"The Path I wish to tread is... the Path of Causality! Cause begets effect, and effect stems from cause!" Yun Fan's eyes shone with determination, his words firm and resolute.
What is causality? In simple terms, causality is the relationship between cause and effect. Every cause has an effect, and every effect has a cause. The two are intertwined, forming the fundamental laws of the universe.
Yun Fan's idea was to use the power of the Path to manipulate causality, thereby gaining control over everything!
For example, if someone dies from an arrow wound, the arrow is the "cause," and death is the "effect."
Could he use the power of the Path to erase the "cause" of being struck by an arrow? Without the cause, the effect of death would cease to exist. Could the dead be revived?
Alternatively, could he use the power of the Path to directly impose the "effect" of death without the "cause" of being struck by an arrow?
If the Primordial Law could truly forge the Path of Causality, would creating a new Path elevate him to the status of an Aeon?
The Path of Causality, huh... The Void Archives fell silent for a long time, and just as Yun Fan began to doubt whether the Primordial Law could do it, it finally spoke.
The holder is quite clever, knowing how to maximize benefits. The Path of Causality, tsk tsk... The Void Archives clicked its tongue. After all, causality is one of the highest laws in the multiverse. Even true gods who can traverse the river of worlds might not be able to control it.
"Ha, just tell me if you can do it or not. Can the mighty Primordial Law not handle such a small task?" Yun Fan teased the Void Archives in his consciousness, his tone full of mockery.
...Although the holder's taunting is quite cliché, I must admit, it works. The Void Archives' voice rang out, and Yun Fan smirked. Haha, I knew it would work.
Forging Path... Forging successful... Path of Causality—established!
Hum—
A mysterious hum resonated in Yun Fan's mind. In the next moment, a river of stars appeared in his consciousness.
Instantly, the false sky above Teyvat shattered, and the true stars reappeared, shining with dazzling brilliance. The stars trembled in unison, celebrating the birth of the Path of Causality.
"The sky I created has shattered. Why?!" The Heavenly Principles, who had just fallen back into slumber, was abruptly awakened by this sudden event. She didn't even know what expression to make.
Since the incident in Khaenri'ah, she had slept for five hundred years. During that time, many events had occurred, but none significant enough to wake her.
Yet now, in just one or two months, two major events had occurred. The first was the appearance of a being of equal strength to her, whom she couldn't deal with due to her injuries. This time, someone had shattered the false sky, allowing the true stars to descend. This...
"How infuriating!" The Heavenly Principles spat out, her beautiful eyes piercing through the layers of obstruction to gaze at the sky above.
"The stars pay homage!" The Heavenly Principles' eyes were filled with shock. The true stars behind the false sky each represented a world. Now, these worlds were all glowing as if paying homage to something.
"What is happening? What great figure has appeared in Teyvat?" Without further thought, the Heavenly Principles, despite her injuries, activated her divine power. In the next moment, countless purple-gold energies surged from her graceful form.
"Hmph!" The Heavenly Principles let out a light cry, and the immense energy radiated from Celestia, spreading across the entire Teyvat until the sky was once again covered.
"This energy... Could it be Imaginary Energy?" Yun Fan's eyes widened in surprise. He had sensed it the moment the Heavenly Principles acted. Her power was unlike any known force in Teyvat. Instead, it bore a striking resemblance to Honkai energy. Now, seeing the color of this energy, he had a guess.
"The Heavenly Principles is the First Descender, from beyond this world. Could her original world be..."
——————
Time flies like a white steed galloping past a crack in the door.
In the blink of an eye, it was already the next day. The celestial phenomenon caused by Yun Fan's creation of the Path of Causality had affected the entire Teyvat. For the ordinary people living under the false sky, the shattering of the heavens was an unimaginable event, yet it had truly happened.
In no time, the news spread through the streets and alleys of the seven nations, becoming the latest topic of conversation.
"Last night's celestial phenomenon was terrifying. I was drinking tea in the yard when, with a crash, the entire sky shattered. It scared me half to death!"
"Who wouldn't be scared? Nothing like this has ever happened before. We've witnessed history."
"Huh? Am I the only one curious? Why was there another sky after the first one shattered?"
"Who knows? It's not like we've been living under a fake sky all this time, haha."
"But seriously, why did the sky shatter?"
"...Could it be the end of the world?"
"I heard another theory. Apparently, two supreme beings stronger than the Seven Archons clashed beyond the stars yesterday. The energy from their battle shattered the sky. Later, the victorious deity, unwilling to let Teyvat suffer, used their divine power to rebuild the sky..."
"Stop making things up!"
"Ugh! You...!"
Everyone had their own opinions, and the teahouse was filled with lively chatter. Only in a secluded corner did the retired Zhongli sit alone, sipping his tea, his eyes flickering with thought.
...
"Gorou, how are things outside?" Kokomi rubbed her forehead, looking exhausted. The sudden celestial phenomenon last night had sparked endless rumors among the resistance.
Some believed the shattering of the sky was an ominous sign, warning the resistance to cease hostilities with the Shogunate.
Others thought the trembling stars were a great omen, signifying that seeking the protection of the Liyue adeptus would free Watatsumi Island from the suffering of war and famine.
Yet others believed the sky was about to collapse, and rather than striving, they might as well live idly, waiting for death.
Very few could view the event rationally.