Chapter 334: Douluo God Realm Era Part XXIV: Union with the Dao
The Dao is both everywhere and nowhere an omnipresence that transcends form. This description of the Dao closely mirrors the concept of the world consciousness. In a sense, the world consciousness embodies a form of the Dao, subtly influencing the flow and function of Douluo Star in every way. Through recent discussions, Ye Wen began to suspect that the Dragon God may have actually been a creation of the world consciousness itself.
Even though Ye Wen inherited the Sea God position, he had climbed up from the lower ranks of divinity through disciplined cultivation and knew well how challenging it was to progress. So, in the primitive era of the Dragon God, a time when society was barely beyond the wild stage, how could such a powerful being as the Dragon God a being at the level of a God King even emerge? It seemed improbable unless he had, at some point, been intended as the representative of the world consciousness itself.
It made more sense this way, though the once naive world consciousness couldn't foresee the Dragon God's betrayal and, ultimately, its own demise as the Dragon God drained it dry to fuel his ambition. A tragic story indeed.
Having pondered the world consciousness's role, Ye Wen became curious. If Snow Empress and the world consciousness were to merge into one, would this transformation lead to the birth of a Dao Sage in Douluo Star?
"Snow Empress," Ye Wen asked, intrigued, "what would happen if you and the world consciousness truly became one?"
The question seemed to push Snow Empress beyond her understanding, her eyes blank for a moment before she returned to herself and responded calmly.
"According to the world consciousness, if we merged, I would be forever bound to Douluo Star, and my power would rise forcibly to the level of a God King."
Indeed, her situation would be similar to that of a Dao Sage, a being with elevated power, yet tethered to a single realm. Ye Wen knew that cultivating on one's own accord brought a steadier, more authentic sense of power. Forced growth came with its own hidden risks.
Still, he frowned. Achieving God King status was notoriously difficult; Ye Wen knew this better than anyone. While several of his subordinates had become God Kings with his guidance, advancing through divine ranks beyond basic godhood was a rare feat. Where a new god could steadily progress through dedication or resourcefulness, breaking into God King status required something unique and deeply personal.
Even with his groundbreaking advancements in shared divinity, where select individuals could temporarily wield a portion of a God King's power, without a profound personal alignment, this power could never fully take root. It explained why the former gods of the old God Realm had devised so many stringent trials before bestowing their titles God King level power was never something to be taken lightly.
Ye Wen's curiosity sparked again, and he asked, "Snow Empress, ask the world consciousness exactly how this power increase works. If it can be replicated, it could accelerate Douluo Star's growth. If we gain enough momentum, perhaps we can one day raise Douluo Star to divine status."
But Snow Empress only shook her head gently. "I'm afraid you may be disappointed, my lord. My ascension to God King level with the world consciousness is only possible because we are essentially one and the same. The world consciousness has already achieved an understanding of the Dao of Reincarnation at the God King level, including a portion of the Winter Laws that make up my essence."
Though Ye Wen was somewhat let down, he nodded, taking it in stride. His curiosity piqued again as he began to consider the Dao she cultivated. "So, what exactly is the world consciousness's Dao that complements your own Winter Laws?"
Snow Empress, although initially uneasy about the merging process, had come to see the union as a source of warmth and connection. Standing serenely, she explained, "The world consciousness's path is the Dao of Reincarnation, a cycle that includes the Four Seasons. The Winter Laws fall under this seasonal cycle."
Ye Wen's eyebrows rose in surprise. Although it wasn't quite the reincarnation cycle of the Six Realms in some myths, it was still powerful. Reflecting on the world consciousness's role, it seemed natural that it would oversee not only the cycle of the seasons but also the broader cycle of life and rebirth on Douluo Star.
The more he thought about it, the more Ye Wen suspected that the Dao of Reincarnation likely contained the highest principles of time itself. After all, everything in the cycle of reincarnation is bound to the passage of time. If the world consciousness truly wielded this power, it would indeed be fearsome far beyond anything he had imagined. Even with his mastery over space and some parts of time, the power to govern the very flow of reincarnation was daunting.
Still, Ye Wen knew that they were on the same side. They continued talking, and a bit of warmth eased the lingering awkwardness between them. Before long, Snow Empress's body began to glow with a soft platinum light, her presence strengthening as she ascended. A celestial phenomenon appeared over Douluo Star; radiant golden light suffused the sky as if celebrating the birth of a new God King the sovereign of Douluo Star.
"A God King, just like that," Ye Wen murmured, filled with both pride and envy.
Had the world consciousness revealed itself earlier, perhaps Ye Wen wouldn't have had to endure the struggle of building his strength gradually or feign diplomacy in the old God Realm. Merging with the world consciousness back then would have elevated him instantly, possibly giving him the power to defeat the God Realm's Five God Kings on his own.
But he set the thought aside. Reckless ambition could have cost him everything, and anyway, the merging process had a price: permanent confinement to Douluo Star. He valued his freedom far too much.
Though Snow Empress had reached God King status, Ye Wen could sense she was just on the threshold of this realm, with plenty of room to grow. To honor her breakthrough and reassure the world consciousness, he held a grand wedding.
The marriage of two God Kings was no ordinary event; its significance reverberated across the land. For an entire month after the wedding, all of Douluo Star was alive with celebration.
(End of Chapter)
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