The trio returned to the cave where they had previously encountered Wuli.
Having come and gone in haste earlier, they hadn't thoroughly investigated the area.
This time, they finally discovered some items near the campsite.
An explorer's diary belonging to Wuli, and a note left by Fuling.
From Wuli's diary, it became clear that the reason he knew about the "timeless paradise" where time stood still was also due to encountering a man in red—undoubtedly a member of Fractsidus.
The Fractsidus member had told Wuli about this "paradise" that bore similarities to the Sentinel's power and commissioned him to enter the mountains to retrieve an item, assuring him it was the key to saving Fuling.
Though Wuli knew what kind of organization Fractsidus was and wanted nothing to do with them, he didn't care about their motives. As long as it could keep Fuling alive, he was willing to pay any price.
Meanwhile, Fuling's note revealed that she had long accepted her impending death, placing no hope in elusive immortality. Instead, she wished to spend her remaining time fulfilling the dreams she shared with Wuli.
However, if the two truly entered that "timeless paradise," it would mean they could never leave, and Wuli would have to abandon his future as an explorer.
Fuling naturally refused this. She wanted Wuli to carry their dreams forward, even if that future no longer included her.
Lucian was deeply moved. "This is pure love! I'm moved to tears!"
Beside him, Rover sighed. "If only Lucian and I had something this pure..."
Lucian scratched his head. "What do you mean? Isn't ours pure?"
Rover pinched his cheek. "Pure love should mean loving only me, right? But you clearly like Chixia too—how can that be pure love? You…"
Lucian straightened his expression. "When I'm with you, I only love you, Rover. That's definitely pure love!"
Rover scoffed. "Is that how you interpret pure love? Then what if Chixia and I were both here?"
Lucian pondered for a moment. "Then I'd love you both equally."
Rover: "…"
"Seems leaving Jinzhou can't wait any longer."
Changli chuckled softly. "Someone like Mr. Lucian would attract others no matter where he goes, wouldn't he?"
Rover nodded thoughtfully. "True. Maybe we should find a way to lock him up."
Lucian: "??"
Changli steered the conversation back. "Let's focus on the matter at hand. Though the diary is cryptic… the motives of the person who fed Wuli half-truths are clear."
"This isn't a coincidence. All clues point to the time distortions being linked to the legend of the chess game or rather, someone wants us to connect them."
Lucian mused, "It's definitely Fractsidus. Wuli's diary also mentions the Sentinel. A newcomer like him wouldn't know about the Sentinel's abilities."
Changli smiled faintly. "Seems our 'old friends' haven't given up. They went to great lengths to lure us here it'd be rude not to oblige."
Lucian scratched his head. "But after the battle at Loong's Crest, didn't they retreat?"
Changli snorted. "An illusion, most likely. They've probably just hidden deeper."
"Based on the notes and Wuli's map… our destination lies ahead."
The trio pressed forward, arriving at a place where the chaotic flow of time was even more palpable.
"Look over there."
Lucian pointed at freshly dug marks nearby.
Inside the pit, they found a chessboard.
Lucian: "Wuli's work."
Rover: "…Why does it sound so weird when you say it?"
Changli surveyed the area and spotted a Chronosorter nearby. "The temporal anomalies here must be caused by this device. Maybe we can restore it."
Rover used the Chronosorter to reset time. The chessboard returned to its original state, and golden phantoms appeared beside it an elderly man and a woman.
The old man's phantom spoke: "A fine move indeed! Securing territory while maintaining influence this play is extraordinary."
"To think I'd encounter such a thrilling match here in Mt. Firmament. You appear young, yet your skill is profound."
The woman's phantom seemed to respond, but the trio couldn't hear her.
The old man laughed. "You flatter me. The difference in our skill is clear."
Changli sighed nostalgically. "…That's Master's voice. But the other voice has been deliberately obscured."
"Who do you think it is?"
Rover: "…Looks familiar."
Lucian studied the phantom, then tugged at the bow on Rover's head. "Who else could it be? It's obviously Rover!"
"Even the bow's the same. Speaking of… how long ago was this? Do you never change clothes?"
He feigned disgust. "Centuries without changing… ew!"
Rover's eye twitched as she bonked him. "Who says I don't change clothes? You've seen my wardrobe! I just like this outfit!"
Lucian recalled. "Oh right, you have that little black dress. Can you wear that next time?"
Rover coughed, cheeks pink. "I'm not fond of skirts… but if you like it, I can."
Lucian grinned mischievously. "Not for outside, I meant for when we're alone at night—OW!"
Before he could finish, Rover chopped his waist. "What's wrong with your brain?!"
Changli watched their banter thoughtfully. Lucian and Rover were unusually close. If Jinhsi asked Lucian to stay, would he agree?
Lucian wasn't of this world. Jinzhou's affairs meant little to him he only cared about those he'd bonded with.
Even if Jinhsi requested it, even with an official position, Lucian would likely choose to follow Rover.
Hmm… another approach is needed…
The trio continued observing. Another phantom appeared the same pair, but seemingly from a different timeline.
The old man spoke: "Decades have passed since we last met, yet you remain unchanged."
"To think the life-saving benefactor I sought for years was someone I'd already met. I should be calling you 'senior' instead."
Lucian teased, "Senior Rover?"
Rover deadpanned. "Don't call me that. It's weird."
