117- Intermission
“Yes!”
A shout came from Tatsumi as he finally solved the problem that had haunted him for decades.
He finally had a safe route to advance from the sixth heavenstage to the ninth, meaning that he had managed to get to the highest heavenstage possible for the Core Formation Realm transcendents.
He came out of his small room which was designed not to let out any voice. Only when he came out that the house residents realize what had happened.
“I did it. The time I spent was not wasted.” Tatsumi then closed the door behind him and walked to the living room.
He needed to get out to refresh his mind for good. After all the hard times thinking and modifying the technique, he finally could relax.
He then stretched his hand and did a light exercise to make his body fit.
His breath became ragged as he finished doing it.
The safe route meant that the transcendents were ready to receive this information.
It also meant that the way to the peak of the Core Formation Realm was opened and ready to be walked upon.
-
“Whoa, that was quite a surprise.” Dian looked at the Transcendent Tree which was growing at a fast speed. From the seventh to the ninth heavenstage was lit up and just needed some people to reach the stage for consolidating it.
Dian did not expect that the progress to surge higher toward the end of the T1 progress.
Perhaps this is because the aptitude Tatsumi has for transcendent-related things, paired with the Insight (E) causes enlightenment and finding a path forward.
Dian could only assume as such since that was the only thing he could think of as the main cause. Of course, he did not diminish Tatsumi’s own effort. It was just that he had others to help him but forced himself to gain insight and enlightenment.
Tatsumi did not want to burden the people close to him but it caused those people to feel like he shouldered everything which concerned and worried them.
“Should I remind him?” Seeing those close to Tatsumi knew about it, Dian had a slight impulse to remind Tatsumi not to take everything alone.
After all, he had the others to help him. When everyone became a transcendent, they also shouldered the responsibility to pave the way forward. This was not just Tatsumi’s task but also everyone else's.
“After all of this is done, I should visit the Library of Consciousness.” Dian murmured before he swept his hand and closed the system panels.
Then he teleported himself to right outside the Library of Consciousness.
Since he had assimilated four planets so far, there were some with the Afterlife Model which was also assimilated into his.
Looking at the size of the Afterlife Model in front of him, Dian realized just how much it had developed by assimilating the others. There were plains, mountains, rivers, forests, deserts, and tundra, just like the world of the living. It was actually almost the perfect replica of the planet that was inhabited by the living.
But there was also a lot of small black rooms within which the Nafs of some were imprisoned. That was the punishment mechanism Dian had made. It was the most torturous method of separating and isolating the Consciousness of the living.
Dian looked briefly at that part for a moment. He remembered that Chi You had been released from that state and decided to ask him.
Dian appeared directly in the Library of Consciousness with his usual appearance.
He appeared right in front of Chi You and that made Chi You alert. But soon Chi You relaxed and was prepared to be asked.
“How’s your day after being released?” Dian asked while looking at the form of the one known as Chi You. Everyone in the Library of Consciousness retained their previous life’s appearance because that form was the most familiar to them.
“I am unlearning and relearning things. Good, I suppose?” Chi You said with a bitter smile.
Only he knew that the punishment of being a negative influence on the civilization was so severe and brain-wrecking. Being isolated for even days was already severe, now imagine if you did that for weeks, months and years.
That kind of punishment was unbearable for sure as it could cause psychological issues.
“I mean to ask you about your punishment. Is that really affecting you?” Dian asked again.
“Of course. But being connected to the Second Star Child really opened my eyes to something that I take for granted.” Chi You replied with a melancholy look. He was reminded of his past and wished that he had not done some of the things that he had done.
“He made me realize that I am limiting myself to me and my family. Outside of that was more of a nuisance to me at that time. But he showed me that relying on others is also a way to reap benefits. I wish I had realized that too, or at least had the capacity to carry that out.” Chi You was being honest at this moment since it was futile to lie in front of Dian.
Dian knew that what Chi You had said was true. That was why Chi You was put on trial to prove that he could turn out better. Chi You seized the opportunity to do exactly that and that caused him to be released from his wretched state and from torturous isolation.
“Let me say this to you. Congratulations.” Dian said while clapping his hands vigorously.
Chi You blinked his eyes for a moment since he did not expect such a reaction from Dian.
‘Reward and punishment, is it?’ Chi You thought about the reward which was the bliss of learning from and teaching the living people.
As for the punishment, they would be put into isolation or paired with those who share the same mindset. The worst was that the process would only drag them and those who share the same mindset into the same predicament.
