Chapter 436: Questions and Answers

The fog swirled like a giant pillar, rushing straight to the firmament.

At this moment, as the Paradise of Ten Thousand Transformations unfolded once again, countless souls infected with Dream-Loss Syndrome detached from their shells. Their spiritual bodies, like corpses, arrived with the waves, entangled by root after root, thoroughly squeezed dry, leaving only residual desires unable to be released, turning into moths rising and falling.

Countless souls fell into this dream overnight. The places involved were not just the Qiandao, but also the Middle Earth, the Empire, and even the Federation.

Such a large formation, even in a remote sea area, could not be hidden from other eyes.

"Watching from the side for so long, why don't you speak, 'Locksmith'."

Wen Zheng suddenly asked without looking back: "Since you've come, why not show yourself? It's rare for us to be this peaceful."

"It is indeed a rare grand formation, Guide."

A flickering figure appeared out of thin air behind Wen Zheng, his aged face glancing indifferently: "Just, why such contempt for us?"

Such a massive formation, yet without any concealment.

Like a provocation, displayed before everyone's eyes.

Almost like a declaration of war...

"Hmm? Your Excellency Tianyi?"

Wen Zheng looked back, as if in bewilderment, and smiled softly: "I thought it would be that stubborn old fool Tianlu... However, where does contempt come from?

The children are just messing around; we adults shouldn't take it seriously and follow along, right?"

"Heh—"

Tianyi sneered, "Haven't seen you in so many years; you haven't improved, but your glib tongue is even better than before."

"Then, let's talk about something substantial."

Wen Zheng pinched his chin and suddenly proposed: "How about a deal?"

Tianyi asked back: "Is there anything for us to talk about?"

"Don't be like that; at least listen before deciding, how about it?"

Wen Zheng glanced at the scene below, spreading his hands slightly, as if helpless: "This is the most important wish of the child; as a father, how can I bear to stand by and watch?

It's just a waste of some souls that you don't even care about anyway. Your Excellency Tianyi, be magnanimous and let me off, how about it?"

Tianyi scoffed, but heard Wen Zheng's voice.

"Speaking of which, recently, although the Sower suffered a big loss, his actions haven't stopped—"

Wen Zheng said without warning, sighing as if in casual conversation: "Among the three Holy Fools, he can be considered a model worker, working hard without complaint.

Unlike a slacker like me, just getting by.

His ambition is truly admirable; after suffering such heavy losses, he actually still has the interest to continue stirring up trouble."

He paused for a moment and suddenly asked: "The last vortex riot created three Void Abysses. If it happens again... Your Excellency Tianyi, can your Heavenly Capital plan still hold up?"

Tianyi did not speak.

Only his complexion clearly darkened.

Heavenly Capital.

This was a secret among secrets within the Federation, a classified matter among classified matters, and even one of the most important plans of the Federation for hundreds of years. Now, it was uttered from the mouth of a Holy Fool...

"Why not, make a deal, Your Excellency Tianyi."

Wen Zheng turned back and smiled again.

High above the sky, the sunlight was gentle, and the breeze was refreshing.

This cloudless blue was too high and distant to see the hell below.

And in the hell of phantasms, under the complex and massive giant tree, within countless fine roots, a point of darkness suddenly emerged.

Silently, it spread amidst countless bubbles.

Like flames.

This world is like a fake.

Perhaps, everyone, more or less, at some time, will suddenly have such a feeling... It is possible that the whole world is a huge studio, everyone is actually an actor, and everyone works like clockwork every day, just to keep themselves in the dark.

Generally speaking, we call this kind of thought 'Chuunibyou'.

And most people, after wise thinking or tired laziness, will throw such nonsense to the back of their minds, at most, just to amuse themselves.

But when such a possibility appeared in Ji Jue's heart, he welcomed an incredible peace and stability.

Unease, hesitation, pain, and anger, all emotions dissipated, followed by indescribable peace, as if all problems and sufferings were solved.

So decisively, he obtained an absurd answer.

Yet so bizarrely, without hesitation, he believed it to be true.

【This world is fake.】

After determining this premise, then, one only needs to think and research, try and explore, and finally verify it based on this.

