"…Was he not supposed to be able to open that door?"
Judging by Zhen Huai's expression at this time, that was clearly not a part of the initial plan.
Towards Bai Wen's question, Zhen Huai answers—
"Odd… It would seem like the magic array isn't capable of fully replicating his memories."
"Wouldn't it be because he hasn't recovered them all yet?"
"The magic array was able to create a replica of a place that he was familiar with. Other than what lies beyond that ancient tree's door, everything else is present."
"…Lao Zhen, how does your family's magic array work again?"
Blinking his eyes, Zhen Huai explains—
"Memories, according to scholars of our world, can come from three sources. The first is the mind, the second is the soul, and the third is the body. The body aside, this magic array is meant to read the memories contained in an individual's mind first. After that, it will attempt to read the memories contained in the soul—to give the already created illusion a greater level of detail. For this occasion, I set it to read the soul first. If the magic array wasn't able to recreate anything from these two sources of memories, I was thinking of creating enemies at random to test him. But since it worked, it means…"
Pausing here, Zhen Huai takes a few moments to put his thoughts in order, prior to adding—
"Under normal circumstances, the process of reincarnation would require one to forget the memories of their previous life completely. In his case, he… Somehow skipped the memory erasure process. Another possibility, as unlikely as it is, is that the memory erasure process had been interrupted partway through—causing his current memories to be in the fragmented state that they are currently in."
"...…"
Towards Zhen Huai's analysis of Long Hua's situation, a discomforting thought appears in Bai Wen's mind.
(Skipping or dodging the memory erasure process through his own abilities… Even an Immortal realm practitioner would have a difficult time doing so. Once their soul lands into the realm of the dead, they would have no control over whatever sentence they are subjected to. Suppose Lao Zhen's second theory is indeed true; then a possible explanation would be that someone from the outside—had made a move to prevent his memories from being erased completely. That someone… His shizun is the first person to come to mind, but if that were the case, then his shizun's cultivation base would have to be…)
As Bai Wen thought up to here, Zhen Huai adds—
"This array should be able to recreate a practitioner of the Spirit Assimilation realm, but-"
"Beyond Spirit Assimilation is Dao Manifestation, followed by the Immortal realm… There's a special space within this world—the necropolis. If it's there, I wonder…?"
"Lao Bai, let's focus more on the present for now."
Snapping out of his trance, Bai Wen nods, and asks—
"In that case, what would he find beyond that door—if it were forced open?
"I suppose we'll find out."
...…
"…"
Without any expectations in mind, Long Hua steps into the residence, and—
"Back so soon? Didn't I tell you to pick five Serpent Scale Grasses for me? Or is it that you don't want your curse suppressed?"
"…?"
The stern and irritation-filled voice of this individual had seemingly been transmitted to him through a phone call, but despite that, Long Hua could still recognize it.
"…Shizun?"
Raising his head, Long Hua looks forward—with an expression of bewilderment on his face.
...…
Blinking his eyes, Zhen Huai remarks—
"Seems like this is the limit of the array."
"So, it's incapable of creating a perfect copy of his shizun, but is still able to replicate their voice to a certain degree. Hmm."
Similarly, to Long Hua, both Zhen Huai and Bai Wen are just as bewildered by the sight, whereas—
"…"
Seeing the thing displayed on the projection screen, Zhui Yun's complexion turns pale.
...…
Panels of wood cover the floors and walls—giving the uneven nature of this space a more uniformed appearance.
Situated to the far right of this living room is a large table, while on the opposite side is a rectangular storage container.
Positioned in the center of this room is a large cauldron, and standing in front of the cauldron is—
"Did a few screws come loose in your head?"
"…"
Standing in front of Long Hua is an individual shrouded within a body of white fog—making it impossible to discern his true appearance.
"…"
Unable to formulate any words, Long Hua stands in place, as his head works to process the matters that his shizun had just mentioned to him.
(Serpent Scale Grass? A curse?)
Of the two matters that were brought up a moment ago, the second matter—
(This curse that shizun mentioned…)
Instinctively, Long Hua feels like this curse—that had been mentioned, is a matter of greater importance to him than even his goal of returning home.
"…"
Towards the individual shrouded in white fog, Tian Cheng—who stands behind Long Hua, performs a subtle bow in the former's direction.
Inwardly, she thought—
(…It's only a replica created by this magic array, but…)
"…"
(…!?)
Sensing the fog-shrouded individual directing his gaze towards her, the Tian Cheng within the dreamscape panics, as she rapidly takes three steps back.
(These fools, to have to galls to replicate that person's image…)
Thinking of this, cold sweat rolls down Tian Cheng's face.
Outside of the dreamscape, Long Hua asks—
"…Shizun, what curse are you talking about?"
"…"
Despite the fog obscuring the individual's face, Long Hua can somewhat tell that the former had most likely frowned—in response to this question.
"…"
"…!"
As the fog-shrouded individual takes a single step forward, a feeling of bad premonition appears in Long Hua's heart.
...…
In the same instance—
"…?"
Zhen Huai takes out his phone, which is currently displaying a new message on its screen.
"Stability of the magic array has gone off balance?"
Glancing over, Bai Wen reads the message that came from Zhen Rong aloud, to which, Zhen Huai says—
"Lao Bai, I believe you're playing with fire this time around."
"What a coincidence really. The moment you brought up your second theory, I've been thinking of the same."
Glancing over at Bai Wen—who is giving off a carefree air, Zhen Huai frowns; the former's theory is something that he has also taken notice of.
