Golden Hour…
"How strange. I clearly should have already broken free from that guy's 'baptism,' so what's going on with you two?"
Aventurine looked at the two versions of himself—one adult and one child—standing before him, veins faintly throbbing on his forehead.
After Sparkle helped him repair the damaged cornerstone, the gambler had used the power of Preservation stored within the Aventurine Cornerstone to break Sunday's Harmony holy words. However…
Staring fixedly at the two "selves" before him, Aventurine's brows furrowed deeply. His beautiful eyes narrowed into tiny slits, almost turning into "green bean eyes."
"Hahaha, my friend, don't mind it too much. Aren't we all you? We are all your past selves, aren't we?"
Hearing Aventurine's words, the illusory young adult Aventurine could not help but laugh heartily.
"Eh? So we are actually the same person?" The speaker was Kakavasha, Aventurine in his childhood. Upon hearing the young adult Aventurine say that the three of them were actually one person, the young Kakavasha scratched his head, seemingly unable to understand the causal relationship.
"Tsk! This is really seeing a ghost. Is Sunday's baptism actually that strong?"
"Baptism? Are you referring to that so-called holy words baptism? Hmm, to be honest, Sunday's move is indeed quite good, but… we were not born from that so-called baptism. We are your past, Aventurine—no, Kakavasha."
The young adult Aventurine blinked, then shook his head and delivered a ruthless verdict.
"Heh! I don't believe in this kind of nonsense." Aventurine sneered coldly.
"Whatever, saying all this is useless. According to what you said, you are my past. Then just follow behind me and watch carefully. Next… I am going to do something big enough to shake all of Penacony!"
Aventurine spread his arms, slowly closed his eyes, and his tone revealed a trace of yearning and longing, along with a domineering arrogance that looked down upon the world.
However, just as Aventurine was immersed in his own declaration and unable to extricate himself, a burst of laughter suddenly reached his ears.
Aventurine was very displeased. He pouted, turned around, and asked the young adult Aventurine in front of him:
"What are you laughing at?"
"Hahaha, it's nothing. I'm just thinking that you are being a bit too arrogant. You should know—well, of course you know, since we are the same person."
The young adult Aventurine blinked lightly, his tone teasing and playful.
"Right now in Penacony, there are no fewer than six Emanator-level powerhouses. Even if you perfectly utilize the power of the cornerstone, it is ultimately only one-tenth of an Emanator's authority."
"Take that girl you encountered that day as an example. Not to mention you—even Diamond in his prime might not be her opponent. What makes you think you can become a chess player rather than a chess piece, gambler?"
...
Pier Point… Interastral Peace Corporation Strategic Investment Department Headquarters…
'Tap, tap, tap…'
Opal, one of the Ten Stonehearts, sat on a luxurious leather sofa, staring intently at the document Jade had just sent over. He read it carefully while one hand lightly tapped on the sofa's armrest.
Because they were requesting external assistance, Jade had not deliberately concealed their plan for the three of them and had clearly written it all out in the document.
"Hiss… Using three cornerstones as betting chips. Jade and her master-disciple trio are really crazy enough."
Looking at the introduction in the document, Opal first sighed in amazement, then shook his head and clicked his tongue in wonder.
'A crazy gamble, but it looks quite interesting. How about I join in and go mad with these few lunatics?'
Such a thought emerged in Opal's mind, and his emotions began to stir.
If he remembered correctly, Penacony should not have any particularly strong combat forces. The power of the cornerstones would already be a dimensional suppression against those people.
Of course, humans had their own foundations, and so did the Family. No one could guarantee what strange things the Family still held in their hands.
"Hmm? Did I read that wrong?"
Just as Opal thought there should not be any particularly strong individuals in Penacony, a line of deliberately bolded text suddenly jumped into his view.
"What is this? Emanator-level powerhouses, and more than one?"
Opal blinked, seemingly somewhat incredulous. However, the subsequent introduction in the document forced him to believe it.
"Two members of the Genius Society, an Emanator of Erudition, an Emanator of Causality, an unknown Emanator whose aura can rival or even surpass 'Diamond,' and a person who calls himself a Galaxy Ranger but is actually suspected to be an Emanator of Nihility…"
After reading the document, Opal silently withdrew his original thoughts. There were already five known Emanators, plus the Harmony incarnation on the Family's side. This tiny Penacony was practically a battlefield of gods.
Although the words might sound unpleasant, with only the small cornerstones in their hands, if they were involved head-on in this contest and rivalry in Penacony, they would probably be nothing more than slightly larger ants.
"Jade, oh Jade, you've really given me a huge problem. Six Emanator-level powerhouses—the cost and return are completely out of proportion…"
Yes, Opal hesitated. He fell into deep thought. From a rational perspective, the benefits that Penacony's struggle could bring were actually very considerable. However, benefits were always relative.
To win this festival or stand out in it, the price the Corporation would have to pay would be an astronomical figure. Moreover, they would likely offend several Emanators and the many forces behind them. No matter how one looked at it, this was not a worthwhile deal.
"How about… I just don't wade into this muddy water?"