Cloud Thinking

"So," Helia held the rose thrown by Ameshizik in one hand and rested her chin on the other in thought, "are these dumplings made just for this dish of vinegar?"

What she meant was that whether Osinoto's eventual path to godhood was also due to her.

She gradually discovered that whether it was her own time travel or being guided step by step to become the savior, the shadow of the God of Wisdom was everywhere.

His figure flashes at almost every key point.

She even suspected that the so-called pagans, Morogens, and man-made gods were all "experience packages" prepared for her in advance by the God of Wisdom, just like pre-prepared meals.

"Wisdom can foresee the future because of its omniscience," said Wattsiser. "Perhaps it saw something and had to make plans in advance."

Helia turned to Watersiser: "There is another point that concerns me."

Their eyes met and they said in unison: "Outside the world."

Helia is a soul from another world, so is Tang Yaoxing, and even the system.

If the Creator also comes from outside the world, doesn't that mean...

Could He also be a time traveler?

No, that's not right. Helia immediately denied it.

When the world was not yet created, where did the travelers come from? Did they travel into the void?

She speculated that this creator "outside the world" might be similar to the Lord God, a being from a higher dimension who created the world and then left it alone.

Wait, that’s still not right.

Helia suddenly remembered that she initially thought she had entered a comic book, but the system told her that this was a novel world and the comic book was just an adaptation.

Later, Tang Yaoxing's memory display proved that the story here was only presented in the form of novels and comics in her original world, and this place itself really existed.

Because after the novel ends, the world continues, rushing towards destruction like a wild horse.

If it weren't for this, she wouldn't be here, and the gods wouldn't have to save themselves.

So... which came first, the novel or the world?

This is a key question.

"The path to becoming a god..." Osinotto's voice was low and trembling, and a glimmer of disbelief flashed in his eyes that were once full of artistic enthusiasm but now only had fatigue.

Osinotto: (pointing to himself) Me? Me?

His cracked lips opened and closed slightly as he repeated these shocking words: "Can humans really become gods?"

Ameshizik raised his slender eyebrows slightly, and his body spun like flowing water. In the blink of an eye, he transformed into the appearance of Helia, who was twelve or thirteen years old.

Although her face still had the roundness and tenderness of a girl, her eyes were filled with a depth and wisdom beyond her age.

His slender fingers played with a gilded folding fan inlaid with dazzling gems, and the fan reflected a dazzling halo when it opened and closed.

"Why not?" His voice was as clear as a spring, yet it carried undeniable power. "Even if no one has ever accomplished this, why can't you become the first person to create the world?"

"I have always been good at turning the impossible into possible, and the possible into certainty. I am the creator of miracles."

The folding fan snapped shut, causing a slight echo in the silent and empty space.

He tapped his palm with the fan bone, making a crisp sound: "If you want to become a god, you must first stand shoulder to shoulder with the gods."

The tip of the fan drew a graceful arc in the air. "First, you must possess power comparable to that of a god. This is the most basic foundation."

"Secondly," the folding fan twirled nimbly between his fingers, the gemstone reflecting an ever-changing light, "one must hold absolute authority in a certain area."

"Just like I wield wisdom, you must find your own domain and become the supreme ruler of that domain."

"Third," His eyes flashed with a cunning and mysterious light, and His folding fan swung open, covering half of His delicate face. "It requires the devout following of believers."

"Remember, there is no God without faith. God is God because of faith."

Finally, the fan slowly moved away, revealing a meaningful smile. "And finally..." His voice suddenly grew deeper. "You must have the courage and fortitude to challenge the gods, and earn our recognition with your mortal ambitions."

"Not a request, but a conquest."

It is this first one, like an invisible natural barrier, that forever blocks all living beings from the divine realm.

The path to power alone is despairingly long. Every step is paved with blood and years, and every breakthrough is a test of life and death.

And acquiring power is even more difficult than ascending to heaven - this illusory thing, not to mention mastering it, even searching for the direction is like groping in the fog.

