I Don't Agree to the Terms-Chapter 1168 - 616: Mimir’s Treatment as a Great Virtuous Monk
A multitude of lines crowded on Mimir's head; at this moment, he had long lost consciousness, his eyes rolled back.
Yet, he still opened his mouth to speak, but Gu Shanhai couldn't make out what he was saying; he suspected it was some unconscious rambling.
"He's gone into a fit; looks like he can't be saved," Gu Shanhai said with some regret.
Ever since Mimir developed the pollution lines, he held on for a month and a half. Gu Shanhai had estimated a month, never expecting Mimir's will to be so strong, stubbornly extending it by half a month.
However, in the latter half of the month, Mimir already showed signs of hazy consciousness, spiritlessness, and various other conditions; obviously, even with a strong will, he couldn't resist the necrosis of the flesh, ultimately leading to this result.
But now, Mimir wasn't actually dead yet, just turned into something resembling a zombie-like corroded body.
Fortunately, there was also good news; the pollution on him had vanished.
Yes, it had disappeared.
The pollution was only directed at wisdom.
Everything he had gained from the well of knowledge and wisdom, he had now returned.
It could be confirmed that from the start, he had owed these debts.
Now it's considered that death cancels the debt.
He should have canceled the debt before, but he unexpectedly met Gu Shanhai, who saved him, leading to him not being able to die. Consequently, the other side came to claim his life.
If Gu Shanhai hadn't saved him, he definitely wouldn't have suffered so much in death; he would've perished instantly.
As a result, he was unlucky, being saved by Gu Shanhai, and had suffered all these years.
"Sure enough, this kind of thing isn't easy to take," Gu Shanhai was also relieved he hadn't coveted that World Tree's leaf.
In his previous life, he dared to take it because he had the backing of The First Era; the other side might've even given it to him deliberately.
Reborn, he also dared to take it because he was a temporary worker for The First Era; out of consideration for godly connections, even if the other side found out, they wouldn't make it difficult for him.
It's different now; Gu Shanhai has no backup, and if he tried to take something, he'd meet the same end as Mimir.
In the regulations of The First Era, it said the consequences were borne by oneself, but taking it for granted due to divine favor was merely borrowing the prestige.
Without the prestige now, Gu Shanhai has become much more cautious in taking things.
"Theoretically, Mimir shouldn't be considered dead, right?" Gu Shanhai held the head, seriously examining it.
It appeared to have died from pollution, but in reality, it seemed more like it was called away.
"Indeed, it seems so." After inspecting, Gu Shanhai could be 70% certain that this guy wasn't truly dead, just taken away.
Mimir was more like a devout believer of the World Tree. It initially wanted him dead to prevent further suffering in a shattered world and thus sought to take him away.
But a hitch occurred, intercepted by Gu Shanhai. Thankfully, the other side didn't give up and persistently wanted to take Mimir away. During this tug of war between both sides, Mimir ended up in this state.
In the end, the other side naturally won, taking Mimir away.
Upon realizing this, Gu Shanhai couldn't help but feel amused and at a loss; what was this even about?
"So, you weren't really dead, but ascended..."
As for the remaining 30% chance that he was truly dead, Gu Shanhai simply ignored it.
If he's dead, so be it; what else could Gu Shanhai do?
In Mimir's condition, not even healing magic could resurrect him.
"It's just a pity for my newly crafted Mimir version of artificial intelligence. It was initially intended to replace you, and now that you didn't die thoroughly, I suppose a tombstone isn't needed either." Gu Shanhai originally thought of letting him ascend mechanically.
An artificial intelligence possessing all of Mimir's memories and personality models.
Installed on its urn to serve as a tombstone, perhaps one day someone might unearth Mimir's urn and have a conversation with him.
Though somewhat eerie, it was genuinely thrilling.
"Alright, stop biting. With those teeth of yours, don't end up breaking a tooth," Gu Shanhai remarked, watching as the head in his hand dumbly gnawed at his hand.
If it were an average person, a single bite could swallow flesh and bone whole.
"But come to think of it, why are you gnawing on me, to eat?" Gu Shanhai casually grabbed a handful of dirt and stuffed it into the mouth of the head.
This thing could actually eat anything, just chewed and swallowed down.
Gu Shanhai lifted the head, curious to see how it would fall down the esophagus.
Mimir didn't need to eat or drink; whatever went into the mouth would re-emerge.
"What the... it's gone???" Gu Shanhai was shocked, not expecting the thing to have actually eaten the soil.
What's more, he found it could be absorbed.