Truly, that was what they would get. Those who shared the same mindset as them were actually listening to them and even accepted them as a supreme figure.
That was why Dian set the entire Afterlife to be like this, to see what the living would choose. With the aid of both sides, the living could make a comparison and decide their own fate.
This was a meaningful choice that would affect the lives of the living.
“There is no need for that, Father God.” Chi You shook his head.
He truly did not need the praise. He needed the others to see the error in his way, make amends for that, and try to be a better individual.
“You’ve become humble after connecting with Tatsumi.” Dian smiled as he could see one proof that his Afterlife Model was working as intended.
“If he who is the most important individual in a civilization is not arrogant most of the time, then neither should I.” Chi You replied.
Then Chi You turned his head slightly and saw two of his old friends watching him from a distance.
“You two can come here too.” Dian also turned his head and saw Kudungga and Goto.
“Ah, you two are discussing something important so we should not disturb you.” Goto said with a calm tone despite facing Father God.
“We want to know what happened to our friend but it looks like it was something important. I apologize for intruding.” Kudungga said politely.
“Hah, you two are probably wanting to tell Father God about your current situation when He appeared.” Chi You opened his mouth and told them their real reason to be there.
“Alright, there is something I want to know.” Dian interjected.
The three then stopped their idle chatter and looked at Dian.
When they were alive, they could only see Dian as a cloud given a humanoid appearance. But in this Library of Consciousness, they could perfectly catch Dian’s figure. The difference caused them to initially find it hard to accept.
But now, they could adapt to the appearance of the Father God who had helped them.
“What is it that you want to know?” Kudungga asked.
He was the usual individual to carry out Dian’s order and question, so he was the one who needed to ask.
“About the overall situation of this place.” Dian stated.
Kudungga nodded while Goto and Chi You looked intently at Kudungga since they also wanted to know about the place they currently inhabit.
“First, this place is slowly expanding. It happens every time you win a Star Battle.” Kudungga started. Being in the Library of Consciousness caused him to know more things related to Dian as a Planet Master, as Dian told them when they entered this place.
Dian nodded in agreement. He had seen this with his own perspective and so knew that Kudungga’s words were the truth.
“Second, the advancement of the technology and related transcendent things causes a change in this very place. We have built everything the world of living has, so it is almost a perfect replica. We even live here with the modern method of construction and have fun playing some of the games created here.” Kudungga said with a bit of pride.
Dian blinked his eyes but he still looked at Kudungga as if asking for more information.
“Third, we are promoting a healthy development of individuals since most of the people in the living world only know the basics. This will make them more independent and drive their curiosity in the right direction.”
Dian narrowed his eyes.
The right direction meant that the development was stable and improving the way of life for the people. Dian knew that free will did not mean to do anything one wanted but to make a meaningful choice. He allowed his Core Race to have that and he expected them to make a choice that would affect themselves and the entire civilization.
From the looks of it, Dian knew that what he intended was received fully by Tatsumi and the people in the living world.
The difference between the people of the living and the ones in the Library of Consciousness was that the former had physical bodies, while the latter existed only as a Nafs.
Even the construct built in the Library of Consciousness was from memory rather than physical.
Kudungga then continued.
“As for the fourth, some Nafs which was isolated and quarantined are being released. Like our friend here…”
Kudungga looked at Chi You to stress his point before he added, “…they are trying to turn over a new leaf.”
Dian nodded solemnly. It was actually the most rare occurrence that the Nafs which had been living the way they were lived, changed. It took some time for them to spend in isolation and quarantine but it was the most severe punishment that Dian could think of.
After all, they were once harmed themselves and others directly or indirectly. Those deeds needed to be punished, otherwise they would just do it again and this time with connection to the living, infecting the living with their bad ideas.
“About those who have been freed from the isolation and quarantine, what’s their reaction?” Dian asked.
“Well, they are feeling alive again after so long. They don’t dare to do what their previous lives had done and started to promote things with care and alertness, just like the Cloud Legion.” Kudungga answered truthfully.
Although he felt that the punishment was a bit excessive since he realized that even the living would feel tortured if placed in isolation and quarantine, those deceased who experienced it would only feel worse.
“It means that the trajectory of the development of the races on the planet should be straight increasing, right?” Dian said.
The three forefathers were stunned and did not know the definite answer. But they must answer the question.
“It is increasing but something makes it harder to increase.” Kudungga said with a frown.
