"Long ago, when the veil between realms was thin, communication with the Celestial Plane wasn't unheard of. It was during that ti that I, driven by a desire to ascend beyond the limitations of the mortal realm, embarked on a perilous journey."
Qing Shui's voice took on a distant, yearning tone. "The Divine Realm, a place whispered about in legends, beckoned to with promises of unimaginable power. After years of arduous cultivation and relentless pursuit of knowledge, I finally cracked the code, a forbidden technique that allowed to pierce the veil and ascend."
"What happened then, Senior?" Yun Lintian asked.
"The Divine Realm was indeed a spectacle beyond compare," Qing Shui continued. "Landscapes sculpted from pure celestial energy, beings of unimaginable power, and a symphony of elental forces that would leave any mortal breathless."
A tinge of bitterness entered his voice. "However, the welco I received was not what I anticipated. The established powers of the Divine Realm viewed , an outsider, with suspicion. They saw my ascension as a threat, a disruption to their carefully constructed hierarchy."
"Did they attack you?" Yun Lintian was surprised slightly.
"Not directly," Qing Shui replied. "They employed subtle tactics, sowing discord amongst the other ascending beings, turning them against through deceit and manipulation. I found myself isolated, outnumbered, and ultimately, betrayed by those who had promised alliance."
"A powerful enemy erged," he continued, his voice laced with regret. "A being of imnse power, fueled by a dark and envious heart. They orchestrated a surprise attack, striking down in the midst of a fierce battle."
Yun Lintian was confused. "But Senior, didn't you have trendous power yourself?"
The fact that Qing Shui could beco a True God was a testant to his ability to survive. However, it seems strange that he wouldn't be killed before achieving this status but rather afterward.
"Power alone is not enough," Qing Shui said sadly. "Underestimation, misplaced trust, and a naive belief in the inherent goodness of others… these were my undoing. However, in that final, desperate mont, I used the remnants of my energy to activate a forbidden technique, a fragnt of my soul designed to escape the Divine Realm."
"I see." Yun Lintian nodded slowly.
Qing Shui said further. "My physical form was shattered, but a sliver of my essence remained, tethered to this place I had created, a sanctuary fueled by my divine energy."
"If you ever decide to enter the Divine Realm, you must be wary of the True Gods. None of them can be trusted, especially those who are backed by the Primordial Gods."
Primordial gods… Yun Lintian was surprised. He was now certain that either he had traveled to an alternate reality, or he had been transported back in ti to the Primordial Era. Yun Lintian leaned more towards the latter possibility. The power of ti within his body must have played a role in this.
"Thank you for the warning, Senior. I will tread carefully if my path ever leads to the Divine Realm." Yun Lintian spoke.
"Good. Now, regarding your imdiate future, I have a request." Qing Shui said gently.
Yun Lintian responded calmly. "A request, Senior? Please, don't hesitate to ask."
"My existence," Qing Shui began, his voice taking on a somber tone, "must remain a secret. The Azure Royal Clan, in its current state, is not equipped to handle such a revelation. It would create unnecessary discord and potentially attract unwanted attention."
Yun Lintian understood the weight of Qing Shui's words. The knowledge of a hidden True God could drastically alter the power dynamics within the clan, potentially leading to internal strife. Additionally, if news of this reached the wrong ears, it could invite unwanted scrutiny from other powerful factions.
"I understand, Senior," Yun Lintian confird, his voice firm. "Your secret is safe with ."
A sense of relief washed over Qing Shui's voice. "Excellent. Now, on a different note, I have a burning question."
Yun Lintian raised an eyebrow. "What is it, Senior?"
"You ntioned being a descendant of the Azure Cloud Yun Clan," Qing Shui said, his voice curious. "Is there any indication of True Gods amongst their ranks?"
"No, Senior," Yun Lintian shook his head. "At least, not from any historical records I've seen."
"I see," Qing Shui said gently, a hint of confusion tinging his voice.
Yun Lintian, though curious, refrained from asking anything.
"However," Qing Shui continued, "you have the potential to beco a True God. Once you reach that realm, I advise you to distance yourself from your family. It would be best if you could erase your traces altogether."
"Why is that, Senior?" Yun Lintian, puzzled, inquired.
"Are you familiar with the concept of karma?" Qing Shui inquired.
"Karma? My understanding is superficial at best. I would be grateful if you could enlighten , Senior." Yun Lintian replied humbly.
"Karma is a complex and multifaceted concept," Qing Shui began, his voice taking on an almost philosophical tone. "Imagine it as a cosmic web, woven from the threads of every action, every choice, every consequence that ripples through the very fabric of existence."
He gestured with his incorporeal hand, conjuring shimring motes of light that danced in the air before Yun Lintian. "These motes represent individual karmic threads, connecting beings both great and small. A good deed strengthens the thread, while a negative one weakens it."
Yun Lintian watched intently, srized by the visual representation. "So, the stronger the connection, the more one is affected by the actions of another?"
"Precisely," Qing Shui confird. "Now, imagine a family as a tightly woven tapestry. Each mber is a vibrant thread, their lives intertwined by blood and shared experiences. This tapestry amplifies the karmic connections, creating a powerful resonance."
He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in. "When you ascend to the True God Realm, your actions will carry imnse weight. A minor transgression on your part could have devastating consequences for those connected to you through these karmic threads, especially those as close as family."
Yun Lintian frowned. "Is there no way around this, Senior?" he asked, a sliver of hope clinging to his voice.
"There are a few options," Qing Shui replied, his voice turning contemplative. "The most straightforward, though undesirable, is to sever these karmic ties altogether. This can be achieved through a dangerous ritual known as Karmic Severance. However, it cos at a heavy price, demanding a portion of your own cultivation base as sacrifice."
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