Chapter 1708: Dark Logic Borrowing Momentum

The creatures of Shanhai acted as a catalyst, further accelerating the integration process of Shanhai.

What reached its peak began to decline, and calamity eventually arrived.

Even the Three Sages, who had already attained enlightenment, could not perceive the origin of the first Dao Annihilation. It seemed to emerge out of thin air, appearing suddenly.

At that time, both Shanhai realms were still in their prime. The disappearance of a few possibilities was akin to humans shedding hair daily, not truly indicative of anything significant.

The tide of Dao Annihilation, however, continued to accompany Shanhai as time flowed. Eventually, it grew into a formidable force.

Unbeknownst to them, it had grown to a point where it could contend with Shanhai. Like a phantom, it suddenly emerged and confronted Shanhai. Wherever it went, possibilities collapsed, and the Great Dao ceased to exist.

Shanhai was severed. Its once continuous existence was forcibly fragmented into countless pieces. Shanhai could still rely on its internal networks to maintain a subtle connection. However, the creatures within Shanhai were fragmented into disjointed and shattered individuals across temporal layers. Not only was their strength severely diminished, but even some memories were affected, becoming distorted and incomplete.

When the Sages looked back at Shanhai's past billions of years through the Three Sages' perspective, they often encountered memory fragments that appeared to be covered in a grayish-white haze. These were the parts lost due to Shanhai's fragmentation, which the Three Sages then self-reconstructed through contemplation. In the Three Sages' memory, five hundred billion years had passed from the first appearance of Dao Annihilation until the present.

It was an incredibly long period. Moreover, the Three Sages' consciousness was not a singular entity; it had manifested into billions of avatars, permeating nearly all possibilities. It encompassed most of Shanhai's civilizations, sacred spirits, and paths. The sheer volume of data was unimaginable. Had the Three Sages not intentionally blurred it, this flood of five hundred billion years of memories would have been enough to significantly wash away, distort, and rewrite the personalities of the observing Sages.

Although it was a virtualized leap, it did not prevent the Sages from genuinely experiencing the journey the Three Sages had once undertaken. Instead of detailing the countless possibilities within Shanhai, it focused on the entirety of Shanhai's temporal experience.

The Sages observed that the initial calamity of Dao Annihilation was indeed negligible. The possibilities lost due to Dao Annihilation's erosion were even less significant than a mere fraction of those lost through Shanhai's own evolution and demise.

However, in the struggle of the Great Dao, a rise in one aspect means a decline in another. Once a trend of collapse emerges, if unchecked, it is destined to grow endlessly. Even the smallest variable, accumulated over tens of billions of years, can become astronomically significant.

By now, the Void Realm, formed by the erosion of Dao Annihilation, could already contend equally with Shanhai. Furthermore, in the distant reaches of time, Shanhai's demise seemed to have become a foregone conclusion. A long journey was slowly approaching its end.

After exiting the Three Sages' memories, it took the Sages a considerable time for their gazes to regain clarity.

"Although this is the path we've walked before, the thought of having to retrace it makes my scalp tingle." "This path is truly too long and too difficult," Bai Xiao sighed deeply, expressing profound emotion.

"From an outsider's perspective, the birth of Dao Annihilation seems utterly illogical. Outside Shanhai, there was originally no Void Realm, nothing but that watchful gaze. Yet, as Shanhai evolved, Dao Annihilation emerged, eroding Shanhai... Could the Void Realm, then, originate from that gaze upon Shanhai?"

After the initial exclamations subsided, the Sages still focused on the peculiar aspects within the Three Sages' memories.

"From what I've seen, I doubt it. Even with Shanhai's current collapse, the Void Realm is merely equally matched with Shanhai. It was only through prolonged and cumulative erosion that it ultimately led to Shanhai's decay. As for that gaze..." Qiejie said, looking towards Sage Lianshan. "If Sage Lianshan's perception at that time was correct... the pressure exerted by that gaze was absolutely superior to Shanhai!"

The other Sages pondered for a moment and strongly agreed. "Sage Lianshan's enlightenment was, in fact, on par with Shanhai. Yet, before that gaze, he couldn't sustain himself for even a moment. It seems somewhat logical that Shanhai changed because of it."

At this point, the Sages simultaneously fell into an unsettling silence. Having discussed the gaze from beyond Shanhai, its source inevitably became the topic of discussion. The answer seemed obvious, yet it was so inconceivable that the Sages hesitated to be the first to articulate it.

Li Fan, however, unrestrained by taboos, directly broke the silence with a question. "It seems your doubts are the same as mine."

"With such power, a single gaze could awe and alter Shanhai. Could this gaze belong to a god?"

This seemed to be the only plausible answer.

