After quickly dealing with the Fractsidus blocking the way, Rover and Changli once again arrived at the cave where they had previously found Wu Li. Inside the cave, they found Wu Li's diary,
"…"
"I encountered a suspicious man in red. The way he put on airs made people feel a bit uncomfortable. He told me a strange legend, with hidden implications."
"He knows about us, and even said he knows a way to let Fu Ling live. I don't know whether I should believe them…"
Obviously, even someone like Zane could figure out who the mastermind behind this was after reading this diary…
Rover narrowed her eyes and continued reading. A faint flame flickered in her golden pupils, "Without a doubt, what the man in red told me goes beyond my imagination."
"The truth about the people in the mountain achieving immortality, and the ability of the Sentinel to control time… If what they say is true, and that place exists in Mt. Firmament, then we still have a second chance."
"They want to entrust me, a simple explorer, to enter the mountain and find that place, and promised me that it is the key to saving Fu Ling…"
"I don't know whether I should believe them, but I don't care what their purpose is. As long as it can let Fu Ling live, I'm willing to pay any price."
"Changli, look at that."
Following the direction Rover pointed, Changli saw another message.
It was Fu Ling's farewell letter left for Wu Li, "When you see this message, are you still continuing our journey?"
"I'm sorry… you may have already noticed that among the places I investigated under the pretense of seeking medicine, many are places we once planned to explore together."
"I hope that what you search for and see will always be those sceneries that haunt our dreams. After all, I know my own physical condition better than anyone."
"I hope Wu Li can remember the feeling when we first set out on our journey, and also remember our wish."
"We once went to many places together and recorded many things that were reborn amidst destruction. We wanted more people to see those wonders."
"This planet has become covered in scars amidst its cries, but precisely because of that, those newly born things are so beautiful."
"Remember how we always met many good friends during our travels. After journeying together for a while, we would part ways."
"Perhaps we would meet them again on another journey, or perhaps that would be the last time we ever saw them."
"But we never lost the courage to continue exploring just because of parting, did we?"
"So this time is the same."
"We will part, but we will also meet again. Please don't stop walking… continue to carry our shared wish into the future."
Compared to a farewell letter, Rover felt that this message was more like the final love letter Fu Ling wrote to Wu Li. She loved him, loved his work, loved his life…
Because of that, she didn't want her lover to change his life because of her.
Rover suddenly felt as if something had gripped her heart, making it ache, and even her breathing became a bit difficult.
From the love between Wu Li and Fu Ling, she saw herself.
Even though she had lost her previous memories, Rover felt that if their positions were reversed, she would probably make the same choice as Wu Li…
"The situation is already very clear." Changli gently waved her hand, and a feather fan formed from phoenix feathers appeared in her hand, covering her expression. Her gaze toward Rover was filled with complexity.
"Fu Ling had already accepted the fact that she would die. She does not place her hopes on illusory 'immortality,' but instead hopes to use the time she has left to complete the dream she shares with Wu Li."
Both Changli and Rover understood clearly.
If they truly entered that so-called "paradise beyond the world" that existed only in legends, they would never be able to leave again, and that would mean Wu Li giving up his future as an adventurer.
And Fu Ling absolutely did not want to see that happen.
"What she truly hopes for… is that her lover accepts the coming separation of life and death, continues to look forward, and goes on to realize the ideals they share."
"She is not giving up, but is full of hope for the future, even if that future does not necessarily include her."
Rover sorted out her messy emotions and once again put on a calm expression. Her golden eyes carried a hint of scrutiny as she looked at Changli, "If it were you, would you make the same choice?"
"Hm? Why do you ask that?"
"It just feels like when you were analyzing Fu Ling's feelings, what was reflected in your eyes didn't seem to be Fu Ling, but yourself…"
Hearing this, Changli lost control of her expression for a brief moment. Fortunately, the phoenix feather fan covered most of her face, preventing her from completely losing composure.
"I'm only making a deduction based on the information obtained. Besides, that child Fu Ling is not someone who is good at hiding her thoughts."
