Chapter 1485: From Fantasy...Return

Jiang Wang once surmised that Chaos sought to break free from constraints, yet his understanding of ‘constraints’ was clearly not entirely aligned with Wang Changji’s.

The entirety of the Mountain Sea Realm was but a creation of fantasy.

This was undoubtedly an absurd depiction.

Were the Floating Mountains, the Azure Sea, the high heavens veiled in clouds and mist, the innumerable wondrous beasts and divine spirits, or even the current Skyfall, this very spectacle of the world crumbling—

Which part was not real? Which part was not tangible? Which part was not concrete?

Yet, Wang Changji seemed not to be jesting, nor was he a man given to levity.

His keenness, his insight, his level of attainment had already been made abundantly clear.

“There is one thing I do not comprehend,” said Zuo Guangshu. “If the Mountain Sea Realm is indeed a world existing solely in fantasy, as you say. Matters known to Chaos could not possibly be unknown to Candle Dragon. Chaos desires the boundary between illusion and reality; does not Candle Dragon also wish to attain ‘true existence’? Then why would it obstruct Chaos, and so resolutely uphold the order of the Mountain Sea Realm?”

Fang Heling, who had remained silent until now, spoke up. “Perhaps Candle Dragon is a puppet left behind by Huang Weizhen, or even an avatar of Huang Weizhen! Only thus can it be explained why it so fiercely defends the order of this world.”

Compared to the others, he would undoubtedly support Wang Changji’s assertions without reservation. Even if he did not believe it himself, he would find reasons to make himself believe. No principles, only attitude.

“Huang Weizhen was definitively dead back then,” Zuo Guangshu stated. “This is beyond doubt. How many pairs of eyes were drawn by his life and death? So many powerhouses in Great Chu, so many powerhouses under heaven; it’s impossible they all misjudged. Therefore, no avatar, no consciousness, could possibly still exist. At most, his last will is still being carried out.

Speaking of puppets... Chaos is nearing the Dao Manifestation realm; Candle Dragon is only stronger, not weaker. Are there such mighty puppets under heaven? Moreover, even after its master’s demise, can it display wisdom to rival Chaos and participate in the struggle for the Mountain Sea Realm? Consider this: Chaos even deceived Senior Jiang, yet was confined to the Wailing South Abyss to suffer.”

The example given by Zuo Guangshu left Jiang Wang truly unable to refute, forcing him to listen with a blank expression.

Yue Tiannu, however, harbored no reservations about the idea of a puppet body and spoke directly. “As is widely known, the strongest puppets on the surface of the Mo Sect reach only the Spirit Ascension realm. The puppet creations they sell externally are only at or below the Outer Tower realm.

But the Mo Sect is certainly unwilling to stop there.

They have attempted related endeavors, a plan named ‘Awakening the Gods.’ This plan mobilized the entire strength of the Mo Sect, consuming immeasurable resources. It is said that even two or three True Sovereigns could not deplete so many resources. The final result was merely the creation of three puppets at the True Person level, and their combat strength was far inferior to True Persons of the same realm. Hence, this plan has been shelved.

Even if Huang Weizhen possessed profound knowledge reaching to the heavens, I do not believe he could approach the Mo Sect’s level in puppet creation. Therefore, I believe Candle Dragon cannot be a puppet.”

Jiang Wang’s thoughts stirred, and he recalled the Blood Puppet True Demon, Song Wanxi, still drifting in the Myriad Worlds Desolate Tomb. Perhaps she was an exception to what Yue Tiannu had said.

However, Song Wanxi was a demonic body nurtured for a hundred years, inherently possessing the potential of a True Demon. Coupled with Song Hengjiang’s primordial spirit power, she was refined into a Blood Puppet True Demon at the True Person level. This was different from the puppets created by the Mo Sect.

A True Demon plus a Spirit Ascension infinitely approaching the True Person realm, in exchange for a puppet whose combat strength is far inferior to a True Person of the same realm—this is certainly a vastly uneconomical exchange, and it might not even be achievable.

More importantly, this was an act that fundamentally violated taboos. If revealed, it would be spurned by the world and face opposition from all sides.

Wang Changji said calmly, “For the Mountain Sea Realm to approach a true world, to transition from fantasy to reality, no puppets can exist. Beings that influence the operation of this world must possess their own thoughts and independent wills. Otherwise, the fake will forever remain fake, and fantasy will forever be stagnant. Thus, Candle Dragon cannot possibly be some puppet... And precisely because of this, the rebellion of Chaos occurred.”