Heaving a sigh, Zhen Huai says—
"Hypothetically speaking, if his shizun's cultivation base surpasses the realm that the suns and moons of our world possesses, then… Their strength would no doubt surpass the ancestor of your household."
"Which is why, I feel like I'm having the time of my life right now."
"One misstep is all it would take for it to come crashing down on you. I'd suggest you, to have a thorough plan in mind—on what sort of relationship you wish to establish. And it would be best for you to prepare yourself to face a wrath that is capable of burying the heavens on a single whim."
Hearing this, the carefree expression on Bai Wen's face vanishes, and is replaced with a solemn one.
"Wrath—capable of burying the heavens… Well, that's only something that I would need to be concerned with—if I'm still around for when it happens."
"At least think about…- Never mind."
Raising another sigh, Zhen Huai picks up the cane by his side, and rises to a stand.
Knowing Bai Wen's personality well, Zhen Huai knows that it is meaningless to say anything more.
Similarly, Bai Wen also gets off his seat, as he heads for the door with Zhen Huai.
The situation with the magic array's instability cannot be left alone, as reparation costs aren't easy to shoulder—should it sustain heavy damages.
Prior to leaving, Zhen Huai snaps his fingers, causing the bars in front of Nian Yao Yao and the others to lower.
"I'd suggest you all—to remain in this room until the matter outside is settled."
Upon being left to their own devices, Niao Tao Tao looks over to her daughter—who still seems to be mulling over a few matters in her head.
"Well, what did you think of their conversation a moment ago, my foolish daughter?"
With a look of discomfort on her face, Nian Yao Yao replies—
"They're making me think that I may have picked up a ticking time bomb a few years back."
"Where exactly did you find him?"
"Wasteland areas of GC021."
"Any other details?"
"Didn't bother to look."
Raising a frown, Niao Tao Tao asks—
"…Isn't it common sense to look into someone's history before hiring them?"
"Part of our contract was that I didn't."
"That means to say, he was already hiding something from you from the very beginning."
As Niao Tao Tao narrows her eyes, Nian Yao Yao replies—
"Situation at the time was rather dire, so… Any hand offered is pretty much any hand taken. Also… Isn't it generally impossible for us to understand the tongue of the Immortals? How is it that we are able to understand those two?"
"…"
Hearing this brought up, Nian Tao Tao also sinks into thought.
...…
"…"
"…"
Pressure like no other emanates from the fog-shrouded figure, causing Long Hua to subconsciously take a step back.
Should one look to the walls and floors of the vicinity, they would notice immediately that a layer of frost has covered them.
This layer of frost is the physical manifestation of the fog-shrouded figure's killing intent.
"…"
Extending from within the fog shroud is an unremarkable wooden sword. The only noticeable feature of this weapon is the red tassel that is attached to its pommel.
(That sword…)
(Do we really have to fight him?)
As soon as that sword had appeared, fragmented images of his previous life flashed through Long Hua's mind, whereas the Tian Cheng inside of the dreamscape—put on an expression of dismay.
Within these flashbacks, the owner of the wooden sword is ever-present, and around the individual is either Long Hua himself, or bloodied bodies.
"…"
"…!"
Without giving Long Hua the time to process these images, the fog-shrouded figure closes in with a single step, while cleaving with their weapon.
As an instinctive response to this, Long Hua is quick to position Bai Zhe in front of the wooden sword's path of travel, and—
*Chi…! Chi…! Chi…!* although the enemy's weapon is made from wood, the dense sword Qi that shrouds it—has made it as durable as steel.
(Dammit…)
Noticing chip damage on Bai Zhe's blade, Long Hua inwardly clicks his tongue.
The ferocity of the enemy's sword Qi is clearly a few levels above his own, as demonstrated by its ability to cut through his sword Qi to damage the actual weapon.
*…!!!* as the enemy's sword Qi begins to increase in density, it becomes obvious that the former is preparing to unleash a devastating attack.
Strengthening his grip over Bai Zhe, Long Hua reinforces its blade with his sword Qi.
"…"
In the same instance, a chilling gleam emanates from beyond the fog.
"Tian Cheng…!"
(Ah screw this! It's only a mere replica; it can't possibly compare to the real thing!)
As if to press down her fears, Tian Cheng shouts these words within her mind, as she draws Kun, and together with Long Hua—
*Boom!!!* the moment Kun is pressed against the wooden sword from below, a deafening sound blasts into Long Hua's ears, causing his scalps to turn numb.
"…!"
"…!"
*Kakaka!* facing the pressure that is continuing to press the wooden sword down, Long Hua and Tian Cheng can feel the ground beneath their feet giving way.
(Even if we managed to hold, our weapons would be the ones to break first…)
As cracks begin to form on Kun's blade as well, Tian Cheng grinds her teeth together.
"Tch!"
Taking his left hand away from Bai Zhe's handle, Long Hua shrouds a layer of spirit Qi on his palm—prior to slapping the elbow of his right arm from below.
The abrupt introduction of this force gives way for Long Hua and Tian Cheng—to push the wooden sword upwards!
*Boom!!!* with the attack redirected, the beam of sword Qi—that extends from the wooden sword, ends up tearing a colossal hole through the ceiling!
Following this, Long Hua and Tian Cheng immediately leap out of the residence through the breach.
"…"
Almost as soon as their feet had left the ground, the fog-shrouded figure emerges from the breach as well, and closes in on Long Hua, who is still in the air.
Constricting his eyes, Long Hua positions Bai Zhe in front of himself to block the incoming attack, however—
"…!"
*Boom!* underestimating the weight of this attack, Long Hua feels his back hitting the ground in the next instance.
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