Chapter 388: Hidden Knowledge (6000+)

"Unless one is an 'Immortal', one cannot live past a thousand years; based on my shallow understanding, that is the case for now... The Green Forest Earl has lived for over a thousand years, so it is unlikely that you are him."

The enormous, transparent human face replied: "So... you could also be some sort of front, or perhaps a clone or even a vessel for that Green Forest Earl... But these things are not important. What is important is that since you can represent that existence, you are qualified to have an equal dialogue with me."

Aaron was silent for a moment, then frankly said: "Indeed... I have felt your goodwill. However, before we converse, shouldn't you introduce yourself?"

"Yes, please forgive my previous rudeness."

The giant face replied in the ancient, vast, native language of the Spirit World: "I am an ancient survivor from after the destruction of this world's civilization, the founder of the Studies of History Society, the guardian of the Secret History... You may call me—Motula!"

'Oh my... another prehistoric human? Brother, you've had it worse than Lin and the others!'

Aaron complained inwardly, while a look of mixed shock and confusion appeared on his face: "Prehistoric civilization? Does civilization still exist in the Spirit World?"

"I wish... to ascend and become what you call—a Hidden Existence!" A hint of a smile seemed to be on Motula's face.

Aaron's expression remained unchanged: "So that's how it is... Is our world perhaps experiencing everything you once did?"

"Very well, consider it my prepaid reward..." Motula slowly asked a question: "What do you think... is the difference between a Hidden Existence and a God of the Ages?"

He was a Spirit World Creature of the Ninth Primordial Quality, only one step away from a true Hidden Existence!

"Even... are the Gods of the Ages only the Tenth Primordial Quality?" He did not hide his surprise: "But whether in terms of proselytizing or Influence, they far exceed Hidden Existences; they are simply not on the same order of magnitude."

"Once someone who has not been 'branded' becomes a Hidden Existence, can they immediately become a God of the Ages as soon as a seat for one becomes vacant? Because you are essentially no different!" Aaron spoke the content the other had not voiced.

"After the Gods of the Ages formed an alliance, will 'Immortals' be restricted?" Hearing the implication in Motula's words, Aaron's heart skipped a beat.

'If you want to ascend, just ascend, why drag me into it? Are you short on materials?'

"The big guy and I both ascended to become Immortals during the chaotic era; at that time, the 'Gate' was still free. But ever since the Gods of the Ages took control of the 'Gate of Longevity', no other living being can attain Changsheng without the permission and witness of a God of the Ages. And to obtain the permission of a God of the Ages, one must offer them faith, soul, flesh and blood, or even your everything... Once you become a 'God Servant', even if you ascend to become a Hidden Existence, you cannot resist any will of the God of the Ages you serve. Remember, any! But someone like me who has no affiliation, once I become a Hidden Existence... hehe..."

It might even mean standing in opposition to all the Gods of the Ages.

"What do you want to obtain?" Aaron asked directly.

"Of course, otherwise how do you think those technological ruins came to be? But the apocalypse descended, the Spirit Tide Revival occurred... the humans who could not adapt were all wiped out," Motula replied in a weary tone.

"Yes, after completing the ten stages of the Mysterious Realm, pure power is actually not important; what is important is the symbol!" Motula revealed the highest level of Mysterious knowledge: "By uniting, the Gods of the Ages each occupied a month of the Time Sequence as a symbol. In this regard, they far exceed other Hidden Existences. They even, after uniting, jointly control the 'Gate of Longevity'! Only those who obtain their permission can attain 'Changsheng'!"

"The answer is... there is no difference! Regardless of essence, power, or status... there is not the slightest bit of difference!"

Motula gave the answer: "A Hidden Existence is the tenth stage of the Mysterious Realm, and also the ultimate... According to the teachings of the Kabbalah School in your Mortal World, once all Ten Primordial Qualities are opened, a mortal will ascend to become a Hidden Existence!"

Motula seemed to have guessed what Aaron wanted to ask: "That False God of Suffering, did He not obtain the permission of the Gods of the Ages?"

Motula glanced gently at the Gumon giant beneath Aaron's feet.

"I cannot see how the future will develop..." Motula's tone became grave: "I showed goodwill earlier because I wanted to form an alliance with the existence behind you... I saw in history the scene where He severed the Changsheng of that 'False God of Suffering'. I know the power of that kind of Fate-altering force..."

Aaron was startled, recalling that the other party had indeed received permission from 'Dawn' and the 'Fallen Corona' to strike at the Gate of Longevity.

Motula did not hide it; perhaps in his view, the 'Spirit of Falsehood' was also more or less an enemy to all the Gods of the Ages, making the relationship simple and him the best candidate for an ally.

'Also... having experienced the 'Sun Fall' and gained benefits from it... plus having a bit of luck... as long as those survivors could pass through the 'Gate of Longevity', it is quite possible they could live until now. If he knew I was the mastermind behind the end of the world, would he kill me on the spot?'

Motula's giant face looked at Aaron, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly: "I am now certain... you are truly not Him, nor is he... otherwise you would not even know the knowledge of the Gate of Longevity."

'I just don't know, because I've never ascended!'

A look of excitement appeared on Aaron's face: "Please, Mr. Motula, teach me!"

"Yes, I do not want to become an existence like those 'God Servants'... I was lucky; I passed through the 'Gate of Longevity' during the chaotic war of the many Gods of the Ages, so I did not have to serve any one God of the Ages. Precisely because of this, I have been resisted and viewed with hostility by many Gods of the Ages, and I am a mortal enemy to the one at the source of 'Mystery'!"

Aaron rolled his eyes inwardly, but quickly thought of a reasonable explanation: "You... lack the support of a God of the Ages?"

"Do not use the shallow understanding of mortals to comprehend the Gods of the Ages... The 12 Gods of the Ages joined forces; even an intangible concept can be twisted into a physical entity... In the Spirit World, anything is possible!"

"So the Tenth Primordial Quality is 【Secrecy】?" Aaron's eyes widened, and at the same time, he quickly understood the level Motula was at.

"Wait, is the 'Gate of Longevity' not just a concept for breaking through the Seventh Primordial Substance? Is there an actual, materialized gate?"

"I don't even know the primordial levels of a Hidden Existence..." Aaron replied with a wry smile.

Aaron raised his own question; he had watched the entire process of the 'God of Suffering's' ascension last time.

Therefore, once Motula ascended to become a Hidden Existence, he would set his sights on the vacant seat of a God of the Ages.

Without taking down a God of the Ages, how could He ascend? Thus, He would inevitably be viewed with hostility by all the Gods of the Ages.

And even if He occupied the position of another God of the Ages, He would inevitably dilute the symbols and Influence of the source of 'Mystery', and thus be an absolute mortal enemy to the 'Keeper of Secrets'!

(End of chapter)