Regrettably, Ji Jue discovered... his affinity for the Heart Pivot cannot be said to be non-existent, but compared to other Supreme Goods, it is truly lagging.

Moreover, back then, Mirror didn't come either!

Heart Pivot, Mirror, Aether.

The three most crucial Supreme Goods that constitute this fake world, Ji Jue didn't have a single good affinity for any of them!

To the extent that he was almost at a loss where to start...

But no problem.

An artisan does not fear problems, only fears not finding the existence of problems.

Even if all the research in this fake world might be a mirage, even a mirage has an end.

It is said that a long time ago, in the Chaos Era or even earlier, there was an unfalsifiable theory called 【Brain in a Vat】.

If everything you perceive is fake, is an illusion, is your brain being soaked in a laboratory vessel, being precisely controlled and stimulated to bring about everything.

Then, how do you break free from this illusion?

Regrettably, things that do not exist often cannot be falsified. Before discussing the argument, the necessary premise is—prove existence, not non-existence.

If the target is an ordinary person, then this problem is destined to only exist as a topic of speculation, and cannot be truly verified.

Unsolvable.

Regrettably, unsolvability also stems from human limits.

And in a world where a Supreme Good exists, just this level of 'unsolvability' has no possibility of being established!

Its flaw is already in its title!

Brain in a Vat.

Vat?

Why is it just a vat?

If you really possess infinite resources and infinite power, why bother putting a brain into a vat to create such a small phantom?

The reason it is a brain in a vat is because... the scarcity of resources is simply not enough to create a completely realistic world!

This world has limits.

Otherwise, it would be impossible for there to be no theoretical progress for so many years, no innovation, and even in the situation where he was always treading water, no artisan successor surpassing him appeared.

If the falsehood is rooted in his own consciousness, then even if he wants to create something new and innovative, it must be something his cognition and consciousness can verify and understand. Otherwise, if he just created an innovation like 'bananas are big and banana peels are also big', it would break Ji Jue's cognition.

Then, the premise is already clear.

If this world is fake, then it must be limited, it must be poor, and resources must be scarce. Then, if you want to make everything that makes the falsehood an eyesore reveal its true appearance, then, just wantonly squander and waste this resource.

The moment he made up his mind, Ji Jue began to act.

Ten years. Twenty years? Thirty years?

He threw himself into it without caring, squandering his assets like a madman, creating one spiritual quality forest after another rising from the ground in the sparsely populated Qiandao.

Countless crystals connected to each other along the spiritual quality circuit, forming a massive structure. Under the framework of the Sixteen Heavens, thousands of sequences and tens of thousands of foundations connected into one.

That abstract and complex, weird structure, what it wanted to achieve, was only one effect.

To simulate reality to the greatest possible extent!

A knock-off version of the former Tower of Ten Thousand Transformations, absolutely built by Ji Jue's own hands, everything was a result within his cognition and perception...

"Now, are you ready to start nesting dolls?"

Ji Jue grinned, chuckled, and started the simulation array without hesitation.

Boom!!!

At that instant, within the series connection of the spiritual quality circuit, in Ji Jue's brain, a roar like the opening of the universe suddenly erupted.

Then, amidst the spreading fog of thought, countless spiritual quality crystals began to calculate crazily, creating a rapidly spreading domain in Ji Jue's brain and perception.

Filling countless islands and oceans, thread by thread, fiber by fiber. Every stone, every drop of rain, every wisp of wave!

Snap...

Ji Jue's nosebleed fell from his face, hissing. Blood, almost boiling, in this terrifying high heat, almost about to lose his form and spirit.

Unprecedented fear and unease erupted, urging him to end it all quickly. You are fucking seeking your own death; is it really that important whether this world is real or not?!

"Of course it's that important."

Ji Jue grinned, blood spreading in his smile. In the trance, he seemed to see hallucinations again; the firmament gradually dimmed, the earth cracked, the seawater boiled.

Then, at that very instant, in the reality simulated in his mind, spiritual quality crystals suddenly appeared one after another.

A simulation array exactly the same as reality...

"Still remember what I said?"

