"Explain yourself! When did you start making moves on that Old Antique, you bastard?!"
On a floating island amidst the shattered world, Senti slammed her hand onto the stone table while Zeke held her other hand, channeling energy into her. With a fierce expression, she demanded answers.
Zeke continued replenishing Senti's strength and, looking up calmly, replied, "If you're asking when we officially became a couple, it wasn't long ago—just before this battle. As for when feelings first began to develop... well, there's no clear answer. In matters of emotion, data quantification fails me."
"How did you deceive her then?!"
"Deceive? Why would you ask that?"
Senti's aggressive questioning raised Zeke's eyebrows, somewhat taken aback.
"Bang!"
Senti pounded the table again, radiating icy killing intent as she exclaimed, "If not for your deception, how could the Old Antique ever be with you? No one understands her better than me; she wouldn't fall for someone like you!"
"What kind of person do you think I am?"
"Arsrogant! Cold-hearted! Indiscriminate! Stubborn! Violent! Emotionless..."
"That's enough."
Zeke interrupted, halting this barrage of derogatory terms.
Unexpectedly, Senti also sighed in relief—had she continued, her limited vocabulary would have soon run dry.
Nevertheless, unwilling to back down, she ignored the near exposure and slammed her hand on the table once more.
"Bang!"
"In any case, I absolutely won't allow Old Antique to be with someone like you! Never! If you know what's good for you, get lost right now, or else I'll beat you up!"
"Forgetting about your capabilities for a moment, I doubt you can make decisions on Fu Hua's behalf."
"Huh? We're one and the same; she is me, and I am her! Of course, I can decide! And my decision stands: The Old Antique must not marry scum like you!"
Truthfully, even Senti couldn't clearly articulate what she was resisting.
Regarding Zeke's promiscuity, considering Senti possessed Fu Hua's thousands of years' worth of ancient memories, she understood it wasn't a significant issue. Moreover, Kiana and the others were wonderful individuals, so there was no concern that Fu Hua would be mistreated.
Once setting aside this factor, Zeke excelled unparalleled in strength, wisdom, status, and contributions. His cold yet strikingly handsome face further added to his appeal. In other words, when seeking a partner, there was none superior to Zeke.
As Senti pondered this, her eyes began to sparkle.
To be with such an ancient relic, a husband who remains unchanged for millennia—in many ways, Zeke truly seems suitable. Thus, she could understand why the Book of Fuxi supports him... However, but if that's the case, wouldn't it mean she would also end up marrying Zeke?!
"This kind of thing... This sort of situation..."
Senti's expression grew darker, masking her unusually frantic emotions.
"Give me a reason—what aspect of this do you oppose?"
Zeke continued supplying energy to Senti, maintaining his initially calm demeanor, even more gentle than usual.
Fu Hua treated Senti like a child.
Naturally, Zeke should also regard her as such.
Similar to how Kiana behaved before her transformation, during serious discussions and rational debates, Zeke could be remarkably patient with Senti.
Unappreciative of this rare indulgence, Senti responded irritably, "No means no! You don't need to question it!"
"But even if I am the only person Fu Hua has chosen after thousands of years of solitude?"
"You..." Senti clenched her teeth, at a loss for words.
This was precisely the most troublesome part! As someone sharing the same memories, Senti knew well how difficult it was to sway the Old Antique's heart.
She deeply understood Fu Hua's suffering throughout her journey. Faced with perhaps the sole opportunity for liberation, what compelling argument could Senti muster to continue opposing her?
At that moment, Zeke ceased transferring energy. It wasn't due to exhaustion but because he sensed something else.
Zeke turned his gaze towards the distant fragmented world and said,
"Fu Hua is about to enter."
"Hmm?"
"Keep an eye on your own domain at least. It seems she's instinctively exploring the spiritual realm while asleep. In any case, Fu Hua will soon arrive here."
"So what if she does? Why should it matter?" Senti responded nonchalantly.
Zeke looked back and stated,
"I can withdraw anytime, but you cannot. To maintain the fragile stability of this mental domain, you must stay. Given your shared origin and Fu Hua's cultivation level, there's no way for you to avoid her. In other words, your encounter is inevitable."
"And why should that concern me?"
"You're well aware that Fu Hua has just established self-awareness, barely maintaining equilibrium between her turbulent consciousness and sense of self. So, do you intend to disrupt this stability or cooperate with us?"
The choice lay solely with Senti.
As the pivotal factor in Fu Hua's recovery process, nobody could compel Senti's decision.
"I..." Senti hesitated, opening their mouth, but by then, Zeke had already vanished from the mental domain. Simultaneously, Fu Hua's ethereal figure appeared at the edge of the fragmented world.
"Otto, Su, meet me at Taixuan Mountain."
"Ah, how bothersome! But for an old friend, give me a moment; I'll be right there."
"Yes, received!"
Under the tree's shade, Zeke gently caressed Fu Hua's face and ended the call.
They had to prepare for Senti potentially deceiving Fu Hua. If necessary, their combined efforts would maximize her protection.
"Should I say it's unsurprising from you? Even without your memories and powers, you instinctively sensed intruders within your mental domain... My oversight. I didn't intend for you all to meet before everything was restored." Zeke sighed.
The concern wasn't just about Senti potentially shattering Fu Hua's current self-perception but also because Senti is a Herrscher—the impact of realizing "I am a Herrscher" on the present Fu Hua was unpredictable.
"This is... my spiritual realm? Then you must be..."
"Hey there! Long time no see, future me!"
"Huh?"
"Don't look so puzzled; I'm the backup of your memories and power, hidden deep within your consciousness to prevent situations like this. In other words, I am you!"
Dressed in a Phoenix-patterned qipao, Senti gazed at Fu Hua with smiling scarlet eyes.
[ Apologies, Old Antique, but to keep your condition from worsening, I have no choice but to deceive you once more! Consider it payback for when you tricked me before! ]
Fu Hua tilted her head, bewildered. "My...backup?"
"That's right, indeed! I am the Red Kite Immortal, protector of Shenzhou for six millennia, unmatched in martial prowess throughout history—also known as you! You should thank me; by constantly maintaining and repairing our consciousness here, I've enabled your swift awakening in the outside world."
Senti, clad in Phoenix attire, pointed proudly at herself with a thumb, then puffed out her chest with pride.
Fu Hua stared blankly at her, still somewhat disoriented.
Unfazed, Senti continued:
"I know you're currently experiencing memory loss and likely don't remember my role as your ultimate safeguard. But don't worry, given some time, it will all come back to you!"
Fu Hua finally snapped out of her confusion, waving apologetically.
"My apologies, I had forgotten about your existence. However, I do feel a strong connection with you, another version of myself."
"Huh? Really? How close?"
"It's just...just like feeling connected to another me...I suppose?"
Fu Hua couldn't articulate it precisely; nonetheless, she felt an immense closeness, unable to maintain any guard whatsoever. Faced with Senti's radiant and adorable smile, she even had the urge to tousle that fluffy-looking hair gently.
[What a peculiar thought, considering it's me... Hmm, best not to mention it, lest past Fu Hua thinks I've turned strange.]
Fu Hua scratched her face, offering an awkward smile.