Chapter 2: Split [Prologue]
"Race Annihilic Rebirth"
This technique was so unique that even the nine Supremes, who had reached the pinnacle of power through different parts of history, had no understanding of its inner workings.
It was a very easy technique to acquire too. Almost every powerful being had it, even though most despised the mere mention of it.
What made this technique even more extraordinary was that it could be used by anyone, even mortals or lowly creatures like ants, as long as they followed the proper ceremony and procedures. It allowed the user of the technique to absorb all the positive qualities of their race into a perfect vessel, granted they were the cause of their race's annihilation, and then go through rebirth to be born into a better and more talented body.
An example of this technique was the Queen of Jelbys, a weak race known for either exceptional eyesight or agility. Each jelby possessed only one of these attributes, making them like eagles but weaker in many aspects. However, when their weak queen cleverly annihilated their small numbers and used them as fuel for a Race Annihilic Rebirth, she emerged as a meteorically rising talent. She obtained all the best attributes, from agility and eyesight to heightened wits from jelbys, making her the one and only Jelby, a current rank 8 being.
Soha pondered the various uses of Race Annihilic Rebirth, recalling a mischievous little Jelby girl he had a crush on in his emotional days, long gone now. As he delved into himself more, he felt the intricate rune starting to work, merging into the golden "heaven core" within his innermost sanctum, his core cave. The human race, with its vast population, was his primary focus for the past few centuries. Soha had contributed to their proliferation throughout the Milky Way, unaware of the significance it would hold in the present. His heroic acts, driven solely for the sake of his race, had seemed irrational at the time but now appeared to be a great idea.
Shaking off the overwhelming sensation of intense energy, he refocused his attention and guided the energy into himself. Though his chances of success were slim, he had to try. However, just as he immersed himself in the process, an uneasy feeling gripped his gut, prompting him to open his eyes.
Standing before him was a young man, leisurely sipping wine. His golden hair shimmering in the dark. He was the lord of all Abyssus, one of the other Supremes, the almighty Soul Paragon.
The figure, emanating charm and confidence, savored the wine silently with an amused smile dancing in his eyes for a while before Soha broke the silence. "Soul Paragon, you are late."
Soul Paragon, the self-proclaimed most handsome and manly creature in the universe, remained composed. "I didn't expect such ruthlessness from you," and responded evenly.
A smile curled upon Soha's lips. "Do you believe you have a chance to end me yourself now that my breakthrough has failed? I am stronger than ever, perhaps even strong enough to slay you."
That was a lie. He was really at his weakest now. His energy having been completely siphoned off by the controlling of energy and the newly established bond between him and the river of reincarnation.
Soul Paragon squinted his eyes for a moment before bursting into laughter, his voice filled with mockery and mirth. "Race Annihilic Rebirth? Pfftha! What a joke!" He sneered, downing the last sip of his wine before tossing the glass aside. "You would die even if I didn't kill you.
But of course, I do possess the means to bring about your demise. And quite easily too..
Oh, Human, you messed with the wrong guy!"
"The wrongest guy possible!"
Curiosity piqued, Soha raised an eyebrow. "Oh, pray tell, what might that be? Merely using your words?" He had tried to buy himself more time, hoping for a possible solution, but if he acted more, Soul Paragon was intelligent enough to catch up.
With a smirk, Soul Paragon shook his head. This guy didn't know any better. Yeah, he was dead either way...
Snapping his fingers, the sound echoed inside the vast room, its eerie silence broken by another resounding crack that came from inside Soha's body, causing his face to darken. *Where did that come from?*
"A unique Dark Art?" The crack ran deep into his soul. No, it originated from his soul, like a blade coming out from inside his abdomen. It hurt like hell.
"You tampered with the true souls of the humans I absorbed," Soha said with trembling lips. "Heh, And you call yourself upright..." His voice was strained.
But the Paragon only smiled and said with unbridled laughter, his voice echoing through the room. "No, Human! I didn't tamper with the insignificant humans you absorbed. Ew, that's so meaningless, killing you using traps, I mean," he continued, his tone filled with sadistic delight.
"I tampered with the souls of all creatures under the heavens. And that includes the Supremes. Not some measly mortals. You are all already under my control. And by the way, you were the easiest to kill." He stopped speaking and took aim at the glass he threw away earlier. It was still flying through the air behind him.
His hand pointed like a gun, he made a gesture like shooting, and the glass shattered, splattering its fragments everywhere...
Having put up enough show, he began to vanish, the enigmatic smile still hovering around his fallen footprints. Yet, before he completely vanished, he yelled out in panic, "...Don't forget to tell Yama, if you see one, that I said Hell-" and then blip, he was out.
Like it was some ordinary mechanism used instead of an ability. Yeah, that too was just another of his show.
Yet, Soha didn't care. He only felt helpless and self-loathing towards himself, for believing his path towards omniscience was really the best choice, for believing he knew every secret of every Supreme.
'So this guy had so many secrets...'
Should I warn the other Supremes that they are enslaved? He wondered...
But, heh, why?
That's up to them to deal with. And that guy probably wanted him to do exactly that.
