Shattered Smile

The Immortals' Mask, Book 1

By: Jay Krauss

Narrated by: Brian Nishii

Before he reached the pinnacle of power, he was just a talented disciple with no hunger for greatness—only a quiet promise and a path he never meant to stray from.

Sataou wasn't chasing glory.

He had a sharp mind, a relaxed spirit, and a place in the Shengu Sect—earned more through quiet dedication than burning ambition. His cultivation was anything but simple: his Void affinity demanded emotional control, even as the world around him refused to let him remain whole.

And when that balance is broken, what remains loses what makes it human.

The Void is endless. The Void is absence. The Void is all. The Void does not forgive.

From its depths, a new man will rise—One who will stop at nothing to sever the chains of a captive world.

This is not a tale of ascension. It is the story of what is lost along the way.

The Immortals' Mask is set in the same universe as Will of the Immortals and acts as a companion series. It follows the origin of Satoro Sataou, marking his rise to power and the true cost of that ascension. The Immortals' Mask takes place roughly two thousand years prior to the events of Will of the Immortals. See what shaped the world of Cultivators and gods, and how Sataou's rise changed everything... while nearly costing him the same.

©2025 Jay Krauss (P)2025 Podium Audio

Awesome start to a legend

Great start for the series. Finally have the background for the grandpa in the next series. Excellent story building.

The man watched his family killed in front of himself in book 1 for not giving face to an elder

he is out for revenge he survived his suicide mission and needs to decide what to do next. Does he kill all the elders from his old sect? Does he hunt down his old master? He is a rouge cultivator and he has found out all the lives were a game see what he decides to do. This is an amazing story that shows the man’s rise to power status and fear/respect. This is a great read err listen

Excellent start to a prequel story

I liked the style of story writing as the explanations were short and the story telling excellent.

Satoro Sataou's Origin Story is a Fine Addition

I had my doubts heading into this one, but was quickly assuaged by Krauss' fine writing, and swept up and along into the origin story of Satoro Sataou. If any of you have followed or worked through the Will of the Immortals books, you'll be familiar with the much older character and this book, Shattered Smile, is his origin story.

The performer, Brian Nishii (who is a different performer than the Will of the Immortals series) does a fine job. Took me a bit, but I got with it and appreciate his style. He paces it well, isn't overdramatic, and nails most of it down.

Check it out if you like Litrpg Cultivation stuff. It's not isekai (unlike Will of the Immortals), but the writing is impeccable. It's not epic fantasy, but there is plenty of magic and it feels classy and solid. I'm on the third book now, and it's entertaining.

Great storytelling

I really liked this story! Sataou has been a favorite of mine. I thought the narration was great! Can hardly wait for the next book!