Chapter 2104: Immortality Medicine

"By the way, what exactly are these 'myriad realms of the universe' and 'countless worlds' you often talk about? Are there really many universes?" Zu An suddenly asked.

"The universe is vast and contains innumerable civilizations. Every civilization has tried to deduce its true nature, but unfortunately, there are no definitive answers yet," Mi Li said, a hint of awe on her face. "However, several mainstream views have gained widespread acceptance. One theory posits that there is only one universe, but within it exist many parallel universes. In each, there's a version of you, but your fate differs due to varying factors and events."

"Another view suggests that individual universes are distinct, each like a bubble. Immeasurable distances separate these bubbles, filled with various void substances. Incredibly powerful void monsters isolate these universes, preventing communication and making it extremely difficult to break through the barriers between them."

Zu An nodded inwardly. In his previous life, the scientific community also had various conjectures about this.

"However, a more prevalent view is that a World Tree exists in the void. Its immense size is beyond anyone's imagination, infinite and boundless. Each branch represents time, each sub-branch signifies different directions the world can take, and each leaf symbolizes a world or a universe."

"A tree?" Zu An was genuinely astonished. He never imagined the universe could be connected to a tree. If all universes are on this tree, how enormous must it be?

"Precisely. Almost all civilizations in the universe have legends about a great tree from ancient times. Later, someone discovered this commonality and speculated that all universes might indeed exist on a single great tree. This theory has since gained increasing acceptance," Mi Li replied.

A thought sparked in Zu An's mind. In his previous life, many seemingly unrelated civilizations' myths indeed featured great trees, such as the World Tree in Norse mythology, the World Tree in Persian mythology, the Kabbalistic Tree of Life in religious traditions, and ancient Chinese myths with legends like the Jianmu and Fusang trees.

Still, the idea of all universes growing on a tree was truly difficult to fathom.

"Didn't I mention before that the universe might have begun as a lotus in primal chaos? In a sense, that's also similar to a tree," Mi Li continued. "However, someone once told me that there might not be just one World Tree, but two."

"Two?" Zu An's eyes widened. Just one such colossal tree was already unimaginable.

"That's right. That person inferred this based on various phenomena, such as the 0 and 1 in silicon-based life, the double helix structure of DNA in carbon-based life, and the Yin-Yang duality in cultivation. Almost all civilizations and universes are linked to the number two. Therefore, he hypothesized that there should also be two World Trees."

Zu An nodded. "A very reasonable deduction."

He was somewhat amazed by Mi Li's knowledge. As a transmigrator, he initially felt a sense of superiority, but now, learning that many entities in the universe were aware of technological existence, he no longer dared to be dismissive.

Blindly believing in science was, in fact, a form of superstition. After all, the universe was simply too vast; what science understood was merely a drop in the ocean.

All civilizations explained and studied the principles of the universe in their own ways. Although their methods of expression and presentation differed, they were essentially converging on the same truth.

"You seem to respect that person very much?" Zu An couldn't help but ask, noticing Mi Li's expression whenever she mentioned that individual.

Mi Li gazed deeply at him. "He is indeed worthy of my respect, and he is the most important person in my life."

Zu An tentatively asked, "Then how should I address him? As a grandmaster, or a patriarch?"

"There's no need to pry into my relationship with him. You will know naturally once you reach a certain level," Mi Li said, seeing through his ploy instantly.

Zu An gave an embarrassed laugh and quickly changed the subject. "Besides the technological, silicon-based, and cultivation civilizations you just mentioned, are there other types?"

"Of course. There are magic civilizations, mystic civilizations, ghostly civilizations, card-based civilizations, beast-taming civilizations... the types of civilizations are countless," Mi Li replied.

"Which civilization is stronger?" Zu An eagerly asked.

A faint smile flickered across Mi Li's face. "I asked that very question back then; I didn't expect you to do the same now. Let me put it this way: the powers employed by each civilization have their respective strengths and weaknesses. There is no strongest civilization, only the strongest individual."

Zu An pondered her words. Indeed, it was true. Even within the cultivation world, among the various sects, were some cultivation methods truly superior to others?

