Chapter 281: Let the Departed Aeons Be Replaced
Noah looked at the spaceship flying toward Herta Space Station, the corners of his lips curving slightly.
At this moment, the entire Star Rail Universe was like a chessboard in his eyes.
The Aeon-civilized world, everything within it was just a piece on the board.
The script of "Elation and Destruction" had already been arranged.
"If it's only a replacement of these two Paths, it feels a bit too plain in the midst of the Abyssal Deluge."
"Since the entire cosmic landscape is going to be overturned anyway, then we might as well do it thoroughly."
As he said this, Noah's eyes instantly transformed into concentric rings composed of multiple circles—each a ring of Truth and Law.
This was his second type of super single-universe-level power aside from the power of the Great Universe and Super-Primeval.
A pair of super single-universe-level eyes.
By using this power, he could directly overlook the entire universe from a transdimensional perspective.
This ability was thanks to the system.
The system had repeatedly elevated his consciousness to a higher-dimensional perspective to observe the great universe.
Especially during Teyvat's ascension to single-universe level, when he used the system to observe the hyper-macroscopic changes of the Tree and Sea.
That allowed him to obtain the possibility of sublimating his eyes. When the Principle of Elation appeared in Teyvat, part of the resonance of Truth was triggered, and his eyes directly advanced, leaping across countless layers to reach super single-universe level.
Of course, this only granted him a momentary super single-universe-level view of the cosmos, without any destructive capability.
At this moment, the foundational logic of the entire Star Rail Universe was imprinted in his eyes without reservation.
"So this is what a super single-universe-level being can see?"
"It's like a three-dimensional creature looking at a two-dimensional scroll."
This two-dimensional scroll presented the fundamental logic of a Möbius strip.
And the Aeons were like three-dimensional ants crawling on that Möbius strip, constantly moving, either repairing its edges or gnawing at them.
The increase of entropy continually caused the Möbius strip to expand.
But during this expansion, its mass remained unchanged.
This caused the density of the Möbius strip to decrease as it expanded, eventually dropping to a point beyond repair.
Then it would collapse with a bang, and the universe would enter its final heat death.
After the universe's destruction, the ants on the Möbius strip—some would perish with it, while others would fall into other universes.
From the super single-universe perspective, the roles of these ants on the Möbius strip were perfectly clear.
One ant was trying to imitate the Möbius strip by creating a smaller, inferior version of it.
No doubt, this was Preservation.
One ant did nothing, simply waiting for the universe's final heat death. This was Nihility.
One ant kept circling the Möbius strip in reverse—this was Finality.
One ant was frantically gnawing at a corner of the Möbius strip, having already left a visible bite mark. This was clearly Destruction.
One ant was relocating solid mass to areas of thinner density, causing the Möbius strip to expand in a more balanced manner. This was obviously Harmony.
Aside from these living ants, there were several fragmented corpses drifting along with the expanding universe.
Two of the corpses were even attempting to revive, trying to reconstitute themselves.
But Harmony and Equilibrium were preventing these two corpses from reassembling.
These two corpses were Permanence and Order.
Noah was just about to observe more details when his consciousness rapidly withdrew.
Although he had obtained super single-universe-level power, with his current strength, he could only maintain that perspective for a few seconds.
Otherwise, his very existence wouldn't be able to withstand it. If he broke down, it would affect the Teyvat Universe itself, and at that point, Teyvat would suffer scarring.
"A perspective above super single-universe level is truly unimaginable."
"No wonder the entire superdimension calls them Super-Primeval Gods."
Possessing a super single-universe-level Authority and power does not automatically qualify one as super single-universe-level. To truly be considered a Super-Primeval God, one must possess all three core elements: Authority, Power, and Super-Primeval Divinity.
However, in the superdimension, super single-universe-level beings are so far beyond the norm, and the complete assembly of those three elements so difficult, that typically, having even one is enough to be widely acknowledged as super single-universe-level.
At present, he had already obtained a pair of super single-universe-level eyes and Super-Primeval Power, but his overall strength was still merely at the high single-universe level...
Far from truly reaching super single-universe-level.
