NOVEL NEXT Chapter 344: The Truth Behind Blue Sky Appearance_2
"So it's like this..." For some reason, Xiao Yi suddenly understood his current situation. "That invisible barrier is the existential limit of life's essence... Once crossed, one can no longer be called a human, can they? Then why... have I come to a realm where even humanity must be discarded? And... it's so cold."
Aloofness...
It was a void that all conscious beings instinctively feared, a void that threatened to extinguish their essence, and it assailed Xiao Yi in an instant.
Xiao Yi couldn't help but hug himself, shivering uncontrollably.
However, just then...
"It's okay, I'm right here, you're not alone..."
"...!"
When Xiao Yi came back to his senses, he saw that familiar face again.
"...Eve? So, where is this?"
Xiao Yi hurriedly lifted his head to look around, only to find that he was still under that previous invisible barrier — only now, he was not alone.
Many people had suddenly appeared around him.
Among them, in addition to Eve, there was another person he recognized.
Tenth Rule Regret said to Xiao Yi,
"I'm sorry for dragging you into this and making you feel this way, but we had no choice. After all, we can only move around here now."
Apart from her, there were many others Xiao Yi had never seen before, all of whom looked at him with curiosity.
"Oh! You are Xiao Yi. It's my first time seeing you in person."
"Good lad, I saw what you did just now, holding your ground against Rule Zero. That's something even I wouldn't dare to do. Impressive! Old Seven likes you!"
"Old Seven, since Xiao Yi is here, can you perform that again? I want to see!"
"Shut up!"
"...What's this?" Looking at this group, Xiao Yi too was somewhat confused.
"Xiao Yi, don't worry about them, we don't have much time." Eve interrupted, "Let's make it quick. In summary, the situation that has formed is all due to that Blue Sky Appearance you just encountered, which we call Rule Zero. It's a long-conceived plan by that guy.
...Xiao Yi, this is undeniably our problem. We failed to detect Rule Zero's conspiracy and even got trapped here because we trusted him. Apart from temporarily protecting Blue Star to stop Rule Zero from acting recklessly, there's nothing more we can do."
"Rule Zero?" Xiao Yi asked, "So, can you explain to me exactly what happened?"
"Of course," Regret answered. "We brought you here for this very purpose... Xiao Yi, we are now unable to act or even easily call upon our original powers, so... we can only place our hopes on you now."
"So it's like this..." Xiao Yi didn't ask for any explanations but instead asked the most crucial question directly. "I've already intended to do it, but as you know, I don't have the ability right now. However... only if you reveal your true intentions with the Blue Sky Appearance, no, your real truth, will I possibly be able to defeat him."
"Hmm..." Regret nodded, "This is indeed our greatest secret, with the greatest responsibility and obligation to keep it safe. But now that things have come to this, we no longer have the face to speak of responsibility and obligation, our primary goal is to put an end to this incident!"
Upon hearing these words, Eve also turned to the others, hands on hips and sternly said:
"Stop arguing! Shut up! What's coming is very important!"
Hearing this, everyone else obediently closed their mouths and straightened their faces.
"So..." Xiao Yi asked nervously, "what exactly is this Blue Sky Appearance?"
Regret took a deep breath and slowly said, "Actually, our Blue Sky Appearance... is a life-changing mechanism created by a civilization called Earth, or to put it in terms you'd understand better, a civilization evolution mechanism."
Regret paused, then added, "Of course, our ultimate purpose is to promote the growth of the Power of Change, which over time will inevitably lead to evolution, not that our purpose is to evolve civilizations..."
"Earth?" Xiao Yi tilted his head, "The planet of land, this name is... a bit rustic, as straightforward as Blue Star."
"It can't really be considered rustic, but yes, Earth... is indeed a civilization very much like Blue Star, like the relationship between parallel worlds."
"Parallel worlds?" Xiao Yi's confusion deepened, "Then if that's the case, why can't the Empty Way of Dependent Dharma trace your Origin? Aren't you all born from the same civilization? I thought you came from somewhere outside."
"Of course, they couldn't trace it!" This time, the Seventh Rule excitedly said, "Master... The people of Earth Civilization had already transcended everything! Those limited by infinite possibilities, of course, could never touch even a hint of those people's existence!"
"I see..." Xiao Yi couldn't help but sigh, "I never imagined that something as formidable as the Blue Sky Appearance would come from a civilization known as Earth. And when I look at us, Blue Star, supposedly parallel worlds, we are in such a state."
"In fact, the Earth Civilization that created us is just one of countless possible Earth Civilizations," Regret said. "Within that possibility, some people, through effort, sacrifice, and betrayal, ultimately ignited the power of change in everyone and transcended everything."
"Then..." Xiao Yi asked again, "if Earth Civilization is so powerful, couldn't they just easily solve whatever Rule Zero has caused?"
"Indeed, that's true, but..." Regret said, "they are no longer here. Earth Civilization, which has transcended everything, has already left this place, in search of...[The Answer]."
"The Answer? What kind of Answer?"
"I don't know," Regret shook his head, "It's something we, as inferior beings, simply cannot understand. However, Earth Civilization determined that even they could not find [The Answer] on their own, so before they left, they created us to stimulate the Power of Change in other Wisdom Bodies...
They hoped to give rise to beings like themselves, transcendent of everything, to join them in the pursuit of [The Answer]. Yet, shamefully... to this day, they remain the absolutely unique existence."
"I see..." Xiao Yi nodded, "So that's it, your true purpose is to aid Earth Civilization in the quest for the Answer. I remember the Empty Way of Dependent Dharma said that your goal was to destroy everything, it seems they guessed wrong."
"Hmph..." The Seventh Rule couldn't help but snort, "Those with limited experience can only speculate like that."
"So..." Xiao Yi asked, "since your purpose isn't to destroy, why not make it clear to the Empty Way of Dependent Dharma?"
"Because there's no need to," the Seventh Rule said. "Such beings simply cannot comprehend our purpose, it's like summer insects speaking of ice, so there's no need to explain."
"It's not just because of that reason," Regret interjected. "The things we do conflict with the unchanging nature of the Empty Way of Dependent Dharma, regardless of the ultimate purpose. Our actions are in fact threatening their existence, an irreconcilable difference unless they too are willing to change. That's why we don't bother explaining."
"I see, I think I understand the truth behind your Blue Sky Appearance now, so..." Xiao Yi spoke in a grave tone, "what about Rule Zero? What's the situation there? Why would he do something like this?"