Life in a Strange World That Begins with Death

Gods and Buddhas fill the heavens, and incense smoke rolls like a sea.

Some worship Buddha, praying for immortality. Others revere the gods, seeking wealth and status.

But after Gu Bai arrived in this world, which only vaguely resembled ancient times, he discovered the truth:

The gods and Buddhas filling the heavens had never come to protect the people.

They sat high above the clouds, feeding on incense, drinking in greed, and devouring the karma of all living beings.

What people called divine grace was nothing more than the heavens consuming those below while dressed in a cloak of compassion.

What people called a golden age was merely a corpse that had yet to fully rot.

And aside from his ability to turn back time and defy fate by borrowing the karma of others, Gu Bai was just a powerless refugee, unqualified to challenge the gods and Buddhas for his life.

Until he heard the true voice of this world in the obsession of a corpse.

With [Edicts] in hand, he could peer into karma and claim obsessions.

And so Gu Bai sat above the karma of all living beings, making the gods and Buddhas believe he was unfathomable, and the people believe he had long since seen through the secrets of heaven.

Everyone always said, "Brother Gu truly is unfathomable."

But Gu Bai replied, "...The truth is, I've just died a few more times than you have."