Unable to answer Li Fan's question, the Sages all looked at Sage Lianshan, the only one who had truly encountered that gaze. "I don't know either..." After a moment of silence, Sage Lianshan offered a rare, wry smile. "No one has ever seen the true face of a god, save for the fragmented Shanhai itself. Since I have not seen a god and do not know its form, even if I might have met its gaze, how could I be certain?"

"However, if we deduce based on common sense... your conjecture is likely not incorrect," Lianshan added.

Tai Yi, however, shook his head: "A god transcends Shanhai, making it difficult to deduce its nature using common sense. Our various conjectures and deductions likely won't yield the correct result."

"However, one thing can be confirmed: even if that gaze does not belong to a god, it originates from an existence higher than Shanhai, comparable to a star. It could be a remnant of Shanhai's fragmented consciousness that was not fully consumed, or it could originate from an unknowable, vast place—an entity on par with a god. All the changes in Shanhai since its eternal state began because of it," Sage Guihai concluded.

A sense of warmth permeated the Sages' hearts as Sage Guihai spoke. While diluting the sense of vastness and change from witnessing billions of years of memories, it also slowly dispelled the invisible influence brought by that gaze.

Lianshan looked at Li Fan: "Daoist Zhouhui, how do you perceive this? Do you still harbor doubts?"

Li Fan first nodded, then shook his head: "Even having experienced it once, treading this path again feels incredibly arduous. I do not possess the wisdom, courage, or perseverance of the Three Sages. However... even ants cling to life. As Sages, there seems to be no better way to survive than to unite and save Shanhai. We can only try our utmost for survival."

Li Fan spoke candidly, somewhat surprising the Sages present. Yet, it was also undeniably true, and all Sages nodded slightly in agreement.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Let's first conquer the peak before us," Li Fan said with a smile.

Li Fan was, of course, referring to the Shanhai heavily besieged by the Void Realm ahead. The Sages, having collected themselves, refocused their minds on the fragmented bodies of Shanhai at the forefront. The Three Sages from the previous timeline began to describe the situation.

"Compared to the previous crisis of facing the besieged Void Realm avatars, this is no worse."

"The situation has deteriorated to this point primarily because the Dao Annihilation's invasion is too severe. Even with our protection, Shanhai inevitably continues to dissipate," Sage Lianshan explained, pointing at the waves blowing in from outside Shanhai.

The warm white light of the Xuanji Ring covered the entire section of Shanhai. Yet, it was visibly in a constant state of distortion and vibration. It was as if being casually manipulated by an invisible hand, continuously changing its shape. Just like the Xuanji Ring, the Shanhai it protected was truly like a fragile bubble, precarious and liable to burst at any moment.

"The intensity of this Dao Annihilation is indeed extremely rare."

"Even within Sage Lianshan's billions of years of memories, such a concentrated degree of Dao Annihilation is exceedingly rare. It's no wonder they say that once this hurdle is passed, the path ahead will be smooth."

"Within this Dao Annihilation, if we merely sought self-preservation, it might not be difficult. However, to simultaneously protect Shanhai..."

For the first time, the Sages personally felt the immense pressure emanating from outside Shanhai, each furrowing their brows and pondering countermeasures.

"The oppressive force of Dao Annihilation is on par with Shanhai itself. Only Sages who are its equal can withstand it. Previously, when we faced despair, the number of Sages was dwindling. But now..."

"With my true spirit infusing divine abilities, as long as Shanhai remains intact, we can always generate a sufficient number of Sages. With each additional Sage, the pressure from the Dao Annihilation's momentum will diminish. If there are enough Sages, this calamity will dissipate on its own, without us needing to intervene," Li Fan said softly.

He then changed the subject: "However, this is only a last resort. Firstly, while true spirit infusion can defy fate, it requires suitable subjects. The number of transcendent cultivators just one step away from becoming Sages is not actually that large. Secondly, I fear time is not on our side."

Sage Lianshan nodded slightly: "Daoist Zhouhui's perception is indeed keen. Perhaps sensing Suo's departure, the pressure from the Void Realm outside Shanhai has intensified. The waves of Dao Annihilation are rising, one higher than the last. Its peak will arrive soon, and we do not have much time to slowly generate Sages."

As if to confirm Sage Lianshan's words, the white light outside the Xuanji Ring suddenly twisted violently. Even the Sages seated within the ring felt a sudden jolt. Looking up, layers of figures seemed to begin descending within the pitch-black Void Realm, like an encroaching army, their vanguard aimed directly at them.

"Void Realm Avatars..."

The Three Sages frowned simultaneously. Previously, to intercept Li Fan and other reinforcements, the Void Realm was willing to deploy over a dozen Void Realm Avatars. Now, to completely conquer this section of Shanhai where the Great Dao of life resides, the Void Realm would naturally draw upon more power, especially after Suo was forced to retreat by Li Fan.

