Chapter 2: The Hundred Generations of Samsara

The moment Lin Ling collapsed, a brilliant light, pulsing with immense and overwhelming spiritual power, enveloped the young man.

The Samsara Trial had begun.

This was a trial designed by the Creator themself.

It was cruel, real, and a profound test of one’s humanity.

The Hundred Generations of Samsara, just as its name implied.

Here, Lin Ling would experience a myriad of new lives across countless different worlds, eras, and social standings.

Each reincarnation was a self-contained memory. He would begin each new adventure with only the memories of his twenty-five years on Blue Star, tasked with completing the main quest of each world.

Across these 128 reincarnations, he experienced every shade of joy and sorrow, lived and died alongside others, and embarked on countless wondrous and spectacular adventures. Of course, not a few of these lives were scripted with tragedy.

In these 128 lives, he had been an ordinary commoner, a farmer, a soldier, and a maid. He had been a high and mighty emperor, a marshal, an empress, and a wealthy hero. He had also been a reviled warlord, a ruthless dictator, and a cold-blooded executioner.

In these 128 lives, he had savored the decadent luxury of royal heirs and, in stark contrast, endured the wretched existence of a lowly s*ave, a desperate fugitive, and a person buried alive as a funeral sacrifice.

The test for each life was simple, brutal, and unforgiving. The slightest misstep would result in failure.

Watching Lin Ling successfully complete one trial after another, the Light Cluster grew increasingly excited.

Over millions of years, she had witnessed countless worthy candidates attempt the trial. Most perished after a single wrong decision. Even those who managed to press on would eventually have their will shattered, their minds broken, leading to failure and death.

Only six beings had ever passed the final test.

Becoming a Battle Sovereign was no simple feat—especially the *First* Battle Sovereign.

Though these were simulated lives, they were far from a game.

Each different life, each unique experience, tested Lin Ling’s spirit, honing his judgment, his moral character, and imparting him with all manner of knowledge.

The process was beyond words, but in the end, Lin Ling passed the trial.

When he opened his eyes again, a deluge of memories—recollections from every single reincarnation—rushed into his mind, including those of unbearable suffering. The influx of memories left Lin Ling feeling numb, as if he had seen through the vanities of the mortal world and achieved enlightenment.

But the Light Cluster, sensing the change within Lin Ling, was less than pleased.

‘Stop! Being emotionless won’t do! You have a lot to accomplish in the next three years, and this state is unacceptable! Besides, a child should act like a child, or there’s no fun in watching. Cao… wait a minute? During the simulation… how did this guy… hehe, I see.’ The consciousness behind the Light Cluster mused to itself.

‘Looks like my own power is a bit unstable now, haha,’ the Light Cluster thought with a hint of self-mockery.

‘Still, this is quite interesting.’

‘So be it. After all, I’m not some heartless mother.’

Immediately after, the Light Cluster spoke to the vacant-eyed Lin Ling, its tone perfunctory.

“As per the rules, you have passed the test, and I will grant you your due reward. However, you must also abide by our regulations. After you receive this power, you will have three years of free will. You may do as you please. During this period, I will seal these memories to allow you to face your original life with your original mindset. Your friends and family in the mortal world would not take kindly to the person you are now. After three years, however, you will have to obey certain rules and fulfill certain obligations. Understood?”

Before Lin Ling could answer—not that he was capable of it—an immense power surged into his body.

His memories began to be packaged, compressed, and locked away.

****

Time returned to the present.

Lin Ling stared blankly at the Light Cluster before him. He could recall their conversation, yet the trial itself felt utterly unreal, as if it had never happened. But the profound exhaustion seeping from the depths of his soul told him otherwise; he had undoubtedly been through something.

Even so, Lin Ling struggled to accept what was happening. He couldn’t help but ask, “So, what now? Since I passed the trial, aren’t you going to…”

“I always keep my promises, my dear child ~^o^~” The Light Cluster’s previously robotic tone instantly shifted to a gentle, feminine voice, sending an involuntary shiver down Lin Ling’s spine.

‘But what a beautiful voice,’ Lin Ling thought.

Just as the thought crossed his mind, an infinite torrent of energy—a blend of sanctity and gentleness—erupted from the Light Cluster.

!?!

Suddenly…

Lin Ling was completely paralyzed, pinned in place by the terrifying wave of power. Faced with such an overwhelming force, a tide of unease washed over him.

The next moment, as Lin Ling and countless others watched in terror, the world twisted.

Heaven and Earth warped.

Twelve silver spheres of energy, each the size of Blue Star, materialized around the planet without warning. No one knew where they came from or why they were here.

Instantly, the entire planet was plunged into an unprecedented state of panic.

Encircled by these colossal energy masses, Blue Star seemed utterly insignificant, a mere speck. People had no idea what was happening. All they could perceive was the change in the sky’s color, a sense that their world was now enclosed. The fear of the unknown gripped the hearts of the masses.

“What’s happening?”

“Is this the end of the world?”

“Is it a sign from God?”

“I must have wanked too much 0-0. This has to be a hallucination!”

…..

…..

Faced with the unknown, people’s minds ran wild, and some even began to riot. The phones of world leaders rang off the hook as countless emergency meetings were convened. As far as they were concerned, humanity was facing an existential crisis. Even President Chuanbao of the M Nation, a notorious golf enthusiast, was forced to put down his club and stare at the chaotic sky in dread.

“Now, it is time to give you your just reward.”