Chapter 930: Chapter 930

How many Supremes existed in the vast starry skies?

In the past, Li Pin had no idea. He used to think they would be in the ballpark of a hundred, maybe two hundred. But now he realized he had been too conservative with his estimation. From Ordainment's words, he learned that the number of Supremes far exceeded his guess by more than just a little.

Across all races combined, there would be 193 Supremes. However, there were also about 202 more who didn't belong to any influences, factions, or formed their own races, like the Supreme Dao Origin and Black Abyss Highlord.

After all, there was virtually nothing that could endanger a Supreme's life, and since they merged with the cosmos, they could live as long as the universe. In such conditions, the number of Supremes generally only increased, not decreased.

Although the Void Faction posed a threat to them, for now, that threat remained at a lower level. To the most powerful of Supremes, even ancient Abyssal Beasts were hardly capable of truly eroding or killing them.

On the way to the Supreme Council headquarters, Supreme Primordial, Supreme Ordainment, and Supreme Genesis flanked Li Pin, sharing with him secrets about the Supremes of the cosmos.

They crowded around Li Pin, marking him as the clear center of attention.

Supreme Ordainment said, "Many Supremes achieved their rank when the ancient Astral World fractured. Though the cultivation system back then wasn't as refined as it is now, countless treasures were ownerless during that era. Those who seized opportunities early gained a vast head start. What we now call a complete cultivation system was something they patched together based on their deficiencies."

His voice quivered with emotion. "It was precisely because the system wasn't mature back then that many Supremes' family members and close companions couldn't enjoy immortality. They passed away one after another. As years turned to eras, their attachments faded. Over time, they stopped caring about building factions and instead pursued personal interests.

"For instance, Supreme Dao Origin, whom you met before, focuses entirely on researching fortune and reincarnation, while the Black Abyss Highlord has always been dedicated to finding a way to reach Supreme without burdening the Astral World."

Li Pin nodded in understanding.

The oldest of the Supremes had lived far too long. If they didn't find something to divert their time and attention, they themselves would be unable to endure the monotony.

"We treated this meeting with utmost seriousness, not only proposing the idea of reshaping the Astral World, but even making public the information on the Creators behind the Astral Lord Council," said Supreme Ordainment. "Furthermore, with Origin's approval, we had also discussed realms beyond Supreme. Even so, in the end, only one hundred and twenty-six Supremes confirmed their attendance."

He gave a bitter smile. "That's only because the disaster of the Astral World itself has already drawn the attention of many Supremes. Otherwise, the number would be even smaller."

One hundred and twenty-six—that wasn't even a third of the total number of Supremes in the universe.

"We've already set the meeting time to be one hundred years later. Though a century is a bit short, the Creators behind the Astral Lord Council could descend at any moment. We can't afford to wait. If they still don't attend by then, they shouldn't blame us when we exclude them during the benefits distribution." Supreme Genesis snorted coldly.

In truth, it was Li Pin who requested the meeting be scheduled a hundred years later.

For the Supremes, a millennium was the standard timeframe for communication. Many Supremes who traveled through the Void of Chaos usually set one thousand years as the limit for the round-trip. A single cultivation session in seclusion—unless prompted by special comprehensions—could often last one to two thousand years.

One thousand years was just the right interval for Supremes to set aside their tasks and review any messages.

"Everyone must bear the consequences of their own choices." Supreme Primordial nodded in agreement. "We still need to draft a framework for restructuring the Astral World's rules."

"I have some ideas," Li Pin said. "This time, the Astral World's reconstruction should completely resolve its overloading issues once and for all. I've asked Sasha to compile my thoughts into a document. Take a look and see if anything needs to be added."

The Supremes did not dare slack off. Upon receiving Sasha's message, they began reviewing the document seriously.

"I agree with your proposition now," said Null with a sigh.

She had just finished comparing the Dao Realm and the Phantom Space Technique with Li Pin.

"According to the descriptions of the Liberation realm in the Phantom Space Technique, this world's cultivation system only needs two classifications, Liberation and everything below it."

Li Pin nodded. "Mhm." Fınd the newest release on NoveI(F)ire.net

The gap between Liberation and what lay below it was just too vast.

There were several major transformations along the cultivation path. During his mortal years, people viewed Astral Cultivators as invincible and undefeatable. However, after he became a Martial Saint, he could slay these Astral Cultivators.

Legendary and Pre-Legendary lifeforms defined the boundary between mortal and cosmic lifeforms. Even then, the gap between those two was not insurmountable.

