"I realize the concept of a destruction of a world is very foreign to you, even more so when you have to act to personally cause it, but the fact that doing this would save the world that you came from should act as a buffer and cause you to come out of this with even more experience."
The Grandmaster held a passive look as he casually mentioned the destruction of an entire star along the lines of training. Noah's mind went back to the Lost World that had received a similar verdict of destruction months ago, where Athena had been the one to initiate the destruction under the watch of a Celestial.
He was trying to think what exactly the Celestials had observed while using [Fate Discernment] that made them pass a verdict of a destruction of a world similar to what they were doing to the Magus World now.
Noah took a deep breath as he looked at the Grandmaster while wrapping up his thoughts, speaking in a thankful but difficult tone thereafter.
"I'll have to thank you first Grandmaster, for keeping in mind the World of Cultivation amidst this chaos. I will gladly do anything to prevent the destruction of the world I was born in, but…"
He looked at the impassive Athena by the side who was watching him with a piercing expression and the impassive Grandmaster as he continued.
"The destruction of the entirety of the Magus World...is it really the only way to stop this possible chaos that would come from this conflict?"
".."
Silence reigned in the room as for the first time since his entrance into the 7th Celestial Star, a look of disappointment appeared on the face of the Grandmaster as he observed Noah. This look only came briefly before it changed to one of pondering, looking towards Noah is an understanding tone as if the powerful figure had realized something.
"Your talent has been so bright that I had forgotten you have only been here for a month, and haven't been given the supplementary teachings on the best ways to reduce chaos."
The Grandmaster pointed to the illusory figures of the rotating World of Cultivation and the Magus World as he continued.
"Over the thousands of years that we have been influencing fate and honing our techniques, we have come to create the best course of actions that we follow strictly. Such actions range from the destruction of worlds to the saving of numerous more. IT is these actions have guaranteed a high level of success in reducing chaos and instituting order."
"When it comes to a case like these two planets whose conflict will only expand to the surrounding stars, the routine course of action is the destruction of the star and the beings responsible for instigating such chaos."
…!
Noah's eyes gazed upon this Grandmaster as he controlled his thoughts and put on a quizzical expression while asking.
"Grandmaster, what about those that had nothing to do with the course of events that the major force of the Magus World undertook against the World of Cultivation? What about the families of poor unknown beings that had no hand to play in this war? Why should they also face death along with those responsible?"
The Grandmaster looked at him with an impassive face as he replied.
"You are not the first disciple to have questioned the destruction of an entire star as the most suitable method to reign in the caused chaos and reinstitute order. I will tell you now that besides the complete destruction of all those responsible, there is another factor that weighs in heavily to correct the chaos and establish order. That factor is...the fear that creeps into the hearts of all the neighboring stars and any that would hold similar designs like those who were just utterly destroyed."
…!
That's right!
This was the way the Celestials had found to be the most useful in reducing the chaos instigated by a particular planet while also bringing about an era of peace and order that was achieved through the fear of those that would know of the results of actions that caused death and chaos!
The destruction of those involved in their entirety would stop any future possibilities of them rising up again and continuing a cycle of chaos, while their actions acted as a message to all those withholding similar grand designs for power and made them never even put such ideas to light.
"We work to bring order, and look at our actions to make sure that we save the most lives in any given situation. This current situation where the erupting war between these two planets will cause deaths in the tens of billions across multiple stars...the verdict took the course of action that would save tens of billions of lives by taking away a few billion from the origin of this instigated chaos."
"If we do not act, tens of billions will die. With our action to destroy the Magus World that is responsible, only a few billion beings die while an era of peace and order can be established on the surrounding stars as those who consider themselves powerful are reminded yet again of the result of causing chaos. With all of this in the picture, why would we not act? Why would we not move to save tens of billions of beings?"
The impassive gaze of the Celestial Grandmaster and the piercing Athena closed in on Noah as they observed him closely. His hand was placed on his chin as he seemed to be pondering, no words coming out from him as a reply!
He was thinking about the reasoning of the Celestials and the results achieved from their actions, even if they seemed vile and horrendous. Just what exactly was the right course of action?
Chapter 341 - Other means to achieve the same goal?
With the intervening of the Celestials, tens of billions of lives would be saved. All that it cost was the death of those involved, along with the destruction of their star as they also served to send a message that would discontinue any more thoughts of chaos and disorder!
So why should they not move to save so many beings? Should they let tens of billions die?
Noah actually did not find an answer to the Grandmaster's question, his mind going towards the Lost World yet again as he wondered- what exactly did the Celestials foresee with this world and its World Engines that they passed the verdict for its destruction?
It was only a Large World that was not that well known, so it didn't serve to send a message to anyone important. He was also moving in this world, which made him wonder if the fate they discerned had something to do with him as well!
