Chapter 1021: The So-Called Ritual of Truth |
"Everything in this world that takes physical form — regardless of size, quantity, past, or future — contains [Truth] within it.
This is the very first axiom every scholar encounters in their studies: the Universal Axiom of [Truth].
The Ritual of Truth's existence is the most powerful proof of this axiom."
Pe Laya didn't seem like a violent or crazed person. Her emotions were remarkably stable, and her inner nature aligned almost perfectly with [Truth]. She introduced this wondrous [Truth] creation to the players with meticulous precision — as if lecturing her students.
Cheng Shi found it hard to imagine that a scholar who embodied [Truth] from head to toe would betray [Truth] over divine indifference.
He kept feeling that while the reason sounded plausible, it wasn't the full story.
Pe Laya's mini-lecture continued.
"Since all things in the world contain [Truth], this means every physical entity possesses a certain degree of equivalence at the faith level — or more precisely, at the level of subdivided faith cores.
Based on this, we can consider all objects as merely different expressions of the same faith core. Like this roof tile."
"Tiles and bricks are nothing more than solidified gravel. Fundamentally, external force altered the gravel's structure and arrangement, causing it to manifest in a different form.
So if we analogize faith cores to gravel, then by modifying faith cores' structural arrangement through certain methods, we can use [Truth]'s power to equate any existing object with any other.
This is the founding principle behind the Ritual of Truth.
It isn't merely the supreme symbol of power that He bestowed upon the Tower of Logic — it's the foundation for every major experiment. It can create experimental environments beyond mortal capability, provided there are sufficient 'raw materials' for transmutation.
And this is why every major experiment at the Tower of Logic requires Erudition Presidium approval — we must assess which experiments are worthy of activating this costly [Truth] creation."
'Raw materials...'
Cheng Shi's keen ear caught the keyword. Seeing the sardonic edge to her smile, he raised an eyebrow: "What raw materials?"
Pe Laya snapped her book shut and pointed at everyone present — including herself. Casually:
"People."
'People!?'
Everyone froze — yet somehow wasn't surprised.
"The Ritual of Truth uses human lives as... consumables?"
"Yes."
Pe Laya's answer was brief, but the word carried weight.
Cheng Shi frowned and shook his head:
"That doesn't add up. If all things are composed of [Truth], why must human lives be consumed?
Soil, rainwater, trees, air — infinite and inexhaustible. Wouldn't those work?
And if they don't, wouldn't that disprove the axiom itself?"
His question gave everyone pause. The others all agreed he had a point.
The Erudition Presidium using the Ritual of Truth to "devour" people certainly cast a dark filter over the Tower of Logic. They'd always known the grand scholars didn't treat people as people — but they hadn't imagined just how thoroughly.
Pe Laya's face finally showed some expression. She gave Cheng Shi the faintest approving nod — like a teacher admiring a student with sharp instincts.
But rather than feeling the atmosphere lighten, Cheng Shi was transported back to school days — that tense moment of being singled out by a teacher.
'Oh no. The immersion is way too strong.'
"You already qualify as a preparatory scholar. Good question. But you still don't understand faith cores.
The Ritual of Truth does leverage the Universal Axiom. But as I said, it works by using [Truth]'s power to restructure an object's faith core.
And though all faith cores carry traces of [Truth], they vary greatly in concentration.
Soil, rain, and air follow fixed patterns in the world — immutable. So their faith core [Truth] content is minuscule.
Trees grow toward the sun and wilt without water — they already exhibit subjective pattern-chasing. So their faith core [Truth] content reaches the 'Trace' level.
By this logic, you should easily understand the rest.
Humans — whose every action reflects the summarization of patterns — have the highest and most stable [Truth] concentration in their faith cores. So using people as consumables is actually the most 'economical' and efficient choice."
"..."
"..."
"..."
At that moment, Cheng Shi realized the Tower of Logic's supposed path of understanding the universe was nothing like he'd imagined. What they taught wasn't cosmic comprehension — it was a twisted doctrine of consuming human life like mowing grass!
No wonder every [Truth] experiment always came with enormous costs. Under such warped values, were those costs truly inherent to the experiments?
Cheng Shi snort-laughed and shook his head again. Behind him, Fang Yuan's face darkened as he asked:
"If that's true, shouldn't [Truth]-following scholars have the highest concentration?
Not only do their actions align with civilization's patterns — their faith itself is extraordinarily pure. So why not use scholars as fuel?
Surely the Erudition Presidium doesn't develop a conscience over a few scholars, given how they scorn human life?"
Pe Laya glanced dismissively at Fang Yuan and snorted:
"Pointless emotions are the greatest obstacle on the path to [Truth]. They'll trip you up.
You think the scholars wouldn't think of something you came up with?
You think the wisest minds selected from this [Truth] nation's Erudition Presidium wouldn't think of it?
Heh. Ignorant.
I'll tell you this: the Tower of Logic's experimental law code includes one statute posted on every laboratory wall annually. It reads:
'All self-collapse methods of [Truth] exploration are forbidden.'
In other words: you cannot use your own life as raw material for your experimental projects.
This is prohibited. Otherwise... given scholars' madness, you can't even imagine the speed of this nation's self-destruction.
Hmph. The Erudition Presidium has never pitied life. Because we know life merely changes its form of existence. But we must preserve enough followers for our Benefactor.
[Truth]'s voice must not be extinguished on this continent — much less die in the Erudition Presidium's hands."
"..."
After hearing this, Cheng Shi suddenly felt that 0221 and Wei Zhi truly were the most devout [Truth] believers — they were crazy in exactly the same way as the Erudition Presidium.
As for the Doctor... he still had a long way to go.
"Brilliant lecture!"
Meng Youfang applauded. He studied the Pe Laya he'd summoned with admiration:
"Worthy of a [Truth] follower. You've brought back some of my memories of this old friend."
The "old friend" in Meng Youfang's words was naturally [Truth]. The players understood his delusion — but Pe Laya couldn't possibly comprehend. So she fixed the bard with her coldest stare — an expression that clearly read: 'Are you delusional?'
Cheng Shi quickly intervened before his intelligence source and its source started fighting. He redirected both their attention.
And the question he interjected was one he'd been curious about for a while.
"Grand Scholar — since you still hold [Truth] so dear, can you tell me: how did you come to betray the Erudition Presidium?
Surely it wasn't a sudden attack of conscience?
Frankly, conscience is something you people... probably don't possess. After all, in your view, life is just another form of existence."
The words hit hard. But Pe Laya didn't flinch — because she fell silent.
She gazed once more toward the Three Suns Tower. Then she pulled out a smile that drained the color from every face in the room.
"Betrayal is betrayal. I have no regrets.
After all, this world holds more than just [Truth]."
...