Chapter 696 - 689: Sacred Lotus Path

Chapter 696: Chapter 689: Sacred Lotus Path

「The next day.」

At the Secret Inspection Bureau Headquarters, inside the underground secure room.

Zhou Yuanjue implanted a restrictive measure into Nainte’s life structure. Nainte, in turn, seemed to have completely accepted his fate. He stood respectfully to the side, as if he had fully embraced the role of Zhou Yuanjue’s subordinate.

There was nothing he could do. His life’s essential structure was now bound to another, and his strength was inferior. He could only admit defeat and submit.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yuanjue continued to question Nainte, learning more about the True Realm and the Sacred Lotus Civilization. This information would likely be crucial to the choices they would have to make after completing the guiding mission.

"So you’re saying that to join the Sacred Lotus Civilization, one must fully commit to the path of the Sacred Lotus Structure?"

"Does that mean every living being in the Sacred Lotus Civilization follows the inherent path of the Sacred Lotus Structure to the letter?"

Zhou Yuanjue asked Nainte.

’If that’s really the case, then the Sacred Lotus Civilization’s power system doesn’t seem any different from that of the Celestial Demons.’

’Rigid and static. That doesn’t seem like a sustainable path for development.’

’For any civilization, the individuality and creativity of its members are essential factors for driving progress.’

"Yes and no. What the Sacred Lotus Civilization values is whether you are on the ’Sacred Lotus Path.’ In reality, for high-level civilizations like them, the versions they place in low-level civilizations are merely the most basic and simplified Sacred Lotus Structures. Following this simplified structure for cultivation does indeed allow one to quickly reach the threshold of Type One and lowers the difficulty of life’s metamorphosis. However, the corresponding abilities and the Lifebound True Skill one possesses after the transformation will be of the weakest level."

"A high-level civilization like the Sacred Lotus naturally understands that unchangeably imitating a fixed life structure would only stifle individual uniqueness and the infinite possibilities that come with it."

"Therefore, for the true geniuses within the Sacred Lotus Civilization, merely completing the Type One transformation is not their goal. What they pursue is to make the greatest possible personalized adjustments to the Sacred Lotus Structure. They strive to adapt the structure to their own path as much as possible within a limited time, producing corresponding changes."

"So, even among those who transform using the Sacred Lotus Structure, the more successful one is at personalizing their Sacred Lotus Path, the greater their potential is considered to be, and the more highly they will be regarded by the Sacred Lotus Civilization."

"Of course, if one completely forgoes the Sacred Lotus Path, it is indeed impossible to gain entry into the Sacred Lotus Civilization. If your potential is good, there are subordinate organizations of the civilization that would be willing to take you in."

"However, I believe that since the Sacred Lotus Civilization left a Guiding Device in your civilization, it means they used some method to deduce that your planet’s lifeforms have an innate affinity for the Sacred Lotus Structure. It would be a real shame not to walk the Sacred Lotus Path. You have to understand, this is an opportunity that many civilizations would kill for."

Nainte explained carefully to Zhou Yuanjue.

’The Sacred Lotus Path...’

’Personalized modifications to the essential Sacred Lotus Structure?’

’The Sacred Lotus Structure left on Earth is just the most basic configuration. It seems perfect, but it’s actually just the minimum standard for transformation. Does that mean there’s still immense room for improvement?’

Zhou Yuanjue’s eyes narrowed slightly. Even with his own Simulation Ability, trying to alter the Sacred Lotus Structure had been extremely risky. ’For those beings who use this structure as their foundation, to change it without a Simulation Ability... I can’t imagine how much Talent and willpower that would require.’

"From what I can see, your Sacred Lotus Structure seems to have undergone some modification. Otherwise, with the basic structure alone, you couldn’t possibly possess your current power. Moreover, you seem to be on the Path of True Self, which is even more remarkable. I believe that after a potential assessment, you should be able to attract a great deal of attention from the Sacred Lotus Civilization."

Nainte said.

In truth, part of the reason he had submitted so easily and proactively revealed so much information was that he saw Zhou Yuanjue’s potential. Although the man came from a low-level civilization, if he were to be highly valued by the Sacred Lotus Civilization in the future, it might bring some benefits to Nainte as well.

"What’s the difference between the Path of True Self and the Path of True Spirit?"

Zhou Yuanjue asked.

"Of course there’s a difference. Unless absolutely necessary, who would want to abandon their own physical body? Those who walk the Path of True Spirit appear to have incredible survivability and strange, unpredictable abilities, but their direct combat capabilities are far inferior to those on the Path of True Self. Their future progress is also much slower, and their potential is weaker."

"Besides, even if their abilities are unpredictable, the True Realm is filled with far too many powerful beings. When you encounter one of them, if your power and realm are insufficient, it’s a dead end. It seems the Path of True Spirit only truly demonstrates its power after reaching a certain level."

"However, those on the Path of True Self often have short lifespans before completing the Type One transformation. Therefore, whoever can more significantly modify the basic structure within that limited time will have greater potential."

Nainte said.

Zhou Yuanjue nodded, understanding his meaning.

He realized that the Sacred Lotus Structure that appeared on Earth could be seen as a cultivation method analogous to a basic Fist Technique in the Martial Dao. Following this method could certainly train and evolve the body, but one’s combat prowess and even future prospects would be limited.

But if one could forge a new path from that basic Fist Technique, then everything would be completely different.

It was just like the division between first, second, and third-grade Fist Techniques.

’So, what would happen if I were to walk such a path with my essence of simulation?’

Zhou Yuanjue felt a greater yearning for the True Realm, and at the same time, many of his worries were dispelled.

He had originally worried that using the Sacred Lotus Structure would subject him to the same kind of control that the Celestial Demon Ancestor exerted over the lower levels of the Atlas. Now, it seemed that fear was unnecessary.

There was a reason the Sacred Lotus Civilization had become a high-level civilization.

’In that case, appropriately promoting the Sacred Lotus Structure within human civilization seems acceptable.’

"How long does it take to get from Earth to the nearest mission rendezvous point?"

Zhou Yuanjue asked Nainte.

"By your calendar, it would take about two months."

Nainte said after a moment of thought.

"Is what you said before about a four-month handover window true?"

Zhou Yuanjue asked. This detail hadn’t been clearly recorded in the data.

"Well..."

Hearing Zhou Yuanjue’s question, Nainte looked a bit awkward.

"Actually, according to your calendar, even if we didn’t report back for two or three years, it wouldn’t be a big problem..."

"The fact that they sent us here shows that the Sacred Lotus Civilization doesn’t place a high priority on you. The East Thirteen Districts are vast. Even if something happened to us, given this level of importance, it would probably take the Sacred Lotus Civilization three to five years to even react."

Nainte mumbled, his mental fluctuations extremely faint.