Chapter 922 Eden, the Serpent, and Belief (5200)

He wanted to see the Zhuzhou.

Su Zhou could completely respond to this wish and realize it with ease.

But the first thing that came to Su Zhou's mind was worry.

"What if you see me?" he thought. "It would just be another god, a completely unnecessary thing."

But then again, this thought itself was a kind of disbelief—Su Zhou was willing to believe in the potential of the beings of the Melodic Universe, that they would not be lost in worship simply by witnessing his divine power, true form, and essence.

Since he had helped the beings of the Melodic Universe, it was only natural for him to appear.

Therefore, he decided to respond to this wish.

And so.

Above the continents of Ilotal and Atlantis, a light suddenly appeared in the vast and boundless sky. This light was so bright and intense that even the sun seemed dim in comparison. It opened a crack, like a door, hanging above the universe.

Bright but not dazzling, a cyan-violet light projected from the crack in the door. In the next instant, time, space, the universe, the sky, and the clouds, all were pierced through and connected. It was the gaze flowing down from the eyes of the Supreme, the proof of reaching the pinnacle of Harmony, the attention of one who surpasses the universe.

From the Fenrir Inner Sea to the desolate northern border, from the Divine Wood City of Atlantis to the old capital of the Alliance, all beings with blood witnessed it: They saw, behind the crack in the sky, a shadow sitting on a throne of white flames.

No one could clearly see what the entity of that shadow was. Was it a human, a dragon, a bird, everything that could be described?

Everyone saw their own reflection in that shadow, a better version of themselves, their future selves, a silhouette of possibility, a beautiful fragment of time from the distant future. They saw the future, possibility, hope, and achievement in this shadow.

They saw their dreams.

Therefore, they couldn't help but hold their breath.

Each person is a small world full of dreams and hopes.

When people dream, they crave things they have never possessed, such as adventure, delicious food, beautiful women, power, danger, and excitement. Some are beautiful, some are vulgar, some are dangerous and evil, but this is precisely the light and shadow that people should have.

Dreams are the foundation of ideals, the embryonic form of ambition, the condensation of desire, the beginning of ambition. Dreams are the fuel of brilliance. They are not necessarily essential, absolutely necessary, and bright things.

But the radiance of the Zhuzhou is born because of them.

Zhuzhou is light, Zhuzhou does not dispel shadows, Zhuzhou is a dream, Zhuzhou first acknowledges imperfection and incompleteness, and then thirsts for better.

Zhuzhou is just a path, a thought, a belief.

It is a phantom floating in water, a daydream drifting in the sea of ​​the heart.

But Zhuzhou, precisely because of this, is correct.

Everyone is dreaming for themselves, everyone is dreaming for others, and all dreams gather together to create, which is the ultimate future called common ideals, called 'correct', and this is not false at all. This is the truth that happens in all the multiverse.

Zhuzhou is such a real concretization.

Su Zhou is the original Zhuzhou, but not the only Zhuzhou.

And now.

The original Zhuzhou showed his dream to all living beings.

"Beings of the Melodic Universe, I have come in response to your wishes, and now, the wish to respond to my arrival here has been fulfilled, and I should leave."

A calm and gentle voice, like that of a friend, not condescending, echoed in everyone's ears: "But I don't think fulfilling a wish is the end, just as suffering itself is not all of suffering, and the world that creates suffering is itself a mistake."

"Why are there such wishes? The gods are the reason for this, but why do the gods become such beings? I think this all stems from the sudden acquisition of power, which distorts those who are not prepared to become gods."

"The origins of the gods were all the brightest stars in the world. They gained achievements that were praised and extolled by all, so they became gods in the next era—but the gods' almost eternal power led to the dimming of these stars, making them crave eternity, just like emperors crave eternal life."

"I want to end this cycle, but I am still hesitant."

Everyone looked up at the phantom in the sky, the dream of light that was gradually unfolding and covering the entire Melodic Universe.

Faintly, one could see a geometric figure that was hard to say whether it was complex or simple was surging in the light… It seemed like an eye, and also like an egg. A crack was located on it, like a vertical pupil, and a hazy light was flowing within.

What is Zhuzhou? The beings of the Melodic Universe seemed to understand something at this moment, but they were not very clear.

But no matter what, they all heard Su Zhou's words.

So, someone started to ask Su Zhou.

"Original Zhuzhou, lord who extended a helping hand, today's divine power all relies on your help."

It was a Star Citizen from the future, whose entire body was composed of hot stellar matter. He emitted a swift stream of light-like messages, so he was the first to ask among the many questioners: "But why are you still hesitant? Could it be that there are still enemies, still hidden dangers in our universe?"

"Not so."

The voice came, answering the question: "Everything is because of your future."

A dreamlike illusion appeared in the sky, allowing all beings to see: "You are born Dao bodies, with your own Daoist notes within your bodies. As long as you exist within the Melodic Universe, it is not impossible for all of you to become immortals in the future, and even God-Kings may be numerous."

