across various universes, the consciousness began to think for itself.

[I… wish to live.]

Despite being something that exists with proper thoughts and existence, the consciousness wasn't part of life or existence itself. It lived outside of it, disconnected from everything.

The consciousness was slowly developing feelings and desires, but while still disconnected from existence, the consciousness couldn't continue to grow and neither could it ever make contact with the living beings.

No matter how strong it was.

The desire to be part of life grew within it, to explore, discover, and learn everything it could. It has witnessed and learnt everything through many years, but only from an outsiders point of view.

***

With a goal in mind, the consciousness began to explore with a purpose.

To attain a life for itself.

Traveling through many worlds and universes, the consciousness searched and searched.

Until finally, it arrived in a small world, far away from any other populated world.

[There's something… here…]

The consciousness flew down to the world, exploring each place and looking at every living being in the world.

Finally, it arrived at the last place.

A small palace, home to an Emperor of a small empire.

Quietly, the consciousness drifted around aimlessly before arriving inside a room where a man stood quietly in front of a motionless baby.

The man had a haggard and disheveled look, his eyes red as he stared at his baby. The man listened as the baby breathed very weakly and his heart began to ache.

Seeing this scene, the consciousness revealed some curiosity as it approached the man and infant.

It curiously looked at the man for a second before focusing on the infant that seemed to have no sign of brain activity.

The infant's gaze was dull and lifeless.

It's soul was weak and almost nonexistent as it was on the verge of collapsing.

In all the Universes and worlds that the consciousness had experienced, it had never once seen such a thing.

It felt… amazed… and attracted to the odd state of the infant.

As the consciousness approached the infant even more, the consciousness began to feel like it could possess the baby and make it theirs.

It could possess the baby's blank soul and body.

An indescribable emotion formed within the consciousness and slowly, it entered the infant's body, taking control of the body and soul.

However, as it did this, the world began to tremble and a terrible group of clouds appeared above the palace. Dark and ominous, these clouds turned darker, dark purple lightning burst with immense intensity.

With the consciousness entering the body of the infant and stealing the soul and body, the Wills of Existence, Heaven, Earth, Nether… all discovered the existence of the consciousness.

The clouds seemed to rage and the ground began to shake in fury. The sky was collapsing and a fierce pressure was falling onto every living being in the world.

The travesty and blasphemy the consciousness was committing by taking over a soul and body. The consciousness didn't belong in this existence, and what it was doing was an act of war against Existence, the Vast Universe and the Myriad Realms.

A consciousness born from nothing and in nothing had begun to 'invade' and 'poison' the worlds and beings under their control.

Anger filled them, the desire to get rid of this parasite/stain filled them.

They all sought to destroy the consciousness, an entity that was never part of them and outside their control.

A being of its own kind that should not exist!

An existence that defies existence itself!!

The palace began to fall apart and crumble under the pressure of the clouds simply forming.

The world began to split, the sky was collapsing, countless disasters plagued the world and various other worlds in the surroundings.

Even the universe began to tremble as it sought to self-destruct in hopes of ridding the existence of the mysterious consciousness.

However… it all suddenly disappeared.

…

Inside the place, the man was coughing up blood as he held the baby in his arms.

Despite knowing that the baby had no brain activity, the man did his best to protect his child.

Almost losing his life in an attempt to keep the baby alive and well, the man was badly injured.

However, all of that didn't matter to him as he looked at the baby worried about its wellbeing.

Although he knew that the baby wouldn't be able to live long because of its lack of consciousness, he couldn't help but remember his late wife that died giving birth to this baby.

Pulling the baby away from his grasp, the man looked at the baby for a second when his eyes suddenly widened in shock.

"Ha… haha…"

Weakly laughing, the man looked at the baby, unsure what to think.

Before him, was a conscious baby!

It's black and galaxy-like eyes were bright and full of life!

"HAHAHAHAHA!"

The man laughed happily and in joy as he looked at the baby giggling now fully alive and well.

"Honey! He's alright! He's… alright… our baby boy is alright…" the man yelled excitedly before slowly falling into quiet sobs.

"Son…"

The man carried the infant in his arms and happily cradled him in his arms.

"From now onwards, your name will be Heaven in show of how no matter how the odds are stacked against you, you will always prevail against the world and stand on top of the Heavens!"

The man excitedly said as he named the infant in his arms.

'Heaven…'

The consciousness trembled under the naming of the man and felt… joy and the warmth of love. The feeling was new but it didn't feel bad, it was great.

It finally attained a name!

And it had a father now as well!

It finally felt something!

The consciousness felt a connection to the world and universe, albeit a little weak, but present.

The euphoria from something as simple as this was an amazing feeling that the consciousness felt for the first time since it's very birth many epochs ago.

It was almost destroyed be the dangerous lightning, but in the end, it managed to hide itself in a manner that tricked the various Wills that seeked to kill and destroy it.

However, there will come a day when his cover will be blown and they WILL return to kill and erase him.

***

Years pass and Heaven turned 5 years old.

Sitting down on a small chair, Heaven had various books and scrolls laying around him.

"A genius!!"

Pacing around the room, an old man had a look of incredulity and shock as he glanced at Heaven.

"He can read! He learns incredibly fast! He understands it all! He asks questions even I can't answer!"

The old man muttered loudly in shock.

The old man was one of the smartest in the entire empire. He is a Royal Scholar, titled so because of his immense knowledge and skill.

Yet now, he found himself stumped as he looked at the young boy sitting down curiously on the little chair.

The Royal Scholar pulled at his beard as he looked at the boy.

"Young Prince… you… you will lead the world to a bright future," the Royal Scholar said as he approached Heaven in awe and reverence. 'If he's this amazing at such a young age, when he's older, he will be even more amazing than those Immortal Scholars! A Sage! He's definitely a Sage in the making!"

