The First Cultivator - Changing Existence

The Ruler of the Scholar Region looked at it for a moment before surprise graced his face.

"This is the legendary Dipper Milk!" He said.

The Emperor nodded.

Dipper Milk was not particularly valuable, but it was extremely rare, hidden in only the deepest, most untouched caves. In addition, it was a major part of one of the oldest legends in the Mainland.

In that legend, the first emperor of the Mainland, not yet the emperor, was chased by a Grandmaster. He fell down into a deep ravine, where even the Grandmaster could not find him.

He hit the ground hard, causing it to fall apart. He fell into a deep cave, where he landed in the legendary Dipper Milk.

Although he was unconscious and on the verge of death due to his injuries from the Grandmaster and the fall, the Dipper Milk nourished him day in and day out.

By miracle, the man recovered. He left the cave and climbed out of the ravine. More events happened, and the man eventually killed the Grandmaster, becoming the first emperor of the Mainland, and living a legend.

In history, there were only three emperor's of the Mainland. There hadn't been any in a thousand years.

Most people knew this story, even Skymender due to some research. That was the reason the Ruler of the Scholar Region was shocked. Even he had never seen such a legendary substance.

After showing the food source for the foreseeable future, the Emperor returned to the cave. They had food and water, and most importantly, safety. The Treant would not find them here. Its destruction would fail to reach them.

Time passed within the cave. At some point, rumbling could be heard above, but there was no major damage to the cave.

They stayed for two years in this cave. Some people wanted to go out and check earlier, but the Emperor forbade it. Luckily, they listened without any resistance.

This was perhaps due to the fact that the Ruler of the Sword Region had gotten close with the Emperor and Sword Grandmaster Shang.

Sword Grandmaster Shang had trained with him over the last two years, leading to growth on both of their parts.

Even if three Grandmasters fought against Sword Grandmaster Shang, the result would be uncertain, much less a two on two.

In addition, the Seeker and the Ruler of the Scholar Region were smart enough to stay quiet and wait.

Skymender spent his time like always, seeing through the world. Although he could no longer journey around, his horse was still with him. It was unbearably boring in the cave, but nobody here was an ordinary person. Everyone endured without much complaint until the two years passed and the Emperor led them out of the cave.

As they traveled through the tunnel, which had been blocked off for years, they saw a light in the distance.

"Strange. Why can we see light so soon?" One of the Masters asked.

The tunnel had been much longer before.

The Emperor did not respond. He wore a solemn expression.

They soon reached the light, and the sight stunned everyone to silence.

There was nothing. No mountain, no trees, no grass. The only active thing was some fire, which seemed to be burning endlessly.

Most of what they could see was simply loose dirt and stone. There were craters around as well.

There was no hint of what once was. It was as if the world had truly ended, and nothing was left.

The Emperor spoke. "The world will eventually recover, but we will not be alive to see it. This is the Treant's true purpose. To reset the world."

Even the Ruler of the Scholar Region was stunned. Despite having the ability to anger the Treant, he had not understood just what it signified. Even he could not help but feel that it was too far.

"The Treant should be making its way back across the ocean right now. There is no more threat coming from it. Feel free to disperse or come with me." The Emperor said before walking away.

Most people followed him. Skymender was not one of them.

He rode on top of his horse. Before leaving, he and the Emperor spoke away from the others.

"This is where we part ways, Emperor." Skymender said.

The Emperor nodded. "All my hope is in you. Don't disappoint me, Skymender." The Emperor said.

Skymender did not waste any more words, riding away. He soon left their sight.

Skymender traveled the world. There were truly no exceptions to the destruction the Treant had caused.

The tallest mountains were gone, cities wiped out, and lakes dried up.

Of course, there were still some hills, some lakes that had a bit of water left, and an occasional piece of rubble, barely identifiable as a trace of human civilization.

Skymender spent years riding. Eventually, his youthful face began to age once more.

Skymender had to find his own food and water, but this life was pure, and he enjoyed it greatly.

Every five years, he would find the Emperor and give him some things to memorize.

These things were meant for himself after the Emperor died, resetting the world. After consuming the flower long ago, he too had begun to age once more. He estimated that, if he pushed himself for Skymender's sake, he could hold on for twenty more years. This would put him into the hundreds, but he said that it would not be his first time living so long. He had grasped some secret methods to do so.

Skymender did not spend any moment of these ten years in one place for more than a few hours.

Finally, he looked middle aged again. By now, the world around him was unrecognizable. He barely saw anything any more. It was as if the sun was constantly shining in his eyes.

He had to use vibrations to see properly, but even that seemed to be becoming affected by seeing through the false world.

He returned to the Emperor, who was now on his deathbed.

He gave him some things to memorize and explain once he turned eighteen, some instructions and some that would increase his ability to see through the false world.

Skymender and Sword Grandmaster Shang stood next to the Emperor in silence as he breathed his last breath.