"Spring…Spring Autumn Cicada?" Kao Dao Ji muttered in utter bewilderment, pure fear, and shock appearing in his gaze.
"What is going on? Spring Autumn Cicada was only supposed to have been used by two people, even across history, Red Lotus and…" His pupils widened as he made one terrifying conclusion.
"Do not tell me. Is that Cicada, who I think it is…"
He touched his forehead with his palm.
"No. For all I know, it may not be him. After all, what would stop the eleventh, twelfth, and even hundredth Venerable from using Cicada? For all I know, this whole timeline is already the millionth!"
Kao Dao Ji frowned, deeply immersed in his thoughts.
However.
Le Tu and Uru Hong Jing turned their gaze towards him and asked.
"Spring Autumn Cicada?" They said.
Kao Dao Ji stared at the duo, frowning deeply.
Wondering what to say.
However.
"If things are as dire as I fear, the more people know. The better." He concluded with a deep sigh.
"Spring Autumn Cicada, or at least based on what the legends said. Was the Vital Gu of Red Lotus.
Based on what I know, the Gu upon activation would explode the Gu Master's aperture, bod,y and soul. Destroying everything.
It would use everything as the fuel for an explosion that would send the Will of the user and the Gu upwards in the river of time's stream."
Uru Hong Jing frowned.
"Who would use such a useless Gu-" Suddenly, his eyes widened.
"Wait." His expression contorted.
"By sending the will upwards in the river of time, does it mean that one can go to the past?"
Kao Dao Ji nodded solemnly.
"Then. If that is the case, does that mean that this Cicada…Could it contain the will of somebody from the future?" Uru Hong Jing wondered.
"Not necessarily." Le Tu suddenly added.
"If what you say is true, then even if the Gu alone can send a person's will to the past, it stands to reason that by using it in a Killer Move, one could do the opposite.
Perhaps that 'Red Lotus' never actually died, or rather chose to die.
To appear at some point in the future."
….
Crimson Soul stood amidst the waves, flying as quickly as he could.
Just like before, the Gu in front of him somehow devoured the surrounding water in such a way that he almost felt no resistance in the River of Time.
Of course, he could not go at top speed, but it was far better than what basically everybody else in the world could manage.
Still.
His gaze looked alert as he stared at his surroundings.
"The Gu. Is not eating the surrounding water in an even way. Rather, it is flickering, stopping for brief instants, increasing and decreasing in intensity.
As a result, it is creating several pulses amidst the surrounding water.
This pattern repeats exactly once every 7.83 seconds. Not missing one beat.
Is this just the cyclical nature of its feeding, or is the Gu trying to communicate with me?"
The very notion sounded absurd; how could a Gu communicate with a human?
Whilst it sounded absurd, it was not so much.
There were several Gu's in the world who could carry the will of an Immortal; perhaps this was one of such examples.
"It also could be because it's a Rank 9 Gu. Perhaps Gu of such a Rank has wisdom akin to that of Legendary Immemorial Beasts."
With suspicion in his heart, and nothing to hinder him.
He began a process of deciphering.
'Translate Language Gu', 'Decipher Gu', 'Enigma Gu', 'Unravel Mystery Gu', and hundreds of other such Gu were activated one after the other.
He even began to buy countless Gu in masse across TYH, to slowly decipher the truth.
Until finally.
In one of the many pulses, his eyes suddenly shone.
{If you can hear me, please say 'Blue Lotus.' }
Crimson's Soul eyes widened.
After hours of deciphering attempts, had he finally stumbled onto the right answer?
"Blue Lotus!" Crimson Soul spoke hurriedly, as if the Gu would vanish if he delayed the answer.
The Gu hovered joyfully.
More pulses were sent.
{That is great! We can finally talk.}
Crimson Soul squinted his eyes.
"We can, yes. But before we do. Could you tell me who you are? And why exactly did you decide to help me?"
{Who am I? Do you not know me? Even now that you are holding the Vital Gu I was known for? My Spring Autumn Cicada…}
Crimson Soul's eyes widened.
