The Witch Hunter System

Chapter 1178: Another Change in Mentality, Empyrean Oceanheart’s Suggestion

Having read numerous materials, Vaan wasn’t unfamiliar with the different concepts of death in Chaos.

For example, the most common death was the death of the physical vessel. In this case, the soul would enter the cycle of reincarnation, reborn anew.

Of course, if the soul was particularly strong, having reached the divine rank, it could resist the call to enter the cycle of reincarnation, continuing to exist without a physical vessel instead, awaiting the time to reconstruct a new one or to possess another.

However, this wasn’t considered death, but merely the destruction of the physical vessel.

Only souls that have entered the cycle of reincarnation were considered to have died from the destruction of the physical vessel.

Generally, a True Divinity was powerful enough to pull the lost souls back from the cycle of reincarnation and revive the fallen beings. Of course, this was also under the condition that not too much time had passed, or if the soul hadn’t already begun a new life.

After the general death was true death, the death of the soul.

With the destruction of the soul, a person’s ties to the material world would be severed. Their scattered soul fragments would disappear, and their soul essences would return to the plane of eternal rest, the Astral Soul Realm.

Once their soul essence returned to the Astral Soul Realm, even a True Divinity could not resurrect them and return them to the land of the living. They had only a very small window of time to save them after their souls’ destruction.

Only Origin Creators could pull their soul essences back out of the Astral Soul Realm, reforming their souls and ultimately bringing them back to life.

These were the only two known concepts of death.

For there to be a higher level of death beyond these two levels was beyond Vaan’s expectation. Given the complexity and expansiveness of magic in Chaos, he didn’t think there would be any absolutes.

However, if a higher level of death truly existed, it was just impossibly difficult for anyone to revive the person.

Even the Lord of Chaos should be helpless facing this higher level of death.

Moreover, Vaan agreed with Empyrean Oceanheart’s speculation.

A death truer than true death should be a case where even the final sparks of a person’s existence, their soul essence, failed to return to the Astral Soul Realm and exist anywhere in any world or plane.

With not even a trace of their existence remaining anywhere, all their marks on history would also be erased, making them virtually nonexistent in the first place.

Vaan figured that they would even be wiped from all records and memories.

Nevertheless, the biggest question was: What kind of existence killed him? When would it happen? How would it happen?

’To experience this kind of death, doesn’t that mean I will be caught by an enemy at the Beyond True Divinity Realm? Moreover, it’s very close to happening?’

Vaan frowned in thought.

Unexpectedly, even the mighty Myriad Sea God Palace wouldn’t be able to save him from such a calamity.

’If there’s no chance at reincarnation, not even a chance at existing, then this life is my last chance. If I die to this calamity, it’s over, huh?’ Vaan silently mused. ȒäℕƟᛒÊṤ

Ever since Vaan recovered memories of his past lives and understood the endless suffering when he was trapped in the constant cycle of reincarnation, his current life had lost some of its color.

The dangers he had experienced no longer felt like real dangers. There was no longer any excitement or uncertain, as if everything was under control by fate’s machinations.

As such, Vaan did not feel like other mortals who were struggling to the best of their ability to survive. Instead, he was simply a passenger on a boat, following the river route designed for him.

He thought his decisions and thoughts could alter the trajectory of his destiny, but, in fact, he was just falling right into place, as designed by someone else, a predetermined outcome.

He was simply too weak to be a chess player, only a chess piece, in this grand game of life.

Each of his past lives’ choices and fate was heavily influenced by others, and they all led to his death. It could be said that he had been repeatedly killed by other people’s expectations and imposed responsibility.

Because of destiny, he had died. Because of fate, he would still die.

’Because I’m the only one who can do it, so I have to be the one to do it? To hell with that. It’s time I stop living up to other people’s expectations and start living for myself, as I used to, and should still be doing.’

’Fate and destiny can go to hell. What the hell are they to decide my life and death? Am I supposed to just accept my fate and destiny? No! If I don’t like it, I won’t accept it!’

