Reaching

Li Qi floated in the middle of a vast sea, observing quietly.

He memorized everything he encountered there, intending to reflect on it later when he returned.

The way the Plague Lord is thinking... is very interesting.

It can certainly be used next time.

The Plague Lord waited silently for Li Qi for a Chen.

Then, Li Qi took a deep breath and stood up. "Alright, Plague Lord, I've got what I wanted. Now let me take a look at your body."

Li Qi has obtained what he wanted; the next step is to help him come up with a good algorithm to solve his cultivation problem.

"Please." The sound echoed from the surrounding sea.

Li Qi slowly descended and stepped onto the water's surface.

Walking on water is not difficult for them; it's easy for them.

In reality, at the seventh rank level, without divine abilities or a specific rank, the natural environment is unlikely to cause much harm to a seventh-rank being.

Unless it's an extreme environment like the Earth's core, natural disasters in the normal surface ecosystem are nothing to a seventh-rank official.

It could even be said that the seventh rank itself represents natural disasters.

Earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes—they're nothing to worry about.

Once on the water, Li Qi began his work.

Break it down and observe it.

Extract the parameters; if you can't extract them, just ask directly.

With the full cooperation of the Plague Lord, Li Qi made rapid progress.

Finally, late at night, Li Qi rubbed his head.

It's a bit hot, at least 60 degrees Celsius. It's been overclocked, and it seems like it's cooked through inside.

He reached out and scooped up a handful of water from the sea, then extracted the water vapor, condensed it into a ball of pure water, threw the remaining impurities back into the sea, and covered his forehead with this pure water to cool himself down physically.

With just this one action, he killed at least three 'Plague Lord,' each with an independent mind and memories. From Li Qi's perspective, they were all living, breathing people.

But the Plague Lord didn't react at all; he didn't care at all.

Moreover... the Plague Lord do not have a concept of 'collective consciousness'. Each Plague Lord is an individual and equal entity, and there is no such thing as a clone.

In other words, the entire Plague Lord group felt that Li Qi had done nothing wrong and that it was only right, as if they didn't care about their own deaths at all.

However, after such complicated calculations, a result was finally obtained.

"The amount of water collected in each cubic meter does not exceed 242.2 billion. There is a deviation of up to 100 million. If it does not exceed this deviation, although there is an impact, the impact is not significant."

"Use 31 and 9 squares as a node, 17 nodes as a group, and extend the group to the node. The operation at one time cannot exceed 600 million groups, otherwise the efficiency will drop by at least 10%, and the more groups there are, the more the efficiency will drop, up to 60%."

Then, Li Qi reached out and arranged a series of three-dimensional models in the air. They were extremely complex, containing tens of thousands of different compositions, and each one contained a hidden rule. The models inside the body needed to be arranged strictly according to this rule.

This is not the Way, but a Law, just as a lever must be a certain way, a pulley must be a certain way, and the coupling of mechanical gears must be done in a certain way to achieve maximum effectiveness.

Everything fits together perfectly.

But Li Qi didn't know why it was so perfectly sealed.

He simply calculated the result according to the formula he saw, but he didn't understand why it was like that, nor did he figure out the underlying principles. That was the purpose of his future cultivation.

Then, he showed another model. "This is the composition between groups. You must strictly follow this model to arrange the groups within the body. If this is wrong, the efficiency will drop by more than 90%."

As Li Qi spoke, he began to demonstrate other models.

A complete method is extremely complex, let alone Li Qi's, which has not been simplified at all.

Simplification is actually a very important step in creating Cultivation Method.

The existing methods are basically simplified to the extreme, making them convenient and easy to I Ching studies.

For example, if Li Qi calculates the result as 1+1+1=1+1+1, this can actually be simplified to 3=3, saving a full six steps of calculation.

Of course, it's only 'easier to I Ching studies' compared to the original version; in reality, it's still quite difficult.

Unfortunately, these models are not so easy to simplify. Li Qi is not yet at that level, so he can only make do with the Plague Lord. Alternatively, the Plague Lord can be simplified by the current model through practice.