Lucian: "As they say, 'Marry a woman three years older, gain gold; thirty years, gain power; three hundred, gain immortality; three thousand, ascend to divinity… three hundred million, and the Sentinel's and Threnodian's your little brother!'"
"Rover, seems my status in Solaris is pretty high!"
Rover sweatdropped. "It's not three hundred million! You're making me sound ancient."
Lucian's gaze drifted downward, pausing at Rover's chest. "Hmm… definitely not that big."
Rover: "???"
His eyes then flicked to Changli's bust. "Whoa—now that looks like three hundred million…"
Fuming, Rover yanked off her stockings and blindfolded him. "No peeking!"
Lucian blinked. "Why's it dark?"
Changli laughed magnanimously. "If Mr. Lucian stays in Jinzhou, he can look all he wants…"
Lucian immediately straightened. "Actually, I've always been a citizen of Jinzhou—"
Rover: "???"
The old man's phantom continued: "You remembered our promise. How gratifying…"
"With your achievements in the new state, why retire now?"
Rover's phantom remained silent.
Lucian quipped, "Rover, did you leave your vocal cords at home?"
Rover throttled him. "Who forgets those?!"
Changli mused, "It was erased deliberately. Maybe Rover did it herself?"
Rover strained to recall but drew a blank. Lucian and Changli didn't press further.
The old man sighed. "Forgive my rambling. If you're not leaving Jinzhou yet, shall we play another game?"
The final phantom showed only the old man, seemingly monologuing.
"Cough… A masterful play. Even after twenty years, I'd stand no chance."
"…Ah, so much time has passed."
"Chess is ever-changing. Even with the same opening, the endgame is unpredictable… If our game is thus, how much more so the world?"
"The Xuanmiao lineage seeks to manipulate the world as pieces on a board…"
"But you chose to enter the game yourself, becoming a variable. A perilous path. Though I wish to aid, my time is nigh. I shan't live to see your triumph…"
"…No need for sorrow. If my end comes beneath the Sentinel's gaze, it's a blessing."
"By then… the one finishing our game won't be me, but my disciple."
Lucian gasped. "Rover, is all this part of your past self's grand plan?"
Rover frowned. "No memory of it."
"But even if I could foresee this far, I definitely didn't account for you."
Changli smiled. "True. Lucian is an outsider even Rover couldn't predict him."
"Which is why he should stay in Jinzhou, lest he disrupt Rover's future plans."
Rover: "?"
Lucian: "?"
Your scheming is so loud they can hear it in Black Shores.
Rover shook her head. "Precisely why he should stay with me."
"To prevent him from negatively influencing Jinzhou's development."
Changli: "…"
Lucian: "…"
Lucian facepalmed. Now they were truly at odds.
The old man's phantom spoke again: "You seem troubled. Does this path seem too perilous?"
"Fear not. With that child's wisdom, they'll break this deadlock."
"This inherited game will shape Jinzhou… Huanglong, and the world beyond."
"The road is long… Let this final game be…"
Suddenly, the phantom vanished, reappearing beside the chessboard. He extended a hand, as if inviting them to play. Then, he too dissipated.
Rover stepped forward, hovering a hand over the board. It glowed gold, and her eyes flashed with Tacet Marks.
Lucian gasped. "Whoa~ Your eyes look like Abby's when he sees food."
Abby popped out. "What's that supposed to mean—"
He glanced at Rover's eyes. "…Okay, kinda true."
Rover: "…"
A golden portal materialized, resembling the entrance to the Sentinel's Sonic Realm.
Before Lucian could question it, Changli turned coldly. "Since you've followed us this far, why hesitate to show yourselves?"
Fractsidus members emerged, led by a Craftsman who sneered. "…Don't assume you control everything, Changli."
Lucian stepped forward. "Well, well, if it isn't Fractsidus grunts! Tell your boss Phrolova to come out already!"
Phrolova, watching from a distant peak: "…"
The Fractsidus Gunmaster scowled. "Who the hell are you to address Lady Phrolova like that?!"
Lucian smirked. "You don't know me? How'd you even get hired? I'll have Scar fire you!"
Fractsidus Gunmaster: "???"
"Lord Scar… isn't he—"
A nearby Cannoneer whispered to him.
The Fractsidus Gunmaster coughed awkwardly. "Oh—so you're the Lucian that Lady Phrolova's been pining for!"
Lucian: "?"
Rover: "?"
Changli: "?"
The Cannoneer facepalmed and whispered again.
The Fractsidus Gunmaster corrected, "Ahem, I mean, you're the one Lady Phrolova can't have!"
Abby shrugged. "Same difference."
Rover pinched Lucian's ear. "You're involved with Fractsidus too?!"
Lucian roared, "Fractsidus grunt! How dare you slander me?!"
The Fractsidus Gunmaster snapped, "Hah! Lady Phrolova will never be yours! Give up!"
Rover: "???"
Who's pursuing who here?!
Lucian retorted, "Oh yeah? What if I catch her?"
The Fractsidus Gunmaster spat, "Then she'll let you—UGH!"
"You'll never catch her!"
"Your infamy precedes you. Men, the Mirage is open, attack!"
Lucian grinned. "Since you're dumb enough to challenge me, you've clearly never heard of my secret weapon!"
"Abby, eat them!"
He hurled Abby forward.
Abby flailed. "DAMMIT, LUCIAN! I ONLY EAT TACET DISCORDS, NOT PEOPLE—"
Phrolova, from afar: "…Explain this."
Her subordinate sweatdropped. "Um…"