Sage

A title only given to those at the peak of their knowledge and skills, the absolute peak that one can govern. A title granted by the Heavenly Dao.

Heaven heard the Royal Scholar's words and turned to look at him curiously, "Lead… the world? But that's my father's job. He's the Emperor."

The Royal Scholar smiled and nodded, "Yes. The job is the Emperor's, but as his son, it is your duty to one day inherit the Empire and the Emperor's Legacy and continue the reign."

Heaven lowered his for a second before raising it, his eyes filled with understanding.

"I will do my best."

The Royal Scholar nodded and although he had nothing he could teach Heaven, he decided to guide Heaven to studying the world and the universe, researching, analyzing, and broadening his wisdom.

Safe to say, Heaven absorbed everything like a sponge and his mind and perception became more monstrous.

***

Three Years Later

Outside of the palace in the training grounds, an 8 year old Heaven was watching the imperial guards training.

His gaze was bored as he looked at the guards training and sighed.

Heaven didn't find the training interesting, and the martial skills seemed lackluster to him. The martial skills of the guards seemed weak in his eyes.

Instead of seeing the soldiers' swinging swords or spears, to Heaven, it was more akin to swinging small blades of grass. They did nothing and they were completely weak.

"Heaven, son."

Whilst Heaven was looking at the guards train, Heaven's father, the Emperor, appeared.

"Father!"

Heaven stood up and looked at his father with a smile.

"What can I do for you, father?"

Seeing Heaven smile and look at him with respect and the love of a son, the Emperor smiled happily.

"Follow me," the Emperor said, turning around to guide Heaven.

Curious, Heaven stood up and followed behind his father. His father seemed a little serious today as if he was about to impart something important.

Without saying anything, Heaven followed his father.

…

After walking for a while, Heaven appeared in an obscure area of the palace's courtyard.

In this obscure place, there were many training weapons of small size fit for him. In the center of the area were two items, one training dummy and one mannequin with countless dots and lines across its body.

"What is this, father?" Heaven asked curiously.

The Emperor smiled and turned to face Heaven. His Emperor robe fluttered in the wind and he pulled out a book from his chest pocket.

"Heaven, today, you will make a choice that will determine your future."

Passing the book to Heaven, the Emperor walked to the side and picked up a wooden sword.

"Become an Immortal.

Become a Martial Artist.

Become a Scholar.

These are the things I am presenting to you today," the Emperor said as he tossed the wooden sword to Heaven.

Catching the wooden sword with his right hand, Heaven looked at the book on his left and the wooden sword.

Reading the title of the book, Heaven saw a rather pompous name.

Celestial Human Emperor Technique

Resting the wooden sword on his legs, Heaven opened the book and read through it.

Reading it, Heaven's expression turned into one of awe.

He could understand it and knew that this was something rather amazing, but he wasn't sure what it was exactly. It definitely didn't have anything to do with knowledge or martial arts, but it was similar.

However, as he read through it, Heaven could feel that it lacked many things, it was filled with flaws, and it seemed to be very weak. In all, it was a book that compiled trash.

"Father, what is this?" Heaven asked as he turned to look at the Emperor.

The Emperor smiled and said, "It's a cultivation technique. The best method of the Empire, and maybe in the entire world, to help you become an Immortal."

"Immortal…"

Hearing the word for a second time today, Heaven began to recall many other things.

The books and the things he had seen in all the Myriad Realms.

People controlling the world, mysterious energy, flying on swords and many items…

'What for?'

Heaven shook his head, finding no need to learn such a thing. His world was peaceful and he had no need for such a thing.

Still, he kept the book as it contained some small amount of knowledge he wasn't aware of. It reminded him of something, but he decided to figure it out at another time.

Turning his attention to the sword, Heaven looked up at his father.

"Here, look at this," the Emperor said as he tossed another book to Heaven, this time it was a sword technique.

Catching the book, Heaven looked at the title.

Star Emperor Sword Technique

'Stars… looks like my ancestors were obsessed with the stars and the celestials,' Heaven thought as he opened the book and looked through it, quickly memorizing and understanding what was in it.

Closing the book, Heaven placed it aside and grabbed the wooden sword by his leg.

Lifting the sword, Heaven calmed his breath and recalled the movements before following along.

Swish!

The wooden sword moved and Heaven's body moved as well.

Watching Heaven move, the Emperor's eyes widened in shock as he watched his son move and perform the sword technique.

'A genius… my son… he's simply incredible,' the Emperor thought as he followed Heaven's perfect movements.

Shortly after, Heaven eventually stopped, a frown on his face as he sighed and shook his head.

"You did amazing, son," the Emperor said excitedly.

Smiling, Heaven turned to look at his father and nodded.

"Thank you, father," Heaven said, bowing his head to his father in gratitude. "However… I don't believe I am suited to become an Immortal or a Martial Artist. It feels… wrong."

Heaven looked at his hand and clenched it, recalling the feeling of the sword technique and how he felt like it could hurt him in the long run.

"This…"

Hearing Heaven, the Emperor frowned and furrowed his eyebrows. His face was serious, but a second later, he relaxed and sighed.

Giving a weak smile, the Emperor spoke to Heaven.

"Alright, I will respect your wishes son. If you ever change your mind, I will be here for you. Keep the books and safeguard them, son."

With that, the Emperor turned and walked away, leaving Heaven behind.

Looking at his father's back, Heaven smiled and bowed his head once more, thanking his father for agreeing to his selfish wishes.

Turning his attention back to the Celestial Human Emperor Technique and the Star Emperor Sword Technique, Heaven walked back to his personal study room to further study the techniques he was given and comprehend them.