"Perfect life, infinite origins, endless tribulations!"
Lin Yuan's expression was thoughtful.
What the Time Lords pursued was transcendence, as for transforming into a fourteenth-rank Perfect Time Being?
It's just one method of achieving transcendence, not the only way one can transcend.
Transcendence is merely the ultimate destination, while there are multiple paths leading to that destination.
And these multiple paths refer to perfect life, infinite origins, endless tribulations.
Perfect life is easy to understand, it means becoming a Perfect Time Being.
Infinite origins mean reaching the source of time, the initial time point of dimensional evolution.
"These three methods are the most probable ways to transcend, deduced from our Lords' understanding of infinite dimensions."
The Three-Life Immortal Emperor paused for a moment before continuing: "Besides, some Lords have explored transcendent paths outside of these three methods, but they've all been proven unable to transcend ultimately."
"I see."
Lin Yuan nodded in understanding.
The so-called proof means that some Lords have fulfilled the requirements of the method, yet still failed to break through their own great fate.
As for perfect life, infinite origins, endless tribulations, none of them have been achieved by any Lord so far. Coupled with repeated deductions by various Lords, they have become the mainstream three paths to transcendence today.
Time Lords observe the past and the future; they believe these three methods, if accomplished, can lead to transcendence due to some definite 'evidence'.
"Though the methods exist, achieving them is indeed too difficult."
The Three-Life Immortal Emperor said in a low voice, his tone complex.
The transcendence path he chose was infinite origins, using the present and future self to anchor the past self, and then proceed to the origin of time.
This path to transcendence isn't as extreme as perfect life; failure doesn't equate to death.
But plunging too deep into past time can lead to the calamity of 'loss'; even so, the Three-Life Immortal Emperor's "Three-Life Method" holds more advantages over other Time Lords exploring this transcendence path.
Still, caution is necessary, as past time is also fraught with dangers. Once lost, a Time Lord cannot return to the present time, remaining eternally in past time.
In that case, it wouldn't differ from falling, as being lost in past time means one can't discern the direction of time, nor continue to the time's origin point.
"Indeed very difficult."
Lin Yuan nodded.
Although he hasn't tried these three transcendence paths yet, there's the cautionary tale of the Lord of Heaven Light.
He naturally understood the difficulty within.
And how could methods that past, present, and future Time Lords fail to accomplish be simple?
Lin Yuan looked at the Three-Life Immortal Emperor: "What is the method of endless tribulations?"
He understood what perfect life and infinite origins were.
But endless tribulations?
"The transcendence path of endless tribulations stems from the trials of the Supreme Rule Dao consciousness within dimensional evolution."
The Three-Life Immortal Emperor said: "By reaching the Third Realm Time Lord tier, one's consciousness can perceive the presence of the Supreme Rule Dao consciousness, thereby opening the transcendence path of 'endless tribulations'."
"The trials of the Supreme Rule Dao consciousness?"
Lin Yuan's heart stirred.
"Indeed."
The Three-Life Immortal Emperor nodded: "This path is identified as a transcendence path because the Supreme Rule Dao consciousness wouldn't engage in meaningless acts. Leaving such trials specifically targeted at Time Lords is likely related to transcendence."
Lin Yuan nodded slightly at the words.
There are many things enticing to a Time Lord, but transcendence is surely the common pursuit of all Time Lords.
"The transcendence path of endless tribulations is divided into three layers: the first layer is thirty-six billion two thousand tribulations, the second layer is ten billion eight thousand tribulations, and the third layer is three billion three thousand tribulations."
"After overcoming thirty-six billion two thousand tribulations at the first layer, one can proceed to the second layer of ten billion eight thousand tribulations, followed by the third layer of three billion three thousand tribulations."
"Each time a tribulation is overcome, one's strength increases, and the difficulty of the next tribulation also rises. Failing is akin to death; one's existence will be erased by the Supreme Rule Dao consciousness."
"And only by overcoming all tribulations does one pass the trial left by the Supreme Rule Dao consciousness, achieving transcendence."
The Three-Life Immortal Emperor said.
Lin Yuan's expression froze. Suddenly he thought of the Da Feng Emperor as the target when he fell into the time loop world.
Evidently, the Da Feng Emperor knew of Lin Yuan's existence beforehand and knew Lin Yuan would act against him, hence he abandoned the Da Feng dynasty and plunged to the bottom of the deep sea, intending to evade pursuit.
