The World Devouring System

After the [Equipped Heavenly Gifts] section, was the section titled [Milestones].

***[Milestones]***

The following cultivation milestones have to be reached within the designated time. Failing to do so will result in a punishment - Soul Immolation.

[Soul Immolation (Punishment)]: You will die, and your soul will be prevented from entering the cycle of reincarnation. Instead, it will be immolated in Netherworld's fiercest flames for all Eternity, causing indescribable torment.]

Qi Gathering Realm – 1 month

Foundation Establishment Realm – 3 months

Qi Condensation Realm – 1 year

Core Creation Realm – 4 years

Core Strengthening Realm – 9 years

Golden Core Realm – 20 years

Further milestones will be revealed as your cultivation advances. The countdown has started the moment the World Devouring System has activated. Good luck, Host.

'You've got to be kidding me!'

Before reading the [Milestones] section, poor Caelum was of the mind that his transmigration might not have been the worst thing ever. The body he had transmigrated into held great status already. In addition, he had been provided with the means to become an incredibly powerful cultivator. Surely, he would reach heights in this life which he could not even dream of attaining in his previous one.

However, all those fantasies came crumbling down the moment he read the last section. The reason for Caelum's dismay was that he realized something quite simple.

'I might be the Host of the World Devouring System, but I am not its Master! I am but a pig being fattened for someone else to slaughter. Worse yet, I need to fatten myself!'

Caelum did not come to this conclusion solely based on the cruel punishment that awaited him should he fail to meet his deadlines. A careful consideration of matters that led to the present was enough to make things very apparent.

'I am not the person who created the World Devouring System. I am not the person responsible for my own transmigration. I am not the person who made the game that brought me here. Nothing that happened so far was within my control.'

'Haha! I think I know what my future holds. I will work my a** off devouring all kinds of beings and gaining strength. After my cultivation reaches a certain threshold, the true master of the System will reveal themselves and then devour me.'

Caelum painted a very pessimistic future for himself. But could he be blamed? The situation was quite extraordinary, after all. It was not every day one got transmigrated to a fantasy world from playing a video game.

'System! System! Can you hear me? Answer me. I demand that you send me back to my world this instant! You might've chosen me, but I do not want you!'

"Answer me, dammit!"

The bedroom of the Duke's scion was enveloped in an unsettling silence for a minute or two after Caelum screamed his demand. There was no response. It seemed like the System was not a sentient being capable of holding a conversation with him.

With a sigh, Caelum slumped back into a sleeping position. He slowly closed his eyes and took deep breaths. A short while later, his eyes fluttered open, revealing a spark of clarity and determination.

'Right now, my fate is not in my own control. I have to change that. I cannot ignore the System's milestones either. 20 years is not a short span of time. I will look for clues on how I can rid myself of the System's control – or better yet, gain full control of the system for myself.'

Humans were adaptable creatures. Caelum, even more so. Having quickly realized that he could not change the cards that had been dealt to him, Caelum decided to make the best out of the situation he was in. Wallowing in self-pity any longer would be unbecoming of him.

Moreover, there was another piece of information that Caelum got from the Original's memories. The world was currently experiencing an 'Era of Chaos'. The Era of Chaos was characterized by Chaotic Rifts that randomly appeared all over the world. These rifts were filled with dangers and opportunities alike. They could allow even a carp to leap over the Dragon Gate and soar into the Heavens.

The Era of Chaos also had another, more abstract characteristic which Caelum had heard of. It was an era with no guarantees. Even though that statement was a bit exaggerated, Caelum considered being transmigrated into the Era of Chaos as the silver lining to his current, bleak situation – his chance at breaking free of his shackles.

Caelum cautiously got up from his bed. He was expecting his body to be in terrible shape as presumably, he had not used it for multiple years – but he was surprisingly fine. His limbs did not feel numb at all, and he could move all parts of his body just fine.

'Does it have something to do with the medicine of this world? Alchemy can do wonders from what I recall.'

Caelum looked around his room and inspected it more closely.

He was in his own bedroom – a spacious room with polished wooden floors and walls adorned with delicate artwork depicting ancient battles and mythical beasts. A sturdy wooden bed with plush silk sheets sat in the center, giving off an aura of quiet luxury. Every piece of furniture was crafted with care, from the elegant wardrobe to the small writing desk near the window.

Soft, pale curtains framed the window, through which a breathtaking view unfolded. Below the estate, a sprawling city bustled with life, its vibrant streets winding like rivers of activity. But beyond that, towering in the distance, were the mountains. They rose so high that their peaks were lost in the clouds, giving off an air of mystery and awe.

'Wow.'

That was not a scene he could've seen in his old world. From this distance, the mountains looked like gigantic waves. But since he had the Original's memories, he knew those mountains were part of the Eternal Sky mountain range. That was no longer territory of the Novastead Empire.

Caelum then looked at the sky itself. The sky was blue, but it had a hint of gold in it. High above the city, griffin legions soared through the sky, their powerful wings cutting through the air as they patrolled below.

'This is Wintram City, capital of the Goldheart Duchy. What a breathtaking sight. I really am in a different world, huh?'

After taking his time admiring the beautiful sight, Caelum shifted his eyes inward once more. His eyes fell on the tall mirror that was attached to the wall, its silver frame glinting in the soft morning light. Caelum walked in front of it to observe his appearance.

'The Original was complimented a whole lot for his looks when he was younger. Let's see what I look like now.'