After a long exchange of questions and answers—
John finally spoke, organising his thoughts.
"So, let me confirm this."
"Our world—Blue Star—has reached a certain threshold… a Tier 1 civilisation."
"And because of that, the universe… or the so-called Will of the Universe… has decided humanity is ready to be introduced to the multiverse."
A pause.
"To prepare us, we've been given a quest."
"We must enter a supernatural world—the Dao World—and kill its ruler…"
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"The Sage Emperor."
John looked directly at the entity.
"…Correct?"
"Correct," the entity replied without hesitation.
Silence fell.
John lowered his gaze, deep in thought.
Then he asked—
"And if we fail?"
The entity's expression didn't change.
"You do not possess sufficient authority to access that information."
John didn't react.
He had already heard that answer multiple times.
At this point, it barely affected him.
Instead, he asked something more important.
"You're asking billions of humans… to kill the strongest existence in that world."
"And not just anywhere—"
"But in his world."
"His domain."
He leaned forward slightly.
"How is that even possible?"
For the first time—
The entity smiled.
"The people of Blue Star will not be without support."
"Beyond the primary objective, multiple auxiliary quests will be issued."
"Ranking event will be conducted"
"And those completing them will grant rewards… and authority and Titles"
"Additionally—"
"Your identities will be concealed."
"To the inhabitants of the Dao World, you will appear as natives."
John's eyes flickered.
"And as you approach the completion of the main objective…"
The entity's smile deepened.
"You will receive… special benefits."
A brief pause.
"Most importantly—"
"That world operates under a structure similar to what your species calls a 'game.'"
"You will adapt easily."
John fell silent.
A game…
That was true. He knew it better than anyone—
Before he could ask anything further—
The entity spoke again.
"Our time is over."
John's body began to dissolve.
Turning into particles of light.
And then—
Darkness.
…
When he opened his eyes again—
Noise flooded his senses.
Voices. Footsteps. Movement.
He stood in the middle of a bustling town.
People moved all around him.
Vendors shouted. Children ran. Cultivators passed by with calm, steady steps.
John lowered his gaze.
His clothes had changed.
Simple.
Rough.
Identical to the people around him.
Just one glance—
And he confirmed it.
He had arrived.
The Dao World.
A translucent interface appeared before his eyes.
[Warning: Do not expose your identity.]
*
*
[Quest Issued: Join a Sect]
[Reward: Unique Skill (Grade A)]
[(Accept) / (Reject)]
John didn't hesitate.
He selected—
Accept.
This world…
Was far from unfamiliar.
For fifteen years—
No.
For a million years—
He had lived here.
He understood its rules.
Its dangers.
Its secrets.
And now—
There was something new.
The system.
John's eyes flickered slightly.
Let's see what you're really planning…
He opened his inventory.
Inside—
A set of clothes.
Ten copper coins.
Nothing more.
Based on his knowledge—
Ten copper coins were enough for a mortal to survive…
For about two days.
"…So even I start from zero."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
Interesting.
Soon—
He found a small inn.
After a brief exchange—
He rented a room for the night.
with four copper coins.
And a simple meal—
for one coin.
Five coins left.
John lied on bed quietly.
and started to think
The system.
The quest.
The lie.
And the biggest truth of all—
They want to kill me.
A slow breath escaped his lips.
************************
But beyond everything, John still has to confirm whether he can access his dream like before and his power as the sage emperor
Without much further thought, he drifted back to his sleep
The next moment—
He opened his eyes again.
But he was somewhere else.
A vast hall stretched endlessly in all directions.
Ancient pillars carved from unknown materials pierced the heavens. Countless formations suspended in the air, circulating energy.
At the centre—
A throne.
John sat upon it.
A throne forged from the essence of heaven and earth itself.
An existence beyond grade.
The core of the greatest cultivation array ever created.
With every passing second—
His cultivation surged.
Hundreds of times.
Thousands.
Millions.
Effortless.
Endless.
But this cultivation is the same as throwing a bucket of water in endless sea
Below the throne—
Rows upon rows of guards and servants stood in silence.
Each one radiates terrifying pressure.
Each one is capable of shaking worlds.
And yet—
Not a single one dared to breathe loudly in his presence.
John slowly opened his eyes.
The entire hall trembled.
A figure stepped forward.
Humanoid in form—
But with the head of a crow.
Dark feathers shimmered like void itself.
Its aura was deep. Ancient. Unfathomable.
"My liege…"
Its voice was respectful.
Measured.
"What's your command...."
This being—
Was his right-hand.
One of the oldest existences under his command.
John didn't answer.
Instead—
He raised his hand.
A thought flickered.
And his inventory opened.
In an instant—
Endlessness revealed itself.
Treasures.
Artifacts.
Pills.
Weapons.
Techniques.
A hoard accumulated over a million years.
Enough to overturn heaven itself.
His gaze moved calmly—
Ignoring everything.
Until—
He found it.
A storage bag.
Simple.
Unremarkable.
Yet inside—
It was filled to the brim with fruits.
John took it out.
Then—
Another item appeared in his hand.
A storage ring.
Without hesitation—
He began transferring.
One bag.
Ten bags.
Hundreds.
Thousands.
The ring quickly filled with fruit bags.
The entire hall remained silent.
No one questioned him.
No one dared to.
Anything their Emperor did—
Was absolute.
Finally—
John stopped.
He closed his eyes once more.
And in the next instant—
A blazing presence erupted from his body.
A cry echoed through the heavens.
A phoenix.
It emerged in a burst of divine flames.
Its wings span across space itself.
Its existence… sacred.
Eternal.
The entire hall bowed slightly.
John opened his eyes.
Calm.
Unshaken.
He tossed the storage ring forward.
The phoenix caught it effortlessly in its beak.
John communicated mentally with Phoenix
The phoenix let out a sharp cry.
As if acknowledging the command.
Then—
It turned.
And shot out of the hall like a streak of fire.
Tearing through space.
Disappearing beyond the boundaries of this world.
Silence returned.
John leaned back slightly on his throne.
His expression remained unchanged.
But deep within—
A single thought surfaced.
So… it still works.