Cultivation Online

“It is exactly as it sounds. This duplicated world is an exact replica of the original—from the people to the locations, even down to the timeline. At least, that’s how it should have been,” the Sect Leader said, his voice trailing off as he paused.

“Tian Yang,” Yuan spoke. “As far as I am aware, he doesn’t exist in this world. Elder Sun tried looking for him in the Desolate Continent but to no avail. However, for some reason, her memories progress as if he exists.”

The Sect Leader nodded, “Indeed. Although Tian Yang couldn’t be replicated for some reason, the people who had a connection to Tian Yang in the original world were perfectly duplicated, their memories included. However, that memory would only trigger if they are reminded of Tian Yang.”

“Why couldn’t Tian Yang be duplicated? He’s only a single individual.”

“Honestly, I am not the creator of this world. The one who created it said something along the lines of ‘only being able to duplicate what’s not beyond their powers’. And since I am not the creator, I also cannot tell you ‘why’ it was created.”

Yuan narrowed his eyes and responded after a moment of silence, “I already knew you weren’t the creator when you told me this was a real world. Even a Cultivation God would not be capable of this. I cannot imagine who or what could have such powers.”

The Sect Leader smiled and said, “I could tell you, but your soul would be extinguished.”

“You told me that before. The only way that could happen is if the information is beyond human comprehension.”

“Oh?” the Sect Leader expressed surprise at Yuan’s words. “You are quite knowledgeable. Did your Master—your real one—tell you that?”

“Not quite. I came from a family that is very familiar with this sort of topic. Why don’t you try telling me? I bet my soul won’t be destroyed.”

However, the Sect Leader shook his head and said, “Trust me, it’s for your own good.”

Yuan narrowed his eyes and spoke, “Is it an Outer God?”

“You—?!” The Sect Leader stood up from shock, his eyes as wide as saucers. “You know about the Outer God?!”

“My family has studied their existence for generations. So this world was created by an Outer God, huh? I figured.”

The Sect Leader swallowed nervously. He never thought he would find someone who was also aware of the Outer Gods.

“How much do you know about the Outer Gods?” he asked Yuan.

“Honestly? Not a whole lot.”

“Are you willing to exchange information? I have been trying to learn more about them for some time now,” said the Sect Leader.

Yuan nodded. “Why don’t you start by telling me how your connection to the Outer God started so I can get a better understanding of the situation?”

“How it started, huh?” The Sect Leader gazed out the window, his eyes distant as he spoke. “It was… incredibly random. In fact, the Outer God was the one who reached out to me first. I remember being on the brink of death, my final breaths slipping away. In those last moments, I found myself longing to relive the early days of the Immortal Monastery. And then—before I even realized what had happened—I was here, in this world, as an overseer of sorts.”

“I have acquired the power to control the time of this world, but my powers are limited. For example, I can not speed up time, but I can rewind time for a few minutes at most.”

Yuan pondered for a moment before asking, “Have you spoken to the Outer God since coming here? What is their goal?”

The Sect Leader shook his head and said, “I’ve only spoken to them once—when I first arrived in this world. They told me about their identity as an Outer God, as well as their name, and told me to ‘watch over’ this world. I haven’t heard from them since.”

“How long have you been here? And what was their name?”

“I’ve only been here for about fifty thousand years. The Outer God called itself Rashira.”

‘Rashira, huh? That’s a new name.’ Yuan thought to himself.

“So this whole trial thing was your own doing? Not because you were told by the Outer God?” Yuan then asked.

“Yes, this is all of my own accord.”

“Why?”

The Sect Leader sighed, his gaze heavy with contemplation. “Although the people in this world are undeniably real, it doesn’t feel real to me. It’s as if I’m merely watching a preordained performance, a grand play orchestrated by the universe itself—or so I once believed. But after the events on the Desolate Continent, I came to a realization… Some things have changed due to Tian Yang’s absence. However, the true extent of these changes remains unknown.”

“Anyway, my reason for opening up this world is simple… I just want to pass down my inheritance to those living in the original world. Although I am not dead, my soul is now bound to this world, so I won’t be able to return to the original world.”

“What about the residents of this world? Can they leave?” Yuan asked.

“No, their souls are also bound to this world. Only those who are not originally from this world, like you, can leave.”

“What happens when we leave? Do we just disappear from this world? And can we return once we leave?”

The Sect Leader swiftly responded, “You can return as long as your body in this world doesn’t die. Once you leave, your body will temporarily ‘disappear’ until you return.”

‘So it’s similar to Cultivation Online, but we only have one life in this world…’ Yuan compared the two worlds.

“Do you plan on leaving soon?” the Sect Leader suddenly asked.

“Yes. My progress in the trial won’t reset or anything while I am gone, right? Since I have already finished the first two requirements, I only need to master the Peerless Immortal Technique to complete the trial.”

“Don’t worry, you will continue where you left off. However, since time flows faster in here, it’s better to master the technique here. Anyway, tell me what you know about the Outer Gods now. You’re not leaving until you do so,” said the Sect Leader.