From the annals of history, Su Ming saw that his counterpart from the Douluo Dalu 2: The Unrivaled Tang Sect era, the one with the Spirit Power Martial Soul, hadn't pulled any outrageous stunts. It was as if he were a native, cultivating within the Body Sect, then logically influencing history bit by bit.
From this, Su Ming came to a definition of his own existence.
"I am me. Across this entire river of time, there are three versions of me, and only three!"
"My existence will influence the development of the Douluo 2 period. There will be a truly existing Su Ming who will change the future."
"The world evolves on its own; time progresses on its own. There will be no changes arising from my subjective consciousness within this process, because I only exist at three points in time: those of Douluo 1, Douluo 2, and Douluo 3. I do not exist at any nodes in between. My thoughts cannot influence anything outside of these three nodes either."
Su Ming took a deep breath, marshaling all his imaginative reasoning to understand his current existence from his own perspective.
"The Body Sect underwent changes during the Douluo 2 period, but showed no alterations prior to that. This means the Douluo 1 me failed to affect this world."
"The timeline is subject to the Butterfly Effect. The emergence of the Spirit Soul system was witnessed in its entirety by Zhu Jiuyang. Over time, it should gradually become widespread. After all, even without my own consciousness guiding the intermediate nodes, that fool Su Ming, who grasped the laws of Spirit Soul transformation, ought to continue absorbing Spirit Rings in the form of Spirit Souls. He would also participate in the Spirit Master Tournament, because the Divine Iron Academy has a competition slot, and that fool Su Ming's talent would surely secure him a place on the team. Thus, Spirit Souls would be revealed to the world."
"The fact that Douluo 2 remains unchanged can only mean that any alterations in Douluo 1 cannot affect Douluo 2. Conversely, changes in Douluo 2 can influence Douluo 3."
By now, Su Ming had firmly established the relationship between the three versions of himself.
Past, Present, Future.
In his initial conception, these three words became the key.
"The past cannot be undone; the future can be changed."
The world where the Douluo 2 Su Ming, rooted in the present, exists is real. The Douluo 1 Su Ming peered into history, changing everything at that historical node, yet unable to affect later generations.
As for how to turn all this into reality, to make the past reflect a true past, Su Ming did not know. He was also well aware that he was still far from achieving that step.
The Douluo 3 Su Ming had entered the future, anchoring it!
"Changes in Douluo 2 will cause a Butterfly Effect, thus influencing the future ten thousand years later. But because of my existence, which anchors part of the future, these ten millennia of evolution will not affect everything I have already experienced," the Douluo 3 Su Ming mused to himself.
The future is illusory, so everything is possible.
With changes at the source and an anchored ending, even if natural evolution cannot fulfill it, the process will gradually be twisted towards a course that matches the set beginning and predetermined conclusion.
This is the convergence of time.
Having reasoned everything out, Su Ming felt much clearer. His perspective shifted, and the sound of rushing water surfaced around him. The River of Time manifested before his eyes. At the furthest upstream section of the river, the segment where the Douluo 1 Su Ming resided developed a double image. That cross-section seemed to have been replicated, and the Douluo 1 Su Ming entered the illusory river.
Who knew if that illusory history could ever become true history.
Douluo 2.
Snow Demon Mountain, Body Sect.
"Finally got it right. Understand now? The present me is the key. Past and future selves, you should take on more tasks, give me more room for improvement."
The Douluo 2 Su Ming renegotiated the cultivation rhythm with his counterparts from the other two periods.
All three Su Mings felt they had it the hardest. The Douluo 1 Su Ming was in the most primitive era;Obviously capable of Thousand Refinements yielding spirit, yet unable to enjoy the benefits of the spirit, still having to delve deeper into forging to accumulate experience for Douluo 3. The Douluo 2 Su Ming had to learn the basics of being a Spirit Engineer while also accumulating experience in mecha manufacturing. The Douluo 3 Su Ming had to learn all the foundational materials for his Douluo 1 and Douluo 2 selves and conduct the final verification of the four subsidiary professions.
Each felt their own plight was the greatest.
Now, the Douluo 2 Su Ming stood up.
"I lack a mental attribute. The chances of seizing Tian Meng and Elder Ming's opportunities are too slim. Without these two, for me to rise in this era, given my conditions, the most promising path is Battle Armor!"
Su Ming had analyzed this before. The inability to forge spirit during the Douluo 2 period had three key reasons: his Douluo 1 self hadn't triggered a Butterfly Effect,Electrolux's sacrifice was crucial, and the influence during Tang Hao's process of becoming the Lord of the Plane.
The first point could be ruled out. The past cannot be undone; it does not affect the present.
"The present me must also experiment with Spirit Souls, then wait for the node of Electrolux's sacrifice."
Of course, if he could compete fo rElectrolux, Su Ming would certainly choose other methods, such as discussing with Electrolux. But if Electrolux remained Huo Yuhao's fortune, then he would wait for Electrolux to sacrifice himself due to an accident.
As long as he could produce Battle Armor, he would be invincible in this era.
Naturally, if Electrolux sacrificed himself and the laws pertaining to 'Spirit' on the Douluo Continent still failed to improve further, then the influence of Tang Hao's process of becoming the Lord of the Plane would undoubtedly be essential.
"Can't gamble completely. Must prepare multiple contingencies simultaneously."
"Tang Hao's influence is nothing more than grafting the laws of spirit onto the forging system. I should also find a way to replace his role."
Spirit, extended from Spirit Souls to the spirit of metal.
"During the Douluo 3 period, I need to discuss more with Teacher Zhen Hua to understand the essence of spirit. Then, the Douluo 1 me can attempt to use Spirit Souls to influence metal and forge spirit."
With the plan formulated, the next step was implementation.
Douluo 1.
Gengxin City.
Su Ming closed his eyes in despair, collapsing onto the bed in the inner room of the blacksmith shop.
"Heavens! How is this any different from asking me to pioneer the path of forging? Do I have that capability?"
He felt the encouragement from his Douluo 2 self: "Don't worry, you have answers to copy. Communicate more with the Douluo 3 side and just align with the forging methods of that period. That's all there is to it."
"Sigh!"
Letting out a sigh, Su Ming entered his Sea of Consciousness.
The small Dark Gold Bear was sleeping soundly. Sensing movement, it opened its eyes, saw Su Ming, and began to bare its teeth.
"Listen, we're one now. My cultivation is high; you'll be comfortable following me. If I can become a god, you might have a chance to remold your body and even ascend with me."
Ignoring the teeth-baring Dark Gold Bear, Su Ming pulled it closer, pointed at it, and started lecturing.
"Think I'm spouting nonsense about becoming a god? Have you seen any other Spirit Master absorb a thousand-year Spirit Ring as their second ring? Have you seen any other Spirit Beast take on a form like yours?"
"Let me tell you, this is the Spirit Soul form. It's a new form."
"You are the first Spirit Soul on the continent."
The Dark Gold Bear was stunned.
It pointed at itself with a puzzled expression.
Me?
The first?
"Absolutely, the first!" Su Ming affirmed.
Why did it feel inexplicably proud?
The little Dark Gold Bear felt secretly pleased.
"So, you must also shoulder the heavy responsibility for the future of Spirit Souls."
(End of Chapter)