Chapter 621: Knowledge is Him, He is Knowledge

Chapter 621: Knowledge is Him, He is Knowledge

The starry sky is silent and serene.

The splendid starry sky observed from the earth is merely a few embellishments on a black curtain here.

Darkness, desolation, and silence are the eternal colors here.

In a desolate part of the starry sky, a black planet is gently pulsating rhythmically.

The black star, with the breath of life contained within, contracts and expands, devouring the life force of nearby planets.

"Stars."

"Ruler of chaos and order."

"Origin of all rules in the starry sky."

"Guide to the reset and restart of all things."

"Return of the stars!"

The black devourer is chanting the revered names of the stars, hoping to attract their gaze.

When a splendid starry sky manifests ahead, the black star becomes exceptionally excited.

In the Hall of Stars, Hastur sits at a long table, looking down at the black devourer still gestating within the black star.

A phantom figure of a child floats out from the black star, indicating a desire to converse in the Hall of Stars.

Hastur watches for a moment and agrees to the request, extending the chain of stars to bring the figure into the Hall of Stars.

Coincidentally, Hastur is also interested in this black devourer residing within the black star and wants to learn some truths of interest from Him.

"Stars!" The black devourer is very excited, running towards Hastur and sitting in the spot originally belonging to the Lamp God.

With arms resting on the table and head tilted, the devourer smiles at Hastur.

"What is it?" Hastur asks indifferently.

"To chat."

"Chat about what?"

"What do the stars want to know?" The black devourer smiles sweetly, looking very cute.

"Why are you so close to me?"

"Because I feel a close aura from the stars."

"What kind of close aura?"

This question makes the black devourer ponder for a long time before frowning and saying, "Close is just close, it's a feeling, hard to explain, it's an aura of trust and closeness."

Hastur changes the direction of the inquiry: "Have you always been inside that black star since you became conscious?"

"Yes, I've been there for a long time, slept for a long time, don't know how long."

"What is your relationship with the Primordial Hunger?"

"He helped me, he's a friend."

"Why weren't you eaten by the Primordial Hunger? Isn't He fond of eating things?"

"Don't know." The black devourer shakes His little head a few times, "Since I became conscious, He was the first to talk to me, and He told me to stay inside and grow peacefully."

"What about your past?"

"Don't remember."

"Can't you trace back the events with your abilities?"

"What abilities?"

Hastur silently sighs, truly feeling like he's talking to a child.

Is this the real black devourer, or is He smart enough to disguise Himself this way?

"If there's nothing else, leave." Hastur issues an order to leave.

The black devourer's face shows reluctance, but soon His eyes light up, "I want to ask the stars for a favor."

Hastur glances at Him, indicating that He can make a request.

"I want the stars to use the power of return of the stars to help me restore my past consciousness."

Hastur's heart stirs, "Did the Primordial Hunger instruct you to do this?"

"Ah... it's what I want."

"I hate lying children the most." Hastur's voice carries a hint of coldness.

The black devourer shivers, quickly explaining, "Yes, He told me to seek the stars' help, saying the stars' power can accelerate my growth, allowing me to be born sooner."

"I didn't mean to lie."

"Nor did I mean to anger the stars."

Hastur listens silently, having learned some information about this black devourer from the Lamp God.

It's said that when He is truly born, He will either rule or destroy the current universe, creating a more twisted one.

According to this, He leans more towards the original creator than Hastur does.

If Hastur uses the power of return of the stars to help Him gather His original consciousness and be born early, it might not be a good thing for this universe.

"Today's conversation is over, go back."

Hastur directly sends the teary-eyed black devourer away from the Hall of Stars.

The Primordial Hunger, His actions are quick; having seen Hastur use the power of return of the stars only once, He knew Hastur could help the black devourer and instructed Him to seek help.

What is His stance?

The origin of the black devourer... could it really be Him?

Hastur thinks of the golden box that the Yellow-Robed Monk always worships. Could the contents be related to the black devourer?

That's why He feels a close aura from Hastur.

"It seems things aren't that simple."

Hastur ponders for a long time, then turns His attention to Roselle.

Currently, Roselle is using various secret channels to find the hidden sage lurking in the shadows.

...

In a nearly chaotic and indistinct region, it's hard to distinguish between sky and earth, with countless runes of knowledge emitting a faint glow.

Occasionally, the sound of rushing rivers is heard, the sound of the river of knowledge and countless tributaries flowing in a certain direction.

"Embodiment of all spiritual numbers."

"Sage guiding the river of knowledge forward."

"Knowledge is Him, He is knowledge."

A voice reverently chanting the revered name floats from the river of knowledge, and a small light point emerges. A transparent, almost phantom tentacle reaches out, its tip touching the light point, creating ripples of white transparency.

"Great and selfless sage, a follower who admires your endless knowledge reports the latest news about the betrayer Bernadette."

"During the full lockdown of the Roselle Islands, your followers, at great cost, have uncovered the brewing conspiracy."

"Bernadette intends to hold a ceremony on the Roselle Islands, claiming it is to worship the stars, but this is a lie. She is likely preparing for a ceremony to ascend to a higher sequence."

After reporting, the small light point falls back into the river of knowledge.

"Bernadette... the stars..."

"What a naive trap."

"Have you forgotten that knowledge is also wisdom?"

A low murmur is heard, and soon the faint glow dims, and the river of knowledge stops flowing.

A portal to the abyss rises from the bottom of the river of knowledge.

"Beware of the stars." A voice emanates from the abyssal portal.

"I have always been vigilant of Him."

"Continue with the new ceremony."

The abyssal portal soon sinks back into the river of knowledge, the dim runes of knowledge brighten again, and the river of knowledge continues to flow forward, branching into countless tributaries, chasing those who desire to hear more knowledge, both believers and the ignorant.

...

In the Republic of Intis, chaos and division have brought this kingdom, once as glorious as the sun, to the brink of decline.

When Roselle once again steps into the capital of the Republic of Intis, it no longer holds its former splendor, only remnants of rubble and homeless wanderers.

Roselle wants to shout, "Citizens of the Republic of Intis, your consul has returned!"

"Adam!"

Roselle silently notes this in his heart, deeply detesting this self-proclaimed 'trendsetter' representing the tide of the times.

After wandering around, Roselle arrives at the White Maple Palace, where he once fell. The palace is mostly collapsed, with no one guarding it, and its decorations and valuables have been taken away.

After a long silence, Roselle leaves this once-glorious capital, departs from the land of the Republic of Intis, and arrives at the eastern side of the Hornacis mountain range, by the sea.

According to his information, some followers of the hidden sage are active in this sea area, surrounded by several great kingdoms.

To lure out the old fox of the hidden sage, the most feasible and simple method is to become a madman in pursuit of knowledge.

The hidden sage seems to enjoy stuffing his knowledge into the minds of those ignorant who yearn for it.

Even a curly-haired baboon, as long as it chants the correct revered name and prays for knowledge, the hidden sage will kindly fulfill its request.

As for Bernadette's arrangements on the Roselle Islands, they cannot escape the hidden sage's notice and can only serve as a focal point to attract the hidden sage's attention and make Him lower His guard.

To deal with an old schemer, the best way is to be more insidious than Him.

His precious daughter is obviously too naive, simple, and kind-hearted, so it's up to him, the old father, to handle it.