Unmasking (Part 2)

Lin Feng asked, "Then if one day I came to blows with Tang San and became his enemy, would that count as violating the rules of the Heavenly Dao?"

Hua Jieyu replied, "No. He is merely the protagonist written by the author. When he served as the world's protagonist, the world had no self-awareness. World Consciousness only comes into being after a small world takes shape. Once World Consciousness is born, whether the original protagonist remains the protagonist of that world depends on whether World Consciousness likes him. As for the higher Heavenly Dao, it does not care whether World Consciousness is born or dies, much less whether a small world has a protagonist or who that protagonist is."

Lin Feng asked, "Mom, you just said that the Heavenly Dao does not allow small worlds to be forcibly destroyed by powerful cultivators. What if World Consciousness destroys itself?"

Hua Jieyu said, "After a small world is born, it is protected by the Heavenly Dao, and external forces are not permitted to destroy it. But if the small world's consciousness destroys itself internally, if the small world reaches the end of its own lifespan, or if cultivators within the small world wage a Great War that destroys the world, all of that complies with the rules of the Heavenly Dao. The Heavenly Dao will not interfere. That is why some demonic cultivators and evil cultivators find ways to provoke civil wars within small worlds, accelerating their internal destruction. They then seize the small world's origin to cultivate. This method of exploiting loopholes in the Heavenly Dao will not bring down direct punishment from the Heavenly Dao, but it will show itself when they undergo Heavenly Tribulation. The Heavenly Dao will send down a more powerful Heavenly Tribulation."

Lin Feng said, "I understand, Mom. If the cultivation of people in this small world of Douluo were compared to other cultivation worlds—or to the orthodox cultivation realms on your side—what level would it be?"

Hua Jieyu said, "The Douluo world actually has quite a novel system, including its cultivation system, which is completely different from the orthodox path of cultivation. I know what you mean. In terms of peak combat power, an ordinary Titled Douluo is roughly equivalent to someone who has just entered the Golden Core Stage. Even a level ninety-nine Limit Douluo only barely reaches the middle Golden Core Stage. At the peak of the God King realm in this world's setting, with the aid of certain special powers of its rules, they are approximately at the peak Golden Core Stage. Overall, the Golden Core Stage is still stronger, with a higher level of life."

Lin Feng said, "So even if I cultivate to the very end in this world, I would only have the strength of the Golden Core Stage. No wonder King Qin Guang sounded somewhat reluctant when he said he would arrange a position for me in the Underworld someday. With this level of strength, it really would be hard to earn any regard."

Hua Jieyu said, "The cultivation techniques you have now are actually quite suitable for this world. Just cultivate steadily. Take it slow, there is no rush. Focus on building a solid foundation. By the time you have the strength to leave this place, you still will not even have entered the path of cultivation. I will arrange your future cultivation path for you. As for the Underworld, there is no need to go there. You will definitely return to the Heavenly Realm with your father and me. According to your way of thinking, you should just live happily and cultivate easily. Treat life in this world as a journey."

Lin Feng said, "So, Mom, this is the advantage of having powerful backing. Cultivating in a world can be treated like traveling. There is no need to fear failure or mistakes, because someone will always have your back, and there will always be another chance."

Hua Jieyu said, "You are still young. Even counting both lives, you have only lived a little over forty years. To the Heavenly Realm, that is far too brief. Cultivation is not something achieved overnight, nor is it something that requires haste. Mentality is often far more important than short-term strength. And your mentality is actually very suited to cultivation. You will walk your own path."

Lin Feng asked, "If I encounter a Godhood Legacy in this world, Mom, do you think I should accept it?"

Hua Jieyu said, "If you want to, then accept it. If you do not, then do not. There is no need to care too much about whether it is a godhood or not. Just treat it as another experience. The only potentially troublesome part is that if you accept a Godhood Legacy, you will need to pass it on again when you leave. Although I can forcibly take you away, I do not want you to do that, because it would affect the operation of this small world. Since we have come to this small world, we should try our best to abide by its rules."

