Chapter 1323

"Ask: What will the result be? The answer might be surprisingly simple."

ancient scholar, black hole.

neurons are not a name; star god is possibly generic, not a name.

"…This is an anecdote from the distant past, unknown to anyone, not even heard of by the various geniuses. So please allow me to temporarily set aside the story of that scepter. Returning to the original topic, what exactly is the so-called 'first cause of life'?"

"Actually, you are extremely familiar with that answer. It has been by your side, accompanying you through this long journey. Now, it lies ahead, waiting for you…"

"After the end of creation, in the beautiful new world."

— (dash) not.

Original God.

Inside Sumeru's Akademiya, almost all the students stopped what they were doing and began to ponder the question of the 'first cause of life'.

"…Destruction. Could this be the answer that Laigushi arrived at through constantly solving with his scepter?"

Kole scratched her head; although she didn't like this answer, frankly she couldn't quickly come up with another.

"If we take 'destruction' as the first cause, it does indeed fit a certain logic." A childish voice came from the direction of the Wisdom Palace. Nahida stepped forward, walking slowly, "Kole, do you like this answer?"

Kole shook her head helplessly: "Lady Dendro Archon, I don't like it……"

"In the rainforest, fallen dead wood turns into soil, nourishing new seeds. Destruction is part of the cycle, the end of old things. But if destruction is the first cause, then the birth of life merely means marching toward its destined demise. That is too desperate."

"Hmm… given that, I actually think the first cause of life should be 'beauty.'" After much thought, Cavi gave his answer: "From the moment of birth, humanity has never ceased pursuing beauty, and art arises precisely from this pursuit."

"Your answer fits my stereotype of you perfectly; if you could also shout 'Pure Beauty Goddess Idrira, unmatched in beauty,' it would be even more fitting." Alhaitham said expressionlessly.

"Hey! Alhaitham, what do you mean by that?" Cavi glared at Alhaitham fiercely: "If you've got the guts, come up with an answer other than 'destruction'; if you can't, just shut up."

"Sorry, I happen to have an answer." Alhaitham slowly closed the book in his hands: "In my view, the 'first cause of life' is 'understanding.'"

"Huh? Understanding? You call that an answer?" Cavi crossed his arms and snorted in dissatisfaction.

"Of course."

Alhaitham remained in that bland tone that made Cavi's blood pressure spike, as if his question wasn't worth refuting in his eyes.

"Then tell me—what is the most fundamental difference between a rock and a cell?"

"Nonsense, a cell is alive, a rock is dead." Cavi answered without hesitation.

"What is the concrete definition of being alive?"

"Um… being able to metabolize, to self-replicate? Or to respond to external stimuli?" When discussing the vitalist school, Cavi's answer obviously stumbled.

"What then is the difference between a primitive cell with self-replication ability and you and me?"

"The difference lies in……"

Cavi opened his mouth, suddenly realizing this question wasn't as easy to answer as he imagined. A primitive lifeform and a human certainly differ greatly, but if he really had to state the most crucial, essential dividing line…… he lowered his head, his brain beginning to race.

"Life is not merely about being alive; life will ask itself why it lives." Cavi thought and said.

"Good." Alhaitham finally lifted his head, "You've already given the answer yourself. If the first cause of life is traced merely to the first self-replicating organic molecule, that only answers 'how life began,' not 'why life is life.' A rock doesn't ask why it is a rock. But life does."

"In my view, life is using the most primitive means to 'understand' its environment—seeking benefit and avoiding harm is a form of understanding, evolution is a form of understanding, building civilization, writing history, standing here arguing with someone you dislike—all are different levels of understanding. Understanding is life's most primal impulse, and also its 'first cause.'"

——

"Act One: Departure."

""Carry this wish forward… become the one who opens all things…… as the Shenpai shows: 'You shall bear the proud sun, until the ashen dawn becomes evident'……""

""Walk on… bear this world… until… the ashen hero… the nameless savior… brings the dawn……""

""Bai'e lying on the grass slowly opened his eyes, rubbing his sleepy gaze: 'What a strange dream…… I feel… this isn't the first time I've had such a dream. But after waking, I can't recall anything. I only remember a voice… who exactly is calling…?'"

""Wake up——""

"Xing came to Bai'e's side, lowering his head to look at him."

""…Eh?" Bai'e blinked, then quickly reacted: "Oh, it's you, my good partner… sorry, I fell asleep by accident. I seem to have had a weird dream. I can't remember it, never mind for now. The sunshine is perfect! The day has just begun.""

""Bai'e slowly rose from the grass, brushing off the grass seeds stuck to his pants: 'Come on, partner, let's go find Xilian. We agreed yesterday to accompany her to view the Shenpai again. Judging by the time, it's about time……'"

""Seeing Xing looking somewhat lost, Bai'e gave a light laugh: 'You look like you haven't fully woken up. How about this: you go blow some wind to clear your head, and I'll wait here for you.'"

"After Bai'e walked away, Xing looked around; before him lay a harmonious, tranquil village, with adults laboring and children playing everywhere."

"There are none of Aohema's intricate, beautiful buildings here, nor nobles dressed in silk finery. As far as the eye can see, only endless wheat fields undulating like golden waves."

""Where is this…?""

""Laigushi's figure suddenly appeared behind Xing's back: 'How do you find it? The scenery you see is precisely the homeland of the nameless hero who bears the KefaLe flame: Aolixie.'"

""When he was still a tender youth, this boy's heart gave rise to a string of heroic fantasies: at times he imagined the wooden sword in his hand as a heavy iron blade…… at times he imagined the straw man propped up by a stick as the legendary giant whose a single vein runs from spine to heel……"

""At times he imagined himself defeating the giant, becoming the hero who guards the world——of course, for that young him, 'the world' was merely this little village."""