Chapter 1186: A Dream Lasting a Thousand Years in an Instant

Sun Erlang had never imagined that after Senior Chen of the Taiyan Sect had elaborated so extensively on the formidable properties of the Transformation Stone, he would actually bestow upon him this very stone—the one lost from Yi Xing's tomb for millennia.

"Thank you, Senior!" Not foolish, Sun Erlang quickly accepted the treasure, lest the elder change his mind.

He delighted in holding and examining it for a long time, but the look on Sun Erlang's face slowly shifted from pleasant surprise to embarrassment.

"Senior, this Transformation Stone..."

"Why does it seem ineffective?"

Chen Tianhai replied, "To experience the profound mysteries of the Transformation Stone, you must pair it with our sect's secret technique: 'Path Transformation Divine One'!"

Sun Erlang instantly grew wary. "Senior, I already have a master. I cannot formally join your Taiyan Sect..."

Chen Tianhai chuckled. "Young man, you overthink. Since I've given you the Transformation Stone, why would I then withhold a mere secret technique?"

As Chen Tianhai pointed in the air, Sun Erlang, enveloped in an ethereal blue light, instantly felt the information about 'Path Transformation Divine One' appear in his mind.

As he slowly circulated the secret technique, the blue gemstone in Sun Erlang's hand transformed into streaks of flowing light, which were then absorbed into his body.

Within his sea of consciousness, a brilliant crystal of the identical shape slowly began to materialize.

Suddenly, Sun Erlang felt the world around him illuminate.

In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through his mind. His thoughts surged like a storm, bringing forth memories from his entire life, even those he had long forgotten.

As he recalled his earlier confusion about why Senior Chen of the Taiyan Sect regarded him with such unique favor, Sun Erlang, who previously only had vague suspicions, now found several possibilities emerging in his mind.

These included showing goodwill to the Great Qi Holy Dynasty and his master, or that his unique physique might benefit the Taiyan Sect.

Another possibility was that the Taiyan Sect could exert some form of control through the Transformation Stone, making this a part of a larger conspiracy...

Numerous possibilities were listed, one after another.

Simultaneously, he continuously refined his deductions based on external information.

"Is this... 'Path Transformation Divine One'?"

After a long while, Sun Erlang emerged from his profound astonishment and couldn't help but exclaim.

He involuntarily gazed at the Transformation Stone Mother before him.

If merely a small fragment possessed such powerful deduction capabilities, then to what extent was the Transformation Stone Mother itself potent?

"Senior, is your gift of the Transformation Stone related to the simulation you asked me about earlier?" Sun Erlang suddenly asked, his eyes fixed on the Transformation Stone Mother, a flash of insight striking him.

Chen Tianhai nodded somewhat enigmatically. "Beyond the future of the Xuanhuang Realm, the Transformation Stone Mother also contains numerous other fictional worlds."

"These serve both to fully utilize the Stone Mother's capabilities and to better refine established realities."

"You can think of them as a form of exercise or rehearsal."

Sun Erlang nodded thoughtfully.

The instant he fully absorbed the Transformation Stone, he couldn't help but envision scenes of his return, reporting the matter to his master, and subsequent events.

Unlike simple thoughts he had in the past, this time, the expressions and reactions of people he would encounter in the future all flooded his mind instantly.

"This is a simulated future. However, my deduction capabilities are limited; I can only infer parts strongly relevant to myself."

"The Transformation Stone Mother, on the other hand, possesses the capacity to deduce beyond the Xuanhuang Realm, even having ample power to simulate more."

As Sun Erlang pondered, Chen Tianhai continued, "These fictional worlds are primarily constructed using the native materials of the Xuanhuang Realm as their foundation. Therefore, you may encounter many entities that seem real but aren't quite so..."

"But rest assured, they are realistic enough for you to truly experience a complete lifetime within them."

"Young man, have you heard the saying: 'To govern the world, talent from a single county suffices'? Although this wisdom originated among mortals, it holds true in our cultivation world. For instance, the Xuantian Sect, which once wielded immense power, comprised a core of only twelve cultivators close to King Xuantian."

"The Xuantian Sect?" Sun Erlang, hearing the name for the first time, couldn't help but feel curious.

However, Chen Tianhai had no intention of elaborating, continuing his discourse instead: "This world is not lacking in talented individuals. What's truly missing are the space and opportunities for them to flourish."

"And within the worlds simulated by the Transformation Stone, we have constructed precisely such a stage, enabling individuals like yourself, young man, to mature rapidly."

Still young, Sun Erlang couldn't help but feel a surge of pride upon hearing Chen Tianhai's high regard.

Yet, he promptly frowned and inquired, "How long will this simulation last? Will it make my master wait for too long?"

"A thousand years in a dream, yet a thousand years in an instant. Young man, are you prepared?" Chen Tianhai suddenly boomed.

Concurrently, a blue halo radiated from the Transformation Stone Mother.

Within the halo, countless diverse worldly scenes were faintly discernible. A figure enveloped in blue light also soared out from Sun Erlang's sea of consciousness, diving directly into the Stone Mother's luminous ring.

When Chen Tianhai clearly saw Sun Erlang's final destination, a peculiar expression crossed his face.

"Ancient Xuanhuang, a world where the Immortal Tribulation never occurred. Interesting..."

Chen Tianhai's earlier remarks had not been entirely comprehensive.

Indeed, talent from a single county is sufficient to govern the world.

But merely sufficient.

While there are many talented individuals in the world, some are undeniably exceptional.

They might be temporarily obscure for various reasons, but given an opportunity, they can seize the moment and completely transform their destiny.

The Transformation Stone Mother has simulated and iterated countless worlds, and whenever such individuals emerge, they profoundly influence and alter the course of world destiny.

"Innumerable futures possess countless branches. The presence or absence of certain beings has no impact on these potential trajectories; they are insignificant, mere ordinary members of the multitude."

"Yet, the disappearance of certain individuals can lead to significant future changes, even causing a multitude of possibilities to vanish entirely. Such people are 'focal variables'."

"The Transformation Stone Mother has statistically analyzed numerous focal variables that have appeared in simulated worlds, developing a set of effective predictive methods. This Sun Erlang exhibits some characteristics consistent with a focal variable."

Chen Tianhai's thoughts churned; this was precisely why he had been so amiable toward Sun Erlang.

Since the Taiyan Sect had already been discovered, it was inevitable that it would soon "enter the world" and become entangled in the variables of the future.

Thus, early preparation was essential.

He narrowed his eyes, as if trying to discern everything unfolding in Sun Erlang's world.

"Just as I anticipated, three years of dormancy, followed by a sudden rise. Once his momentum is established, he will be unstoppable."

"Fortunately, observing his actions, order and rationality still prevail."

"He is not an extreme variable."

Granting Sun Erlang a simulation opportunity also served as a chance for the Taiyan Sect to truly understand his character.