Sometimes, a seemingly unrelated, casual remark from someone else can act like a catalyst, perfectly helping to push open a brand new door.
For instance, from Pardo's mention of "little-known paths," Lin Wei thought of "areas never visited before," which then appropriately led him to think of the "Deep End" and "Sanctum of Scent."
And these two places happened to be related to the same person—Aponia.
That gentle woman with an impressive figure and a compassionate face, yet "successfully" made almost everyone avoid her like the plague, some even detesting her immensely. One had to say, she was an absolute failure of a negative example.
Lin Wei had never given her any thought before. But now, after experiencing a setback, he was already eager to find other solutions. Thus, after grasping that fleeting inspiration, he couldn't help but start considering her—
"Perhaps, Aponia's 'Discipline' is worth a try?"
This dangerous thought, one he had never even considered before, popped into Lin Wei's mind. But this time, he felt no repulsion or apprehension, instead finding himself increasingly drawn to the idea.
"I vaguely remember, Aponia's 'Discipline' could even temporarily soothe the Herrscher of Corruption in its viral form..."
Feeling somewhat like he was "desperately trying anything in a crisis," Lin Wei even felt a sense of eagerness. "Could I then try to add a layer of restraint to my cellular instincts?"
Lin Wei was well aware that the "Stigma fusion" happening in his body could, in a sense, be seen as a microscopic battle, a war—only one side was ambitious and aggressive, while the other offered almost no resistance, allowing itself to be gradually devoured...
Once their genes intertwined, the fusion process would be unstoppable. Even Mobius had indicated that this was no longer an issue biology could solve.
However, Lin Wei still understood the implied hint in her words—if biology couldn't solve it, it didn't mean other methods from different dimensions couldn't be attempted—for example, Herrscher powers.
Herrscher powers were too ethereal, and Herrschers themselves too dangerous. Moreover, Lin Wei couldn't passively wait for a Herrscher with the specific powers he needed to be born; it merely provided him with a direction to explore.
Building on this idea, when Pardo unintentionally led Lin Wei's thoughts to Aponia, a different notion naturally sprang to mind:
"If Herrscher powers can work, then why can't the restraints of Discipline?"
The more Lin Wei thought about it, the more sense it made—since the fusion of Stigma genes was irreversible, then calming the cells down, effectively hitting an eternal "pause button" on the process, wouldn't that also achieve his goal?
As for whether doing so would bring considerable trouble and risk, Lin Wei couldn't be bothered with that at the moment.
After all, in his view, compared to letting Yae Sakura completely fall into Hare's grasp, what was wrong with him bearing some "harmless" constraints?
Moreover...
"If someone has to pay the price, why can't that person be me?"
Since I have an idea, I have to try it, right?
If he didn't even have the courage to pay the price and take risks, giving up prematurely due to various unfounded concerns, he would probably only deserve to sit at the same table as Otto in the future.
The thought alone is terrifying!
"Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you. Just take me to see someone."
Having made up his mind, Lin Wei very seriously made his request to Pardo.
"Please take me to see Aponia..."
When it came to "guiding," Pardo's abilities were in no way inferior to Elysia's.
Of course, while saying "won't make things difficult," Lin Wei also knew that this request was probably very "difficult" for Pardo.
"Wh-What?"
Pardo nearly jumped upon hearing the name, frantically waving her hands and refusing incoherently.
"No-no, no way, absolutely not!"
"..."
Seeing her panicked state, Lin Wei worried she might accidentally bite her tongue.
Look how scared you are. Is it really that terrifying?
"Hiss... Wait!"
Lin Wei suddenly became alert as well.
He had just hit a wall with Mobius and was desperately looking for other ways to solve the Stigma problem when Pardo appeared so conveniently, giving him this little pointer about Aponia...
Lin Wei couldn't help but narrow his eyes—this was a bit too coincidental, wasn't it?
It was as if an unseen hand had gently plucked a string of fate, causing subtle ripples, making certain things happen so naturally...
If that's really the case, what does she want?
"Boss Lin Wei... Your gaze just now... became so... so scary!"
Pardo was startled by Lin Wei's subtle change in expression and hurriedly explained,
"D-D-Don't misunderstand! I didn't mean to refuse you! It's just that the person you thought of is Sister Nia, so I... Oh dear, how can I describe it to you?"
Pardo felt her explanation was rather feeble. With her limited vocabulary, even racking her brains yielded no suitable description. She dejectedly lowered her head, her soft cat ears drooping listlessly.
"Did you provoke her before?"
Lin Wei wasn't sure if his guess was correct. After all, both Raven and Mei, the moment they touched the "clue," had blinked and found themselves directly in that sunless prison, while nothing had happened to him. Therefore, he didn't mind gathering more clues.
"No, no, how would I dare! Back in the Flame-Chasers, those who provoked Sister Nia mostly didn't have good endings! Uh..."
