Li Chen said, "The original meaning of the transformation of things is a transcendent state that erases the distinctions between things, assimilating self and other."
"Have you ever heard that all things in the world originated from chaos, that heaven and earth were like an egg, with the great god Pangu within, undergoing nine transformations a day?"
"This was, in fact, the Ancient Cultivators' simple conception of the cosmos. All things in the world, including the material foundations and spiritual powers of you and me, were originally one-or will one day return to oneness!"
This world also had a similar legend of the opening of heaven. Interpreted through Li Chen's understanding, it was likewise the work of the great god Pangu.
Li Chen briefly explained it to her, then continued, "In my homeland, there was a man named Zhuang Zhou, who often meditated in his dwelling. One day, while sleeping, he suddenly had a strange dream. In it, he became a butterfly, carefree and free. Upon waking, he could not help marveling that he did not know whether Zhuang Zhou had dreamed of being a butterfly, or a butterfly had dreamed of being Zhuang Zhou."
"I have often been moved by his words, and I feel deeply that he was truly a sage of great wisdom. Zhuang Zhou's butterfly dream is also a classic example of the transformation of things."
At this point, Li Chen stood up. "The virtual reality I recently had you live in, along with the body now reshaped using clay figures, is the embryonic form of the Nation of Transformation."
"But... it is only an embryonic form!"
He seemed to be explaining to Mei Xuan, yet also seemed to be murmuring to himself. "I have witnessed much oppression and hardship, misunderstanding and disagreement. I, too, was