Tears welled up in Fu Xuan's eyes, her cheeks flushed crimson with indignation.
With a flick of her fingers, a violet glow shimmered as she swiftly traced a sigil in the air. Upon its completion, a surge of formidable imaginary energy detonated right in front of Yun Fan.
Technique: Primordial Strike of Jupiter!
BOOM!
The explosion triggered by Fu Xuan's technique sent a cloud of dust billowing through the consciousness space, enveloping Yun Fan entirely.
"Third Eye—open!"
With her vision obscured by the dust, even Fu Xuan couldn't discern Yun Fan's condition. She had no choice but to activate her Third Eye to assist her observation.
But then...
"What's going on? Why won't my Third Eye—Third Eye, open!"
Fu Xuan's summons went unanswered. Even the imaginary energy she channeled into it dissipated without a trace, like a stone sinking into the sea.
"Why...? How...?" This sudden turn of events left the usually composed Diviner momentarily flustered. At first glance, it seemed out of character for the cold and confident Fu Xuan, but at her core, she was still just a girl.
The Third Eye originated from the Aeon of Erudition, Nous, possessing computational power unmatched by ordinary machinery and the ability to perceive the essence of all things. Over the years, it was precisely because of the Third Eye that Fu Xuan had managed to outshine her peers in countless decisions.
Success bred confidence, and from that confidence, Fu Xuan's personality was forged.
Now, stripped of the very foundation of her abilities, it was only natural for her to feel a pang of panic.
"Miss Fu Xuan, your heart seems unsettled."
Hearing this, Fu Xuan instinctively turned toward the voice.
The dust from the explosion had long since dissipated, revealing the black-haired youth standing completely unharmed, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
"Was this your doing? How did you manage it?" Fu Xuan stiffened slightly, her voice icy as she demanded answers.
The power of the Third Eye came from Nous. Even within this consciousness space, it should still function to aid her.
Yet now, it lay completely unresponsive—undoubtedly the handiwork of the man before her.
"Simple, really." Yun Fan spoke as he slowly closed the distance between them, stopping only when he stood right before Fu Xuan.
He lowered his head slightly, locking eyes with the Diviner, whose height barely reached his chest.
"I just used a little trick to sever the causality between you and Nous."
"Sever the causality between me and the Aeon of Erudition?!" Fu Xuan froze momentarily before recoiling in shock, taking two hurried steps back.
"Then you must be... an Emanator of Causality?!"
Yun Fan: "..."
At Fu Xuan's words, Yun Fan felt as if a flock of crows had just flown over his head.
How did she jump to the conclusion that I'm an Emanator? Since when could any Emanator do something like severing causality tied to an Aeon? That was practically impossible! Even temporarily disrupting causality involving an Aeon would be an immense challenge for an Emanator. Besides, he hadn't even appointed any Emissaries yet.
But...
If Fu Xuan had mistaken him for an Emanator, why not play along? Wandering the world under the guise of an Aeon would inevitably attract unnecessary attention.
While the title of "Emanator of Causality" carried weight, it paled in comparison to that of an Aeon—like fireflies before the moon.
"Miss Fu Xuan has sharp eyes. Indeed, I am the First Emanator under the Aeon of Causality—Yun Fan."
He shares the same name as the Aeon... It seems the Lord of Samsara holds him in exceptionally high regard. Tch, why does someone so handsome have to be such a scoundrel? Fu Xuan was inwardly astonished, though Yun Fan's standing in her eyes rose slightly. That said, recalling his earlier actions still left her speechless.
"Then, oh mighty Emanator of Causality, pray tell—why have you drawn me into this consciousness space? As far as I can tell, we have no conflict of interests." Fu Xuan planted her hands on her hips, her tone unwavering.
"Miss Fu Xuan jests. Was it not you who acted first? Had you not attempted to pry into my affairs, would I have needed to resort to this?" Yun Fan spread his hands innocently.
"I pried into your affairs? Wait—are you that 'little boyfriend' who took Qingque away?"
Yun Fan: ???
Since when did I become Qingque's boyfriend? Where did this rumor even come from—
"Miss Fu Xuan, let me clarify—I am merely staying at Qingque's place temporarily. Please don't misunderstand."
"Hmph!" Fu Xuan scoffed, a trace of disdain in her voice.
"Are you trying to claim you have no such intentions toward Qingque whatsoever? Think carefully before you answer."
"..."
This time, it was Yun Fan's turn to fall silent.
To say he had no thoughts about Qingque would be a blatant lie—especially in his current state.
Theoretically, the human body maintained a dynamic balance between yin and yang energies, allowing for normal functioning.
To some extent, the soul operated similarly.
The process of "soul division" split the soul into the Primordial Spirit, Yin Spirit, and Yang Spirit.
The Primordial Spirit existed independently of yin and yang while remaining anchored to the physical body, so it posed no major issues.
But the Yang Spirit, lacking the counterbalance of the Yin Spirit, was prone to an excess of yang energy.
And right now, Yun Fan could feel that very imbalance—the side effect being that yin energy had become far more alluring to him.
In simpler terms, his attraction to the opposite sex had intensified.
"Hah! Caught you, didn't I? You scoundrel!" Fu Xuan declared triumphantly, the corners of her lips curling upward.
"Heh, Miss Fu Xuan isn't wrong. But since that's the case..."
Yun Fan took slow, deliberate steps toward Fu Xuan, an enigmatic smile on his face.
"Y-You... What are you planning...?" Alarm bells rang in Fu Xuan's mind as she instinctively retreated, a wave of panic rising within her.
"What am I planning? Miss Fu Xuan, care to take a guess?" As he spoke, Yun Fan continued advancing until Fu Xuan was backed into a corner. Then, with lightning speed, his right hand shot out toward her.
"DON'T!"
——————————
Outside...
The mahjong parlor owner watched nervously as the Diviner remained in her "meditative" state. She's been like this for several minutes now... What should I do?
"DON'T!"
Just as the owner fretted, Fu Xuan suddenly snapped out of her trance with a piercing shriek.
"D-D-Diviner Fu Xuan! A-Are you alright?!" The owner nearly jumped out of his skin. If something happened to the Diviner under his roof, the consequences would be dire.
"Ah? I-I'm fine." After quickly scanning her surroundings, Fu Xuan let out a relieved sigh. Thank goodness that scoundrel didn't actually make a move... Otherwise, I'd truly be "swallowing a bitter pill with no way to complain."