The same held true for Divine Beings and Astral Gods, as well as for Solar Flare and Cosmic Radiance. When Li Pin was at the peak of the Divine Being stage, even if an Astral God descended in their true form, he didn't fear them in the slightest.

In the history of the Astral World, there had indeed been cases of Solar Flare cultivators defeating Cosmic Radiances.

Each of these stages was a qualitative leap, but there had always been examples of extraordinary individuals breaking those boundaries, defeating the strong with the weak, fighting across realms.

However, when it came to Liberation, there was simply no comparison. No amount of brilliance or talent could close that chasm—all below Liberators were ants.

Null pointed out, "So I suggest that in the main body of your Phantom Space Technique, you should only include two chapters: the Liberation and Eternity chapters. Everything else can be collectively called the Foundation Chapter, and ideally be backward compatible."

"I'll consider this problem later," Li Pin replied. "What I'm curious about now is what kind of transformation and wonders will arise from the fusion of the true selves of the past, present, and future. I've named this realm Eternit..."

He paused, pondering. Back then, when he named this realm Eternity, it had felt like divine inspiration. At the time, he didn't think much of it, but after speaking with Null, he had now truly come into contact with destiny.

Thus, whether by coincidence or divine insight, perhaps now there was an explanation.

"I believe that the Eternity I refer to is the same realm as that of the supposed Eternal who had driven out the Creators during the ancient Astral World era, or perhaps the one who mastered the Power of Eternity," Li Pin shared.

"If there's anything we can use as a reference, it'd be all the better," Null replied. "Any piece of reliable data will accelerate our research by leaps and bounds."

Li Pin was stirred upon hearing that. "Theoretically, we'd need to wait for the arrival of those like Creator Miao Ya to get information about the Eternal and the Power of Eternity. But there's someone else who might also possess such knowledge. This person might be beyond our reach, but for you, perhaps not."

"Who is it?" asked Null.

"Transcendent Black White."

Null seemed to have a slight reaction at the mention of Transcendent Black White's name.

"What's wrong?" asked Li Pin.

"If it's that Transcendent Black White who once gathered dozens of Supremes in attempts to rewrite the Astral World's laws..."

A rainbow bridge materialized, and a figure appeared, rapidly approaching.

They wore a long, black-and-white striped robe. Their features matched those described by Primordial and the others when mentioning Transcendent Black White.

"After switching to cultivating Transcendence, Transcendent Black White naturally communicated with me, as I had perfected the Path of Transcendence. We share a certain level of connection. Three hundred and thirty years ago, Black White sent me a message asking if other worlds or civilizations existed beyond the Void of Chaos..."

Null paused for a moment, then continued.

"Some in the cosmos believe I am a Transcendent who was a remnant from the shattered ancient Astral World. They feel that I must have originated from outside the Void of Chaos, only that I am suffering from a missing database.

"After all, much evidence shows that I never truly entered the Void of Chaos. But others believe what I myself claim—that I really came from another world or civilization. Transcendent Black White is one of them."

"He suddenly messaged you three hundred and thirty years ago, asking if there were other worlds or civilizations beyond the Void of Chaos?"

Li Pin's gaze flickered.

"That's right!" Null nodded. "He made a new discovery."

Immediately, beams of rainbow light appeared around her; space and time seemed to distort and contract.

"Just now, carrying these discoveries and having traveled hundreds of years, he happened to arrive at the Ocean of Time..."

Upon hearing this, Li Pin felt a chill of horror travel up his spine, making his scalp tingle.

Null immediately noticed Li Pin's abnormal reaction. "Your Majesty Origin?"

Li Pin did not reply. He instead muttered to himself, "Again?"

His mood seemed to lighten, and he joyfully continued to mutter, "Or... am I getting closer and closer?"

Null watched him in silence.

Thankfully, his strange state did not last long. He quickly turned to Null and said, "I'm fine."

"If Your Majesty Origin still has doubts, perhaps... I can offer you some help," Null said.

Li Pin glanced at Null, pondered for a moment, then asked the question the Void Emperor once asked him. "Do you believe in destiny?"

Radiant light quickly shimmered around Null. It was a sign of computational power being maximized instantaneously.

After a moment, she answered, "My database contains much about this type of existence, but that information... likely isn't what Your Majesty Origin seeks."

"I want to meet Transcendent Black White," Li Pin said.

"I was just wondering if you'd like that. Since that's the case...."

Null waved her hand, and the surrounding environment instantly changed. The place where they stood transformed into a magnificent library filled with countless bookshelves hundreds of meters tall.

At this moment, at a desk in the library, another one of Null's avatars was communicating with Transcendent Black White. As soon as Li Pin arrived, Transcendent Black White's gaze had already landed on him.