{As for 'why' I decided to aid you, it was because, in a way, our goals align.}
"How so?"
{As a Rank 8 Immortal, I am sure you are aware of many secrets, including, of course, the existence of Fate Gu. And you also know that my goal was to destroy it.
The stories said that I died, whilst barely producing a crack in the Gu, but that is not entirely accurate.
I knew destroying Fate was impossible, but producing a tiny scratch was exactly what I needed to do.
My main body sacrificed itself in the process.
But that is only what happened on the surface. I sent my Gu towards the future and waited until I found a worthy successor.
Now I know that this successor is you.}
"And why am I that chosen one?" Crimson Soul raised his eyebrows in skepticism, as a Rank 8 Immortal, he would not be tricked by mere flattery.
{Because you are an otherworldly demon and as such are partially immune to Fate's influence.} Crimson Soul's eyes widened.
"How could you possibly know that?" He arched an eyebrow.
{Please. I've been searching for people such as you for so long. And while I have found several, they were either incompetent, weak, or simply did not wish to pursue such a path, you, however, hold enough of the criteria, and I am willing to help you in this goal.}
"But what is in it for me? While I could pretend to aid you in this lofty goal, why would I risk everything in such a fool's errand? Even you, a Venerable, failed."
{Because whilst Fate is there, you will never accomplish your goals, you will never become a Venerable. And you will also be toyed to death by Heavenly Court, unable to find a single respite.
Even more so now that you have found me.
Even if you destroy me, in this precise instant. Star Constellation will not let you go.
She will NEVER believe that I have let you alone, she will think this is a trap, or a deception, and I have embedded myself in you somehow.}
Crimson Soul frowned, not because he believed him. But because he was saying such nonsense.
What did Star Constellation have to do with anything? That old hag was long since dead.
{Of course, you may not believe me now. But wait until you hear my tale. By then, I am sure you will change your mind.
Even if you don't, what is the harm in learning something new?
Besides, you could still act and pretend as if you had changed your mind. If you hide it well, I may not even notice the truth.
But the least you could do is listen to what I have to say.}
Crimson Soul paused.
A long conversation that lasted for hours ensued.
The more Crimson Soul listened, the more his expression darkened.
He even clenched his fists towards the end.
"I believe you now." Those were the first words he spoke after a long silence.
…
…
…
Kao Dao Ji, Le Tu, and Uru Hong Jing discussed theories for several days.
Whilst eating and drinking together at a table.
In truth, most of their theories were completely baseless and easily refutable, especially for somebody who had read the novel. But he did not dare to discard them; he could see the painting on the wall.
The novel and reality differed in some way. Or at least, this current reality came after whatever happened in the parts of the novel that came after it was banned.
"You know. For being a Land Spirit, your thoughts and ideas are deeper than the seas, and broader than the mountains above. Your expertise truly leaves me in awe." Uru Hong Jing praised him heartily.
But Kao Dao Ji scoffed inwardly; this was an obvious attempt at probing.
Of course, he did not mind too much.
"While I could pretend to be a Land Spirit for a few minutes, or even a couple of hours.
It's very difficult to keep up such a lie. Had I been forced to interact with Kao Yu Hun for so long, I'd likely have been uncovered the next day.
Whilst I do not know how long I could keep up the lie against Le Tu. I know that he would sooner or later figure out everything.
Besides, whilst he may not find the truth right away, he will still suspect me. And suspicion is the worst thing I can have, if I want his help."
He sighed.
His fingers hit the table as he tried the best way to phrase his following words.
"I am, yes." He raised his head towards the duo. And stole a few glances.
"But I also am whole. Somehow, even after death. My mind has not turned the slightest duller; I am as if not even smarter than I ever was. Can you believe it?"
Uru Hong Jing suddenly spat out his tea.
Whilst he suspected something, he never expected that he would admit it right to his face.
Even Le Tu was shocked by his words.
"How is this possible? Not even Venerables could achieve such a feat…"
"It beats me, honestly. I have no clue why I am even here. I just had this Tribulation going, and I died. And I woke up as if nothing had happened."