No wonder a super single-universe-level being can deal with a great universe so effortlessly. It's practically a dimensionality-reduction attack. Super... super... beyond the comprehension of the universe—a true dimensionality-reduction strike.
"Well then, the game on the chessboard continues."
Noah smiled and extended his hand, the Power of Beginning Without End shimmering at his fingertips.
"In the midst of the Abyssal Deluge, how could only two Aeons undergo replacement?"
"Let those departed Aeons be replaced as well."
[I think, therefore I am]
The Power of Beginning Without End was activated, triggering a fundamental change from the highest level of philosophy.
An unowned Path was silently torn at the edges by the Power of Beginning Without End.
Paths without current holders operate only by instinctive mechanisms. Without a ruling Aeon, they flow automatically with the universe.
As long as a being aligns with the principles of a Path, even without the gaze of an Aeon, the Path will bestow its power on its own.
The tearing of a fragment from the Path by the Power of Beginning Without End went completely unnoticed by the Aeons.
Noah raised his hand.
Five orbs of different colors floated before him, each encircled by a ring of light.
A pale golden ring: the Principle of Order and the Path of Order it enclosed.
A deep purple ring: the Principle of Permanence and the Path of Permanence it enclosed.
A peach-colored ring: the Principle of Beauty and the Path of Beauty it enclosed.
A dark violet ring: the Principle of Propagation and the Path of Propagation it enclosed.
A bright white ring: the Principle of Trailblaze and the Path of Trailblaze it enclosed.
"Just tearing off a small piece with the Power of Beginning Without End won't attract the attention of the Tree and Sea."
"Then, next..."
Noah's gaze shifted toward the Astral Express also heading toward Herta Space Station.
In the midst of the Abyssal Deluge, if new Aeons are to emerge, then naturally, some must fall.
Heh... A conspiracy against all the Aeons.
"When the time comes... half of the universe's Authorities will fall into my hands."
So then, let us see which Aeons will fall from the chessboard straight into the trash bin.
With these thoughts, he made his way toward the Astral Express.
...
In the vast and desolate expanse of deep space,
A spacefaring train sped forward, trailing golden light, traveling at speeds far beyond that of light itself. Along the route of this train, even space and time had to yield.
This was a construct that defied the boundaries of time and space.
Light-years are not merely a measure of spatial distance, but also of time.
From one galaxy to another, even traveling at the speed of light would take hundreds of thousands of years.
Even the most advanced spatial warp technology would require decades or even centuries.
It is this kind of distance that isolates galaxy from galaxy, forming numerous independent worlds.
That the universe remains prosperous and interconnected today is entirely thanks to the Aeon of Trailblaze and the Nameless.
The tracks left behind by the Astral Express form Star Rails independent of both time and space.
By traveling these Star Rails, one can traverse those vast gulfs as if crossing a mere step.
Now, any faction that uses the Star Rails owes a favor to the Astral Express.
To use an analogy: the Astral Express is the tree, and the great powers across the universe are the ones eating its fruit.
If you've ever quenched your thirst or filled your belly with its fruit, then surely you feel gratitude toward the Astral Express.
Even if no such gratitude exists, the debt remains.
Thus, the great powers of the universe have all tacitly agreed never to list the Astral Express as a hostile target.
On top of that, thanks to the Nameless leaving behind a stellar reputation across the cosmos, at worst the Astral Express is always considered a neutral party.
And of course, the most important reason of all: no faction in the entire universe can repair a broken Star Rail.
Only the Astral Express retracing a route can restore it.
This is why many galaxies with broken rails long await the day the Express returns.
Noah arrived at the location of the Astral Express, clicking his tongue as he observed it in motion.
"Not bad, not bad at all. This Astral Express is quite something."
"What Teyvat lacks precisely is something that connects all galaxies across the universe."
Though Teyvat Universe had developed quickly, most of its expansion had only been achievable through the participation of gods. Those who had yet to reach the level of divinity could only passively follow in their wake.
The fundamental reason was the sheer vastness of the cosmos. Never mind the distance between galaxies.
Even the gap between galaxies is something a Lower or Middle God cannot cross casually.
This meant that enthusiasm for expansion was highest at the upper levels of power, and gradually decreased further down.
After all, the universe is too vast, and the scale crossable by non-divine beings far too small.
