Chapter 4: Unknown deity

I frowned. "My soul?"

[Correct. Host's soul is a remnant of an unknown deity. These abilities are not artificial but rather the foundational powers of that deity. They were always yours, merely locked away due to the limitations of your past world. Your previous world lacked Qi, Mana, or any higher energy.]

[If such forces had existed, Host would have been able to harness these abilities even before transmigration. However, the rules of that world suppressed them.]

[That is why the Host's soul was able to withstand the pressure of transmigration. If it had been any other soul, it would have been shattered before even entering this world's orbit.]

I processed the information in silence. So… I wasn't just some ordinary transmigrator with a lucky system. I was once something else. Someone—something—far beyond mortal comprehension.

That explained why my soul endured transmigration without shattering. And it meant I'd only just begun to tap into my true potential.

But there was more.

"You said 'an unknown deity.' You don't know who I was?"

[Affirmative. The records of your past identity are lost. However, many deities sought your soul, deeming it valuable. To protect you, the system extracted you from their grasp and carried you to this world—a place where your soul could thrive.]

I narrowed my eyes, the silence stretching between us.

"Then tell me something else," I said quietly, almost reverently. "Can you guess how powerful I was… back when I was a deity?"

A moment of pause. Then the system responded, its tone measured—almost respectful.

[Estimation is difficult. Your exact divine level cannot be calculated due to missing records and the complete erasure of your true name from the cosmic archives.]

[However, Host should not be concerned with these matters for now. What is important is that these abilities are fueled directly by your soul essence. They are not external powers, but extensions of your very being. Reckless overuse will deplete your essence and may cause permanent damage. The system advises caution: use them wisely.]

Kai Zheng fell into a contemplative silence.

Soul essence…

So this wasn't a cheat handed down by the heavens. It wasn't a reward. It wasn't a gift. These powers—Fear, Metal, Space—they were born of him. Of his true self.

A smirk ghosted across his lips.

"So it's not borrowed power… it's mine."

He leaned back, eyes half-closed. "Let's not dwell on this now. I have time."

"My current cultivation is Foundation Realm initial stage. Nothing special yet. But honestly… I don't need anything stronger right now. My soul abilities will more than compensate."

Satisfied—for now—with his status, Kai Zheng turned his attention back to the system panel. Two terms stood out like thorns: Hero Aura and Villain Aura.

"System, explain them in detail. How can i gain the Aura of both"

[Host, Hero Aura and Villain Aura are manifestations of the world's narrative forces. Hero Aura is earned by guiding, helping, or defeating villainous entities. Villain Aura is earned by manipulating or defeating heroic figures and corrupting their purpose.]

[Unlike traditional points, Aura cannot be farmed indefinitely. For example, if you kill a person with 200 Hero Aura, you will only receive 100 Villain Aura. Aura decays with transfer to prevent exploitation.]

"So the greater the target, the greater the reward—but with diminishing returns."

[Exactly. Additionally, Hero Aura allows you to influence heroes and even steal their aura by gaining their trust, guiding them, or subtly absorbing it during quests or shared missions. If your Hero Aura surpasses theirs significantly, you can even usurp their fate and become the central heroic figure.]

[Villain Aura, on the other hand, is more insidious. It is gained by manipulating or corrupting villains, making them submit to your will. The more you dominate them psychologically or turn them into pawns, the more aura you extract. Alternatively, you can gain Villain Aura by killing Heroes, stealing their ambitions, or taking their followers or lovers as your own.]

I smirked, my fingers twitching slightly. "So I can absorb a villain's legacy by making their women mine?"

[Correct. Villain Aura also grows stronger if you convert their territory, ideology, or followers to your cause.]

"And both types of Aura contribute to System Points (SP), right?"

[Yes. However, SP is not generated from Aura directly. You gain SP primarily by completing quests, achieving world-changing events, or fulfilling objectives assigned by the system. Aura is more like an protective barrier around you which reshapes how the world treats you and those around you.]

"Interesting. Aura for status and fate, SP for upgrades."

I exhaled slowly, a sharp smile on my lips.

"So in this world… I can become the greatest hero by robbing other heroes of their fate. And I can become the ultimate villain by making other villains kneel to me."

[Affirmative.]

I chuckled darkly. "Perfect."

He had learned too much in too little time—memories of Kai Zheng, knowledge of this world, the cultivation system, and the weight of a divine past. Even for his formidable soul, it took time to process.

As sunlight crept over the peaks of the Heavenly Sword Sect, a golden glow bathed the vast landscape. Morning mist clung to the valley paths like silk, gradually pulled apart by the warmth of the rising sun.

Kai Zheng stirred.

He walked with calm, deliberate steps along the polished stone paths that curved through the outer sect grounds. The sect was vast—surrounded on all sides by towering mountains whose snow-tipped peaks scraped the sky. Disciples in blue robes moved through the courtyard with purpose, some walking in pairs, others meditating by the streams or sharpening their swords near the training platforms.

The gentle roar of distant waterfalls echoed across the cliffs, casting shimmering rainbows in their spray. Birds chirped from ancient trees rooted into the mountain's edge, and spiritual beasts roamed lazily in the distance, docile under the protective wards of the sect.

Kai Zheng's eyes scanned the scene without much emotion.

"A respectable place," he muttered, folding his hands behind his back. "Still… it lacks a statue of me."

He chuckled to himself, amused by his own arrogance—but deep down, he meant every word.

As he neared the outer sect quest hall, a few disciples lingering near the entrance paused.

"Wait… did he break through?" one murmured.

"You can feel it, right? His Qi's steady now."

"He must've reached Foundation Establishment…"

Kai said nothing. His expression was unreadable, his steps silent.

Inside the quest hall, the atmosphere buzzed. Disciples moved between the walls and boards lined with slips of paper—tasks issued by the sect. Some gathered in pairs to debate which quests paid best in Qi Crystals. Others looked overwhelmed, still new to the routine.

An elderly man with a grey beard sat behind a wooden desk at the center of the room, half-asleep, his arms crossed. Occasionally, he would open one eye to check if anyone approached with a completed task.

Kai's gaze swept the room. He recognized a few faces from his predecessor memories—boys who once ignored him, others who used to mock him. Now, they turned away when his eyes met theirs.

A faint smirk curled on his lips.

He paused in front of the main task board. Dozens of requests were pinned—herb collecting, wild beast extermination, helping elders carry materials. Most were trivial, but they served their purpose: providing low-grade Qi Crystals.

Kai didn't mind.

"Truly the life of a peasant," he said under his breath, with a hint of amused disdain. "Scraping for scraps."

But it was temporary.

This was the lowest rung of the ladder—and he would climb far beyond it.

Then a familiar voice called out:

"Kai Zheng!"