Larvy racked his mind, trying to think of what to wish for.
Whether he believed it or not, he had just found himself in possession of all the dragon balls. Now, he only needed to figure out how to reap the most profit from it.
Just then, an idea surfaced.
Yeah, that's it. He only needed to become a genie.
But then, he did not want to lose his freedom. What if the guardian couldn't leave the sacred realm, forever trapped here?
Larvy had barely opened his mouth to inquire, when the handsome young man spoke, cutting him off.
"No. You cannot have the sacred realm.
"We can grant any wish, given that it is within our power, and also, so long as the Nine Heavens permit — but that does not include forfeiting our authority over this sacred realm."
Then, as an afterthought, he added:
"Those from your world really are peculiar. The only other that passed the trial asked for nothing. While you on the other hand... straightaway, you want to take our sacred realm. As if we would let you."
It was now unmistakable that the guardian could read his mind. But before such a mighty figure, more so after being caught in the act, Larvy couldn't care less. The only thing on his mind was the wish.
Also, the Nine Heavens did exist! Just like in those xianxia webnovels?
Interesting...
Oh, the wish.
"What sort of wishes can you grant?"
His eyes glistened with curiosity as he thought of all the possible things he could get from such a powerful being.
The young man also looked excited as he started relaying:
"Oh, where to begin...
"Since you are from the Greyveil Expanse, the wishes we can fulfill are limited to begin with, lest we incur the wrath of the heavens. First, we can bestow upon you unimaginable wealth—wealth so vast that no one from your world could ever surpass it. Second, we can grant you great luck, so that anything you touch is bound to flourish. Third, we can grant you knowledge of any subject, bringing instant enlightenment—though even then, we are limited by what your mind can bear..."
Each word was like a hammer against Larvy's expectations. Little by little, the excitement faded from his eyes.
"In short, so long as you exist in the Greyveil Expanse, we can only fulfill wishes within the bounds and constraints of your world which is nothing much in comparison to the rest of what we can accomplish. However, do not despair, young man."
The guardian's eyes brightened as he said the last words. And Larvy, who was slowly sinking into a deep well of despondency, found his mood uplifted.
There was still hope.
"Instead of sending you back to your world after granting your mundane wish, you can wish for us to send you to another world where you are less constrained."
As he said that, the young man floated from his throne and moved to one of the murals.
With just a tap, the scene of a young warrior wielding a saber dissolved. The flash of steel, the coiled stance, the sharp breath before a killing strike — all of it melted like ink in water, and in its place rose an idyllic landscape.
Mountains as grand as the one that the old man sat on, cultivating, sprawled across the land. From the mountains came springs and rivers that flowed through the land, forming great waterfalls and canyons, and giving rise to all manner of vegetation — the most striking being the emerald jade bamboo groves.
Growing halfway to the mackerel sky, the bamboos swayed in unison, dancing with the gentle wind drifting all over the land.
Then, above it all, there floated seven islands, each connected to each other with a magnificent jade bridge. On the islands stood buildings of varied sketches — pagodas, pavilions, great halls — each as grand as the mountains in stature, but even more beautiful in their architectural designs. White cranes glided between the islands, their feathers like new snow.
It was a mesmerising sight that, from Larvy, evoked the desire to jump into the mural and inhabit the idyllic land, forever embraced by its golden soil.
"If you so wish, I could take you to such a world where you would have the chance to cultivate, to gain unfathomable power, to realise immortality, and—if you cultivate diligently—to rival the Nine Heavens. There, you could also find peerless beauties to soothe your heart while in the path of cultivation."
He gave a wink, and an ethereal smile that seemed to encompass the heavens bloomed on his face. He looked both ethereal and divine, like a figure that belonged in the mural, his robes gently flowing as he floated mid-air.