Because of the actions of the mysterious Karmic Sect Master Inuit, Noah had survived from the planet that was Spatially Locked as Athena pushed the switch to blast it to pieces- which meant that their purpose of destroying everything had failed, and whatever they were trying to prevent from what they had foreseen would still come to pass.
The thought of this mystery made Noah question many things as his ideals were still the same. As of this moment, he had not turned into some mad man who would agree with the destruction of an entire star and all those in it, even if they had nothing to do with the chaos being caused. This was the same reason he stood against the Celestials-because of their rampant destruction of the Lost World without a care for who was in it and whether they deserved that verdict!
He had obtained [Fate Discernment] himself now and understood more of the reasoning of the Celestials for their actions, where he would pierce through the veils of mystery to find out exactly what they feared from the Lost World that made them call for its destruction. But at this moment, for the Magus World that was at hand, numerous ideas floated in Noah's mind as he finally lifted his head and met the impassive gaze of the Grandmaster.
"This disciple is slightly eccentric, and I have only gotten where I am today by looking at things from multiple different angles. I have absolutely no issue carrying out the mission of the destruction of the world responsible for the future chaos that would allow for the destruction of the world I was born in and tens of billions of beings. But what if...there was another way to achieve this same level of reduction of chaos, the saving of lives, and the instillment of fear to prevent future disorder?"
"..."
The Grandmaster and Athena looked closely at him as they remained the same, indicating for Noah to continue
as his gaze moved between them.
"You mentioned the destruction of the star achieves all the goals- wiping out those responsible while also sending a message. What if...we can send that message at the same level, if not more, and cause an even bigger reduction of chaos?"
Athena's eyes opened widely at these bold claims as the Grandmaster looked on while a sharp light passed through his eyes. He looked at Noah as he spoke.
"Let me guess, you want us to simply send our interstellar warsh.i.p.s and Celestial Grandmasters to reap the lives of the powerful leading organization of the Magus World and let that stand as a message? It will not be effective, nor as efficient as simply using a Prime Warship to simply destroy the Star."
The words were laced with a reprimanding tone of an Elder teaching a Junior, Noah shaking his head as he replied with a determined expression.
"No. Do not send in any battlesh.i.p.s or Grandmasters. To achieve the goal of punishing those responsible for this chaos while sending a message that will bring about order across the stars...send me- a single Celestial Disciple at the Void Realm to take the heads of those responsible."
…!
The Grandmaster's eyes narrowed as he looked closely at Noah, a wide smile appearing on his face as he spoke out.
"You realize that the most powerful beings in the Magus World are at the peak of Soul Forging Realm? I would not even be surprised if they had a being half a step into the Domain Expansion Realm for them to be so bold as to think they could get away with such actions under our eyes."
The power of the Celestial Grandmaster came out in waves as he said this, his words revealing the next rank above Soul Forging, which was Domain Expansion!
This was the same realm that this single Grandmaster Vredral, who was just a single Grandmaster among the many on the 7th Celestial Star, held! From Noah's and Athena's Void Rank, this being surpassed Soul and stood at the peak of the Domain Rank!
With his abilities as a Celestial, one would dread when they realized the power that allowed them to even fight those above their levels as his presence became all the more terrifying!
Noah stopped thinking about the realm of this being for a moment before he continued.
"That is precisely why, Grandmaster. Send in a single Void FRealm Celestial Disciple to utterly destroy the forces of those responsible. We will achieve the goal of destroying this force and stopping the war, while sending an even stronger message about the power of Celestials who could raise a single Disciple to have the power to wipe out the major force of a Prime World."
"..."
Noah looked at the gaze of the Grandmaster that was still unconvinced as he squeezed his mind for more ideas and continued.
"Let them know that Celestials do not just rely on their powerful Warsh.i.p.s to destroy those causing chaos. Let them know that even a single disciple at a lowly Void Realm will be enough to rectify chaos caused at the planetary level. This message can be instilled even more clearly by broadcasting this entire event to the surrounding powers that are involved in this issue!"
The eyes of the Grandmaster shone at Noah's last set of words, his gaze being more profound as he seemed to be pondering. He looked at Noah briefly later as he said a set of words that held the tone of not being able to be denied.
"You are a tremendously unique genius, so I will give you this chance as a lesson to show you that the things we have established and done for centuries are the most efficient. I will use [Fate Discernment] when your actions are done to see whether they were effective in reducing chaos as it would have been if we simply destroyed the Magus World, and you can even check this yourself as soon as you finish."
Noah's figure stood up as he placed his right hand on his chest as a sign of respect for being allowed this chance, the Grandmaster continuing with a smile as he watched this.
"Since we can't have a genius like you accidentally dying, Athena will still accompany you on this mission. There would be many beings above your levels in this world after all, and this could serve as a great method of training."
