Chapter 25: The Forerunner and the Follower, Part 2
High in the northeastern sky of the Northern Empire, a black dragon's silhouette tore through the dark clouds of the night, leaving a long trail through the thick overcast.
One could see a golden crystal embedded in the center of the dragon's chest, radiating a brilliance like the sun. It projected a straight beam of light, sweeping across the land below like a searchlight. And at the head of this great dragon...
"Uncertain."
Saying this, Joshua sighed: "Carbohydrate-driven muscles, even when supplemented with immense energy, cannot move mountains or drain seas. Even with the power to evaporate lakes and rivers, the body itself would fail first. To break through, our predecessors created the Ultimate Essence of Force, shattering this bottleneck. That is what I call 'transcending humanity.'"
"This applies not only to the physical body but also to the limits of technique and soul."
"No matter how complex a technique, it ultimately boils down to methods of controlling the body and energy. As long as one can perfectly control every organ and energy within themselves and possess the reaction speed to match their own power, any technique becomes effortless. Even the techniques of non-human races can be seen through with one's own insight and simulated through energy. Those who break through this barrier achieve the Ultimate Essence of Technique."
"Spiritual power, strengthened through meditation and training, can even suppress the soul itself. Overly sharp senses can drive one mad or to extremes. To regulate the mind and balance this spiritual power, our predecessors devised many methods—whether lich transformation, soul modification, or persistent meditation. But these methods cannot be standardized due to individual differences, so those who overcome this bottleneck are said to have achieved the Ultimate Essence of Soul."
"The three Ultimate Essences, in the end, are creations of humanity to break through the limit of 'humanity.' Legendary experts are simply those who have walked this path to its extreme, completely sublimating from mere human bloodlines to become super lifeforms, just like me. Liches, druidic transformations, and other secret techniques of transcendent professions are alternative paths to break through one's limits. I came here to explore the Divine Calamity Mist, precisely to seek the truth of the Ultimate Essence of Soul. Thanks to Ge Er, I now clearly understand what the Ultimate Essence of Soul I need truly is."
Saying this, Joshua paused briefly, seeming lost in thought for a moment before snapping back to clarity. The warrior continued: "Liches transform their bodies and souls through secret arts, gaining absolute dominance over magic and spiritual power. Druids, by imitating the various powerful beasts of nature, find another path to break human limits. But no matter the method, there is a common point... Number 3, Hei, do you know what it is?"
"..."
After waiting a few seconds, Joshua received no answer. He knew the two were still processing the information he had given, so he smiled and said: "It is wisdom."
"Generations of summarizing and organizing techniques to hone the body, devising methods to break through limits; categorizing techniques one by one, determining the most perfect ways to channel energy... Imitating beasts, learning from nature, sublimating what exists, creating what is new—this is wisdom."
"Human wisdom is humanity's first and most powerful weapon. Its very existence is meant to surpass the past and break through limits. Because of it, there were countless attempts in the past and thousands of results in the present."
To Number 3 and Hei's main clock, Joshua raised a hand and pointed to his head: "I may not be skilled in governance or fond of tedious matters, but I have confidence in my wisdom regarding how to become stronger. His Majesty Ge Er blessed us, saying He looked forward to us later generations surpassing Him... This does not refer to mere power, but to standing on His shoulders and letting wisdom go further. Number 3, you have Ge Er's inheritance. If you can fully comprehend the content of that imprint and create something of your own, it means you have surpassed Ge Er, even if your power at that time still cannot compare to His."
He smiled and said: "That would mean you have become an artificial intelligence surpassing a god—sounds great, doesn't it?"
"The same goes for civilization. As long as later generations stand on the shoulders of their predecessors, continuously researching and advancing, civilization will grow stronger, surpass itself, and keep moving forward."
"Haha..."
Not knowing how to respond, Number 3 could only manage a light laugh. But somehow, the vague confusion in her heart since receiving Ge Er's imprint began to stir with a sense of motivation. It was an irrational emotion, yet she felt an inexplicable urge to do as Joshua said—to keep moving forward.