Lin Feng said, "I understand, Mom. Don't worry, I won't aim too high. The Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Saber were weapons I had loved since childhood in my previous life, and these cultivation techniques were things I had longed for when I read novels. I will use them to properly experience life in this world. I will not set my sights directly on things beyond my reach just because of you and Dad."

Lin Feng added, "Oh, right, Mom. Some time ago, when I was exploring Five Elements Mutual Generation, I formed a Domain Prototype. At that time, I sensed a trace of consciousness. I did not know whether it was trying to probe me or contact me, but it vanished again in an instant. I only sensed that it bore no ill will, but I do not know what it wanted."

Hua Jieyu said, "I know. It was the World Consciousness of Douluo Continent. I drove it away."

Lin Feng blinked. "Huh?"

Hua Jieyu said, "As I told you before, small worlds are born after a story ends, brought into being by the influence it has accumulated. So normally, when you came to this world, Tang San should already have become a god. I merely reversed this world's time, allowing you to be born on this timeline."

"But World Consciousness had already been born. It would not disappear just because I reversed time. In other words, World Consciousness retains the memories of the original storyline. It came looking for you without any malicious intent. It merely wanted your help and wished to negotiate with you. I roughly know what it wants to do, but I did not want you to come into contact with it yet, so I drove it away."

Lin Feng asked, "It wants my help? It thinks that highly of me?"

Hua Jieyu said, "It is not exactly that it thinks highly of you. It is mainly because it cannot afford to provoke the people behind you."

Lin Feng said, "Mom truly is Mom. Even the mighty World Consciousness has to act according to your mood. Impressive."

Hua Jieyu smacked him. "Stop flattering me. Let me ask you something. It may be a little early to ask, but have you given any thought to your fifth soul ring?"

Lin Feng had not expected his mother to ask about his fifth soul ring just after he had obtained his fourth. Still, he really had thought about it, so he answered directly, "I have. I originally wanted my fifth soul ring to absorb a Wind attribute one. Maybe I could take the chance to explore sword flight, and I also wanted to try out the creative power of 'Earth, Fire, Water, Wind.' But Dad just said that I could possess the five elements because my soul had fused with the Five Elements Immortal Lotus. Now I am not sure whether I can obtain the Wind attribute later."

Hua Jieyu said, "You have already achieved the initial cycle of Five Elements Mutual Generation and formed a Domain Prototype. With the creative power of Five Elements Mutual Generation, there will be no issue with allowing you to gain the Wind attribute through a soul ring. Do not underestimate the five elements. I had originally planned for your fifth soul ring to absorb a Wind attribute one as well. Since you have thought the same way, that is good. I do not need to remind you."

Lin Feng asked, "Does Mom have some other idea?"

Hua Jieyu said, "My idea is the same as your second thought. Since you have already sensed Five Elements Mutual Generation, you can sense the mutual generation of 'Earth, Fire, Water, Wind.' It will be greatly beneficial to the cultivation path you are taking. Once you accomplish this, I will no longer stop the World Consciousness of Douluo from coming to find you."

Lin Feng nodded. "Mm-hmm, I understand."

Hua Jieyu said, "Now that we have talked so much, let us return to the matter at hand. Are all the preparations for the academy's inauguration ceremony complete?"

Lin Feng said, "Everything has already been arranged. The exact date is set for next week, and invitations have been sent to all the major factions. There will inevitably be probing from certain people with ulterior motives, which is why I intend to give them a proper display of strength. Only then can we truly establish our reputation. It will be much easier to recruit talented students afterward. The team I am preparing for the Advanced Spirit Master Academy Competition has only just gathered enough members for a starting lineup. We do not even have any substitutes yet."

Hua Jieyu said, "Good. Just have your father take action then. Whoever dares to make trouble can be beaten up directly. If they go too far, it would not be impossible to send them on their way for good. We will see who is foolish enough to deliver themselves to our door so we can establish our authority."

Lin Lan echoed Hua Jieyu, "Don't worry, son. Leave it to your old man when the time comes."