The sheer momentum of Dao Annihilation alone was already somewhat difficult to resist. Now, with such a large number of Void Realm Avatars joining in...

"What plan shall we devise?"

For a moment, all the Sages felt somewhat troubled.

"I do have a plan, though I'm not sure if it's feasible," Duke Shouqiu said. Of course, in reality, it represented Li Fan's synchronized thoughts.

"Shouqiu, speak freely."

"Previously, from the Three Sages' memories, we glimpsed a scene where Shanhai changed due to evolving circumstances. And this place is also where Shanhai's life networks reside... Perhaps we can activate Shanhai's inherent power to counter the momentum of Dao Annihilation!" Shouqiu said calmly.

The Sages fell silent, seemingly deep in thought. Shouqiu, however, continued: "Shanhai appears weak and precarious, seemingly in need of our salvation. But as I reviewed the Three Sages' billions of years of memories, I had a new realization."

"Are Shanhai's civilizations, its Great Dao, and its creatures truly Shanhai itself? They are merely various derivatives of Shanhai after it changed due to circumstances! In the very beginning, Shanhai's interdependent and eternally existing state was its true intended form. In other words, all these things are merely external to Shanhai, much like clothes on a person. They are not Shanhai itself!"

Shouqiu's words were startling. The Sages now understood that what was referred to as Shanhai's civilization, creatures, and Great Dao largely constituted the origin of the Three Sages. Yet, now Shouqiu uttered astonishing words, claiming that the Three Sages could not represent Shanhai.

Inside the Xuanji Ring, there was complete silence. The Sages, with eyes downcast and minds focused, neither approved nor openly opposed, but silently observed the Three Sages' reactions.

"Civilization belongs to civilization, and Shanhai belongs to Shanhai. Duke Shouqiu's words are excellent, and I strongly agree. How do the Three Sages feel?" Li Fan clearly sided with Duke Shouqiu. After Li Fan, Dao De also voiced agreement. While some other Sages simultaneously raised doubts, the Three Sages, however, could no longer remain silent.

"Shouqiu has observed Shanhai for countless ages. After gaining access to our memories, he has indeed gained deeper insight into its mysteries."

"In a sense, you are correct. Everything attached to Shanhai cannot represent Shanhai itself. Ever since the first living being was created and tainted with innate ferocity, Shanhai had to destroy it. Shanhai's envisioned perfect state was the eternal period after the destruction of the Primordial Immortal Realm. Possibilities would ripple and fluctuate, with living beings multiplying and disappearing within them, without affecting Shanhai in the slightest. Shanhai would remain eternally independent for all ages. Unfortunately... this attempt failed. Shanhai and the civilizations evolving within it became entangled again, the entanglement growing deeper. However, fundamentally, their essences are still different," Lianshan said, not denying Duke Shouqiu's conjecture.

Lianshan's words caused all the Sages to fall into deep thought. "In a sense, our emergence was actually more detrimental than beneficial to Shanhai."

"The most ideal outcome for Shanhai's fragmented consciousness was to jointly achieve a new god. Even if that proved impossible, maintaining its original eternal, ceaseless state would still have been the superior choice. But..."

Li Fan recalled the scene he had once witnessed: a lone star descending and engulfing everything. With a dawning realization, he slowly said, "Any so-called creature, civilization, or Great Dao within Shanhai is a manifestation of Shanhai's primordial power. In reality, it represents a loss of Their power... The stronger Shanhai's civilizations and creatures become, the weaker Shanhai itself becomes."

In that instant, Li Fan thought of something and abruptly stopped speaking. He had a conjecture in mind, but it was truly too incredible to voice rashly. He simply continued to recall the scene of the lone star's descent.

"The Shanhai Transformation Compendium, The Stellar Resonance Chapter..."

Sage Lianshan seemed unaware of Li Fan's internal fluctuations and continued: "Shouqiu's idea is indeed good. Shanhai and the Void Realm are currently in a standoff. Now that the Void Realm army is pressing in, Shanhai can naturally also dispatch forces to counter them. The key question is... How exactly do we achieve that?"

"Behind the Void Realm, there is vaguely a consciousness directing it. But Shanhai..." Sage Lianshan shook his head slightly: "Since Shanhai's eternal state collapsed, we haven't sensed its true consciousness for a very long time. Even if we occasionally detect it, it's merely fleeting instincts. Unconscious instincts might allow it to face crises and fight back, but it cannot deploy forces or adapt to circumstances like the Void Realm can. This is perhaps the most significant reason why Shanhai is at a disadvantage."