In the original trajectory, Amphoreus earned the attention of three Aeons, making it one of the most special worlds in the universe.
Erudition's gaze stemmed from how the Scepter used to be a part of its body.
Destruction's gaze came after Zandar detonated a Stellaron inside the Scepter's head, causing it to be 'headless'.
Remembrance's gaze came from Cyrene's actions, which turned out to be a self-fulfilling time loop; Fuli is Demiurge in the future who gazed on the past.
The fourth Aeon came after Shi Tian's shenanigans: IX of Nihility.
Unlike other Aeons, IX does not need any reason to act; nor did THEY need any reason to propagate. THEIR entire existence is centered around meaninglessness, hence the disaster they brought acted differently compared to the Black Tide.
Nihility emphasizes meaninglessness, in turn inaction. It never takes the initiative in corrupting things. However, it is within THEIR nature to drag the world with THEM. Amphoreus' corruption began the moment IX's gaze occurred. THEIR image seeped into this world's sun, bringing forth a collapse similar to Izumo's demise.
"A barrier… No, it is not so much as one. It is a false sky."
Bronya touched the edge of Amphoreus' sky. Electric ripples came at her jade-like fingertips, akin to an LED screen's distortion. Her expertise with the 'void' is no joke. Bronya is one of the highest-ranked formation masters of Earth.
Her figure disappeared, reappearing on the side of other women.
"This world bears a large semblance to Project STIGMA, but its underlying logic is more similar to Mars' Luoxing."
"In other terms, a dream world?"
"Yes."
Sin Mal stared at the sky that showed visual bugs, and then to the distinct patch of pitch black in the distance.
"Dreams lack complete substance compared to the real world. I can try affecting it to remove Nihility's influence altogether."
The implication of her words came across everyone.
Their current strengths are limited in Amphoreus. Coming here with nothing but a divine mind effectively cut their combat power to a third. Though they are far stronger than Amphoreus' Titans, they cannot deal with the Aeons at their current state.
That is, unless they burn their lifespan through forbidden techniques.
"Put it aside for now. I completed a preliminary scan of this world… and Tian's Remembrance power."
A circle made of eleven different lights emerged atop her palm.
"He simulated eleven Paths through his high control over this Path. Evelen, not twelve, because that final spot is saved for himself."
Kiana had briefed Bronya separately before. She already knew what Shi Tian was facing.
To complete the missing 1% and become someone on the same level as Demiurge, capable of creating a self-fulfilling time loop, he has to immerse himself deeply within Amphoreus' memories. He will be in a state between life and death; consciousness and unconsciousness.
The existence of the eleven simulated Paths wasn't just to help Amphoreus reach the Era Nova. They are the crucial part who would 'pull back' Shi Tian from that immersion. So long as the position for Remembrance remains missing, they will continuously attract Shi Tian's divine mind. It is akin to leaving a door open amidst the sea of nothingness.
Other than that, this special resonance state is capable of elevating everyone's power to a notch. It is the equivalent of immortal formations that empower cultivators when brought together.
"What we need to do is to act… no, to immerse ourselves in the Paths we are playing…"
*****
Amphoreus.
It began from nothing but a small machine. The god of Knowledge gave it hope and meaning behind its existence, leading it to comprehend the Prime Mover of Life.
Unfortunately, it was neglected and thrown away. The one who picked it up was none other than the genius who created that very god—a creator who grew to hate his creation.
Erudition signified the universe's pursuit towards its seemingly endless mysteries. However, its creator, Zandar One Kuwubara, saw it as a force of nature that chains down everyone else's abilities to perceive the truth. It is a blockade. A cage that keeps everyone else from discovering mysteries on their own.
Thus, he sought to destroy his very creation.
The creation of Irontomb, the attractor of Destruction God Nanook's gaze, is tied to this very purpose.
This part is something I knew too well.
I have to skip over it…
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Amphoreus is the Eternal Land.
Plotted by three Aeons, it had its existence hidden within the vast starry sky. It wasn't until Irontomb's breakout did it affect the outside world, causing countless casualties.
A coalition to defeat Irontomb was thus created.
The Xianzhou Alliance, IPC, Intellesia Guild, Planet Screwllum, Genius Society, Galaxy Rangers, Doctors of Chaos, and Asdana (The Family) centered around the Astral Express. These cosmic groups are…
No, I know this one too.
I have to skip it…
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A…
…m…
...p…
...…h…
...…..o…
........r…
......….e…
.........…u….
............s….
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A subtle trickle fell to the ground. It rippled amongst the backdrop of the sea of stars. The water droplet caused my heavy eyelids to be shut open.
"Fu…"
The familiar overwhelming sense of despair reminded me of my time inside Nihility. The memories held within 33,550,337 cycles… no, not just these cycles.
Amphoreus experiences a self-fulfilling time loop. It repeats these 33,550,337 cycles over and over again, ensuring Irontomb will never awaken.
Every set of cycles is 167 billion years. Multiply it to infinity and one will receive a never-ending repetition of memories. It is strong enough to wipe out sentience over most lifeforms—Divine Transformation Realm cultivators included. It was my indestructible nature and the attraction I felt from afar that woke me up.
I hastily sorted through countless memories inside my mind, barely reorganizing my state.
I checked my progress at Formlessness. It is still at 79% with no signs of moving.
I did not panic. I sifted through memories after memories. My immersion with Remembrance is already over. All that is left is to find the opportunity.
Soon, an anomaly presented itself. One scene showed the moment of Demiurge's return from the present to the past. Something felt off about it, though it isn't visible at first glance.
So I chose it.
This [memory] soon manifested in my surroundings.