Self II
Then Lin Hui repeated the question from before.
"I don't know what I am. I am an individual you created using special methods, arising out of temporary need." - Sheep Way
"So what is your true nature?" Lin Hui asked.
"I am the sheep, and the rest are all things you gave me. Those are not me," the sheep replied.
"Then what makes you different from the other sheep, aside from what I've instilled in you?" Lin Hui asked.
"I have no idea..."
"Why are you you? And not some other sheep?" Lin Hui asked again.
The sheep fell silent.
Lin Hui pondered for a moment. This time, he modified Authority Shadow once again, altering the sheep's physiological structure and infusing it with a wealth of knowledge from various industries and fields.
After a few breaths, he repeated the question.
"I am who I am simply because there is no second leaf in the world that is the same. Therefore, I am unique and can only be myself," the sheep answered.
Lin Hui stared at him for a while, then revised the Authority Shadow again.
This time, he instilled in them the memories of officers and soldiers, and then repeated the initial questions.
"What do you?"
"I was a former military officer who died after a planetary war and ended up here, reincarnated as a lowly sheep. You awakened me. If you can completely liberate me, you will surely be rewarded in the future!" the sheep replied.
Lin Hui nodded and revised it again. This time, he changed it to the memories of an ordinary person who died of natural causes.
For him, who possesses the Sentient Fangsheng Art, altering the memory of a sheep is as easy as turning his hand; he can do it at will.
It's the same question as before.
I used to be a doctor, then I became a decorator, and as I got older, I retired to a small seaside town to spend my later years... And now, I'm a sheep... What a strange experience...
The sheep's answer was now quite clear.
Lin Hui revised it again and asked questions again, time and time again.
The sheep's answer changed as he kept changing it.
After asking hundreds of questions, Lin Hui finally stopped and restored the sheep to its original state.
"What are you?" he asked again.
"Baa~~" the White Jade Sheep replied.
"Yes, you don't know..." Lin Hui smiled slightly.
He flashed back to the Clear Jade Mountain courtyard, activated the Blood Seal, and retrieved the existing fish eyes and pearls, preparing himself.
Then, based on all the insights I've gained during this period, and summarizing everything I've learned in my life, I will strive to evolve.
He passed down all his knowledge and experience throughout his life, condensing them into a comprehensive book called the Clear Jade Secret Canon.
His personal memories were removed, leaving only his knowledge, martial arts skills, experience, and insights.
This is actually somewhat similar to the feeling he had when the Blood Seal transmitted the cultivation techniques and memories to him.
With the goal of identifying the Clear Jade Secret Canon, the Blood Seal began its appraisal.
The Clear Jade Secret Canon: A crystallized record of all the knowledge and skills acquired by Lin Hui, the master of Clear Jade Mountain. It allows one to cultivate all the way to the External Source Realm. The difficulty of cultivation is extremely high.
Lin Hui sighed and continued reading.
Sure enough, at the branch that can be evolved, it is clearly written: 5.
The Blood Seal didn't disappoint me... I knew it! So many top-tier inheritances from powerful figures can evolve, so why can't I, a mere External Source, continue to evolve?
Lin Hui had some concerns before, but now it seems that the Blood Seal is indeed omnipotent and can evolve anything.
He no longer hesitated; finding the direction and path to the next level was of paramount importance.
Click to open the evolution branch.
In an instant, a vast amount of information appeared in his field of vision. This time, the information seemed different from before.
Furthermore, at the very top of the message, there is a clear warning line.
Warning: Evolution of the self may lead to significant self-change; please consider carefully before starting.
Upon seeing the line of large, blood-red characters, Lin Hui paused briefly before immediately clicking on the evolution branch.
1- The Heavenly Drama Secret Canon: A special manual left behind by an unknown powerful figure in the Light Disaster. It elucidates the essence of the self. It believes that the self is merely a tool for coordinating the work between memory and instinct, a platform interface. It does not exist in itself, but is merely an illusion that temporarily arises when the self needs to exist. On this platform, emotions, perceptions, and external influences take turns appearing and disappearing. That's all.
Note: After evolution, you will gain complete immunity to all hallucinogenic attacks. However, this may undermine the very foundation of your existence, so please choose carefully.
After looking at just the first one, Lin Hui felt something was amiss.
Because he felt himself wavering, and he actually started to believe what the other person said.
Composing himself, he moved on to the next item.
2-- The Thick Earth Secret Canon: A collection of knowledge left behind by a powerful figure who has long been forgotten by the Black Disaster. Because his name and existence have completely disappeared and been forgotten, his knowledge is without roots or origins, and can be directly cultivated to the pinnacle of Thought Endures Eternally. Therefore, it is simply named "The Thick Earth Secret Canon".
This code holds that everything about the self is the sum of past memories, experiences, and perceptions. The body is merely the soil, the root from which the self grows, but it is not the self itself.
Note: After evolution, this codex gains complete immunity to all energy attacks on the material plane.
Is the self simply a collection of all past memories?
Lin Hui also had this question in his mind; these two viewpoints, one before the other, were almost completely contradictory.