The third one seems simple, but it is not simple at all.

What is true faith? Is it piety simply to profess it verbally? Is it devotion simply to pray daily? Does it count simply by establishing a sect, spreading doctrine, or organizing a church?

Faith is the deepest refuge of the soul and a pursuit that transcends life and death.

Even the most devout priests will inevitably have doubts over the years and dare not assert that their faith in the Lord is eternal and unchanging.

As for Article 4...

Ha! Challenging the gods? This is simply courting death! This is not the way to seek death!

The order is established, the pie of benefits has been divided up, the throne is already full, and a newcomer suddenly breaks in and wants to get a piece of the pie. Which god will gladly accept him?

Approved?

wishful thinking!

To move their cheese and take away their authority is to become an enemy of the gods.

Before you are truly recognized, you will always be just a delicacy on their table and may be eaten up at any time.

After hearing this, Osinotto's tense shoulders suddenly relaxed, and a relieved smile appeared on the corners of his mouth: "Such harsh conditions, I'm afraid no one in the world can meet them, right?"

This is simply an impossible task.

In this case, it seems that there is no way he can do it, so he can face death with peace of mind.

"I've said before, I'm the creator of miracles." Ameshizik snapped his folding fan shut and gently lifted Osinoto's chin with the tip of the fan, forcing him to look directly into his eyes. "Just like you in the past, have you ever thought that one day you would be able to talk face to face with the gods in the sky?"

Did He mean... to help him become a god? Osinotto was filled with confusion.

How does this benefit Him?

Why on earth would He do this?

As an omniscient and omnipotent being, able to glimpse the past and future, was today's encounter and conversation all part of His plan? And whose pawn had I become?

Or maybe... all the suffering he had experienced was a carefully designed scheme by Him, just to force him onto this seemingly impossible road of no return?

Osinotto shook his head violently, rejecting this absurd idea.

He is too self-righteous. God is high above and has believers all over the world. How could he go to so much trouble to plot against an insignificant person like him?

But even so, he still felt that he had to remain extremely vigilant.

In the eyes of big men, I am nothing but dust that can be seen everywhere. In the eyes of the gods, I am even more like a vulnerable ant.

But even so, his life ultimately belongs to him.

He longed to control his own destiny and didn't want to be unable to decide even the final outcome.

"If it were you...what would you do?" he asked cautiously, his voice almost inaudible.

Ameshizik keenly caught the wariness and evasion that flashed in his eyes, and just smiled meaningfully and retracted the fan that was against his chin.

"To gain power comparable to that of a god, there are only two ways." His voice was calm and clear. "Slay the gods, or accumulate power."

"Kill the gods, devour the gods, and you will naturally gain their power." He paused, "Of course, I know you can't do it."

"Then the only path left is accumulation. However, how to accumulate is also a profound subject."

"If we calculate based on the most gifted genius of the human race, I'm afraid they would only be able to barely reach the threshold in their entire lives."

"If one person isn't enough, what about two? What about three? If we can bring together the power of so many geniuses, can't we achieve our goal?"

"So," His voice suddenly became deep, "the quickest way to gain power is to devour the accumulation of others."

Osinoto's expression suddenly became extremely complicated, his brows furrowed, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly. "Swallow...?" His voice trembled slightly. "Just like... eating people...?"

"Hahaha!" Ameshizik laughed heartily at this simple metaphor. "That's about it, but it's not as bloody as you think."

His smile suddenly became meaningful, "But it's much more cruel than you can imagine."

"You're a magician," Ameshizik put away his smile and tapped his palm lightly with his folding fan, "you should know where magic comes from."

"Since you can draw magic from nature and extract strength from magic crystals," a sly look flashed in his eyes, "why can't you get it from other people?"

"Don't we all have magic stored in our bodies?"

Osinotto's pupils suddenly contracted.

Only then did he understand that the so-called "devouring" did not mean literally eating flesh and blood, but absorbing magic power.

But just like a magic crystal that has been drained of its magic power will turn into an ordinary stone, can a person whose magic power has been drained... still survive?