Fang Heling was completely convinced. Yes, if Huang Weizhen’s will still existed here, how could Chaos stir up any waves?

Of course, even if Wang Changji had said nothing, he would have been convinced.

“I believe it is because...” Jiang Wang said. “To turn illusion into reality, there is another choice—the entire Mountain Sea Realm completely evolving into reality.”

Since the Mountain Sea Realm evolved from fantasy to its current state, infinitely close to reality, then when it fully evolves into reality, everything will naturally be different.

If the Mountain Sea Realm is a real world, then Candle Dragon is naturally a real Candle Dragon.

Furthermore, as a being that controls the order of this world, it would naturally perceive the truth of the world, and ascending to Dao Manifestation would be a simple matter.

Wang Changji nodded, expressing agreement.

Thus, everything had a reasonable explanation.

As beings with independent wills and free souls, and among the two most powerful existences in the Mountain Sea Realm, both Chaos and Candle Dragon desired to break the current boundaries and achieve Dao Manifestation.

But their choices differed.

Chaos sought to directly break the constraints of the Mountain Sea Realm, turning illusion into reality. This was undoubtedly a very risky choice, simultaneously shaking the foundation of the Mountain Sea Realm’s existence and eroding Candle Dragon’s roots.

And Candle Dragon, as the guardian of the Mountain Sea Realm’s order, only needed to wait for the day when the Mountain Sea Realm evolved into reality to naturally attain ‘true existence.’ Although it was unknown how long that day would still take, and although it had waited for at least nine hundred years for this, such a choice was undoubtedly the most secure. It was also undeniably on the opposing side of Chaos.

This was the reason for their battle.

It was a conflict regarding the Dao, forever impossible to reconcile.

“Then...” There was a slight tremor in Zuo Guangshu’s voice, not of fear, but of a difficult-to-describe... apprehension.

“What about Huang Weizhen?” he asked.

A world of fantasy, evolving into its current form.

Chaos and Candle Dragon within the fantasy world, both seeking to break through fantasy and pursue Dao Manifestation.

Then what about Huang Weizhen?

Huang Weizhen, who left behind all this?

The idol of so many Chu people.

The figure who left behind so many legends.

Huang Weizhen, known as the most romantic of the past three thousand years, what was his purpose in creating such a world?

Such a world far exceeded the significance of merely being a trial for the prodigies of Chu!

Wang Changji did not directly answer this question, but first asked, “What are the nine categories of the Phoenix?”

Zuo Guangshu replied, “Phoenix, Yuanchu, Luan, Yuezhuo, Honghu, Feique, Jiaxuan, Kongyuan, Lianhong.”

“Phoenix, Yuanchu, Luan, Yuezhuo, Honghu—these five categories of the Phoenix are known to us. There are countless documented accounts, and some have even witnessed them firsthand. But these four types of Phoenix: Feique, Jiaxuan, Kongyuan, and Lianhong—who in the present world has heard of them? Who has seen them? We all know the vastness of the present world, with its endless unknowns. We must constantly grow to expand our horizons and supplement our knowledge. But if there are nine categories of the Phoenix, why is it that in ancient and modern times, no one knows of them, and they only exist in the Mountain Sea Realm?”

Wang Changji spoke slowly, “They are different from existences like Kui Niu and Huodou, whose legends can be verified. The importance of the Nine Chapters of the Phoenix makes me think that these four types of Phoenix are entirely, completely, the creations of Huang Weizhen. Imagine, if they all evolved into reality, and the five categories of the Phoenix truly became nine. The legends of the Mountain Sea Realm replaced the legends of the present world. Then what is true, and what is false?”

“For the Mountain Sea Realm to evolve into reality, it requires not only effort from this world but also effort from the present world. Of course, I believe Huang Weizhen must have made arrangements long ago...”

“When the entire Mountain Sea Realm completely evolves into a real world, what do you think will happen?”

Jiang Wang and the others exchanged glances.

And Wang Changji, with a tone of admiration, provided the answer himself—

“Candle Dragon can, of course, attain Dao Manifestation. Everything within the Mountain Sea Realm will, of course, be truly real.”

“The mountains here are mountains, the seas are seas, the clouds and mist are clouds and mist. Those that should fly, fly; those that should swim, swim. All things rotate, and sentient beings continue generation after generation.”

“Then what about Huang Weizhen, who created all this?”

“He will return from fantasy... achieving the realm beyond True Sovereign!”

