The ultimate aim of the Snake Coiled Awl is immortality. And the tangible symbol of this immortality is the so-called Eternal Serpent Emblem.
After hearing the Wise Sovereign’s explanation, Angel personally believed it, as these matters don’t concern Naraku City’s core interests, and the research on immortality is not exclusive to the Baiyuanians; thus, regardless of the angle, the logic remains coherent.
However, Angel was puzzled: "Why ’snake,’ ’emblem’?"
Firstly, why use a snake as a representation of immortality? Moreover, why is immortality merely an emblem?
Or did Angel misunderstand, and the Serpent Emblem is not a logo, but a symbol?
Angel voiced his doubts, but the Wise Sovereign didn’t answer directly. Instead, he asked, "Why can’t immortality be a logo?"
Before Angel could respond, the Wise Sovereign continued, "To the Baiyuanians, the continuation of civilization can be the blazing fire on the unknown dimension’s altar. So why can’t immortality be a logo on the altar in that unknown dimension?"
Upon hearing the Wise Sovereign’s question, Angel vaguely understood.
"A logo placed on the altar... Eternal Serpent Emblem..." Angel murmured softly, "What the Baiyuanians want to do is truly an act against heaven."
The Wise Sovereign was pleased that Angel grasped the concept quickly: "So now you should also understand, the extinction of the Baiyuanians isn’t as simple as it appears on the surface. Cicia pondered for so many years but failed to understand because he was caught in the trap, only seeing the scene before his eyes."
Angel didn’t respond verbally, but he agreed with the Wise Sovereign.
The ambition of the Cone of Eternity is even more terrifying than he imagined.
Baiyuanians only need to close their eyes to see an altar blazing with fierce flames, the Primeval Flame Altar. Outsiders have no idea where the actual altar is located, but to Baiyuanians, the altar is their shared spiritual connection.
The Primeval Flame is their spiritual source.
If the Cone of Eternity intends to add another emblem on this Primeval Flame Altar, which signifies eternal life—the Eternal Serpent Emblem—it implies—
All Baiyuanians would live eternally, as undying beings, under the radiance of the Eternal Serpent Emblem!
This is akin to elevating an entire clan to a new life form!
Others study immortality merely for self-preservation, while the Cone of Eternity’s research on immortality is for collective leap transition.
Even Angel is astounded by such a grand feat; if this isn’t defying heaven, then what is?
And this "heaven" isn’t defying the World Will, isn’t contradicting law and order, but is... the heaven of humans! The heaven of humankind!
It’s no wonder that the Baiyuanians slowly faded from the Southern Domain. The public reason given was the coveting of the Primeval Flame, but this is likely just an excuse.
The true reason might be those few extremist Baiyuanians.
In the Baiyuanians, the Cone of Eternity is merely responsible for medical and research factions, yet the goals are so astonishing. It’s imaginable that other factions within the Baiyuanians might have some extreme notions too.
One can only say, success and failure are both tied to the altar.
The altar seen by the Baiyuanians with closed eyes shares everything with them, leading them to forge a unique path, but it also leads them into a quandary.
And because the Baiyuanian altar is shared, when they encounter a predicament, essentially all Baiyuanians suffer together.
Angel: "Did they achieve it?"
The Wise Sovereign shrugged: "Who knows, the Cone of Eternity wasn’t researching the Eternal Serpent Emblem in Naraku City. To what extent they have studied the Eternal Serpent Emblem, what progress has been made, whether they succeeded, I have no knowledge."
Angel: "Isn’t the Wise Sovereign curious?"
"Of course curious, but when you have more important matters to attend to, even the most intriguing matters can be put aside," the Wise Sovereign’s tone carried a deep implication.
"More important matters?"
The Wise Sovereign: "Yes. At that time, there were many things to attend to in Naraku City, such as some significant experiments."
The Wise Sovereign intentionally paused, sending a meaningful glance at Angel.
Angel understood the Wise Sovereign’s intent; the deliberate pause was to tease him into asking actively about the experiments.
Angel didn’t resist and followed the Wise Sovereign’s tone: "Oh, might you tell me what important experiments?"
The Wise Sovereign: "According to regulations, I can’t disclose that to you."
Angel: ...why bring it up?
While Angel bemoaned inwardly, the Wise Sovereign continued: "However, if you are willing to become a participant, I can reveal the truth of these experiments to you."
"Participant? Does the Wise Sovereign mean these experiments are still ongoing?"
The Wise Sovereign shook his head: "No, all experiments have ceased."
"Then does the Wise Sovereign want me to restart these experiments?"
The Wise Sovereign: "No. Many experiments I myself do not endorse, it was merely needed by other sovereigns or Naraku, but since experiments have long ceased, let them remain so."
"What I mean by participant, is akin to the relationship between the Cone of Eternity and Naraku City."
Angel: "What is the relationship between the Cone of Eternity and Naraku City?"
"Cooperation."
Angel immediately understood, it essentially means forming an alliance.
It’s similar to the friendship between Illusion Demon Island and Black Castle.
However, Angel has good self-awareness; he knows his capabilities clearly. Now, he has full confidence to confront anyone, because Ironclad Granny supports him from behind.
Without this confidence, Angel has to lower his head and play it safe.
Even if he possesses alchemical talent, it can’t hold on its own. Moreover, the Wise Sovereign is also skilled in alchemy, only their research directions differ; alchemy, though differing in direction, ultimately leads to the same place.
Thus, Angel doesn’t believe the Wise Sovereign values him as an individual.
The Wise Sovereign actually values the power behind him, specifically the Barbarian Cave.
This proposal, he can agree to in his own name, but if he agrees on behalf of Illusion Demon Island or Barbarian Cave, it would be typical overstepping of authority.
Furthermore, cooperation inherently implies mutual benefits for both parties. Only if both parties derive benefits can cooperation be reached.
Currently, what can the Underground Aqueduct offer in cooperation with Barbarian Cave? What benefits are there for Barbarian Cave to contribute?
As of now, the answer is negative.
Therefore, Angel is absolutely unlikely to agree.