Perhaps because her thoughts had been seen through, Changli's emotions had not yet fully returned to calm.
Rover also understood the hidden meaning in Changli's words, she herself was very good at hiding her thoughts.
Changli did not want to continue entangling herself in this topic. After spending less than half a day together, Rover had already almost seen through her completely.
While sighing at Rover's sharpness and intelligence, she also secretly worried for Zane.
Given the Fractsidus' abilities, they probably had no way to obtain the thing that caused the abnormal temporal flow.
That was why they had set up a scheme, luring the great hero who saved the Sentinel, Rover, into their trap.
In that case, it would be better to go along with the plan.
Rover and Changli exchanged a glance. Both saw a knowing smile in each other's eyes.
Following the abnormal flow of time, the two arrived in front of a square stone table that had long been shattered.
The ancient black and white chess pieces had already been eroded by time, with barely any left, turning into a handful of sand over the long years.
"This is… a chessboard?"
Changli narrowed her eyes, carefully examining the broken stone fragments worn by time.
Based on the crisscrossing lines on the square stone slab, she could vaguely determine that this was the very board where that strange person had played against her master.
Above this ruin, a strange power of time sequence faintly emanated from the void.
"But how do we restore this thing?"
Rover looked around. According to what Zane said, any puzzle should have a solution within seven steps.
Of course, if there wasn't one within seven steps, then you should look around for a strange person with an exclamation mark suddenly appearing above their head.
Sure enough, Rover quickly spotted a Jiting construct, and it was the kind that could control temporal flow.
Rover walked up to the Reflow Instrument and skillfully activated it.
A wave of temporal fluctuation spread over the ruins. In just a few seconds, the chessboard, along with the pieces and the game, was fully restored to its original state.
As the chessboard was restored, a strange phantom appeared along with it. The illusions of an old man and a young girl appeared before them.
"What a move, truly a wonderful move…"
Hearing the old man's voice, Changli's delicate body trembled, and an uncontrollable look of nostalgia appeared in her phoenix-like eyes. "That's Master's voice…"
"This move both secures territory and builds external influence. Truly remarkable. You may seem young, but you are unfathomable."
The two listened for a long time, yet never heard the other figure respond.
"The other person's voice seems to have been deliberately erased."
Changli's brows relaxed slightly as she looked at the phantom, comparing it to Rover's figure. That slender and graceful posture was exactly the same.
"Who do you think the other person resembles?"
Changli's words seemed to be asking Rover, yet also seemed like she was talking to herself.
Authority that could not be recorded by time, a figure deliberately hidden, defeating Narwhal head-on like in a legend, saving the Sentinel and being called "Executor" by Jue…
There was only one person who fit all these conditions.
Rover scratched her head, a shy smile appearing on her flawless face, "Maybe it's Zane."
"You chose to enter the game personally, making yourself a variable. It is an endless dangerous path. But you carry miracles, and there will surely be many who assist you."
"I wish to help, but my time is nearly up."
"When the time comes, the one who will complete this game with you will not be me, but my disciple.", The old man's phantom spoke intermittently, but there was still no voice from the young girl.
"From your expression, it seems you think this method is too risky?"
"Risky?" Rover frowned slightly. Something that even her past self would consider risky…
"No need to worry. With that child's temperament and wisdom, she will surely break this deadlock…"
The old man's voice abruptly stopped. Immediately after, the phantom moved lightly and came to the unfinished chess game, pointing at the board.
As if guided by something, Rover stepped forward and stood opposite the old man's phantom.
As if it was meant to be, her slender fingers picked up a white piece, raised it, and placed it down…
In an instant, dazzling light lit up from the star points and side points of the board. Following the intersecting lines, it finally gathered at the center point.
Seeing this, Changli stepped forward, her legs wrapped in black silk stockings, and came to Rover's side.
At this moment, what was reflected in her eyes was the light mirrored in Rover's eyes.
At the same time, a swift blade blazing like flames appeared in Changli's hand.
"Since you've already come this far, yet still refuse to come out and meet us, what exactly are you waiting for?"