Path of Alchemy Mastery-Chapter 327 - 228: The Secret of Thousands of Incarnations

"Hehe, don’t worry, the kid knows what he’s doing." Mu Can immediately showed a smile upon hearing the stone’s response to his query.

He had already noticed that this stone was extraordinary, simply because it greatly resembled the platform where he had just undergone his trial, except it lacked the two battling statues, virtually a miniature version of where he had just been tested.

Moreover, throughout this journey, there were no adornments on either side of the stone steps. Suddenly, a stone appeared, and it surely filled Mu Can’s mind with doubts.

"You really are unprincipled, seizing the highest level of rewards for yourself, and still treating this old man this way."

The surface of the stone slowly revealed a figure, half the size of a normal human, resembling an old man with white hair and beard, holding a Dragon Head Walking Stick. He was glaring at Mu Can in anger. Anyone threatened to be urinated on would probably display such an expression. Although he looked elderly, his voice was robust, quite like that of a middle-aged man.

"Old man, it’s your misunderstanding. I didn’t mean anything else by calling you out, nor did I truly intend to urinate on you; here, I apologize to you."

Mu Can restrained his smile, bowing sincerely in apology to the old man. He had always respected the elderly and loved the young, treating them kindly unless they were extremely unreasonable.

"Speak up, what big trouble have you created to drag this old man out here, boy? If you can’t give a satisfactory reason, don’t think about continuing upwards. However, there are some questions I will not answer." Seeing Mu Can’s respectful demeanor, the elder waved his hand, indicating that he would not pursue the matter further.

"Are you the Guardian of the first trial?" Mu Can asked respectfully since he was in need of the elder’s help. The information about Tongshen Mountain was scarce to begin with; almost everyone had parts of their memories erased after leaving the mountain, only remembering the Cultivation Techniques they attained while forgetting everything they experienced on the mountain.

"You know about Guardians? Sigh, it must have been those three little cats who told you. There’s no harm in hiding this, indeed, I am the Guardian of the first trial, but also one among the countless Guardians," the elder gently stroked his beard, looking the part of a sage.

"Countless?" Mu Can keenly picked up on the information hidden in the elder’s words.

The term ’countless’ typically symbolizes an infinite — if going by what the elder said, it means each individual faces a unique trial on Tongshen Mountain, and each person’s Guardian is different.

"What you see is merely one of countless incarnations."

The elder’s words made Mu Can even more perplexed. If someone could indeed incarnate into thousands and maintain each avatar’s strength, how immensely powerful would that person need to be? It was beyond Mu Can’s comprehension.

"Elder, if someone could incarnate into thousands and maintain their strength, how powerful would that person be?" Mu Can, puzzled, couldn’t help but ask directly.

Despite asking, Mu Can didn’t hold much hope for an answer from the elder, as it pertained to the elder’s own strength, which he had every right not to disclose.

Surprisingly, the elder responded to this question.

"Who told you that incarnating into thousands necessarily requires immense strength?"

As Mu Can pressed for answers, the elder revealed the truth, enlightening Mu Can further about Tongshen Mountain.

The creator of Tongshen Mountain, referred to as the Sovereign by the elder.

The Sovereign created Tongshen Mountain primarily to pass on Cultivation Techniques and enhance the strength of the Mortal World. Cultivation Techniques are fundamental; whether to a family or a realm, they form the core.

In this context, the Sovereign established three trials on Tongshen Mountain and created various Guardians, with the elder being one of the life forms created by the Sovereign.

"Create life? What kind of power does the Sovereign possess?" Mu Can couldn’t help but be amazed. Life is the most miraculous existence in the world; creating life — what kind of power would that require? At least it would be within the All Things Realm.

"No one knows the strength of the Sovereign; I dare not speculate," said the elder with a respectful expression as he mentioned his creator.

"How did you manage to incarnate into thousands, then? Does everyone face you in their first trial?" Mu Can was very intrigued by the elder’s ability to incarnate thousands.

If he could also incarnate into thousands, fighting would certainly become much easier.

"You seem clever, so why do you become so daft when facing issues? Tell me, what is most abundant on Tongshen Mountain?" The elder looked at Mu Can, speaking slowly, his long beard fluttering in the wind, looking every bit the part of an Immortal sage.

"Of course, it’s Cultivation Techniques," Mu Can replied.

It’s well-known that people come to Tongshen Mountain to find unparalleled Cultivation Techniques; therefore, the most abundant thing on the mountain is undoubtedly Cultivation Techniques.

"Well, there you have it. I can incarnate into thousands, not only because of my unique constitution but also due to the Cultivation Technique bestowed by the Sovereign," the elder spoke indifferently, though his desire for conversation was strong. After all, the Immortal Ancient Secret Realm only opens once in a long while, and Tongshen Mountain opens even less frequently. He wasn’t willing to communicate with creatures like three-headed lions, so meeting an interesting young man like Mu Can made the elder much more talkative.

Mu Can knew this was a good sign, quickly took the opportunity, and asked all his questions.

It turned out the elder was cultivating a Cultivation Technique left on Tongshen Mountain by the Sovereign. Although it allowed incarnation into thousands, each incarnation only possessed a fraction of the original’s Cultivation. Mu Can understood this; if each incarnation had the same Cultivation as the original, then such a technique, even in the Supreme Interface, would cause a frenzy.

"You really thought I incarnated into thousands, huh? Each time, less than ten thousand people come here, and furthermore, some are intercepted by the fools below. Not many make it up here," the elder stroked his beard, a smile on his face.