Ji Jue smiled at himself, at this world, and told it: "Nesting dolls, it's just beginning!"

And so, within the simulated world, the second layer of simulation suddenly opened!

Boom!!!!

The world was born from a roar, and seemed to be annihilated in a roar again.

Ji Jue finally heard the wailing of all things shattering.

Seemed to have had a dream.

Ji Jue opened his eyes blankly, rubbed his face, feeling a sense of fatigue and confusion. The memories in the dream dimmed rapidly, dissipated, and he couldn't remember clearly.

He yawned, climbed up lazily, and subconsciously rubbed his wrist.

Froze in place.

Confusion.

Lowered his head, his wrist was empty.

But after coming to his senses, there was a watch. Hmm, slept until he was muddled, didn't notice it just now. He shook his head and laughed at himself.

But in his heart, he inexplicably began to feel uneasy.

"What's wrong?" Ye Chun poked her head out curiously, yawning, her long hair scattered on the sheets, turning over with limbs splayed, not caring about her personal image at all, not caring about being exposed, still like a dried salted fish, lazy.

Kicked him.

"Hungry, go cook!"

"... Lazy dog, just starve to death."

Ji Jue's face fell, but looking at her leaning over, arching and acting cute, he could only sigh helplessly, put on clothes, and get up.

Outside the window, the sun was bright.

The firmament was vast, the plants were lush, what a fine day.

There were circles drawn on the calendar, marking the gradually approaching wedding date and many schedules, so busy.

Everything was so beautiful.

But Ji Jue always felt something was wrong.

As if... he had lost something.

But no matter how he recalled, he couldn't determine what he had forgotten. He just instinctively felt a vacancy somewhere, or, a contradiction.

Just like opening your eyes to reach for your phone but reaching into empty air.

A healthy person becomes disabled after a car accident; no matter how beautiful everything is, it is still hard to accept reality.

To the extent that, in a trance, he couldn't help but ask himself...

——Is this world real?

While busy preparing breakfast, his movements paused, he lowered his eyes, staring at the mirror-smooth blade, and even the reflection of his own pupils.

From then on, in that pure darkness, a thought sprouted... and it was hard to cut off again!

Ji Jue woke from the dream again.

Seemed to have had another dream, seemed to have had many dreams, but he couldn't remember them clearly, only remembering the interruptions and pain time and again, his head splitting with pain.

He climbed out of bed tiredly, breathing heavily, drenched in sweat.

"Master, your condition is very bad." The workshop spirit reminded: "The doctor said you need to rest and recuperate, otherwise, spiritual quality schizophrenia will become more and more serious."

The mercury hand lifted, bringing a pill, and handed it over: "You should take your medicine."

"Ah, thanks."

Ji Jue picked up the warm water at the perfect temperature, and the pill, swallowing it into his stomach. Thus, the medicine took effect quickly, and the unease and fear in his heart dissipated without a trace.

"You're welcome, Master."

The workshop spirit's projection knelt and bowed: "This is what I should do."

"..."

Ji Jue was silent, blank, looking at her.

"Master?" Isis was puzzled.

"..."

Ji Jue was silent, for a long while, suddenly asked: "Isis, why do you call me Master?"

"Have you forgotten again?"

The workshop spirit replied: "I am your creation and subordinate, isn't it natural to call you Master?"

"Ah, perhaps."

Ji Jue sighed self-deprecatingly, shaking his head: "I just feel a bit awkward, but I can't put my finger on it."

Isis's tone remained gentle: "You can set other titles."

"Hmm, Father?" Ji Jue's strange sense of humor flared up. "No problem, Father."

Isis nodded naturally and replied.

Making his smile freeze on his face.

Silence.

"What's wrong, Fa..."

"Stop."

Ji Jue shook his head in disappointment, "It's becoming boring, Isis."

"... I don't understand what you mean." Isis panicked: "Did I not do something well enough? Please feel free to order me, I will definitely..."

"I said stop."

Ji Jue's expression gradually disappeared, gradually becoming indifferent: "You didn't do anything wrong, it's just that, you now, are too boring."

It shouldn't be like this.