This realization sent chills down his spine.

He suddenly realized a deeper question: Why does everyone have magic stored in their body?

The vast majority of people will never be able to become magicians in their entire lives and will not be able to use the magic power in their bodies, but why do they still have magic power?

The answer is obvious - magic is not only a force that magicians can drive, but also the original power given by nature to every life, and it is the existence that maintains life.

When magicians run out of magic power, they can replenish it from nature, but ordinary people cannot.

Once their magic power is drained away, they will most likely... die.

No wonder Ameshizik said that this is a bloodless but extremely cruel road.

There is no bloodshed because there is no need for swords and sabers; it is cruel because it is equivalent to depriving others of their lives.

"Of course, if you don't want to kill anyone, that's fine too." Ameshizik considerately offered another option. "All you need is magic power anyway. The three ancient tribes have it, as do magical beasts. There are also treasures and remains left over from ancient times. There's plenty of it."

Osinotto deliberately ignored the word "you" in the other party's words - he had never thought of going down this path, let alone doing such a thing.

"So... what about authority?" he asked hesitantly. "If I remember correctly, almost all authority in this world is firmly controlled by the gods, right? We can't... just grab it by force..."

Ameshizik nodded slightly, "It's true you can't rob." But then he changed the subject, "But I didn't say you can't steal, right?"

It is really unbelievable to hear the word "steal" from the mouth of a god...

“Steal…?” Osinotto was obviously shocked by this statement.

"That's right, it's stealing." The God of Wisdom explained with a chuckle, "Gods are very mysterious. No one knows the exact scope of their authority—even I'm not entirely clear."

"The gods fear each other and test each other, yet they all carefully observe that invisible boundary and will not easily tread into one another's territory." A sly glint flashed in his eyes. "That would be both an offense and a trap."

"Authority means absolute dominance within a specific area. To rashly trespass into the sphere of authority of another god is like walking into a tiger's mouth."

"But precisely because of this," Ameshizik's voice suddenly lowered, "there exists a subtle gap between authority and power. It's a place I think belongs to you, and you think it belongs to me, but out of caution, neither of us truly occupies it."

As Helia had expected, Osinoto's authority was formed by patching together the gaps between the powers of these gods.

But she didn't expect that this tricky angle was discovered by the God of Wisdom... She thought it was Osinotto's own little idea.

"But...how do we determine that?" Osinotto understood the theory, but knew it was practically impossible. "Besides, since you know about these...unoccupied areas, why don't you seize them yourself?"

"I'm already strong enough, I don't need to be stronger." Ameshizik's gaze suddenly crossed time and space and fell on Watersise next to Helia, as if they were talking across the air.

"An overly powerful being will incite everyone's fear. Given the opportunity, those forces united by fear will overturn that mountain."

The wood is beautiful in the forest, and the wind will destroy it.

"Furthermore, what protects the gods isn't simply strength, but mutual suspicion." He retracted his gaze and continued, "When we don't understand something, we always feel awe. The unknown brings fear, and not understanding the enemy will also infinitely magnify it in our imagination."

"The gods are so silent, partly because they can easily shake the world, but mostly because they maintain their secrecy for self-protection."

"The reason I've survived until now isn't because of my great strength, but because of my mysterious nature."

"I hold wisdom. In their eyes, I understand them, but they don't understand me—so no one dares to challenge me."

"And every time the God of War launches a conquest, every time he initiates an attack, he sows deeper fear in the hearts of the gods." Ameshizik's voice was like dripping ice. "They wonder: Will I be next?"

"Even more deadly," His fingertips gently brushed across the fan bones, "the more the war showcases His might, the faster His own weaknesses are exposed. He is no longer a mysterious being, but a concrete, understandable entity."

"We can never defeat something we can't see or touch," the God of Wisdom said, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. "But for those tangible beings, whether we fight to the death or take our time, we always have a way to deal with them."

"The result is just as you can see." He gently opened his folding fan, covering half of his face. "He fell, but I still exist."