The Quarreling Star Sea

"It chose to erase the 'least-used definition,'" Primordial White corrected. "The disappearance of the Chromaglass Civilization was merely a side effect. If it could choose, it would rather reclaim its own definition. But it cannot. Because it is the Memory Sea; it is itself a definition. It cannot reclaim itself."

Lin Ye fell silent.

The expedition team behind him also fell silent.

They had thought they were fighting an enemy, only to discover that the enemy was merely a rule. They had thought they were protecting their companions, only to discover that their companions were the root of the problem.

Primordial White looked at Lin Ye. "You know how to solve this problem. You knew from the moment you stepped in here."

Lin Ye said nothing.

"You need to create new definitions. Not borrow them from the Blank Era, not reclaim them from elsewhere—but create entirely new definitions that have never existed before. Only then can you fill the Memory Sea's needs, bring back the colors of the Chromaglass Civilization, and allow every civilization to continue existing."

It paused.

"But creating definitions requires a price."

"What price?"

"You need to make three hundred and seventy million civilizations define the same thing at the same time. Not define it separately, but define it together, making that thing a brand-new definition belonging to every civilization."

"Three hundred and seventy million civilizations have never reached a consensus." Radiant Stilllight's voice was hoarse. "They argued for seven days and seven nights during the Return Festival just to decide what color the lights should be."

Primordial White did not respond. It merely looked at Lin Ye.

Lin Ye closed his eyes. On his cloak, three hundred and seventy million stars flickered at once, like three hundred and seventy million whispers.

When he opened his eyes