The way I handled things at Amphoreus is far from perfect despite all the resources and influence I stacked upon it. Everything was limited by my realm, be it the eighth-grade talismans' activation or the eighth-grade formation I deployed. At best, it could delay the erosion of so many fake cultivators at the Dao Integration Realm. The talismans are one-time things with no future guarantees. It is different with the formation, fortunately.
Once the critical threshold is reached, it could consume itself in exchange of calling forth a more stable power at the Dao Integration Realm. I thought that with these failsafes, plus Remembrance, everything would be held tightly.
I was wrong.
"Well? I did not expect for the enigmatic master who rewrote the universe to be so full of monologues."
The usual high-landish remark came from Herta's mouth. To whatever reason there is, I do not find her annoying… She's cute, even. Just like Sin's tendencies to be a showoff before being slapped in the face.
"Three years or three hundred years… it doesn't matter in the end, does it?" My rhetorical remark struck at Herta. "Whether the universe knows or not… it is a matter of being more troublesome. Earth will fight to its bitter end."
"What for?"
The answer had long been inside my mind. Everyone in my generation worked hard to fight the honkai.
"To protect all that is beautiful."
Her irises shrank ever-so-slightly. The elegant composure Herta maintained throughout our conversation transformed into something else. In my eyes, it was as if she was a child who had seen a brand new toy, eager to explore its functions and uses.
"That was unbecoming of someone from Xianzhou. I suppose you are better off with the knights of Beauty."
"Perhaps. My wives do bear semblance to the Aeon of Beauty. I am willing to become a knight for their sake."
"..."
Herta's probing came to a grinding halt. Even I did not expect these cheesy words to come out of my mouth, yet it did. Still…
What's wrong with praising my wives?
With the momentum of the conversation now in my hands, I cut to the serious part.
"I believe you did not initiate contact just for my personal matters."
I did not say the rest, though I believed in Herta's judgement to understand it. A trace of reluctance flashed in her eyes, seemingly discontent in becoming the weaker side of this 'negotiation'. Yet she has no other choice. I made it to be so. Even if she is the peerless gem of the universe, I can't let anyone step over me nor Earth's interests.
"Immortal cultivation."
Her glossy pink lips parted as these two words left her mouth.
"Let me freely move this puzzle. In exchange, I will support you in the coming Finality. A beautiful ending is what you seek, no?"
"...Who would believe that the great Miss Herta is a closet stalker?"
I haven't forgotten the time she used Erudition's influence to peer at Amphoreus. Nous THEMSELVES interacted with me… with Amphoreus. As THEIR Emanator, it is no surprise that Herta knew about it. Everything Nous gazed upon could be accessed by the Emanators.
"Alright."
Herta was slightly startled, the rebuttal she prepared turning useless.
"Immortal cultivation's greatest reliance comes from me. At least in the past six hundred years, nobody found an alternative way through it."
I explained before reaching out with my right hand. She did not dilly-dally, our hands coming in contact within the next second. The softness and supple sensation coming from it felt unreal from someone who did not do immortal cultivation. My god-like intuition attributed it to two things: Herta's insane natural beauty and her advancements into the biological field.
I shook my head from these distractions as my mind swept through her soul. What was once a 'normal' soul sprouted a pale gray root. It rapidly grew into a fist-sized orb, emitting fluctuations belonging to the Dao of Time. Without any surprises, Herta awakened a high-grade spirit root belonging to a special attribute.
Our hands remained in contact as Herta lifted her face up. The eyes hidden underneath the edge of her conical hat revealed satisfaction. A rather smug smile appeared on her lips as the faint trace of spiritual qi coming from my projection moved towards her. It did not seek to negatively impact my projection, but more of mooching off of the excess spiritual qi I emitted.
Qi Refining early stage, middle stage… all the way to the pinnacle stage. All it took was a few seconds of handholding for Herta to speedrun her way through to the entire Qi Refining Realm.
…
What a cheater.
Her hand left soon after. I did not bother hiding my thoughts in front of her.
"Emanators really have it easier… for the select few, that is." I remarked. "So, how is it?"
Herta's looks already gave away a smug feeling. Compared to Sin who faced consecutive failures, Herta has the power to back away her arrogance!
"It is not that hard… I suppose."
I showed her an amused look. As much as she found it easy to break through, she wasn't the only special person I knew of. Kiana's affliction to the Cocoon of Finality granted her an advantage compared to the others. Her being almost one minor realm higher than others explains everything.
Whether it is arrogance or merely a facade Herta puts up for show, I did not think much about it.
"Do not forget about your promise." I paused, mischief prevailing, before adding, "You will know what to do about fifteen years later."
Since Herta likes puzzles so much…
Won't it be nice to play Grandpa Su's role as a riddler once?
******
"Hum. He is just as ill-humored as those followers of Enigmata. But…"
Thinking of Shi Tian's capabilities and the brand new power within her, Herta took his words more seriously. Polka Kakamond's vague nature alone was enough to warrant vigilance and seriousness towards Shi Tian. The fact she did not show any hostilities tells a lot of things.
"Fifteen years…"
The most likely answer emerged from Herta's mind. She had deduced Shi Tian's intention in rewriting the universe—in planting a hidden bomb at Amphoreus.
If the universe is truly headed into a pre-destined path leading to Finality…
"...messing with its story leads to a different ending."