His plans had always been far-reaching, and Soha didn't want any part in it.
He just watched as the Paragon vanished, transforming into particles while heart-wrenching soul screams filled the air, a sound effect of his teleportation ability.
Paragon had no fear of Soha's rebirth either; he was certain that Soha was dead. After all, no one had ever survived a failed breakthrough, especially not in the ranks beyond Supreme.
But even if he did rebirth, that was no problem for Soul Paragon. It would just be more curious.
Soha's mind whirled with a mix of despair and resignation. Revenge held no meaning for him now. What could he gain even if he killed Soul Paragon? Satisfaction? It was a hollow victory.
Shaking his head, Soha could only watch as another crack appeared on his body and soul, causing even him to cringe in agonizing pain and as the third crack emerged, Soha's thoughts faltered, and his soul seemed to wither, succumbing to the impending death. However...
Just as his soul teetered on the edge of complete annihilation, it abruptly stopped and split at the point of fracture, forming three distinct shards. These shards resembled fragments of resplendent golden jade, emanating a vibrant essence and a faint spark of life as they vanished into the connected river of reincarnation.
Unbeknownst even to the truly nigh-omniscient gaze of the heavens, Soha had managed to remove all traces of heavenly marks from himself, ensuring his sole path to survival—the Race Annihilic Rebirth. Although his initial endeavor seemed futile due to his high cultivation, the unexpected shattering of his soul by Soul Paragon had, by coincidence, altered the outcome. The shattered soul shards would endure, albeit in a fragmented form.
Yet, even if his soul were to be revived, his memories would forever remain lost.
In a way, he was already dead.
But for the new souls born from this shattered legacy, their stories were just beginning.
...
After the death of the Human Sovereign and the failed attempts to reach the realm beyond Supreme, 8,712 years had passed, leaving behind desolate human ruins. A place for adventurers to seek fortune from...
Soha was not the only Supreme who had attempted to resurrect themselves after a failed breakthrough. Out of the nine Supremes that had ever existed, only four remained alive and active. The rest had either perished in their pursuit of higher ranks or met mysterious deaths.
One such Supreme was the Phoenix Matriarch, believed to be born undying. She eventually transformed into an eternal flame, becoming the sun of the southern heavens. The Supremes who attempted the Race Annihilic Rebirth in a desperate bid for survival never succeeded. It was considered a last-ditch effort, often referred to as a Hail Mary attempt. The Race Annihilic Rebirth was a technique that could be utilized by mortals and creatures alike, as long as they followed the proper procedures. It allowed the user to absorb the essence of their entire race and merge it into a new, perfected vessel for rebirth. Examples of successful rebirths were rare but remarkable, such as the Jelby Queen who had annihilated her weak race, only to emerge as a talent of extraordinary power and abilities.
Even though the Human race had perished, their influence lingered on. Human inventions like trains and planes had become common among the surviving races, remnants of a once-great civilization. Ruins of their cities and knowledge were scattered throughout the lands, attracting adventurers and treasure hunters seeking forgotten riches and ancient wisdom.
Meanwhile, after spending thousands of years within the river of resurrection, the three shards of Soha's shattered soul emerged, gleaming like fragments of resplendent golden jade. They had tirelessly searched for suitable vessels, their quest finally finding success. Exiting the river as a unified entity, the jade pieces propelled themselves at incredible speeds, surpassing the velocity of light. Each shard embarked on a different trajectory, their destinations hidden within the vast expanse of the Milky Way.
One shard ventured towards the southern region of the Vast Heavenly Expanse, traversing beyond the Milky Way and immersing itself within the Eternal Fire. It found a tranquil planet which repelled the ungodly hot fire that burned eternally, serving as a protective shield against the harsh cosmic environment.
The second shard journeyed through the black hole at the center of the Milky Way, utilizing it as a wormhole to access another universe. It arrived on an Earth-like planet, its landscapes teeming with beauty and diversity...
The final shard followed a similar path, passing through the black hole in the Andromeda galaxy, entering another universe altogether. It found itself on a mesmerizing planet adorned with breathtaking celestial phenomena,
As each shard entered its respective vessel, they merged seamlessly with three different creatures, their golden jade essence blending with the essence of their new hosts. Although these creatures had their own destinies, they now carried a fragment of Soha's shattered soul within them.
They were Soha now, but only without memories and cultivation.
In a single word, they were Possessors.
However, in the grand book of heaven, no new identity was written. The rebirth of Soha's soul shards remained concealed, their existence hidden from the scrutinizing gaze of the celestial will. The fragmented souls would embark on their own journeys, their paths intertwined with the lives of those they inhabited. From this shattered legacy, new stories would unfold, guided by the echoes of a forgotten past and the potential for a future yet unwritten.
And so, the tale of Soha, the Human Sovereign, continued in the form of three fragmented souls, scattered across the vast expanse of the cosmos. Each shard carried within it a 'glimmer' of Soha's strength, resilience, and ambition. Although his memories were lost, his essence remained, ready to shape the destinies of those who carried his legacy.....
Until among them, one came out as the victorious and earned his identity's lordship.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone