Cold, damp air clung to the walls of the cave. In the darkness, soft whimpering echoed faintly.
A young boy lay motionless on the stone floor, his black-and-red hair scattered over his face—yet even in such a miserable state, his beauty couldn't be concealed.
After an unknown time, his fingers twitched.
His eyes slowly opened.
"Where… am I…?" he murmured.
A sudden spike of pain stabbed through his mind.
"Hmph—ahh! My head!"
Memories surged like a tidal wave, drilling straight into his soul. Cold sweat poured down his face as he gritted his teeth.
Eternal Soul Scripture.
Bang!
Rows of glowing symbols materialized before him—ancient, majestic, incomprehensible. They hovered for a moment before fading as suddenly as they appeared.
"Yes… I remember."
"My name is Li Mu. Li Mu… from Earth Star. The man who once cheated heaven of its secrets."
He raised his head, his gaze sharp despite the lingering weakness.
"And this place… hmph. I'll figure it out once I leave."
He slowly stood and began to walk. His senses felt magnified—every drop of water, every whisper of wind, every distant vibration reached him. With each breath of fresh air, clarity returned to his thoughts.
After walking for who knew how long, sunlight finally washed over his face.
Rolling hills and endless grasslands stretched as far as the eye could see.
"A world like this… truly beautiful."
He searched his memories and recalled something important.
"There should be a city north of here. If I hurry, I can reach it before nightfall."
With that decision, Li Mu stepped into the world—quietly, unseen.
A man of calamity had been reborn.
"Eternal Soul Scripture."
A black-and-white book appeared, its cover filled with shifting constellations—each one a mystery of heaven. A floating quill followed, exuding a cold, judging aura as if nothing in existence could escape it.
Li Mu steadied his breath and began recording his first experience since awakening.
When he finished, the book and quill dissolved into motes of light. Rows of text streamed across his vision.
"I see… Due to the sins and deeds of my previous life, I've been chosen as the Recorder of All Myriad Lifeforms."
"For every profound truth I inscribe, the Scripture enhances my soul…"
A smile tugged at his lips.
"Then if I write enough truths… my soul can live forever. Coexisting with the sun and moon, the heavens and the earth."
The moment he realized this, strength flowed through him. His awareness sharpened, his comprehension deepened.
He continued across the grassland, resisting the urge to record more.
False or shallow truths would cost him his lifespan—a price he couldn't afford yet.
The only reason his first entry succeeded was because the Scripture deemed it a "first step of heaven"—a profound truth in itself.
He pushed those thoughts aside and quickened his pace.
---
Two Hours Later
A massive city appeared on the horizon, like an ancient beast in slumber. The gates towered toward the heavens; crowds filled the entrance, merchants shouting and families bustling.
A strange warmth rose in Li Mu's chest.
"The complex lives of all beings… truly pleasing to both heaven and earth."
The moment he said that, the book and quill in his subconscious trembled.
The quill wrote on its own.
A brilliant light surged into Li Mu's soul—
A tenfold enhancement.
"So… this is a profound truth."
Unfazed by the sudden transformation, he simply accepted it. His personality was shifting, sculpted by the Scripture—yet he welcomed it all.
Li Mu calmly joined the line.
Time passed. Just as he reached the front—
A carriage tore through the crowd, its wheels striking sparks against the stone.
A phoenix insignia blazed across its surface.
"That's the Leng Family carriage!"
"The ancient Leng Clan?"
"Why would they come here?"
"You fool, today is the entrance exam for the Heavenly Insight Pavilion!"
"Those are Black Flame Steel Horses—look at them!"
The crowd erupted in whispers as the carriage rolled into the city.
"Heavenly Insight Pavilion… Leng Family…" Li Mu murmured.
"Hey! Are you registering or not?!"
Snapped from his thoughts, he apologized and accepted his nameplate. The guard explained:
He had three days to pay for permanent residency. Fail, and he'd be thrown out—beating included.
"I need to find a job… but first, I should learn more about this 'examination.'"
Li Mu wandered through the ancient streets, absorbing the beauty of the city. Letting his instincts guide him, he eventually reached the city square.
There, a massive scarlet crystal stood at the center, glowing with blood-red light.
A wave of bloodlust surged into his mind—accompanied by the screams of countless lost souls.
Li Mu staggered—
But a sudden tug yanked him backward.
He gasped, drenched in cold sweat.
A girl around his age stood behind him, arms crossed, looking at him with pure disbelief.
"…Are you stupid?"