Embers Ad Infinitum

In the Vigilance Cathedral’s basement, the Old Task Force met Harbinger Song He.

“It happened faster than I expected.” Song He asked in a friendly manner, “Why did Mr. DiMarco allow you to enter the Underground Ark?”

He was puzzled by this matter, so he didn’t hide his curiosity.

Jiang Baimian smiled. “He’s very interested in the forbidden temple on Lake Heart Island. He also knows that we definitely won’t share our gains with him if he doesn’t meet us.”

“Is that so…” Song He didn’t expect such a simple reason. But since it involved the so-called sleeping deity, it was normal for anything strange to happen. Perhaps DiMarco has the intention of becoming a similar existence?

Jiang Baimian then mentioned the matter regarding the traitor in Redstone Collection. “Oh right, we asked Mr. DiMarco if he sold out Redstone Collection and leaked the information regarding Bishop Renato’s return to headquarters to the merfolk and mountain monsters. Although he didn’t admit it, he didn’t deny it either. He only said that he would talk to the new bishop about the problem when they arrive.”

Song He revealed a thoughtful expression and nodded slightly. “There’s no need to continue the investigation then. Consider this mission completed.”

With that said, he smiled and pointed at the ceiling above him. “Let’s chat upstairs. It’s not good to keep standing.”

Knowing that Song He was about to make the payment and impart them some general knowledge regarding the Awakened, Shang Jianyao replied before Jiang Baimian could. “Alright!”

He then added, “Do you need someone to massage your back?”

Shang Jianyao looked at Long Yuehong as he spoke.

F*ck… Long Yuehong couldn’t help but curse inwardly.

“Huh?” Song He was clearly a little confused.

Shang Jianyao explained seriously, “This is a treatment that teachers can enjoy.”

“There’s no need. There’s no need.” Song He suddenly wondered if he was really old and had a so-called generation gap with young people.

After returning to the cathedral and entering Song He’s room, both parties took their seats.

Jiang Baimian then eagerly asked, “Harbinger Song, how many islands do you have to challenge and defeat in order to clear the Sea of Origins?”

Although she wasn’t an Awakened, she always had a spirit for research when it came to such matters.

Song He laughed when he heard that. “You guys know a lot too. I’m a little doubtful if I can still provide a sufficiently valuable reward.”

He paused and thought for a moment before saying, “Since you have the basics down, it saves me time. The traumas and fears hidden in everyone’s hearts are different. They are unique to the person; therefore, the number and characteristics of the islands that need to be cleared are different. Some might have to challenge eight to nine islands to find themselves. Some might reach the end after four to five islands, or even two to three islands. This depends on the person.

“To put it simply, people who are courageous and without much psychological trauma will clear the Sea of Origins faster.”

Jiang Baimian resisted the urge to look at Shang Jianyao and asked curiously, “I thought so too, but this raises a question. As you know, an Awakened’s abilities will be enhanced to a certain extent every time they defeat an island. In that case, will the people who clear eight to nine islands be stronger than those who only clear two to three?”

She meant that there might be a huge strength difference between two people—one obtained enhancements eight to nine times, while the other had only obtained enhancements two to three times—after both ended up entering the Mind Corridor successfully.

Song He’s gaze slowly swept past the four Old Task Force members, and he smiled. “There is indeed a strength between the two Awakened when they first enter the Mind Corridor. However, this gap is very small. It mainly comes from their usage of their abilities, their ability to restrain each other, and their combat experience.

“Be it Awakened who have cleared seven to eight islands or Awakened who have only defeated two to three islands, their strength will rise to a similar level after they find themselves and make whole their minds. The more enhancements one receives prior, the fewer obstacles they will subsequently face, and vice-versa.”

He thought for a moment before giving an example. “This is just like when we go from Redstone Collection to United Industries’ headquarters. Be it driving, riding a bike, or even walking, there will always be only one outcome—arriving at one’s destination. The main difference is the time spent on the journey and the experience gained from various encounters.

“For Awakened, the intrinsic goal of defeating the islands of trauma is to cross the Sea of Origins. As long as one can enter the Mind Corridor, everyone will have the same important gains.”

“I understand.” Shang Jianyao clenched his right fist and punched his left palm. “This is just like a race. Some need to jump over more hurdles, and some just need to cross a few shallow pits. Regardless of the method, being the first to cross the finish line is victory.”

Song He nodded. “Something like that.”

He followed Shang Jianyao’s example and continued, “The possible difference between the two is that the more experienced one will find it easier when they encounter a need to cross a hurdle in the future.”

“Will they encounter the possibility of crossing hurdles again in the future?” Jiang Baimian acutely sensed the meaning behind Song He’s words.