Le Tu frowned upon hearing his words.
Several people had investigated Kao Dao Ji and knew how he came to die, so he did not suspect this detail.
On the contrary.
His expression changed.
He stared at his own reflection in the tea, as he pictured the whole situation inside his mind.
"Then, once you died. You meet me. You spoke that you needed something out of me. Do you want me to resurrect you?
But why me? Your Clan is far more powerful than-" Realization dawned upon his face.
Kao Dao Ji smiled bitterly.
"Is just as you fear. While my Clan surely is far more capable than you, they are also far more unpredictable. Will the Supreme Clan Leader help me? Or will he instead try to read my will to get the truth out of me?
Or perhaps, he could simply wait patiently until I had a hundred Tribulations or so before sweeping in and devouring my aperture.
I cannot say for sure what would happen; that is why I requested your aid.
And also, because I needed a safe location in case I was ever attacked by them."
Le Tu frowned.
His expression turned very complicated.
"But why? Why did you decide to trust me? For all you know, I could betray you, too?"
Kao Dao Ji paused and took a deep breath.
His expression turned sober and melancholic.
"Because. Mushroom Men are kind. Mushroom Men are peaceful.
The very first friend I made in my childhood saved my life.
Such a shame that she died at such a tender age…" He sighed mournfully.
"And it was not just her. Everyone from her tribe was so kind and good to me. Not only that, but in my later decades, I also found even more of such Mushroom Man, and my experiences have been the same all around.
There is not a single exception among their race. And so, when I died, and I had nobody to turn to, I knew that I had to rely on a Mushroom Man."
The story was complete bullshit. But Le Tu did not notice this; on the contrary, he was deeply immersed in his tale.
His expression looked teary.
And his eyes were red.
"As the saying goes, tell 9 truths to say a lie." Kao Dao Ji thought whilst sipping his tea.
To hide his face.
After some hesitation, he then added.
"Of course. Is not that I entirely trust you. Even now, I still don't. But. At least at the moment, you cannot do a thing to me.
Even if you kill me, what would be the use? You'd just be stranded here, with no way home.
Besides, if you attempt such a thing. I will simply inform my whole clan, and they will hunt you down.
Similarly, if you try to share the details of who I am. I can do the same to you and ruin you utterly.
To be honest. My arrangement regarding you is quite similar to what I gave to you.
In case the situation goes south, I would like you to help me."
Le Tu wiped a tear from his face as he asked.
"What would you want me to do?"
"I am willing to teach two-thirds of the Killer Move I used to bring you here, to Shung Mia Yin. If a time ever arises when the Clan does what I fear.
I want to use her to transport me to your side."
"I see…So I am your 'escape route', am I?" Le Tu, who had already gained his composur,e asked.
"Indeed. But we can be more than that. In fact. I already have so many ideas to share. So many projects.
For example. Just think about the things we could do with your strong abilities, and my ability to bring you safely from wherever you are?
I have just the perfect place in mind." He spoke enthusiastically, and at the next moment, he turned his gaze towards Uru Hong Jing.
"The talk has been nice to you, hasn't it? You have learned a lot of things without doing a single thing. However, I also leverage against you.
As of now, whilst you have many Immortal Gu, you have no Dao Marks of the relevant Path to use them, nor do you know a single related Killer Move.
Moreover, the very existence of those Gu already makes you a target of several forces.
Of course, that weakness of yours won't last for long, once you heal completely and once you join a super force, those weaknesses will be gone.
But that is in the future, besides. I would like to remind you that I saved your life.
Considering our positions. I have an idea.
To keep us in check, you can keep all those secrets.
But to keep you in check.
Let us borrow an Immortal Gu from you each.
Does that sound fair to you?" Despite his reasonable words, Kao Dao Ji's voice sounded threatening.
Then he clapped his hands together.
"Of course, to formalize it, we should also employ a Spiritual Contract. While I cannot exactly ask Kao Yun Yun to come here for obvious reasons, she still can embed an Immortal Killer Move for us to make a contract for."