"This is a very good path, everyone becomes a god, everyone becomes immortal. In this way, you can reach true 'eternity'... And the entire Melodic Universe will therefore be completely mature, with the possibility of catalyzing an 'Eternal One' with its own single universe."

Saying so, the voice of Zhuzhou changed, and his tone became solemn: "But the problem also lies here, everything is too stable, without seeking other possibilities—in other words, as long as you embark on such a path, then the beings of the Melodic Universe will be locked in this local universe, and it will be difficult to explore the multiverse."

It is not that the gods of the Melodic Universe have not gone to the other side of the void, but firstly because there was still Icy Void at that time, and now there are also space-time turbulences, but the most important thing is that as a part of the Melody, no matter how loud the God-King's note is, once it exceeds the scope of the Melody's performance, it will lose its power.

A single note, leaving the Melody, naturally cannot form a melody, and therefore cannot perform magic and miracles, or even all the great power and supernatural powers. This is a matter of course, and it is also the trade-off point of the Melodic Universe system—it is easier to create Harmony Adepts, but these Harmony Adepts have various shortcomings.

The picture Zhuzhou displayed in the sky revealed this reality to all beings: they could become gods, but the price was that they could only stay in their hometown, and at most explore the surrounding small worlds.

As soon as this appeared, there was an uproar.

"It's not unacceptable."

Someone thought so. He came from the era of the Symphony of Stars: "Our world itself is already vast and boundless, so why go to the multiverse, which is also infinite?"

"Yes."

Many people agreed with his view: "Without the suppression of the gods, our world will continue to expand and transform into many new continents. In this way, there is no need to explore the other side of the multiverse at all, and we can satisfy our curiosity."

This was agreement.

Naturally, there were also objections.

"This is being bound!"

A Melodic Universe human who often communicated with pioneer space explorers loudly objected: "The unknown and possibilities I want to witness are definitely not like this! What I want is a completely different novelty, not simple repetition and déjà vu!"

"Indeed, I can choose not to go out, but not going out and not being able to go out are two different things!"

This was another angle of opposition. They might never leave their hometowns, towns, and countries in their lives. They might never leave their own small plots of land in their entire lives, but they also have the right to pursue distant dreams.

Perhaps they will never put it into practice in their lives, but denying even the possibility of fantasy is the most vicious evil.

Su Zhou watched all the opinions and listened to all the voices.

Before the argument developed into a quarrel, he spoke.

"So, I have another idea."

The original Zhuzhou spoke, he stretched out his hand and erased the picture in the sky, replacing it with another possibility: "An idea that is still not perfect, and still has many mistakes."

The god surrounded by cyan-violet flames raised a finger in the void, and the tip of the finger shone with infinite light: "I will create a world."

In the light, there were infinite colors and brilliance rotating. It was the prototype of a universe, a generation comparable to any era in the Melodic Universe. It was a blank, complete, because nothing had happened yet, so no mistakes were born 'Original Garden'.

That was the initial [Eden], the foundation that nurtured the future and hope.

Showing his power to create a universe, the original Zhuzhou calmly said to all beings: "I will create such a world."

"Beings of the Melodic Universe, you come from the Overture, Ringing, Allegro, and Finale four eras, you exist in the melodious melody called 'Genesis Symphony'—if you choose the first type, the eternal path of all becoming gods, then this world is the 'Divine Realm' of the future."

"Its name is [Chord]. In the future, if a god achieves something, they can enter the Divine Realm. In the Divine Realm, there is no need to worry about being replaced, just fulfill their own melody, and everyone can enjoy eternal time—but in contrast, the gods in the Chord Divine Realm cannot arbitrarily interfere with the mortal world of the four universes."

"If you want to interfere, you need to abandon eternity. You have to lead the era to achieve a better world, use your power to shine and play the strongest sound of an era… Only in this way can you manifest in the mortal world and become a true god."

The original Zhuzhou announced such a future, and the universe at his fingertips began to expand. Everyone could see the magnificent scenery displayed in that universe. There were towering seven-layered heavens, and also endless abyss ravines. There was the city of endless order and reincarnation, and also the Elysian fields of heaven.

"Until everyone becomes a god, until everyone arrives at the Divine Realm—at that time, perhaps it will be the time when eternity is born. This is the path of eternity."

After showing such a dream and future, Su Zhou shrunk the expanding universe and turned it back into light.

Next, he showed another possibility: "And the other type, if you want to choose to explore, choose to go to the other side of the multiverse, choose a different eternity from what you are used to, but the path of 'Torrent' that I take."

This time, the light expanded again, and in that new universe, in the new universe called [Fundamental Tone], there was only an endless starry sky.

Each star was a note, infinitely bright, and they hung alone, but intertwined with other starlight.

And in this starlight, the voice of Zhuzhou sounded.

"In this universe called [Fundamental Tone], there will be the 'notes' of all beings in the Melodic Universe… All beings will no longer be like they are now, easily becoming gods and God-Kings."

"In contrast, all beings can therefore go to the other side of the multiverse to explore, without worrying about being weakened because of leaving the Melodic Universe."