’My fate and destiny can only be determined by myself! No longer will I follow the script written by others; I will be the writer of my own script!’

’Fate wants me to die? I refuse!’ Vaan firmly decided.

Whatever it took, he would struggle to the bitter end to survive, overcome all adversaries, and live a life that truly belonged to him.

In a short instant, Vaan’s mentality underwent another qualitative transformation.

He felt liberated.

He no longer felt burdened by his past karma. He was not the Varuna or Vanitas of the past, or any of his other past reincarnations. In this life, he was just Vaan.

Although he was already clear on this, he felt it even more clearly, more than ever.

’My past does not define me, my choices shape my present, and I will forge my future. If fate has no future for me, I will create one!’

Empyrean Oceanheart observed Vaan’s silence, unaware of his thoughts, and suspected he was lost, uncertain of his path forward. Thus, she quickly thought of one for him.

"Your fate is certainly mired in calamities, with no chance of life. However, fate is not set in stone and unchangeable. That said, the current Myriad Sea God Palace undeniably lacks the power to help you tide over this coming disaster."

"If you would like, I can send you to the Grand Unity Human Clan with a letter of recommendation to allow you to cultivate there."

"Perhaps the Grand Unity Human Clan, with its more extensive connection to other Human Clans, can help you overcome the following calamity."

Empyrean Oceanheart made a thoughtful suggestion.

"The Grand Unity Human Clan?" Vaan’s eyes lit up with surprise and inspiration, recalling the Unified Spirit Veins Bloodline.

"Yes, the Grand Unity Human Clan is also an Empyrean-level Holy Land, explained Empyrean Oceanheart, not knowing Vaan was aware of the Grand Unity Human Clan.

"However, compared to the Myriad Sea God Palace, the Grand Unity Human Clan is on another level. The Grand Unity Human Clan is home to at least a hundred Empyrean Humans."

"More importantly, they keep frequent contact and exchanges with other Human Clans. Thus, its influence and connection alone make it extremely powerful."

"Additionally, it possesses superior cultivation systems and techniques, far better for your development than the Myriad Sea God Palace. There’s even a chance its deep heritage could provide some insights for your six paths."

"Grand Unity Human Clan has its own recruitment system and doesn’t usually accept outsiders, but given your talent and my Merfolk Race’s marital ties to one of its Empyrean Families, you might just be able to enter with my letter of recommendation."

"That said, you will likely have to start over with a low status. Are you willing to join the Grand Unity Human Clan, Sir Vaan?" Empyrean Oceanheart asked.

What else could Vaan say?

"I’m willing." He nodded.

The Grand Unity Human Clan was actually perfect for his cultivation.

Just its possession of the Unified Spirit Veins Bloodline was worth a trip, especially at his current stage of cultivation, where he was trying to establish the Heaven-Defying Spirits Path.

The inherent ability to harmonize different energies and elemental affinities would be of great assistance to his Spirits Path cultivation.

Vaan didn’t necessarily need to acquire the Unified Spirit Veins Bloodline.

The Grand Unity Human Clan’s deep understanding of the relationship between different energies and elemental affinities alone would benefit him greatly.

"It’s great that you are willing." Empyrean Oceanheart smiled before saying, "Unfortunately, even if I want to see you right away, I’m afraid my fellow Empyreans wouldn’t agree."

"You might have to spend some time visiting each of their domains before they reluctantly let me take you to the Grand Unity Human Clan," Empyrean Oceanheart mentioned.

"That’s fine as well. I have unfinished business in the Fishmen Domain," Vaan said.

Considering the Grand Unity Human Clan was likely in another Star Sector, he needed to take the Sea God Temple Gate with him. Otherwise, it would be difficult for him to return to Pangea.

"I also have a favor to ask in return, if you don’t mind, Sir Vaan."

"Oh? Please ask away, Empyrean Oceanheart."