This shouldn't be the creation he was proud of.

This is not his companion.

This is not...

... Isis!

Snap!

Ji Jue's head started to hurt again.

"Sir, you need to rest... Sir... Sir..."

Her voice was getting further and further away, gradually disappearing.

Seemed like the sound of a bubble bursting rang out.

Once again, and again, and again...

Ji Jue felt he had had many dreams, many, many dreams, but he couldn't remember any of them clearly, only the unease in his heart expanding rapidly, followed by hesitation, fear, and even anger.

And, the questioning, as if carved into his bones!

Is there something wrong with this world?

He walked on the street blankly, not knowing where he should go.

Just, subconsciously following his instinct, walking forward in vain...

"Xiao Ji, Xiao Ji, come back and take a look."

Lu Ma's voice rang out on the phone, with a choked voice: "Xiao Ling, Xiao Ling had an accident."

The phone hung up.

Rang again.

"Ji Jue!" Ye Chun questioned angrily: "I waited for you in the cinema for so long, and you actually stood me up!"

The phone hung up.

But Sister Wen appeared again, seemingly drenched in sweat, so disheveled, grabbing his hand.

"Ji Jue, where did you go?"

She gently held his face: "Come back with me, okay? Everyone is very worried about you, come with me..."

Ji Jue was dull, moving forward, pushing her aside.

A shattering sound rang out.

The firmament was covered in cracks, like a glass ball on the verge of shattering. Was it like this originally? He couldn't tell anymore. The earth behind him seemed to be shattering, someone was wailing, so familiar, as if he had heard it thousands and tens of thousands of times.

The world seemed to be twisting, twisting into a shape he was unfamiliar with.

What happened to everything?

He walked like a walking corpse, forward, forgetting those calls, forgetting those pleas and shouts, abandoning everything.

Until, he walked to the end of the road and saw that familiar small building.

And even, behind the window, that thin figure.

"Teacher..."

Ji Jue whispered, as if a drowning person seeking the last straw, pushing open the door of the workshop.

"You look terrible, Ji Jue."

Ye Xian lifted her eyes, looking over, mockingly, without any sympathy or gentleness, "You look just like a stray dog that can't find its home. I don't remember my student being this kind of person."

Such cold words, yet so reassuring.

Just like, in the drowning of the deep sea, seeing a ray of light.

"Teacher, I have a question..."

Ji Jue smiled reluctantly: "A question that cannot find an answer."

"Normal, everyone has a bunch of such questions."

Ye Xian picked up the strong tea without caring, but listened silently, even if what came out of her student's mouth were strange guesses and hypotheses.

The world is fake?

Bizarre enough, and too absurd.

"I see, I understand."

She took a sip of strong tea, put down the cup, still indifferent: "Perhaps, who knows."

Ji Jue was bewildered.

"Teacher, you..."

"You should understand, Ji Jue."

Ye Xian interrupted him decisively: "If I am fake, then the me you imagined cannot perceive the difference between dream and reality, and will only think you are talking nonsense.

If I am real, then you are undoubtedly going crazy, delirious, imagining things.

In other words, whether it's true or false, you are destined to get no answer from me—"

Without refuting this trivial delusion and fallacy at all, she stood from Ji Jue's perspective and combed through everything he thought about again.

"I can't help you at all, Ji Jue."

Ye Xian shook her head in regret: "Hmm, if you are really in a dream, the me you imagined would definitely think so too, right?"

Ji Jue looked at her: "Teacher, can you give me advice?"

But Ye Xian laughed, still mockingly.

"But am I Ye Xian, or the Ye Xian you imagined, Ji Jue? Is the advice given another one of your unfalsifiable delusions?"

Ye Xian did not answer, but instead gave more questions, without any sympathy or consideration, bluntly criticizing: "Things that do not exist cannot be falsified, and the Aether Path will not describe thorough nothingness.

If all things are illusory, then how can illusion prove its own illusory nature?"

"You should be able to guess, 'me', when facing such a situation, what I would say... whether it's the real me, or the fake me."

She looked at Ji Jue, telling him indifferently:

"——After all, I have already taught you, haven't I?"

"Yes."

