During the earlier battle, the Sword Saint had been troubled by one question he couldn't resolve.
Why had the previous Sword Saint died here?
If the trial selected the three strongest corpses… then among those three, the Sword Saint would effectively be replacing the fourth strongest.
That meant the enemies he had faced before should have been weaker—never stronger.
And opponents of that level…
Even if he couldn't win, it shouldn't have led to his death.
Surrounded by three enemies at once, if he truly wanted to flee, he should still have had enough strength left to escape.
At worst, he would have been gravely injured.
There was no reason for him to die.
At least, the current Sword Saint believed that if he truly intended to run, he would never have ended up dying like that.
But matters from thousands of years ago were impossible to verify.
Perhaps some other powerful figure had entered the Land of Forgetting and slain the previous Sword Saint here.
Now that everything had settled, however, the truth was becoming clear.
The previous Sword Saint hadn't died because he couldn't defeat those three.
He had died because of the anomaly that occurred here—a situation so dire it was practically a dead end.
Beside the Sword Saint, the burly man swallowed and muttered, "I heard that in the Land of Forgetting, three of the strongest deceased figures appear. As long as you defeat those three, you can obtain all their wealth."
"Now that I think about it…"
"That rumor has only ever come from people who failed to obtain the treasure."
"I've never heard a single story of someone succeeding."
"We used to think it was because of the Forgetting Moon—people forgot everything that happened inside."
"But now it seems… the real reason those challengers died… is something no one ever lived to tell."
Those who escaped the Land of Forgetting alive had witnessed the overwhelming strength of the three great figures and retreated in fear.
Thus, within the Moon Sea, the rumor spread: the Land of Forgetting contained only three ultimate beings.
But in truth, the real trial lay beyond that—
All the powerful beings who had died here afterward.
"This legend… really ruined people," someone muttered bitterly.
"If you didn't retreat after the first clash… your fate was death?"
The Sword Saint shook his head.
"But we didn't die."
All eyes turned toward Lu Cang.
No—
toward Kanzaki Rei.
Rei's undead had returned, gathering the corpses together.
The six of them hesitated.
Should they approach and speak… or just stay quiet on the sidelines?
Even Shumi bit her nails, looking conflicted.
The beastfolk believed in survival of the fittest… but right now, she was the one being devoured.
Rei, however, couldn't care less about what they were thinking.
The first priority was clear:
Loot.
Convert everything into strength as quickly as possible.
More strength meant a higher margin of safety.
As for gathering information from them… that could wait.
"Insights into Origin Magic… a self-created battle technique that's only half-complete… a map leading to the Samsara Battlefield…"
"This one also has a map to the Samsara Battlefield?"
It seemed like all of them did.
Come to think of it…
Was this place itself the Samsara Battlefield?
Rei continued inspecting the spoils. These geniuses carried far better items than the trash corpses he had looted before.
What a pity.
That silver-haired twin-tailed Origin Mage had self-destructed.
She had been the one Rei wanted the most.
After a careful tally, there wasn't much in terms of equipment that stood out.
After all, the gear Rei currently used was forged from Tier 6 Sunken Continent monsters.
Anyone who couldn't defeat such monsters likely wouldn't possess gear of that level.
Still—
there were some useful items.
A jet-black whip that drained stamina and mana while binding enemies.
A circlet that resisted mental attacks.
But the most valuable gains were the battle techniques, spells, and—most importantly—their insights.
"Ancient Magic—Severance?"
"Space magic?"
Rei's eyes lit up.
Jackpot.
It was said that space magic had nearly vanished—erased for unknown reasons.
Only a handful of spells remained.
Blink.
Random Teleportation.
Dimensional Slash.
Even the theoretical foundations of space magic were fragmented and incomplete.
In truth, Rei felt he could reconstruct those incomplete systems.
But his Mage class hadn't reached Level 4 yet—he couldn't even manipulate spatial elements.
Studying it now would be a waste.
Better to wait until Level 4.
Still…
Rei already possessed one space-type spell—
the Origin Magic of Twilight Hollow.
It was said that Twilight Hollow had once been a renowned spatial mage in Loren, whose mastery surpassed even the Level 6 archmage Fize.
Meanwhile, those who comprehended Origin Magic always began from the essence of magic itself.
Every one of them was extraordinary.
Of course—
none of them had been able to defeat him.
Tap—
Rei's ears twitched slightly.
He stopped studying the tome and looked up.
