## Chapter 89: Originally Without a Single Thing

The vast starry sky, a boundless expanse of cosmic dust and nebulae, served as the backdrop. Within this celestial tapestry, a figure stood, seemingly a solitary island in an ocean of cosmic power. It was Xiao Yan, having ascended to a realm that few mortals could even dream of. His cultivation had reached an unimaginable zenith, a pinnacle of power that resonated with the very fabric of existence.

Beneath him lay the myriad worlds, a countless multitude of planes and dimensions, each teeming with life, with cultivation, with dreams and ambitions. They were but specks of dust compared to his current standing, yet they held the countless souls who had embarked on the arduous journey of cultivation, striving to break free from the shackles of mortality, to ascend to higher realms.

And amongst these worlds, one stood out, a blue and green orb swirling with clouds and oceans. It was his origin, his home, the Dou Qi Continent. Memories flooded his mind – the nascent stages of his cultivation, the forging of bonds of brotherhood and love, the countless battles against formidable foes, the relentless pursuit of power, all for the sake of protecting what he held dear.

He remembered the fiery battles against the Soul Race, the earth-shattering clash against the Dou Emperor, the arduous ascent to the Great Thousand Worlds, the countless tribulations and trials he had faced to reach his current level. Each memory was a stepping stone, a testament to his unwavering will and indomitable spirit.

Now, standing at the apex of existence, he realized a profound truth, a truth that transcended the mere pursuit of power. It was not about conquering worlds, not about dominating realms, but about understanding the very essence of existence. It was about the journey itself, the experiences, the growth, the forging of one’s spirit in the crucible of life.

He looked back at the path he had traversed, a path paved with sweat, blood, and tears, a path that had led him to this solitary peak. But now, the peak seemed less significant, the solitude less desirable. For in the end, what truly mattered were the connections he had forged, the love he had shared, the lives he had touched.

A faint smile touched his lips, a smile of profound understanding, of peace. He was no longer the young man consumed by the desire for vengeance, the ambitious cultivator striving for supremacy. He was something more, something deeper.

He extended his hand, and the vast cosmos seemed to respond. Stars pulsed brighter, nebulae swirled in intricate patterns, and the very fabric of reality seemed to bend to his will. But this was not an act of dominance, but of harmony, of understanding.

He had reached a realm where power was no longer the primary pursuit. He had cultivated his spirit, his understanding of the world, to a level where he could perceive the interconnectedness of all things. The concept of “Originally Without a Single Thing” resonated within him, a profound truth about the nature of existence. Before creation, there was nothing, and in the end, all things return to nothingness. Yet, within that apparent emptiness lies the potential for everything.

He was no longer just a cultivator, a fighter, a conqueror. He was a witness to the grand cosmic dance, a participant in the never-ending cycle of creation and destruction. His journey had led him to this point, not of ultimate power, but of ultimate understanding. And in that understanding, he found true liberation. The path ahead was no longer one of conquering, but of simply being, of existing in harmony with the vast and wondrous cosmos. He had reached the end of his journey, only to find that the true journey was just beginning, a journey of boundless exploration, of timeless existence.