“This is the power of turning illusion into reality. This is the fundamental way Huang Weizhen surpassed the transcendent peak.”

“This is his supreme path!”

Wang Changji’s admiration was genuine, his respect heartfelt.

As someone who had long gambled with gods, with a perspective so lofty and vast, he rarely experienced such emotions.

Indeed, he had participated in the fishing of the Mountain Sea Realm, gaining a sliver of power that allowed him a glimpse of the truth. But the more he understood, the more he felt its grandeur.

One must delve into the vast ocean to witness the raging waves.

Using the turning of an entire Mountain Sea Realm from illusion into reality to propel himself beyond the peak—

This was a truly magnificent layout!

Jiang Wang was stunned.

Fang Heling was stunned.

Even Yue Tiannu was lost in thought for a moment.

“Huang Weizhen was dead back then,” Zuo Guangshu murmured. “So many people can prove it; he cannot possibly still be alive.”

“He was indeed dead back then, dying with cultivation at the very end of Dao Evolution.”

Wang Changji said, “But he has always been alive.”

“Over nine hundred years have passed. Has this world forgotten the name of Huang Weizhen? Has the long passage of time washed away his traces?

The most romantic of the past three thousand years, met by Zen Master Zhaowu who turned back upon sight... These legends are still being recounted.

The Hall of Doctrine he left behind will influence Great Chu for at least an era.

When did he ever perish?

As long as one person remembers him, he can still return.

From people’s memories, from people’s nostalgia, from that ethereal fantasy... he can return.

I too find such greatness difficult to comprehend.

But this is the possibility I glimpsed while fishing.

I believe, this is his power. This is his... Dao, for surpassing the peak.”

As long as someone remembers, he can still return?

Jiang Wang felt as though he were listening to a myth; it was too incredible, too unimaginable.

But doesn’t the journey of transcendent cultivators climbing step by step to higher realms involve turning imagination into reality, turning myths into history, turning the impossible into the possible?

“So Huang Weizhen’s death back then was actually just a scheme. It was precisely to escape by dying, to avoid the world’s gaze, in order to assault the realm beyond True Sovereign?” Zuo Guangshu asked.

Wang Changji looked at him and said, “The truth of how Huang Weizhen died back then is something I should be asking you. After all, the Zuo clan is a millennium-old family in Chu; I am merely a traveler who caught a glimpse of the passage of time within the Mountain Sea Realm.”

Passage of time, traveler.

Yue Tiannu inexplicably felt that these two terms possessed a particularly marvelous quality, just like the person Wang Changji.

“I don’t know,” Zuo Guangshu shook his head. “After leaving the Mountain Sea Realm, I will ask my grandfather.”

No matter how difficult the question, no matter how ancient the secret, how hidden the story... he only needed to ask his grandfather.

Fang Heling was very envious, but there was nothing in his eyes.

Wang Changji continued, “I am not clear about what happened back then; I do not know how Huang Weizhen died. Furthermore, my understanding of Huang Weizhen is entirely based on hearsay. It was only before entering the Mountain Sea Realm that I temporarily found a way to learn a little. My conjectures about him are merely deductions based on everything that has happened within the Mountain Sea Realm, merely capturing the truly existing information in this world...

But everything that has happened in this world, everything that is happening, and everything that is about to happen, are already so clear, laid out before my eyes. They are all proving my conjectures, telling me a certain answer. I think there can be no other explanation besides this.”

Jiang Wang thought to himself, was everything that happened in this world clear? Looking out, separated by mountains, by seas, by collapsing heavens and earth, hurricanes and lightning... exactly where was it clear?

But from the perspective of rules, the view was clearly different.

He had undoubtedly been convinced by Wang Changji and was attempting to understand Wang Changji’s thinking.

Zuo Guangshu then asked, “If the Mountain Sea Realm indeed holds Huang Weizhen’s path to transcendence. If on the day the Mountain Sea Realm evolves into reality, Huang Weizhen can successfully return from fantasy. Then why doesn’t he quietly evolve it behind closed doors? Why would he conduct trials for Great Chu’s prodigies? Why would he risk being discovered and interfered with?”

“Because it is not real enough,” Jiang Wang sighed and said. “The Mountain Sea Realm, this world of fantasy, is not sustained by Huang Weizhen alone. Over nine hundred years, it has been realized step by step through the countless imaginations and conjectures of people under heaven, through the records in the 《Classic of Mountains and Seas》, and through the trials of successive generations of Great Chu prodigies.”