Just now, Mimir's neck grew slightly.
"The instinct to consume," Gu Shanhai immediately identified the reason.
Currently, Mimir is nothing more than a head, but if he gets enough nutrients, he could not only regain his original giant form but also acquire tremendous power.
And this is just some insignificant corrosive material left behind after the pollution left.
"Interesting, it seems to have combined with the innate power of the Giant Race, is it immortality?" Gu Shanhai squinted his eyes.
The Giant Race's power is remarkable; otherwise, how could they compete with the Aesir and the Vanir, let alone be a major force in the final apocalypse battle.
"Apart from the weaknesses, there aren't any other issues."
"But since it has the power of immortality, should I still burn it?"
Normally, it wouldn't burn to death, but if Gu Shanhai wanted to, it would be pretty simple.
"Burn it, I must burn it. After all, I promised Mimir to take care of his ashes, but whether it burns to death or not is another matter entirely."
"Then let's just split it into two."
"One shall be the Physical Buddha, the other shall be the Shariputra."
"Immortality with overwhelming strength will be preserved as the physical body, while the hidden wisdom shall become the Shariputra."
The plan was quickly crafted. Looking at this head, the appearance was unsatisfactory. He's supposed to be camouflaged as a virtuous monk, but here he is, looking like a menacing zombie. It doesn't look serious.
"No worries, I'll give you a beautifying patch."
Gu Shanhai acted swiftly, modifying Mimir to appear benevolent.
Soon after, with a flick of his hand, the previously struggling head suddenly calmed down, a tranquility that brings comfort.
"Done, now he looks like a high monk."
Next came the burning process, which Gu Shanhai dubbed as the casting of the golden body.
The scorching flames forcibly evaporated the hidden wisdom in Mimir, turning into droplets like liquid mercury.
The once plump head gradually shriveled up. Fortunately, the beautifying patch was effective, and though it turned into a skeletal appearance, it still retained a benevolent filter without any sinister or horrific look.
Of course, if the beautifying patch wore off, that would be a different story.
"With this appearance, anyone would be perplexed."
Gu Shanhai was very satisfied with it, then he collected all that mercury-like liquid and solidified it, molding it into a round, silver-white water-ball-like thing, which became the Shariputra he crafted.
"Come on, open your mouth." Gu Shanhai forcibly pried open Mimir's mouth and shoved it in.
These two form a combination.
Gu Shanhai had already concocted the story, where the high monk was possessed, then used the Shariputra to suppress himself.
Then he'll see if any unfortunate souls might dig up Mimir's grave. Of course, it doesn't matter if it's dug up, as long as the Shariputra is not removed, there won't be trouble.
But once the Shariputra and the Physical Buddha are separated, it will remove the layer Gu Shanhai placed on Mimir, restoring his original power.
And without wisdom, he will become nothing but a killing horror demon corpse.
The Shariputra, on the other hand, is an item; carrying it can enhance learning efficiency, increase logical thinking, and improve cognitive abilities, giving substantial learning and thinking capabilities.
It doesn't enhance any scheming, emotional intelligence, or experience, only aiding in study and research.
"The effect is a bit lacking." Gu Shanhai looked at the intellectual effect of the Shariputra, quantifying it as intelligence +10, learning efficiency +100, logical thinking +100, cognitive ability +100.
This level of enhancement utterly fails to match its supposed value.
Of course, this is just a trivial function, as its true purpose is to suppress Mimir.
"The grave also needs some fixing; otherwise, with this grand story, a premium urn, and just a simple mound, it seems rather undeserving."
Gu Shanhai glanced around and pulled out a blueprint.
"Just in time, let's recreate the spring of knowledge and wisdom. Too bad there's no water, but a waterless version will do; it's all a knockoff anyway."
No sooner said than done, Gu Shanhai quickly cleaned off the traces of burning and burial, and even redesigned some exaggerated decorations for aesthetics.
He even grabbed a charred branch of the World Tree; those are everywhere.
He stuffed the urn into the branch, using a stars-encircling-the-moon setup, making it clear that this was a treasure.
"All done. Now, just set a barrier and we're good to go."
After inspecting it, Gu Shanhai was very satisfied.
As for why he didn't follow Mimir's will and intentionally left it to mess with future generations?
Gu Shanhai expressed that matters unresolved now can be dealt with by future generations; he believed in their ability.
If they cannot resolve it, it doesn't matter because there are always further generations. He only cares about the current satisfaction while future issues are not his concern; after all, even if problems explode, it won't affect him.
With a bit of luck, he might even witness some amusing events.
