The roar of power subsided, leaving Ren floating in a void that was both within him and infinite. The inn room, the mountain, the very world outside – it all felt distant, a faint echo of a reality he had just transcended. The crystal, once a mere artifact, had been utterly **consumed**, its essence absorbed into his being, unlocking torrents of **memories** far beyond the confines of this cultivation world, beyond even the fragmented glimpses of Earth. He saw nebulae dance, galaxies spiral, and ancient, cosmic civilizations rise and fall. He glimpsed worlds of pure energy, dimensions beyond comprehension, and the vast, swirling chaos of the multiverse. He was no longer just Ren; he was a nexus, a nascent architect of reality.
The overwhelming influx of information, of raw power, was dizzying. But through it all, one thought remained a steadfast anchor, a burning beacon in the storm of his awakening: **Li Mei**. His beloved. The woman he had failed to save countless times, the one whose hand he had reached for in his final, simulated breath.
He calmed himself, the swirling energies within him coalescing into a tranquil, boundless sea. His control was absolute. He thought of her, and with a silent, profound will, he **transported her into his inner world**, a pocket dimension now fully integrated within his own body. No longer a mere temporary space, this was a true **inner universe**, bending to his every desire. The universe itself seemed to hold no limits to his will. He felt a profound **liberation**, a freedom so absolute it was terrifying, yet exhilarating.
Weariness, a sensation he hadn't truly known since his earliest, weakest simulations, finally settled upon him. He had achieved everything he could imagine, and more. He retreated into his newly formed inner world, a realm of serene beauty and boundless potential, a reflection of his transformed being.
And there she was. Li Mei. Unconscious, yet radiating the familiar warmth that had captivated him across countless simulated lives. He reached for her, a longing ache in his chest, and pulled her close, embracing her. As he held her, her own slumbering memories began to stir, intertwining with his, not just of their last, peaceful life, but of their tumultuous, heart-wrenching pasts. He felt her pain, her betrayals, her love – every shared moment, every loss, now vivid and real.
He gazed at her, a profound realization settling upon him. **Longevity**. It had been a curse, a torment, a reminder of constant loss in his simulations. But now, it was a gift, a promise. He had attained the pinnacle of existence, transcending the limits of the physical and spiritual. He would not lose her to time again. With a gentle, precise manipulation of his newfound power, he **changed her very genes, reshaped her essence**, making her body **resistant to the ravages of age, capable of enduring millions of years**. He bestowed upon her a longevity that rivaled his own, a promise of an eternity together.
He looked around his inner world, a vast, burgeoning cosmos shaped by his will. It was perfect. A sanctuary. But he also remembered those ancient, boundless lands glimpsed in the absorbed crystal, worlds untainted by decay, realms where true immortals dwelled, where the universe itself seemed fresh and vibrant. He yearned to explore them, not as a desperate survivor, not as a pawn of some unseen System, but as a master.
A quiet smile touched his lips. He had fought, he had died, he had suffered. He had broken free. He had **control of his life**, and beyond. He possessed **all of immortality**, not as a distant goal, but as an inherent state of being. The long, grueling path was over. The true journey, one of boundless exploration and shared eternity with his beloved, had just begun.
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What is the very first, deliberate act Ren performs to initiate his new "true journey" of exploration and dominance, now that he is awakened and fully in control?