Therefore, along these two paths, the two strong individuals chose different directions in life.
One went towards the Black Disaster, the other towards the Light Disaster.
At this point, he no longer dared to choose a cultivation technique solely based on the special effects and increased combat power he gained.
At this level, if you're not careful, making the wrong choice can have a permanent and enormous impact on your values.
He had previously heard stories about people who practiced martial arts to the point of madness.
But now it seems that if these techniques can fundamentally shake a person's values, wouldn't they appear to outsiders as the behavior of a madman?
After calming himself down, he stopped thinking about it and moved on to the next item.
3-- Synergy Theory: This method believes that the key to advancing to the point of Thought Endures Eternally lies in the clear categorization of the self. It divides the self into two parts: the primary part, which is responsible for executing feelings, and the secondary part, which is a third-party definition and summary of the self.
This technique comprehensively encompasses most aspects of self-definition. Upon mastery, one can obtain the super-fast cultivation speed effect of the Thought Endures Eternally" realm, making normal cultivation three times faster than other similar cultivation methods.
"That's alright," Lin Hui nodded, "It can be considered as a backup option."
Let's look at the next one.
4-- The Non-Self Theory: This theory originated from a mysterious powerhouse among the strongest star gods. Its core idea is that the concept of "self" exists because of the definition of "non-self." The self itself is not important; what is important is that the self is an infinite collection, and everything we have originates from the collective's dominant tendency.
This technique completely blurs the lines between self and non-self. Once mastered, it allows one to endlessly devour external objects, strengthen oneself, and ultimately become a world devourer.
Note: Once this technique evolves, it grants half immunity to damage from material energy and half immunity to damage from the soul and spirit. It can eliminate all rejection reactions.
This technique completely ignored my exploration and instead focused on a larger-scale absorption and aggregation.
Moreover, this kind of aggregation can eliminate all rejection reactions after absorption, which is quite abnormal, as it follows the path of infinite absorption.
As for the self, I don't care at all. Everything that is absorbed and swallowed up is a part of me. Their will combined is me.
This is the path by which all things return to themselves.
Lin Hui shook his head; his understanding of the practice did not approve of it.
Finally, let's look at the fifth one.
"5-- The No-Thought, No-Mind Canon: It evolved from the Clear Jade Secret Canon. Based on the Secret Codex, it further extends the view that external memories are all external influences on oneself, changes, and infusions, rather than the constant true self. Only the part of the self that is not affected or changed by external influences is the true self. That is, the true self. Take away thoughts and ideas, and the remaining pure part is the outer layer of the true self."
Note: Evolving this codex will grant the "Dao-Thought True Self" effect, which significantly increases the user's physical sturdiness and defense by a thousandfold.
Upon seeing this last one... Lin Hui suddenly thought of his acquisition of the Eternal True Order Essence. The Eternal True Order Essence itself can immunize against many external illusions and soul-eroding attacks, and can also isolate many external material energies.
The only thing it truly fears is overt and powerful destruction and harm. It can be said that even minor, covert external influences can be directly isolated.
Therefore, after a practical comparison, the last effect is the most suitable for him.
Most importantly, the essence of this fifth method is that its content and direction are not as extreme as the others, and it suits him quite well.
Lin Hui scanned it again.
He actually approves of items 2, 3, and 5, with item 5 being the most normal.
Each of these three items requires Existence Force of one billion.
If they were replaced with pearls or fish-eye beads, that would amount to at least 30,000 pieces.
Lin Hui looked at the small amount of stock he had; it was still far from enough.
Fortunately, the path ahead is clear, and there are definite goals. The next step is to work hard to gain Existence Force.
With a sigh, Lin Hui put away his things. Even with his current cultivation level, he would need a billion units of reserve energy to complete this task, which meant that the evolution of these five items would consume far more energy than before.
Taking the Black Lotus with him, he announced his departure from Clear Jade Mountain without a word. He first went to an area near the Stagnant Storm caused by the Wind Disaster, and then used his Authority Shadow out a space on the outskirts, placing some of the Star Butterfly Fish Eye there.
He's trying to tame the Star Butterfly Fish himself.
Because this monster is controlled by the core of the Wind Disaster and is a special product of the Wind Disaster, it must be raised in the Wind Disaster.
While using his Authority Shadow modify the rules and improve the surrounding breeding environment, he waited for his three disciples to send back special intelligence.
As time passed, and as Lin Hui gained deeper insights into the No-Thought, No-Mind Canon, he was surprised to discover that this technique initially required a reserve of one billion units of energy and time.
But as he was gaining this insight, Lin Hui watched helplessly as the number one billion shrank.
Three years later, one billion became nine hundred million.
Meanwhile, the three disciples' intelligence gathering also yielded results.
"The Withered Wood Divine Sect?" Upon hearing this familiar name, Lin Hui thought he had misheard.
When Xia Si emphasized again some of the opponent's subtle characteristics and strength traits.
Lin Hui suddenly remembered—wasn't this the guy who opened the disaster portal with him in the New World back then?