"Now you understand, don't you?"
Ignoring Eden's unpleasant expression, Mobius let out a breath and began to explain on her own.
"You should know that with every cycle, Li establishes a bond-like connection with one of us. I call this connection a [Quantum Channel]."
"For a Quantum Channel to be established perfectly, one of the necessary conditions is stability, without excessive interference."
"If we have too much emotional contact with Li, the completed Quantum Channel and the incomplete one could undergo [Quantum Entanglement], leading to a failure in the new channel's establishment."
"The purpose of Li's cycles is to establish these connections with us. I don't know what the consequences would be if we interfere with him establishing a connection with someone else, but it's not a gamble I'm willing to take."
Silence. Still more silence.
Eden placed her hands on the control console, biting her lip hard.
Reason and emotion collided ceaselessly in her mind, throwing her into a state of profound turmoil.
Reason told her to listen to Mobius, but her emotions told her to go and confess her feelings to Fu Li.
For a moment, Eden felt as if she could hear the whispers of an angel and a devil at her ears.
The angel said: "Don't be hasty. Once you can finally recognize each other, just imprison him with Soul Steel and make him your property."
The devil said: "The angel is right. And when that time comes, you can do whatever you want to Li, punish him however you please."
"Hah..."
Seeming to have calmed down slightly, Eden let out a sigh, forcefully suppressing the carnal desires churning within her. She asked, "Then how much longer do I have to wait? I need a timeframe."
That's right, she needed a specific timeframe. Mobius knew this as well.
"...Alright."
Mobius thought for a moment before finally conceding, deciding to reveal another secret.
"Actually, I have another secret, concerning Li's cycles."
"According to my observations, although Li can use this power of cycling, he doesn't understand its true nature."
"And based on what I've seen, his cycles seem to be secretly manipulated by someone. The method of manipulation feels incredibly familiar, because... it's a method commonly used by myself and another woman."
Mobius's calm tone delivered a piece of information that Eden found unimaginable.
"Are you certain, Mobius?" Eden frowned. "Are you saying that Li's ability to cycle was bestowed by you? How is that possible?"
"It's just my speculation, not a certainty. It involves a time paradox, a field I've only just begun to explore."
Time? Cycles? Mobius? Ouroboros?
Suddenly, these things flashed through Eden's mind. She tried to connect them but couldn't, so she moved on to another question.
"Who is the 'other woman' you mentioned?"
"Heh, isn't it obvious?"
Mobius spoke with a hint of self-deprecation. "To think that the future me might team up with another woman... I'll give you a hint: Tarot cards."
Tarot cards generally consist of 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 Minor Arcana cards.
They are typically used for divination, analysis, and prediction. Associated with them are the contradiction and reversal of upright and reversed cards, as well as the mystery and unpredictability inherent in their origins.
Contradiction, reversal, mystery, unpredictability.
These words could be used to describe Mobius, but they could also describe another equally brilliant lady.
"Are you saying... Vill-V?"
"Correct. Congratulations, you guessed right. It's that woman."
So, it was her.
Upon hearing the name, Eden was first surprised, then felt a sense of understanding. However, this didn't seem to be the answer she was truly seeking.
"But you still haven't given me the answer I want."
"Yes, yes, I know." Mobius sighed and took a bracelet out of a nearby drawer.
"This is a tool that can be used to protect our [Quantum Channels] from affecting the channels of others. Wait... let go!"
Seeing Eden's hand reaching for it, Mobius took a step back, pulling the bracelet away. She explained, "I haven't finished speaking. What's your hurry?"
"This thing is just a model right now. It's missing key data and a concrete structure. You could say it's completely useless at the moment. See for yourself if you don't believe me."
As she spoke, Mobius tossed the bracelet to Eden. Eden caught it and pressed a button on it.
Just as Mobius had said, the bracelet flickered dimly a few times before its light went out.
"You never told me you were researching this."
Eden narrowed her eyes, looking at Mobius, who had guiltily turned her head away, not daring to meet her gaze.
As expected. Although this snake seemed close to her every day, beneath that sincere exterior was a heart always plotting to get a head start.
If not for today's incident, she would have likely been kept in the dark until the very end.
Moreover, she remained skeptical about whether Mobius had actually completed the bracelet or not.
She had seen through it all. Aside from that little fool Hua, every single one of the other female Flame-Chasers was more cunning than the last.
But thoughts were just thoughts. Eden casually tossed the bracelet back to Mobius.
"So, you're saying that once this bracelet is complete, we can approach him."
"No." Mobius shook her head and added, "To be precise, it can only be done after Li comes into contact with Vill-V, because the technology required to complete this needs her assistance."
"Then why not just ask for her help directly?" Eden blurted out, but upon seeing Mobius's expression, she realized what a foolish question she had asked.
Vill-V was a renegade genius. Therefore, to make her work diligently, one needed a suitable shackle to restrain her actions.
"Is that so?" Eden nodded thoughtfully and asked one last question. "Then can you tell me what kind of contact won't cause problems for the Quantum Channel?"
"That's simple. As long as you don't kiss him or establish a romantic relationship with him, it's fine. Other than that, eating together, hugging, lap pillows—all are acceptable."
Mobius answered. The reason she was so certain was that she had already tested all the aforementioned behaviors.
In the end, the late-night dispute concluded with Eden backing down. However, as she was leaving, she swiped a bottle of special anesthetic potent enough to knock out a MANTIS.
At the same time, far away in the Helix Workshop, Vill-V, and Fu Li, who was still in a dazed state, both sneezed at almost the same moment.
---o---
Author's PS: Just one chapter today. I sat in a car for 8 hours. Even with air conditioning, I'm about to melt into a little puppy,呜呜呜 (crying noises).