304 years.
Two hundred thirty-three loops.
All the time, Seele followed a set routine. After returning to the starting point, she followed Shi Tian's advice to find himself. She will explain everything like a well-read script. She could even anticipate what he would say.
Prior to the tenth time loop, Seele desperately sought to find a solution to prevent IX's outbreak. From the eleventh onwards, Shi Tian only asked her to do one thing: to cultivate.
She will spend all the time in seclusion until the loop ends. She would only try to find a solution every fifth loop. It is the most reasonable arrangement to balance her psyche and to perfectly utilize her time.
Ultimately, Shi Tian's decisions could not keep up with Seele's changes. Aside from their plans, she has something else in mind.
"Hee…"
Her Golden Core Realm cultivation can perfectly conceal themselves against weaker targets. Her quantum entanglement is also proficient enough to add another layer to it.
As such…
"So he likes blueberries."
…she uses it to stalk Shi Tian.
The simulation is lagging far behind their real counterparts. Seele's Golden Core Realm can crush 99% of their enemies on Earth. Stalking can be done as easily as stealing a kid's lollipop.
"Blueberries… blue… so he might like me too?!"
Being delusional is Seele's second worst affliction. Three hundred years of never-ending loops caused some problems with her mind. These are but one of the payoffs to be able to retain her sanity.
"If I can have him…"
For three days and nights, Seele did nothing but to be stuck in that daze. All that could be seen in her eyes are raw, unfiltered affection towards the one man she does not have.
When she snapped out of it, she went to Shi Tian's current location. She just so happened to see him flirt with Kiana.
"Sister Kiana… I can't do it."
She still possessed her kindness throughout these years. It is a different thing when it comes to her enemies, however.
Seele knew it was meaningless to do anything inside this loop. She held back from doing anything other than stalking for three hundred years. Part of her went almost crazy to meet the real him again. The thought of being trapped here forever made her breathless, with her heart sinking to the depths of a black hole itself.
Stalking Shi Tian and being more blatant with her affection became her main anchor amidst her challenges. The thought of being able to meet him again became her motivation to learn, practice, and escape from her predicament.
The imaginary confrontation between her and Kiana, in particular, was treated by her like a nigh-impossible to solve puzzle.
All these thoughts fueled Seele to improve herself until that promised day comes. Naturally, she had shed her cowardice long ago.
It is not wrong to say that Seele experienced a full rebirth inside this time loop.
"The first dish I will cook for him…"
Just then, Seele felt a change inside her. A tangible connection appeared within her soul. When she put her spiritual consciousness to it, she was surprised to gain another perspective.
"...Seele?"
"Other me? So it's you!"
Seele recalled the vague feeling she had roughly a hundred and fifty years ago. It turned out to be the connection Veliona created with an auxiliary technique.
The moment they acknowledged each other, they felt that they could actively share each other's memories… and so they did.
Seele received Veliona's two years' worth of memories.
Veliona received Seele's complete three hundred years of memories.
Despite the overwhelming difference between the two memories, both held a significant impact on the other.
"You went crazy?"
"They already made babies?!"
Both of them fell silent. It was Seele who spoke up first—Veliona felt a bigger impact on the memories than her.
"He would have accepted my confession if I was there."
Her mutterings seemed more absent-minded. A part of her deeply regrets it, though she knew better. Shi Tian is a million-years-old. He does not look at Seele in that way. Her supposed "acceptance" was more of placating Seele than a genuine acceptance.
Now that she is three-hundred-years old, Seele is way more confident in her fighting chances for a genuine response to her confession. Through Veliona's eyes, she saw how much it weighed in Shi Tian's mind. The way he acted around Veliona has a mix of guilt and concern.
"Huh..? Oh. I forgot about this…"
Seele watched as the silent Veliona underwent some crucial changes. Her Scythe Heart reached the fourth realm. The three hundred years of experience allowed Seele to be way ahead when it comes to this. Their deeper two-way connection and synchronization of memories pushed Veliona to the fourth realm.
"There is more to this connection…"
*****
"It's done."
Kiana oversaw Earth's current situation. She became the sole controller of the high fifth grade formation. Her attainment on the Dao of Void was not bad. She stopped the surge of tangible honkai energy coming from outer space.
She remained at the edge of the formation, intent on watching the fight she could not attend to.
The back-and-forth between the duo and the Herrscher of the End lasted a mere two minutes before a huge event happened.
"...Huh. I was wondering why you weren't serious…"
Kiana has discerning eyes and saw the two sides held back during the two-minute mark. The Herrscher of the End seems to be following some sort of protocol, with her power growing stronger the longer the fight becomes. She did not unleash a devastating attack like her first one, instead opting to gradually unleash her full power as Shi Tian exhibited more strength.
Shi Tian, too, was holding back. He would have relied on the Judgement of Shamash had he wanted to end the battle in one go. Kevin's strike immobilized the said Herrscher for seven hours. He is far stronger than the Kevin of the Previous Era. Immobilizing her for days with the Judgement of Shamash was possible.
"Your sword… The fifth realm…"
Kiana stared at his impending breakthrough closely. Beneath her, specks of white light began to fly up to the skies. These are none other than swords.
Some of them are real, forged by human hands.
Some of them are ethereal, projections formed out of human minds.
The majestic sight of these swords covered the entire sky. No matter how oblivious the humans below remained, all of them fell silent upon seeing its sight.
These swords turned into one sword that flew towards Shi Tian's direction.
Moments later, Sirin appeared behind Kiana.
"What was that..?"
"Breakthrough. It's not harmful."
"..."
Sirin nodded before she fell silent. Many things would have been resolved had they synchronized their memories. Only, the two opted not to. It is an uncontrollable synchronization—all of Kiana's memories will be included in the transfer.
That includes her most intimate times with Shi Tian.
It is a full-blown, two years' worth of nothing but sex.
Sirin did not want to touch that matter for now. Her complicated feelings aside, she formed a faint longing in her heart.
She did not want Kiana's memories with him, but rather…
She would make them herself.
Of course, she was prideful and denied it from time to time. The intent was there nonetheless, akin to an unstoppable tide.
Looking at Kiana and the man who loved her other self…
'...Is this what I want..?'