"For instance, this here is our Star Path Sect. We, the Star Emperor Wanxing Zhi Hui, are the sect leader of the Star Path Sect located in the Primordial Expanse. If you make a wish to go to the Primordial Expanse, given your supreme talent, we will be happy to take you under our wing and you will become a member of our glorious sect — mind you, we do not just take anybody as our disciple.
"As a personal disciple of the Star Path Sect leader, you will get to learn divine grade battle arts, and divine grade techniques. You will also receive celestial rank spiritual tools and heaven rank soul weapons.
"For many that pass the trial, they usually wish to be granted one of such peerless treasures. But you on the other hand... you only need to become our disciple."
Right then, a crown made of twinkling stars manifested on his head, and his robe transformed, becoming as starry as the floor. A saber with an exquisite jade handle and a blade of liquid starlight shimmered into existence in his hand.
"What do you think, young man? Do you wish for us to take you to the Primordial Expanse?"
He then made a striking pose, the starlight blade on his shoulder, his body defying gravity.
If not for the radiant smile and his angelic face, he looked as imposing as a warlord ready to bring destruction and ruin upon the world.
This was when Larvy grasped what was happening.
Was he trying to rope him in?
And what a tempting offer it was.
Larvy nearly said yes then and there, but then he composed himself, thinking of the implications.
For a long time now, ever since he bought his first phone, Larvy had been an obsessive fan of web fiction. So many times had he fantasised of gaining supernatural powers like those protagonists and just living a life full of fantasy.
It was all a silly and childish dream.
After all, fantasy only existed in fiction, not in real life.
Now, however, a godly figure was presenting to him a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live that fantastical life he so much desired.
And then, to top it off, the godly figure even offered to become his master, even using a glib tongue to rope him in.
'Am I that badass!?'
It could be, but that aside, for anybody to reject the offer, they must be a fool.
Yet, the very next words that came from his mouth proved just how hopeless he was.
"Can I find beastmaidens in the Primordial Expanse? As a disciple of the great star emperor, is it that today, if I were to go to the Primordial Expanse, I could meet a beastmaiden right away?"
His eyes glistened.
Finally, he could behold a beastmaid with his very own eyes, not through the lens of a perverted mind.
Beastmaids. Beastmaids. Yes, that was all he desired in life.
However, the guardian's reply wiped the smug glow off his face.
"There are no beastmaidens in the Primordial Expanse."
He wasn't done though.
"However, animal spirits do exist in the Primordial Expanse.
"Once animal spirits reach the Spirit King realm, they can partially take human form while retaining their bestial features. Let's take nine-tailed fox spirits for example.
"By the time a nine-tailed fox spirit had reached the Spirit King realm, they would have sprouted all their nine tails, thus, when they transform, they would still have all their nine tails, and even their fox ears.
Nine tails?! Not one, but nine!
Larvy could envision himself wrapping his fingers around all of them. Or maybe using both his hands... that was better...
Damn. What else could a man ask fo—
"Ahem!
"A nine-tailed fox spirit is a primordial spirit beast with a deep foundation and mighty background. The primordial spirit beasts are a really prideful race, having created a sacred realm for animal spirits in the myriad heavens.
"Animal spirits can leave the Sacred Realm of Animal Spirits only after becoming a Spirit Emperor. Also, outsiders are only allowed to enter the sacred land if they fight in the Blood-Fire Arena. And for one to enter the Blood-Fire Arena, they must be at least a Spirit Emperor.
"Therefore, for you to think of courting a primordial spirit beast — or any other animal spirit, at that — you must at least be at the Spirit Emperor realm. For a person with your talent, that would take around three hundred thousand years.
"You thus need to focus on your cultivation journey for now, young man... as for peerless beauties, many will be drawn to you once you have enough power."
Meanwhile, Larvy's mind churned.
Three hundred thousand years!
That was way above what he expected. Was it even worth it?
It was nice to have a nine-tailed fox spirit by his side; but to have to cultivate for three hundred thousand years to gain a chance, that was too much to ask from a person.
