Chapter 765: The way cannot be said

On the other side, Li Qi, full of food and drink, attended several banquets and interacted with many Young Masters from Shaman God Mountain, getting to know them.

The banquets were not just about eating and drinking; for these cultivators, they also raised many questions about the Dao path for discussion, which was very interesting.

Most of these questions did not touch upon the essence of the Dao path but were quite intriguing.

For example, is the edge of a circle with an infinite radius a straight line?

Theoretically, the larger the radius of a circular curve, the smaller its curvature, so when the radius of a circle is infinite, the curvature also approaches infinitely small.

At the same time, an infinite radius means an infinite circumference, which is the same as the property of a straight line, as a straight line is also infinitely long.

However, some people raised objections, arguing that using the direction of infinite division to explain approximating a curve with a straight line only holds for first-order infinitesimals, because there is also a higher-order infinitesimal after differentiation, and an infinitely close to zero curvature does not represent true zero.

Others elaborated from another perspective, for example, a circle is a set of points whose distance to a fixed point is a constant, including this fixed point (the center) and the set of points on the entire arc, so it can never be a straight line.

Anyway, these were just small games, and everyone could understand different perspectives and grasp the essential meaning of these games.

The Dao that can be spoken of is not the eternal Dao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name.

These so-called conflicts are actually the limits of a cultivator's expression, but also a manifestation of the flexibility of a cultivator's high-energy intelligent cognitive activity.

Cultivators know that there is such a thing that they cannot express precisely, and forcing a precise definition of it will only hinder the development of cognition; this compromise seems to show the imprecision of a cultivator's thinking, but in reality, it helps cultivators establish a cognition of this indescribable thing.

For example, take any circle; after measurement, its pi is 3.14.

But this is only the 3.14 defined by cultivators; in reality, pi is an irrational number that cannot be measured, but in reality, it is impossible to use and cognize an infinitely small non-repeating decimal, so one can only be forced to choose a closer '3.14' from the countable infinity to define and calculate pi, and when calculation accuracy needs to be improved, then increase the number of digits.

Irrational numbers cannot be expressed or truly understood; this is a typical explanation of 'The Dao that can be spoken of is not the eternal Dao', you cannot truly express a real existing thing.

Therefore, when trying to explain this irrational number to others, one can only choose a rational number to represent it.

We often say 'point, line, plane', but a true 'point' exists between existence and non-existence, cannot be cognized, and does not even have spatial dimensions.

Just as Li Qi had already recognized—

Irrational numbers cannot be realized under this kind of division, because being able to be divided out means that the number is always rational, just that the number of decimal places is unknown. And irrational numbers are various numbers that cannot be found in reality; as long as you stop, it must be a rational number.

The Dao that can be spoken of is not the eternal Dao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name.

Perhaps it was a coincidence; despite being different matters and different topics, Shen Shuibi and Li Qi both reached almost identical conclusions, and both pointed to the same teaching of a Great Power.

The Dao cannot be spoken of.

Just like the irrational numbers that occupy almost one hundred percent of the number line.

Among numbers, the total proportion of rational numbers approaches 0, and irrational numbers occupy almost all the remaining positions, but humans can only cognize rational numbers, and cannot cognize the remaining irrational numbers.

Most real numbers are inexpressible, similar to the comparison between irrational and rational numbers, almost all real numbers are inexpressible, because finite combinations are always countable, while infinite length combinations are uncountable.

Inexpressible things, yet they occupy the vast majority of existence.

Like dark matter, unseen and untouchable, yet truly affecting the formation of celestial bodies in the Universe, and even the manifestation of the Universe's structure.

Li Qi was very pleased with the events of these past few days; he also learned some daily routines of the Great Powers and gained another meaning of longevity.

For example, on a cosmic scale, the speed of light is terribly slow, but that is actually only because under normal circumstances, living beings exist in a low-speed state; for light itself, going to any place in the Universe is instantaneous, the Universe is like its own backyard for light, it can go wherever it wants.

But living beings in a low-speed state are not like this; while light is slowly making its way, these living beings have been destroyed and Reborn in generation after generation.

Only with longevity can one keep up with this progress and observe those truly magnificent miracles, such as baryon acoustic oscillations.

The so-called 'echoes of creation', in Li Qi's view, are similar to baryon acoustic oscillations.