"Joshua..."
Suppressing this emotion, Number 3 looked at the warrior, who had once again fallen into thought. She couldn't help but ask: "Have you already broken through the Ultimate Essence of Soul?"
"Not yet."
Hearing the artificial intelligence girl's question, Joshua shook his head in reply, but then added in a relaxed tone: "But soon. I now understand what has been unsettling my mind."
He gazed at the land rapidly passing beneath him—the lights appearing and disappearing in the night, the plains, mountains, and cities of the northeastern Northern Empire. His heart had calmed. Even though the power of divinity still pulsed within him, the warrior could now calmly regard this force, which contained incomparable might and was also extremely dangerous.
—I understand.
True strength requires no endurance or suppression.
There is no need to worry about whether one's power will damage other things or affect friends and family. There is no need to restrain one's desires at all.
"Divinity is a part of me, and the desires it stirs are also my desires. So."
Joshua spoke softly: "Those who are influenced by their own desires, who cannot control their own power—everything they say is the sophistry of the weak, a manifestation of insufficient ability. The reason I was affected by divinity and thought about how to resist it was only one: I was too weak before, unable to even bear my own power."
"Now, I am willing to accept the influence divinity exerts on me—I accept this power as part of myself."
"And I will still act according to my own will."
After witnessing the forms of gods like Xing Zheng and Ge Er, Joshua gained a deeper understanding of divinity.
Though they were 'gods' who emerged from humans and winged humans, they had maintained their true hearts, not being consumed by divinity. Ge Er did not become the storm and sky, nor was Xing Zheng a madman who relied solely on power to enforce 'justice.' They each used their own methods to satisfy their divinity while achieving their ideals and wishes.
All because 'divinity' was only a part of them; their convictions and will were enough to contain and control this power.
Thinking of Ge Er, Joshua turned to look at the imprint in Number 3's arms. He asked curiously: "I wanted to ask earlier, but we were in a hurry to leave, so I didn't... Number 3, aren't you going to put this away?"
"What? Ah, this... the imprint?"
Number 3 blinked, looking down at the intricate runic imprint in her arms, resembling a pair of 'unfolded wings.' She paused, then said hesitantly: "Actually, Joshua, don't be angry... I think His Majesty Ge Er was right earlier. I am not a winged human."
Saying this, Number 3 closed her eyes, as if fearing Joshua's reprimand: "I am just an ordinary artificial intelligence, the control core of the 3rd Mobile Fortress. There were over a dozen others like me; I just happened to survive... And this is an inheritance His Majesty left for the winged humans. Even if I take it, I don't have a real body to train with."
"You are not an ordinary artificial intelligence."
But after hearing this, Joshua did not get angry. He simply shook his head and, to Number 3's somewhat surprised expression, smiled and said: "You are a unique artificial intelligence, my good assistant, Number 3."
"Over a dozen identical existences? Your soul is unique, just as the souls of all beings in this world are never the same. You don't need to care about race or identity. You are just yourself, just as I am just Joshua."
Saying this, Joshua shook his head with a hint of frustration: "Clearly, you weren't listening to me just now. No body to train with? You underestimate the inheritance of a god. Didn't I just say that the essence of transcendence lies in the surpassing of soul, body, and technique? Even without a body, you can start with the Ultimate Essence of Soul and the Ultimate Essence of Technique. If your soul reaches my level, condensing matter to form a body out of nothing is a trivial matter. I will help you in this regard."
Given Joshua's personality, this level of comfort and encouragement was already his limit. Knowing how the warrior had trained Hei and the knight order members in the past, Number 3 couldn't help but let out a soft laugh upon hearing such gentle words from him. But after laughing, she still sighed deeply in her heart.
"Just... an assistant?"
"Woooo——————"
Suddenly, accompanied by a long cry from Hei, Joshua and Number 3 both looked down at the ground. On the plains, golden and red lights shone brightly. The Maizhe Non-Freezing River sparkled under this radiance, like a golden ribbon.
They could already see the lights of Moldavia.
They were home.