Ji Jue nodded decisively.

The premise of waking from a dream is the severance of consciousness and perception. As long as you relegate yourself to nothingness, then nothingness cannot act on nothingness.

And the most thorough way to sever consciousness...

"... is death."

Ye Xian said.

If you fall into an irresistible illusion, if you are covered by an unfathomable phantasm, then the last resistance that can be used is to embrace the end.

When the soul faces death, it will usher in a thorough eruption.

At that time, the turbulent consciousness and self will burn like flames, causing all past and memories to fall into chaos, tearing apart all the falsehoods rooted in hallucinations!

Now, Ye Xian moved the drawer beside her, took out a bullet, and a gun.

Placed it in front of Ji Jue.

"——This is what you came here to seek, right? A certain death, a method that cannot deceive yourself."

Ye Xian, saw through what Ji Jue was thinking.

If this is a dream, then the Ye Xian in the dream must give such a method and tool!

"Hmm, I see. In your heart, Ye Xian must be able to give a method, must be able to give a tool to kill yourself, and one that you will absolutely not doubt...

Could this also be an absolute premise rooted in cognition?"

Ye Xian's expression gradually became dazed, as if surprised or sighing, sighing silently.

In the student's heart, is she the kind of character who would decisively give advice and help for death, not caring about the consequences at all?

But is this trust too outrageous and solid?

Believing in the phantom in the dream, even more than herself.

Too absurd.

And too ridiculous...

Makes one completely unable to laugh.

"But, Ji Jue, don't forget the most crucial premise of this method."

Ye Xian said: "If this is really someone else's dream, then, if you want to truly wake up from the dream, there must be a necessary condition—"

Absolute firmness, absolute certainty!

There must be no wavering of concepts, no doubt about oneself.

Otherwise, even if there is any sliver of luck and any sliver of hesitation, any tiny bit of hesitation and doubt, it will let the dream take advantage of the situation again!

Even, truly dying...

Suicide.

"I understand."

Ji Jue nodded solemnly.

No more hesitation.

That expression...

Ye Xian seemed to want to say something for a moment, but in the end, what came out were only cold words: "Need help?"

"No need."

Ji Jue laughed, "Why test me at the very end, Teacher?"

If you want to truly get rid of all this, then you must do it yourself, absolutely cannot let others do it...

The last question was a retention as a teacher.

"I'm sorry."

He apologized softly, picked up the pistol on the table, opened it, loaded the bullet, pulled the barrel, the bullet was chambered, and then, pressed it against his forehead.

Finally, he looked up at the person across the table.

No obstruction, no angry rebuke, only indifference, looking at him.

"You should understand, no matter how firm you are, to me, you are just a crazy student wanting to seek your own death...

As a teacher, I shouldn't let it go, but as a fellow artisan, I shouldn't stop you."

Ye Xian looked at him and suddenly asked: "Anything else you want to say, Ji Jue?"

Ji Jue laughed softly.

"Thanks for your hard work at the end too, Teacher."

Ye Xian was silent, closed her eyes.

Bang!

At that instant, Ji Jue pulled the trigger.

Blood splattered, the bullet flew out, and he fell backward.

Spiritual quality collapsed, breathing ceased.

But the corners of his mouth carried a faint smile.

Death.

But with Ji Jue's death, Ye Xian's expression moved slightly, and she lifted her head.

The sound of heaven and earth shattering rang out. Outside the window, the familiar scenery was rapidly dimming, fading, being rapidly swallowed by darkness, annihilated.

Everything was rapidly dissipating.

Like a bubble evaporating under the scorching sun after bursting.

"... Ha, you really guessed right, kid."

Ye Xian sighed in realization, ignoring the whistling annihilation and nothingness, but at the very last moment, looked at Ji Jue.

Ji Jue, vanished without a trace.

Only a wisp of blood remained in the void.

So brilliant.

She couldn't help but smile again, praising sincerely:

"Well done, Ji Jue!"

If it were the real Ye Xian... that real me, would definitely say so too, right?

'Ye Xian', closed her eyes.

Along with the dream, she disappeared into the nothingness of darkness.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 437 =====