Without gravity, structures like world groups and even 'galaxy great walls', or even larger structures, would appear, precisely because of baryon acoustic oscillations. These structures 'grow' gradually along the 'auxiliary line structure' provided by the 'sound horizon' which has already been fixed.

They are not formed by gravitational convergence at all; these galaxies and world groups are merely matter spreading along the 'echoes of creation'.

Of course, this is only Li Qi's conjecture, because the substance 'Qi' is completely unlike atoms and molecules; Qi possesses more mysterious properties.

However, under certain circumstances, Qi and atoms/molecules are connected, for example, in the formation of 'matter', both gather from a certain '波動' (fluctuation), something without substance, and suddenly turn into solid matter.

Li Qi savored this feeling, wondering if he had been too aloof before...

Occasionally participating in these group activities is also good; it helps build connections, familiarizes one with various businesses, and provides inspiration for cultivation. After all, everyone is a Genius, and the topics they discuss are always beneficial to everyone.

Moreover, the best part is that this is an internal exchange within Shaman Dao; no matter what, there won't be Dao Orthodoxy disputes. Everyone gets along well. If they were to attend a debate conference of different Dao Orthodoxy, some people would surely end up dead there.

Li Qi returned home content.

However, at this moment, he felt a sense of spacetime tearing.

Karma laws fractured, and time itself began to disorder.

This anomaly spread throughout the entire Universe, and even Li Qi's body began to collapse.

However, it quickly recovered; under the Universe's own repair, the timeline was straightened out again.

Li Qi looked up at the sky.

In the Human-Shaman War, another Second-Rank fell, evidently also on the great Dao of Sun-Moon Orbit.

Which means... it was a Second-Rank from Shaman Dao who died.

Inside Shaman God Mountain, many Immortal Caves opened one after another, and many spells surged out from them.

Then, a Shaman stood up, playing various musical instruments, making sounds of sorrow that stirred the thoughts of travelers, and many other Shamanes leaned and wept as they left.

Looking at the spells flying into the sky, they began to explode, displaying various patterns, all expressing grief.

Seeing this, Li Qi also condensed a mass and waved it towards the sky, and white clouds filled the sky, like white cloth covering the blue sky, resembling a funeral.

After doing this, Li Qi watched the other people's spells, and when everything vanished, the music stopped, and the spells dissipated, Shaman God Mountain returned to silence.

"Alas, the great Dao is hard to achieve," Li Qi sighed, then set off again.

He traveled outside the heavens, and in just a few seconds, he had already returned to Mystic Radiance Mountain.

When he returned to Mystic Radiance Mountain, Shen Shuibi hadn't arrived yet.

Not only had she not arrived, but even the topography of Mystic Radiance Mountain had changed.

Li Qi immediately found Niu Huang, who was currently sorting out the water veins. Seeing Li Qi arrive, he quickly bowed: "Greetings, Invoker!"

"No need for greetings. Have you seen Yu'er? Also, didn't Mystic Radiance Mountain just change its topography once? Why again?" Li Qi asked.

"Uh, this was done by the Madam," Niu Huang explained. "Earlier, the Madam came out and played a tune. Her Divine Ability unfolded, and all the recently sorted earth and water veins of Mystic Radiance Mountain responded and naturally erupted, turning into how it is now... After that, the Madam left, and I don't know where she went."

"Playing a tune?" Li Qi heard this, then immediately covered the entire Mystic Radiance Mountain with True Knowledge Dao Resonance.

Then, on Mystic Radiance Mountain, he felt the sound from the beginning of the Universe's time.

Baryon acoustic oscillations, or rather... the echoes of creation.

"She had an Epiphany... So her departure should also be the result of an Epiphany," Li Qi muttered to himself, then looked at Niu Huang: "You rest. Leave the task of sorting the mountains and waters to me. After all, it's Yu'er's doing."

Niu Huang, however, instantly became flustered and quickly said he wouldn't dare: "How can it be so? Sorting the mountains and waters is my duty as a mountain god; it cannot be entrusted to others. Invoker, please go find the Madam; leave this to me."

"What does it matter? It was Yu'er who caused you trouble, so let's sort it together. I'll go over there first." Li Qi smiled, not arguing, and just went to the other side of the mountain, beginning to sort the mountains and waters, making the mountain's weather favorable.

