The experimentation took some time, but not longer than a year. I concluded the rest of the tribulations as I have done with the thunder tribulation. I created another version of the tribulation and let them clash against each other.
Since all three tribulations that I created prevailed, it showed that their power is the same as the original. The breaking point was the Dao I supplied them with. They persisted for a longer time than their original counterparts, leading to their prevalence.
From the spiritual nuke and sure-hit markers, my application of the Dao of All Creation has gone a long way.
I was about to leave the breakthrough site when one thing clicked inside my mind.
There is something I overlooked.
…
…
…
This is an illusion.
Crack-!
Bam-!
Lines of crystalline cracks appeared everywhere. The world shattered right before my eyes. The familiar power of Remembrance pointed out the incongruency inside my mind:
Heart Demon Tribulation.
I stripped off the memories of the universe once. I am more than familiar with this 'loophole'. My acknowledgement brought upon its collapse.
My consciousness crawled throughout the entire solar system. The Remembrance confirmed it is no longer an illusory mindscape made of one's memories.
Whatever tragic stories it held, it no longer mattered to me.
I looked at the turbulent space around me. I flipped my palm as gray mist seeped through my surroundings. Moments later, everything went back to normal.
In the Void Refinement Realm, depletion of spiritual qi no longer exists. As long as spiritual qi exists, one could absorb them infinitely. Everything could also be turned into spiritual qi at this point—even concepts.
Such power is a change brought by the elevation of status.
I took care of my breakthrough's aftermath and returned everything back to normal. Only when it is taken care of did I deactivate the compound formation.
"That was fast."
"...Why do I feel like it has another meaning?"
Seeing the teasing look in Kiana's eyes, I knew she meant something else.
"You'll have your payback later. In bed."
"Hm. Haven't I won against you once?"
Kiana, oh, Kiana.
Your triumphant days are over.
Knowing full well of my capabilities, I am confident in taking six, no, seven of them at once!
"Was that the Path of Remembrance?" Bronya curiously asked.
"Yes. It is deeply tied to the concept of memories. That's why my Heart Tribulation ended instantly."
"Then, if it is Erudition…"
"You can use it to analyze more of immortal cultivation's essence."
Through the usage of Remembrance, I compiled the probable effects of each of the eleven other simulated Paths on immortal cultivation.
In a nutshell, they are upgraded cultivation hacks—the equivalent of Herrscher Cores in the lower realm.
"Speaking of Aeons, one slipped past the barrier."
"Ah..?"
"The Aeon of Elation, Aha."
I am more than certain the combined power of eighth-grade Tao Heart, eighth-grade talismans, and 80% of Remembrance affected even THEM. Though it is not as perfect as affecting everyone else, I am confident it could last for quite a long time. It removes the possibility of these Aeons having dangerous thoughts—towards us, that is.
Everyone struggles against Finality, yes, but THEIR methods differ. Who knows whether or not THEY would involve us in these struggles.
I, personally, have grudges against NihilityandDestruction. The former came from my experience. The latter is due to THEIR nature. I embody All Creation; THEY embody Destruction.
Our conflicting natures aside, I could clearly tell that Destruction has an agenda of THEIR own. It is the reason why THEY did not make a move at Amphoreus.
THEY are probing me.
Given the Aeons' flawed states, my immortal cultivation will dwarf them once I reach the Dao Integration Realm. THEIR best bet in taking action is before I succeed.
As for Aha…
"Alright. I know what to do. Any other urgent matter?"
"The Elysian Realm."
It was Bronya who spoke up.
"There are some who want to talk to you."
"Are they who I think they are?"
"Yes."
I overlooked quite a lot of things due to my prolonged seclusions, and now, the matter with Amphoreus.
Not once did I step back into the Elysian Realm, nor did I interact with the people inside Seele's Bubble World.
Thinking of Elysia's teachings and the unfulfilled promise I have towards them…
It is truly the right time to talk about things.
*****
The Federation's propagation of immortal cultivation was full-blown. The first hundred years was quite difficult. The entire cultivator population relied on the Wushi Dao Sect's material allocation. The spiritual herbs planted haven't grown yet.
It was at this time did the first-generation sect cultivators incur debts in the form of Return of Service. It involved teaching the next-generation cultivators to clear up their student debts.
As time passed by, a complete spiritual herb cycle was formed. The need to incur student debts decreased as the next generation cultivators benefitted from their predecessors' contributions. This, in turn, propelled the technological progress of the Federation.
The Sea of Quanta and the Imaginary Space could be explored at regular intervals. The Elysian Realm, a place made of digital information manipulation, benefitted from it.
In the year 2244, Welt Yang completed a spiritual artifact that enabled artificial lifeforms—beings with incomplete souls—from accessing spiritual qi and spiritual consciousness.
Through it, countless findings were contributed by the two geniuses.
"Intercepting useful concepts from the imaginary space… it is complete."
Clicking her tongue, the small and petite girl relished in her new discovery. She was uncharacteristically happy, to the point her research assistant paused when she saw the girl acting this way.
"A message came from the sect, Doctor."
"Hm?"
Mobius turned and looked at the smaller Klein inquisitively.
"The sect leader is coming."
"..."
She halted what she was supposed to say.
Three hundred and fifty years of study on this "immortal cultivation" slapped one thing to Mobius' face:
The infinity she longs for could be found here.
Shi Tian, the undisputed Dao Ancestor, the origin of immortal cultivation on Earth, became a subject of her interest. Not to mention, he has a lot to do with Elysia's disappearance inside the Elysian Realm.
Mobius wants answers… and she could get them from Shi Tian.
"Do we have a reception we can use?"