However, this was all Li Qi could do.

"I am truly... deeply grateful. I never imagined I could retain so much power. With this, I can completely conceal most of my scattered aura. Thank you, Brother Li Qi," the Plague Lord said gratefully.

"No need to thank me, we're just helping each other out. You've helped me a lot too. However, this model is too complex and probably won't be easy to control. According to my estimation... with a seventh-grade computing power, I estimate I can maintain around 60% for a long time, right? My skill level isn't high enough, this is all I can do," Li Qi said.

It's true that my skill level is insufficient.

After all, even if there is a formula, you still have to do the calculation yourself. For many people, even if they are given a formula, they may not be able to calculate it correctly.

Clearly, Li Qi was one of these 'many people,' but he could only be considered so-so, because the Plague Lord's body was far too complex, and the rest was beyond his capabilities.

But compared to before the Plague Lord, it's much better now; at least I can control it using things other than instinct.

"No, no, no, it's good enough already. Moreover, I can maintain the peak of this model, which is over 90%, so it's enough. The rest is no longer a concern!" said the Plague Lord in the ocean.

"Wait, 90%? How did you do that?" Li Qi asked in astonishment.

Impossible. Li Qi believed that his calculation and information processing abilities were already among the best of the seventh rank. The Plague Lord didn't even have a brain, so how could he possibly calculate faster than him?

Even Li Qi himself could only maintain this plan, keeping it at around 60%!

"Hmm... how did you do that? It's simple, just let everyone restrain themselves, right?" The Plague Lord asked with some doubt, "Is there a problem? Shouldn't it be kept at such a high level?"

"No... no, the higher the better, it's just too amazing, I'm a little surprised," Li Qi said.

As he explained this, Li Qi looked around, pondering the words of the Plague Lord.

Wait a minute, let everyone restrain themselves...

Something doesn't quite sound right about that.

"Plague Lord, have you discussed this with the other Plague Lord?" Li Qi couldn't help but ask.

He seemed to have grasped something deeper.

"Of course, our memories are shared; what I know, they know too," the Plague Lord in front of him said.

Really.

The reason why the Plague Lord" can maintain more than 90% stability is simple: the division of labor is different, and there are many " Plague Lord " who are dedicated to maintaining this set of thinking.

It's like Gestalt consciousness, or even more extreme, because there is no so-called master consciousness, but rather all consciousnesses exist in parallel and share memories.

Humans only have two eyes, and we are used to using these two eyes to observe the world, feeling that this is the clearest way to see.

But flies have thousands upon thousands of eyes, and so many eyes make up a compound eye.

The world seen by this compound eye is different from the world seen by a human eye.

So... the Plague Lord's self is built upon this 'shared memory,' and everything else is merely the Plague Lord's metabolism.

The mindset of the Plague Lord that we usually see is just a facade, an "organ" that this ocean has developed and evolved to achieve its purpose.

In other words, for the Plague Lord, memories and the physical body (this vast ocean) are the most important factors of the self; the spiritual entity is nothing more than a cell that can be discarded at any time and added to the metabolism.

The cells in the human body also die and renew themselves at any time.

Li Qi suddenly looked up and realized what was going on.

So... is his mind the same?

The mind itself is merely an organ of the body and memory; the 'I' itself is meaningless, merely an organ born to help life survive.

The "I," that is, self-awareness itself, mind itself, is not important, at least not in the context of life. Like legs and arms, they are only created to assist in survival.

At least, that's what the Plague Lord thinks. And judging from the Plague Lord's example, it doesn't actually have any impact. In fact, the Plague Lord has become even stronger because of it, becoming a formidable figure who can fight against a sixth-rank expert in his true form.

In other words, the concept of "I" is actually meaningless. In terms of simply living or "existing," the mind is dispensable.

Li Qi seemed to have vaguely touched something.

His eyes immediately turned red; he felt like he was just one step away from victory!

The answer is right there, within reach, but it's covered by a piece of paper!

But he never expected it!

The answer is within reach; just one step is all it takes to uncover 'who I am,' but that step... is so difficult.