The battlefield—
the countless corps—
were turning into drifting ash.
White pillars rose one after another.
A ceiling formed overhead, adorned with kaleidoscopic stained glass.
And the six people behind him—
had vanished.
Even his undead—
gone in an instant.
Only Rei remained.
The entire scene warped rapidly, eerily shifting.
With a thought, Rei recalled all his undead into his Mini Netherworld.
They were his greatest combat power—he couldn't allow them to be separated from him.
The transformation didn't last long.
Within a minute, Rei realized he now stood inside a grand hall of crystalline blue and pale gray.
Ahead of him—
an empty pedestal.
Clearly meant for a divine statue.
But now, it was bare.
Rei glanced around, unable to help but sigh.
…Why change locations?
That battlefield had been perfect.
More corpses meant more power.
And with the restriction field as a fallback, he had been free to advance or retreat.
Now he was in some unknown hall, with no idea where the exit was.
Or whether escape was even possible.
A faint unease crept into his mind.
Suddenly—
a voice thundered within his consciousness.
"Why do you seek reincarnation?"
Rei froze.
Why?
I didn't. You dragged me in.
But then he reconsidered.
If he had to give a reason…
Yes, he did want it.
Besides the loot, there was the idea that defeating all enemies would grant the inheritance of reincarnation.
And why not?
It looked powerful.
And if killing everything was already the trial…
then wasn't he already qualified?
Pauli wasn't here—he couldn't exactly leave, consult her for divination, and come back.
Next chance would be four years later.
And his intuition hadn't warned him of danger.
If anything, it urged him to obtain this inheritance.
If there had been even a hint of danger—
he would have left immediately.
"Do I need a reason?" Rei replied.
Silence filled the hall.
Then—
a vague figure began to form before him.
White hair. Crimson eyes.
Brimming with vitality.
The figure looked about the same age—and height—as Rei.
His voice carried a youthful tone.
"Do you know what reincarnation means?"
Rei shrugged.
"No."
Knowledge about reincarnation was scarce.
Even after researching with Pauli, they had found almost nothing in Loren—or even within the White Tower.
"How long do you think a person can live?" the figure asked suddenly.
Rei answered calmly, "An 8th-tier mage can live around 500 years."
"As for gods… perhaps eternal."
"If you cannot become a god, would you accept reaching the end of your lifespan, watching all your pursuits fade into illusion?"
"If possible, I'll pursue immortality," Rei said.
"But if that day comes… I'll think about it then."
He hadn't even lived 29 years yet.
Talking about death now was pointless.
"Reincarnation exists."
"You forget everything. Abandon your soul. Take on a new body. Regain consciousness…"
"Even so, after death, one can reincarnate."
"Though everything changes."
"But there is a way… to break that limitation."
"To reincarnate without losing your essence."
"That is—"
"The Reincarnation Mark."
The figure stepped forward, becoming solid.
A white-haired, red-eyed youth.
Same age as Rei.
"The inheritance of reincarnation is granted to only one."
"If you compete with me… I will lose this mark."
A gentle wind swept the hall.
Their eyes met.
Rei felt something unprecedented.
The opponent's spiritual presence—
was terrifyingly high.
Perhaps not weaker than his own.
So—
someone like this existed?
"I was studying a new battle technique in the Moon Sea when I sensed the disturbance of the Reincarnation Mark."
"To think someone actually passed that annoying trial."
"It's been thousands of years… impressive. The younger generation truly surpasses the old."
He spoke casually, brimming with confidence.
Rei knew that tone well.
It was the calm arrogance of someone who believed himself invincible.
"But that trial… I cleared it in my first life."
"What do you think is the most valuable thing in this world?"
Rei didn't interrupt.
No need to rush.
He could tell—
this guy just wanted to show off.
And honestly—
Rei was interested.
"The most valuable thing is one's life experience."
"What you cannot take with you in life or death."
"But if you live a second life… and remember your first…"
"You could easily comprehend Origin Magic, master combat instinct, uncover hidden treasures, wield assassination arts, peerless techniques…"
"With reincarnation—second life, third life…"
"You gain the possibility of obtaining everything."
The youth grinned.
"Don't worry. This is an inheritance. Even if you die here, you won't truly die—just be expelled."
"And you'll at least gain one chance at reincarnation."
His aura surged.
"This inheritance is fair. I will only have the same level as you."
He smiled wider.
"In each life… at your highest level."
Light descended.
One after another—
fourteen spheres entered his body.