"Even… if someone accidentally dies in the process of exploration, then because of the notes existing in [Fundamental Tone], all souls will be drawn back, so the dead can also be resurrected and start a new journey again."

Saying so, this vast starry universe shone on all beings, shining on those faces that were either surprised, or joyful, or thoughtful.

"Of course."

Noticing the many doubts about resurrection flashing in the crowd, Su Zhou opened his mouth to answer: "Resurrection is not unlimited, it is still related to your cultivation—the more you cultivate, the more you are remembered, the more times you are resurrected, and the longer your lifespan will be."

"Of course, if a Torrent attacks you, this kind of resurrection is meaningless—but if you can also encounter a Torrent, then actually it's… there's no way, right?"

Su Zhou smiled and shook his head. He said calmly: "I will transform the entire foundation of the Melodic Universe, so that you have another possibility."

"This is what I want to bring to you, a dream."

The picture in the light gradually dissipated.

Su Zhou retracted his hand.

He told all the beings of the Melodic Universe what he was going to do, what he wanted to do, and the reality he was going to fulfill.

Then, under everyone's gaze, the young man seriously looked around at the boundless life.

Su Zhou asked: "What about you?"

He asked from the bottom of his heart: "What kind of tomorrow do you want?"

"Do you want the path of eternity, or the path of Torrent? Or do you want to stay the same?"

"Or, do you have other ideas, other possibilities? Please tell me, pray to me."

"I will become the power that creates you, I will become all the light that makes dreams come true."

This is an extremely benevolent god.

He wants to create an Eden, a heaven-like world. He wants to turn dreams into reality, to make wishes come true.

He is stepping towards the Torrent. The radiance that has covered the entire Melodic Universe, and is even spreading towards the void of the multiverse, is shaking the divine power of the heavens. This is all proof of this.

The beings of the Melodic Universe, the Eve and Alan of the four eras, and even the heroic souls of the four Zhuzhou, all raised their heads and stared at the sky above.

Bright and gentle light, the divine light of Zhuzhou is spreading in the boundless azure sky. Every flash of it is piercing through the past, the future, and infinite possibilities, and even the many worlds in the void are illuminated.

The chaotic fluctuations brought about by the space-time turbulence cannot stop the fluctuations of this infinite power. It is lurking, waiting, but everyone knows that when the essence of this light erupts, it will be the moment when the 'Torrent' sweeps through all the worlds.

Su Zhou waited, waiting for a voice, for infinitely many voices to make their choices, to put forward their opinions, to conceive their wishes, dreams, and the small worlds in their hearts.

He waited until the wind stopped, the leaves froze, the rivers solidified, and the sea no longer rippled.

And in such silence, a voice sounded.

"Zhuzhou."

Different from what everyone imagined, this voice was not a simple choice, nor did it put forward new ideas.

This voice carried confusion, stubbornness, and a hint of persistent opposition.

A person, seemingly ordinary, a man without any characteristics.

He stood in the crowd, stood in the silent crowd, and questioned the light high in the sky: "The god who defeated the gods!"

"You want to change our world, change our future, change the foundation and possibilities of everything."

This man was afraid, of course he was afraid. Even the gods were enough to be feared, and Zhuzhou was even more powerful than the gods, so how could he not be afraid?

But even if he was afraid, he still insisted, under everyone's questioning gaze, and under Zhuzhou's focused gaze, he said his thoughts: "But, is your change really good?"

"God who surpasses the gods, please forgive my disrespect, please listen to my doubts and confusion, because there are confusions in my heart—please tell me, being changed by you, and being changed by the gods."

"What is the essential difference between these two?"

In that moment.

Listening to the question, Su Zhou seemed to see a fleeting phantom.

It was a snake, a shadow of a snake that eternally questioned, even if it was correct, even it would always question itself.

It existed, existed in every place in the multiverse. It was omnipresent, and it was always like this. In anyone, in anything, there was such an existence, because that was not a simple question.

But 'correct'.

The young man was slightly stunned, then closed his eyes.

Su Zhou smiled.

When he opened them again, the young man's eyes were bright. He stared at the person who asked him the question, and slowly opened his mouth: "Since you asked like this…"

"Then I can only answer truthfully."

Stating calmly, Su Zhou frankly opened his hands. The light and shadow sitting on the White Throne stood up, and the burning flames swayed in the center of the universe.

The god above the gods, who was almost a Torrent, candidly told the beings without hesitation: "There is no essential difference between being changed by me and being changed by the gods."

"I also cannot guarantee that you will be eternally happy and set foot on perfection and correctness."

"I am very sorry, but that is the reality."

After a pause.

Su Zhou looked around at the past and future of the universe.

"However… beings, please listen to my words."

He said earnestly, from the bottom of his heart.

The young man smiled, and his gaze returned to the person who raised the question: "Just as your questioning is necessary."

"You need to believe me."

"Just as I need to believe you."

"This is the meaning of my (Innovation's) existence."