Even he did not know for sure the cause yet.
Dian widened his eyes as he realized what the issue was.
The lack of obstacles causes them to develop systematically. This is good if you are developing in a quantified manner but it also disturbs the creativity of my race. Hah, the quick development finally showed its ugly side.
Dian could not even blame others since it was He who used the miniature spaceship to accelerate the development rate of the Technology Tree.
But fortunately, there was something that could at least make the development of other things increase. It was the massive development of animation studios in the civilization.
Several long-term animations had been ongoing for twenty-five years. And there were its successors appearing one by one, like a weed growing after being watered by rainfall.
Currently, they were fighting against Artificial Intelligence in the creative content. It was actually quite a sight to behold.
But Dian actually supported the artists more since they were the source of creativity and he did not want his race to lose that.
“It is not your fault. If anything, it is actually my fault for placing the miniature spaceship.” Dian said, trying to comfort the three forefathers.
Kudungga, Goto and Chi You heaved a sigh of relief. They finally realized that the strongest power of their race was buried under the rapid development of technology.
‘We need to make the artists adapt to the time.’ The three had similar thoughts.
“Since I am done with the report and already verified it, you all just need to do your part. I trust that you will be able to do it in my stead.” Dian said before he looked at one part of the Library of Consciousness.
“Alright, see you later.” Chi You remembered deeply what needed to be done and just moved away to connect with the living who shared the same idea as him.
Kudungga and Goto also left to tend to their duty. They also guided the other Nafs in the Library of Consciousness to promote positive growth in the individual and the civilization.
Dian came to the part of the Library which was a bit strange. It was twisted and distorted, something that should not happen in his Afterlife Model.
But since it happened, it meant that the balance was losing and it was the prelude of something terrifying.
“What is this!?” Dian looked carefully at the part that was strange and could not find anything in his information storage in his mind.
Dian knew that he needed to take care of this but he should not casually touch it either. Then he made a barrier preventing the Nafs from approaching it.
This caused the others to detect the usage of his power and come to his side.
“Whoa, what is this!?” Leif was surprised to see the distortion and the twisted part of the Library. It was also located at the edge of the Library, which was rarely visited.
“Hmm, I also wonder about that.” Frie, who was erudite, was also confused by the sight.
“This thing is in the Library of Consciousness? What actually happened?” Chikara asked.
“I'd better ask someone in the know, then.” Dian had no choice but to ask someone since even he did not know about this.
Then he used the Message function to contact Tritis. Only she had a chance of knowing what he and the others had encountered.
[Dian: Excuse me for intruding on you during your busy time. I want to ask something related to the Afterlife Model.]
He sent it to Tritis. While he waited, he looked deeper at the distortion and the twisted part of the Library.
It was a strange but real world where primordial dust had gathered and formed a nebula. Dian could see it but he needed to focus his attention. The others also tried something similar.
Then Dian pulled off from the particular part since he needed to check the message he had sent.
But he did not expect that the message to be read and replied so quickly.
[Tritis: What is it? Is it actually something like a part of your Afterlife Model is distorted and twisted?]
[Dian: Yes! That is right. As expected from one of the Ten Venerables. Do you know what it is?]
[Tritis: You’re quite lucky or unlucky, I guess. That is the entrance to the Afterlife Arena. Ah, you probably don’t know what it is. Basically, it is the place where you can gain more resources for your Afterlife Model. There is a limit in how your Afterlife Model can develop. That is why we are the Planet Master, with the Afterlife Model will be connected to the Afterlife Arena. But I can’t believe that you have already opened the entrance at the Second Rank.]
[Dian: Well, if that is truly the case, then what should I do? I presume that this Afterlife Arena is only available to the Third Rank Planet Master and above. Will my people fight against someone powerful there?]
[Tritis: If you are daring enough, you will send one of your people inside. But you should wait until you are ready. I will compile the criteria for you to be ready.]
[Dian: Thank you so much for your help. I don’t know what to do in this situation since this is new to me and there is no information about it in the database that I read.]
[Tritis: Don’t mind it too much. You may have done something incredible that has opened the entrance to the Afterlife Arena. You should be proud. If there is nothing more pressing issue, let’s end the conversation here.]
[Dian: Alright.]
Dian knew that he needed to keep secret about some things, as that was crucial information for his future Star Battle.
After ending the communication with Tritis, he told the others about the entrance to the Afterlife Arena and explained a bit about sending someone to it.