Noah's eyes shone as he heard this and looked at this still impassive Athena who simply just nodded while looking at his with an unreadable expression.
"Broadcast your actions to the surrounding powers huh?"
The Grandmaster muttered under his breath as he found himself thinking this idea of his disciple was at least interesting, even if it might not work!
But for the sake of a lesson for this incredible genius, they would put it to the test. Would his proposed idea be enough to achieve the same level of reduction of chaos and the instillment of fear into the surrounding powers while saving the same amount of lives, or would something entirely different occur?
A wide smile appeared on the face of the being at the peak of Domain Expansion Realm as he looked at the bowing disciple and the valiant Athena by the side, his mind already working and sending multiple messages for a change of plans and new preparation to be put underway for a particular mission!
Chapter 342 - An Inevitable Conflict
Across the dark and shining vastness of space, the Magus World floated serenely, its position surrounded by numerous stars, with some being tens of thousands of miles away and others being more than a couple hundred thousand miles away. It was a Prime World that was known for its power and unique use of Rune Magic and Bloodlines by the many Magi populating it.
At this moment in time though, a heavy atmosphere surrounded the Magus World as in the central location of the Order of the Black Serpent, the organization that stood at the peak of power in the Magus World- a meeting was taking place as a few being were running back and forth busily.
In an enormous castle several levels high, a dark-haired Magus with shining red eyes sat at the centermost seat as surrounding her were an assortment of different colored Magi, each palpating with their own levels of strength. She was listening to the hectic discussion of her people as her gaze was cold, a trace of anger being visible on her face.
"Quiet."
Her single word sent the busy and bustling room into silence as they all looked towards her. She glanced at each of their faces that she could observe a trace of fear from, and this fear was not caused by her.
"This is an issue between us and another world, the Celestials would not intervene for something like this. As for the World of Cultivation, just my power alone can stand against all the three Sect Masters that are still fighting for control of that world, so this war will undoubtedly end in our favor."
Her words were crisp and clear, clearing up some of the gazes of the Magi in the room while some remained unconvinced.
"...there have been some rumors that a disciple of the Profound Astral Sect joined the ranks of the Celestials. What if this causes their intrusion?"
The dark-haired woman with sharp red eyes who was the leader of the Order of the Black Serpent that ruled the Magus World, the Snake Queen Caara- looked at the powerful Magus at the Soul Forging Realm who had spoked up. This was one of the few beings standing at a similar level as her and would still have the guts to speak up their minds. She replied as her body wiggled amorously in the central seat.
"You all fear the Celestials too much. They care for their reputation too much to make a move on a Prime World right now, and the Dark Expanse is keeping them plenty busy as I can already smell the signs of a coming war. We have no need for worrying. What we are doing is not too far off from what the Celestials did with the Elven Race to create Punishers. The surrounding powers will only realize their hypocrisy if they move against us with that reasoning."
"We will continue building up our forces with the bodies of Cultivators we have obtained so far, and we will obtain even more bodies in the war that should fully begin in the next few days."
An invisible red aura permeated from her as it went on to ease the fear of the beings in the surrounding, her gaze that of extreme hunger for power as she repeated to the room full of Magi.
"Our world and power has been stuck a
t the level of a Prime World for too long, this war is exactly what we needed to advance to the next stage, so we will use this chance to the fullest!"
OOOOOH!
A resonation of essence erupted as the amorous Magus Leader shook the fear from those in her organization, her curvaceous body standing up as her red eyes adopted dangerous vertical slits that one would only find in the most vile of snakes.
"Prepare our own Punishers. When the war begins, we shall have the cultivators taste death from people of their own world as we amass even more bodies. We shall let the name of the Order of the Black Serpent resound across the Prime World, we shall let them know of our Ancestor's Bloodline and our fearsome Magic!"
OOOOH!
A rallying speech continued for another few minutes in the major force controlling the Magus World as they prepared for War, their leaders not fully knowing exactly what fate their actions lead down to.
In the opposing world that they were facing off against, the leaders of the three most powerful sects in the World of Cultivation were meeting as they discussed with heavy tones on what to do for the coming future.
Two of them were half a step into the Soul Forging Realm, with only a single one actively stepping into the Soul Realm as their power paled in comparison to the enemies that stood against them.
"Sect Master Rudolf, why do seem even calmer than all of us even though your power is only second amongst us?"
The Sect Master of the Sword Sky Sect held sharp eyes that were filled with worry for the future as he questioned the Sect Master of the Profound Astral Sect who smiled mysteriously.
"I know you have all heard some rumors since our Elders have been somewhat irresponsible, but the word of one of our Core Disciples joining the Celestials are not false."
…!
"What?!"
"Truly?!"
The figures of the two Sect Masters stood up and let out exhaustive exclamations as their faces changed to that of happiness as if it was their own sect disciples that had joined the Celestials.
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