Chapter 1891: Piercing the Heaven
"This is…" the Erudite Duchess muttered as her mind received the information from the talisman. "What a brilliant formation — no, the true brilliance is the core application of Yin-Yang." With this array, her comprehension will drastically improve. Her mind — which was already capable of processing information and knowledge at a level that most lifeforms could not comprehend — will receive a hundred times boost.
Whether she used it to optimize her techniques, or create new ones, or even create the path ahead — everything is possible. Even without an idea of how to become a Grand Dao Saint, she can just use this array to deduce trillions of possibilities in a matter of seconds. After testing out so many possibilities, it's only a matter of time before she finds the path forward.
"I understand why you're so careful," the Erudite Duchess sighed. "And you're right — I truly owe you this time."
"Just don't think my actions were excessive."
"No, you were right to be careful," the duchess sighed. "But, are you sure you want to share this? I can still wipe out my mind."
"Since I handed it to you, I won't take it back," Wang Wei shook his head.
"And there is one more thing." A golden light appeared on his hand.
"Is this —"
"Grand Dao Authority," Wang Wei nodded. "Although it's only 1%, it should help you."
"Your generosity has shamed me," The Duchess sighed deeply. She thought she was generous. After all, she even used an item that could help people condense their Dao Quintessence Prototype. However, she knew her generosity had limits. If not for the Enlightenment Pyramid's failure to help her, she wouldn't have used it as a karma-bargain chip for other talented individuals.
"My heart is also bleeding," Wang Wei sighed. "But, I understand the concept of sharing to get an even better return. For example, with your knowledge, you should be able to improve Ai's design, correct?"
"Hmm, your current design has reached the limit of what an Immortal Array can do, so I can only improve on it by 3-5%. However, I can share the Saint version with you once I'm done upgrading it."
"I couldn't ask for anything else," Wang Wei smiled.
The duchess nodded with a gentle smile at the corner of her mouth; she couldn't wait to return to her mind and body and use this Quantum Yin-Yang Array. With its aid, she doesn't have to worry about variables that pop up when executing their plans; she'll be able not only to predict them but also to deal with anything that comes up.
And that's not mentioning the authority. After gaining direct access to the rules of this timeline, the chances of learning something and reaching the False Grand Dao Realm will drastically increase. Furthermore, she can also lay the foundation for her third-step path.
The Erudite Duchess exhaled; this was the fastest way to calm down and regain her composure. There was still one crucial thing they needed to deal with before she could leave.
"So, what's your decision? Will you work with the others?"
"Why not?" Wang Wei said. Although he didn't believe this project would succeed, Wang Wei hoped for a miracle. With this single decision, the three surviving factions began communicating; the first step was to establish a hidden Spiritual Realm where everybody could meet and discuss how to proceed.
With those three working together, it could be said that some of the brightest minds from two timelines were collaborating. The plans that came up in that meeting, while bouncing off ideas, had great potential. But as Wang Wei predicted, many of them were rejected due to the time constraint. It also did not help that all these people refused to state how much time they had left, which forced everybody to work within an assumed small window.
Eight Yuan Epochs passed, and the project ended. Everybody's greatest worry did not happen: Death Reverence did not interfere. But in some ways, this news was also worrying as it could be interpreted as the enemy's disdain for them. After all, although they've done their best to keep things quiet, the constant shifts in their respective arrays could not be truly hidden.
Once everything was ready, all three arrays were activated simultaneously. They immediately resonated with each other, slowly condensing into a towering black spear larger than most Chaos Source Worlds. The aura emanating from the [Piercing Heaven Spear] was so terrifying that Death Reverence immediately activated the Death Beam's protective mechanism.
"This should be their last struggle before they have no choice but to enter the Longevity Realm," Death Reverence calmly thought. Death can be a powerful motivator, and once these people realized they had run out of options, the looming threat of their demise would only lead them to one path. And that's when everything ends. Without using too much power or resources, they will all die.