Why is it that over the past nine hundred years, so many prodigies have entered the Mountain Sea Realm, yet what they have seen seems different, and no one can fully describe this world? Because it is constantly expanding, constantly enriching, constantly opening up.

The first group of people to enter the Mountain Sea Realm might have only encountered three or five floating mountains, or seven or eight seas, who knows...

And now, how many miles from south to north?

They even had to use the Path of Divine Descent to reach the Wailing South Abyss.

The Mountain Sea Realm was not built in a day; every fantasy has a trace to follow.

Yue Tiannu added, “Those who hold the Nine Chapter Jade Tablet, upon entering the Mountain Sea Realm, represent the ‘Heaven’s Will’ of this realm, undergoing various trials to gain rewards. Simultaneously, they bring with them the real, vibrant aura of the present world, supplementing the present world’s people’s fantasies about the Mountain Sea Realm. Has Young Master Zuo ever wondered why every person who dies in battle within the Mountain Sea Realm has three tenths of their soul origin stripped away?”

Zuo Guangshu was stunned.

Yue Tiannu continued, “Because the Mountain Sea Realm needs this real soul power, it needs these prodigies favored by the present world. It needs to use this power to make the Mountain Sea Realm more vibrant, closer to reality.”

“Furthermore, think about the limitations of entering the Mountain Sea Realm, think about the restrictions on cultivation. Huang Weizhen is actually not taking a risk. Because there are basically no beings with Outer Tower cultivation who can see through the essence of this world.”

She looked at Wang Changji again. “Except for this benefactor.”

Wang Changji remained silent.

“Is this... Huang Weizhen?” Zuo Guangshu said, and suddenly a smile appeared on his face.

He felt disappointed.

Deeply disappointed.

There was a sense of the collapse of his idol.

Huang Weizhen was the idol of countless people in Great Chu, including Zuo Guangshu himself.

The most romantic of the past three thousand years was a banner that had flown in Chu for a thousand years!

Even someone as arrogant as Xiang Bei said he regretted not being born nine hundred years earlier, so he could not meet Huang Weizhen.

But what was this person doing?

Under the guise of trials, in the name of cultivating talent for Great Chu, he was secretly harvesting the soul power of Great Chu’s prodigies to supplement the shortcomings of the Mountain Sea Realm and achieve his own path to transcendence!

Could such a person, even if powerful, be called great?

“Filling his own future with the future of Chu?” Zuo Guangshu’s question was filled with anger.

Even in this Mountain Sea Realm, he made no attempt to conceal it.

As a person of Chu, as a later admirer, he naturally had reason to be angry.

He even felt a sense of indignation at being deceived.

He had placed his hopes in such a glorious banner, but behind the banner fluttering in the wind, there was also shadow.

How could this not disappoint the young him?

Jiang Wang could very well understand Zuo Guangshu’s feelings at this moment.

But he simply said, “Guangshu, things are not calculated this way. Are you disappointed in Huang Weizhen, or in the Huang Weizhen you imagined?

What kind of person do you think Huang Weizhen should be? Must he always be selfless and dedicated to be worthy of his greatness? Must he burn himself out completely without taking any advantage to live up to his reputation?

Must he make no mistakes, have no flaws, must he be perfect in every way before he can judge the wicked and serve as an example?

If you can calm down and re-examine the Mountain Sea Realm.

You will find that this is actually a very fair transaction.

I am experiencing the entire Mountain Sea Realm trial journey with you.

The three tenths of soul origin that are stripped away are real, but the rewards that can be taken from the trial are also real. He did indeed leave his inheritance in this world, and the trials of the Mountain Sea Realm are indeed very effective.

Looking back at previous Mountain Sea Realm trials, the gains have always been greater than the losses. Otherwise, not so many people would flock to it each time it opens. Otherwise, you would not have invited me, right?

Huang Weizhen is not maliciously plotting to harvest anyone; he established fair rules and spares no effort to maintain fairness.

You say he ‘fills his own future with the future of Chu,’ I think this evaluation is not fair.

What I see is precisely that the Mountain Sea Realm, after nine hundred years of evolution, is still helping Chu cultivate talent.

To be able to use the arrangements made over nine hundred years ago to allow both the participants of the Mountain Sea Realm and himself to benefit, achieving a multi-party win-win outcome, I believe this is precisely where Huang Weizhen is remarkable.”

Zuo Guangshu fell silent for a moment.

