Chapter 2514: Studying the Cultivation Technique

"Not only was this cultivation technique created by the Absolute Being, but it was also forced upon all of us," Shiva continued with a calm expression on her face.

"What do you mean?" Yuan asked, his head slightly tilted with puzzlement.

"Just like how humans are born with the instinct to breathe, every single Eternal is born into existence already knowing this cultivation technique," Shiva elaborated.

"Huh? How does that work? What about the Eternals born after the Absolute Being’s death?"

Shiva looked at him with an odd expression and remarked, "Why would you say the Absolute Being is dead?"

"He’s not?" Yuan raised his eyebrows, as he’d always had this assumption.

"If the Absolute Being is still alive, why are Eternals fighting to acquire the Absolute Power that he left behind? Surely, they wouldn’t be doing such a thing if the Absolute Being were still alive."

"..."

After a moment of silence, Shiva spoke again.

"While it’s true that nobody has seen the Absolute Being for an incredibly long time, nobody possesses any concrete evidence that he is dead either."

She paused briefly before continuing, "That being said, many Eternals believe he has already perished. However, I personally believe he is still alive. After all, there is simply no way a being as powerful as the Absolute Being could truly die. The very idea is unthinkable."

Despite speaking with such conviction, Yuan could clearly detect a faint trace of doubt hidden within Shiva’s eyes, as though even she subconsciously questioned her own words.

’If Eternals are nearly impossible to kill, then it makes sense why she believes the Absolute Being cannot perish,’ Yuan pondered inwardly.

’However, if he were truly still alive, then what about the Absolute Power he left behind? He must have left it there for a reason. And if he were actually alive, he would have already stopped the others from trying to covet his power.’

"Anyway, we are born knowing the Absolute Being’s technique because it’s nature," Shiva answered his question a moment later.

"I don’t get it. How is it natural if you’re forced to learn it?"

"Because it is a law of this universe," Shiva elaborated.

"Just as the ruler of a world can impose laws upon that world and its inhabitants, the Absolute Being—as the master of the universe itself—can establish laws that apply to all existence."

"And one of those laws is that every Eternal is born with this cultivation technique already engraved into their existence."

Yuan’s jaw slowly dropped after hearing her explanation.

He had always known that the Absolute Being was regarded as the strongest Eternal, but such a title had always felt too abstract for him to truly comprehend.

However, after hearing Shiva’s words, Yuan finally gained a small glimpse into just how terrifying the Absolute Being’s powers truly were.

To impose a law upon the universe itself—one that affected every Eternal, including those not yet born—was simply beyond the comprehension of a mortal like Yuan.

Seeing Yuan’s expression, Shiva spoke, "If you’re thinking about asking me the reason, don’t bother. Besides those close to the Absolute Being before his disappearance, nobody knows. Hell, there’s a good chance that even they don’t know why he made such a law."

"So from my understanding, every Eternal begins with this cultivation technique, but eventually modifies it and turns it into their own unique version?" Yuan asked for clarification.

"That’s correct," Shiva nodded in confirmation.

"Anyway... What are you going to do now that you have the technique?"

"I’m going to study it," he said. "Maybe it’ll help me discover my affinity."

Shiva sneered in disdain, "If it were that easy, it wouldn’t have taken us so much time to discover our own affinity."

Yuan didn’t entertain her and closed his eyes to focus on the cultivation technique.

[Progress: 20%]

Although Yuan still could not fully comprehend the cultivation technique, he was able to recite it flawlessly without the slightest issue.

As a result, he repeatedly recited the technique over and over, hoping that he would eventually grasp its meaning naturally through repetition, just as he did with Heaven’s Secret Art.

’What a waste of time...’ Shiva inwardly shook her head before returning control of the body to Mu Xuelian.

In Shiva’s eyes, even if Yuan somehow managed to fully comprehend the cultivation technique, he still would not be capable of using it because he lacked the necessary body to support it.

She never bothered mentioning this to him because, to her, it was unnecessary.

However, just as Shiva was prepared to take a nap, she suddenly sensed Eternal Essence leaking from Yuan’s body.

At first, she did not think much of it, but she still decided to take a closer look.

’Th-This is—!’

Shiva immediately seized control of Mu Xuelian’s body again and stared at Yuan with a dumbfounded expression on her face.

’Although his Eternal Essence is still ordinary... I can sense something changing within it, almost as though an affinity is in the process of being born!’

Naturally, Yuan was completely unaware of the changes occurring within his Eternal Essence, as he was wholly immersed in comprehending the cultivation technique.

’How is this even possible?! He’s nothing more than a mortal!’

Shiva subconsciously clenched her fists in agitation.

’This feeling... am I actually feeling inferior to a mere mortal?!’ she cried inwardly in disbelief.

’No... this must be some sort of mistake. There’s no way he’s actually discovering his affinity out of nowhere like this.’

Shiva quickly took a deep breath to compose herself.

’Let’s think through this rationally and wait a little longer before I come to any conclusions...’

Shiva proceeded to spend the next several hours closely observing Yuan and the Eternal Essence emanating from his body, which was becoming increasingly refined with every passing moment.

’I once witnessed an Eternal in the process of discovering their affinity, and what I’m seeing from him right now is incredibly similar...’ she sighed inwardly.