Based on his actions, he didn't resemble a native of the time loop world; rather he appeared akin to an outsider like Lin Yuan.
And the fake death method the Da Feng Emperor created to plunge into the deep sea wasn't something a twelfth-rank perfect life of the same tier could create.
Even Lin Yuan found it challenging to create a secret technique to fake death for over a century under the extremely stringent rules of the time loop world without relying on any external materials.
Now it seems, that Da Feng Emperor's more likely to be a Time Lord undergoing 'endless tribulations'?
After all, the time loop world was created by the Supreme Rule Dao consciousness, and 'endless tribulations' are also trials left by the Supreme Rule Dao consciousness, making it easy for Lin Yuan to associate the two.
"In what form are the tribulations in endless tribulations endure?"
Lin Yuan inquired.
"Any form is possible." The Three-Life Immortal Emperor said, "For example, the Supreme Rule Dao consciousness might send you to a specific point in past time and space to complete a certain trial, or perhaps drag your mind and will into a special world to pass a test, and so forth."
"Hmm."
Lin Yuan nodded.
In his heart, he was almost certain that the Da Feng emperor he encountered was a Time Lord undergoing 'infinite tribulations.'
Yet, he was unsure of the level of tribulation the other was facing.
"I couldn't hold back at the time either," Lin Yuan thought to himself. Since he successfully passed the trial, it was likely the other had failed.
According to the Three-Life Immortal Emperor, a Time Lord who fails to pass a tribulation would be erased by the Supreme Rule Dao consciousness—certain death.
During the trial in the time loop, even though Lin Yuan knew where the other came from, he could not hold back intentionally. Who knew what unforeseen changes would occur if he let that Time Lord pass the tribulation.
Although he had the World-Breaking Origin Force as a backup, if the opponent changed, and a kill resulted in a sharp increase in World-Breaking Origin Force, it would be a substantial loss.
And until the end, Lin Yuan had never used the World-Breaking Origin Force, relying entirely on himself to pass the time loop trial.
"For a Time Lord, the first level with 3.6 billion tribulations is not too difficult. As long as you're careful, you can get through." The Three-Life Immortal Emperor's face showed a smile. "A Time Lord that has passed 3.6 billion tribulations is generally considered very strong."
Each tribulation within the infinite tribulations, as long as it is passed, results in a slight increase in strength.
"The truly difficult ones are the second level tribulations, the 1.8 billion ones, especially the last 8,000 tribulations. Each trial is incredibly terrifying."
Three-Life Immortal Emperor seemed to recall something and said, "I stopped at the tenth billionth tribulation within the second level, I didn't dare to attempt the remaining 8,000 tribulations."
Among three transcendence paths, almost every Time Lord has attempted 'infinite tribulations' because passing each tribulation indeed boosts strength considerably. As long as one acts within their means, there's not much risk involved.
The 'infinite tribulations' transcendence path can be chosen to 'activate' actively and is not mandatory.
"Up until now, on the transcendence path of infinite tribulations, which tribulation has the farthest-reaching Lord managed to pass?" Lin Yuan asked curiously.
"To my knowledge, a Time Lord has reached the third level tribulations, and these Lords are unimaginably powerful; ordinary Lords stand no chance against them." The Three-Life Immortal Emperor said gravely.
"I understand."
Lin Yuan nodded.
The farther one goes down the path of infinite tribulations, the more tribulations passed, the stronger one becomes naturally.
Ordinary Time Lords stopping at the first level tribulations are naturally no match for those existing in the third level tribulations among Time Lords.
"Tianyuan, when you become a Lord, you can also consider trying the path of 'infinite tribulations.' Of course, we see that your insight into the Chaotic Origin Taiji Dao is very perfect and is quite suitable for pursuing the state of a Perfect Time Being, but it's worth trying."
Suggested the Three-Life Immortal Emperor.
Even if Lin Yuan manages to master the "Three-Life Method," he could attempt the 'Infinite Origin' transcendence path.
The Three-Life Method of the Three-Life Immortal Emperor offers advantages in exploring the past.
The reason why the Three-Life Immortal Emperor didn't continue attempting the subsequent tribulations in 'infinite tribulations' is not necessarily because they couldn't be overcome, but because it was unnecessary.
If forced to attempt, the Three-Life Immortal Emperor believed they might reach the last few tribulations among the 1.8 billion ones, but the risks were too great, and even passing them would only lead to the much harder third level tribulations waiting ahead.
