“Time as a construct doesn’t have meaning in the void. For what is void but an expression of nothingness?”

  — Creator of Calastic Universe

  Winn Chum’s Perspective (200 years after ascension)

  “How naive was I? Thinking about transcending mortality and becoming an immortal. Is this a punishment for my hubris—thinking I could overcome death, overcome the heavens? Is this a punishment by the heavens?”

  “Did I really ascend to the immortal realm? Am I still in the tribulation? I thought I had passed the tribulation and ascended. Is this a punishment by the heavens, making me believe that I ascended while I became trapped in my own mind?”

  “NO, NO, NO!” I shouted toward the emptiness.

  “Yes, this must be a heart tribulation. But how do I overcome it? I thought my dao heart was strong and unbreakable. How did I get trapped in this tribulation?”

  “Think, Chum, think. Did I really forget my master’s teachings?”

  “What did Master used to say? ‘Young Winn, you have a strong dao heart, but you still need to temper it in the mortal world. You need to feel all the mortal emotions and overcome them to create a solid foundation for your future cultivation progress.’ I can still hear his voice repeatedly in my mind. But did I ever feel all the seven emotions?”

  “No, I never took him seriously. His advice would have been great right now. I remember now—he also said that to overcome a heart tribulation you need to become more aligned with your true inner self.”

  “What is my true inner self? Why am I cultivating? Was immortality my only goal? Is this the end of my journey? Master always said that the heavens are cruel but fair. I thought I understood his sentiment, but right now all I see is their cruelty.”

  Wanderer’s Perspective

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  “Hmmmm. He looks rather human—and is that a cultivator’s robe? So he is one of those cultivation freaks. Looks like I need a human body.”

  “These cultivator types do not respect the young ones and are mostly afraid of the elderly. So let’s go with the reclusive immortal master look. An old master archetype is the perfect body to create for this situation.”

  “I always find it funny how the cultivator types try to gauge my cultivation but get nothing. The range of emotions crossing their faces is always a sight to see. Well, I digress—let’s make the body.”

  “White hair is somewhat of a standard for this archetype, followed by a long white beard. Glassy eyes give the impression of someone who knows more than he lets on. I mustn’t forget about the things these cultivators prize in their jade beauties.”

  “But what does a jade beauty look like? Isn’t it like those porcelain dolls? So let’s go with white porcelain skin. A grand mage robe—famous in the system worlds—should do the trick. But what color should I choose? Red suits me, so let’s go with red-colored robes with silver lightning flowing through them.”

  “If I do say so myself, this is one of the best bodies I have created. Just send my consciousness in and voilà—I have created another avatar. This should do for now.”

  Winn Chum’s Perspective (2 years before meeting Wanderer)

  “After 30 millennia of cultivation in this black abyss, I have found with certainty that I cannot progress my cultivation in this realm. As I look around, all I see is darkness. There is nothing here in this realm except me. Floating in the nothingness really makes you think about the pointlessness of continued existence.”

  “Am I going on in this life if there is no progress forward? No one to share my happiness, no one to talk to, no one to listen to. The grand emptiness—what I call this realm—really takes a toll on the spirit. Do I have the willpower to continue?”

  “I want to go back home. I want to see my master. I want to love someone and be loved in return. I want to laugh and cry with family, friends, acquaintances, and even my enemy.”

  “My eyes fill with tears and I cry. I cry for myself. I cry for all my friends and family that I left behind. I cry for the honey bun my mother made during the Festival of Color. I cry because that is the only thing I can do right now.”