Chapter 132: To Remember and to Forget
"Compared to the seemingly effortless relief of forgetting a loved one, I believe Zhang Lexuan... would undoubtedly choose to remember this love."
Lei Chen's voice was calm yet filled with undeniable force, his gaze seeming to pierce through the luminous screen to see the truest choice deep within Zhang Lexuan's soul.
"Even if this love, from the very beginning, was destined to receive no response, bringing her only prolonged yearning and hidden pain. Even knowing the path ahead is a solitary vigil, she would still choose this way."
Lei Chen paused slightly, looking toward the cluster of golden divine sense that was fluctuating with increasing intensity. His tone carried a detached certainty born of profound insight into worldly affairs:
"Because the act of remembering itself is the continuation of her love. That emotion, buried deep in her heart, has long transcended the narrow confines of possession and reciprocation, becoming a part of her life, supporting her convictions, shaping her character. To forcibly erase it—how is that any different from negating her past years and her own perseverance?"
"What is painful is perhaps the unfulfilled ending; but what is precious is the sincere heart she devoted to it and has persistently held onto. This is love—it is not always a sweet fruit; often, it is more a choice made without regard for east or west, a burden willingly shouldered even if it tastes bitter."
These words were like the final straw that broke the high wall of despair built within the Goddess of Love's heart.
The golden energy mass no longer swayed violently. Instead, it sank into an extreme stillness, its light turning inward as if digesting a perspective no one had ever spoken to her about in all these tens of thousands of years.
The aura of emotional law permeating the space also became heavy and condensed. The myriad threads of emotion seemed to whisper in unison, resonating with Lei Chen's words.
A long, long time passed.
Just as Lei Chen thought the Goddess of Love would remain silent, the golden energy mass finally emitted fluctuations again. The Goddess of Love's cool voice rang out, carrying less of the aloof indifference that kept others at a distance and a touch of an indescribable, complex emotion, along with... a barely perceptible hint of testing.
"Is that so... You speak with such certainty..." Her divine sense carried a trace of vagueness. "Since that's the case, merely discussing it here between us is ultimately like watching a fire from the opposite shore. Why not... summon that girl here and ask her directly. Let us see what choice she truly makes." Hearing this, a glimmer of understanding and a smile flashed in Lei Chen's eyes. He knew a crack had finally been pried open in the Goddess of Love's frozen defenses.
The Goddess of Love's willingness to witness with her own eyes and hear with her own ears was itself a positive signal.
"Very well." Lei Chen nodded slightly and said no more.
With a slight stir of his will, he simply gave a gentle flick of his sleeve toward Zhang Lexuan's figure in the luminous screen before him. In the next moment, the authority of the Plane Master operated silently, bridging the distance across space.
Within the golden space, the light and shadows twisted. A graceful figure clad in white warrior's attire appeared silently between Lei Chen and the cluster of golden divine sense, accompanied by a ripple in space.
It was Zhang Lexuan!
One moment she had been standing dazed by the Lakeside of the Sea God, her emotions in turmoil; the next, the scene before her eyes changed drastically, and she found herself in a completely unfamiliar, mysterious space filled with warm golden radiance and strange fluctuations of law.
This abrupt change set off alarm bells in Zhang Lexuan's mind. Almost instinctively, her Soul Power instantly coalesced around her. Eight Soul Rings rose from beneath her feet as she entered her highest state of alert, her gaze swiftly sweeping her surroundings.
However, when she clearly saw the figure standing ahead with hands clasped behind his back, his form flowing with an indescribable aura of majesty and tranquility, Zhang Lexuan's pupils contracted slightly. The wariness on her face transformed into surprise in an instant, and she promptly withdrew all her Soul Power and Soul Rings. She bowed in salute, her voice still calm and maintaining proper courtesy:
"This junior, Zhang Lexuan, an inner court disciple of Shrek Academy, pays her respects to the Plane Master. May I ask why the Plane Master has suddenly summoned this junior here?"
Her reaction was remarkably swift—startled but not flustered, her courtesy impeccable, displaying excellent Spiritual fortitude and upbringing.
Looking at Zhang Lexuan, who had quickly composed herself, a flicker of appreciation passed through Lei Chen's eyes. He waved his hand gently, his tone mild, like a benevolent elder easing the other's tension:
"No need for formalities. Summoning you here is not for a bad reason, and there is no need to be tense."
He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over the silent golden energy mass beside him before continuing to Zhang Lexuan: "Just now, while observing various places in the plane, I inadvertently noticed your expression by the Lakeside of the Sea God. I saw a trace of melancholy between your brows. Could it be you are troubled by some... matters of the heart?"
Zhang Lexuan hadn't expected this supreme Plane Master to pay attention to such a subtle personal emotion. She was slightly taken aback, a faint, almost imperceptible hint of awkwardness flitting across her lovely face. But she did not deny it, merely saying softly, "This junior... is indeed troubled by some private matters. I apologize for troubling the Plane Master with my concerns."
"It is of no consequence." Lei Chen smiled faintly, as if discussing a trivial matter. "Since I happened to see it, it can be considered fate. Perhaps I can help you, to resolve this worry of yours."
"Help me?" Zhang Lexuan was stunned again, her beautiful eyes filled with confusion. Matters of the heart were like drinking water—only the drinker knew if it was warm or cold. Even the Plane Master, how could he help? Unless...
Before she could ponder further, Lei Chen directly presented his "solution," his tone as casual as if discussing the pleasant weather:
"Actually, it's quite simple. What troubles you is merely that unattainable, unrelinquishable obsession. I can intervene, using an extremely precise method, to completely strip away and make you forget the emotions and obsessions related to 'romantic love' for that specific person from your mind and the depths of your heart."
Seeming to reassure Zhang Lexuan, he added specifically, "This procedure will only target the love itself that causes you pain. It will absolutely not affect your other memories, nor will it impact the sisterly affection or camaraderie between you and him."
"After forgetting, you will still see him as an old acquaintance, but your heart will no longer be stirred. You can focus wholeheartedly on the Great Path, free from all hindrances. What do you think of this method?"
Lei Chen's words were calm, yet carried a tremendous power capable of altering the course of a person's emotions. If his words were true, for many trapped in emotional tribulations, this would undoubtedly be a heavenly boon.
However, after hearing these words, Zhang Lexuan, without almost any hesitation—not even a moment's thought—firmly shook her head.
She raised her head, her gaze clear and forthright as she looked at Lei Chen, her tone respectful yet resolute: "Thank you for your kind intention, Plane Master! But... this junior does not wish to forget my feelings for that person..."
"Foolish!"
Before Zhang Lexuan could finish her sentence, a woman's voice, cool yet tinged with anger and bewilderment, and vaguely mixed with an indescribable emotion, abruptly rang out in the golden space, directly cutting her off.
The cluster of golden energy that had been silent all along began to glow and swirl. The Goddess of Love's divine sense seemed agitated by Zhang Lexuan's "ungrateful" response:
"What's wrong with forgetting that meaningless love that only holds you back? With your talent and temperament, if you could completely cast off this emotional burden and henceforth focus single-mindedly on cultivation, you would have a great chance of breaking through the mortal barrier and stepping into the divine realm in the future!"
"If you remain entangled in such trivial love, pointlessly draining your spirit, you will only delay your cultivation progress. It's simply not worth the loss!"
The Goddess of Love's voice carried a judgmental, From a high vantage point tone, as if reprimanding a junior who had strayed onto the wrong path.
In her view, Zhang Lexuan's choice undoubtedly confirmed the pessimistic notion of "love-induced folly" in her heart.
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