The fundamental of spiritual qi is to go against honkai energy. They could not properly coexist together. Honkai energy, for instance, suppresses spiritual qi flow of those at the Foundation Establishment Realm and below. I have personally experienced it, and so did others.
Spiritual qi views honkai energy as a life-and-death enemy. When it comes to quantum and imaginary energy, however, it views them as potential romantic interests.
That's right.
Its presence calms down the chaotic nature of the two energies. They are similar to a boat gaining an anchor amidst thundering waves. These high-dimensional energies are the result of varying interactions. If someone takes a trace of them, they would find these energies to be in a constant state of change. It could spit out fire one second, and then a water ball the next.
Hence, the inhabitants of this universe have to choose a Path to undertake. By having one, they would gain an anchor and be able to use imaginary energy. The resulting output is closely tied to the Path they had chosen.
Spiritual qi removes any need for that. So long as it is constantly supplied, one could command both imaginary and quantum energies to follow their will. It was a groundbreaking discovery back then. Though, it becomes somewhat tasteless with Blade Mantra. That technique enables its practitioner to manipulate imaginary and quantum energy. It is also easier and less costly than to use spiritual qi as a remote.
This knowledge is a widely known one classified to be harmless, experimented over the course of five hundred years.
We are so dead wrong.
Barring the fact it remained hidden from divination up until now, the fact it 'broke' out after Leylah's Heart Demon erupted is extremely suspicious. The Sea of Data is a sub-space made by the Cocoon of Finality. If there is truly a consciousness manipulating everything behind the scenes, it won't be too surprising.
"I can use the Sea's power against it." Seele spoke out. "It gives me the feeling it isn't accepted by it."
"A mutant power resulted from three transcendental forces…"
Recalling the divination from earlier, it pertained to a man. Oftentimes, divination uses symbolism and the likes. I have a feeling this one's connected to me, however. The thing that sets apart a man of great virtue and a liar is their attitudes. Would they prefer covering things in a white lie? Or would they lay the truth bare and show the bitter reality?
I made the final action plan.
"It's Leylah. I will go and get her. Everyone else must watch out for any sudden changes."
*****
Mars is the fourth planet in the solar system. Prior to the Cocoon of Finality's arrival, it housed a bustling civilization. Venus was the one struck first. Only after they fell did the Cocoon's attention land onto Mars.
Through sheer coincidences, the Pathstriders of Permanence found the solar system and penetrated through its imaginary barrier. Each of them carried their burdens stemming from their home planet—from the Path they have treaded.
They saw Mars' predicament and stood up to help. They went against the ever-changing variable of this universe, fighting the Honkai with their own power.
Unfortunately, their decisions naturally led to consequences.
Senadina used to be a citizen of a planet blessed by Permanence. Their lifespans are extremely long. So long as they did not face any external threats, they would live forever. They have more advantages compared to the Xianzhou citizens suffering from Mara.
Time proved how huge of a mistake it was. Their civilization entered a state of stagnation, population problems, lack of ambitions…
Simply put, they became stagnant.
Senadina ultimately chose to leave this planet, forsaking Permanence's blessing in exchange for a chance to uncover THEIR true meaning—
The Permanence that transcends the end of all.
Ultimately, Senadina failed the Cocoon's Embrace. She passed on her responsibilities as well as her power to someone she considered as her own daughter, Leylah. She wanted Leylah to realize the ideals born out of her, Senadina's, life. Such was the small realization she attained upon facing death.
What she did not expect, however, was Leylah's ideals.
She wanted to bring Senadina back from the dead.
From the Martian Supercomputer down to the Dreamseeker Program Leylah had created, it was all to bring back Senadina. The only other person matching her determination was none other than the False God, the Fool who brought changes to the Imaginary Tree as a mere mortal.
Otto Apocalypse.
Since Mars officially became a part of the Federation, nobody knew about Leylah's true goals, much less her true self. Her personality remained unknown, and as such, the madness matching that of Schicksal's former Overseer was overlooked.
The only times she responded was during Shi Tian's calls… and there was a good reason why.
'...A savior.'
Many things described Shi Tian, and savior was one of them. His tendency to self-immolate was apparent. He would rather get hurt himself if it meant helping others reach a good ending. Such was the case with Kiana; with Seele and Veliona; with Earth; and with the Previous Era.
Before Leylah knew it, his back overlapped Senadina. Despite not meeting properly, she subconsciously felt closer with him. She, who was starved of affection and carried an extremely heavy burden, sought another person's help. Her heart cried endlessly, making Leylah doubt herself. Her goal wore her out, causing her to descend to the pit of madness. Shi Tian overlapping with Senadina was the final distress signal sent by her heart.
Facing the Sea of Suffering…
'How could it be..?'
…she broke down completely.
The pain and sorrow she vividly felt overwhelmed Leylah. It was something someone would never feel; they would have long given up and self-destructed before coming to that point. Yet, he did.
The feeling of going crazy, saving those he wanted to save but cannot, resonated with Leylah's experiences extremely well. The thing that scared her, however, was the fact that it was Shi Tian.
Senadina found herself lost at the end of her life; Shi Tian lost everything he valued dear.
Both people Leylah had looked up to ended their lives in suffering. This made her think that what she was doing meant nothing at all. The deep sense of powerlessness transmitted by the Sea of Suffering turned into Leylah's own powerlessness, amplified further by her worn-out mental state.
'If everyone heads towards failure…'
'If everyone faces defeat they cannot recover from…'
'If people will go down the road of death and obliteration of existence…'
'If heroes suffer from nothing but constant loss…'
'Why am I still struggling?'