The five elements are in chaos. Woes outnumber the weals, turning harmony into chaos.
This thought suddenly popped up inside my mind. A chill ran down my spine. I knew without a second thought it came from my capabilities as a seventh-grade diviner. It possessed a function that foretold danger before it came. The last time I felt like this was during the time I reversed the universe's memories. Having the attention of twenty or so Aeons with my current strength was nothing short of courting death.
The same intensity appeared now… while on Earth. For a moment, I thought there would be intruders forcefully breaking inside.
"What's the matter?!"
Kiana noticed my odd expression as she stood up in a panic.
"How's the imaginary barrier?" I asked.
"...It's fine. Did something else get inside? Another Aeon?"
I shook my head.
"It should be something else."
"Then, it could only be them."
After leaving Elysia inside the Elysian Realm, I went back to Kiana to ask about some things. It turned out that her conversation with Vill-V was rather normal. She did not seek Kiana's help in doing an experiment—something that further highlighted the monstrous genius that is Vill-V.
How did she deduce Kiana's connection with Finality, much less put forward a complete plan that utilizes it? Most importantly, to keep it hidden under wraps was nothing short of a miraculous, god-like execution.
The Tuna was stunned when she heard everything about Vill-V. She never paid her nor the Flamechasers much attention. She, like others, is racing against time. It is in everyone's best interests to reach the pinnacle of Void Refinement Realm as fast as possible. Kiana's middle stage Void Refinement Realm neared the threshold to the late stage. It would have been impossible had it not been for her hard work.
"Them?"
"The women tied to you."
A slightly sour tone came out of her mouth. The pout on her cheeks dealt a critical damage to my heart. I could not resist the urge to cuddle right here and then. I buried my face on her neck. A satisfied hum escaped her lips, evident she likes this.
"Your aunt…"
"It's fine. I… I know how she feels."
Memories flashed inside my mind. My interactions with Theresa aren't out of the norm. Things changed when I helped her condense a Tao Body with my blood. Since then, she developed an addiction to it. That led to the tension between us.
I…
I never had any relationship in this way. Everything stemmed from emotional connections. My company with Kiana, Sirin's self-loathing that turned into dependence, Seele's obsessions from her endless samsara, Veliona's acceptance of my decisions, Sin's search for reaffirmation, and Bronya's fascination that originated from our similarities…
There is also Hysilens who shared an identical experience with Nihility as I, and Elysia who taught me the meaning of wishes which led to our common understanding.
As if sensing my complex thoughts, Kiana said softly:
"Aunt… She fought for a lot of things alone. She also had a complex of growing up… and it is you who helped her. It is your company that made her feel safe and secure, just as how you made me feel. You are, after all, our hero."
"...As much as you are all to me."
She did not expect my reply, her shoulders turning stiff before they relaxed. The darkness of the void continued blanketing the Moon. The stiff and rough surface looked akin to comets trailblazing freely across the cosmos. The stars faraway flickered with various lights. The scene of tranquility ensued for quite some time.
Kiana broke the silence. Her voice staggered slightly as she revealed:
"My future projection came to me four hundred years ago."
"At Amphoreus?"
"Mn…"
She detailed their conversation. The story of the cat who did nothing but rove around, saving those in need… saving the world around him, was ironically pushed around by those who sought deliverance. When the cat truly needed help, nobody came up. No one lent an ear to hear out his troubles. His homesickness.
It is why, instead of saving just the world…
"We will save the cat."
The analogy left me silent for a while.
"She told me you would be in trouble in the future. We… I…"
Kiana's voice staggered once more, weakness evident from them.
"I don't want to see it happen."
Her emotions condensed into a lone sentence.
I…
I cannot give a definite answer.
It isn't the first time our future projections came up to speak of vague troubles. I could still remember the words my future projection left prior to my fight with IX:
The second is to create; the third spells extinction.
It pertained to my coming second and third tribulations. The first one was my forced exposure with Nihility as a powerless mortal. The golden orb advanced my tribulation at the Tribulation Transcendence Realm, allowing me to face a less life-threatening danger compared to what I would have originally faced.
The last part remains confusing. I pushed it aside from the time being. It is the first part that caught my attention.
The second is to create.
Another saying came to my mind—one that came from my future projection.
The answer is not to become the world.
If my guess is correct…
I will face it during my Dao Integration Realm breakthrough.
In the end, I mustered my strength to say the words I can guarantee keeping.
"No matter what happens, even if we are separated for a long time… I will find the way home. Haven't you seen? I don't like bad endings."
"Mhm…"
Kiana gave a reassured look. She trusted my words more than the impending tribulations we are about to face. As for stopping cultivation, the thought never crossed our minds once. She knows me too well. Becoming a True Immortal is something I seek, not purely because of the power it holds, but its capability to ensure the happy endings I want.
"How did your time with Miss Pink Elf go?"
Her sudden shift in topic caught me off guard. Still, I answered honestly.
"She became my partner."
"...No surprise."
Kiana's mood became lighter as she faced me, her chest pressing hard against mine. Its softness sent a wave of bliss to my body. Her well-kept Finality Dress deformed slightly due to her actions.
"Mine is just as big, no?"
This Tuna…