Chapter 683 Threshold of the Holy One (1/2)
”I've mentioned to you before, it's a dwarf-sized world.”
The Will of the Steel Python led Joshua forward—both of them followed dimensional turbulence and Mana Tide into the distance, while Karlis described the world seeking aid in their journey. ”There are tremendous differences between worlds. The largest of worlds are boundless, being in them is virtually being in the Multiverse itself, and they are able to nurture innumerable civilizations and races.
”Even worlds that were one notch lesser would be able to nurture thousands of planet-continents.”
The Steel Python's tone was level and unfettered, its tone when mentioning those other worlds showed no hint that it was talking about its 'own kind'. Perhaps it was as it had said—difference between worlds outnumber differences between human and rats.
Meanwhile, Karlis continued, ”Of course, such super grand-scale worlds are extremely rare, with most of them being a combination of several grand-scale worlds. As for single planet-continent worlds like myself and Mycroft, we are the most numerous.”
Joshua listened to Karlis's description. He understood those dissimilarities: those so-called largest worlds were perhaps known as 'single-body universe' in the pre-existence. The grand worlds that were next to them in size could also be one or two singular galaxies that may be natural or fused—still, there was no question that their massive scale far exceeded the imagination of beings who lived on single continents.
”What about smaller worlds?” Joshua asked. He was sensing the dimensional turbulences shifting within the Void, while flying at full speed towards the direction Karlis pointed out. ”What's the difference between lesser worlds and typical worlds? The size of their continents alone?”
”No, that's not all.”
The Steel Python refuted solemnly in spirit. ”Small is but a metaphor—on a stricter definition, that means the world exerts huge restraint upon Extraordinary individuals.
”No matter how small a world was, if a character akin to the Sage was to ascend in that place, it would rank equally with many worlds in the Multiverse. If there happened to be more than a few… no one would disagree even if that world was called the center of the Multiverse.
”Look. Those massive worlds hold millions of masses that I could never size up against, but the energy within is hollow, the Steel Strength sparse, the World Will unable to even awaken. They simply exist only, without any miracle or glory… There may perhaps be one day that the civilizations living within would find a unique path despite such hostile environments that no other world had—but how long would that take?”
Karlis could not help becoming emotional at the topic: The World Will who once went through destruction and rebirth appeared to have shrugged away the thousand-year gloom wrought by the Evil God of Famine and become rather lively.
”But such worlds would never fear the invasion of Evil Gods,” it said softly, looking towards the Void beside Joshua. ”Even dozens of Evil Gods would have a hard time breaking through their World Barrier. Unless there are problems that arise in the world interior, none could threaten them.”
Joshua listened to it silently, remembering his own old home, although that thought went by in a flash.
”You seem to hold the Sage in high-esteem.” He said after a while; there was curiosity in his tone. ”I know—you must be acquainted with him.”
”I certainly know him… Karlis and Mycroft had once exchanged a batch of race through an ancient natural dimensional passageway. The Avian people in Mycroft had precisely originated from my world, while Mycroft was the first trade partners the Karlis Avian people made after building Void airships.”
Karlis was silent for a moment in the spiritual realm before it continued, ”The Sage only appeared in my vision in the last two thousand years, but his power and authority far surpass that of every great person from previous eras. I knew the very first time I met him that a majestic civilization had stepped out of the world of Mycroft, and would extend into the Multiverse… but we never expected the invasion of Evil Gods.”
”Is the Sage really that powerful?”
Joshua narrowed his eyes mid-flight amidst the Void. He naturally was aware of the Sage's might, for it was a grand power that he could never catch tail ends of. Even so, it made a world hold him in such reverence and praise that Joshua found it rather hard to understand.
And for all intents and purposes, it was a world. From the edge of the vast oceans to the highest mountaintop, everything from continent, seas, and skies was within its embrace—the very amalgamation of every energy cycle in all things… And that Will of a World actually reveres that person?
”Joshua.”
As if hearing the doubt and incomprehension within Joshua's words, Karlis sighed softly in spirit. After calling his name once, it became rather careful with its words. ”You—no, all of you, the people of Mycroft, still do not understand the Sage.”