Ultimately, it depended on the cultivator themselves.

Just like Zhao Hao in the past, he cultivated the same methods but progressed faster than his peers and possessed greater combat power than others.

"So, how can I get to other worlds?" Zu An asked again.

Mi Li nodded slightly. Her counterpart hadn't gotten lost in the vast information and had quickly grasped the most important point. "There are several methods. The simplest is if your power is strong enough to directly shatter the void and open a spatial channel to another world, or to physically traverse the void."

Zu An retorted, "The simplest method? I feel like you're mocking me."

He naturally couldn't open a spatial channel now, but with his current strength, he could barely physically enter space. However, without knowing the locations of other worlds and given the immense distances, he certainly couldn't sustain himself in space for that long.

"I'm not mocking you; it genuinely is the simplest method," Mi Li chuckled. "Alternatively, you could use vehicles like cosmic shuttles or spaceships. However, this world is rather unique; there are no nearby routes, and it's impossible to find such transportation here."

"What do you mean by 'unique'?" Zu An sharply noted the word in her statement.

"Unique in every aspect," Mi Li said gravely. "Ever since I awakened some of my memories, I've been secretly observing this world. Given its level of prosperity, it should have been contacted by other civilizations long ago. Yet, I've looked at their history, and it seems they've only been invaded by demons a few millennia ago and recently. Other than that, they've had no contact with any other civilization, as if some entity has shielded them from the entire universe."

"Furthermore, this world's power ceiling is problematic. I've seen many incredibly talented individuals whose strength shouldn't be limited to what it is. Yet, everyone's cultivation realm is significantly lower than that of equally talented individuals in other worlds."

A realization struck Zu An. Even someone as extraordinarily gifted as Zhao Hao was stuck at the peak of the Earth Immortal realm for many years, unable to make any progress.

He himself was the same. Based on the power of the formidable beings he had absorbed over the past few days, he should have broken through long ago.

"It seems like this is because this world's origin isn't strong enough?"

"That's precisely the problem. Logically, the origin of a world like this shouldn't be so weak," Mi Li said, her delicate brows furrowed. "Your world seems to have secret realms everywhere, and these realms are connected to special places. This doesn't look like something a weak world should possess."

Zu An couldn't help but smile. "Speaking of which, I met you in a secret realm in this world back then."

Thinking of their first encounter, Mi Li seemed to recall something, a faint blush appearing on her face. She quickly changed the subject. "So, this world must be hiding some secret. Oh, right, I remember you once said you needed to collect the cultivation manuals from the twelve Unknowable Lands?"

Zu An nodded. "That's right. Each one was a near-death experience. Unfortunately, there's no information whatsoever on the remaining Unknowable Lands, so I don't know where to find them."

"As the current Regent of both the Human and Demon races, you have access to resources far exceeding even Zhao Hao or the Demon Emperor in their time. You can conduct a thorough investigation to see if you can find any clues," Mi Li said. "If you manage to collect all twelve Unknowable Lands, I believe you will surely unlock the secrets of this world, and the rewards will undoubtedly be immense."

Zu An shook his head. "Compared to those elusive Unknowable Lands, I'm more focused on saving Chu Yan and Hong Lei's lives right now."

Seeing his fervent gaze, Mi Li hesitated, then finally said, "Chu Yan's current condition likely requires finding another shard of the Creation Jade Disc. As for Hong Lei, I've now recalled some methods that could save her."

"What methods?" Zu An excitedly grasped her hand.

Mi Li glanced at his hand, then continued, "Throughout the myriad realms of the universe, there are over a dozen types of Immortality Elixirs. Each possesses the power to bring the dead back to life. However, almost every single Immortality Elixir is guarded by peerless experts, making them harder to obtain than ascending to the heavens."

"Immortality Elixirs?" Zu An frowned. "I remember hearing a legend about an Immortality Elixir in a secret realm before. A kind and honest god was killed by another god named Wei. To save him, the Heavenly Emperor made him consume the Immortality Elixir. Although he revived, he transformed into a monster named Ya Yu."

He certainly didn't want Hong Lei to end up in such a state!