Chapter 18: The Radiant Brilliance of Human Wisdom

At this moment, Amnesis confirmed that what was in His hand was not a single trait, but a cluster of a dozen or so extraordinary traits, varying in size and form.

The difference was subtle, like trying to distinguish the various components within a lump of soil. Yet, under Amnesis’s conscious observation, this distinction did not escape His eyes.

Amnesis exerted His power once more, and one by one, different radiant and pure extraordinary traits separated from the wooden cluster.

There were eerie, pitch-black pupils entwined with soul essence, blood-tinged root-carved objects, glowing orbs the size of human infants, and cyan fangs…

Hermia extracted a golden pupil from among them. That pupil seemed to reflect the human heart, holding a slight allure for her.

This appeared to be... the extraordinary trait of Sequence 5, “Dreamwalker.”

A pity it was not the extraordinary trait of Sequence 4, “Manipulator,” or else she might have become the first human demigod.

Hermia felt a twinge of regret in her heart.

Amnesis gazed at the colorful extraordinary traits before Him and murmured softly, “Humans... truly an incredible and infinitely potential species.”

He cast a strange look at Hermia and asked, “Do you have any other research findings as astonishing as these?”

Hermia also looked at the dozen or so shimmering extraordinary traits before her, thought for a moment, then spoke, “There is another... an incomplete theory. But it should be of use to you as well.”

“Oh?”

There really was another? Amnesis was surprised. He had asked casually, already amazed that humans had conceived the hypothesis of “shattered traits.” He did not expect a second one and was curious and eager. “What research is it?”

Hermia took a deep breath and slowly said, “It’s called the ‘Sequence Pathway.’”

Originally, Hermia had no intention of sharing such a secret with others. She planned to preserve her life until the birth of the Ancient Solar God. Then, as one of the human tribal leaders, she could surely cling to His favor.

Afterward, she would find a way to ascend to Sequence 3 and live a life of utter ease.

As for “reforging human glory,” with the Ancient Solar God around, what was there to worry about?

In the story’s recollections, the Ancient Solar God had directly inaugurated a “glorious era” of great fusion among all races, with humans as the main force!

But…

Having witnessed Amnesis’s predicament firsthand, whether out of gratitude or to preserve the protection of the magical wolf realm that sheltered her, she had to find a way to help Amnesis resolve His problems.

Under Amnesis’s eager gaze, Hermia calmly explained, “In our human research, all extraordinary abilities in this world form a tiered and strengthened sequence chain! We arrange them as Sequence 9, Sequence 8, and so on…”

“We hypothesize that consuming extraordinary traits progressively by sequence can greatly reduce the accumulation of madness and make it easier to ascend to higher sequences.”

Hermia picked up the golden pupil before her and introduced it as a physical example:

“This one is an extraordinary trait we named ‘Dreamwalker.’ The sequence pathway it belongs to, we call the ‘Observer’ pathway.”

“‘Dreamwalker’ is the Sequence 5 extraordinary trait within the Observer pathway.”

Sequence pathways… progressive strengthening… avoiding madness accumulation…

Amnesis’s eyes filled with thought and astonishment as He said, “You understand this so deeply?”

“Not all sequence pathways are researched so extensively. It just so happens that my specific research is the ‘Observer’ pathway,” Hermia smiled. “I am a ‘Dreamwalker’ of the Observer pathway.”

“And what about me?” Amnesis, sensing the extraordinariness of this system, asked curiously.

“We haven’t researched beyond Sequence 4 yet. Among all human tribes, the highest is Sequence 5,” Hermia said regretfully.

Although she intended to reveal the sequence pathway to Amnesis, Hermia was not foolish enough to disclose research beyond human limits, fearing it might arouse suspicion and harm their trust.

Anyway, just revealing the concept of the sequence pathway would help Amnesis plan His own path, thereby alleviating and resolving adverse effects.

“However...” Hermia added, “From the time we’ve spent together and your exhibited traits, I suspect your pathway is the ‘Sleepless’ pathway.”

“Sleepless…” A trace of wonder appeared in Amnesis’s eyes. “Could you tell me more about this sequence pathway?”

“Sequence 9, ‘Sleepless.’ Daily sleep requirement reduced to three to four hours, night vision, enhanced inspiration.”

“Sequence 8, ‘Midnight Poet.’ Physical attributes strengthened; able to channel mysterious power through chanting, applying different effects to friend and foe alike.”

“Sequence 7, ‘Nightmare’…”

“Sequence 6, ‘Soulkeeper’…”

“Sequence 5, ‘Spirit Shaman’…”

Hermia introduced the names and corresponding abilities of these sequences up to Sequence 5.

As she spoke, Amnesis’s gaze grew increasingly bright. He even took a rare deep breath, his chest rising and falling. After a while, he sighed:

“Most of the abilities you described are ones I possess... but the extraordinary ability of ‘Spirit Shaman’ is my shortcoming. It seems I lack this trait.”

“The Mother of Heaven’s abilities are very similar to mine. According to your research, She follows the same pathway as I do. She has the power to command spirits but clearly lacks the abilities of ‘Midnight Poet’ and ‘Soulkeeper.’”

Although humans hadn’t researched beyond Sequence 4, by comparing His own powers, Amnesis gradually formed a vague impression, almost certain that He had no major deficiencies on the ‘Sleepless’ pathway.

Amnesis sighed with relief, “It seems this is why I possess more rationality than other deities. I am quite fortunate... My extraordinary traits are not many and neither are my flaws; I have essentially ascended step by step.”

Perhaps it was not luck, but the arrangement of the “Heavenly Sovereign.”

Hermia inwardly muttered—though she did not know what deviation had occurred that caused Amnesis, who should have followed one of the pathways of Folly, Gate, or Error, to instead tread the Sleepless pathway—the path of darkness.

By now, Amnesis truly regarded Hermia as an equal, not as a frail human under His protection. He continued to inquire, “Since the ‘Calamity’ trait of the twin-headed demon wolf attracts me, does that mean this trait is a high-sequence ability on the Sleepless pathway?”

“Very likely,” Hermia nodded in agreement. She actually knew that was the authority and power of Sequence 1, the “Calamity Knight,” but she could not explain it.

Hermia cautioned again, “But ‘Tampering’ and ‘Resurrection’ are definitely not abilities on your pathway. Those belong to a godlike being who seeks to resurrect through you.”

Amnesis’s deep, contemplative gaze fell upon Hermia. He nodded with a smile, “I will keep that in mind.”