Li Qi felt as if countless choices and paths lay before him, all of which seemed to lead to a solution, but... he didn't know which path was the right one.

He dared not act rashly, and could only proceed cautiously, discerning each path carefully.

This process of discernment is what he needs to do in seclusion, but at least he doesn't have the time or energy to do it right now.

Li Qi had never felt such a lack of time.

Sure enough, my progress was too fast, and I lacked a solid foundation.

After these matters are settled, he will definitely go into seclusion for decades to rest and recuperate, organize his vast knowledge and all sorts of secrets, and categorize them so that this knowledge can truly become his foundation.

Right now, he's like a thin, frail scholar who knows a lot about fitness, but ultimately hasn't put it into practice. He needs a long time to transform all of this knowledge into something tangible.

At the same time, he didn't know where he was wrong and where he was right; all of this required trial and error, and correction.

"Hmm? Li Qi?" The Plague Lord asked when he saw Li Qi looking dazed.

Why is Li Qi stunned again? Is his brain overheating?

"Ah... it's nothing. In that case, I'll take my leave now. I have some things to do tomorrow." Li Qi came back to his senses and looked apologetically at the sea below.

"Oh? So Li Qi has something to do tomorrow? What a pity. You've helped me so much, I have no way to repay you. I was even thinking of inviting you to a literary gathering tomorrow," the Plague Lord said with some regret.

"Literary gathering? What literary gathering?" Li Qi asked casually.

"Don't you know? The Trumpet Flower God, who has been away from Chang'an for hundreds of years, has returned and is holding a literary gathering. It is said that Mr. Liu Donghe's new works will be on display. Many students who study Confucianism are planning to go and see them, and also to enjoy the excitement."

"After all, I heard that the Hanlin Academy has also mobilized a lot of people, saying that they want to drive the shameless Trumpet Flower God out of Chang'an. They even came to the Imperial Academy to recruit a lot of people, hoping that everyone would go and take a look."

"However, since Li Qi has something to do, I can't invite him. Let's go together another time when there's a chance," Plague Lord said with some regret.

He also wanted to take this opportunity to invite Li Qi out and make some acquaintances.

After all, in the eyes of the Plague Lord, the answer Li Qi wanted was nothing at all. In fact, Li Qi didn't even ask the Plague Lord what answer he wanted; he just took a look at his own true form, and the Plague Lord didn't explain anything.

But I did receive a truly Higher Vehicle method specially tailored for me from him to control the dissipation of my body's power, for which I definitely need to express my gratitude.

Moreover, Li Qi is indeed a capable person, and it would be beneficial to befriend him.

Upon hearing this, Li Qi smiled and said, "What a coincidence! I also have to attend this literary gathering tomorrow!"

The Plague Lord controlled the ocean's fluctuations. "Such a thing has happened! Then it's settled, let's go and see it together tomorrow."

"No problem, no problem," Li Qi nodded.

"Alright, then I will now create a suitable physical body. See you at our venue tomorrow. This is a rare and grand event. Not to mention the return of the Trumpet Flower God, the handwritten letter from a third-rank powerhouse alone is worth seeing," said the Plague Lord.

Li Qi nodded, and the two exchanged a few more pleasantries.

Li Qi then left and returned to the cafeteria.

The Sea Cooking Pot was still there. Li Qi went up to apologize, then wrote down his thoughts on the meal, and then left, embarking on his journey home.

On the way, he continued to fall into deep thought.

Anyway, this is Chang'an, so there's no need to worry about security. I can fully immerse myself in this. As long as I don't get lost, I don't have to worry about being robbed or stolen from in Chang'an.

He was getting a little anxious.

There's no time to lose; the answer is right in front of him, yet he can't grasp it!

Inspired by the Plague Lord, he felt he had taken a big step forward, and many of his previous doubts were answered, as if he could vaguely see the answers.

Time, oh time, I wish I could give him a mental time capsule so he could quietly retreat for a hundred years.

However, while Li Qi was deep in thought, he went home step by step like a robot, while behind him, someone was following him casually, without any intention of sneaking around.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Yu Zao.