Chapter 1640: Existential Heart Demon

"Now, I’d like to open the floor to suggestions. If you have any idea on how we can improve the war mobilization effort, I’m all ears," Maitreya said. Everyone conversed and muttered among themselves for a while before.

"Saint, have you considered drawing in foreign powers to participate in this disaster?’ Sage Cloud Pill asked with a slow but steady voice. As the man considered the pinnacle of Alchemy in the Eternal Ascension World, he looked what you would expect of him: an elderly man with long gray hair, a white beard that he often caressed, and a blue robe with clouds embroidered on the cuffs. The only non-generic physical feature of this man was the noticeable scar on his nose.

"Normally, I would not say such a thing, but given the scale involved, we might be out of our depths." Most people agreed with him, and even if they didn’t, they kept their opinions to themselves. Due to the cruel nature of cultivation, most cultivators are territorial and are wary of any foreign powers influencing their home worlds. However, the Eternal Ascension World was kind in a precarious situation, and things might get desperate.

"I will do that, but it’s not time yet for any direct alliance or cooperation,’ Maitreya replied. She had already started moving by allowing the Yin Moon Palace and a few other factions to send their disciples into primordial chaos as a last resort. She even took control of the Blue Amber, the assassin that was a vessel for another foreign Saint, and planned to use it in the future. But now was not the time.

"Can we understand your reason?" Cloud Pill asked. A united coalition would save the world from a great deal of devastation; it would also save countless lives and resources. Yet, despite Maitreya’s good nature, she seemed resistant to the idea.

"In the end, even I cannot escape the webs of desires," Maitreya sighed deeply. "Do you know about the Seven Transcendent Factions?" It was already common knowledge among the Overlords that the next age would mirror the Golden Age, as they would have to compete for seven spots instead of the thirteen back then.

"What do you think that means? Do you think there will only be Seven Saints?"

Yes, logically speaking, it was not adding up for only seven Saints to exist when the entire age revolved around that realm. So, what were the seven spots for? Everybody listened attentively.

"The Transcendent Age will change the fundamental structure of the Chaos Universe, and as the Destiny Center, our world will be more valuable than you can imagine. While I don’t know the exact details, I know that the seven factions will receive special privileges that any Saint of any step will probably lust after."

"Any step?" Qiyuan asked. "Then, how are we supposed to protect these positions?" That question hit the nail on the head. How would they possibly protect themselves from a Tribunal Saint who wanted a spot? It’s not known whether the Primordial Timeline has a Grand Dao Saint, but if it does, then isn’t one spot — or maybe all of them — already guaranteed to them?

"That I don’t know," Maitreya revealed. This issue has been one of her primary concerns. That’s why she allowed Su Ya to escape to test out the response of the Desire Heart Palace and try to deduce whether Grand Dao would allow the Ji Clan and the Primeval Body Mansion to compete. "I have deduced that Grand Dao will place restrictions."

’That is a weak argument,’ Wang Wei thought. Saints are all about being able to break or ignore the rules, so unless Grand Dao went all out for the Eternal Ascension World, these positions will soon become a significant issue.

"How are the spots selected?"

"Unsure, but so far, destiny seemed to be the only deciding factor," Matreya revealed. The primals did not like this answer. Qiyuan was heavily responsible for their world becoming the center of destiny, and with Wang Wei having saved it from the Supreme Unity, Heavenly Dao owed them enough karma that it had to either eliminate the Dao Opening Sect or offer them a position.

Wu Hong’s destiny seemed to involve the pinnacle of talent, a representation of the best the Eternal Ascension World has to offer. Considering her relationship with Wang Wei and how their destinies might complement each other, she might have a spot. At the very least, she has the destiny for the first official Saint of the world, which increases her chances of competing for one of the positions.

Maitreya is already a Saint, which is an enormous advantage, but currently, she’s the world’s guardian, leading the cause to defend it and ensure the Heavenly Dao can fulfill its destiny to become the center. Such an achievement is worthy of being blessed with a position. Lastly, there is Emperor Kong, the Chosen One for this disaster. As long as he fulfilled his mission like Wang Wei did, he might also be guaranteed one, meaning four of them might have already been decided. How could they accept that?

However, these old monsters swiftly calm down. Destiny was not the same as fate, meaning it was not absolute, and even fate can be overcome. Buddhism and the Dao Opening Sect are powerful, and under normal circumstances, it would be a fool’s dream to say they can be eliminated. However, in this disaster, no one is safe — not even Maitreya. As a matter of fact, what happened to Dugu Baitian and the Grand Sect Alliance is proof that no faction is absolutely safe; anyone can fall at any moment.

Wu Hong and the Origin Seal Continent might have endless potential, but it doesn’t change the fact that their foundation is among the weakest, only slightly better than the Limitless Exchange Hall. Finally, there is Kong — the weakest link. He’s the easiest to target and eliminate.

"Don’t forget I’m still here," Maitreya warned. With these words, the flame of ambition of these Primals was extinguished; these people turned from hunting tigers, kings of the mountains, to wimping rabbits. The Buddha snorted softly; luckily for them, it was just a normal snort with no aura or suppression, or they would have suffered.

"If you have any more ideas, don’t keep your mouth shut."

More people offered suggestions, and everyone discussed. Then, they are either eliminated, further refined, or directly rejected. Finally, after a few suggestions, Wang Wei spoke: "We could try to invade other timelines." All eyes paid attention.

"Keep going," Maitreya motioned with her head.

"We know it’s inevitable for foreign factions to eventually interfere in this war, but we can delay that time for as long as possible, but only if we can last long enough. We can search for timelines with no Saints, invade and plunder their resources to fuel the war. I don’t think I need to mention the benefits of such a vast amount of resources, or making achievements in the war."

His words made everybody ponder. The benefits of this plan are indeed obvious, but there are also other issues.

"I’m undecided on the issue. We just learned of the danger of the Infinite Trichiliocosm, so I don’t know about this."

"Is it really wise to start a major war right before the Land of Exile invades? Unless the Saint directly participates and allows us to swipe everything as fast as possible, this doesn’t seem feasible."

"But think of the upside? Endless resources, new knowledge, new ores, herbs, pills, and countless unknown opportunities. As you said, if we can have a swift and decisive war, this might be worth considering."

"If we do this, we will have to use an army of lower realm cultivators."

"Your point?"

"Why don’t you wait for me to finish?"

"My bad. Continue."

"Have any of you considered the effect this invasion might have on them? We discussed the unsettling feeling that comes with navigating other timelines, so we must consider what effect that will have on them. Especially since the war — even if it’s quick — the aftermath will take a while."

"I didn’t think of that."

"Your words reminded me of something I heard a long time ago about something called an Existential Heart Demon."

"What’s that? It sounds terrible."

"After meeting their alternate selves, some people questioned the meaning of their existence so profoundly that it gave birth to a terrifying type of Heart Demon that rapidly devours their spirit and shatters their Dao Heart."

"Ooh, that’s nasty."

"Indeed. I thought the story was exaggerating things, but after what I learned today, I’m more open-minded to the possibility that it’s true."

Maitreya remained silent, but she knew that it was true. During her flawed method cultivation, when she was fighting and swallowing countless alternate versions of herself, one of them experienced a similar thing. It was heartbreaking to see the miserable state she was in. That event almost broke Maitreya spiritually, and luckily, she overcame it.

The primals discussed Wang Wei’s suggestions for a while, and the result was a split between both sides of the argument. So, Maitreya looked at her Grand Strategist: "What do you think?"

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