Mt. Firmament, Mianloong Chamber.
With Noah's teleportation, the trio arrived at Jué's location almost effortlessly.
According to Cartethyia's original plan, it would have taken her at least several days to meet Jinzhou's Sentinel.
According to Cantarella, when she had visited Huanglong before, she had exhausted all her connections, begged everyone she could, and was still ultimately turned away.
But for Cartethyia, she had barely set foot in Jinzhou when the Magistrate of Jinzhou came looking for her, and she was brought directly to meet the Sentinel.
Deer antlers, ox ears, snake body, eagle claws...
Jinzhou's Sentinel truly looked majestic and imposing. This was Cartethyia's first impression of Jué.
The Sentinel of Rinascita, Imperator, had once also been this majestic and sacred, but now...
The current Imperator was only palm-sized and very cute.
"I am glad to see you, Resonator of Imperator, Cartethyia. Through prophecy, I already know your purpose for coming."
Jué, who had been waiting for a while, spoke calmly to Cartethyia:
"Release the separated consciousness that Imperator sent. I will speak with It alone. Jinhsi, treat the honored guest from Rinascita with courtesy and do not be negligent."
"Yes."
As Jué's voice fell, Jinhsi could only nod. Cartethyia then separated the consciousness brought by Imperator from within herself.
A palm-sized white horse instantly appeared directly in front of Jué, and the two stared at each other with wide eyes.
Locked Horse: o.O
Locked Jué: O.o
"Pfft—"
Jué's massive dragon body trembled as It held back laughter with great difficulty. It quickly spoke to the three people below:
"You three leave first. I will speak with the old horse… Imperator alone. Come back tomorrow to retrieve the separated consciousness."
Hearing this, the three could only take their leave.
Before they had completely left the Mianloong Chamber, a roaring laughter like thunder echoed through the mountain.
"Old horse, hahahahaha, how did you become so small, hahahahaha…"
After a bout of mockery, the reunion of old friends naturally led to reminiscing and pouring out grievances.
As they talked and complained, the two Sentinels gradually fell silent, realizing that each was more miserable than the other.
One had their Ring of Time shattered and nearly paid the price of death to stop time across all of Jinzhou.
The other had lost to Leviathan and was devoured alive by a Threnodian, digested for several hundred years.
Locked Horse: "You've really had it rough."
Locked Jué: "You're not much better."
(Black Shores: I have something to say.)
...
Jinzhou, City Hall.
Sanhua saluted the visitor with a cupped fist:
"Counselor Changli, the Magistrate is not here. If there is anything, I can relay the message on her behalf."
"Oh? She went to find Noah, didn't she?"
Seeing Sanhua remain silent, Changli's gaze sharpened and her expression turned slightly angry:
"As the Magistrate of a state, she is so deeply immersed in romantic entanglements that she even neglects official duties. Is this how I taught her?"
"Counselor Changli, please watch your words."
"I am her teacher. You want me to watch my words?"
Changli's brows rose sharply as she issued an order in a deep voice:
"Sanhua, call Jinhsi back to City Hall. Tell her I have urgent matters to discuss with her."
...
Mt. Firmament
"My teacher is looking for me? Alright."
After ending the call, Jinhsi shook her head helplessly and shifted her gaze to Noah, looking deeply worried.
She could not refuse her teacher's summons, but if she left now, wouldn't that mean handing Noah over completely to Cartethyia?
"Noah, it seems I won't have time to entertain the honored guest from Rinascita today. How about this."
An idea came to Jinhsi:
"I will arrange accommodation for Cartethyia at the State Guesthouse to show Jinzhou's hospitality. Why don't you two come back to City Hall with me?"
There was no better choice than keeping both of them under her direct watch.
"No." Cartethyia rejected straightforwardly and took a step closer to Noah, speaking politely to Jinhsi:
"I will stay with the Laureate. There is no need to trouble the Magistrate."
"This…" Jinhsi maintained a calm expression on the surface while secretly gritting her teeth.
How could she let you stay with Noah!
"Having an honored guest stay elsewhere would make it seem like Jinzhou's hospitality is insincere and would go against the Sentinel's command."
"It's fine. Cartethyia is not the petty type. When I host her, she won't feel like she's staying under someone else's roof."
Seeing the two about to argue, Noah stepped in to ease the tension:
"Xixi, Changli must have something urgent if she's looking for you. I'll send you back now."
