Chapter 3804: The Final Step
As Lin Moyu conversed with Discernment Beast, he observed its shifting expressions.
Compared to its earlier tension upon hearing about Crossing Calamity Boat, Discernment Beast had now regained its usual composure.
Discernment Beast remarked, "I know about this it was indeed Human Sovereign's doing. But you can only blame World Tree for being too foolish."
"To be honest, none of the three previous World Tree Emperors were particularly clever this one was no exception."
Lin Moyu asked, "So there have been three World Tree Emperors before? And now, the one played by Human Sovereign is the fourth?"
Discernment Beast corrected him, "You're mistaken Human Sovereign isn't playing the role of World Tree Emperor. He is World Tree Emperor now. It's like when you refined an innate primordial treasure and became a Small Spirit Domain King."
"Although you're not a virtual beast, there's no rule stating that a Small Spirit Domain King must be one."
"Whether it's a Small Spirit Domain King or a Great Spirit Domain Emperor it's always determined by the ownership of innate primordial treasures," Discernment Beast explained.
"As long as you can refine the innate primordial treasure of a Great Spirit Domain, you can become its emperor."
This revelation completely overturned Lin Moyu's understanding.
The emperors of Great Spirit Domains weren't individuals who refined innate primordial treasures after becoming emperors they became emperors because they refined those treasures.
Discernment Beast chuckled, "Surprising, isn't it? That's just how the rules work. For example, Radiant Light Great Spirit Domain doesn't currently have an emperor. If you could refine its innate primordial treasure, you'd become its new emperor."
"Among the nine Great Spirit Domains in Soul Void, everyone assumes there are nine emperors but in truth, there are only seven."
Lin Moyu blurted out, "Which other domains lack emperors?"
Discernment Beast replied, "Twilight Drum Great Spirit Domain but it's extremely dangerous."
Lin Moyu asked, "If Radiant Light Great Spirit Domain lacks an emperor, why hasn't Human Sovereign taken it over?"
Discernment Beast laughed, "Who says he hasn't tried? He went there long ago but failed. Not just Radiant Light he also visited Twilight Drum and nearly didn't make it back."
"If those attempts had succeeded, he wouldn't have needed to target World Tree Emperor. After all dealing with an emperor is risky business."
Though Human Sovereign was powerful, emperors weren't weak either. Even a residual soul from an emperor rivaled top-tier realm masters forcing Lin Moyu to deploy his elemental liches and endure heavenly punishment to defeat it.
If faced with an emperor's true body their strength would be unimaginable.
Discernment Beast suddenly shifted topics, "But if you were to visit Twilight Drum Great Spirit Domain you might fare better. You'd likely survive."
Lin Moyu chuckled, "Please don't flatter me, Senior. Do you know what enlightenment Human Sovereign seeks?"
Discernment Beast's gaze turned wistful yet tinged with despair as it sighed softly, "That's the final step only after achieving eternity can one see it."
Lin Moyu asked eagerly, "Can everyone who achieves eternity see it?"
Discernment Beast nodded, "Yes once you attain eternity you'll see that final step and understand that it represents enlightenment."
"But that step is impossibly difficult it fills one with despair it's nearly insurmountable."
Lin Moyu pressed further, "Even you couldn't cross it?"
Discernment Beast shook its head solemnly, "No I realized upon seeing that step that I'd never succeed."
"Many emperors have tried they've devised countless methods but none have succeeded."
"In endless ages numerous emperors have perished in pursuit of that step including the emperors of Radiant Light and Twilight Drum."
"Now the remaining emperors have given up entirely. Only a few cultivators from the real world persist and Human Sovereign is their leader."
"Each individual sees their own version of the final step and walks their own path toward it," Discernment Beast explained. "Who will succeed? No one knows."
Lin Moyu thought of Returning Origin Land's twenty-plus Great Dao Lords all eternal beings like Human Sovereign.
Each had seen their own final step some had abandoned their pursuit others continued striving.
Human Sovereign was merely one among many not unique.
Lin Moyu realized that someday he too would see his own final step.
When that time came would he muster the courage to cross it or stop like Discernment Beast?
The answer would only reveal itself once Lin Moyu achieved eternity.
Despite knowing how daunting this step was, Lin Moyu couldn't resist asking, "Has anyone ever succeeded?"
Discernment Beast smiled mysteriously, "Perhaps but I don't know for sure. However there's someone who has taken half a step forward a partial success. You've heard his voice before."
Startled Lin Moyu immediately understood who Discernment Beast referred to.
It was the entity aboard Crossing Calamity Boat the one whose voice he'd heard but whose face he hadn't seen.
This individual had taken half a step toward enlightenment a partial victory.
Discernment Beast chuckled, "Now you understand how terrifying that person is. Though he succeeded halfway he paid an immense price and is now trapped aboard Crossing Calamity Boat. He can only escape if he takes the other half-step."
Lin Moyu fell silent astonished by the connections between Human Sovereign, emperors, and Crossing Calamity Boat.
These supreme beings shared one ultimate goal their final step toward enlightenment.
Seeing Lin Moyu deep in thought Discernment Beast teased lightly: "Are you shocked? It's nothing unusual cultivation is all about pursuing strength and anything done in pursuit of strength becomes justified."
"In some worlds mortals wage wars where countless lives are lost for one general's success. Apply this logic to cultivators and sacrificing entire realms for enlightenment seems perfectly normal."
"Kindness and sympathy are useless they hold no place in this world," Discernment Beast continued bluntly. "Only when you stand at the peak can you afford to look back and pity others."
Though harsh these words reflected undeniable truths.
Mortals sacrificed thousands in battles for power but cultivators sacrificed millions or even billions for their Great Daos.
Origin Continent exemplified this principle its world will had twice buried realms and planned to sacrifice all life for eternity.
To many cultivators the lives of others were insignificant compared to achieving their own paths.
Lin Moyu sighed softly: "You're right that's how things are. But everyone chooses their own path I follow mine with my own convictions and strive to remain true to myself."
"Eternity is still far away for me and the final step even further. For now I must face Origin Continent's peak-stage world will and take my first step forward."
"I saw in World Tree Great Spirit Domain that Human Sovereign created a method to turn world wills into tools or puppets but this technique isn't widely known. Do you know about it? If so I'd like to purchase it from you."
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