Pardo felt like she had accidentally misspoken. She quickly covered her mouth, couldn't help but glance left and right, and whispered cautiously,
"Sister Nia is actually very beautiful! It's just that... just being glanced at by her from afar feels like your soul is being snatched away, and the fur on your tail can't help but stand on end!"
As she spoke, she couldn't resist stroking the fur on her tail, as if still shaken by the memory.
"...Is that so? You've really had it rough."
Lin Wei said with a strange expression. Isn't she from your hometown? How did she scare you this badly?
Oh, and then there's Kalpas, also from Pardo's hometown. But this gentleman... made Pardo tremble even more.
A harmless little cat living under the same roof with such a group of non-humans, truly pitiful and helpless, Lin Wei thought.
"Ehehehe, it's actually okay..."
Pardo, as if guessing what Lin Wei was thinking, scratched her head somewhat embarrassedly and chuckled sheepishly.
"Sometimes when I bump into them on the road, it's not that scary. But if I have to actively seek them out, I'm still... not quite brave enough..."
As a harmless little cat, seeking good fortune and avoiding disaster was practically an instinct etched into her bones. How could she possibly "risk" it voluntarily?
"Mm, I understand."
Lin Wei nodded and said no more.
"Long live understanding, long live understanding..."
Pardo patted her chest with a look of relief, thinking she had finally passed this hurdle. She cautiously probed,
"If there's nothing else, then I'll... be going now?"
"Mm, see you next time."
Lin Wei noticed Pardo seemed quite afraid of him now too. Although he didn't know why, he didn't dare joke with her as casually as before, lest he cause further misunderstandings or distress for this pitiful, timid cat girl. He simply waved his hand, letting her go.
As for the "guiding," if Pardo couldn't do it, worst-case scenario, he'd just go find Elysia again. She would probably be happy to help—it just meant agreeing to some more strange requests. He'd been through it once; the second time would be much easier.
Lie flat and accept the teasing. Let it be!
As for Aponia...
Lin Wei carefully weighed things in his mind, unsure if she was actively guiding events from behind the scenes, or if he was just being overly paranoid, leading to unnecessary misunderstandings.
If it was a misunderstanding, then naturally, all was well.
But if that crazy woman who had long ignored worldly affairs truly had some unknown intentions towards him again, then he should be even more proactive in investigating!
Otherwise, what if she targeted Yuno, who would be staying here to train after he left the Elysian Realm in the future?
"Hmm..."
Pardo had been preparing to leave, relieved. But after taking a few steps, she noticed Lin Wei really didn't seem to intend to go back on his word, and instead adopted that contemplative look again. Her curiosity flared up.
"Um, I remember, Boss Lin Wei, you didn't have much interaction with Sister Nia before. Why are you suddenly looking for her now?"
The moment she said it, she wanted to slap herself hard. Didn't she know "curiosity killed the cat"? Why did she have to open her big mouth?
"Oh, you haven't left yet?"
Lin Wei was also somewhat surprised by Pardo's return and smiled.
"It's just that I've encountered some thorny troubles recently, and I just happened to think of her, so I wanted to see if I could ask her for some help."
He didn't expect that his words would completely dispel Pardo's sleepiness.
"Trouble? Help? Pfft, you should have said so earlier! Helping people solve their problems, that's what I'm best at! Tell me, what do you need?"
Pardo, as if sensing a business opportunity in Lin Wei's words, immediately sidled over, patted her chest, and started "soliciting customers," not forgetting to add a disclaimer to her boast.
"Let's be clear first! Combat, fighting, anything related to violence, you'd better find someone else for that!"
"...Don't worry, no fighting."
Seeing her switch from haughty to obsequious, Lin Wei couldn't help but chuckle. Isn't she a bit too much of a money-grubber?
But since Pardo had asked, Lin Wei didn't mind telling her the story. So, he briefly explained the cause and effect of Yae Sakura's Stigma, including the failed attempts in Mobius's lab and how important this matter was to him.
"That's about it."
Having someone to confide in a little made Lin Wei feel much lighter. He spoke truthfully.
"I just happened to think of Aponia, so I wanted to see if I could use 'Discipline' to solve this problem."
He didn't mention his earlier speculations, lest such unfounded things cause Pardo further misunderstanding or distress.
"Oh, oh... so that's how it is... Hehe, about what you said, Stigmas, experiments, fusion, I only half-understand it all..."
Although Lin Wei had explained it very simply, Pardo was still dizzy from listening and said somewhat embarrassedly,
"But I think I roughly understand what you mean. That girl you brought, the one who also has two long beast ears and looks exactly like Sister Sakura in face and figure, she's encountered some trouble, right? So you brought her back to the Elysian Realm this time to... get treatment?"
"Hmm, that's not an incorrect way to understand it."
"Including that time with Sister Snake... was it the same?"
"Mm, that was part of it too."
Hearing Lin Wei nod in affirmation, Pardo clapped her hands together with a crisp "smack."
"Pfft, you should have said so earlier! I thought..."
The words slipped out, and she quickly clamped her mouth shut.