Also, who'd want to go out with someone over three hundred thousand years old?
Who would?
Yet, in his heart, he saw himself cultivate for three hundred thousand years, and suddenly it didn't feel all bad. For a nine-tailed fox spirit, that wasn't at all bad.
But then, there was another side of him with a different opinion. Why struggle for something when there was an easier path?
After all, life rarely only offered one path. It was a big field with a myriad paths.
If even cultivation — something he once believed belonged solely in fiction — existed in this world, then truly, there were endless possibilities.
There had to be another way. His gaze departed from the stars, falling on the young man who was back on his throne.
"Is there any other world with beastmaidens, and doesn't require me to cultivate for three hundred thousand years?"
The guardian snapped his fingers, and the starry garments and crown vanished.
"Yes, there exists such a world... Arcanis."
Larvy's face beamed.
"However, it is located in another plane of existence and our influence there is limited."
"Can you take me there?"
Larvy asked almost immediately.
"There is that possibility... Hmm... yes, we can definitely take you there."
Larvy nearly made a victory jump, but he contained himself, only letting a bit of the excitement seep through.
Then, he gazed directly into the guardian's eyes — something he had been avoiding for a while now.
Never had he seen such beautiful eyes.
They looked ancient, seeming to emanate unfathomable depth of knowledge. Countless stars were contained in the eyes giving them a mystical feeling.
From those eyes, Larvy could understand one thing: the star emperor was an extremely powerful figure.
Under the guidance of such a being, could he also one day wield such power?
No. He had already made his decision.
His heart desired beastmaids, not power.
"I wish to go to Arcanis."
The hall erupted with laughter.
After the laughter subsided, the guardian spoke once again:
"Your devotion amazes us. Still, there is more to life than lustful desires.
"Take note that if you go to Arcanis, you would be on your own and we would not be able to help you. You will also miss out on all the benefits of being our disciple. There are also no nine-tailed beastmaidens.
"Take your time to reconsider."
If not for the explosive sound of a supernova, the hall would have been silent before Larvy spoke:
"There is nothing to reconsider. I wish for you to send me to Arcanis."
Larvy was now certain of what he wanted. His heart was calm and it felt to him that he had made the best decision ever.
"Those from your world are really unusual."
The guardian stretched out his hand. Just then, a star moved from the ceiling. As it descended, its size decreased until it became no larger than a fist, floating over Star Emperor Wanxing Zhi Hui's palm.
He then lifted a finger from his other hand resting on the arm of the throne.
Larvy felt his body becoming lighter.
Then, the connection with his body was severed. He could feel himself being pulled forward, yet he couldn't feel his body, just motion.
Strangely, he could also look in every direction. His vision was not limited to the front only.
He was moving towards the star, and—
His body... yes, his body stood there on the starry floor, staring emptily at him.
He was out of his body!
Then, he entered the star, and Larvy felt his existence being compressed into an extremely tiny space.
He then saw the guardian's finger fall.
Larvy witnessed as his body was turned into stardust, flowing into the stars.
Then faintly, a feminine voice resounded in his head—or whatever it was he had.
"Your wish has been granted."
He was then whisked away, moving at extreme speed to the stars.
Everything got hazy, then the world shifted to black.
Meanwhile, in the hall, the guardian was left contemplating.
"Interesting. Quite interesting. Really, really, really interesting.
"Is this what it means to fully devote oneself? To be willing to give up everything for a single desire? To not look back, to keep on pushing, seeking, and no matter what is thrown at you, to keep on chasing?
"All that matters is the fire burning within.
"At the end, all that is left is an obsession. A desire that burns all others, refusing to be snuffed out. Relentless. Indomitable. Unwavering. A desire greater than faith."
In their heart, a fire that hadn't been there for millions of years re-ignited; not even the heavens could stop them from reaching the peak.
Boom!
Just then, power surged up in their dantian, reaching another level.