First Encounter with Little One

"What's the matter? Why the sudden jump?"

Big Gold Dog looked at Su Ye in confusion, then scanned the surroundings. Finding nothing there, it said, "This is the ruins on the periphery of the Void God Realm. Nobody ever comes here on a normal day. Our appearance here must be because that altar is too ancient; the current Void God Realm is different from the one in the primordial era."

"Of course, you don't need to worry about danger here. You are currently just a manifestation of your spiritual consciousness, not your true self. Even if you die here, your real self will not perish."

Big Gold Dog explained the nature of the Void God Realm to Su Ye, knowing that since he came from a small, remote place, this was surely his first time visiting such a mysterious and profound location.

Su Ye ignored Big Gold Dog, instead sweeping his gaze across the surroundings with a suspicious expression. He reached out to grab at the air in front of him, but caught nothing. Could it be that I am just being too sensitive?

Seeing Su Ye acting somewhat delirious, Big Gold Dog wanted to offer some comfort but feared agitating him further. "Why did you say earlier that the real world outside is fake, and that it is just a spiritual world like this Void God Realm?"

Su Ye did not answer, instead countering with a question: "If life were to be nurtured here, do you think it would consider this place to be fake?"

"This..."

Big Gold Dog was at a loss for words, not even knowing how to respond.

"The spirit is the most mysterious and profound thing. Every living being possesses its own consciousness and its own thoughts. Only by having one's own thoughts and consciousness can one be an independent individual. As for whether the body is made of stone, iron, or flesh and blood, it is unimportant. What matters is the consciousness that belongs to oneself."

Su Ye spoke, articulating his understanding of life and the world. Of course, he was merely expressing a sudden realization.

He did not believe this world was fake; from beginning to end, he had never thought so, for otherwise, would he not be negating his own existence?

If this world were fake, then what kind of thing would he be?

Furthermore, if his current self were fake, then must his past life necessarily be real?

One must remember that the world of his past life held the legend of Pangu splitting the heavens. Did Pangu open up a real world, or did he construct a spiritual one?

Who could say for sure?

"Alright, enough of this. Lead the way."

Su Ye said. As of now, he was merely a tiny ant on the path of seeking the Dao; he was not yet qualified to explore such profound matters.

Whether real or illusory, he only needed to know that he was unique and truly existed.

Big Gold Dog didn't dwell on it; after all, to it, the Void God Realm was fake, and the outside world was the only reality.

After the two departed, the surging chaotic mist fluctuated incessantly. Within those swirling vapors, an illusory figure flickered in and out of existence, its true features impossible to discern.

"Dead dog, don't tell me you're lost again?"

Su Ye looked at Big Gold Dog with an unfriendly expression. This dead dog had led him in circles through these chaotic ruins several times, making him feel dizzy.

Big Gold Dog looked somewhat embarrassed and said sheepishly, "That passage was abandoned long ago. Plus, the Void God Realm suffered heavy damage in the primordial era, and this place is considered a discarded ruin. We can only enter the Initial Land if we find a new passage leading there. Just wait a moment."

Big Gold Dog's body brimmed with radiance as strings of runes condensed and gathered at its nose, transforming into a giant snout that sniffed the air.

"Found it. But why does it smell like milk?"

Big Gold Dog looked puzzled. This was its minor divine ability, capable of sniffing out scents within a hundred-mile radius. Since this place was all ruins, there were no scents to be found; any scent would naturally belong to an entry or exit passage.

"Milk? Could it be the milky treasure liquid nurtured by the Void God Realm?"

Su Ye asked in confusion. Although the Void God Realm was constructed of spiritual matter, it could still nurture some extremely special substances. Among these were treasure blood and ores; the former could temper one's body, while the latter could be used to forge soul weapons to destroy spiritual consciousness.

"It's possible."

Upon hearing this, Big Gold Dog's expression shifted. With a whoosh, it vanished. Few people ever came to this abandoned outer area, and even if they did, they wouldn't stay long. It was quite possible that treasure blood had been nurtured here over endless ages, and they had simply been blind to it, failing to notice what was right under their noses.

Su Ye was in no rush, following leisurely behind while observing his surroundings and sensing the rules of this world.

Now that he had opened his Heavenly Passage and possessed the Heavenly Eye, he could perceive the rules of the world. Compared to the outside, the rules here were clearer, making it easier to gain insights.

Outside the passage to the Initial Land of the Void God Realm.

Big Gold Dog arrived on the bluestone path and searched the surroundings, but found no treasure blood, which left it very disappointed. It sniffed and smelled around, then turned its gaze toward the passage; the scent of milk had vanished at the end of the path.

Swish.

Big Gold Dog's figure flashed and disappeared.

At this moment, Su Ye's figure appeared slowly. He stepped onto the bluestone path, where some treasure bones lay scattered. Runes emerged in his pupils, projecting a series of images. The images showed the figure of Big Gold Dog, and further ahead, a small, young figure appeared. The child looked to be seven or eight years old, with large, bright eyes that looked a bit mischievous, as if he were eyeing the treasure bones on the path, before he vanished from sight.

"At that age, with that mischievous look, plus the smell of milk... it seems to be him. I didn't expect this guy to enter the Void God Realm at this time. But come to think of it, this is indeed the period when Little One enters the Void God Realm for the first time."

Su Ye muttered to himself, walking forward until his figure gradually disappeared.

In the Initial Land of the Void God Realm.

Su Ye's figure appeared before the passage to the Initial Land. He looked at the many figures before him; it was very lively, and there was even a performance taking place.

A child was beating a dog.

"Ah, damn it! This young master will fight you to the death, you Milk Baby!"

Big Gold Dog roared, golden light erupting from its body as it transformed into a golden ferocious beast. Behind it, the phantom of a golden Qilin emerged, its ferocity terrifying.

Many people around looked at Big Gold Dog with astonishment. Although this Big Gold Dog was not of pure blood, it showed signs of atavism and could summon the phantom of its ancestor; its future would undoubtedly be extraordinary.

Little One rode atop Big Gold Dog, raining down tiny punches that made the beast howl incessantly; though the fists were small, the force behind them was extraordinary.

"You dog, you actually dared to target me! Today I'm going to roast you. I've never eaten dog meat before, I wonder how it tastes."

Little One spoke, not using his full strength but not being overly careless either, for Big Gold Dog was quite powerful and possessed a higher cultivation base than him. Unfortunately for the beast, this was the Initial Land, where one could only utilize the power of the Blood-Moving Realm.

"Big Brother, come save me! This Milk Baby has good things on him; I saw it just now, that precious bone in his hand is truly extraordinary."

Big Gold Dog looked toward Su Ye, hurriedly calling for help.

Although being beaten to death in the Void God Realm wouldn't result in true death, once killed, one would suffer a backlash upon returning to the real world—ranging from a month or two of recovery to the complete destruction of one's soul.