"...Why are you so jumpy today?"
Lin Wei felt Pardo was acting strangely today and couldn't help but press.
"Also, thought what?"
"Uh... nothing."
Pardo still wanted to bluff her way through, but seeing Lin Wei's insistent gaze, she finally surrendered.
"Actually, Boss Lin Wei, you've caused such a huge commotion since returning to the Elysian Realm. In just a few short days, whether it's Sister Vill-V, Brother Su, Sister Snake, or even Brother Kalpas, you've all made quite a stir! It made me think, it made me think..."
Pardo stammered, somewhat embarrassed.
"It made me think that Boss Lin Wei, being so aggressive this time, must have some incredible grand plan, intending to turn the entire Elysian Realm upside down..."
There was another sentence she swallowed down, not daring to say it—Such a terrifyingly dangerous person, shouldn't I stay far, far away?
"..."
Dark lines appeared on Lin Wei's forehead. He couldn't resist grabbing her cat ear and pulling her over.
"Can you read fewer of those boring stories and novels of yours? What on earth are you thinking about in that little head of yours?"
"I was wrong, I was wrong! Ouch, ouch, ouch!"
Pardo struggled and begged for mercy, finally managing to get Lin Wei to relent. Not daring to continue this topic, she quickly rubbed her reddened cat ear and changed the subject.
"So, Little Sakura..."
"Little Sakura?"
Hearing another strange nickname, Lin Wei instantly became alert.
Pardo, are you really this good at coming up with things?
"Hehe, that's what I call her! Little Sakura wasn't happy about it at first, but after I called her that more often, she got used to it~"
Pardo said with some pride, counting on her fingers with a grin.
"You see, the title 'Sister Sakura' is already taken, so it's not quite right for me to call her that. Calling her 'Ah Ying' doesn't roll off the tongue like 'Ah Hua.' Plus, she's younger, a full fifty thousand years younger than me! So 'Little Sakura' suits her best~" ("Ah" is sister for younger person, just imagine it as Older sister SAKURA and younger sister Sakura so "little Sakura" is the best translation?)
"...You two are quite familiar?"
Lin Wei was speechless. What's with this strange sense of reasonableness?
"Of course! After all, there aren't many people in the world like us with a pair of beast ears!"
Pardo said quite happily, touching the pair of cat ears on her head.
"What's more, she's not allergic to cat fur like Sister Sakura, and she's brought me lots of delicious food, which is even better! It's just..."
"Just what?"
Why is there a twist?
"It's just, after I started calling her 'Little Sakura,' she stopped bringing me food as much..."
Pardo said with some regret.
"..."
Lin Wei looked at her strangely. Well, of course!
If I dared to call her that, my fate would definitely be worse than yours, I tell you!
Yae Sakura, that sly girl, when she's brewing mischief and messing with people, she can be terrifying...
"Oh my, Boss Lin Wei, you should have said earlier that Little Sakura was in trouble! As a fellow member of the Beast Ear Alliance, I definitely have to help with this!"
Pardo suddenly started volunteering enthusiastically.
"Isn't it just leading the way? A piece of cake!"
"...Weren't you just acting like you were scared to death?"
Pardo's enthusiastic demeanor completely threw Lin Wei off. You've had way too many twists and turns today, haven't you?
"Pfft, wasn't that because I thought... Boss Lin Wei, you were going to Sister Nia's place to pick a fight..."
Pardo's face turned red, and she said somewhat embarrassedly,
"That kind of reckless move, this little body of mine wouldn't dare get involved... Oh dear, don't hit me!"
Pardo covered her cat ears and dodged far away, leaving Lin Wei's guilty hands with nowhere to go. She explained with a sheepish grin,
"Um, misunderstanding resolved, misunderstanding resolved, misunderstanding resolved..."
Lin Wei couldn't be bothered to be angry with her anymore. He just rolled his eyes at her and asked irritably,
"So you're willing to lead the way now?"
"Mhm, misunderstanding resolved, it's a small matter!"
Pardo patted her chest and said. After thinking for a moment, she didn't forget to add some more conditions for herself.
"But let me declare this beforehand! I can only take you to the entrance of the area where Sister Nia is. Any further in, I've really never been there! Helping others and helping oneself, Boss Lin Wei, don't make things too difficult for me then..."
Ultimately, she was still very afraid of Aponia and truly didn't dare get too close to her.
"Mm, take me to her entrance. That's enough."
Lin Wei nodded, having no objections.
After all, his biggest problem was precisely not being able to find the way into those "unopened areas." Having a guide willing to take him directly to the entrance of Aponia's area was already sufficient.
The rest was between him and Aponia; Pardo shouldn't have been involved any further.
"That's good, that's good."
Seeing Lin Wei being so understanding, Pardo also let out a long sigh of relief. Then, she slowly revealed a smile characteristic of a shrewd merchant and said,
"Boss Lin Wei, business is business. Regarding the fee for the guide service..."