RNP Chapter 74: The Framework for Creating a Blueprint for the Future
Chapter 74: The Framework for Creating a Blueprint for the Future
As a plant-type soul beast, awakening its intelligence is inherently extremely difficult.
Their long lifespan endowed them with profound accumulation, but it also slowed down the emergence of consciousness.
It often takes thousands of years of trials and tribulations to cultivate a vague sense of self, and if one wants to roam the world freely like an animal-type soul beast, one must pass through a hundred thousand years of heavenly tribulation before one can transform and teleport.
This path of spiritual practice is destined to be a solitary and long journey of waiting.
Among the six ferocious beasts of the Star Dou Great Forest, the Demon King is the least experienced newcomer and the only plant-type king among them.
His cultivation was profound, second only to Bi Ji.
Before joining the inner circle, he secretly laid out plans, quietly connecting his roots with nearly a third of the trees in the forest, weaving an invisible giant net.
By the time Di Tian realized it, he had already merged with the blood of this forest, becoming inseparable from it.
Di Tian acknowledged his power and potential, inviting him to join the core circle, while also establishing an agreement: without permission, he was not allowed to extend his roots to any more trees. The Demon King agreed.
So, in the long years that followed, he remained like a silent mountain, rooted on the shore of the lake of life, quietly feeling the breath of the stars, as if time itself had frozen.
Until that day, Di Tian brought that human girl—Huo Yutong—back to the core circle.
The stagnant gears of time seemed to start turning again from that moment on.
At this moment, the massive demonic power core of the Demon King stretched out under the moonlight.
He does not exist alone; his consciousness is connected through countless intricate root systems to thousands of plant offspring with faint consciousness, and even ordinary plants, feeling the subtle pulse of the entire forest.
He could "hear" the naive consciousness of those low-level plant-type soul beasts, like distant star whispers in the dead of night, filled with curiosity about the world and a yearning for complete intelligence.
Beside her, a huge canvas brought back from the human world by Murasaki was spread out, with various paints laid out next to it.
The Demon King extended an extremely slender vine, the end of which was wrapped with a paintbrush, which was dipping into paint and gently outlining on the canvas.
What he painted was the starry forest he perceived.
The brushstrokes are not realistic, but have a strong impressionistic style, just like what he felt when Electrolux guided him through the "artistic resonance" awakening.
On the canvas, blocks of color flow freely, and light and shadow intertwine in a mesmerizing way.
He used deep emerald green and dark blue to depict the tranquility of the forest at night, and used interspersed white and pale gold to depict the dappled light of moonlight filtering through the gaps in the trees. He also used an indescribable warm color to suggest the vibrant life emanating from the lake of life.
With each stroke of the pen, he gained a deeper understanding of the profound wisdom of Electrolux.
What humans capture with color and lines is not the appearance of things, but their inner "spirit" and "emotion".
This is so similar to how he senses the "flow of life" in the forest through his roots!
Art became a new bridge for him to understand the world and communicate with his unenlightened people.
"The path to enlightenment for our race is many times more perilous than that for the animal race," the Demon King sighed inwardly.
Born into slaughter and raised in competition, Xiong Jun and Chi Wang's consciousness was stimulated to grow through constant battles.
Plant-type soul beasts are born in silence and grow up in guarding; what they need is not external pressure, but an inner awakening.
"What Lord Electrolux said is true; enhancing the perception of 'beauty' and 'emotion' is indeed the key."
He thought of his people in the "Realm of Enlightenment," who received his simulated paintings and the emotions of peace and joy conveyed to them through his soul power.
Recently, several demonic flowers that are nearing the threshold have shown significantly more active fluctuations in their consciousness.
This small step forward made the responsibility on his shoulders even heavier.
He is the king of plant-type soul beasts, and every step he takes in his exploration is related to the future of the entire race.
Just then, Di Tian's steady footsteps sounded from behind.
"Emperor Tian." The Demon King's thoughts were transmitted, filled with respect.
Di Tian walked to the canvas, gazing intently at the dazzling yet abstract starry night scene on the canvas, and said, "There are some things in your painting that weren't there before."
"It is 'light'." The Demon King's vine brush gently touched the warm golden spots of light on the canvas. "It is not just moonlight, but more like... the light of hope."
The changes stem from the child Huo Yutong, the path guided by Lord Electrolux, and the future you envision.
These words came from the bottom of my heart.
If it weren't for Di Tian's open-minded acceptance of human knowledge, and even bringing Huo Yutong and Ilex into the core circle, he, the King of Ten Thousand Demons, might still be groping alone in the dark, unable to see the dawn of plant-type soul beasts awakening their intelligence on a large scale.
It was Di Tian's foresight that broke the deadlock.
Di Tian slightly turned his head to look at the Demon King's intricately rooted body, which was closely connected to the earth: "You made a pact with me to limit the spread of your roots. Have you felt any restraint?"
"Never." The King of Ten Thousand Demons answered decisively. "On the contrary, it was this constraint that made me understand that the responsibility of a 'King' is not endless expansion and control, but guidance and protection."
Only by focusing our strength on the core can we better protect our people and explore our own path.
Your promise is not a shackle, but a guiding light that has shown me the way.
Moreover, you have allowed the roots to spread, entrusting me with the oversight of the entire star system.
A look of admiration flashed in Di Tian's eyes.
What he needs is a soul beast that possesses great power, understands its responsibilities, and aligns with his ideals.
The Demon King may not be the most skilled warrior, but his composure, wisdom, and deep sense of responsibility to his people are an indispensable cornerstone of the Star Dou Great Forest.
"Very good." Di Tian said no more, turning his gaze back to the distant night sky. "You already know the news Zi Ji brought back. The beast census must be completed as soon as possible."
You are one with the forest, sensing the distribution and number of all soul beasts; it is most efficient for you to take the lead in this matter.
This will be the true cornerstone of our clan's future plans.
"The King of Ten Thousand Demons obeys." The King of Ten Thousand Demons immediately understood the deeper meaning.
The chaos of organizing Soul Bone Mountain before was still vivid in my mind; those were just inanimate objects.
A comprehensive survey of all living spirit beasts in the entire forest would be a hundred times more complex.
Xiong Jun's brute strength and Chi Wang's sense of smell were of little use in this matter. Only he could use the ubiquitous plant network to relatively accurately perceive and count the life force, strength, and types of soul beasts in different areas.
"I will mobilize all plant-based citizens capable of establishing mental connections to construct a 'marshal map' covering the stars, providing you with the most detailed data."
That is precisely where his unique value lies.
The fact that Di Tian entrusted him with such an important task was itself the greatest trust and recognition.
Di Tian nodded, his figure slowly merging into the shadows, as if he had never been there.
The Demon King regained his composure, dipped his vine brush in paint again, and continued to paint on the canvas. This time, he painted with even greater determination.
On the canvas, the night scene of the Starry Forest radiates with magnificent vitality amidst vibrant colors, and its root system will not only be the source of nourishment for itself, but also the vein connecting the entire tribe and drawing up the blueprint for the future.