Wang Changji also said, “Indeed. The rewards given by the Mountain Sea Realm are absolutely real. The reason I could turn into a real Kui Niu is precisely by borrowing this rule of the Mountain Sea Realm. In fact, this consumes a great deal of world power, significantly slowing down the process of the Mountain Sea Realm evolving into reality.”

Jiang Wang looked at the handsome young man and said again, “I do not deny that there are selfless individuals, but we should not demand that everyone be like that.

What is a normal world like?

Scholars desire fame and fortune, farmers desire abundant harvests, craftsmen desire precious artifacts, merchants desire wealth... cultivators desire to ascend to the peak, to surpass the realm beyond the peak!

It is precisely because everyone living in the world has their own desires, has their own pursuits, that this world can continue to develop forward.

You have your pursuits, I have mine. As long as no innocents are harmed and no others are damaged, what is the problem?

The rules set by Huang Weizhen are fair, so he should not be blamed for this.

In fact, even I, a foreigner, know of Huang Weizhen. Just based on the Hall of Doctrine, he is great enough, isn’t he? Making Chu’s arts and techniques the best in the world—what a magnificent contribution. You must know more about his achievements than I do. Why are you being so demanding of him?”

Zuo Guangshu lowered his head slightly, feeling somewhat lost and confused. “I don’t know...”

“Because the Huang Weizhen you remember is the Huang Weizhen you imagined. The Huang Weizhen you worship is the Huang Weizhen sculpted into a divine statue, not the real Huang Weizhen.

What reality teaches us is that your imagination can never perfectly align with reality.

It is never accurate; there is always a discrepancy.

Where is there a perfect, flawless existence?

Using the mold of the person you imagined to fit anyone or anything in this world will always only result in disappointment.”

Jiang Wang reached out and patted his shoulder. “Guangshu, if one day, you only remember the me you imagined, only want to remember the me in your imagination. Then I too will disappoint you.”

He thought to himself for some inexplicable reason.

Although he had, on this journey, asked himself whether he had been true to his heart. He had never bullied the innocent, never harmed common people, always within the reach of his sword, upholding his beliefs.

Traveling far across the vast sea to save a friend, fighting desperately in the illusionary realm, suffering a hundred wounds.

Attempting to kill Wang Yiwu for Chong Xuan Sheng, directly facing Jiang Mengxiong.

To give an explanation to Lin Youxie, to Yang Jing, to the deceased Count Uriel and Gongsun Yu, walking on the edge of a knife, abandoning the readily available power and high office, the emperor’s favor... and questioning the abyss.

Only with severed ears and broken limbs can one leave one’s name in history.

The Five Palaces Sea was pierced, only because he refused to fall into demonhood.

One day, when people speak of me.

Perhaps it will only be as a coward who bullied the weak and feared the strong, a glib hypocrite.

Because if the Qi Emperor were to slay the innocent, I would not necessarily dare to speak out every time.

Because in this life of mine, it is impossible to be without a single mistake.

Even if I shorten my lifespan until my hair turns white, only then can I save my sister, begging everywhere, unable to find a single helper. Disheartened, I then left my homeland. Perhaps some will curse me as a coward who abandoned his hometown and fled in the face of battle.

Who can know your full appearance? Who can refrain from making arbitrary judgments?

Even Huang Weizhen is like this, and Guangshu is such a good person... How can I, Jiang Wang, be an exception?

Then, has the persistence throughout this time truly been meaningful?

Living in this world, what path does one walk? For what reason does one walk it?

Jiang Wang fell silent.

Then he saw...

He saw Zuo Guangshu’s beautiful eyes, shining brightly as he looked at him. “Brother is right. It is not that Huang Weizhen is not great. It is that I sculpted the statue in my heart too perfectly. I am not disappointed in Huang Weizhen, only in the Huang Weizhen I imagined. I sincerely feel my own shallowness and hope to look at this world more cautiously in the future.”

“However, Brother...”

“Being disappointed in you is not a terrible thing.”

“I have been disappointed many times...”

The young man began counting on his fingers, listing them one by one: “You said you would sweep through the Mountain Sea Realm with me, and then we were constantly swept through.”

“You said we would go to the Wailing South Abyss to find the truth of the world, and then we were led around in circles by Chaos...”

“So!”

Zuo Guangshu clapped his hands together, clasped them, and made a gesture of request. “Please don’t add any more burdens to yourself, don’t bear too much responsibility yourself, don’t be afraid of disappointing people... You have your own life, your own unique happiness! Make the choices that make you feel at ease, do what you think is right, please!”