Rather than that, it was better to focus energy on a more certain transcendence path.
"Hmm."
Lin Yuan nodded.
Whether it was the Three-Life Immortal Emperor, or Dao You Immortal Emperor, or Emperor Wu Yu, they all thought the most suitable path of transcendence for Lin Yuan was Perfect Life.
After all, becoming a Perfect Time Being depends only on the path taken, and Lin Yuan's Chaotic Origin Taiji Dao is almost equivalent to the Innate Chaos Origin Dao, making his potential to become a Perfect Time Being much greater than other Time Lords.
But…
"The most suitable transcendence path for me is 'infinite tribulations,' huh…" Lin Yuan thought silently.
Even if the Chaotic Origin Taiji Dao equates to the Innate Chaos Origin Dao, so what? Who could guarantee it would definitely transform into Perfect Time Being?
But 'infinite tribulations'… according to the experiences in the time loop world, it is possible to pass the trials through the forceful power of the World-Breaking Origin Force.
Which means.
For other Time Lords, every tribulation in infinite tribulations comes with the possibility of crossing or not crossing, and failing to cross means death.
But for Lin Yuan, even if a tribulation is met that cannot be crossed, he could ultimately expend World-Breaking Origin Force to force his way through.
The only downside is that it consumes too much World-Breaking Origin Force.
The tribulations of the three levels of infinite tribulations add up to tens of billions of crossings; how much World-Breaking Origin Force would it take?
However, World-Breaking Origin Force can accumulate continuously, no matter how much, it's merely a matter of time.
And in the eyes of time beings, the least scarce resource is time.
…
Chaos Void.
Lin Yuan sat cross-legged, feeling the comprehensive transformation within his body.
From physique to soul will, everything skyrocketed after comprehending the Chaotic Origin Taiji Dao.
"Future self…"
Lin Yuan's gaze deepened as he looked toward the future in the myriad timelines.
After understanding the Chaotic Origin Taiji Dao, Lin Yuan's observation of the future naturally became much clearer. The difficulty of condensing future selves plummeted, especially with the guidance on condensing future selves obtained from the Three-Life Emperor's "Three-Life Method."
Allowing Lin Yuan to advance rapidly in gathering future selves.
Soon.
Along Lin's myriad future timelines, countless future selves condensed rapidly.
The past self is singular, but the future self exists in countless numbers, as the future holds countless variables, extending innumerable future timelines, hence requiring numerous future selves.
This is also why the difficulty of gathering future selves far exceeds that of the past self.
"Past self, present self, future self."
Lin Yuan's eyes gleamed as future selves formed, he immediately sensed control over the timelines.
After gathering the future self, all the timelines Lin Yuan occupied seemed as one, and at the same time, the past self's exploration of past times also greatly improved.
"No wonder the Three-Life Immortal Emperor chose the 'Infinite Origin' path of transcendence." Lin Yuan thought privately, "The 'Three-Life Method'" had a stable anchoring effect on the past time.
And the greatest danger of the 'Infinite Origin' transcendence path lies in 'becoming lost,' as many time beings vanish at a certain moment without a trace, most likely falling into the disaster of becoming lost in past times.
"However, even the 'Three-Life Method' can only anchor the past self to possibly avoid the disaster of becoming lost, but whether one can reach the source of time, no one knows."
Lin Yuan shook his head slightly.
Compared to the three levels of tribulations in infinite tribulations, at least there's a target to surpass all tribulations to transcend.
The 'Infinite Origin' transcendence path lacks even a target — to reach the source of time? Who knows where the source of time is?
…
"Now that the future self has formed, it's possible to consolidate the timelines."
Lin Yuan's thoughts moved slightly, and his own timelines began to converge and unify.
The time being in the Second Realm, to become a Lord, must consolidate their own timelines.
Yet, for normal time beings in the Second Realm, consolidating their own timelines is tremendously troublesome; the infinite vastness of the future timelines makes consolidating each one immensely taxing.
But for Lin Yuan, who has gathered future selves, with future selves to restrain the timelines, consolidating them was entirely a sequential process.
Even if Lin Yuan didn't attempt to consolidate the timelines, the future selves would instinctively gather towards a particular timeline.
Of course, relying on instincts to consolidate timelines requires enduring a long time.
Under Lin Yuan's conscious consolidation, his own timelines were merging at an incredibly exaggerated speed.
…