Chapter 20;Blessed Land

...…

Origin Ocean 

With a sharp crack,the void tore open and lex stepped out of it. His gaze swept over the Origin Ocean, taking in its boundless expanse, unchanged and eternal. The surface shimmered with origin energy, rippling as if acknowledging his presence. Without hesitation he began to float slowly towards the center of the origin ocean. 

After he arrived at the center of the Origin Ocean, an island slowly formed at the center of the origin ocean. At the heart of this island stood a two-story building with smooth, modern looking building,a stark contrast to the ancient, chaotic energies surrounding it. A lush garden sprawled behind the building, vibrant with cosmic herbs and rare plants, some of which were nearly impossible to find beyond the ocean's vicinity. Each plant thrived, their colors shifting subtly under the ethereal light.

Lex slowly landed on the island and his body changed as he assumed his previous human appearance although his temperament changed drastically from how it was in his previous life. His body was now unassuming and ordinary. His height and build were neither imposing nor fragile, a reflection of the man he had been. Yet, subtle differences marked him now. His skin, though plain, seemed to radiate a faint, almost imperceptible glow, as if the stars themselves whispered beneath its surface. His eyes, once merely curious, now shimmered with infinite depth, galaxies swirling faintly within their gaze, betraying the vastness of his knowledge and power.

His posture, calm and grounded, carried no arrogance but exuded an aura of unshakable authority, as if the universe itself stood with him. Even his hands, still roughened by the memory of mortal work, held a quiet strength, capable of shaping reality with a simple motion. While his form echoed the simplicity of his past life, it now felt like a vessel too small for the immensity of his power.

Lex stepped into the building, his steps deliberate, the faintest trace of nostalgia flickering across his face. The memories of his mortal past brushed against his consciousness, but just as quickly as the emotion appeared, it vanished,buried beneath the vastness of his being, as though it had never existed.

He moved through the building's sleek, modern halls, his fingers grazing the smooth surfaces. The simplicity of the structure reminded him of a time when life was unburdened by universal responsibility. He walked into the garden, its vibrant cosmic herbs and rare plants swaying faintly as if greeting him. For a moment, Lex knelt and studied a flower, its colors shifting gently under the ethereal light. His movements were slow, methodical, resembling those of a mortal deeply immersed in the small joys of life.

After exploring every corner of the island, Lex stood at the garden's center, his gaze thoughtful. He extended his hand, the air rippling around him as he whispered a silent command. The laws of the island shifted, bending to his will. A ripple of unseen energy spread outward, altering the very fabric of the space.

From now on, anyone who set foot on this island would be stripped of their powers, reduced to a mortal state. It was not punishment but purpose—this place, Lex had decided, would be a sanctuary of humility. No matter how great their strength, they would feel the fragility of existence, as Lex once had.

Satisfied, he turned back to the building, the ripple of laws fading into the tranquil hum of the Origin Ocean. The island, now shrouded in an invisible aura of serenity and vulnerability, reflected Lex's quiet resolve. This was a place of balance, where even the mightiest would experience the simplicity of life, just as he had once done.

...

Divine realm

A humanoid figure sat cross-legged in front of towering monolith, its surface reflecting faint, shifting patterns of space itself. His expression shifted between deep contemplation, fleeting frustration, and moments of quiet satisfaction. Occasionally, he would rise, taking measured steps toward the monolith. Yet, no matter how far he walked, from another perspective, seemed as if he remained rooted to the same spot, the space around him stretching infinitely.

This figure was Vastoth, the primordial embodiment of spatial laws, immersed in a challenge he had undertaken for millennia. The monolith stood as both a test and a reward, a physical manifestation of space's deepest truths. It radiated an aura that pushed even someone of Vastoth's caliber to his limits, demanding complete mastery before it would yield its secrets.

For thousands of years, Vastoth had been unraveling the monolith's mysteries, steadily closing the gap between himself and ultimate mastery. Now, only 50 meters remained,a seemingly short distance, yet a chasm that could only be crossed with the final piece of understanding. The closer he came, the more the space around him shifted, twisted, and resisted his progress, as if guarding the monolith's secrets with unwavering determination.

Sweat formed on his brow as he paused, his hands clenched at his sides. He was so close, the truths of space dancing on the edge of his comprehension. The air around him shimmered, and the space itself seemed to hum, awaiting his next move.

...

Vyrinox soared through the dense, shifting clouds, his serpentine form cutting through the mist with ease. His body bore the marks of a recent battle, deep scars that glowed faintly as his natural energy worked to heal them. He clenched his scaled fists, his eyes glaring with anger as he muttered, "Damn Timorath… next time! Next time will be different."

The memory of their clash still burned in his mind,a fight over the so-called "Blessed Land," a rare place where the laws of the universe could be felt and comprehended with exceptional clarity. Vyrinox's thoughts stirred with frustration as he flew, replaying the battle in his mind.

"Before the Celestial Mandate, none of this would have happened," he thought bitterly. "DAMN the Celestial Mandate."

Before its existence, laws had been as natural to them as breathing, their comprehension effortless and instinctive. But now, the Mandate had imposed restrictions, slowing their ability to master the laws. While they could still comprehend them, it took far longer, requiring effort that many of the primordials had never experienced before.

This made places like the "Blessed Land" invaluable. In such locations, the laws were so abundant and clear that comprehension became faster than even the time before the Mandate. However, these lands were extraordinarily rare, scattered across the Divine Realm. Their rarity had turned them into coveted prizes, igniting fierce competition among the primordials. Battles for control of these lands were now a common occurrence, leaving even powerful beings like Vyrinox with battle scars and simmering grudges.

Vyrinox's frustration deepened as he contemplated the vastness of the Divine Realm itself. The realm was so expansive that traversing it was a monumental challenge. The restrictions imposed by the Celestial Mandate only worsened the situation. Tearing through space within the Divine Realm was almost impossible without an extraordinary mastery of spatial laws or immense strength. And to gain that strength, one needed time, effort, and mastery over laws,a cruel paradox that left many of the primordials seething.

His thoughts turned darker as he pondered on the origins of the Celestial Mandate. Many primordials resented the Mandate, their frustrations growing with every perceived limitation they stumbled upon. Vyrinox, however, felt his resentment go further. Hidden deep within his heart, buried under layers of pride and fear, was a bitterness directed not just at the Mandate but at Lex himself. Though he would never dare voice it aloud, the resentment lingered, festering quietly.

As Vyrinox flew onward, his scars aching and his mind restless, he resolved to return to the Blessed Land. Next time, he thought, things would be different. Next time, he would claim it, no matter the cost.

As Vyrinox muttered curses under his breath, he suddenly felt the unmistakable twisting and bending of space around him. He froze mid-flight, his serpentine form shimmering as he instinctively transformed into his humanoid shape. His golden, serpentine eyes glimmered as he focused on the distorted space, perceiving the phenomena with startling clarity.

His mind raced, piecing the situation together. "Blessed land…" he muttered, his lips curling into an eager grin. "An undiscovered blessed land."

Excitement lit up his face as the realization took hold. His resentment from moments ago was replaced with a surge of anticipation. Without hesitation, he moved toward a towering mountain where the concentrated space phenomena swirled like a chaotic vortex.

Every step closer filled him with both thrill and caution. If this truly was a blessed land, it could mean unimaginable opportunity…or fierce competition.