The Star Rail Universe, however, thanks to the Star Rails left behind by the Astral Express, allowed even ordinary people to traverse galaxies in a month's time using a spaceship.
Actually, Teyvat wasn't entirely without tools for bridging cosmic distances.
Teyvat had numerous Star Gates, but their activation required gods. Without their intervention, no one below the level of godhood could even start them.
"Now I can create Star Rails across Teyvat to link all the galaxies."
"Only problem is, laying down Star Rails requires traversing the route personally."
All those countless galaxies would need to be traveled one by one—a massive burden on any god.
Noah couldn't help but recall Lumine, the Traveler, who often grumbled and nearly turned green with envy over her lack of access to the Pseudo Star Map Creation.
Tsk tsk, weren't you always complaining that you had nothing?
Well, this task can't be done without you.
That idle wanderer is constantly roaming the cosmos with no fixed base.
This grueling mission of laying Star Rails—she could take it up properly.
Even if it's a hardship, getting the Principle of Trailblaze, a Law-level Authority, would have her rolling on the ground in joy.
Noah glanced inside the Astral Express, smiled, and casually tossed one of the small orbs from his hand.
Afterward, he flung the remaining four orbs across the universe.
These small orbs would fall into the hands of individuals selected by Noah.
After completing everything, his figure slowly faded from the spot.
...
Inside the Astral Express.
Parlor Car.
Calling it the parlor car was a bit of a misnomer—it was more like the massive living room of a luxury estate.
Swish~ swish~ swish~
"Make way, make way! How many times have I said this! Don't bring those messy planetary souvenirs onto the train!"
"If you really must bring them aboard, at least take proper protective measures! You've made a mess of the floor with all this dust—it's so hard to clean!"
A creature only half a meter tall, with ears like giant mop-heads and the appearance of a mascot doll, stomped about indignantly. It wore a conductor's tall hat and held a broom, sweeping the dusty floor while shouting.
The target of its scolding was a lively, cute, and cheerful pink-haired girl who scratched her head awkwardly.
"Hehe, sorry, Pom. I didn't know that flower pot would suddenly crumble into dust and get everywhere."
"Laughing!? You're still laughing! Do you have no sense of remorse at all? How many times has this happened!" A giant cross-mark popped on Pom-Pom's head. "And also, it's Conductor Pom-Pom!"
"I know I was wrong, Conductor..." the girl quickly bowed her head in apology, then looked pitifully at the red-haired woman who was calmly brewing tea.
"Himeko..."
Wearing a pristine white dress with a pilot's jacket draped casually over her shoulders, the woman radiated a maternal warmth and gently interceded.
"Pom-Pom, don't be angry. Here, have a cup of coffee to calm down."
"After all, March 7th didn't do it on purpose. Even I didn't expect it to be a strange kind of plant."
Pom-Pom saw the steaming coffee handed over and broke into a sweat.
"Alright, alright, Pom-Pom will forgive March 7th this time! But in the future, make sure to take all necessary precautions before bringing any unknown items onto the train!"
"Pom-Pom won't drink the coffee though... Pom-Pom needs to finish cleaning up quickly."
A middle-aged man with a weary expression stepped forward and spoke in a composed tone:
"Sorry, March 7th, for letting you get scolded by the conductor. I also didn't expect that plant would turn into a pollutant once removed from its native planet. Since I permitted you to bring it, part of the blame lies with me."
"Thankfully, it didn't release any toxins. Otherwise..."
March 7th quickly responded, "Mr. Yang, you don't need to apologize! I was the one who insisted on bringing it, so I'm the one who should say sorry."
Trying to change the subject, she looked over and asked:
"By the way, Himeko, where's our next stop?"
Himeko could tell March 7th didn't want to continue the conversation and smiled warmly.
"We're heading to a newly established Herta Space Station founded by a friend of mine. We'll restock supplies there and then head to the Planet of Festivities—Penacony."
"I received an invitation from Penacony a month ago, so that'll be our next destination."
March 7th blinked in curiosity. "Planet of Festivities, Penacony..."
Just then, two blinding flashes of light suddenly appeared, stunning everyone on the train.
Bzzzz...
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