Chapter 605: Speculation

After observing the thirty-six occurrences of the Black Tide phenomenon, the three of them silently marveled that probably only a civilization like the Observers, who installed cameras in every corner of their world, could observe the Black Tide phenomenon.

The black dots appeared without any pattern, with intervals ranging from one hundred to four hundred years—an extremely wide time span.

The locations of their appearance were also uncertain, possibly on planets, in space, or in the void, as if they emerged randomly.

Their expansion behavior after appearing also varied. The largest expansion was the thirty-fourth occurrence, which devoured a corner of the world and hundreds of homeworlds. The smallest expansions were the first, ninth, eighteenth, twenty-fifth, and thirty-first occurrences, which didn’t even exhibit expansion behavior—they appeared and then vanished.

Moreover, except for the thirty-fourth occurrence, the area covered by the Black Tide during other appearances wasn’t particularly large.

It almost seemed like the Black Tide had two possibilities—it could either disappear directly or undergo expansion.

After each expansion ended, it would face new possibilities—it could either vanish or expand further.

This meant that regardless of how much the Black Tide expanded, it could always disappear directly.

“What exactly is this Black Tide?”

Jiang Li frowned. His biggest impression from observation was its uncertainty.

“After years of analysis and some speculation, we’ve developed a general judgment about the Black Tide, though we can’t guarantee its accuracy.”

“We’d like to hear your detailed explanation.”

“We categorize the Black Tide as a ‘natural phenomenon,’ considering its existence to be in the same category as wind, rain, thunder, and so on—not man-made, but naturally occurring. Even without deliberate pursuit, these natural phenomena would still exist.”

“The only difference is that wind and rain are controllable, while the Black Tide is uncontrollable.”

“The most prominent characteristics of the Black Tide are uncertainty and consumption. I believe you’ve sensed this as well.”

Jiang Li nodded. “I suspect the Black Tide isn’t unique to your world, but exists throughout the myriad heavens and worlds. It’s just that its appearances are baseless and it vanishes too quickly, making it difficult to attract people’s attention.”

“When the black dots don’t appear in your location, they might appear elsewhere.”

The myriad heavens and worlds are too vast. Everyone only cares about what’s in front of them—no one would be idle enough to keep their spiritual sense extended all day, continuously for hundreds of years.

Even Jiang Li didn’t do such things.

This resulted in only the Observer civilization being able to observe the Black Tide phenomenon and maintain detailed records.

“Could it be that the world-destroying disaster mentioned by Executor Honghu refers to this?”

Jiang Li murmured to himself, thinking it very likely.

The Immortal Realm’s actions regarding the Black Tide, the abnormal behavior of Executor of Karma—all signs indicated that the Immortal Realm’s attitude toward the Black Tide was extraordinary.

“A world-destroying disaster?” When Entropy Increase Ruler heard Jiang Li say this, his eyes suddenly widened.

“What’s wrong?”

“I never considered this possibility before, but now that Mr. Jiang Li mentions it, I have a speculation.”

“What speculation?”

“The characteristic of the Black Tide is uncertainty, right? Uncertainty about whether it will disappear or expand.”

“Correct.”

“Then can ‘uncertainty’ be understood as ‘existence of possibility’? The possibility of disappearing exists, and the possibility of expanding also exists.”

“Yes… Wait, are you talking about the Convergence of Possibilities!”

Entropy Increase Ruler’s entire body trembled, as if frightened by his own conjecture: “As long as the possibility of Black Tide expansion exists, the Convergence of Possibilities will turn that possibility into inevitability!”

Does the possibility of Black Tide expansion exist?

The answer is yes.

The Black Tide has remained unknown until now precisely because the possibility of its expansion is too small—it disappears before creating significant impact.

But the Black Tide could very well expand infinitely, just like when it devoured a corner of the Observer World. The worse scenario would be it consuming the entire myriad heavens and worlds.

If it exists, it can happen!

“Theoretically, countless parallel worlds exist—have any parallel worlds already been devoured by the Black Tide?”

“If it truly devoured the myriad heavens and worlds of a parallel world, would the Black Tide continue expanding?”

“Where could the Black Tide go? Only to the River of Time.”

“And after devouring the River of Time, would that be the end?”

“No, above the River of Time lies the Convergence of Possibilities.”

“And the Convergence of Possibilities connects to the River of Time of every parallel world.”

“Once the Black Tide reaches the Convergence of Possibilities and turns possibility into inevitability, the Black Tide’s state would become continuous expansion!”

“The Black Tide would travel from the Convergence of Possibilities to other Rivers of Time, then to other parallel worlds…”

Entropy Increase Ruler spoke with increasing volume, his voice trembling with a touch of fear.

Entropy Increase Ruler had several Unity Stage assistants, including the grandfather of Meteor Group CEO.

Meteor Group CEO’s grandfather knew about the Black Tide observation records, and his research topic was precisely the Convergence of Possibilities.

“Could it be that he went mad precisely because he guessed this possibility!” Entropy Increase Ruler felt some things were becoming clear.

Meteor Group CEO’s grandfather drove himself insane with fear.

Entropy Increase Ruler let out a long breath, his feelings complex.

For a moment, the atmosphere grew heavy.

Among the six people present, only Bai Hongtu remained grinning foolishly, his carefree laughter breaking the tense atmosphere: “When it comes down to it, most of what we’re saying is speculation, and unfounded speculation at that. Why scare ourselves?”

“Besides, if the sky falls, the tall will hold it up. Jiang Li is the tallest—let him worry about it.”

Jiang Li glared furiously at Bai Hongtu. He knew Bai Hongtu was trying to lighten the mood, but a mere Tribulation Transcendence Stage cultivator repeatedly challenging the dignity of a mighty Mahayana Stage expert—did he really think Jiang Li was easy to bully!

Just you wait.

Jiang Li turned to the three Rulers: “We’ve gained substantial insights this time. Thank you all first.”

“Would the three of you be willing to visit our Nine Provinces as guests and look around?”

Upon hearing this, the three Rulers beamed with joy. For Observers, what could be more delightful than visiting a new world?

“Excellent. But our world and the Nine Provinces are quite distant—how would we get there?”

Jiang Li chuckled: “I have a way.”

…

In the depths of the void where cold and darkness coexisted, the Ancient Corpse of Human Sovereign pulled five Bronze Coffins, filled with terror and ominousness.

The three Rulers’ eyelids twitched, thinking this was probably unique transportation of the Nine Provinces, and they needed to learn to respect cultural differences.

After the six arrived in the Nine Provinces, the three Rulers emerged from the coffins, thanked Jiang Li again, then went to tour the Nine Provinces for observation.

Jiang Li’s Yang Spirit returned to its place, and he went with Yu Yin to the Dao Sect to inquire of Immortal Elder Changcun.

The eternally ancient coffin emitted a demon god’s hoarse and weathered voice.

“Jiang Li? Yu Yin? Are you there? Why haven’t you been speaking? Have we arrived at the Nine Provinces? Can I come out now?”

“Wait, why is the coffin lid sealed shut?”

“Jiang Li, you son of a bitch! It must be your doing!”

The coffin emitted the demon god’s furious roar, sending chills down one’s spine.