"Well, forget about it. Treat it as a burden of karma. I can use this burden to watch over your actions…"
"Even while taking a bath?"
"Of course not."
Shi Tian's glaring weakness became clear at this moment, whether it be in his past or this life.
Women.
"In short, keep everything you found on yourself. Including you, there are only two, no, three people involved in it. I prefer not to deal with more Aeons during the next few years. Once the imaginary barrier opens, we will send a delegation to Xianzhou."
While the things he said weren't much, Yao Guang knew it was an unexpected windfall. Yuque's atmosphere alone was affected by their discovery of immortal cultivation—the higher-ups, at the very least. Some wanted to try their hands into this "new" method of reaching for immortality. Others wanted to find a way to resolve Mara through it. There are also a few covetous glances aiming for the power stated to be gained from it.
In her eyes, it is a general trend bound to take Xianzhou by a storm. The Non-Disclosure Agreements and 'Heart Oaths' done by the divination masters could only do much. It does not prevent them from making discreet moves.
Shi Tian is clear of it as well, though he did not think about it as much as her. Anyone who wants to become an immortal cultivator must be awakened by him personally. On Earth, it works by interacting with a spiritual artifact housing a small fragment of his mind. The people who can become cultivators are all up to him.
As Yao Guang had thought, all schemes become meaningless in the face of unstoppable power.
Shi Tian stood up from his seat. He scanned the room filled with thousands of scattered papers with a smile. Right after his figure vanished in her sight, she heard a voice.
"The Yijing is scattered amongst the papers on the floor."
*****
I did not expect that meting out a small punishment would feel satisfying. I could imagine her looks when she found out that all kinds of power become invalid in those papers. Yao Guang has to pick them all up herself.
"You are back already? It hasn't been five minutes…"
The faint coldness of the room touched my skin. Theresa's face remains plopped on the kotatsu table. Her right hand gripped the empty glass tightly. The one who bragged about drinking the most fell to the wine's effects the earliest. Then again, it is a seventh-grade spiritual wine. If I did not cheat and forcibly clear out its effects—both good and bad—I would get outdrinked by Himeko.
"I still have one more errand. Miss Himeko can clear out the wine's effects…"
"No need. I will wait for your return. I am confident I can beat you."
"True."
Before I left, my consciousness began to blur. My alcohol tolerance, even at a higher realm, did not change. Funnily enough, Theresa has it even worse than me. As for Himeko, she is in a league of her own.
"I will be right back."
"...Take care."
Her words made me pause. I am used to Kiana and the others saying these words. Hearing Himeko say them to me felt… different.
Why does it feel like I am cheating on my wives?
These complex thoughts aside, I utilized the power of Remembrance once more.
Shatter-!
My sight became riddled with snow-white cracks before shattering. The surroundings shifted into that of a dimly-lit room. The scent of aged books drifted on my nose. The bookshelves are the size of a small room. The room's ceiling is dotted with white light, creating a sky full of stars.
I looked at the woman wearing a bright-purple veil. Her lavender hair contrasted with her slightly pale cheeks. Her violet pupils, tinged with yellow and red, hid the brilliance of someone aware of this world's plight. The purple bodysuit hugged her plump figure tightly, revealing a portion of her chest. Though they remain hidden underneath the desk, I would recognize those thigh-highs anywhere. Layered beneath are black stockings. Finally, there was the tall pair of black boots completing her outfit.
I know her identity all too well, something to be attributed both from my past life and my time in Amphoreus. Her being one of the characters I like, both design-wise and gameplay-wise, contributed to it further.
"What does the Garden's rebel want with an ordinary man like me?"
Just like Yao Guang, Black Swan's eyes held a touch of speechlessness. It is nothing short of saying "Are you kidding me?"
They found my jokes unfunny… so there's that.
"None could truly grasp the destiny ordained by the universe. Fate remains unchanged despite fate itself stopping it."
I sat down on the cushioned wooden chairs as she spoke. I met her gaze directly, receiving her attempts at reading through me. Her power is unmistakable. It is something similar to a Pure Child of Anasrava, though I have a feeling it is something else.
Knowing Remembrance, it's normal to be convoluted. This Path works differently compared to other Paths. Say, Destruction. THEIR Emanators are directly assigned by Nanook. For Remembrance, it is assigned based on their connection to Fuli's body. Pure Child of Anasrava is the closest beings to Fuli, thereby gaining powers similar to an Emanator.
Black Swan's power does not feel much like that of a Pure Child of Anasrava. It is more similar in nature to my authority over Remembrance.
It is earned, not innately present.
"We aren't going to have a staring contest, are we?"
"I suppose so." Shaking her head, Black Swan continued, "What do you plan to do next?"
I raised my eyebrows at her question. Her looks made it clear she did not care about anything else but my upcoming answer.
"You have seen it already. I sealed Amphoreus because it is not the opportune time yet. This story, no matter how much I want to change it, requires more power than what I currently hold. Thus the concession."
I did not hold back and explained the details of my self-coronation to her. This included turning Amphoreus into a real world, breaking the canon ordained by the universe, and ultimately shattering the false infinity it is trapped in.
Only then can the ending I desire be written.