Level 3 Warrior.Level 3 Mage.Level 3 Assassin.Level 3 Defender.Level 3 Healer.Level 3 Archer.Level 3 Mechanist.Level 3 Scholar.Level 3 Observer.Level 3 Spellblade.Level 3 Soulcaster.Level 3 Formation Master.Level 3 Destroyer.Level 3 Sword Saint.
"Only Level 3?"
He frowned.
But quickly relaxed.
Advantage—
clearly his.
"Oh, right."
"I've already reincarnated eight times."
"This is my ninth life."
"With nine lifetimes against your one…"
"That's fair, isn't it?"
"Sorry… but you can forget about competing for the Reincarnation Mark."
"Take your one reincarnation and get lost."
Fair?
Where was the fairness?
—!!
Rei's intuition exploded with warning.
Unavoidable!
Sword Principle—First Form: Endless Rain, No Gaps!
In an instant—
sword light enveloped everything like a sphere!
Countless slashes converged—
SHING!
All shields around Rei—
shattered instantly!
"HA!"
CLANG!
Rei's body hardened—
turning into crystalline glass!
At the same time, the Phantasmal Ring-Star Spear appeared in his hand!
Invincible Flow—Fifth Form: Fury of the World (LV: 301)!
BOOM!
The spear swept outward!
Shockwaves rippled!
Clashing with the dense sword light—
But—
it didn't break?!
Each slash—
too strong.
Too many.
CRASH!
The sword light contracted—
cutting into Rei's body!
His glass-like skin—
fractured violently!
Yet—
instantly regenerated.
"Hahaha!"
"As expected of someone who made it here!"
"Interesting!"
The red-eyed youth had already appeared behind Rei.
A pure white sword in hand.
"Unfortunately…"
"My swordsmanship… is on an entirely different level than your techniques."
But before he finished—
WHOOSH!
Fog exploded across the battlefield!
The spear struck from behind!
CLANG!
He parried effortlessly—
But—
a faint glimmer shot from the spear tip!
At the same time—
magic erupted from all directions!
Wind. Fire. Lightning. Light—
Combined with martial techniques—
Staff storms, rapid kicks, cleaving strikes—
Every LV: 301 spell—
paired with a LV: 301 combat technique!
The youth's pupils shrank—
then he grinned wildly.
"Good!"
"Such a battle—I haven't seen in thousands of years!"
"As expected of my junior!"
"A genius!"
"But unfortunately…"
"This is merely the level of an ordinary genius."
"Far beneath me."
He turned his blade—
A flash of color—
Then—
BOOM!
All incoming magic—
torn apart.
He walked through it calmly.
"You know quite a few low-tier instant spells."
"But they're nothing compared to my accumulated mastery!"
He raised two fingers—
pointing at Rei.
"Since you're a mage…"
"Let me show you something interesting."
"This—"
"is my Origin."
"Origin is the answer that interprets time—the reflection of all that has passed."
Third-Tier Origin Magic—Reflection of the Past!
Behind Rei—
storms, flames, lightning—
everything he had just cast—
reappeared.
"How does it feel… to taste your own magic?"
The youth stood with sword behind him—
fingers raised—
invincible.
Magic crashed down on Rei!
"Is that so?"
Rei spun his spear—
A hundred rotations in an instant—
shattering everything!
"Interesting!"
"So you weren't even going all out before!"
"Then try this!"
"Second Origin Magic—"
So he had two Origins?
Noted.
He swung his blade lightly.
"Origin is the answer that interprets time—the projection of all futures."
Third-Tier Origin Magic—Future Law!
Nothing seemed to happen—
But Rei's intuition screamed!
WHOOSH!
He vanished—
A beam of light!
BOOM!
The space he had occupied—
collapsed into a void!
"You dodged that too?"
"That shouldn't be possible…"
Third-Tier Origin Magic—Source: All Laws!
Stored—Reflection of the Past!Stored—Future Law!
Rei smirked.
"So after all those lifetimes… you only learned two Origin spells?"
The youth replied calmly:
"You clearly don't understand."
"To ascend as a mage… one must comprehend two opposing Origins."
"This is the limit."
"Beyond this—no further Origins can be learned."
He raised his hand again.
The mirror appeared behind Rei.
His previous spear techniques—
replicated!
At the same time—
countless radiant sword lights formed around the youth.
Source—Reflection of the Past!
Rei's lips curled slightly.
…Well then.
Thanks for the Origin Magic.