In a dimly lit room, colorful lights danced around to the sound of a gaming computer. The previous owner of this space was tied up and passed out in a bathtub while Zhang Dong, who had taken over, contemplated his newest scheme. His eyes darted through the various monitors as he tried to find one specific location.
“Here it is, Sector 42069 … I was subject number 80082, it shows me as being deceased …, replaced with subject number 80089, system name Wang Long. Good that I had Bob hack the system at that time; it thinks that I’m him now…”
He was able to access the information of his own world along with the whole sector. It was one among many within the office area of this floating station. Through this main console, he had access to everything and wouldn’t need to return there. He could actually alter all the input of the moderators and even disable or make the Overseers act as his minions.
His AI helper had been slowly integrating himself into the system and taking over everything. While he wanted to bring an end to the cycle, he wasn’t able to quite yet. It was clear that this place was sending out some type of energy to one location, and this place was just a fraction of a bigger undertaking. What he needed to do was to slowly take over everything without being noticed.
This was quite the task for one person, but he wasn’t planning on tackling everything by himself anymore. With the help of the console, he was able to find the world that he fought his adventures in, and it was filled with nothing more than allies. While normally they would be too weak to be of use outside here, there were ways of enhancing their power, and that was through the system.
His planet was under his supervision and the Overseer puppet as well. There was no one watching over his shoulder so he could easily carry out his plan of integrating systems into the people that he trusted. They were the tool that would allow them to reach heights above the limitations of that world. Reaching stages above the nascent soul level was a possibility and he already had a good way of training them.
‘That’s the gist of it but something like that won’t be easy, I hope there is enough time left…’
The biggest question had not been answered yet. Probably the only way of finding out what this was all about was to go towards the center of this strange universe where Prime Earth was situated. The other planets and these stations were all automated, so as long as he didn’t do something stupid, no one would be alerted to his existence.
‘I guess it’s better to keep this guy alive; killing an administrator might give away my position.’
The lanky individual that he incapacitated was luckily an immortal who didn’t really require any food or sustenance. It was possible for him to disable him by inducing a dream state. In his mind, he would be having the best time in his life, but outside, he would be bound inside of a bathtub.
“Good, I need to get the others on board… but leaving this space unattended might not be wise.”
Zhang Dong glanced around the administrative chamber, his eyes scanning the intricate setup of the gaming consoles and monitors. He needed a plan to maintain control without arousing suspicion from whatever higher power might be overseeing this entire operation. It was possible for something unforeseen to happen while he was away. He needed to play the role of the administrator, and also, this place was filled with miraculous energies. The longer he remained, the stronger he became.
“I could probably reroute some of these energies into myself for another boost. It would be better to remain here than go back… I guess I’ll need some help this time around… and what better help than myself!”
There were various techniques that he knew, and after interfacing with the administrator console, he had unlocked access to the old system store that he had lost before. There were various immortal-grade techniques there that he had access to, and through them, he would carry out his plan. Being in two places was not impossible if one could split their soul into smaller ones.
‘It will probably be strange but let’s make some clones!’
With a determined expression, Zhang Dong began the intricate process of splitting his soul to create clones. Utilizing the immortal-grade techniques from the system store, he carefully crafted duplicates of himself, each containing a portion of his essence and consciousness. It was a delicate operation, but with his heightened abilities and superior cultivation, he managed to create five clones, each boasting a cultivation realm similar to that of the immortal realm.
As the clones materialized, they looked like mirror images of Zhang Dong, each possessing the same features, skills, and memories. They were fully-fledged bearings that could make decisions for themselves but at the same time, they were all the same person. It was a strange feeling as they shared one hive mind with each other. Information between this group of Zhang Dongs could be sent out immediately, they were like one being with multiple brains with the main him as the core.
"Now, let's assign some tasks! Number one will go down to the cultivation world and help everyone reach higher realms.”
“Yes! Haha!”
“Damn, I wanted to go there!”
“Don’t worry number two, I’ll take care of Liena!”
“Hmm…”
Zhang Dong raised his eyebrow as he realized that his clones were a lot more individualistic than he expected. Even though they shared the same soul, it seemed that some of the other clones were jealous of the first one that was allowed to return to their family. Perhaps with time, they would develop in some ways, but for now, this would have to suffice.
“Stop squabbling.”
“Yes, Supreme Dong!”
“... Don’t call me that.”
“Hehe.”
The five clones started laughing and he couldn’t help but smile a bit too. It seemed that they knew his sense of humor and also things that would set him off.
“Now next, number two, you’ll be responsible for the system holders here, we will save the promising ones, having more allies with a hacked system could aid us later.”
“Are you sure? Can we really trust them to do the right thing when we are up against the wall?”
“You bring up a good point, hmm…”
It was strange to talk to himself but he was kind of naturally doing it instead of thinking out loud now.
“Alright, number two, you’ll save them and bring them down to another cultivation world. You’ll gather more information and understand their motives, we’ll need to see how they will react to the information first before deciding if they are trustworthy.”
“Understood.”
After passing into this realm and taking over the console he was now able to move freely within the sectors this space station managed. His clones would be able to use the mirrors stored within to move into other worlds freely.
“Number three, you’ll go check up on our young friend Beatrice, she is someone that we can trust. Passing on some better spells to her along with a hacked system should be easy.”
“Got it.”
“Four and Five, you’ll both go to the other administrative satellites, examine them carefully, and if you can, take over the administrative chambers.”
“More exploring sounds like fun!”
“I’ll remain here and gather more energy, with time I’ll probably be able to make more immortal clones to send out, is everyone ready?”
“Ready when you are!”
With the tasks assigned, the clones dispersed, each going about their designated responsibilities. He could see them going through the corridors through the monitors. Thanks to being the new administrator he was able to make the puppets non-reactive to them. Even if they bumped into one of his clones, they wouldn’t even know that someone was there. This made the task of rescuing some of the system holders a lot easier.
Number One, the clone assigned to the cultivation world, made his way back with a big grin on his face. It was a chance to reunite back with his long ones that he was afraid that would never come after going into the strange upper realm. He made his way through the mirror that the original Zhang Dong appeared through and quickly flew back towards Spirit Spring City to give everyone a surprise.
Number Two, dealing with the system holders, faced some challenges as a lot of people were skeptical and others even paranoid. They found it hard to cope with all of their adventures being lies to get to their essence and explaining himself took up quite some time. Soon he was on his way to transport them to a safer location where they had some time to cool their heads and nerves.
Number Three eventually located Beatrice and, after a heartfelt reunion, shared the truth about their world and the strange system. Beatrice, being the quick-witted person she was, immediately grasped the situation. Some time had passed since his old adventure with her and she had grown up into a respectful adult and mage. With determination, she joined forces with Number Three to spread awareness among some of the more trusted people and prepared for the impending conflict.
Numbers Four and Five had the toughest assignment of them all. They needed to infiltrate the other satellites from outside. There were only two ways of getting there, one would be to just fly through the endless void of this world or to hitch a ride to a closer side realm. After using one of the mirrors they escaped that world's atmosphere and made their way to infiltrate their enemy's territory.
As the clones carried out their missions, the main Zhang Dong continued to absorb the energies in the administrative chamber. His power grew exponentially and also at a rapid pace. However, this was not an amount that he felt comfortable with; it would probably take a lot more for him to clash with whoever was responsible for it all. When the time came for that confrontation he would not be alone. With the help of his family and the allies that he gained over the years of his adventures, they would be victorious and break the shackles of this existence.
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om