Song He tersely acknowledged it. “This involves the essence of the Mind Corridor.”

At this point, he picked up the cup beside him and took a sip. This made the four people from the Old Task Force a little anxious. Although Bai Chen and Long Yuehong weren’t Awakened and didn’t have a strong desire for research, everyone was curious.

This was the most mysterious and magical power that humans could currently obtain.

After drinking the water, Song He slowly said, “The Sea of Origins reflects one’s heart and mind. The islands are the fear or trauma that lurks deep in everyone’s hearts. The Mind Corridor links all Awakened’s hearts and minds. I heard from the Terror Bishop who brought me into the parish that there are many doors in the Mind Corridor. Every door corresponds to a mind world.

“Some of them belong to powerful Awakened who have explored the Mind Corridor’s depths. Some of them even lead to the Kalendarium’s dreams. There are all kinds of strange and varied scenes that transcend reality, including the reflections of the psychological trauma that the other party has previously defeated.”

It’s no wonder that one will still encounter islands of fear. However, it’s not the person’s but someone else’s… Jiang Baimian came to a realization.

Shang Jianyao excitedly asked, “Then, can we go visiting?”

Song He was stunned for two seconds before answering, “In theory, yes. However, you can’t open a door that corresponds to an ordinary Awakened’s mind—at least not until you explore the Mind Corridor’s depths. As for whether it works for someone like Yama Tiger, I don’t know.”

Upon hearing this example, Jiang Baimian’s eyebrows twitched slightly. She then thought of the ‘strangeness’ that was produced in the murloc Oracle’s body.

Opening the door in the opposite direction and returning to reality through another person’s mind world? The premise is to integrate one’s aura into another person’s body and provide a precise location? Jiang Baimian had a new guess regarding this matter.

She deliberated for a moment before asking, “Then, what’s the goal of exploring the Mind Corridor?”

Song He revealed a slightly wistful expression. “Many people in the Ashlands believe that a new world exists. In the depths of a city ruin is a door that leads to the New World. There is no longer hunger, infection, or war there. Similarly, powerful Awakened believe that a door in the Mind Corridor can lead to a new world, a new world that can allow their lives to undergo a qualitative change.”

Jiang Baimian and the others instantly thought of the words Yama Tiger had carved on the coffin’s inner walls with his nails: “A brand new world.”

This was similar to what Du Heng had said back then.

At this moment, Shang Jianyao suddenly asked, “What if the wrong door is taken?”

“You have to face all kinds of strange worlds then. If you can’t smoothly resolve the dangers inside, you might very well lose your life,” warned Song He. “In the Sea of Origins, failure is only a simple failure. At most, it will make people more exhausted and mentally ill. Success results in a higher price. But in the Mind Corridor, failure will often reflect into reality.”

“It’s very dangerous…” Long Yuehong sighed with emotion.

Song He laughed. “Yes. For Awakened matters, you have to face more if you want to obtain more. A coward like me only dares to stay where I am.”

Coward… For some reason, Long Yuehong suddenly recalled Viel’s words. He said that Harbinger Song had a different appearance in private. Maybe this is the price he paid?

As Long Yuehong’s thoughts raced, Song He said, “I only know this much about the Mind Corridor. Ask me something else.”

Jiang Baimian thickened her skin and asked, “Is there a way to stably induce a person’s awakening?” This might be the Church’s core secret.

Song He laughed and shook his head. “No, but if you join the Church, often participate in Mass, and obtain the attention of Eidolon Nun, it will definitely be easier for you to awaken. Yes, if Eidolon Nun directly bestows divine grace, there is a high chance of awakening.”

Is he trying to entice us into joining the Vigilance Church? Heh heh, how can you hook Shang Jianyao without any Holy Communion? Yes, it seems like the Kalendarium have a way to raise the probability of awakening… Jiang Baimian knew that she wouldn’t get an answer if she continued asking, so she rationally shut her mouth.

Shang Jianyao then raised a few more questions regarding the Sea of Origins and obtained good answers.

After bidding Song He farewell and getting into the jeep, Jiang Baimian—who was in the passenger seat—looked back at the Vigilance Cathedral. “The new bishop should be arriving soon. Let’s try our best to leave before then. Yes, let’s return to the hotel camp and tell Lehman about Lars. Let him confirm it himself. Then, we only have to wait for the information regarding Mechanical Paradise. We can also investigate Helvig’s death while waiting.

“Oh right, we still have to wait for the company’s reply.” Jiang Baimian had already drafted her exploration of the temple and recommendation of Han Wanghuo into a telegram last night and sent it to Pangu Biology.