A white light spread beneath Jinhsi's feet and instantly teleported her back to City Hall.
"Well done!"
As soon as Jinhsi left, Cartethyia beamed with joy and returned to her previous lively self. She grabbed Noah's arm:
"Laureate, I heard from Cantarella that you have the ability to use other people's powers. Does that include my powers too?"
"Of course! Let me show you."
With a single thought, he switched roles and became Cartethyia.
Looking at the Tacet Mark on Noah's forehead that was identical to hers and sensing the exact same frequency emanating from him, Cartethyia couldn't help but widen her eyes:
"It really is exactly like me, and it seems even stronger. That's amazing."
As she spoke, Cartethyia grew excited. She stepped back a few paces, summoned the Crown of Unyielding Fate, and performed several beautiful sword techniques:
"Since you have my powers and strength, do you also have my moves? Laureate, let me teach you my swordsmanship!"
"Uh… no need."
Noah also drew his sword and flicked out a few light sword flowers with a slight smile:
"Whatever you know, I know."
"I don't believe it. There's one move that only I know. No one else could possibly have it."
Cartethyia shook her head mysteriously, stepped closer, and covered Noah's eyes with her hand. The cool touch immediately blocked his vision.
The Laureate will definitely be shocked when he sees her transform at will!
Thinking this, a mischievous smile appeared on Cartethyia's face as she softly chanted:
"True Form—Reveal Yourself Here."
Her voice shifted from soft to majestic.
She released her hands. Noah, vision restored, looked straight ahead and saw a pair of massive southern hemispheres right in front of him.
Little Cart had switched to Big Cart, now roughly two Carlotta's in height.
"Surprised?"
Cartethyia looked down and didn't see Noah at first. After stepping back two steps, her gaze finally found him beneath her massive chest.
However, there was no trace of surprise on his face, which left Cartethyia somewhat disappointed.
"Big Cart, bend down a bit."
Hearing this, Cartethyia obediently bent down. Her eyes were immediately covered by Noah's hands.
Her breathing hitched as she lost her vision. Just as she was about to speak, she heard the familiar five words beside her ear:
"True Form—Reveal Yourself Here."
The hands covering her eyes released. In front of her stood a giant Noah whose loose clothes had been stretched completely tight.
"Ah!"
Cartethyia's eyes widened in shock:
"You can transform at will too, and you're even a head taller than me."
"What are you saying."
Noah immediately retorted:
"I'm not just a head taller. I'm not even standing straight yet. If I stand straight, I'm two heads taller than you."
"Too amazing!"
Her gaze scanned up and down Noah's enlarged form. The more she looked, the more delighted she became, completely forgetting to maintain the dignity of her Fleurdelys form.
She knew clearly that the effects of this transformation were comprehensive! Every part of the body would enlarge accordingly.
At this moment, Cartethyia's previously vague feelings became firm—she must have Noah!
Both of them had dual forms. This was simply double the happiness!
...
City Hall.
"When handling official business, the Magistrate should be fully focused. Why do you seem so distracted?"
Hearing Changli's reproachful words, Jinhsi lifted her head from a pile of documents, her eyes full of resentment.
Where was the so-called urgent matter? This was just regular official work.
Her husband was about to be taken away by another woman. How could she calm down and work?
"Tea~cher~"
"Ah… I really don't know what to do with you. I don't know what kind of bewitching potion that Hero gave you."
"There was no potion. Noah didn't give me any drugs. Teacher, what are you saying…"
Holding her forehead and sighing softly, Changli pushed aside the pile of documents in front of Jinhsi. She lifted Jinhsi's chin teasingly with her finger. Her golden phoenix eyes seemed to see right through her:
"As long as you handle official business properly, your teacher can act as your strategist and help you capture Noah. How about it?"
Hearing such direct and piercing words, Jinhsi felt so shy she wanted to lower her head. But when her eyes met Changli's, she somehow answered uncontrollably:
"Deal!"
"Then, from now on, you are a piece on my chessboard. In this game, you must listen to me completely."
Changli let out a satisfied chuckle, as if everything was under her control:
"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle. Tell me, during last month's Moon-Chasing Festival evening party, what reason did Noah give for rejecting you?"
"Teacher, how did you know…"
"Don't I know you well enough? Speak. Why did he reject you?"
Faced with this unavoidable topic, Jinhsi could only recall the memory from a month ago with shame and answer honestly:
"Because… I am underage."
"Hiss~ This is a high-level match!"