Normally, mountain ranges and water veins, when naturally formed, cannot be completely harmonious; they always cause various issues, leading to things like flash floods, earthquakes, ground subsidence, and droughts.

If a mountain god is responsible, he will gradually regulate these abnormal areas, just like a person with poor Bloodline circulation or uncomfortable bones, and then adjust them to suitable places, so that the mountain body becomes healthy, full of vitality, and the great source also becomes more prosperous.

Therefore, most of the Di Qi (Earthly Qi) on Shaman God Mountain will expend effort on this matter.

Li Qi, naturally, was also very familiar with these matters.

However, when he started to regulate, he found that... something seemed wrong.

These mountains and waters, whose topography was changed by Shen Shuibi's flute playing, did not need to be regulated. Although they looked strange, these mountain ranges and water veins actually had a subtle feeling of conforming to 'natural'.

Interesting.

The echoes of creation were not what Li Qi was paying attention to, but... it seemed to have a relatively important meaning for Shen Shuibi.

Thinking this, he moved again, quickly arriving beside Niu Huang, and said: "Niu Huang, no need to sort anymore. Restore everything to its original appearance when Yu'er first transformed the mountain range."

"Invoker, why? If so, I fear the mountains and waters will be restless, and the living beings of the mountain will suffer," Niu Huang asked, confused.

Clearly, Niu Huang did not see the wonder in all of this; he could not fully understand the echoes of creation.

"Such mountains and waters are already perfect enough, and may even be your Dao Opportunity. Study them carefully; they will be of great benefit to you," Li Qi said.

Niu Huang heard this and immediately bowed: "I obey Invoker's decree."

He was secretly alarmed, thinking, 'Is my discernment really that poor? I almost missed an Opportunity?'

Niu Huang kept this matter in mind, preparing to study it carefully, while Li Qi had already left.

Since Shen Shuibi actively went out to seek Opportunity, she must have a purpose, so there's no need to worry too much. Anyway, if something bad happens, he should have a premonition—

Thinking this, Li Qi began to wait at home.

Time slowly passed. Li Qi poured himself a glass of water, watching Niu Huang begin to comprehend the Dao and learn, while the creatures in the mountains lived their natural lives, living their own lives.

Light passes through the rocks, colorful reflections illuminate the slanted mountain.

Tall trees on the mountaintop, wind blows leaves away.

Kites fly across the sky, flocks of sparrows ripple in two directions.

Fish play among lotus leaves, sunlight shines on the long river flow.

Mystic Radiance Mountain is not huge, but if you say it's small, it actually covers an area of several hundred li, enough for a large river to flow through, enough for several small villages to survive at the foot of the mountain, and some have even developed into small towns.

Back then, when Li Qi first arrived, there was only one village. A thousand years have passed, and there has been development after all.

However, these small villages, though called villages, are actually quite formidable; many cultivators reside there, and their occupied area is not small. The strongest among them are Seventh-Rank, a god of the Incense Fire God lineage, which is a deity of the Human-Ghost lineage.

They didn't exist before, but Niu Huang cultivated them well, so finally a Seventh-Rank Incense Fire God was born. Now, the other party also greatly respects Niu Huang, and together they build Mystic Radiance Mountain.

As for Li Qi...

Although Mystic Radiance Mountain was said to be his Immortal Cave, Li Qi actually didn't manage it much at all; he merely lived there, and had no significant entanglement with Mystic Radiance Mountain.

The people below only knew that there were immortals on the mountain, but even though they lived at the foot of Mystic Radiance Mountain, they could basically never see Li Qi, nor could they enter Li Qi's Immortal Cave, and Li Qi had never even glanced at them.

This gaze today was Li Qi's first time looking at these people in over a thousand years.

The moment Li Qi thought this, his eyelids suddenly began to twitch uncontrollably.

An ominous premonition began to envelop his heart.

A great terror struck, as if something bad was about to happen.

He immediately performed the Qi Observation Art and began to deduce.

The next moment, he saw blood-colored clouds gathering in the sky, as if a great disaster was coming.

The direction where the clouds gathered was...

Baiyue, Great Deer Kingdom!

(It's the end of the month, please give me a monthly pass!)