"Hmm? Their target isn't the ritual?" Death Reverence squinted. His mind worked swiftly, and for a moment, he thought they were going to attack the Highest Firmament, so he prepared to activate its defensive mechanism. However, he stopped himself after realizing their true target.
"What a waste of time," Death Reverence shook his head.
Countless Runes suddenly manifested on the Piercing Heaven Runes, and most of them were based on the Heaven Cardinal's ability to deduce and find weaknesses, followed by the power to break defenses. Everyone involved in this plan waited for the enemy to stop them, so they were prepared to activate the contingency plan. However, to their surprise, they were once again ignored.
Without saying another word, they activated the spear. It flew upward with immense force and speed until it reached the boundary between this timeline and the Boundless Realm — the void between universes. A translucent barrier composed of an infinite number of energy-shape octagons manifested itself to stop the spear, and it was quite successful.
The runes on the shaft began to function as intended. By establishing a link to the Duchess and everybody's knowledge reserve — including a partial reserve of the Heaven Cardinal — the spear began to analyze Death Reverence's seal on Timeline NP89076H. Everyone watched with bated breath, but after ten minutes of trying, not even a dent had been made in the seal, and despair began to sink in.
"Ai, did you find anything useful?" True Wang Wei asked.
"Sir, I've discovered that one of the essences used to build this seal is the mistress's Hong Protective System."
"It is?"
"Not just the protective system, but also a part of her Sealing Dao."
"That's good news. See if you can find a flaw in that part of the seal."
"I'm sorry, sir, but I've already tried, and it was a failure."
"You!" This damn thing got him excited for nothing.
"What's the reason?" Avatar A asked.
"The true essence of this seal is the Beyonder's power. Other powerful Sealing Daos were used as secondary, supplementary core tenants."
"Can you find a flaw if you use the data from Avatar B's experiment?"
"Yes."
Wang Wei — who had already regained his composure — asked: "What are the chances of breaking through the seal?"
"9.65%."
"Less than 10%?"
"The seal contained genuine third-step power," Ai explained. "It's a miracle the chances are so high."
Wang Wei grunted. The Piercing Heaven Spear was created from the Highest Sovereign's Light Origin, the Primordial Heaven Sword Saint's [Sword-Saber Dao Source], and countless other lesser but equally invaluable powers. However, in the end, it did not change the fact that those things were a weakened version of a higher power. Wang Wei and everyone else did their best to combine these powers, but when directly dealing with the true third-step power — especially one of Beyonder's caliber — they were genuinely outmatched.
"Do you want to take the risk?" Avatar A asked.
"Absolutely not," Wang Wei rejected. "Anti-Magic is one of our greatest trump cards. It would be stupid to reveal its existence for a measly 10% chance."
"But, does our plan really have a higher chance of success?" Avatar A countered. "Although we have made a lot of preparation, most of it is circumstantial, hasn't really been tested, or relies too much on foreign aid or even luck. If you take all this into account, it may be worth the risk."
"The key factor is still us," Wang Wei replied. "As long as we are alive and capable of thinking, we can use these plans to the point that our survival rate is higher than 10%. We are the variable — the determining factor. I trust myself more than I would ever trust that spear — even if its power is capable of killing me faster than stepping on an ant."
Avatar A shrugged, "It's your decision. I'm just playing devil's advocate."
Wang Wei waved his hand, indicating he didn't care. In recent years, he has noticed the advantage of avatars: having someone with the same mind as him — but with slightly different experiences — to bounce ideas off or even play devil's advocate is a great way to strategize.
"Ai, send the information about Hong's Protective System to the others. Let's see if they can do something with it." Although Wang Wei wouldn't share Anti-Magic, the other information gathered was still useful.
"Are you sure about that? After all, that system is the foundation of our world's defensive system."
Wang Wei glanced at him: this bastard was taking his job too seriously. "Do you think those Saints haven't long gained access to that protective system? My action is more of a reminder."
"True," Avatar A nodded. The Second Origin War was these Saints' doing, so it made sense that they were aware of one of the war's greatest contributors.