In the newborn world.

Li Ye sat across from another self beside the jade table.

At this moment, many mortals have reached this place via Jianmu’s Celestial Ladder and, guided by the Beaver, are moving into clean and tidy small courtyards.

Having left their homes and families behind, and guided by Jianmu to this mysterious place, they have become quite worldly and are curious, though obedient.

"You’re not doing this just to offer them refuge, are you?"

"Li Ye" looked at him with curiosity, asking, "Why do you insist on bringing them here? Furthermore, why go through all this trouble, if—past the great catastrophe—what then becomes of this place?"

"You certainly have quite a few questions."

"How about you ask one, and then I’ll ask you one?"

Li Ye casually beckoned for a pot of nectar.

He poured a full cup for "himself."

"Alright."

He lifted the cup and drank it all in one go.

It was at that moment Li Ye replied:

"I want them to help me craft talismans and magical artifacts."

"You also know that during the great catastrophe, talismans and magical artifacts frequently lose their effectiveness, but if they’re created sincerely and with blessings by mortals untouched by disaster, that issue shouldn’t arise, right?"

"Li Ye’s" face scrunched up.

With helplessness, he said, "Where’s the answer in that? You’re clearly turning the question back at me, and if I answer, it counts as one question."

"Alright." Li Ye blinked; this was actually something he occasionally sensed, but if someone could prove its usefulness, it would save a lot of time and effort.

Indeed, it would be a good outcome.

Li Ye closed his eyes, seemingly in deep recollection.

His voice came slowly:

"Indeed, it is useful."

"You hail from the Four Seasons Sect, so you should understand the nature of tribulation Qi—for essentially, it stems from the excessive number of beings in this world, a burden on Heaven and Earth necessitating cleansing."

"But reportedly, this catastrophe is sentient too; if cultivators fail to protect mundane beings, their likelihood of being culled by tribulation Qi increases. Some call this merit, others call it choice."

"How does one choose? It’s... allowing mortals to decide cultivators’ fate."

This last sentence made Li Ye’s heart tremble.

He was about to say something.

The other continued: "I once came from the mundane, born a human, ascending to an immortal, yet forgetting the path of the past; like a foundation crumbling, what speaks of the future?"

"I was a person of the mountains; how could I not become an immortal?"

"This is fairness, the balance of Yin and Yang."

"..."

Li Ye instinctively sensed that this statement might not merely pertain to the catastrophe, but hint at the Tao Furnace Realm.

If true...

That could lead to an earth-shattering event.

Is universal cultivation truly wrong?

Could it even be that due to the dwindling number of mortals, it might be impossible to find opportunities in the future?

Oh heavens.

For once, he felt a rare sensation of panic, yet dared not ask further.

He knew surely there would be no answer.

Thus, he picked up a milk bead with his fingers, slowly chewing it, continuing:

"Let’s say you’ve answered my question."

"What’s the next thing you want to ask?"

Li Ye wore a mysterious smile, "I want to know what your next plans are."

The leap in this question was indeed large.

"Ah?" Li Ye paused, "I need to oversee Spirit Leaf City, look after the mortals I’ve bestowed Spirit Roots upon, gather everyone to face the great catastrophe, and tend to mortals migrating to this Four Seasons City.

Meanwhile, I’ll subdue the Cyan Emperor Race, study Spirit Plants and Spirit Beasts, and prepare to face that mighty Yang Jian deity you mentioned..."

This was indeed what he’d been preparing in recent times.

Come to think of it, there really was quite a lot.

Each endeavor would require vitality, something only a cultivator could handle.

The other, however, shook his head and said:

"Yet you have forgotten something."

"Oh no, it’s actually two things."

Oh.

Only then did Li Ye remember there were two more things he hadn’t set out.

He brought out the Time Paradox Fish and the inkstone, placing them on the jade table.

The gray fish, differing only in color from ordinary carp, slapped its tail in clear dissatisfaction.

As for the inkstone.

It appeared as just an ordinary inkstone.

Seemingly lacking any special features.

"The Time Paradox Fish, estranged from the River of Cosmic Light..." Li Ye stared unblinking at the fish: "Rumor has it, its bones can be used in an array, possibly becoming a paradox.

To exist eternally within, never facing death."

The gray fish was so startled by the comment that it almost leaped into Li Ye’s arms but lacked strength, so opted to stay motionless on the table, flipping its belly pretending to be dead fish.

"Quit scaring it." Li Ye said crossly, "It’s my friend; if you frighten it anymore, you’ll never come into this world again!"

Indeed, the threat was quite substantial.

Li Ye dared not look at it, instead turning his gaze to the inkstone, his tone now cautious: "This object is a root of disaster."

"Why say so?"

"Hell is, after all, hell, like how right and wrong are distinct. To seek justice in hell is inherently flawed; even the Bodhisattva of Kṣitigarbha declared not to become Buddha until hell was empty.

This grand vow achieved the strength akin to Buddha.

Doesn’t that prove how challenging it is?"

Li Ye did not reply.

He placed his palm on the inkstone to sense it deeply.

The expression in his eyes grew ever brighter.

After a long time, he withdrew his palm, thoughtfully saying:

"An intriguing force."

"You all seem to have some connection to it too."